Achilles re-ruptured
Posted , 9 users are following.
Full rupture in late June, tore again almost 6 months later.
0 likes, 24 replies
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Notes on Achilles re-ruptured
chris15023 nate99100
Posted
Also, regarding work, I ruptured my AT on 6th November, and not due back to 11th January, I didn't want to rush it.
Even 6 weeks in now, I still keep my leg elevated at night, and when not in use throughout the day to keep the swelling down.
So if you could work from home, that would be more beneficial
nate99100
Posted
Thanks to all for the replies and well wishes.
After the re-rupture on December 7th, I met with the ortho specialist again. He wanted to go with the same approach, non-surgical...splint 2 weeks and than back to the boot.
The first rupture in June, I went to the ER and they did the Thompson test and put me in a splint with a visit to the Fracture Clinic one week later. No MRI, no ultrasound, nothing. It struck both me and my wife as strange, but I put my trust in the system.
The second time, again no MRI even mentioned. I asked for it and was told I may have to wait for a month. I pushed for it this time and I'm glad I did. They got me in 2 days after the consult and the results were that the tendon was completely torn, it would not be able to re-attach by the non-surgical method. There was significant scar tissue around my left heel and ankle from years of sports, etc. After the first rupture, I had approximately 1/3 of an Achilles to work with and the specialist said I would have probably been back in 2 years if not sooner.
So now surgery on January 17th, 2 weeks in splint and 12 weeks in the boot.
I work as a Business Analyst and I hope to work from home, when it makes sense. My doctor has written an open-ended script to allow for tele-work, etc.
My team is short-staffed right now, with multiple folks out for different reasons. With the first rupture, I returned to work after 2 weeks when I was in the boot, but it was the summer. It's winter now in Atlantic Canada and crutching it into work is not an option, obviously.
With working from home, I wonder about the elevation factor in the initial weeks of healing. I find that the swelling, pain, etc. is less when I'm laying flat on the couch. Working at a desk this summer, I would have my foot propped up on a stool, etc.
Any advice from folks who have gone through this with respect to the amount of time to take off, elevation, treatments, vitamins, diet, etc would be huge.
11 days and counting...
Sunshine24 nate99100
Posted
Hi Nate, i hope you are feeling a little better. I am new to the boards and just underwent a second Achilles tendon tear repair surgery myself. I never knew how much this would take out of me as mine was within 6 months as well. It's nice to know I am not alone in this.
nate99100 Sunshine24
Posted
Hi, Sunshine.
It's a grind, for sure. I was told by the specialist to go with the non-surgical approach with the first tear. It never healed properly, through no fault of my own or therapy. My tendon was almost half with scar tissue when I injured it (an MRI showed this after the second tear).
I had surgery on January 17th. I'm in a cast until next Thursday and then back into the walking boot with crutches/knee scooter for another 3-4 weeks before putting weight on it. I'm 45 and will be shutting down most sports for some time, particularly court sports. I hope to do some downhill skiing next year and focus on rehab all year, possibly some yoga to get mobility and strength back.
You are not alone in this! This injury is prevalent...particularly for folks with sedentiary type jobs (sitting at a desk) and then trying to stay active by running, sport, etc.
Sunshine24 nate99100
Posted
Hi Nate,
Thank you so much for your reply. Our experiences sound somewhat alike with being told about non-surgical approaches. I blamed myself when the second tear happened because I didn't understand it but I was told it was nothing I did nor was it from PT because we never even got that far because of being in the boot for over 7 months.
The interesting thing is I was never put in a cast after like you and a lot of people I am reading about. I was put right into a cam boot both times. I am glad for you that you will be coming out of the cast though on Thursday and going into the boot. At least it will be a little more comfortable for you. Does the scooter help? I was recommended it but only have ever used crutches and a cane. I will be 42 next month so very close in age to you but you are much more athletic than me.
I want to look into Yoga because I think that would be good for me. I tried it many years ago once and was very bad at it but I didn't really give it a chance but I would like to.
Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I look forward to hearing about your recovery and I am grateful to know that I am not alone in how I am feeling. It's nice to have friends here now who understand and have wonderful advice. Thank you so much and I hope you feel better too.
Guest nate99100
Posted
Hi Nate,
I've been scouring the web for advice on how to treat my achilles situation, happy (with commiseration) to read about your similar experience.
I'm 28 years old, very active playing in sports leagues 3x/week, and cycling daily. I had a complete rupture 12 weeks ago playing soccer. Diagnosed in the ER by clinical exam, no ultrasound, and agreed to go non-op. Fiberglass cast immobilization for 2 weeks, then boot with wedge, then gradually made my way to walking unassisted by week 9. I started physio around week 8, following the protocol given to me by the surgeon.
9 weeks after the first injury I slipped walking up stairs, felt and heard that tell-tale crack and knew I did it again. This time I had an ultrasound where they found a 3 cm gap even in forced plantar flexion. After a few consults it's agreed that this is a fresh re-rupture, as you would never expect such a gap 11 weeks into healing after the initial injury.
It's been very unclear on where to go from here. For now they put me back in the boot and set me back to week 3 on the non-op protocol. I know that in Canada they are pushing non-op treatment as much as possible (following the evidence of generally equal outcomes for both treatments and immense pressure to keep healthcare costs down). However I am VERY skeptical about restarting the non-op protocol. If one treatment has just failed - why go back again and hope for the best? I'm worried about compromised healing at this point. In my mind, it makes more sense to operate, clean up the scar tissue, graft if necessary, and start fresh with healing. Right now I live in a big city with very good access to specialists and rehab. In 4 months I will be moving to a new job in a small town, very small hospital, no specialists really. I really need to take advantage of the access I have now, and am going to be pushing to have surgery in my upcoming consults.
Just wondering how your recovery has been since your surgery. Any complications? Any regrets? Any advice? I will push to have an MRI done as well. It's been tough not knowing what to do, as most of the research focuses on one event, not re-ruptures. Lucky us to fall in that 5% category. All the doctors I have seen so far have admitted that they are unsure of the best course as well.
Thanks in advance
nate99100
Posted
Hey, all.
I just wanted to say thanks to all the good wishes and advice folks have provided.
I'm just over 4 weeks after surgery and the scar has healed up nicely. I stayed pretty much horizontal for the first 3 weeks which was hard to do, but paid off.
I'm now walking around a bit in the walking boot, having removed 2 wedges from it over the past 2 weeks. I'm doing toe taps on different occasions through the day which isn't too bad, but planter flexion has been tough. Raising toes, and side to side with foot is very limited and I'm not pushing it. Hoping it gets easier as I get down to no wedges in the boot.
The knee scooter for getting around while wearing the cast and first 2 weeks of the boot was a game changer. I had my hands free and could actually do things around the house to help out, which was a bit of a boost.
I'm wondering at what stage some of you started your physiotherapy?
Was it after you were out of the boot completely?
Thanks.
Rob9700 nate99100
Posted
Hi Nate,
I started PT a week after surgery, the same week I transitioned from the cast/splint to the boot. It was pretty tame at first--range of motion, some scar tissue work, stationary bicycle. I was going twice a week, but since the new year I dropped to once per week. Range of motion is pretty good, episodes of discomfort and minor pain are becoming more infrequent, and I go have longer and longer periods during which I forget about the injury. Biggest issue is calf strength and small muscles in foot and toes which atrophied during my time in the boot. Can't quite manage full single-leg calf raises, but I am getting close.
I would start PT as soon as you can and exercise as regularly as possible--even with the boot on.
Seems like it is going well for you now. Best wishes!
dee98607 nate99100
Posted