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Achilles tendon rupture nightmare!

Posted , 4 users are following.

sparky92
sparky92

I’ve had a long frustrating journey since I completely ruptured my Achilles 13 weeks ago through football training (Age 24). Thankfully now I’m on the mend after an operation 5 weeks ago.

Firstly I went to my local A&E to be correctly diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles and put straight into a boot with the 3 wedges, however the staff at A&E were unsure how to put the boot on and told me I didn’t need any crutches. I took one step and the pain was incredible, I kindly suggested I needed crutches and to see another nurse who could assist in putting my boot on.

After 3 weeks I went back into the hospital to have a check up on my Achilles. The doctor performed the common following test -squeezing the back of my calf, the result was he found no movement, but he advised to stick with the boot for another 3 weeks. After 6 weeks I went back and I knew inmyself that it had got no better which was confirmed. I then got sent for an ultra sound scan which confirmed the tendon was failing to reattach. Then the doctor told me he couldn’t go any further as it was to complex for him and advised me to see a specialist. As you can imagine I didn’t react kindly to this as I had been treated poorly through the whole situation. I was at 7 weeks and no improvement, In fact then tendon was in a worse state than when it happened over 7 weeks ago.

Finally I got referred to a specialist who was appalled with the results and the treatment I had been given. He warned me that my tendon was in a bad way and the gap of the rupture was 5cm. The doctor reassured me that it needed urgent action and was very assertive which was pleasing to hear as I he certainly knew what he was talking about. On that same day he put me in for a urgent operation 2 days later.

The operation went well but unfortunately as the tendon gap was quite large and the ends of my tendon were no good I needed to have a graft. He took approx 5cm tendon graft from my big toe and attached it to my Achilles. Then he drilled a hole into my heel and pulled the tendon through and secured it with a screw. 

3 weeks from my operation I went back to a different hospital and my doctor was happy with the area that had been cut and was overall happy with the operation. Unfortunately I will have a fairly big scar on the back of my leg, just over 6 inches. The scar is no issue to me, I’m just happy to be on the mend and it was nice to have a doctor who knew what he was talking about!

I’m now in a boot for 6-9 weeks after being removed from cast. While the nurse was putting my new boot on I got talking to her and told her about my previous boot as it was put on differently to how she was doing it. She was shocked to hear my story and so was I when I found out that the previous hospital had put my boot on wrong, the first hospital left my heel hanging out the back of the boot by about 3-4 inches rather than it being inline with the back of the boot. The nurse said that I should write a letter of complaint about my experience which I’m unsure on what to do.

Thankfully I’m on the mend and have 2 weeks left before I can put partial weight on my left foot.

Sorry for the long post but I thought I would share my experience for others to read and to help others if they are going through the same situation. I’ve enjoyed other people’s stories and look forward to some responses

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • skigras8163
    skigras8163 sparky92

    Posted

    Gosh! Sounds like you were dealing with some really incompetent people. I think you should sue them. This has really impaired your progress. This is a long enough recovery without malpractice! Wish you a speedy recovery!
  • Littlesimon
    Littlesimon sparky92

    Posted

    Oh my god! That's awful mate!

    This injury is hard enough to deal with much less a total mess up like that!

    Wish you a speedy recovery!

  • Bernie779
    Bernie779 sparky92

    Posted

    Hi Sparky,

     If you read my post two or three weeks ago, I nearly was in the same situation.

    Damaged my tendon end of Feb Eventually saw my Doctor a week later, who confirmed I had agravated my Achilles tendon, and gave me anti- inflamatory tablets. I could still walk however . A few weeks later a lump appeared on the back of my heel, saw the Doctor again and that was the start of US scan followed by Consultant  and then a further MRI scan. Saw the consultant again beginning of September and he confirmed like you that a graft from my big toe would be needed and then plaster casts and physio later. As I said I had no problem walking, no pain, he suggested that maybe I might prefer not to have an op, and left it for me to decide until I have the next appointment with him.At my age ,78 yrs, and not now playing football or cricket,but now walking the dog and gardening, which I can do, after hearing other peoples stories I think I will pass on the op. 

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