Healed Long - Month 10 Update

Posted on January 23rd, 2019 by tdance

Figured I would come back here to provide an update to my journey on the recovery from my left Achilles rupture.

For those who need a refresher, I completely ruptured my left Achilles playing basketball in late February of 2018, with surgery March 7 2018. My surgeon did things the old fashioned way - with an open surgery. However, he also used a Stryker graft to augment the repair (make it stronger and more resilient).

I think this is a lesson for all of you starting this process now - regardless of how healthy you are, and how optimistic you may be, BE VOCAL WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

I was non-weight bearing for more than 10 weeks, a full month longer than typically recommended. My doctor also took me straight from plantar flexed in a cast for two weeks to neutral in a boot, with no gradual decrease from plantar flexion to neutral. I voiced twice that I had read this was not typical, and he pushed back each time.

Fast forward to today, 10 months later. I have been doing rigorous PT for more than 5 months. While my calf is very slowly returning, it is still a full 1.5 inches smaller than the “good” side. My push off strength is nowhere near normal, and I can not complete a one legged calf raise. Again, it is slowly getting better but VERY slowly.

At my PT’s urging, I saw two of the best Podiatric surgeons in Los Angeles. One is the Chief of Podiatric Surgery at UCLA Medical, the other is the former Chief of Podiatric Surgery at Cedar Sinai. If you need recommendations for LA doctors, these two are the best at the University Foot and Ankle Institute.

I saw both Dr Briksin and Dr Bob yesterday. Their conclusion was that I have definitely healed long. The most likely culprits being the time I spent non-weight bearing as well as the rapid move to neutral without gradual decreases over time.

The options now are to continue trying non-operative with PT to see how much progress we can make, or surgery to shorten the tendon with FHL transfer. I have vacations coming up, so will likely give PT a couple more months and elect for the surgery in April/May.

At this point, I am tired of not having much strength in my left side and not being able to fully get back to sports like Basketball or running. I can shoot around, but have very little push off strength. I can surf, but still wobbly. I can walk, but still with a bit of a limp and hard to push off. And my calf looks like a 10 year old. I know it will never be 100%, but it has to be better than this.

Here is a photo of what my ankle looked like about two months after surgery… I brought the apparent lack of tension up to my Dr multiple times and was told it was normal.

Also including the last 5 months of my calf recovery (Sept-Jan)
Sept:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
October:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
November:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
December:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
January:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Anyone who has gone through the shortening surgery with FHL and can comment on your strength pre and post would be greatly appreciated. Are you glad you did it? How long was the recovery? How was it vs the first go around?

2 Comments »

Healing long?! Can anyone help?

Posted on October 9th, 2018 by tdance

Hey team! I am 7 months post - op and making progress with my PT, but VERY slowly. My calf is still small, and I feel as if my strength is slowly coming back. About two months ago, my left (bad side) calf was 13.5 inches and is not 14 inches. My good side is right at 15 inches.

I’ve had two doctors check for lengthening, and they both said they weren’t concerned based on my dorsiflexion… i.e. my bad side is not flopping back when pushed and is just about in line with my good side. Perhaps a small difference.

However, the time that is taking to get my strength back as well as my inability to do a one legged calf raise is concerning for me. I can do one legged raises in the pool only!

Any advice on healing long or just being patient with PT and rehab?

2 Comments »

Healing long??

Posted on August 22nd, 2018 by tdance

Hey team - a few quick questions. I’m 5.5 months in, and was in a boot for a long time (almost 12 weeks, 10 weeks non weight bearing). I’ve read the other blogs from TomTom and others around healing long. I’m in a tough spot right now, as I recently found out that my PT was really god-awful. We had made little progress in the 2 1/2 months that I had been seeing them, and a large part of that was because my form for calf-raises was putting very little weight on the impacted leg.

I’m now seeing a new PT, who is fantastic. We’ve done 2 sessions so far, and I’m noticing that for the first time the calf in my injured leg is sore. I’m hoping this will help build the muscle/strength back. We’re also working on walking as I am still limping a bit or more accurately I have a bit of a pop in my hip as I favor the healthy leg. That is gettting a bit better.

My fear is that I may have healed long, as the calf is taking FOREVER to get back and I feel like after almost 3 months of walking on it I should have more strength/mass. Putting more and more weight on my bad side when I do calf raises and struggling a bit but seems to be getting better.

What are the ways you know you healed long? My degree of dorsiflexion is actually less on my bad side vs the healthy side, while my plantar flexion is just as good on the bad side vs the healthy side. I understand that the degree of dorsiflexion is a kind of de-facto test of healing long? Any help?

No Comments »

20 Week Update - and question

Posted on July 25th, 2018 by tdance

Hello ATR family!

We are 20 weeks into the recovery, and things seem to (SLOWLY) be progressing. My walking and gait is getting better, and the limp has definitely reduced much more occasional. Not gone completely, but getting there.

I walk 20 mins on the treadmill every few days. I probably walk 1-2 miles a day.

Strength and muscle mass is taking FOREVER to come back. My calf is still very small compared to my other leg. I also have a strange lump above the scar, right around where the Stryker graft was sewn into the tendon at the very top of the repair. It’s not related to the tear at all, and the Doc said it could be scar tissue or it could be “recessed tendon” which I have no idea what that would mean. When I massage it, it goes down but comes back a day later. The lump is hard, but softens up and goes down quite a bit as I massage it. Anyone ever run into this? Pictures are here: https://imgur.com/a/pikSyff.

Also, when were you able to do one legged calf raises? I still can not do one.

https://imgur.com/a/pikSyff

2 Comments »

Week 17! Questions galore, can anyone help?

Posted on July 9th, 2018 by tdance

Hey team! The MRI came back from the 10 week mark (more or less) without anything majorly concerning. There was a small amount of fluid, and the Radiologist assumes this is from “Post-surgical” change. I have been working through PT for the past 5 weeks, which has been good. We’re getting some strength back, but MAN is it slow. I am still walking with a bit of a limp, and I’m trying to lose that.
Questions:
1) When did you lose your limp? How?!
2) There is a bit of occasional “tingling” or uncomfortable feeling at the surgical site. I wouldn’t call it pain so much, and it only lasts about 1-2 seconds before it goes away. I’d say it happens once every few hours. It’s been happening for a week or so. The tendon itself feels strong when I push against the ground (seated calf raise)… anyone ever experienced this??

3 Comments »

Week 11… and an MRI this week… Quick question for the group!

Posted on May 21st, 2018 by tdance

Hey team! I’m now down to one crutch most of the time, and working towards my first unassisted steps.

Last week I went into see my surgeon, and he is a bit concerned about the small gap in the back of my tendon. The gap really only is apparent when my foot is plantar-flexed (toes pointing downwards) With pressure against my toes, that gap is less detectable. When my foot is neutral (again with pressure against my toes) the tendon feels strong and the gap is almost un-detectable.

When I lay down or sit with the back of my leg up (if that makes sense) the tendon feels strong and the gap (again) is barely detectable. It’s really only when I flex my toes down.

If you can recall, about 1 1/2 weeks post-operation I lost my balance getting up from my chair, and I placed my then casted foot on the ground (weight through my heel for a second before I braced myself). I didn’t fall, but I did put weight on that foot. The doctor is concerned that I may have done some damage to the repair as the result.

I’m going in for my first Physical Therapy appointment tomorrow. My leg is very atrophied and small. I’m thinking part of this has to do with the fact that I’ve only been weight bearing for two and 1/2 weeks and haven’t done one PT session.

I’m also going in for an MRI tomorrow to determine what’s going on with the gap we’re feeling… I’m incredibly nervous that this means I’ll need another operation. But I’m also feeling as if there’s no rupture or tear, and what we’re dealing with is the result of other factors.

Has anyone else ever dealt with this?

2 Comments »

Week 9 - Still Partial Weight Bearing

Posted on May 13th, 2018 by tdance

HELLO WORLD!!

I am happy to report that we are now about 1.5 weeks into partial weight bearing. My surgeon has been very cautious and conservative, despite the fact that we did surgery and he even augmented the repair with a xenograft (Stryker).

I am walking around with crutches, and have been slowly increasing the amount of weight that I bear, and can now bear about 50-60 lbs before my heel feels uncomfortable while standing. I’m 6′3″ and 180lbs, so that’s about 1/3rd my body weight. It’s not so much pain in the tendon or leg, but really just an uncomfortable feeling on the bottom of my heel. My guess is that this is related to the fact that I had gone 8 weeks+ without any weight on that foot.

Some days, my leg (including the tendon) feels sore. I’m assuming this is normal.

My biggest concern now is the progress towards full weight bearing… I’m approaching 10 weeks, and I know that many people are in shoes by this time. I am still wearing my boot all day, and even at night when I sleep (my choice). I have not yet started PT, and am hoping to do so next week.

So, here’s a general question… is two-three weeks of partial weight bearing normal?

2 Comments »

We are walking!! (with crutches)

Posted on May 4th, 2018 by tdance

Hey team! Good news today… got the go ahead to start walking with crutches. Up until this point, I have been on the knee scooter and basically NWB for 8 weeks. Needless to say, I was excited!

I am taking it slow the first week and do not plan on trying Full Weight until week 2 of crutch walking. We’ll see how it goes - but thus far I’ve been taking it slow and easy here.

A question: did you find that your strength in your calf began coming back as you started walking with the boot/crutches?

No Comments »

Quick question - help calm the nerves here!!

Posted on April 23rd, 2018 by tdance

Hey ATR team…

I am almost 7 weeks post op, nonweight bearing still. I have had what feels like a small gap in my repair for as long as I can remember. By gap, I mean when I run my finger along the repair from top-to-bottom, I can feel an indent. I believe this is where the rupture occurred, based on the pictures I’ve seen (!) of the surgery.

Is this normal? I’ve seen my doc probably 8 times since we first went into the boot and I felt this. Each time, he’s inspected my tendon and said all was good. When out of the boot, I can still point my toes downwards (getting stronger!) and it feels like there’s still a small dent there when I’m pointing toes down.

1 Comment »

Week 6 Update - still non-Weight Bearing and losing (a bit) of faith

Posted on April 20th, 2018 by tdance

Hello everyone!

Went in and saw my PDM yesterday. It’s been 6 weeks and 2 days since surgery. I was able to push off of his hands and point my toes with more strength than ever before, which is great!! However, I am still non-weight bearing, and the doctor seems to be using 8 weeks as a marker for beginning weight bearing. I have read so much material about even CONSERVATIVE approaches starting weight bearing around 4-6 weeks, and I am starting to lose faith.

If you recall, I planted my foot when I lost my balance about a week and a half after surgery. The doctor checked it out after the misstep, and said it looked fine. I think the doctor is still tied up in the risk of me falling/re-rupturing.

Every hour/day/week that I sit around is getting more and more frustrating… I was ok with waiting to week 5 to be safe… but still being at week 6 and looking at week 7 or 8 before starting weight bearing seems outrageous.

Is this a stage where I should seek a second opinion?!

4 Comments »

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  • Recent Comments

  • sweet70 | April 20th, 2019 | 11:30 am

    I have not posted recently. I continue to progress, but very slowly 10 months after surgery. I did early weight bearing and a full PT protocol but am also convinced that I have ‘healed long’, although I have not had a clinical diagnosis. I can’t really do a one leg heal lift on the injured leg; maybe get 1.5″ off the ground unaided. Having said this, I am active with regular activities including trail walking up to 3 miles and cycling on flat pavement up to 25 miles.I can get some fatigue but no real pain or swelling. At the same time my stride push off is significantly weakened on the injured leg, and the atrophy is somewhat shocking. It appears that I compensate with toe claw,and foot and ankle activation. So, I wonder what people’s experience has been with additional surgery to shorten the tendon - risk, results, post surgery experience? I see there has been lots of comment on this topic in earlier threads on the blog but not much recently. I also wonder how prevalent this is and how it is acknowledged (or not). I realize this is not a topic that people really want to talk about given the trauma of the injury and long rehab, but

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  • Roman | January 30th, 2019 | 5:53 am

    Hi tdance,
    Sorry to hear it’s taking you that long.
    In my case, I was NWB wearing cast for 6 weeks, then 2 more weeks of NWB without a cast, and no boot at all. No PT for me at all, just what I read online and not doing anything through pain. However, I started going to the gym and swimming pool 8 weeks post op, i.e. right after I was allowed to even gently step on my foot.
    I think I could do single-leg heel raises at around 12 weeks post op, and I started doing it in the water. Many people say starting in water helped them with their heel raises.
    Even though I ruptured my Achilles around the same time as you did, I started running/jumping at around 5 months post op and I went to play in a 3-day ultimate frisbee tournament - no restrictions on my side, but not at my pre-injury level of course - 7 months post op.
    The only issue I have left is calf muscles imbalance, as my healing leg is still lagging behind the healthy one. The progress is slow, but it’s coming.

    I can’t imagine going with another surgery now… Good luck with that and take care!

  • cserpent | October 12th, 2018 | 1:32 am

    If your doc says things are OK they probably are. Just keep doing the exercises the PT gives you and eventually you’ll get the strength back. How long it takes will vary based on how your exact surgery/recovery went. Since you were 10 weeks NWB it will take you longer since there was more time for muscles/tendons/bone to atrophy. For my right foot I was 6 weeks NWB and it looks like I started doing them at week 15 http://achillesblog.com/cserpent/2017/06/02/week-15-pt-2/ and by week 18 (4.5 months) I was able to do 8 of them. However long ago when I had an IT band injury my soccer coach told me that for every week you have to cut back on exercise due to injury it takes 3 weeks to get back up to where you were. That assumes that you aren’t being a total slacker. When you are NWB, by definition, you are being a total slacker on that leg so I would expect it to take more than 3 weeks/1 week off to get the strength back. So you figure you had 4 more weeks of NWB and let’s say it’s a x4 multiplier since you aren’t doing anything at all. That would put you out to 8.5 months before you’re where I was at 18 weeks. So keep at it!

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  • jeff16 | October 10th, 2018 | 10:08 pm

    Tdance. I am several weeks behind you. I did just start doing two leg calf raises without weights. I put my hand on a chair and make sure to really lock out. My PT said to try doing on the stairs and gradually push more of the burden to the bad leg. With that said I checked out my calves in the mirror and wow not a lot going on.

    When I tore my other twenty years ago it was a full 12 months before I felt 100% or close to it.

    I hope this helps and wish you well

  • Tim Sweet | August 13th, 2018 | 10:24 pm

    Yes yankeefan, like you I am at 8 weeks post surgery this coming Thurs. FWB in 2 shoes now with heel lifts. Doing the customary exercises, just started 2 foot heel lifts, and like you - feels OK but fatigues quickly and I too have the knot at the surgery site which feels sticky like there is an adhesion. Also still lots of swelling. Overall feel pretty good to be walking (if you call it that, lol). One thing that is really working for me is the stationary bike, low resistance, just spinning for 20 mins each day. My PT also has the anti gravity treadmill which helps in restoring a natural gate (over the toe). All in all pretty happy with where I am at, realizing that I still have miles (literally) to go…

  • yankeefan | August 12th, 2018 | 8:54 pm

    Hi Tdance, I’m 8 weeks out but I feel like I have something similar to your lump. It’s very thick for me at the top of the scar, which is where I assume the rupture actually occurred. I’ve been massaging it and doing scar mobilizations but it seems to be pretty immovable. Hopefully it goes away with more massaging and stretching. I just started doing double leg calf raises and I have discomfort/stiffness at the surgical site. Seems to be improving slightly but it’s still pretty painful. Do you remember how it felt when you first started doing heel raises?

    Thank you!

    Katie

  • doug53 | July 12th, 2018 | 7:33 pm

    Hi,

    All these years later, I still drop by this site now and then, and found your question about how long it takes for the limp to go away. If you don’t mind reading a long post, check my post of 4/29/09 for a discussion, toward the end, of that issue. Others have pointed out to me that when, in that post, I talk about walking fast, I’m really talking about taking longer steps.

    Best wishes,

    Doug

  • Roman | July 11th, 2018 | 5:02 am

    I had a limp for over 4 months. Then it slowly disappeared. The thing is I did not really notice the limp, unless seeing it shop window =)
    What helped me is walking on a treadmill, where you do same length strides at a steady interval. Perhaps you could give it a try. Walking more slowly in another alternative. Good luck!

  • cserpent | July 9th, 2018 | 7:17 pm

    The easiest way to lose the limp is to not limp in the first place. Take steps that are small enough so you don’t limp. That’s what I did so I never limped - but man were my steps tiny in the beginning - LOL! The limp is because the tendon flexibility isn’t back to normal. As it gets stronger and more flexible your step will get longer. Read agnesatr blog as she talks about it and show videos.

    I had pain and tingling under my ankle on the outside. When I asked my doc he said it was a nerve that gets moved a bit during surgery and it takes a while for it to calm back down. Your tingling may be another nerve. Check with your doc and s/he should be able to tell you what might be causing the tingling.

    And it does take a LONG time to get the strength back.

  • cserpent | May 23rd, 2018 | 8:13 pm

    It takes a LONG time to get back the strength and size in your surgery leg. Atrophy happens very quickly and takes so long to get back what you lose. It will take months to get most of the size back. My surgery calf still isn’t as big as my non-surgery leg but they are close and I don’t feel any differences in strength. Good luck with the MRI - hopefully it won’t show anything serious.

  • afkv | May 22nd, 2018 | 5:25 pm

    i don’t have any words of wisdom but i hope for the best for you.

  • cserpent | May 14th, 2018 | 3:22 am

    I know my doc had me transition slowly to FWB. I started the transition at week 6 and was FWB in shoes at week 10. My doc had me transition by wearing shoes (with heel lifts) 25% of the time for a week (all the rest of the time in the boot), then 50% of the time for 2 weeks, then 75% of the time in shoes and the rest in boot. At week 10 I was OK’d to be bootless and set up my PT appt.

  • emupilot | May 14th, 2018 | 1:32 am

    If you look at the “marathon” page (http://achillesblog.com/atrpt.php), there are a number of people who took 3 weeks to go from PWB to FWB, and a couple that took 6 weeks. I was still wearing a boot 24 hours a day at 10 weeks as well. It seems like “normal” is elusive with ATR recovery - so much depends on the particular injury, the method of repair, and the doctor.

    Is your heel swollen? For a couple weeks I often had a weird feeling in the bottom of my heel when I would first put weight on it which was apparently from swelling. The feeling would go away after a few minutes.

  • bdelputte | April 26th, 2018 | 3:01 am

    @Zach

    I’ve read tons of stuff about operative vs non-operative protocol and has seen similar advice re ruptures higher up the leg - ie non-surgery is recommended.
    There are some really good blogs here from people who’ve been through the non-operative protocol and I’ve taken that as guidance. Agnes is one of them (she has also posted videos on Youtube) but there are some others who seem very knowledgeable. As far as I understand, the key thing is to start moving early enough - after you’ve given the achilles some time to heal. This is typically 2 to 3 weeks NWB and then start moving/ exercises which will help the tendon get stronger. It has something to do with growing the right collagen - which you can only build by moving.

    As to my experience, it has been easy and straightforward (apart from obviously the terrible limitations you have to go through - especially being an active person).

    I never got a cast/ split but went straight into the boot. Whilst
    i was allowed to do minimal weight bearing (10%) from the beginning, i stuck to strict NWB for the first two weeks. After that, i started ROM exercises 5 times a

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  • Zach Bartlome | April 24th, 2018 | 7:51 pm

    @pdelputte

    How was your process for non-op? I tore the area where the Achilles meets the calf muscle. I am 27 y/o male who works out 5-7 times a week so I was surprised and a bit frustrated when the doctor let me know this is not generally an area to operate on due to the area of the tear with the muscle. I am in a hard cast now as of today after splint the day of injury this past Saturday 4/21. What was the timing from splint/cast to boot with NWB->PWB->FWB to no boot…

  • popouch | April 24th, 2018 | 1:22 am

    I’m at 6 weeks and my achilles also has a slight indent where the rupture occurred. I was wondering the same thing. When I flex/move my foot up and down though it feels firm and straight. I am going to get an MRI (I haven’t had one at all yet) at the end of this week.

  • tdance | April 23rd, 2018 | 2:43 pm

    Thanks everyone! I’m trying to stay positive.

  • bdelputte | April 21st, 2018 | 2:17 pm

    Feeling for you tdance - as 6 is an eternity, and now another 2…
    As they say - every doctor is different and there does not seem to be a right or wrong answer here.
    Going against your doctor is not recommended but i wonder if you have started physio?
    Maybe that is a way to at least start the process of rebuilding some of the strength?

  • afkv | April 21st, 2018 | 7:25 am

    hang in there, the next goal post is in site.

  • wsfost02 | April 20th, 2018 | 9:16 pm

    Hang in there. Its tough. I was Total NWB for 8 weeks. It sucks but now I am 6 months post Op and looking back it was worth it. Every Doctor is different. Dont try and push back to fast! Just take it a week at a time. Mini milestones.

  • wsfost02 | April 15th, 2018 | 9:03 pm

    Don’t get frustrated. Patience is key. Listen to the doctor. They have the experience and you don’t. Celebrate the mini milestones like NWB to Partial. A step backwards might mean 2 steps forward.

    I am 6 months post op and have not gotten to run at ALL. I hope to get clearance tomorrow to start jogging.

  • nyelite79 | April 15th, 2018 | 10:50 am

    I am also about 4 weeks post op. Started PWB on my cast at home without doctor consent about 4 days ago, and started FWB today. I have no pain, and a slight tingle at heel with my first few steps. My doc is conservative and wouldn’t let me put on boot at 3 week mark, so I decided to take the risk of testing my body and feel I know my own body best. I do take very careful steps at home, and use crutches when going outside. I was able to flex my calf and move my foot around since day 3 after surgery, and have been flexing and moving my foot from inside the cast ever since. I’m pretty sure I’m on the risky side of recovery protocol.

  • tdance | April 14th, 2018 | 4:25 pm

    popouch - same here! Just this week (Thursday) got word that the doc wants me to wait another two weeks to start PWB… man how frustrating!!

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • tdance | April 14th, 2018 | 4:24 pm

    Interesting, that seems fast for non-op! Glad to hear it’s going well!

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • tdance | April 14th, 2018 | 4:11 pm

    Pjhalifax - that’s interesting to hear. On Thursday, my doc told me he wants me to wait another two weeks (will put me at my 7th week post op) to start PWB. That seems like an awful long time, but he is also a “cautious” or more conservative doctor. I’ve started doing very limited movements on my own, controlled and cautious (trying to circle my ankle, up and down, toe wiggles and scrunches)

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • bdelputte | April 14th, 2018 | 10:54 am

    I just managed to reach full weight bearing today at 5 weeks post injury (I follow the non-operative protocol). It took me a week to get there and have tried for most of the past week to walk with one crutch. Once you manage that, i expect that you will be loose the other crutch pretty quickly as well. I did not experience any pain but just had to get over the mental block of allowing me to actually push through the boot. Until i managed to fully roll through the boot and have the weight on the leg - i was just limping around.
    Good luck - it will come and faster than you think!

  • popouch | April 9th, 2018 | 9:55 am

    We are pretty much in the same boat! I just got a boot on today at the 4 weeks post op mark, but my doctor doesn’t want me to put any weight on it still until the 6 week mark. I am able to move my ankle more, and I’m really anxious to start putting weight on it. The doctor was very insistent on NWB still for me.

  • emupilot | April 8th, 2018 | 7:20 pm

    Wearing one boot with a 3-inch heel is pretty awkward, especially at first, but being able to stand on two feet while brushing your teeth etc. is a relief! For me there wasn’t any pain or discomfort - the boot keeps everything in place, and each day you can put a little more weight on it.

  • pjhalifax | March 27th, 2018 | 9:13 am

    Welcome to the exclusive club nobody wants to join! Sorry that you’re here but the blog is definitely a good resource. Your story gives me flashbacks to last March when I ruptured my right Achilles - I had similar feelings of frustration and, ultimately, gratitude that I at least had a path back to normal (or a new normal).

    For question 1 - sounds normal to me but I’d add it to a list of questions for your next doctor visit. I had all sorts of weird sensations the first few weeks after surgery. Sometimes it was little spasms and cramps, other times almost like electric shocks. And sometimes numbness/tingling. I just imagined everything was magically rebuilding itself.

    2 - I don’t think I had any augmentation beyond the tendon being stitched up.

    3 - Yep. Those feelings lasted a few months for me. Getting around on crutches and the iWalk handsfree crutch had my left (good) side stiff and sore on some days. Once I could do some PT work I tried to do the same stuff on both sides to at least feel like I was helping the good side along, too. I still think about this, actually, and a general fear of re-rupture has kept me away fro

    [...]