Achilles rupture close to the calf - any advice?
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Hi all. I ruptured my achilles tendon on 16th December (playing squash) and was expecting to undergo surgery but the consultant has advised against it due to the close proximity to the calf muscle, says it would be like stitching cooked spaghetti. I had a half-cast for the first week and since have had a "boot" which is still non weight bearing at the moment. The position of my rupture weems to be quite rare and I haven't seen anyone recalling details of a similar injury. I am booked for my next appointment on 11th Jan when I should start the partial weight bearing/wedge removal process. I have heard I may get a better blood supply to this part of the don't know tendon which is encouraging but I don't know if that will result in a shorter recovery period? The worst part for me so far is not being active and not being able to drive, it's my right leg and I drive an manual. I can't bear the thought of relying on lifts for another 10 weeks! If anyone else has suffered a "higher" rupture and has any experiences to share it would be much appreciated.
Oh, I'm 53 by the way but was very active prior to the injury, running and cycling/mountain biking especially. I'd only just started playing squash again a couple of weeks before the injury after a 5 year lay off. I used to play quite a lot and never suffered any injuries.
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tim50stroud chris13067
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chris13067 tim50stroud
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tim50stroud chris13067
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chris13067 tim50stroud
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peterrobson145 chris13067
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I had a complete rupture on 22/12, i've just had my cast removed and put in a walking boot yesterday, I was given 5 wedges and start physio on Monday and remove on wedge for the next four weeks
A couple of things to ask your consultant as i'm finding, can you remove the boot for bed as i was told yes, but it seems to be uncomfortable to sleep without boot, Walking with boot, should you be usine both crutches or one. Can they suggest anything for levelling up your other leg while in the boot, as it hard to balance on non injured leg.
good luck, with recovery.
chris13067 peterrobson145
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Thanks for the response and for sharing your experiences so far, sorry you have suffered a similar injury! It seems that you are on a more accelerated rehab than mine, did you have surgery?
I did my injury on the 16/12, was in a half cast until 21/12 when the decision to not have surgery was taken when I was put in the boot. I am completely non weight bearing until next Tuesday when they take the first wedge out (I think I have 4) and allow some weight bearing with the aid of crutches and then it's a further appointment every 2 weeks for each of the other wedges to be removed. Is yours close to the calf as well? I'm not expecting any physio until the boot comes off after 8 weeks and have been told to sleep in the boot which is a nightmare. I would be very nervous trying to sleep without it though, I move about in my sleep quite a bit.
Interesting to see the differences in treatment, where do you live, are you in the UK?
peterrobson145 chris13067
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Sorry in the delay, no I didn't have surgery. My injury is the same as yours near the calf,
I had two weeks non weight bearing in cast, now walking boot with five wedges, one due out each week. I tried one night sleeping with boot off and found it a bit too sore, so im sleeping with back on.
The Physio starting today.
I live in South Tyneside.
chris13067 peterrobson145
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Thanks for the update, you are definitely further ahead than me. I had the first of 4 wedges removed this morning and have been told to only partiallly weight bear and still use the crutches. I'm away when my next appointment was due in 2 weeks so she showed me what to do today to remove the next wedge so my next appointment won't now be for 4 weeks and she said then I would start physio to get me walking without the last wedge. I have already got a referral to a decent sports physio and am debating when to make my first appointment with them so would be really interested to know what physio you are doing so early? was your's a complete or partial rupture? thanks again for sharing your experiences so far!
peterrobson145 chris13067
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Physio told me not much they could do at the moment, although he has given me gentle exercise todo, basically flexation up/ down/ left and right. Also I ask if I could go to the gym, which I'm allowed to do strength work on my upper body and allowed leg work on good leg, as well as handbike for cardio.
I will see him in four week after next appointment with consultant.
He did give me the protocol there following SMART ( Swansea Morrison Achilles Rupture Tendon)
I have read it and it's helpful, Chris how big was your tear.
chris13067 peterrobson145
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chris13067
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Good luck to all my fellow sufferers and I hope you are progressing well!!
tim50stroud chris13067
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chris13067 tim50stroud
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chris13067
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