Yup, it’s torn (3 weeks post-op)
Back on April 18th at the ripe old age of 33, I tore my left Achilles playing basketball. Nothing special about the how, I was just reaching for a ball and felt the “kick” to the back of my leg. I looked back to see who did it and realizing there was no one near me, I knew exactly what time it was…
After heading to the emergency room that night to confirm what I already knew, I found my surgeon and had my surgery 6 days post-rupture. The surgery went fine, the tendon was sewn up and reinforced it with 2 anchors into my heel to add extra strength as it heals. I had a surprisingly low amount of pain after the surgery and the only real discomfort was resting my heal on my pillow due to the anchors.
Fast-forward to today and I just hit 3 weeks since my surgery and am making progress. So far, my surgeon’s been super aggressive about my recovery: after 2 weeks NWB, he removed the stitches, put me in a boot and told me to put as much weight on it as I could tolerate. He also referred me to a physical therapist for ROM exercises with the goal of getting me out of the boot and back into 2 shoes at my next follow-up (which is less than a week away). On one hand I’m excited (I get to wear shoes again!) on the other, I’m scared. to. death. of re-rupturing it.
Having read many of the other blogs on this site, this seems like a REALLY aggressive recovery timeline and I honestly wouldn’t mind it too much if he called an audible and kept me in the boot for another week or 2. That said, my surgeon came highly recommended for this surgery so I’m wondering if he’s just a bit on the cutting edge here and if this is a lot of worry about nothing. My achilles/ankle/foot feels pretty good, but I know that’s fool’s gold at this stage so I’m not putting too much stock in it.
Now that I’m past the doldrums of NWB, my ultimate recovery goal is to get back on the basketball court in the next 6-8 months, but only if I’m ready.
A few lessons I took away from my recovery: an iWalk and knee rover are absolutely worth the money if you can afford it, I used the iWalk throughout my NWB phase and it was amazing being able to maneuver around the house and have use of both hands (I barely touched my crutches). The knee rover is still in use for work, shopping, and other errands. Above all, I’m thankful for an extremely supportive wife who has unexpectedly been forced to deal with 2 babies now (in addition to the 9 month old that was there before I got hurt) and has done so with little visible resentment at having to change diapers and change ice packs exclusively for 2 weeks.
That’s it for now, but I’ll update this after my next doctor’s appointment to see whether he (I?) actually went through with getting out of the boot.
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That does seem quick (no boot at 4 weeks) but if I’ve learned anything here, it’s that there are as many timelines as there are blogs. I think your body will tell you…it’ll either feel right or it won’t. That’s the only way I can explain how I’ve reached the different milestones. Up until a certain point, something like weight bearing or stretching or walking in the boot would feel impossible, and then one day it felt like the right time to try.
Good luck with the recovery (and babies) and let us know how that next appointment goes!
I’m sure many will be waiting to hear if the super aggressive plan works for you! Good luck to you and so glad you have a supportive wife! My hubby was wonderful as well - his motivation was get me well as fast as possible so he helped me follow the docs instructions by letting me be a bed potato for the 2 weeks I had to elevate 90% of the day and keeping me regularly supplied with ice packs. And his support has helped me be on the fast track for healing so far!
And, as PJ said, listen to your body. If your body doesn’t want to be on quite as aggressive a schedule let your surgeon know you’re slowing things down.
Thanks guys! I just had my 4 week follow-up today and was cleared to go back to shoes!
I didn’t feel ready when I woke up this morning, but the doc assured me that unless something drastic happens, like falling down some stairs, there’s no increased risk of re-rupture for me at this point. Apparently the new more aggressive surgery/recovery protocol has been really successful on this front.
Feels good to be past the outwardly-visible recovery phase, but I know I still have a long way to go…
Yay for 2 shoes! Congrats on reaching another milestone on the road to recovery!
Hi Ryanbsd,
Congrats on 2 shoes!. Wow your physician is super aggressive. Your body will tell you - use a cane or one crutch initially until you feel comfortable.
My was an aggressive protocol as well. 6 weeks NWB in the cast then straight into shoes FWB bypassing the boot all together.
Surgeion used the same reassurance words. New procedure is strong and unless I fall off the stairs I am not going to rerupture tendon again.
Day 0 after cast was removed I used crutches for about 2 hours then tried without and have not gone back.
I walk barefoot on a hardwood floor at home. And use 1.5 inch heel risers in my running shoes when walking outside.
Day 1 I walked 1/2 mile
Day 2 walked 1/2 mile in the morning and 1 mile in the afternoon.
Day 3 was a private PT day. I found a specialist in sports injury recovery - his massages are deep and really help to get blood flowing and warm up before ROM exercises.
Day 4 - private PT again. When I was leaving the guy told me - Loose your limp you are ready - don’t drag your feet - bend in the knee and push off. Make smaller steps but with the correct gait.
I tried and every steps felt painful - but I could do it. My wife was surprised as there is only very slight limp. And I could keep up walking with her when she walked in the slow to moderate tempo.
I can walk with a minimal limp only in my sneakers with the heel rise. When at home, barefoot, there is still a pronounced limp but I am working on making the right motion - even through the pain.
Day 5 is today. Back to private PT later today. Wonder what will happen.
Please share your recovery progress. And good luck.
That’s amazing, Zoomie! I haven’t used the crutches since I got past my NWB stage either (I’ve heard it’s good for the leg muscles). I don’t know how you went 6 weeks NWB straight to walking a 1/2 mile the next day. At my current walking pace it would probably take me a day and a half to get that far. Awesome to hear about your minimal limp, I’m still limping a decent amount due to stiffness & lack of calf strength, but it’s getting a little better every day.
I’ll keep sharing as I progress & would love to hear about yours as well. Best of luck
Hi Ryan,
Great to read your doing so well! Gives me some hope for the near future. I have my 2 week appt in a couple days and will be getting the stitches removed. If i read correctly is that when you were given the boot to wear? My doctor told me i would be back to work in 8 weeks so I’ve just been trying to envision what i have in store for me and it seems like a similar pace your on.
One other thing I forgot to mention in my earlier posts, my AT surgery was performed using an umbilical cord to make it heal faster. The uc was wrapped around the tendon where attached. Has anyone else had this done that would like to comment in the healing process?
Hi Softball,
Keep your head up, the first 2 weeks post surgery were by far the toughest for me.
To give you a sense of my timeline: At week 2, I got my stitches out, got into a boot, and started PT. At week 4 I was out of the boot and into 2 shoes (I’m at week 6 now). Starting to weight-bear and going to physical therapy have been huge mental boosts so far.
Re: the umbilical cord; very interesting, I’ve never heard of it before but it sounds like it would make for a really strong repair. My surgeon anchored the repair into my heel bone for added strength, which I suspect is why he’s been so aggressive with my recovery.
Just finished up my 2 week appt. Got stitches out and can actually wash my foot now. Still in the splint but has me moving my foot up and down now 100 times daily. Dont go back for 2 more weeks now. Not as aggressive as your timeline but its something. I’ll just keep taking it one day at a time!