Nov
12
Eight weeks post-op, slow going
November 12, 2013 | |
Hi All,
It was eight weeks yesterday since my surgery to repair a partially ruptured right Achilles tendon and I’m making progress but it’s measured, to say the least.
Which isn’t to say I’m not grateful. To have gotten through the surgery, the first few difficult weeks being non-weight bearing, on drugs and crutches, and fearing a re-rupture every moment, is great. I had a slow closing incision and now it is finally fully closed (though sensitive in spots).
I’ve begun physical therapy and am going three times per week. In therapy I am out of boot and doing toe/heel raises, various stretching, etc. to strengthen my tendon and foot.
But I still am not driving and not walking in two shoes. There is considerable tightness through the repaired tendon but PT seems to be loosening it up. I know this is a long recovery but I sure wish it was over.
Comments
9 Comments so far
Ya, 1 day at a time. It’ll seem faster in memory! But even in real time, you’ll notice frequent real improvements.
And BTW, don’t stop “fearing a re-rupture every moment” until ~12-13 weeks post, when the RR risk actually fades. Mind you, other kinds of setbacks are still looming even later if you fall or over-do. Some people get into trouble being too fearful, but being over-confident can be worse.
I’m just sayin’…
THanks for the feedback, Norm. The unpredictable New Jersey winter is also looming and that could mean bone dry or several feet of snow, the latter of which would stink.
Hang in there buddy. I’m about 1 week behind you.
My tendon is also scarily tight……little incremental movement and no rushing is what I seem to hear the most.
Sounds about right, Marc. Everybody says it will heal but, right, you can’t rush it. It PT last night there were three patients — and we were all there following ATR surgery.
Hi Guys,
I am at 13 weeks from surgery tomorrow. I am walking in two shoes, but I have considerable tightness in my achilles. My surgery was a bit different in that the surgeon had use 5 screws to reattach my tendon to the calcaneous. Little by little, I am stretching out the calf to allow for normal walking. It’s getting there…My PT’s are very conservative and they say the same thing. Stretching will be a slow process.
Good luck Steve and hang in there.
3x per week for PT - wow. Mine is trying to get me in there for 2x per week, but I refused. Once per week with homework is enough IMHO. However, we will see ho it goes. This is my third PT (I fired the other two fore being too conservative or new). My DPT is great now, but I have been pushing him a bit, and he does move. LOL.
With that said, the screws are a variable that I know little about, but hang in there. I will be 10 weeks in a few days and am just ahead of you. I walk barefoot, ride my stationary bike, do pool work, etc. I am now also in two shoes, but it’s like taking a step backwards. LOL.
Keep us posted.
Ron
It’s tough for a 2-ATR person to convince people that he’s a lucky guy, but: the two winters I was on crutches were the two winters that set the records hereabouts for the least snow!
two ATRs? Ugh. I didn’t read that before. A buddy of mine ruptured both, then one a second time during PT that required a skin graft.
I tell people this injury is common and preach to everyone to keep the ATs stretched. The other night in PT there were just three patients and all of us were in recovery for ATR.
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