Poll Update
I thought I’d change the poll on the blog, but I wanted to summarize the results of the previous poll. To refresh, I asked if you experienced any pain or tendonitis/nosis prior rupturing the Achilles tendon. Here are the results:
59% - “Never knew what an Achilles tendon was until it ruptured”
22% - “Experienced tendonitis/nosis for several years”
20% - “Had some pain in the Achilles prior to the rupture”
I’m assuming the 59% also includes people who didn’t experience any pain prior to the rupture. I meant to include that as a separate option, but forgot. Not much to conclude from the mixed results and small sample size (41 votes). Like so many things about this injury, it’s a mixed bag of nuts.
On to the new poll. This topic has come up repeatedly, so I thought it might be fun to poll the results. The question is, “Assuming a full recovery, do you plan to compete in all the sports and activities that you did prior to the injury?” Feel free to log your vote on the poll in the left sidebar of the page. Also, you can leave a comment to share what you plan to do after recovery.
As for me, I plan to resume all of my activities when my body is ready. Athletics play a huge roll in who I am as a person. While this injury is severe, I know that a full recovery is possible. Suffering through a 6-12 month recovery is far less painful for me than to give up any of the activities I love. As Doc Ross so eloquently said, “You only live once, you can sit on the bench or you can get in the game.”
Obviously, we all have different circumstances. Age, family, job, previous injuries all play a part in the decision to resume playing the games we all love. So, I completely understand the decision to avoid stepping back on the court/field. I’d love to hear what factors will influence your decision.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey Tom, one more category to add to the poll (if it isn’t too late), “Undecided”
FYI, I voted the second, avoid the activity…, but I’m really not sure. One of the reasons I had quit playing basketball previously was that I wasn’t enjoying the game as much any more and the nagging injuries (couple of knee scopes, countless number of sprains, endless aches and pains) didn’t help. I’m not sure I’ll enjoy playing again enough to want to come back, but I’ll definitely be involved in other high impact sports.
Thanks Craig. I’ve added “Undecided” to the poll. Unfortunately, I had to reset the poll, so the previous votes are lost. Anyone who wants to vote again is welcome to do so.
I got hurt playing basketball . I voted #2 as i will now retire from BB - as much as i love the game ( im very good at it too thats why it hurts to leave the game ) i ve had a lot of injuries like ankle sprains , knee sprains , bone bruise , etc. Ill leave it for the young guys ( im 39yo ) and give them time to shine . I will also not engage playing tennis ( i also played tennis before ) . I will keep my routine doing road cycling for my cardio and maybe hit the gym and some pilates on the side . I will also resume golfing .
But the problem is i feel as if have really no choice RIGHT NOW but later on as i heal im pretty sure i might change m mind. I remember when i was 18 yo i had an injury playing basketball and had to have an operation big time for a raptured blood vessel in m abdomen when i received a knee when i was taking a charge on a defensive play - i nearly died - after 2 weeks post op i was back in the court .Thats just goes to telll you how fickle minded i am ……
Hi–
I ruptured my l. achilles march 11, and had surgery march 12, and am now about 5 or 6 weeks out of the boot and off crutches. My PT exercises are strengthening my left leg and improving my range of movement, but it feels like the calf raises and step exercises, not to mention the weeks of bearing all my body weight, have put a strain on my other achilles. I know part of this is psycho-somatic; the fear of rupture will always be present now, but is this feeling of strain and mild irritation common for anyone else? Has anyone ever heard of one developing tendonitis or, god forbid, rupturing the other achilles as a result of over-strain? Any suggestions on alleviating strain on the opposite achilles?
Thanks and good luck to all fellow victims!
Patrick
Patrick - I think you’re right, we’re all a little hyper-sensitive with any unusual feelings in our ATs. Unfortunately, the reality of another rupture will always be there. Aside from rest, I’m not sure there is any really good ways to alleviate strain in the opposite achilles. Perhaps your therapist can recommend some exercises that may put less strain on the good tendon.
Hi Tom,
Not sure if this is best place to respond to your message or if I should just continue on my own blog, but whatever. Thanks for the message and encouragement! Your blog is so … I don’t know … good! It’s so organized and it has pictures and polls. This isn’t your first blog, is it? Mine is so plain and boring; I was surprised I was even able to create it at all.
But to answer your poll question, I can’t wait to get back to tennis. I saw my teammates play the other day and all I wanted to do is pick up a racket and join in. I am kinda scared though … re-rupture sounds terrible! And considering I still don’t really know why this happened, I’m not sure how to prevent it in the future. Hopefully my doctor will know the answer.
Anyways, seeing your healing process really gives me hope. So thanks and keep it up!
Freak - You have to realize that I’ve had 4 months to make improvements to the blog. I’m glad that you’re finding it useful. I wasn’t really much of a blogger until this injury. It took some convincing from Dennis to get me to start, but I’m very glad he talked me into it. It has been very helpful during this whole ordeal. Dennis has been such a great host that it really makes bloggin’ relatively easy.
You’ll be playing tennis again before you know it. Unfortunately, I’m not sure you’ll ever know why the injury happened except for just plain old bad luck. So, if you can eliminate bad luck from your life, you may be able to reduce the risk of re-rupture. Otherwise it will take a lot of hard work and dedication stretching and strengthening the ATs and calves. Cheers!