Achilles rupture - some pain during healing
Posted , 27 users are following.
I had a complete ruptured Achilles during a game of football. Hospital put me in a cast for 4 weeks then a boot. After 1 week in boot, hospital removed a wedge. They did this without examining he Achilles at all. I am meant to remove a second wedge myself tomorrow. However, I have been having some pain in the area where the rupture happened and a little concerned. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling some pain there 6 weeks into the healing process? If anybody can help that would be great as struggling to get an appointment at the hospital
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gavjones77 jonathan28999
Posted
I ruptured my Achilles 5 weeks ago playing football. I immediately went to A&E who diagnosed rupture of the Achilles, I was placed in a cast for 4 days then the fracture clinic a few days later. The GP suggested the non surgical option due to age (40), Aircast fitted with 5 heal wedges and was told to be full weight bearing within 2 weeks. I am now 5 weeks into wearing the aircast with full weight bearing for the past 3 weeks and no wedges. I have been a bit naughty and removed the cast for half hour period during the day to let my leg breath and have hobbled around. I guess this forum is great to see people's recovery times. The ankle is obviously stiff and I'm reluctant to do anything until my next appointment on 15th May. Calf has shrunk and reluctant to do anything without the "go ahead". Really keen to get back to work,my job involves a lot of driving, just wondered about people's recovery and getting back to work times?? Thanks.
Rob9700 gavjones77
Posted
I ruptured Achilles on July 29 '16 and had surgery on 2 August (a Tuesday). I was back at work the following Monday, in a boot and no weight bearing. Started physical therapy that week--slow healing process. Out of boot about week 8, but it was just in the past few weeks I could do calf raises. Biggest impact has been loss of strength in calf muscle, but it is slowly returning. I am 68 and still opted for surgical repair--very active, downhill skiing, hiking, biking, training...
As you pour through this blog you will see lots of different experiences. I think everyone will generally agree that it is a long, slow, sometimes frustrating recovery process. What you DON'T want to do is re-injure. Then it really gets complicated. Be patient, work with a physical therapist with a good track record on Achilles' tendon injuries, and listen to your body. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!
gavjones77 Rob9700
Posted
Hi Rob,
Thank you for the reply. Yes it is good to see everyone's experiences. It really does feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Certainly early weight bearing had helped me not only physically but mentally. I do have a "fear" of putting weight on first thing in the morning and feeling pain but so far the pain hasn't been present! The road to recovery will hopefully begin on the 15th and getting over the mental fear will be the biggest hurdle.
JW11 gavjones77
Posted
I'm surprised you were weight bearing so quickly, especially with the conservative route. That said, it seems each NHS/doctor/consultant has a different approach.
I'm 41 and did mine playing in a badminton match on 17th March. I wasn't offered surgery, but had four weeks in a cast, then went into a boot with three wedges two weeks ago and removed the first one yesterday. I've got another five weeks to go until I see the consultant to hopefully have the boot off. I'm just allowed to start careful weight bearing this week (50%, pain allowing) and will remove a wedge every two weeks, the aim being that I'm fully weight bearing by the time I go back.
I'm self-employed and own an art gallery business with my husband. Luckily he's able to man it without me for the duration so that I can take my time - as advised by the plaster technician - with my recovery.
I think, as Rob said, it's a case of slowly-slowly and maybe slower!
Keep us posted with your progress.
gavjones77 JW11
Posted
Hi JW,
Thank you for the reply. I have travelled through the internet to gain lots of information and it appears that there are so many different variations on recovery methods.
I have to say that apart from swelling in the first 10 days (3 in the cast and then 7 in the boot) I haven't experienced much pain and in fact, it's more comfortable on the heels of my feet with the boot off!
I have tried to do what I what what was advised by the doctor and apart from some slight pain on my back, getting around in the boot is fine, I'm dog walking, going to the shops and even out washing the car today.
Def advise having the crutches nearby when starting full weight bearing to prevent pain in the lower back, hips and the knee.
When evolving the wedges, it certainly does feel like it's the first steps to recovery and helps the mindset.
I also wish you a speedy recovery.
JW11 gavjones77
Posted
It really does sound like you're having a good recovery, Gav.
I'm scared of putting more weight on mine, even though it's not too painful most of the time. I'm actually finding it hard to work out how to put less weight on my crutches and more on my leg without putting my full weight on it! Very strange, but I'm sure I'll get there.
gavjones77 JW11
Posted
You will get there!!
I still have a massive fear of it going "pop" again (even in the boot) and it's a feeling I will never forget but having a Goal has helped me over the last 5 weeks. I have never had time off work and my goal is to to get the boot off on the 14th May, then get back to work for 1st June!
I have a holiday booked towards the end of May and if all goes well, I will be in the pool doing non weight bearing walking hopefully twice a day. I cannot keep watching Jeremy Kyle every day!
From all the posts and forums I've seen there is def a mental block that needs to be overcome throughout the process. I would say have a week to week goal and try and be successful in that goal. Also sound like you have a very supportive family around you which is paramount.
You will overcome the fear
JW11 gavjones77
Posted
Thanks, I hope so, although I've already decided to give up badminton for good. I wouldn't ever be able to give it my all. Not sure if I'll be able to run again either... for now walking unaided is my goal :-)
I'm with you on that 'pop' - mine did it too and it felt like someone had whacked me in the back of my ankle with their racket!
I'm also very much with you on daytime Tele, though I haven't quite resorted to watching Jeremy Kyle, ha!
I was supposed to be going on a walking weekend in Yorkshire later this month, but have had to cancel. I hope you get to enjoy your hols, the swimming sounds good, just take time to relax and don't push it too hard.
gavjones77 JW11
Posted
Thank you, Shame about your weekend away, it's very frustrating losing that independence we all have. Positive mind and small goals. I'm not intending to play football again in a hurry. Like you, my aim is to get back walking and back to work.
I think the date of your injury was around 4 days before mine so it will be good to see your progress over the coming weeks.
I wish you a speedy one and look forward to seeing the progress you make.
JW11 gavjones77
Posted
neil64709 gavjones77
Posted
Was just curious as to how your walking sessions in the pool
Went ? how much and how often ?
Neil.
sandy29182 jonathan28999
Posted
I have read with interest your journey and all of the replies. 5 weeks ago I backed up on my deck, thinking there was more deck behind me. There was not, so I stepped off into air. I managed to swivel around and land my left foot on the first of three steps. Then I flew. Result is I tore my achilles tendon 60% crosswise. Still a few fibres on the back of the tendon attached. No surgery, but was fitted with an aircast. I call it my miracle boot, as I could walk as soon as it was put on. Yes, with crutches, to be sure. However I now walk mostly without crutches. Tore my tendon on a Sunday and was fitted on Tuesday. I was advised to immediately see a physio thereapist, so saw one that afternoon. I have been in physio twice a week since then. I have removed one heel wedge two weeks ago. Physio advised to now remove another one, so I did yesterday. However, felt discomfort and low level pain. They also adivsed to remove cast and rest foot whenever I could. I have tried removing it at night for a more comfortable sleep, however my heel spasms without warning, shooting pain up my calf. It doesn't last, but is uncomfortable when it happens.
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Rob9700 sandy29182
Posted
I sure did! Sudden stabbing "shooter" at the heel. Didn't run up the calf, but it was intense and brief. I think these are associated with a sensory nerve that gets irritated by the injury, surgery, scar tissue, or all three. Mine diminished over time, but it was a few months before the vanished altogether. Yours will probably pass as well.
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery from this nasty injury!
Davie_c jonathan28999
Posted
It's good to read everyone's stories regarding this injury. I fully ruptured mine 5 weeks ago playing football.
What I notice is how different the treatment is and how many people I now know who have had the same injury.
Slow recovery as everyone seems to say but most people I have spoke to have returned to active sport in about 12 to 18 months. So I'm sure we will all get to where we need to be.
I was non surgery and put in a cast 4 hours after rupture. I am to be in a cast for 10 weeks, no weight bearing for 8 weeks. I asked about the boot but they say they don't do it in my area. Bit frustrating hearing how people are getting mobile a bit quicker which I feel will definitely help the healing process. Oh well.
Thanks for the read everyone and good luck.
JW11 Davie_c
Posted
Hi Davie,
It's amazing how different the approaches are, especially considering we're all (I assume) in the UK and going through the NHS. You'd think there would be a set procedure.
Will you have different casts during the 10 weeks, gradually getting your foot back to 90 degrees?
Davie_c JW11
Posted
Hey JW11
Yip different casts. First one was on for 4 weeks with toes fully down.
Had that changed with foot repositioned and new cast is on for 4 weeks. Was pretty painful with cast off and bending the foot back up and stretching the tendon. (similar to taking a wedge out the boot I guess) But it eased off in a few days. Good to have pain as they said that's how they know it's re attached.
Then finally I am back to have a walking cast on for final 2 weeks with foot back to normal walking position. Fun times.
Quick question for people. How quickly did you start physio from having casts or boots off. In my head I hope straight away but something tells me their will be a wait.
JW11 Davie_c
Posted
Fun times indeed!
I've not had any physio and I've been told not to have any until I see the consultant at 11 weeks - then it'll be up to him whether I have any. If I don't receive any on the NHS, or if there's a delay getting an appointment, I'll go private, as I think it's really important.
Since day one I've been doing sets of various leg lifts three times a day to try and maintain the strength, to some degree, in my knee, front and back thigh, and hip. It's deginitely helped with lugging the cast and boot around. Oh and I wiggle my toes all the time too!
Davie_c JW11
Posted
Yeah I was thinking going private for physio as well if theirs a delay with the NHS. l hope to be doing physio the day I get my cast off. In reality I expect to be put on a waiting List and probably wait a few weeks.
A guy I know work colleague done his achilles and was in a boot. He said he started physio a week and a half after getting the boot off.
Physio is really important as I have had physio for a few sporting injuries and it really works. Just need to be disciplined and do the excercises and keep doing them as much as your body can take it.
It's good you are doing some excercises. The muscle waste in my leg is frightening and I'm sure the strength loss will be the same.