Sep 14 2008
6 Months and counting……
Well it has been 6 months. Every day is better, every day is closer to the end. My activities of daily living are within normal limits. I can squat, run, do a one legged calf raise and have no pain. Staying away from racquetball for another couple of months.
Here are the latest pictures of my ATR. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Make sure you’re doing your exercises and doing something every day.
Doc Ross
Congrats on your six months. It is such a long road. Do you mind if I ask just a few quick questions? 1) when were you able to walk in two shoes without a limp? 2) How long did you go to PT? 3) Does it still feel tight? If not, when does that go away? 4) Do you think you will ever be 100% or close to it? 5) when were you able to start jogging? Thank you in advance for answering my questions, and thanks for continuing to write blogs.
Damon
Damon..
Thanks for commenting. To answer your questions..
It was about 3.5 to 4 months before I could feel comfortable walking without a limp. At the 6 month mark no limp at all however with running I notice that as fatigue sets in 2.5- 3 miles there is a slight limp.
As for PT… I am a chiropractor so I did it all on my own in my office. I made sure I did something every day during the first 3 months. E-stim, massage, laser, ROM exercises, etc. It is importnat that you tackle this every day in some way.
Tightness now is only below the gastroc muscle. I have full range of motion in all directions. Did some research and found that the Posterior tibilias muscle will work extra during recovery and is located under the soleus/gastroc musculature. So I am hoping that is all the tightness is and will work to stretch that out as well as the other muscles.
Unfortunately in my opinion you are never 100% after an injury. You may feel 100% but with altered mechanics, scar tissue formation and nervousness about the injury you never recover totally. However….as my previous posts point out sitting on the sidelines is not how I want to live my life. So I will be returning to competitive racquetball this January and planning on a sprint triathlon on my ATR anniversary.
Jogging….Started with the one legged treadmill walk and worked up to a jog by the 4.5 month mark. Review some of my earlier posts for details.
Good luck to you and let me know if I can be of any help.
Doc Ross
Looks good, Doc! Keep up the hard work. It sounds like your goal of racquet ball in January is well within reach.
Are the flip-flops in the pictures from a site you mentioned in one of your posts a few months back?
Craig,
Yes they are. Would recommend them highly. Very comfortable, sturdy and allow me some freedom of the confines of shoes and sneakers.
Let me know if you need any more info.
Doc Ross
How long did it take before your bad ankle ROM was the same as your good ankle?
I’m stretching everyday but find it is the ROM tightness that is causing me to limp when taking big strides. Or in your case was it muscle atrophy/weakness that prolonged the limp?
hobblit,
ROM came back quickly. My surgeon, in addition to fixing the ATR, lengthened the gastroc/soleus muscle to make sure the mobility came back quickly. The majority of ATRs are done by re-attaching the tendon which leads to residual lack of mobility. My limp is primarily due to weakness/atrophy and should come back as long as I’m being persistent.
In order to increase mobility you should use moist heat for 15 minutes, go thru ROM, and then really stretch using rope/belt in all ranges. Best to have you PT, chiropractor work the joint complex. ( muscles, ligaments, tendon and joint)
Make sure there is no swelling and that you have the surgeons ok to work it hard.
Hope that helps.
Doc Ross
Hi Doc, if you could re-post the link, it would be great. I did a quick look through some old posts of yours and couldn’t find it. I’ve reaaaaaallly missed flip-flops over the past 5 months. I’ve been tentative to wear my old flip-flops, so I’ve been wearing sandals for the past month, but they just aren’t the same.
Great job Doc. Sounds like you should have no problem with getting back to a competitive level on the racquetball court by the time the new year rolls around. I know that must feel great! Keep up the good work.
Doc Ross - congrats on the 6-month mark. Your heel and the calf muscles are in good shape. Keep up with the exercises, and looking forward to reading your next month’s update.
Looks good, Doc..hows the golf game? I wish I ruptured my left one and not my right one, my swing feels like garbage.
Doc Ross-
Congratulations on your recovery. YOu seem to be doing really well, and stories like yours make it much easier for some of the short timers on this site.
Quick question. I will be going through the normal physical therapy regimen soon, and am not quite sure what that entails but I think I have an idea. BUt I’ve read your posts and others on the site who go to Chiropractic for therapy for this injury.
How beneficial is it compared to normal hospital physical therapy, and is it something most of us should consider?
Thanks for any input.
Steve
Stevew,
IMO chiropractic care of this injury is in addition to PT. At my office and my interest in sports injuries I am able to handle the treatment protocols for an ATR recovery, but not all chiropractors have the background or the equipment to treat it. So if your chiropractor is certified in sports injuries, has the equipment, i.e. US, stim, laser, massage therapist, then I can recommend them. If they do not have the qualifications then see the PT and utilize chiropractic adjustments as an adjunct.
Good luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any additional questions.
By the way I ran 3 miles yesterday at a 9 minute clip with no pain, limp or residuals. So make sure you’re doing something everyday and you’ll get there.
We are one day closer to the end.
Doc Ross
Doc-
Thanks for the input. I’m going to check around my area for a chiropractor who has a speciality in sports medicine.
I sure wish I could go out for a three miler right now. I’m thinking three months from now, they’ll be once again part of my normal day. I’[ll be able to take a run Christmas morning before my kids trash the house with wrapping paper.
Take care,
Steve
Doc-
Is it true that I can’t get US treatment if I have had a titanium pin that was put in to attach the tendon to the bone? It would heat up too much? I had the FHL transfer after debridement of tendon and heel spur and am 7 weeks post-op.
I feel like my PT can’t offer me anything right now that I can’t do myself. I think it would be good to list questions to ask when looking for a qualified Rehab prof specifically for ATR (rupture or reconstruction) or is it already on this site?
Thanks in advance,
Marilyn RD, RN, MSN
Marilyn,
US is contraindicated for use over metal implants. Cold laser therapy is appropriate if the PT has one. After 3 months IMO one could do rehab on their own as long as you have a set protocol of exercises, etc. During the first 3 months PT is essential for a more efficient recovery–EMS, massage, ROM, US, Laser, etc is important.
Good luck on the recovery
Doc Ross
Doc Ross-
Thanks for your opinion on PT. I was worried because I was in early PT after the first rupture. This time around, my very conservative doctor has not signed off on PT (I am over three months post-op) because he wanted me to get my strength back first (and wound complications). I was worried but between feeling my AT getting better (now two weeks in 2 shoes and home exercises) and your opinion, I am not stressing.
Always appreciate your insight! Thanks.
dave
Thanks Doc. I will ask if they have Cold Laser Therapy is available.