12 WEEKS…..BACK TO TENNIS :-)
Posted on May 6th, 2012 by walkel
This week marks 12 weeks since injury and 11 since surgery and I got back on the tennis court today. I finished PT on Monday and got the go ahead to venture out and hit a few balls from my therapist. Nothing crazy, but just something to start to get my footwork and strength back. It felt great!!! By no means am I 100% yet, but it was amazing to feel myself bouncing around on the court after only 12 weeks. I did about 1 hour and 15 minutes so I’m going to go ice for a little while, but I just wanted to send some encouraging progress news someone’s way…..Happy Healing!! 
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Wow! You’re healing quickly! How’d you do it? I’m almost 11 weeks post surgery. I just got the go-ahead to start riding my bicycle again, but can’t imagine getting on the tennis court, yet. Oh well - everyone heals at different rates, I guess.
Congratulations on your success! Keep up the good work!!!
Sounds like amazing progress, really good to hear your positive news! I think I might have to get myself an ice pack, seems like it is a good thing to have for those end of the day aches and pains.
Cheers! Nice to be close to your sport. I know going out walking helps me feel like I’m close to running again, which is awesome, just be sure you’re not moving to quickly…I know walking in the marathon last week I almost felt like taking a few running steps as I maxed out my speed walking
that’s all we need huh, to get caught up in what we’re doing and pop something that’s not quite ready for what our warmed up bodies might feel like we’re ready to do. I know I get warmed up and a bit of adrenaline flowing and I feel like I should be running as my mind can see that next step but I know one wrong move or just testing something out at this stage(I’m 12 weeks also), would not be so wise as the tendon may be fully formed but still needs to for lack of a better word mature as that collagen totally becomes tendon.
Stoked on being that one step closer! Just like you, happy for you! Keep going & be safe!
That sounds great, a huge congrats!! How did your Achilles feel, still a little stiff? Any tenderness?
Cheers,
Brian
@eric, I really don’t know. I mean, I stayed pretty active throughout, and I listened to my body in regards to what it was able to do and not do throughout PT. In the beginning, I was afraid and wouldn’t do anything unless absolutely recommend by my PT but I realized that my body heals rather quickly and I took some of that recovery in my own hands. Other than that, it is simply that…..I seem to heal quicker than most.
@ultra, I hear ya. I’m definitely going to pace myself and not head back to the court full throttle for another few months. It was just great to see after only 11 weeks post-op. I’m still a ways away but excited about my progress nonetheless.
@Brian, Thank you. It actually felt great, but for fear of doing too much I didn’t want to play too long. I still have very minor stiffness which I have to stretch out every day…..not really any tenderness though.
Happy healing to all of you! And thanks for your comments!
Its a good feeling to reach that 12 week point collagen - wise and now hopefully well on the road to recovery. Great to hear this progress. Watch your step!
Good for you. I hurt mine playing tennis as well. I could come back, but truth be told, I don’t bunt the ball. You know, the club players who take 1/2 swings and lob the ball a lot. I was a collegian, and I hit it back with a lot of torque and force. And I can’t do that anymore so I quit. No way am I going to bunt ball just to get back on the court after an ATR.
Happy healing, as you said. But take it easy at first. Don’t do too much effort and be very careful not to hurt yourself.
Wow! Tennis after 12 weeks. I’m impressed. I’m 15 weeks past surgery and I can’t imagine playing anytime soon. Like Tony B. above, I was a high level (NTRP 5.5-6.0) player and ruptured playing on a hard court. However, I’m a geezer jock (58 years young). I hope to play again, but at the moment, it seems like light years away. I am jogging on a track and biking.as well. Stairmaster has helped. On my surgeons advice (300 procedures), I’ve done no stretching and no ballistic running (on the ball of the foot). He’s worried about healing long. I can (sort of) do a one legged heel raise…just in the last week or so.
Walkel, can you do a heel raise? Did you do some sort of accelerated EWB program. Do you have any advice for a fellow player?
Thanks.
humbland,
I’m curious as to the reasoning for not having you do stretches. Is your surgeon saying that will prevent healing long? So can you regain your Rang of Motion without stretching?
Californiaguy,
My surgeon feels that walking, biking and jogging will “stretch” the tendon/calf to “operational” length (my term).
He said that the few “poor” long term results he has seen have involved too aggressive stretching by PTs. He advocates no active stretching for the first 12-16 weeks.
Apparently, you need a certain tension on the tendon to allow ballistic athletic activities later on.
Who knows for sure? He calls me an “n of 1″ because I opted for early weight bearing. We’ll see. I have tried to adopt a long term perspective.
I’m in awe of someone able to play tennis again at 12 weeks. I’m hoping to hit some balls at 6 months (maybe).
If someone can help point me to effective therapy for Achilles tendinitis, I would be grateful. I think in trying to stay “active” my body has become somewhat unbalanced (favoring my injured leg). I have developed a persistent tendinitis on my “good” side.
Thanks for all the inspiration and avice.
I realize this is an old post, but it’s very encouraging you were able to hit some balls after only 12 weeks!
I am nearly 9 weeks out…been taking some swings in the backyard…can’t wait to get back in it!