I’ve been in my aircast for 2 weeks, and have oeen pretty much FWB with no crutches for the past week!  It has been great to have the use of my hands back.

I have been very careful to bear weight through my heel only, so I’ve walking around with a pronounced limp (like Frankenstein).  I call it the ‘boot walk’.  Also, I lost the last heel wedge this morning, so I’m back to 90 degrees.   I noticed that each time I removed a wedge,  I could feel a slight stretch on my tendon…not pain…but a definite ‘warm’ stretch.  This lasted less than 30 seconds each time, and I was very comfortable after adjusting the snugness of boot with the velcro straps, and air pressure.

After the first (sleepless) night, I abandoned the rule about wearing the boot in bed at night.  I haven’t had a problem, but I have heard of other people preferring the added protections.

I’m VERY satisfied with the conservative treatment route.  I know the majority of ATRs are treated surgically, and I have spent  A LOT of time reading posts from other and researching any and all available information on treatment options. 

Click this link to read a great review article on treatment of Achilles tendon ruputres: http://www.josonline.org/PDF/v8i1p97.pdf 

Regardless of the treatment option, I believe that choosing the right Orthopaedic surgeon is the key.  I’m fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Doug Armstrong in Burlington, ON (Canada).

My next appointment is on August 18th - I’m not sure how he will react at my FWB :)  So much for being patient.

Wayne


Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. sam66 on August 12, 2009 5:49 am

    Thanks for posting that review - found it very interesting reading. I’ve gone down the surgical route and am still pleased I have despite possible complications. As I was originally misdiagnosed I would’ve been outside the 48hrs mentioned in the article for optimum recovery through the conservative route. I was offered the splint/cast only after a week or the op a couple of days later. Had I been correctly diagnosed immediately after the injury I suspect I would’ve probably been offered the conservative route by the UK NHS and would at that point have accepted it.

  2. waynu on August 12, 2009 8:37 am

    Thanks for leaving your comment! I’m sure that you will get the desired results via the surgical option, and return to your normal activity level. As you will no doubt have read, it is a long road back for recovery. I have found this site to be very helpful to keep me both informed and positive. I wish you the very best of luck!


    Wayne

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