wsfost02‘s AchillesBlog

Guys and Gals,

I have been going back and forth on whether to have my right foot done. I know I have a small bone spur on it and its literally the same pain I have like my left one (pre surgery). I been thinking about whether or not to have the surgery in the fall but that would put me out of running for like 2 years.

I have thought about getting fully healed from the left foot, start running and training for a half and see how it feels and put the surgery off until like the fall of 2019. I just don’t know what to do.

I miss running and competing. But having 3 kids, work and the impending 4-6 months of recovery weigh on my mentally.

Thoughts? Opinions? Lets hear them.

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Well I went to the doctor today. He is VERY impressed with my strength and ROM. He told me I could start swimming and kicking with both feet and to also start on the stationary bike (so now at least my cardio is slowly come back LOL). He gave me an ankle brace to help with stability and any sudden movements. He also told me that my AT is still recovering and healing so not to get on the treadmill or climb ladders as this would put increase stress onto the AT.

The pain I was having (in my last post) is all normal pain he said. He said with being inactive for so long it will take time to build strength back into my leg. I go back in 4 weeks and he said my limp should be gone by then. He said if it is not gone by then we would look at some PT but overall he is very happy with where I am. He also added standing calf raises BOTH feet at the same time. No single leg calf raises yet.

No matter where you are in this process, if I can give one piece of advice: BE PATIENT! I am the biggest type A personalities you will meet and very active, but id rather sacrifice 4-5 months so that I will still be running in 5-10 years. Listening to the doctor is the best thing you can do. You paying all this money to get it right THE FIRST time!

Happy Recovery!

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(Friday 12.8.17 was 8 weeks post surgery)

So 2 weeks ago (Tuesday 11.28.17) I went from complete NWB to Partial Weight bearing with crutches. TOTALLY sucks moving back to crutches because at least on my knee scooter I could have my hands and do some stuff, but it has been nice to be up right and my TRICEPS are getting work out. The doctor was going to let me start getting in the pool and walk slowly but part of my incision was not healing correctly and they had to debraid it and we had to keep it clean. #minorsetback

If you want comfort for your crutches I used BAR STOOL PILLOW PADS and duct tape. AMAZING. No Armpit pain! I have been putting my bare toes on the ground and standing in the shower with some partial weight on my foot. I tried WALKING in my boot next to the couch unassisted and I fell on the couch.

I have GREAT ROM on the ankle and A.T. No pain.

I go back to the doctor tomorrow. I am hoping to move to a tennis shoe and no crutches I just don’t see how I can WALK unassisted yet. Any thoughts on how I can keep getting strength in my leg to walk or is it just going to TAKE time?

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Well today I went for my second post OP at the doctor.

They took the initial splint and ace bandages off. The doctor could not BELIEVE how good everything looked and I had minimal swelling. He said elevating and icing are the 2 most extremely important things to do. I can not STRESS enough how the 1st week post OP is the most important.

He removed 11 stitches. He used the speed bridge method for re attaching my achiellies tendon. He put some ointment on my incision and started the casting process. His medical assistant said he has been “cast” happy lately and strictly does only hard cast when dealing with AT issues.

I had never had a cast before this. Its a pretty cool process. Basically taping mesh tape, wetting the whole roll, and start wrapping the foot. I am from toes to about 4 inches below my knee cap. Its a weird feeling. I am still NWB. I go back in 2 weeks for them to take the cast off and check everything and then the cast AGAIN for 2-4 weeks NWB. He said at this time I would be transitioning to a walking boot and start PWB and then full weight bearing over the course of several weeks. HE said all told it would be 12-14 weeks from time of surgery.

We briefly discussed me returning to running. No time line has been given yet for obvious reasons. He said he really sees no issues with returning to running to which my lovely wife asked “Can the spurs come back and can we be in this situation again?” DOCTOR said spurs could return. Its running. Running is one of the best forms of exercising but also the hardest on our bodies. He said some patients have had this procedure done, and come back to running and been fine. Some had returned to running, come back in for other feet problems, they XRAY and then find a bone spur on the back of the heel but they are in zero pain.

Has anyone has this ISSUE before? Any way to NOT have the spurs re-appear? I am nervous has HECK! Going thru all this, already with the possibility of the right heel needing surgery in the future.

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Well today is Wednesday and it marks 5 days since surgery. The two biggest things so far are:

1. Sleeping Positions. Its so hard to get comfortable. I have tried my back, and evaluating the leg but all the pressure on your heel starts hurting. I have tried my back and laying on the outside of your leg. I have tried my side and a pillow between the legs. Sleep comes in about 2-4 hour ways and it seems just about everytime you get comfortable you have to pee. LOL Thank goodness for Percocet (although I hate taking these type meds if I don’t have too)

2. Mental State. I am not a person who normally just sits around. I am type A, active, driven, and on the go. This sitting around watching TV gets old after a couple hours. Im trying to read and keep my mind off it but that gets boring after a while too. I know its a process. I know I have to follow doctors orders.

I would say finding this website.blog has been SUPER helpful. Getting some type of plastic chair for a shower was a great tip. The knee scooter seriously is a Must. I rent it for $2.00/day ($60.00 a month)

Obviously everyone experience is different but surgery is surgery and recovery is recovery. You have to control the things you can control, and accept the things you have to accept.

The first week is the most crucial from what I have read and been told. I want to listen to the doctor and his orders because 1 I spent a ton of $ money on the surgery (insurance just sucks) and 2. I want to be able to run again. I know it will be several months, and possibly a year until I can return to running, but have small goals for yourself. Take it hour by hour or day by day.

Funny story before I go. Yesterday I just had to get out of the house. So I decided to use my crutches and go to the mail box (which is in a cluster 3 houses down). I was EXHAUSTED half way down and had to stop. And I had to stop coming back. All for 2 junk mail pieces LOL. I get back in the house sweating and my wife goes “How did that work out for you babe pretty good huh?” Trying not to laugh!

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