Aug 26 2011
Vacocast Boot
Since finding the Vacocast link on the achillesblog site I thought this was a worth while product so I contacted them this week. They’ve been extremely pro-active and already visited my consultant and plaster room. Luckily my consultant is supportive of the product and they are joining me at my next hospital visit, next Thursday.
If anyone has used this boot I would be interested to hear your comments, good or bad and if you did use this boot what week did you get fitted with it after the injury.
15 responses so far
15 Responses to “Vacocast Boot”
Hia, I ruptured my ATR 3 weeks ago today. Went to A&E (Leicester, UK) and had a front slab cast fitted 3 hours after the accident.
Two days later I was back all intent to ask for surgery but they fitted a vacoped boot instead - saying that surgery was no longer offered on the NHS in Leicester.
I also have private medical with work and this week visited the consultant for a 2nd opinion. I was told that there is a new way of thinking with the ATR recovery, and the vacoped boot is one of the best ways of treatment.
This is (aparently) because it keeps the leg weight bearing and holds the foot in the correct position easily and effectively. I was told to stand up and walk 5 minutes after it was fitted by the NHS, and have been doing so ever since. It is much more of a hobble and anything more than around one room and I use crutches, but so far so good.
I am still very early days into my treatment, but I was told in no uncertain terms by my consultant that unless I was a top class high jumper then the vacoped is the way to go.
I am sports orientated and like mountain biking, running and football with the kids (not seriously), and she still said I was in the best solution.
I’m 40 on Friday by the way, if it helps :o)
Adam, Glad to hear from someone at a similar time of injury to me. Have you got a blog going too? It does seem that treatment is turning as most things I found on the web suggested surgery. I was about to get a second opinion when I was told no surgery but the comments from others on my blog put my mind at rest so I didn’t bother.
So what degree angle is you vacoped boot? Mine is at 30 and im only resting it on the floor when sitting - haven’t even attempted to walk on it.
At 30 degrees my gate is closed inwards so my knee is pointing inwards so walking would be very awkward. The discomfort i have this week is the feeling or lack in my big toe. Regards Rob
Hi. At age 49 years having had rupture > surgery then re-rupture > conservative treatment in Vacoped boot in the last year I feel qualified to comment. Conservative treatment is a good choice for the majority. I would now be happy to have gone with that first time round. No additional trauma from the surgery. The tear is more like a frayed rope and trying to join that without overtightening / affecting blood supply might be an issue. I still ended up immobilised for just as long after surgery just more swelling and elevation needed so longer off work.
After re-rupture I used some 12mm 6mm heel raises and wedges and duck tape to put foot in full equinus rather than 30 degrees offered by the boot alone. Just adjusted it slowly back to neutral and range of movement myself according to my interpretation of some of the protocols on the web. Boot was too new for my consultant to have had much experience with it!
Pringles. Sorry for the lack of replies. I think this site needs to be a bit better at notifications and links to others blogs fron user name posts etc. (Not a moan btw as this is a great place, just an observation).
Yes I have a blog at /adamp
My boot was fitted two days after the rupture and I was told to get up and walk on it straight away. The hospital were prepared to let me home without crutches, but it would have been nigh on impossible to get around.
My foot is also at 30 degrees and I too get odd feelings in my big toe. After the first two weeks I had to keep taking the front of the boot off to relieve pressure in the top of my foot. I now do this 2 or 3 times a day, but never take my foot out without the say so of a doctor etc.
Walking is difficult but possible and I would advise you give it a go (assuming your doctors say so of course). Best is to ben your knee and take very small steps. Make sure you land tour good foot on the heel and roll through the motion, as I thought I’d done myself an injury such was the aching in my good calf after 2 days.
I now walk without crutches when moving around in the same room, but crutches everywhere else. I do put weight on the bad foot when using crutches and try to get an outing in every day.
Hope this helps.
i have been reading the blog as i ruptured my tendon playing volleyball last wednesday. After ultra sound they said a 2″ gap but just sent me home with a back cast!! I phone back for clarity and they want me back in this Thursday (it was going to be 2 weeks) . I think they will suggest surgery but want to go with the vacocast boot but can’t find a uk link anywhere can you help me please?? Many thanks
Hi Louise
Check the blog /adamp
He is from the uk and purchased a vacoped/vacocast
Hi,
Full ATR rupture on 29th June 2012, straight to A&E NHS, confirmed what I already new, fracture clinic the next day; confirmed again; US scan next week; (all the time in pointing (Equinus)cast) They decided on None op: coincedentally, guy next to me in A&E and Fracture clinic, 20 years younger than me (I’m 65) was TOLD he was having the operative option. After reading up on this blog and others, I asked for a VACOped boot at Hull Infirmary, plus a quicker physiotherapy/healing protocol. I was told they didn’t do that; I would be in plaster for 12 weeks !!!! I found another Orthopaedic surgeon in Goole, bought my own VACOped (!) and presented with it. The new ortho(specialist knee and ankle man) hadn’t seen one before, but was impressed with it and gave me a healing protocol with it: +3weeks at 30 degrees Non Weight Bearing: then attached first sole on boot (big clumpy job) with Full weight bearing (subject to pain), same 30 degrees. Another 3 weeks, coinciding with my next apptmnt should, subject to healing, go into flat sole, down to 15 degrees.
He thought that I should be out of VACOped 9 weeks after my first visit to Goole, about 12 weeks after ATR. No physio before I lose my boot: comments ?
rogerg
Just a comment on the VACOped boot: I found it on this blog and called the company. They were really helpful, explained all about the product and I had it delivered the next day. Answered my niggling queries by E mail very quickly and after three weeks, one of their excellent partners visited me at home to check on my progress. I cannot speak too highly of VACOped UK. The product is very good and hugely more comfortable than an old style plaster cast and must be better value for money if the NHS had used it in my area. I understand that Leicester, Blackburn and Poole NHS use this product, but many consultants/physiotherapists will not move with the times.
rogerg
As you will have seen from achillesblog, protocols vary…
I had NHS supplied Vacoped Pro Achilles boot with the protocol:
(First 2 weeks was in a cast). Same protocol op or non-op.
Week 3, into Vaco boot with achilles sole, 30º PF, wean off crutches, weight bearing. Simple exercises.
Week 5, standard sole, 30º - 15º PF. Do more exercise sessions, including simple Theraband (green).
Week 7, boot at 30º - neutral.
Week 9, boot now has range 30º PF, 10ºDF.
Week 10, shoes indoors.
Week 11, shoes outdoors. Able to drive. Exercises now include swimming, walking, static bike, treadmill etc. Told not to do squash/badminton for 6 months, although start running/jogging at 4-5.
Now at week 23 and still increasing level of exercise, at gym, and seeing physio too. Leg swelling just about stopped, lasted a while and needed compression socks.
Good luck with your recovery.
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Two years running, while spending winters in Fla. I worked myself up to 5 miles speed walking, (for me) about 17 min per mi.
Out of the blue, I tore my (r) Achilles. (50% tear). After 1 year of therapy, Celebrex and ice. I finally got my “heal”.
Not to write a manuscript, I will get to my point. It happened again to my (L) Achilles!
Same healing process, repeated.
After 2 1/2 years lost and 20 lbs gained. EUREKA! A doctor friend mentioned STATIN DRUGS…..specifically, CRESTOR! Stopped Crestor and in 4 months all tenderness is gone. Back to 3 miles a day. All tenderness is gone.
When you have Achilles issues….LOOK AT YOU MEDICINE!
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