Tima’s AchillesBlog

Hi Tima,

That is a very insightful concept, to start believing the injury happened “for me.”

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The positive thinking was very infectious.

Awesome progress! Like dan914, I ditched the crutch way before I got rid of the boot. I sounds like we’re doing a lot of the same PT exercise as well. It’s amazing how much progress you can see in just a few weeks. Keep up the great work!

Way to go! Great that you’re doing all your PT and that you’re making good progress! What I found with the crutch is that I would just forget to take it with me as I went from one room to another and that was when I realized I didn’t need it. Keep on doing those exercises!

yeah, losing the crutch will be a big move. Funny, I lost the crutches before I lost the boot. It was a few days of transition when I lost the boot, and went to walking in two shoes. At first I was very scared and shaky with just the shoes, so I confined that to the house, walking back and forth, and would put the boot on for showering, going outside, etc. Keep plugging along. There is a sign in my PT place: Slow progress is better than no progress.
I also saw one on “Fixer Upper” the TV show that said “It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop”. Keep up the good work!

My doc doesn’t give the “do anything” OK until the 6 month mark as well. And he regularly reminds me it takes a year to fully recover. At 1 year for my right foot I was not anywhere near where I was at before surgery - but that’s because I didn’t have my all my stamina and strength back yet. In fact I wasn’t quite back to my pre-right-foot surgery level when I got my left foot done. But that’s probably because my left foot started paining me a lot more so I had to reduce the intensity of my exercise.

@junebug. I guess it depends on your definition of “healed”. I still have scar tissue built up and there’s is minor pain now and then. This gets better all the time. As far as industry standard I go by at 6 months cleared for all activity including explosive movement. At 1 year is about where you were before the injury. I look at it as an opportunity to vary workouts and embrace exercises you don’t do often which will overall make you more fit. Sorry didn’t mean to discourage.

@Jeff16, you’re kidding. At 20 and half weeks it’s still not considered healed? I wonder at what time frame it IS considered healed. I know it will vary from person to person, but I’m wondering if there’s in industry standard. Like at 1 year it’s considered fully healed. So at 5 months in I’m still going to be paranoid doing stuff. *sigh*

@Tima-great attitude so far. You will do well. Seems like you’re really wanting to get after it with the exercises. Be careful! I’m 20.5 weeks in and my PT says my tendon is still likely not fully healed. I’ve been by the book on mine and feel like it has helped me get stronger without much pain.

Keep the letters coming!

its so strange that differing areas have differing protocols. Mine in Hull is 2 weeks in a cast NWB then 8 weeks in a boot FWB as tolerated, I was lucky and from the first day in the aircast boot i could just walk. I hear you and agree that the achilles rupture is something noone else can understand. I feel a bit abandobed by the NHS and since going into my boot noone has even looked at my achilles, so that will be 8 weeks by time the boot comes off on 10th dec ( I am so excited to reach the boot removal milestone, but also totally terrified).

Way to go Tima! Yes it is great to get the PT exercises to do on a daily basis and you can see progress as you do them. Definitely don’t rush it! I think we moved a bit faster with my left foot mainly because how I and my PT interpreted “3rd month” was actually 4th month to my doc. So we did things a bit slower on my right and I think that actually ended up being better for me. I’m sore more often with my left and just don’t seem to be progressing as fast. I figure that is because I’m doing things a bit earlier than on my right foot so I’m not as strong and it will take longer to get the strength needed. So I just do the exercises I can do and when I feel pain I stop and give my foot a break.

So just keep on doing your exercises, bump up the reps or weight when they get easy and you’ll progress steadily onward and upward (literally - you’ll be standing tall - LOL!).

@junebug. That’s a great post and attitude you have!! While I would not wish this ordeal on my worst enemy there is a little sense of pride in “yeah I overcame that…”. Glad to see you are gleaning positive energy from the ATR community.

There’s a FB group?!?! Huh…well I’ll have to check that out!

I whole heartedly agree. I don’t know anyone personally but when someone gets a wedge out, starts driving or is able to walk their dog for the first time, I’m so proud of them. For their patience and dedication. I’m so far behind them, but I know I’ll eventually be that person…that maybe someone will admire me for my hard won accomplishment.

As much as my friends and family sympathize with my situation it really is not the same. I sat and talked with a total stranger outside the PT office who had also gone through the whole ATR debacle. We just sat and chatted for a good 15 minutes and it was so comforting. They were walking around without a limp and I thought, that’s going to be me in a little bit.

It’s really the slow part of slow and steady I have a problem with. But it’s not like I have a choice. If this ordeal has taught me nothing else, it’s taught me patience. And playing the long game.

Keep up the great progress Tima! We will get there eventually!!

Tima, I’m right there with you! Your post is exactly me almost. I’m a pretty positive person but these last few weeks have been some of the most difficult ever. I know in the grand scheme of things this is just a blip on the radar and I am so lucky/blessed to have a wonderful husband, life and great health. But I miss all those things you said too. Who would have thought I’d miss grocery shopping? The time is just crawling by for me…one…day…at …a…time. Arrrggghhh!

And my husband has been an absolute trooper. He has picked up so much slack in our lives. His once relaxing weekends are now just crammed with errands, chores and the what not that I use to do. He’s exhausted, but I’m so grateful.

Cserpent is right too. Listen to your foot and don’t push it. Sometimes I just have to stop what I’m doing and prop it up for a bit. I think you’re only like a week behind me so hang in there. We can do this!

Heck - you’re in San Diego too Tima?? So am I! Mira Mesa You’re getting close to when you can start helping out around the house! Just hang in there. But remember, once you can start helping around the house you still need to listen to your foot. It will let you know when you are starting to overdue it and you need to stop right then and lay or sit and/or elevate and/or ice (or switch back to heel lifts) or whatever the rest mode is.

I am booted now….I didn’t realize how heavy this thing was going to be! But happy to have the cast off nonetheless.

I took it off to shower, which was awesome! All the dead skin = disgusting! hahaha!!

I loosened the straps a couple of times yesterday while I was reading and watching tv. I haven’t attempted any stretching yet. And yeah, my surgeon said it looked great and was pleased that there wasn’t much swelling.

Looking good! I think I had more swelling than you did at that stage. How’s the boot treating you? I’m loving being able to shower without a plastic leg protector on! But so much dead skin…ugh! I’ve also been taking it off when I’m watching tv to do some light stretching, which makes me feel like I’m actually doing something.

The foot looks pretty good considering! Not much swelling which is excellent! So are you booted now?