FWB and I think I’ve overdone it!
Still in the boot and was down to one crutch and feeling quite comfortable and happy to get one hand back - at least I could start to carry things again. Then I ended up leaving that crutch behind and it felt fine. I was so excited to have no crutches I got a bit carried away doing things - feeding chickens, putting out the washing, carrying my own cup of tea and even walking up the drive - so nothing mega but not being able to do much for a while I was very happy. However I think I paid for it as had more pain in the tendon over night than I had had before - nothing major but twinges and niggles - hopefully just nerves finding themselves again. Anyway today I am taking it a lot more easy with my foot up again occasionally.
It feels like it is all on the mend but the imagination does get a bit carried awayand I keep visualising the tendon - I am not sure whether that scan picture on someone’s blog was helpful or not! Also go round in circles on the conservative/operative approach - time will no doubt tell and having read everything I can find on the subject I don’t think there is a “right” answer; the medical profession clearly cannot agree so it has to be an individual approach. I wasn’t a mega-fit athlete before my ATR so how could I possibly expect to be afterwards?! If I had gone the operative approach I might being feeling I can take more risks and try harder as that tendon is stitched together but then it might stap somewhere else! As it is I am seeing this as a real wake up call to gradually increase my level of fitness again and expect it to take a year - I expect I will play squash again but not for a while and when I am in better shape overall. Playing after a 15 year break and thinking like a competitive 20 year old probably wasn’t a good idea!
Anyway I am probably prattling - this is a great site and so helpful to get through this thing - good luck to everyone out there.
August 16th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Hi Sharon, As you know I’m in the cast for another 3 weeks or so, and much as I’d like to be doing a bit more I think I’d be too scared to push it too much this early even having gone the surgical route.
Everyone seems to say “listen to your body” re exercise and when you hear the horror stories of reruptures I think that’s good advice.
Saw your comment about Gosport - I was born in Auckland NZ then came back to the UK with parents when I was only 3 and grew up in Southampton, but have now lived in the Greater London area for 20+ years.
It must be so tempting to really go for it when you can, but don’t over do it.
Best wishes,Sam
August 16th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Oh, I did the same thing yesterday! We went to a fiber festival yesterday and walked all over the fairgrounds. I did use my crutches for support, but I could tell I did too much when we got home last night. More swelling than usual and more pain. However, it felt so good to be out and moving around. It’s hard to strike a happy medium!
August 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I understand you very well…. I did the same in the spring, after 7 weeks in cast when I was given the boot finally I got rid of my crutches in a day and walked a lot. The result : more swelling.
When I got into 2 shoes and started physio after 12 weeks I got a dressing down from the therapist about walking too much. She said I should not walk more than 40 minutes without taking a break. So maybe you should also hold back, not feed the chickens just yet, only do what is necessary, enjoy taking your own cup of tea to the living room.
I find this part of the hardest. When we could walk but have to hold back.
I re-ruptured after conservative treatment, never got an explanation why. The therapist said I had flare-ups, I should not walk much. But never an MRI was taken, so I question if the tendon had healed well at all. I had a bump there and lots of swelling.
Good Luck!
August 23rd, 2009 at 3:05 am
Thanks for the comments Sam, Debra and 2ndtimer,
After the initial excitment about being “hands free” I did calm down a bit and tried to follow your advice 2ndtimer re 40 minutes. Am really worried about your experience 2ndtimer, I know someone else who re-ruptured at 6 months - that would be a nightmare. The tendon is feeling quite strong, not jump around on a squash court strong, but Thompson test quite strong and very little swelling. But it is hard not to overdo it and it is really hard to consiously rest with kids around - they are getting rather a lot of TV time so I can keep putting my feet up at least for a little while.
Sam - interesting that you were born in Auckland, we have been in NZ for 14 years now both our families are still in UK. I went to Surrey University and lived in Walton on Thames for a while. We are thinking about a trip back next year.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I did Music and Maths at Roehampton (part of Uni of Surrey so graduation ceremony at Guildford Cathedral), because I wanted to come to London. Never been back to NZ but want to someday.