PFU Achilles Rupture Recovery 0809

I’m at 2 months, and heavily frustrated as well. I hear it takes a year for full recovery.

It’s good information that there can be trouble that far out, I’ll will make sure I ration out my physical therapy (I think I get 42 sessions paid).

I think your situation is probably very normal. I had similar concerns but I waited until almost 2 years post-op before I went back to a doctor. The rest of my story is long and boring but if you are still having these feelings at a year to a year and a half post-op, then I would maybe go back to a different doctor or specialist to see what is going on. I did and I had to have surgery again but, my leg feels better now, at 5 months post-op, than it has in probably 10 years. I am getting ready to go for my other Achilles now. One little suggestion…see if you can find out what your Achilles was sewn together with and if there was anything permanent left inside. That happened to me and the relief once it was out was wonderful. It is hard to tell if something is still wrong or not because this injury takes so long to recover from. I got to the point where I decided that, “there is something wrong and I am not going to live with this any longer.” You and only you will know when you are pushed to that point.

I do not think you are having anything out of the ordinary. I was disappointed at 6 months that I was still having some pain and swelling. Now, at 8+ months, most of that is gone….but it still pops back to visit, and it is not real predictable. I can do what I think is fairly strenuous exercise, and no pain. Then, after a light workout - some pain and discomfort. So - at 5 months, you are getting close to feeling like you should be all healed, but I think it really takes closer to a year. Don’t despair, every month gets better!! It is just a slow process.

I think PT is overrated — I think a good therapist gives you ideas for what to do and confidence to do more, but I believe that the exercises are mostly do-able by yourself. In fact, my doctor did not think I even needed it - said walking and doing stuff in normal life would return me to normal. (I went a few times to learn the exercises).

So, hang in there. You will see slower progress, and I suspect that you will see ebbs and flows of pain and swelling. Good luck!!

I reruptured my right achilles 4 1/2 months after initial surgery. I then had a second operation and I’m now 19 weeks post op. After the first operation I had PT and probably pushed too hard. though it was an accident (I slipped and fell) that caused the rerupture. After the second operation I decided not to have PT. I also decided to use pain as an indicator of what to do and not. I recognize the condition you describe. The only advice I can give is to be patient and not push too hard. I have found that I need to rest a day or two and go one step backwards as soon as I experience pain.

Good luck and best wishes from Raoul

Appreciate the feedback from those who responded - I know this is going to be a long haul, but words of assurance will help me “grin & bear it” with more confidence!

COMPRESSION SOCKS

What is the experience people have had with surgical/compression socks? Was told by my ortho it could help with swelling; tried one on today for first time - foot did feel better. Will it help or hurt more with pain/swelling/recovery in long run?

Any feedback appreciated!

I have been using a compression sock (a heavier one; almost like it is made out of Ace bandage type material) from one week post up and still do (I am at 6 wks post op today). It does really help with swelling and also with decreasing the probability of scar tissue buildup. Good easy support for the tendon, ankle, and calf too.

Hang in there. You are normal. I’m almost 10 months out and get frustrated. I think we forget where we have been and only see where we should be, and get upset when we are not there yet. I do almost everything I did before, but my strength is not back to normal. Stiffness is leaving and no pain now. To this day I see weekly improvements in strength and muscle, but it’s SLOW. You will get there, we all will.

Spam word today was ‘CHALLENGE’ and that is exactly what this injury is, very challenging. Don’t be surprised to read that lots of us are no different to you. I ruptured in March and I still walk with a limp when it is cold and at the moment it is freezing here in England!!

I have found that just walking is far better for me than exercises. I still get swelling now and then and odd ‘tingles’ when I try and stretch, and I still cannot rise up onto my toes on bad foot. But, as I have said many times….. I can walk for which I am eternally grateful.

Keep going you will get there in the end.

Annie

I am so glad to read these responses. I’m 7 months post op and I still experience swelling and some discomfort. I started walking in the park and I find that I start out great, no limp, but by the time I’m finishing, I’m limping again. Some days I can’t wait to get back to my car, other days I’m fine. I still get tightness in my calf and some leg cramps at night but they are getting less. Just when I think I’m not healing like I should, I read this blog and realize I’m doing okay. Thanks everyone.