Achilles Healing - Tom’s Road to Recovery

Well, I’m now at week 12 post op.  I’m considering this a bit of a milestone because it seems like this is the point people start referring to their recovery status in months rather than weeks.  So, here’s my update at 3 months.

Nothing too significant has occurred since my week 10 post op visit.  It has now been 3 weeks since I got back into a PAIR of shoes (it’s soooo nice to be able to say that again), and I’m getting around pretty well.  I’m still walking with a limp, but it’s getting better.  About three quarters of the way through my stride, the point where I push off with my toes, it feels like someone is pinching my ankle.  On a good day I can almost eliminate the limp when I’m walking very slow.  However, most days I continue to feel every step I take.

I’ve managed to get a bit of definition back in my calf although there is still not a tremendous amount of strength.  The lack of strength is most noticeable when trying to put weight onto the toes.  There is just not much of a spring in my step.  But, I know with hard work this will return.  Here are a couple pictures comparing my legs (I promise I’m wearing shorts!):

 As you can see, the tendon area is very thick in comparison to my uninvolved leg. 

I’ve now had two weeks of physical therapy (two sessions per week).  Since I got a bit of a late start with PT, my sessions are concentrated more with strengthening exercises rather than range of motion.  I still do a lot of ROM at home and while I’m sitting at the office, but I’ve also been able to add in various strengthening exercises.  I was pleased to start doing some leg presses last week, albeit with low weight.  They’ve also got me using some contraption with several springs and pulleys.  I think they called it a pilates reformer, but whatever the name, I notice quite a nice burn when I finish a set of exercises.  Starting next week I may only go in for PT once a week.  The rest will be up to me.  I’ve renewed my gym membership so that I have a few more options than what I’ve got around the house for strengthening.  I’ll probably also try out the pool.

Walking unaided again has been pure joy.  I really enjoyed the comment someone previously made about it taking a low point in our lives, such as an injury, to really appreciate the good things we have.  It also allows us to identify some simple pleasures we start to miss. Running, jumping, driving, bar hoppin’ are a few obvious pleasures that come to mind, but I was actually thinking a bit deeper.

My partner, without complaint, shouldered the extra load around the house while I was unable to freely ambulate for some 2 months. Have I mentioned before how great she’s been during my recovery?? I have to admit that there were times when it felt pretty good having a legit excuse for avoiding some chores. But, guilt did set in after awhile as well as a need to return to normalcy. That’s when missing one particular simple pleasure hit home.

Walking the dog is one of the “chores” we split, one of us taking the morning shift and the other taking the evening shift. However, my partner took on the burden of walking the dog twice a day while I was laid up, ensuring that our pooch would get enough exercise. There were several subzero mornings when I wasn’t too troubled that I couldn’t walk the dog. But, as we started to experience a few brief thaws it was getting harder and harder to look the dog in the eyes and hope she’d understand why I wasn’t taking her out to play. Okay, I realize that non dog owners are thinking I’m a little crazy, but stay with me. It’s probably a little like not being able to play with your kids the way you’re used to.

Anyway, we had some warmer weather a couple weeks ago that was enough to melt most of the snow and ice off the sidewalks and build my confidence that it was safe to take a short walk with the dog. So, I laced up my shoes (again, it’s really nice to pluralize shoe after so long - another simple pleasure, I guess), grabbed the leash and headed out the door with the dog.

It wasn’t a very long walk, I only made it around the block. But, the two of us were happy that I was finally back on my feet again. It is a feeling that I plan to keep in the back of my mind to remind myself anytime that I’m feeling too tired, too cold, too old, or too sore to go for a walk.

Since that time I’ve been able to take a few more longer walks.  I don’t push things too hard and only go about a mile or so, but it feels better and better each time.  Probably more so mentally than physically.  I’m hopeful by the time May roles around I’ll be able to take the dog out for a nice, slow jog!

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