My achilles tendon repture & recovery blog.
July 10, 2008 at 1:50 pm
· Filed under Uncategorized
As I mentioned elsewhere, I asked my doctor last week about getting into a boot sooner rather than later (to allow better mobility and the ability to do ROM exercises) since his protocol involved 3 months in a hard cast, then moving to the boot (!!). I went in yesterday to get a medical release (I’ve been working from home but before I could return on site, I had to have a note) and the next thing I know, he’s telling me he will put me in the boot, but that I will be on my own for the treatment since it isn’t his protocol.
I called around last week trying to find another doctor who would take over and no one would see me until at least 3 months post-op. So, I have under this doc’s “care” and am seeking out a qualified PT to help me determine the best way to proceed from here.
I am 5 wks (as of today) post-op, PWB, 1 day in a boot. My doc wouldn’t even provide lifts, which I stopped and got on the way home from his office to better protect the tendon. Maybe this is a huge mistake, but I feel that if I proceed cautiously and carefully, I can safely create a plan to get me healthy again.
Ok, off to call PTs.
If anyone has any words of wisdom/advice/caution/encouragement, feel free to post. 
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kev34 wrote @ July 10th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Sheila-What prompted the doc to go ahead and put you into the boot, did you mention it again or did he just come up with that?? I had to change doctors at about the 13 week pt, he was basically a jerk , wouldn’t communicate etc…I was lucky and got another ortho to take me on the next day…Good luck on finding a pt and with the whole situation…But it does take awhile, I hope to be back to work at 22 weeks..Hang in there….Kevin
sheila wrote @ July 10th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hi Kevin - thanks for the note.
I didn’t bring it up - he did - but I suspect he didn’t realize I was there only for the medical release and thought maybe I was going to try to discuss the boot with him again. I brought my paperwork with me (just in case - it was brought out only when he said to give me the boot) (heh) and he did take it to review briefly, but would not consider researching alternative protocols than what he has done for the last “25-30 years”. Annoying that he doesn’t consider that the conventional wisdom may have changed in 25-30 yrs.
Even from my initial meeting pre-op with him I didn’t feel he was very patient oriented - he does what he does medically and the patient is just supposed to go with it, but I was a bit overwhelmed with the notion of surgery, living alone, not being able to drive (both cars have manual transmissions) and all the logistics involved in recovery, not to mention not having a clue how different post-op procedures could be to think about questioning further then.
Wow! Back at work at 22 weeks. Did you ever think the day it happened that it would change your life so much?
hoss wrote @ July 10th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
As much as I questioned my doc’s protocol after week #2 (when cast #2 was applied), I have learned to be patient. I have come to accept and agree with his way of doing things (2 weeks in plaster, 3 weeks in fiberglass cast (toes pointed), 3 weeks fiberglass cast (foot as neutral as possible), then walking cast/the boot).
Good luck with your healing. Keep us posted.
After each stage I realized how weak and in pain the Achilles is and that I wont be back to running or cycling anytime soon. So why not just listen to the doc, take my time and let the sucker heal. With all of these re-ruptures happening lately I am going for the more conservative approach.
I want to be back running, cycling and playing tennis at 100% by May of 2009 and not at 50%(if I am lucky) by Sept or Oct.
Sheila wrote @ July 11th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Hi Hoss -
Thanks for the note. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment since my doc put me in the boot w/no direction (other than to do gentle stretching). I understand the concerns about going too fast & I wasn’t looking to jump into activity sooner. The boot seemed like a way to better care for the foot & be able to keep it from getting too stiff along the way (expediting my recovery on the back side). These things may seem minor, but living alone, they can help me get through this experience smoother, without adding much risk (again, not looking to jump ahead in activity right now).
Anyway, I do appreciate the feedback. Good luck to you, too.
Hattsy wrote @ July 13th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hey sad to here u having trouble with doc. I think i must b lucky. i had 6 weeks in cast and then no boot at all. I healed quite well and whencast came off at 6 weeks i was already past 90 degrees. Doc said no boot or heal support required. used crutches for first few days to help me walk, then i ditch them. am 7.5 weeks now and am almost back to full stride. cannot push off and have no strength in leg at all but Rom becoming really good. i am just responding to my body. if it hurts or it doesn’t feel right i back off and rest. seems to be working well. every one different but to be in cast for 12 weeks seems extreme. i had 100% rupture( see my blog) and i’m FWB at 6.5wks. if i can do it any one can. remember your body will tell you what’s going on. just listen to it and take your time. good luck.
Sheila wrote @ July 13th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Thanks for the reply Hattsey - good to hear the positive results of your experience. Wow - full rupture to no cast/boot in such a short time. I realize each injury can have an impact on the time involved but wow! Have you started PT, yet?
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