20 Weeks - Graston Technique
20 Weeks Post Op
It has now been 20 weeks since my second Achilles surgery. Progress is occurring, but it is slow. Definitely testing my patience. I’m still dealing with some discomfort at the distal end of the tendon and a bit of overall stiffness in the ankle which is probably a cause of the slow progress. I continue to work with a physical therapist about once a week and do plenty of daily exercises at the gym and in the pool.
I had a follow up appointment yesterday with my surgeon. It was a good chance to discuss my progress in person. Like my PT, the surgeon wasn’t too concerned about the discomfort/tenderness/pain as he felt everything looked like it was healing properly. He reiterated that my tendon has gone through a lot of trauma in the last two years, and it will likely just take some more time to feel more comfortable. While I understood his response and know that time is definitely a part of the healing process, I pressed him a little further to see if there wasn’t anything more I could do besides the PT exercises and playing the waiting game. After a bit more discussion he suggested trying the Graston technique of tissue massage to help break down some of the scar tissue.
I am somewhat familiar with the Graston technique from reading about the process following my first surgery, although I never pursued it further. I understand the technique can be a bit painful the first few times, but that’s not a concern if it helps my healing. I am definitely eager to give something else a try.
So, now I’m searching for a therapist who is qualified to administer the Graston technique. I will keep you posted on the results. Cheers!
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Glad to see you are still improving.
I had an email from Smish yesterday and she asked if I was going to have Graston treatment, she knows people who have had it. It isn’t something I have heard about here in the UK but I will ask my physio tomorrow.
Best of luck, your deserve an extra special Christmas.
Annie
Hey Tom: I had Graston done and it was pretty painful. A good therapist will not push you with more than you can take and I would expect some additional bruising after each treatment. I also had to do additional icing post treatment. I most definitely got more mobility that I noticed starting after the second treatment.
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Tom, good to read an update from you. I have been looking for an update the last couple of days wondering how you are doing. As for Graston, I’ve had it. I have to say it was a bit uncomfortable, but I think it helped. My therapist never did it for more than 5 min or so. My entire leg was red after, but I always felt like I had more snap in my tendon and calf after the procedure. It did loosen me up, and noticeably softened the scar tissue. I never looked forward to it, but I always felt better afterward. Let us know if you find a therapist near you.
Jim - Sorry I’ve been slow with the updates. Unfortunately the progress has been slow, so there hasn’t been much to share. Thanks for the insight on Graston. I’ve heard it can be painful and leaves you a bit bruised, but it seems like it’s worth trying. I was able to find a PT who’s Graston certified in a clinic that’s only a few miles away from home and work. I have any appointment next Tues. so I’ll let you know how it goes. How have you been? Any more strength returning to the calf?
Tom, I have been well. I still am making slow gains in the calf. It doesn’t keep me from doing anything but I can still get my heel only an inch or so off the ground. I don’t think about it as much as I used to, but some days it really frustrates me, and others I’m thankful that this is my only physical problem. I liked the graston, let us know what you think. Have a great Holiday.
Jim
I had my cast off last tuesday, it had been on for 6 weeks. I had PT the same day and since then have had two other appointments within the week. The PT has been adminerstring the Graston Technique which is quite painful, but in the week I have been stretching the tendon, swimming every morning and am actually walking around the house without crutches now, the swelling is hardly noticable, the difference in one week of PT has been incredible. The PT showed me how to massage my own calf to get rid of the fluid that causes the swelling.
Anybody doubting PT’s, don’t they do a world of good.
Good luck to all and be safe over the festive season.
Graston technique works wonders for these types of conditions. However, I found better results when combining Graston with post-treatment exercise and at times even utilizing Graston during exercise. Something to keep in mind.
Best wishes.
I started to self administer the Graston procedure and the back of my leg looks a lot like pictures in weels 6 and 10. In spite of lubricant. Is this a standard reaction and is the end result worth it? what lubricant is recommended and what tool?
also, 1 final question, my left achilles started becoming painful about an hour after my 5 mile run. I did not push myself and was getting ready for my 7th marathon. Well, my last run was that day in the first week of August. It is now nearly 3 months later and the most pain is first thing in the am. Going down stairs is one step at a time but going up the stairs poses little problem. about a week ago I felt good enough for a short run. Short it was. I couldn’t make it more than one block before the pain came back with a vengeance. what is the usual healing time.? this is my first injury but the down side is I am nearly 65 so healing must necessarily be longer than those much younger. look forward to any responses as I have already put on 15 pounds and my stressor relief - running - is really being missed!
@Gord - Am I correct in assuming that you are suffering from tendinitis/tendinosis? It seems to be an issue for a lot of runners, especially as we age. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a quick cure. Frequent icing and rest is recommended. I’ve also read studies indicating that eccentric heel raises have helped with tendinitis/tendinosis. If you haven’t already, you may want to make an appointment with an orthopod to rule out a possible rupture. They will also be able to give more informed advice on treatment and possibly prescribe physical/physio therapy.
As for Graston, I would say proceed with caution. It’s best if you can get a prescription so that a therapist can administer. I have self administer on my tendon, although I’m not sure how successful it has been. I’ve used the handle of a butter knife along with regular massage cream. Graston will cause bruising and can be very painful, especially the first few sessions until you’re able to build some tolerance. You should also allow a couple days between treatments.
Gord, I developed a trick for walking down stairs that helped me and others here quite a bit. Lets you walk down stairs “normally” — left-right-left-right, and at normal speed — without putting high load on the AT or dorsiflexing your ankle much.
Instead of stepping down onto the step with your healing-side foot, step down farther forward, so the front of your foot is hanging over the nose of the step. Then when you step down onto the next step with the other foot, you can ROLL that healing-side foot over the nose of the step.
I got good at that move while I was still FWB in a boot, so when I got into 2 shoes, it was just the natural way to go down the stairs. And it works like crazy, so try it — carefully, of course! (And don’t talk on the phone while you’re walking down stairs!)