Achilles rupture recovery PLEASE HELP
Posted , 3 users are following.
I posted this as a reply in another thread but figured I'd start a new one......I ruptured my Achilles at a combine (American football) on October 22nd and had all the classic symptoms, loud snap, felt like I got kicked, unable to put pressure on it...... I went home took Advil and iced and elevated..... I didn't want to pay allot of money for the ER so I called an to set up an appointment with an Ortho and was told they couldn't get me in until November 8th. I found this odd because because it was a full 16 days from my injury and I read you have to have surgery within a week..... I was afraid I was going to make my injury worse so I ordered an Ossur airboot and a wedge kit but unfortunately that didn't arrive until Nov 1st so I had to limp around for over a week.... When I finally saw my ortho she performed a Thompson's test and I failed (positive) which confirmed a full rupture...... She said due to my age(28) and the fact I am an athlete she would normally recommend surgery but she was impressed that a started non operative on my own and due to recent studies supporting nonop she would like to continue this method and told me she wanted to schedule an MRI at my six week point to see how I was healing.... So I had the MRI and went to see my ortho two days later..... Before she went over my MRI she performed the Thompson's test which I passed (negative) and noted that my divit had diminished a great deal and stated I was doing phenomenal in my recovery.... Then she pulled up my MRI and had a shocked look on her face because it did not coincide with my progress.... The MRI showed I had a 2.3cm gap in my Achilles and she didn't understand how I passed the Thompson's test and had very little pain and was able to walk without limping without the boot (which she scolded me for attempting) she told me that normally a gap that big can not biologically heal conservatively and I may need to have surgery.... I feel like I was getting stronger every day so I was very confused.... Is it possible the MRI was incorrect and showed an ambiguous result?? I don't know what to do at this point
0 likes, 7 replies
robhut joseph2724
Posted
I am 7 weeks into recovery from full rupture, 35 yrs old and diagnosed with 3 cm gap in MRI results. I have gone non operative as advised by my consultant and was advised this could heal as a clot was seen in the gap and this would aid healing. I am too feeling better daily and now minus 2 steps removed from my boot and walking in boot aided with crutches. I will be removing 2 more in just under 2 weeks as advised too. Last check up was weds last week and I have movement (slight) when Thompson test was performed and good scar tissue build up and under physical examination consultant was happy with the healing tendon. I have been researching so much since the injury and it seems opinions on the healing is different across the world. I am based in the uk and conservative is recommended. However everyone seems to think I should have had an operation I speak too.. I am sticking with conservative and hoping all works out in the end. Please let me know how you get on and good luck!
joseph2724 robhut
Posted
how long after the rupture did you have the MRI? And I'm glad to hear you are progressing well, I was worried because I'm still planning on playing football again and I was hoping I could still do so with nonop early weight bearing......Did your ortho put you in a boot right away or were you casted at all?
robhut joseph2724
Posted
MRI was 2 weeks after injury. I was casted on day of injury for 5 days then put in an air boot after. (I had a choice and chose airboot). I have been in airboot now 6 weeks. Movement is very restricted in foot movement I can not pull toes toward me far at all but have been advised to try non weight bareing stretches with boot off when in bed/watching tv etc...
I ruptured mine playing football (soccer) with exactly the same feelings as you described. I will not be going back to football but will go back to weight training soon hopefully. Rob
Rickirhino joseph2724
Posted
Hi Mate
I'm now 4 weeks post op a full rupture. First thing - unless you have a scan you can't tell if there's a gap or not. Feeling it is NOT conclusive evidence. Anyway, I ruptured mine playing football (round ball here in the UK!) on Sunday 22nd Oct (snap!) (literally!) but refused surgery 1) cos I was s**t scared of the GA and 2) as we were travelling to Australia on Wed 25th, so the doc was happy to put me in a boot and see how I went with conservative management. Whilst in Aus I went for a scan revealing a 3cm gap, and they advised when back in Uk to get surgery otherwise will not heal properly ever, Took scan to fracture clinicon Tues 7th Nov, and had my op Wed 8th Nov. It was fine. Was put in a front slab cast in full equinus position for two weeks, non-weight bearing (it was really hard work with crutches but I pretty much stayed housebound). Thurs 23rd went back to fracture clinic and they gave me the option of another cast for a month or a boot, either in semi-equinus. Duhhhh.....boot please! Partial weight bearing and I'm almost human again. Had 3 wedges and took one out on Thursday and still doing well. Walking everywhere even without crutches now so basically full wb with boot on. Take boot off when sat down on sofa and at night. Doing exercises too and have some movement. Still some way to go and can't weight bear without boot. Going back on 21st Dec. Expect to still be in a boot minus another wedge for a month, then hoping to be in shoes, but will see.
So, get your op done tomorrow (it should be treated as a semi emergency so admit yourself through Emergency dept) and do what I did. Nothing ambiguous about your MRI, and Thompson test is not 100% true as there can be some fibres of the tendon that are still slightly attached which will give you some response. Good luck, let me know how you get on.
Richard
robhut Rickirhino
Posted
This is interesting. Appears we both have the same injury caused the same was and are both also at the same point of recovery. However you have had surgery and I have gone conservative as advised by my consultant. Interesting to see why belief is
with a gap of 3 cm this will never heal ever without surgery. My understanding is that surgery is an old way of thinking and conservative is becoming more of a better solution. I have no opinion on this, I just want to be back on my feet and walking again! My movement is very restricted currently. Very tight in in achilles area with a lot of scar tissue which I have been advised is a good thing..
Rob
Rickirhino robhut
Posted
Hey Rob - if you wanna give me a bell I'd be happy to talk. 07551 156155
Cheers
Rich
robhut Rickirhino
Posted
Sorry I never got back to you. Following the conversation above, I am successfully recovered and walking near to normally again through conservative treatment. Having paid for private physio, it was interesting to hear from my physio who specialises in tendons recovery agrees with a conservative approach as rehab is also easier having not damaged the area through invasive surgery. Just shows, reading posts on the internet are a bad idea as ops in this area are a dated approach and I myself was sceptical not having an operation. Saw some brilliant YouTube videos on this injury from a pro American footballer which Id advise others to look up.
I hope your getting along well. Many thanks and all the best.
Rob