10 Month Update
Things are starting to come full circle. It was a frigid January evening when I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Now, 10 months later, the Minnesota temperatures are starting to plummet again and the snow flurries are flying. It’s hard to believe how fast the time has gone by. I’ve now seen 4 seasons post-ATR. While a portion of this past year was lost, it’s nice to look back and realize what a blip on the radar this time period has been.
I don’t have too much progress to report, but I’ve been trying to post a monthly update. The repaired tendon still feels good and the calf strength is slowly returning. I’m getting more and more comfortable increasing my activity level. Running is progressing well although my stride is not quite back to normal, the main difference being the reduced strength of the injured leg. I’m still a bit slower than before the injury, but I’m confident the speed will return. I hope to start trying some plyometric exercises in the upcoming months in an attempt to regain some speed as well as explosive strength.
I’ve attached a few photos below. You can probably see the muscle mass is still slow to return , most notably on the medial side. But, I can feel a big difference from several months ago.
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Tom - glad that your achilles recovery is progressing nicely. I think you are the one of the few that had the new surgical procedure. The scar looks very good, btw. Thanks for the post! Looking forward to celebrating your 1 yr anniversary. Can’t believe that’s just a couple of months away.
Hey Tom…sound like a broken record, but nice work! I too have found it hard to believe we are getting back into the winter season which started this whole thing a year ago. Are you feeling any bunching up of the tendon when you are doing those heal raises? Are you happy with the contour/thickness of the repaired AT…or are you still hitting it with the massage?
Tom..
Looking good but you’ll never be a sock model. 10 months flies by when you look it at. I’m at 8 months and notice how the medial gastroc just does not seem to fire when exercising. I have checked the research, surgical techniques and not one mention of why. IMO from what I have read a normal tendon acutal spirals as it attaches to the bone and that with re-attachment there is no way to duplicate this. thus the fibers are in a completely different framework and not sure how to address this.
Keep up the good work, stay healthy.
Doc Ross
Congrats! Nice to hear success stories.
I just had my calves measured (injured one is 1.25 inches smaller). Have you measured along the way? Curious to hear how fast (I mean slow) the muscle returns.
Keep up the great work.
Tom, thanks for the update. Not to beat a dead horse, but I’m in the same boat as the rest of you. My calf gets steadily weaker the further I get up on my toes. I no longer feel like I can’t protect my ankle and tendon due to weakness. My medial head is tiny too, and doesn’t want to fire much. My latest thing is jumping jacks to get the fast twitch muscle to fire a bit. My tendon is fat and I massage it occasionally and continue to notice a decrease in lumpy scar tissue. For some reason riding my bike kills my back now, possibly due to the strength difference in the legs (back pain sets in the day after, not while riding, go figure). Well, great to hear all you guys are doing well.
Jim
Thanks for the comments. It’s good to hear from so many of the “old timers”.
Brendan - I don’t feel any bunching of the tendon, but I do lack good extension when getting up on my toes. I’m not sure if that is a strength issue or something else. The tendon is far more uniform than it was several months back although it’s still pretty thick. I find myself massaging it everyday, but far less aggressively and generally only for a few minutes here and there. Somewhat a force of habit I guess.
Doc - Unfortunately genetics cost me a shot at a sock modeling career, something I can’t blame on the ATR!!
Daveleft - I haven’t measured my calves along the way. I felt I would get too obsessed and frustrated if I didn’t see 1/8″ increases every week. So, I’ve just been comparing by sight and photos. Calf muscles build slowly, unfortunately.
Jim - I occasionally skip rope during my workouts, similar to your jumping jacks. Don’t know if it’s helping much, but it’s nice to have a variety of exercises. The lumpy scar tissue should subside with time (and massaging). I can definitely tell the fibers have now realigned, organizing themselves parallel with the tendon.
Keep at it and be patient. We’re all making steady progress, it’s just much harder to measure now.
I’m glad to see the photographic progess - it’s good for all of us to see what others are experiencing. Perhaps because you are so muscular in your legs, the contrast between the ATR leg and the good one is so strong. Most ATR victims seem to be the athletic types, anyway. Think of it that way - you’re too STRONG!
Nice work Tom! Recently I put on my green jacket with fur around the hood and, as I was walking to work, remembered the last time I had worn that jacket - on crutches shortly after surgery. Yep, I too wasted the whole MN summer with this injury! I know you’d understand
I’m coming up on 9 months and looking to start volleyball again soon. Have you played yet?
SanFran - “So muscular” and “too strong” have never been used in a sentence when describing my legs! Thanks, you made my day!! I’m glad the photos are helpful.
Bri - No volleyball yet. My plan has been to wait until after the new year, but now my team is starting to fall apart. Too many friends having babies these days! So, I may have to stick with individual activities until softball starts up next spring. Hopefully your recovery is still progressing well. Enjoy getting back on the court!
I am a 52 year old active woman who ruptured my achilles two years and two months ago. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who sustained the injury as far back as I have as I would love to compare notes. I am able to do alot of things; jogging, walking, bike riding, hiking, skiing, etc. But, I am still not able to do heel raises with the injured leg; I need both legs to lift both heels. My calf is still considerably smaller and the leg overall just feels weaker. Wearing heels is very tough. Is this normal? Does anyone know what the long term outcome is- when we are really old instead of somewhat old, will the weakness and issues escalate?
Anonymous - There are a few people at your stage of recovery who have chimed in from time to time, but no regular blogger that are past the 12 month mark yet. It’s a little surprising you are still having problems with heel raises 2 years later, however, we all heal at different speeds. The calf is one of the most difficult muscles to develop. Have you tried setting up a weekly program that focuses on building your calf muscle? You may want to consult with a personal trainer, if you have the means. Also, you can try starting with a “super set” of heel raises using both legs, preferably on a step. You’ll do a total of 100 heel raises in the set, although you probably won’t make it through all 100 at one time. Once your calves start burning, say around 30-50 raises, take a break for 10 seconds and then continue again. Keep going until you get through all 100 raises taking 10 second breaks as necessary. You can start with just your body weight and then add dumbbells when you feel comfortable. Also try eccentric training on the injured leg. Again on a step, do a heel raise with both legs, raising up on your toes. Lift your good leg off the step and try to slowly lower your injured heel below the edge of the step. Use your good leg to return to the starting position. Try 3 sets of 10 reps. Use your hands as necessary to control your balance.
Great Job Tom, everything seems to be looking very good. I am about 3 months behind you and I am looking forward to the summer again!!
Tom,
Great site. I ruptured my achilles back in early Oct (surgery a week later), so it’s helpful to read postings from people who have gone through the same ordeal. At 4 months I still have a limp, your entry around this period of time pretty much mirrors my situation.
Keep up the posts - interested in reading more.
Brian
Brain - Thanks for the note. I’m glad some of the reading has been helpful. Keep working on the exercises and hopefully the limp will fade away soon. Best of luck with your recovery.