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Achilles Tendon full rupture surgery

Posted , 5 users are following.

sardie1973
sardie1973

Hi All, Had surgary ten days ago for complete rupture, in a half cast at moment and go to hospital to get stitches out on Monday and new cast. Very worried about the recovery after reading up on rehabiliation. I started a new job on 13th October and do not g

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • sardie1973
    sardie1973

    Posted

    sorry sent before I finished, just wondering does anybody know if I would be able to return to work mid January, I work long hours and need to be fully fit to be approved to work on the floor ???? That is giving me 12 weeks from operation 
    • david92021
      david92021 sardie1973

      Posted

      Hi Sardie,

      Everyone is different but I think you can certainly be in two shoes and walking about at week 12. I had the op in late June, took two weeks off work and keep the foot up religiously during this time. I returned to work after two weeks in a cast and tried to keep foot up as much as possible. It did swell during the day but was manageable. I was in a cast / boot until week six and then two shoes there after. The limp was pretty bad at beginning and still present now but much less pronounced (21 weeks). I am a PE teacher and because of the summer break have been lucky with the impact with regards to work but I have been teaching practical on my feet since week 12. Be positive and try to get into a boot ASAP and start non-weight bearing physio. My protocol was physio after week 8, I started week 5 and some advise sooner. I believe we start physio far too late in most cases and this really sets back recovery as all muscles are wasted away. When you think that most research suggests that the tendon is 50% recovered at end of week 4 as long as you keep weight off it, light stretching and movement can only be positive. Good luck and be bold.

  • odette06380
    odette06380 sardie1973

    Posted

    Hi Sardie, you don't say whether you had your accident at work it makes quite a difference as you are entitled to sick pay and you could get full wages, I did, for up to 28 weeks. In my case it has been a slow but steady recovery, I am 56 and I think this makes it slower,it is a very serious injury, and people I have spoken to who have recovered from this , say you won't be back to normal functionality for 18 months to 2 years. but you could go back to work after 7 months, I did, i also have a very strenous job and i am on light duties for now. hope this helps.
  • michelle54444
    michelle54444 sardie1973

    Posted

    I ruptured both mine at same time I was in cast 12 weeks now I have 12 weeks physo.  Never had surgery my consultant advised recovery the same.....I'm 4 weeks out of cast having hydro sessions and I'm still not 100% on my feet I use a crutch out the house but am driving short distances.
    • odette06380
      odette06380 michelle54444

      Posted

      it sounds like your doing very well Michelle, I am down to one crutch now, I can walk without crutches badly and slowly, but I live in the countryside where the terrain is rough, so it has taken time to regain confidence. I am 71/2 months in.
  • m15234
    m15234 sardie1973

    Posted

    Have to agree with David regarding when to start physio. From what i 've seen most are either immobile too long or start physio quite late (or both) which like David said and read in my research hampers recovery.

    I only partially ruptured my right achilles two weeks today and currently in a cast for 4weeks in total (2weeks remaining). After this, i am "suppose" to go into a hinged boot and start physio at thesame time. Tried to get myself into the hinged boot sooner but the consultant wouldn't change his 20+yrs model.

    The letter about the consultant's process states that you can take the boot off when sitting down, going to sleep, physio, shower etc which is generally the opposite to what most are being told in that they have to wear the boot 24/7 apart from when having a shower.

    I plan on starting my own physio exercise soon as i get the boot as modern research encourages early mobilisation which leads to lower rerupture rate. As with my recovery from ACL surgery, i plan on listening to my body when doing my own physio and communicate this to the physio/consultant.

  • sardie1973
    sardie1973

    Posted

    Thank you all for the replies, they are very benefical, I am thinking once I get the cast off and in the boot, I am going to go for light physio and listen to my body. 

    The accident happened in the gym so not at work, hoping to be able to return to work mid January.

    Great forum, thank you all for advise

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