Just a Little Patience…
Yeah, yeah. It seems that Guns N’ Roses is singing my theme song these days. It’s funny how that “Patience” word keeps coming back, but I’m finding out how important it can be. I’ve been a little frustrated with my progress over the last 4-6 weeks. Some of the strength has return to my atrophied calf, but still not enough to get my body weight comfortably up on the toes of the involved leg. I still have a bit of a limp when I walk, although on good days it’s almost undetectable. I also still have some residual swelling and a good size mass of scar tissue above the rupture site despite an endless amount of massaging.
So, I decided to give my surgeon’s office a call to see if I could make an appointment to see him. I’m nearing the end of my original PT prescription, so I thought it might be a good time to speak with him about my progress and at least extend PT for a few more weeks. I called the office this morning and found out that my surgeon was pretty booked for the next week or so, but they did have an opening today at 1:00. Not wanting to wait too long before seeing him again, I decided to rearrange my schedule and made the appointment.
I met with the surgeon and explained my progress over the last several months, it’s been 11 weeks since I last saw him, and mentioned some of my concerns with the limp, scar tissue, and swelling. He reassured me that everything I was experiencing was pretty normal and was happy with my progress. He did emphasize that the healing process takes time and that I would just need to be PATIENT. The scar tissue and swelling will subside, it will just take awhile. The surgeon also wrote me an open ended prescription for PT, and said to keep going if it felt like it was helpful. Currently my physical therapist is mainly working on reducing the scar tissue with ultrasound and massage. I’ll continue to go to PT once a week for awhile because the ultrasound is something I can’t do on my own.
I was able to spend about 15 minutes with the surgeon and felt like I got all my questions answered and received a bit of reassurance. Several others have commented on their frustration with their doctor either not spending much time with them or just a lack of respect for the patient. I feel very lucky to have selected a surgeon who has always answered all my questions, has spent plenty of time with me in the examining room including even casting me himself, and having a seemingly honest concern about my recovery. I made a point today to let him know I appreciated his work and the time he’s spent helping me heal.
I also had a PT appointment this evening. The session included more ultrasound work and a few new exercises to try and help build back the strength in the calf. My therapist also gave me a bit of reassurance that I’m progressing normally. She recently spoke with a colleague who has an ATR patient who ruptured around the same time as me. Evidently this patient is experiencing a similar mass of scar tissue and is still struggling a bit with walking. It’s good to know I’m not way off schedule with my recovery.
So, I guess my “veteran” advice for the day is to be patient. It’s easy to read success stories on the blog network and get frustrated if you’re not at the same point in your own recovery, or it’s taking you longer to hit a milestone. But, just remember that there are so many variables involved recovering from this injury and we all heal differently. The road to recovery is lengthy, but statistics prove there is almost always joy at the end.
Also, I wanted to take a chance to welcome all the “newbies” on the network. It’s unfortunate that there have been so many additions to achillesblog, but a testament of Dennis’ hard work that so many people have found his great site. I’ve been trying to hold back on some of my comments to give some of the newer rupturees a chance to share their experiences or offer recommendations. So, if I don’t answer a question, it not that I don’t care or I’m not reading your blog, I’m just trying to keep from hogging the “blogwaves”. If you have a specific question regarding my experience I’d be happy to answer them at any time.
Happy Healing!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tom -
Thanks for the update. Yes, patience IS the key to this recovery.
I’ve been feeling exactly the same way. I feel like I’ve regressed in recovery this past week. It all started with my dress shoes that have been hurting my heel. I have been walking with a noticeable limp. In addition, my knee on the same leg has been really bothering me. Maybe it’s somewhat true that a change in walking mechanics for several months can lead to other problems.
But I am happy to say that my usual bad knee (opposite of my achilles rupture) that I thought I needed arthroscopic surgery on, feels a lot better. I think the low-impact leg workouts have been helpful, in addition to my absence from the bball courts for several months.
It really makes a big difference when the doctor is willing to spend extra few minutes with you. I think the doctors can use a bit of patience too.
Tom and Dennis…
Just had a conversation with my surgeon and another chiropractor about the heel and knee issue. With this injury comes altered biomechanics..your gait has now been permanently altered both from a structural and functional aspect. The podiatrist said it is highly likely that we will develop foot issues in the future i.e. plantar fascitis, spurs, neuroma as well as knee, hip and low back discomfort. If you have had prior issues in these areas you are predisposed to additional pain. So in addition to the ankle rehab it is imperative that the lower extremity and core is rehabilitated also. In addition at the 3-4 month mark..preferably after you have been in 2 shoes for 4-6 weeks that you get custom made orthotics…not the off the rack kind. This will help with gait, heel strike, shock absorption and knee torsion.
Any podiatrist or chiropractor can analyze your gait and foot and have them made. At our office it is 325$. They last 3-4 years and go in all your shoes so usually one pair is enough. I am actually getting a new pair this week and the company I use makes sandals, flip flops and inserts for boots, shoes, and sneakers.
If you need any information on them let me know.
Doc Ross
Doc Ross,
The rehab that I am getting at the local hospital is a lower limb clinic rehab class, so hopefully this will address the issues that you have raised here.
I have mhy 1st session at 1715hrs today and will update you all later on what happens, how I get on and what is expected of me in the coming months.
As I have said before the easy part of the recovery is the 10 weeks before 2 shoes stage.
Good luck all.
Johnk
Thanks for the update Tom. I like your line, “It’s easy to read success stories on the blog network and get frustrated if you’re not at the same point in your own recovery, or it’s taking you longer to hit a milestone. But, just remember that there are so many variables involved recovering from this injury and we all heal differently.”
These are words that get stated and re-stated many times on this site, but I think it’s important that we all continue to do so. Since this injury has such a long recovery period there are bound to be ups and downs for all of us.
Craig