Feels Like Forever!!!! Injury sure plays tricks on your mind!
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So here it is in a nutshell... Fully ruptured my Achilles tendon 10 weeks ago while playing volleyball. Was in a splint for a week, then a plaster cast for three weeks followed by the boot with five wedges. For the first two wedges I removed a wedge after two weeks. Now the doctor has indicated that the last three will come out once a week. He also mentioned that after I've had zero wedges for a week and a half we will hopefully be able to start physio.
It's clear that progress is being made but it feels like it is taking forever. The pain in my leg hasn't been too bad. It's tight but manageable. I find it's most tight after removing a wedge. Walking with the boot isn't much fun either. Recently, I had to go to a chiropractor because my upper back and shoulder was out of whack. I think it was because of using a single crutch or cane. I'm looking forward to the next step of physio starting although I do think it's going to be painful and a not so easy journey!
Lately, I've been struggling with an emotional roller coaster. I think a big part of it is he nicer weather. I've always been active and a lot of my friends have started getting out in the sunshine...riding bikes, going for walks/runs...it's so hard to not be able to do it with them. I find myself getting upset because I can't do it but also because I don't know when I will be able to do it again.
My job involves me being on my feet all day and so I haven't been back to work yet which also makes it difficult because that sense of purpose is missing.
I'm know I will make it through I just wish it wasn't so hard emotionally.
Thanks for listening.
0 likes, 6 replies
tim50stroud BEC13
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BEC13 tim50stroud
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jaythings56743 BEC13
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Took me 9-10 mos before I felt normal. It will feel like forever but trust me you will get better if you stick with the exercises and embrace the rehab/physio when you hit that point.
One thing I will give you a tip on is once you start working normal again you will notice swelling. Totally normal since your calf muscle helps push the blood back up the leg. Someone told me to wear runner compression socks. And wow they were a huge help until the muscle regained its full function.
Other than that, limited dorsiflexion will come and go for quite a while.
tim50stroud jaythings56743
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jaythings56743 tim50stroud
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Yeah and it's blood and lymphatic fluid. Things just don't work well after an injury like that and it will take time for your body to go back to normal. I even wore an ankle sleeve when I started running mileage again. (PTs don't recommend it but I missed running so badly and the semi-side movements really made my foot and ankle swell up). But only did that for a few months because you definitely want to regain the other weaker foot muscle functions.
BEC13 jaythings56743
Posted
Thanks for the vote of confidence. It does help to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. I fully intend on embracing the physio and exercises that come with it. I know it will take some time and that a mind game will be involved but I have the goal of playing volleyball again to keep me going. Thanks again!