poet’s AchillesBlog

A higher shoe on the “good” foot is important, but that’s for hip and spine alignment. I wouldn’t expect some mis-alignment to hurt your ATR ankle or foot, and certainly not instantly and extremely painfully. (Just a medical opinion from a non-medical “expert”, of course!)

Wow! How are you guys able to walk in these boots?? I’m 5 weeks post tear (full)…and am to be trying to FWB and I’m having a difficult time with the size and angle of the boot! Do you have any suggestions? A higher shoe on the good foot??? Also feeling intense burning at night - anyone else?

I ruptured my Achilles 3 weeks ago and I am in a Cam Walker boot. I’m doing the non surgical route as the doc suggested since I don’t have insurance. I was playing basketball when it happened and hope to someday return playing. I know recovery takes 12 months and I’m willing to do that. But should I be excited that I’ve been walking in my boot with no issues. I’m trying to figure out the best way to let it heal. I’m supposed to start therapy in a month or so. in the meantime, i wear the boot wherever I go and only take it off when I’m showering or going to sleep….
I keep reading different accounts so i dunno what to expect with my situation

Hey Poet,
I just posted @ 3 wks and I am having a similar level of confidence. Only last week I wouldn’t have thought I would be walking. Keep us posted of your progress. I am right behind you : )

During week 3 post op, I started PWB in the VACOcast at 30deg plantarflexion w/crutches. At 4 weeks, I started FWB as tolerated, which for me, ended up pretty much being just plain FWB, and throughout the week, I moved to 20deg plantarflexion in the VACOcast.
I think it sounds like you’re doing great!
Just be really careful to keep the repair protected and safe…you’re still vulnerable to injury.
Congrats on this great new step! It’s the first step to feeling “normal”!

Hey Poet,
I am at 2 1/2 weeks and using one crutch, partial weight bearing; however, with the boot still pointed down 30 degrees, I believe it would be hard to walk even w/ a good leg in the boot.
Also, I am non-op–you?

Is your boot still 30 degrees down and do you have a wedged sole?

Yup, it worked this time. The only difference was the beginning of one of the URLs, you know, that h-t-t-p thing. When I included it, the post was sent into limbo. Poet, you can delete that old one now if you want, rather than approving it as a moderator. (Or just ignore it!)

I posted the following around 24 hrs ago, but I just noticed it’s still “awaiting moderation”, and I think I can fix that with a quick edit:
~~~~start of re-post~~~~
You’ve come to the right place, poet, but I think you’ll find most of your questions answered already, on pages that should be relatively easy for you to find.

The answers to your “When” questions depend on your rehab protocol, which is most often determined by the preferences of your surgeon, especially for somebody who had surgery. One good (fast, modern, successful) protocol is posted at bit.ly/UWOProtocol . I personally don’t think there’s much excuse for any doctor to make his patients go more slowly than that schedule, and it’s possible that a bit faster might work as well or (who knows?) even better. But that schedule has produced excellent results and is relatively convenient, too. If your Doc suggests slower, I’d hit him with that protocol and that study’s excellent results — e.g., at bit.ly/UWOStudy , though the entire study is now published on this very web-site — and challenge him to justify his approach.

Faster is way easier on the patient. And boot

I was also tortured by the crutches but my arms look about 100% better. My hands still have calluses and I’m at week 13(14 in 2 days). Janet’s description on how to use them is right on. I was using them wrong to start with. If you stand up straight there is so much less strain on every part of your body. And don’t use your underarms to support yourself. I was on cruthches for almost two months. I never went to one. I walked into PT one day and said I have to get off these things…and I did.
I was in a boot at week 5 and PT week six. Also try to get a PT program where you see the same one every time. I HATE those places where you spend a good part of your appt explaining what is clearly written down somewhere cause you just told the other guy last time!
Try to swim as soon as you can as you can do lots more things in the water than on land.
And use this site! It helped me through some dark times and still helps me to compare. This week we compared scars!
Cellblock4(what does that mean)is so right, your individual experience may be close to some but it is still your own deal!
The boot is on the way, and then you won’t want it a

sorry to hear it, but it gets better. i’m at week 15.

1. get a knee scooter period. thing improved my quality of life tremendously. i couldn’t carry a cup of coffee from the ktichen to my couch without it.

2. i would think you’ll be FWB around week 4-6. i was FWB at week 8, but that was because my incision took longer to heal.

3. you should start PT around week 6. i’ve posted this before, but any PT place with an Alter G treadmill is a good sign. i’ve used it and its helped me regain my gait pretty quickly.

4. once you get FWB, i started doing undulation training with a rope. the ropes are expensive, but the cardio workout is intense and it felt good to break a great sweat without taking a step.

obviously, your surgeon will know best about your particular situation, but after the initial pins/needles from my first few days of FWB, as long as you’re in the boot, I was told you’re pretty safe.

In my opinion, a good PT will be EXTREMELY hands-on and work one-on-one w/you. Initially, they will be focusing on strengthening your leg muscles (NOT calves) so that when you are able to start walking, you have the supporting muscle strength to do so properly. I also feel a good PT should start mobilizing the scar tissue very early on, and should include some LIGHT range of motion exercises and movements to keep your foot and ankle from getting stiff.
The first few weeks will consist of keeping the repair PROTECTED, the surrounding tissues loose, and keeping swelling under control w/elevation and ice.

For me, I was in the VACOcast at various degrees of plantar flexion over the course of about 6 weeks or so, and moved into 2 shoes at about week 8.

[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

Hey Poet

I didn’t know I had options either. I was in surgery 2.5days after my ATR. I haven’t had any problems with the crutches….I think due to really good upper body strength but you might want to consider using weight lifting gloves….they are padded at the palms and you can pick them up fairly inexpensively. I try and keep the weight of my body in my arms and not so much on my hands….that probably isn’t a really good explanation. I also try not to lean on crutches and keep my spine as erect as possible….this way your whole upper body is working so the weight doesn’t stay in one spot….hope this helps.

I’m also anxious to start PT….according to others on the site I may have been able to start sooner…but I’m getting a very quick education in ATR. I see the doctor on Friday. At least you were not in a hardcast.

I was back at the gym 2 wks post-op…working upper body etc….it helped to feel like I was at least doing something.

It looks like we are going to be on the same timeline approximately so I will be looking forward to hearing about your progress.

From what I have learned it will be a while b

I am 7 months, non-surgical

I HATED my crutches

HIGHLY recommend a knee-scooter; mine was covered by insurance.

It does get better, it just takes time. My Ortho was very cautious re PT so I cant help you there.

You’ve come to the right place, poet, but I think you’ll find most of your questions answered already, on pages that should be relatively easy for you to find.

The answers to your “When” questions depend on your rehab protocol, which is most often determined by the preferences of your surgeon, especially for somebody who had surgery. One good (fast, modern, successful) protocol is posted at bit.ly/UWOProtocol . I personally don’t think there’s much excuse for any doctor to make his patients go more slowly than that schedule, and it’s possible that a bit faster might work as well or (who knows?) even better. But that schedule has produced excellent results and is relatively convenient, too. If your Doc suggests slower, I’d hit him with that protocol and that study’s excellent results — e.g., at http://bit.ly/UWOStudy , though the entire study is now published on this very web-site — and challenge him to justify his approach.

Faster is way easier on the patient. And boots (like your AirCast) are better than casts.

Good luck, and good healing!

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