Finally Ready!

Posted on August 7th, 2015 by rhino

Playing Tennis. Went for a shot, Loud POP, felt like I stepped on a rock or ran into something, turned around but nothing was there. I then went down. I am pretty active as I have 4 younger boys who all play sports. At 53, I’m in good shape and of all the things that could happen to me with the sports I play, completely tearing my Achilles was not even on my radar, yet when I went down I knew exactly what it was.

I am just now ready to tell my story as I am now 7 weeks post Op and have some of my life back. Wasn’t that way even a week ago as you lose all your independence. Couldn’t shower without hopping of my wifes back to put me in, no driving, walking. Took all my energy to get up and go to the restroom. All changed now! There is a light and its getting brighter. There is hope for you out there who just tore yours. Yes it sucks.

I went straight to the Ortho that morning, did MRI, confirmed the tear and had surgery 3 days later on June 18th. I left all splinted up and kept the splint on for 2 weeks. Took pain meds for 2 days but that is all you need. Took anti biotics for 10 days and advil as needed.

At 2 weeks he left stiches in and put on hard cast with toes pointed down for 10 more days. Next he took out stiches and gave me another cast that I wore for 2 more weeks. No weight bearing at all and crutches are terrible (can’t carry anything but got a crutch Kaddy hooked up to my crutches for water and small papers).

At about a month, I went in and ortho gave me boot with a compression brace called a Bauerfeind AchilloTrain with small heal. Still no weight bearing but at least I can take it off at night after work, sit in a chair and let it breath. I also now slept without boot or brace with no problem.

Saw Ortho again on July31st and he said I could begin to put pressure on my foot with crutches so I did. Got more and more comfortable so as of yesterday with My PT permission I am down to one crutch and it feels good. Also on 7/31 my Ortho said I could begin to lightly walk in my pool and kick gently so I have daily and it feels better.

Now all that being said I still do not walk without boot, have limited flex in my foot if I move it toward me (up) so per the PT and ortho, can’t drive for a few more weeks at least still.

So I am at 7 weeks as of yesterday and there is now a big bright light in a tunnel about 12 weeks out there still. But I can walk, I can shower independently, I can carry stuff. 7 weeks for me was a great break thru.

9 Comments »

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  • rozh | September 12th, 2015 | 2:37 am

    Week 9 of conservative treatment (as have 3 dvts also) for Right ATR and new to this site and ‘blogging’ but finding it really helpful reading the comments and stories of other people in the same situation. FWB in a Camboot during the day and then barefoot around the house in the evenings. Hardly any swelling or discomfort now so hoping that the Doctor will let me out of the boot at my follow up appointment on Wednesday………

  • rhino | September 11th, 2015 | 11:09 am

    Really?? That is great, so I am 6 weeks out. It is getting better but all the post I read that talk about it being a very slow process are right on. Once I was FWB, my life changed and that was at about 8 weeks. At 12 I am trying for flexibility and some strength with PT and exercise. So Next us is a good walk and no pain…..I’m IN! Ready to put on shoes, when did you get rid of boot?

  • oscillot | September 11th, 2015 | 1:02 am

    Keep it up, Rhino. You’ll be amazed how fast you progress in month 3. I’m at week 18, and lost the limp and all pain this week.

  • rhino | September 10th, 2015 | 6:38 pm

    Progress, progress. Am 12 weeks post op now, still in my boot when I leave the house but walk bare foot when home. Still nice limp. Cannot do heal raises unless I’m in he pool and then can do them nicely with water at my waist. My PT is allowing me to stretch again the wall with bad foot back and its painful if I go to far. I continue to walk in the pool every day and swim without issue. One day soon I will wake up with this nightmare over……but it is getting better, just slow!

  • rhino | August 17th, 2015 | 8:50 am

    It is all about progress. I just got back from a family vacation to Costa Rica and enjoyed it. Was able to swim, went in the beach water with help, got on a boat….was functional. I am now 8 weeks in as of last Thursday and DROVE to work for the first time without pain, issue or fear of safety…my foot performed well. I am also not walking in house without my boot but with big limp and very carefully but am slowly getting my life back. For all others out there it gets better, I promise! (focus on the 6-8 week post op mark and you will feel much better, not healed or walking normal but just better.

  • Mattycee | August 8th, 2015 | 8:37 pm

    I don’t think the feeling can be described without going through it. That feeling of helplessness, the inner struggle to get the strength to go to the toilet, make yourself a snack or get a drink. It really was depressing, but thankfully as long as this takes to heal, you are really only helpless in the early stages and that light shines really bright when you can do things yourself again.

    I am 6 weeks in and am walking around at home without my boot and feeling almost normal, I’ve been told mine is not normal and non operative cases are usually no where near my stage already but at the end of the day you just need a positive outlook and follow the instructions you’re given as well as doing a little extra when your body tells you that you can.

    As long as you don’t overdo it and back off if you have excessive pain you should be right.

    Congrats on the progress, its great to show people that it does get better and to just hang in there.

  • oscillot | August 8th, 2015 | 3:00 am

    Awesome, congrats, and keep it up!

  • rhino | August 7th, 2015 | 3:08 pm

    Ha…yeah not a pretty site I can assure you! She has been a trooper and not sure I could have done this without that kind of help.

  • bobfv | August 7th, 2015 | 3:02 pm

    “Couldn’t shower without hopping of my wifes back to put me in,” - wow! I can’t even picture that! My wife is also an Angel and since my injury occurred in May and she teaches at a University, she had the Summer off to drive me around. But since I weigh exactly twice what she does, there just isn’t going to be any shower hopping!
    Best of luck in your continued recovery, Rhino!