Today is my seven-week anniversary and the first time I can honestly say my leg is starting to feel “normal”. Last week my PT told me to ditch the boot (while I was at home and on very flat and smooth surfaces) and practice standing on two legs and walking using the crutches with as much [...]
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Hey kkdub,
The last wedding I attended was family so I didn’t worry too much either. This weekends is my personal trainer…maybe people will think i’m going to try and get a workout out of him after the wedding. LOL
Plus, if my arms are any indication that he’s my trainer…..I doubt anyone will say anything anyway!! “Do you feel lucky punk?”
Damacar - I wore my teva’s (or should I say tevA) to the wedding this weekend - dress and all. Luckily it was a family wedding so despite all the teasing, it was just fine. I was envious of all the ladies in the cute shoes and heels….sigh. Wedding #1 down, two to go. I’ll post pics of dress and boot and tevA. Pretty silly.
Hi zurich-
I’m tennisshoes everyday. I do have multiple pairs/styles, but mostly running shoes. I just wear them to match my outfit. Thankfully I can wear jeans, t-shirt, tennies to work. I have a wedding to go to this weekend. I bought a super cute new outfit, got home….crap! I can’t wear tennies! I haven’t figured out anything else to wear though. I was talking to my mom about it and she reminded me that I have black strappy sandals with a wider, 1 1/2 in heel. I’d probably be ok but it makes me laugh to think about my foot/ankle sweling through/around the straps. LOL.
I went with the same size - they seemed to run a little large so it worked. There are lots of shoes like this — i just saw some similar shoes in the Lands End catalogue.
Thanks for the great question zurichfan! I am only 4 weeks post op, but have always worn heels at work (with a 2nd pair of flats for going to and from) pre-ATR. I probably won’t return to work full-time until October-ish (I need to be on my feet all day), so am already stressing about what shoes I’ll be able to wear!
The Sketcher Bikers-Step Up mary janes look like a good compromise to start with … question to tennis junkie: do you wear the size you normally wear? Or did you go up 1/2 size to accommodate potential swelling? Just curious …
Hang in there ladies … we have extra challenges the men don’t even have to worry about!!
I am mostly wearing these to work:
SKECHERS Bikers-Step Up mary jane. Leather and suede upper in a sport casual jane with stitch and overlay accents, instep strap with Velcro(R) closure. Cushioned insole, flexible traction outsole.
earing Skechers.
They are sneaker like, have a cushioned sole, and are pretty comfortable. they have a slight heel, not much to speak of. However, they look better with business attire than sneakers. I wear them with pants, with black socks. Not high style, but it is ok.
I am not up to higher heels yet, but expect I will try some of my lower heels ( loafer like shoes) in another month or so.
I am thinking the same thing - when can I wear “normal” shoes again? I think it will be awhile for quite of few of my shoes. Let me know how you do with your shoe quest.
Mine still swells also, but I sit in an office chair all day.
I ice/elevate when I get home from work.
Last night as I was putting away the peas, I thought to myself, while glaring at the peas, I’m never eating peas again. As if I thought they would hear me. LOL.
This injury is making me question my mental stability.
Hi zurichfan-
You know what? The last 2-3 days for me have not been good ones. I’m having calf pain also. Of course, I had an Ortho appt on Monday. I normally have really good range of motion but on Monday (dammit!) my calf, ankle and tendon were so tight. The doc pushed my foot back, it didn’t budge past 90. I can flex my foot and get it almost even with the good one, but NO, not on the day I visit the ortho. Needless to say, I got coached on stretching, blah, blah, blah.
That’s quite the tape job. I can’t decide if it looks more like a wishbone, or a pilsner glass. Maybe I need a wish and a beer? LOL
Keep us posted. I’m curious since i’m within 2 weeks of you.
Hey-
My foot only swells when I do too much . Yes, I have found myself saying the same thing to my “good” Achillies. Good luck to you!
Wow, so after 2 months the foot still swells if you have it down or is it because you’re over-exerting? Thanks for the words of wisdom on the rehab. I keep telling my good Achilles foot not to laugh at the bad foot because if you don’t watch out it’ll be your turn 
I just went for it on the bike-outside, no boot.
My last Dr appt (when the timid I didn’t know I had came out and surprised us all), he said, you can start riding your bike. I said,”with the boot?” He looked at me like I was crazy and said,”Why in the hell would you ride with the boot on? Do you want to come back and see me with broken arm?” So I said,”So, what if I need to put my foot down?” He just laughed at me and said,”If you’re thinking about it that much, stay inside on the stationary bike” ENOUGH SAID.
Hi, I was cycling at week 9 in plaster and began to do regualr road work 4 weeks after coming out of plaster and now average 50+ miles a week.
Johnk
Very interesting, I will use this technique if I will rupture my other tendon (dark joke). I guess this does not apply to re-rupture. Anyway the thing worked magically on you.
I’m amazed about your little scar, it’s so nice. Mine is much longer, red and with very visible 15 (!) sutures marks. Congratulations for that but more important have a good tendon recovery. Muscles will be back soon, but tendon is important to repair nicely.
Thanks for the feedback! I am not wearing the boot at all anymore (thank goodness!) but when I bike indoors I wear my AchilloTrain brace and tennis shoes. I think I will at least wear that outside — will ask the PT about it on Monday. Appreciate your help!
Hi - was riding my bike with the boot on from week 6. I put on some wide pedals and pushed from the heel -that’s very important. Now I am in two shoes I have been riding very carefullly, and still cant push from the toes. I tired wearing my cleats but too painful. Really miss my biking so will keep pshing the envelope to get back to full fitness.
You might check Damacar’s post from yesterday. I began riding outside about 2 weeks ago, about 7.5 weeks post-op, in the boot, knowing it could be bad in a fall. But I guess that’s part of the fun of biking for anyone anyway. I would consider trying to train your instinct to catch your weight on the bad side on your heel, and not the ball of your foot.
I have scar envy! Yours looks great. I know what you mean about the sundress and sneaker look. Priceless.
I am almost at 12 weeks….my husband and I noticed my calf is starting to gain muscle. There is hope!
Thanks for the feedback damacar. I am REALLY stiff in the mornings but by mid-afternoon I feel like I hit a comfortable stride and then the evening swelling hits. But, it’s not too bad. We just keep on keeping on!
If I would have known you were going I could have said,” Buon Divertimento!”
It really is amazing what can happen in a couple of weeks. Part of my team at work just returned from a business trip to India (outsourced customer service/IT-I work for a major software company) and today they all said “Hi” then said,”Wait! You’re walking!!!” You’re gait will come back. Its day to day. yesterday I wasn’t limping, today…it hurts and i’m limping. I guess Forrest Gump was right about the box of chocolates…You never know what you’re gonna get.
The resort sounds delightful! I have some family from the border there, italian side though.
Oh my, your scar is so tiny. Your surgeon must enjoy building ships inside bottles in his free time. My scar makes people uneasy. I’m not sure to be jealous or proud. It certainly is nice to see you doing so well.
Thanks for the feedback on FWB and the positive thoughts. I am pumped. One day at a time…it feels great to see progress.
whoooooooooooooooo hooooooooo. I’m not even PWB and I’m so excited for you. I just want to walk. Much like you want that great big piece of candy when you’re six…that your parents won’t buy you…thats just sitting in the window, and its before lunch and you didn’t eat all your peas for dinner…….oh to walk…
Great job Zurich
YEEHHHHHHH CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont worry about the tear in your eye . im there with you x still take it easy and keep us posted with your fwb progress xxxxxxxx
Congrats! I’m similar to Ed, in that, limp and gait all depend on swelling and time of day, the shoes i’m wearing (i’ve stuck to running shoes, birkenstocks around the house). Some days my leg hurts and I limp, other days, it doesn’t hurt at all and I don’t limp.I haven’t returned my crutches yet…i still use one sometimes in the morning. I still ice and elevate as soon as I get home from work. Unfortunately, the emotional roller coaster isn’t over, but now its more of a kiddie ride. LOL As i’ve commented previously, I’ve been getting leg cramps since going to FWB-two shoes. Last night was the worst. I did put a call into the ortho…If he has anything good to say, i’ll post it.
damacar
Congratulations!! I find that my limp and my gait depend on a number of factors - how swollen I am, time of day, etc. I have noticed significant improvement in just the week and a half I have been FWB - most of the time. Then I woke up this morning and had a very pronounced limp - turns out I was sore an swollen from my PT yesterday. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Ed
I think all those drawbacks to the boot are true, but for me anyway, to move farther and faster and use hands, or ride a bike outside, the boot is where it’s at. Those long grocery store aisles, uneven ground, stairs, all still glad to have that damn boot. I can barely walk 2 shoes, still very slow and easy, but I can at least sort of get out of the way hoofing the boot. Long ago I ditched that hot insulated boot liner, just strap over leg or pants/socks. I’d use it far less often if the liner was still there. I hope I can ween myself off the boot in about a month or so…
She’s right about walking in the boot. Its not “right”. I did it for 3 or 4 days. It felt like it was hyper-extending my knee and trying to get the height balance between shoe and boot was tough.. If its off it hurts your back and hip. I definately recommend the shoes with crutches. Absolutley buy the heel cups. They kinda hurt my feet at first, but your ankle, knee, hip, and back need the shock absorption and support. I’ve been walking without the crutches for almost 2 weeks now, I still haven’t taken them back though. I use them some mornings until my achilles gets warmed up and I overdid it last week, so I used them a bit over the weekend.
Good luck!
daveleft - I purchased the same brace that zurich posted. This was after Doc Ross commented that he found it helped with his recovery. Unfortunately, I was a couple months ahead in recovery, so I didn’t get to try it out until around week 13. But, I thought it might still provide a little extra support while I tried to regain strength. The jury is still out for me on whether the brace provides any benefit at that point. I wore it for a few weeks while I worked out at the gym. But, I stopped wearing it when I started to develop a heat rash. I didn’t really notice much benefit while I was wearing it except for the compression. I still put it on from time to time because of the compression benefits - it looks a lot better with shorts than a compression sock!! Perhaps I would have noticed more of a benefit if I would have used it earlier on. I will caution that, IMO, the brace can’t/won’t prevent a rupture. It really doesn’t limit your movements much, so it is possible that it could give a false sense of security. Also, if you are looking to purchase, try footsmart.com. I believe it’s around $80 on their site and I also fou
[...]Good advice, all. I am planning on erring on the side of caution and will try this thang. Just want to be sure third time ain’t the charm.
If anyone else has something to add to this ankle brace discussion, it would be most appreciated.
Walshie is right! I had the same brace, wore it for about 2 hours then ditched it..It just didn’t feel right and my PT told me the same thing..
zurichfan, nice progress man, way to go.
I was in a different brace for a while (see my blog) but my PT said I didnt need it and that it was doing more harm than good. It was pooling my swelling below the brace, not letting it go anywhere. So against doc’s orders (I was supposed to wait another week) I ditched it, and I’m glad I did. I still wear the compression socks though.
In my PT’s opinion braces slow muscle recovery and could change a patient’s walking mechanics…whatever that means. I just agreed because it was uncomfortable.
Good luck!
daveleft,
I think the brace is excellent. I felt a difference from the word “go.” It is very supportive. It has a small heel left, padding around the Achilles and on the sides. I am really happy with it and feel more secure with walking. I was a little taken aback by the price $130.00 (thank you insurance!) but so far worth every penny.
Hope your recovery is progressing well…keep us posted.
Congrats on the progress.
What do you think about the brace? I am definitely planning on wearing one and was considering this model. I know others had more of wrap-around types but, from the photos, this one seems pretty dang supportive. TIA.
Zur - Excellent and upbeat. I love these posts. B/c I’m in the early stages - not even two weeks yet. My hands are sore from crutches, my unseen incision is itchy in the cast, and I can’t be upright for more than a small bit due to purple toes and swelling…only feels great if I’m elevating. I’m not all that down, just really ready to be FREEEEEEEEEEEE. I know I know, slow the roll, have patience, don’t push it. Love this site.
KK
Wow - great news!!! Let me tell you, ditching those crutches was a wonderful feeling - can’t wait until you enjoy that feeling as well! Need to ask the doc about a brace when I go on Thurs. I still cannot imagine ditching the boot, but all in good time, right?
Ed
Keep up the good……Wicked to see you are staying positive…..
Track and field live is much better than on TV huh? So sorry! Every summer the weather in Zurich is less than desirable and this year (when I am recovering) it is fanastic outside! 
Hang in there!
Congratulations! But 10 lbs? I would have cried. I guess I should say, I will cry.
This was a hard weekend for me, as the Olympic Trials-Track and Field were going on here in town. It was sunny and hot, rare for Oregon, and I would have loved to have watched live, not on TV. Oh well. My PT this a.m. was doing an update to my progress and asked about “recreational activitities”….what the hell is that? LOL
Good to see your going well. I am having my cast off on Wednesday. Not to sure what’s after that. Doc is only giving me info as i need it. Your right about all the different methods of rehab. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for me soon. Looking forward to it. Good work.
zurichfan - you can check: http://achillesblog.com/atrpt.php
You’ll see under “Days to FWB” how long it took everyone to ditch the crutches.
(FWB means you are putting your full weight on your recovering leg, and walking without your crutches.)
This information is gathered from your Achilles Profile. So please keep your Achilles Profile up-to-date.
For people just starting out, here’s some info on how to setup your Achilles Profile.
http://achillesblog.com/dennis/achilles-timeline-widget/
30 days post-op here…right from a cast to FWB
I ditched mine 28 days post op. Had started PWB and found the one crutch to be a nuisance.
Hi - I am 6 weeks post-op and starting to walk around without crutches but still in the boot. I still need the crutches for stairs but around the office I can walk with my injured leg at an angle no prob.
I had one of those “darker times” Zurich, last night. I don’t know what it is about Mondays, but I broke down last night same as i did the Monday night the week before. I had a lot of pain, burning, etc. in the cast yesterday and by night, I felt hopeless. All I could think was, “okay, I had a good day yesterday– not much pain, able to manuvere around the house okay, but today, back to square one, or so it seems”…..Yes, I was a downer…..
I am sooooo grateful also for everyone here at this site!!! I substitute teach and am home for the summer….Husband at work and daughter at summer school, so home alone most of the day.
What a good idea— the grateful List:
1. Summer to rest and recuperate and be ready in August/September for school to resume.
2. Plenty of good books to read and my soap opera to watch.
3. My wonderful daughter and husband who I couldn’t survive this without
4. Achillesblog.com
5. Having my health
6. My cat who keeps me company all day….sleeps on my bed, etc.
7. Having access to borrowed wheelchair, and power chair.
