3 Months and Dr said no Physical Therapy??

Posted on November 1st, 2011 by rugbyjo

i had 3 months in the boot after having AT surgery…they also shave down my bone so the coud reattach the tendon to it.  i saw my doc on thursday and he told me i am done with the boot, i should start walking and doing stretches…he is also getting me arch supports. the odd thing is - he is not putting me in physical therapy!  has anyone else had this happen - no pt??  i can’t even raise my calf on its own.  i was a little shockef compared to how serious the injury.  i am active and hasve done AT PT exercises a fewed years ago.

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Two weeks post-op and back to work!

Posted on August 9th, 2011 by rugbyjo

I ruptured my achilles on the half pipe on mile 7 in a race called Tough Mudder - this was July 23.  I had my surgery on the following Tuesday - July 26.  My injury was a partial rupture however the tendon came completely off the bone.    When I had surgery, they had to shave down the bone so they could reattch the tendon.

I had my first visit - 10 days after surgery - on Thursday with my Dr.  He removed my cast and the stitches.  I nthink the removal of the stitches was worse than my actual surgery - they were stuck and I wasvtold they were pulling the nerve.  It was awful.  The Dr. placed me in a boot and told me to come back in 6 weeks.  He said I could try to PWB.  I asked about biking but was told no, however, he did say swimming with something between my legs.

My biggestquestion was - when can I go back to work.  He didn’t want me to go back rightbaway - said two more weeks.  I assured him I would be able to keep it elevated.  I’m lucky that I work a desk job snd my company sells healthcare equipment.  Not only am I sitting in sn awesome tilt-n-recline chair - I also am getting to borrow a knee walker and was given a free shower chair.  I wascworried that work would be tough but its now day 2 and it feels great so far.  I’ve already got my heel touching the bottom of my boot.  The weird thing I am noticing is that ever since surgery _ i seem to have bouts where I sweat profusely - anyone else having this problem??

Next visit - 6 weeks.  Kind of feel like that will be forever.  I go to Mexico in mid October and my goal mis to be wearing two shoes …we’ll see!

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  • Jereca | November 9th, 2011 | 11:09 am

    Btw, I’m 17-1/2 weeks post op. I started PT 3 weeks ago.

  • Jereca | November 9th, 2011 | 11:07 am

    My PT started after 3 weeks of 2 shoes with a wedge. I’m a chronic rupture though - 6 weeks from injury to surgery. I followed my doctors protocol since I have a fetal cow graph used in my repair. While I have a long way to go in strengthening, I’m making good progress even though my PT started so much later than most people.

    I don’t have a clue what’s right (I trust my surgeon though. My 6 weeks pre-surgery were hell & he was my savior) but I keep focusing on the current challenge. I wanted to start PT when he gave me the 2 shoe green light but looking back, I am glad I didn’t. Those 3 weeks allowed the mental shift that my repair was completely healed and I can push as hard as I can at PT without the mental obstacle.

    Best of luck!!

  • deana | November 4th, 2011 | 5:01 pm

    I wonder if your treatment is different because of the additional aspect of having your bone shaved down, etc.? I would certainly ask. PT has been invaluable for getting me moving properly again.

  • Charyl | November 3rd, 2011 | 4:29 pm

    I would definately get a second opinion. You’ll need therapy to teach your tendon to re-integrate with the rest of your body. It’s been dormant for awhile, and the tendon doesnt just wake up.I also find it odd that you were in a boot for so long. I hope youre healing well. Remember to be your own advocate!

  • erdnerd | November 2nd, 2011 | 6:18 pm

    I definitely went through the whole sweating problem. I figured it was because I was using so much more effort to complete daily tasks, I was sweating like a pig. I get my cast removed on Monday!!!!!! Hope your recovery is going well.

  • univofpittbull | November 2nd, 2011 | 3:14 pm

    Did you directly ask him about PT and he said “No?” There’s a chance he just forgot about it.

  • ali | November 2nd, 2011 | 6:17 am

    Rugbyjo, where do you live? Are you in the UK?

  • ali | November 2nd, 2011 | 6:07 am

    Efrain, at 12 weeks new collagen cells in your tendon will be laid down/stronger and you will be past the greatest risk of rerupture. I guess up until that point your doc will be talking about functional rehab. Depends on your regime, but I hope this helps.

  • efrain66 | November 2nd, 2011 | 1:55 am

    That seems odd. I am only at day 5, but my doc said at 2 months I should have had the boot for 4-6 weeks and would have me walk normal, but not start physical therapy until month 3. Maybe he/she forgot to mention this gap between normal walking and starting PT that my doctor has planned.

  • housemusic | November 1st, 2011 | 10:27 pm

    Definitely unusual. I am six weeks post surgery and was told to start PT next week. How are you going to walk if your calf does not have push off strenghth?

  • nickokie | November 1st, 2011 | 8:35 pm

    Yea that definitely doesn’t sound right. My doc told me the rehab and physical therapy after the tendon was healed would be the most important to me getting back to 100% the way I was before the injury. I would definitely ask what his plans are for you in the near future, maybe he just forgot to tell you :\