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Achilles Tendon Full Rupture with Surgery

Posted , 18 users are following.

shunie17254
shunie17254

I am 37 yrs old and rupture my Achilles Tendon on 6/23. I had surgery on 7/7 and just completed my 2-week post op appointment on yesterday where I got my stitches out. I was told that a can do partial weight bearing with my boot and crutches. When I go back in two weeks, he said it will be FWB and start Physio. I been working from home since this happened as it was done to my right leg. Can anyone share their progress, best practices learned, and where you are in your recovery. I plan to keep this blog for a full year and document my recovery.

I was very active before the AT injury. I would go to the gym at least 6 days a week and did weight lifting. My surgery went fairly well although I had to stay overnight as I couldn't breathe due to be under. I got two numbing shots that kept my lower leg number for 2 full days. I was off my medication by the third day and was wiggling my toes in a splint on the third day. I went to church on the 4th day and did fine.

After surgery, when I stood the blood would rush to the surgery site and throb, but I haven't had any swelling yet.

My kids been taking me around and it's been great. However, they start school in 1 more week. Then I have my 4 week appointment that Friday. Hoping, I can start driving and go back to work then.

Please share your experience

1 like, 104 replies

104 Replies

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  • jennb
    jennb shunie17254

    Posted

    Hello, 

    I don't mean to cut in but you all know from first hand experience about these things and I'm in desperate need of some help and advice.

    I am 31 and 8 weeks ago I was walking on the treadmill.  I was starting a new job in a couple of days and my husband encouraged me to "step it up" and push harder to prepare for my physically demanding job which requires me to be on my feet for 8 hrs a day.  I cut my exercise short because I hurt my foot and it's been bad ever since.

    I'm no stranger to foot pain so I just figured it will take some time to get better.  The pain is in my heel and directly above.  I know it's my AT.  Reading everyone's stories and doing my own research I realize that I should have gone to the doctor a long time ago. sad 

    I cannot walk normally.  I kind of walk with a limp, I can't bend my toes when I walk.  By the end of my shift and by the time I get home the pain is so intense I'm struggling with great difficulty to walk to my door and get up the steps.  I'm having to hold onto things so that I don't put any weight (or as little as possible) on my foot.

    Usually first thing in the morning is bad, but after some time I can manage to walk without holding onto things but by the end of the night I'm back to excruciating pain.  I have a very high tolerance for pain but this pain is the worst pain I've ever felt in my life.

    According to my fitbit I'm walking an accumulative 4.5 - 5 miles a day.  I go back and forth between thinking something is seriously wrong and thinking "well since I can walk 5 miles 5 days a week obviously I'm ok".

    I had an appointment with my regular doctor 2 days ago but had to walk out after waiting for an hour and a half and still having 2 people in line in front of me.  I'll be making an ortho appointment on Monday and hopefully I'll be able to be seen this week.

    Do you think this is just tendonitis?  Do you think this is something minor?  Last night after work was probably the absolute worst night of the past 8 weeks and I'm on the verge of tears because I have to be back at work in 30 minutes and I'm still not able to walk without holding on to things. sad 

    • jennb
      jennb

      Posted

      I have a great fear of being told "oh, it's nothing" and that's why I never go to the doctor.  I hate being made to feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing.

    • jayant04434
      jayant04434 jennb

      Posted

      Hi Jennb,

      The way I llok at this .. best thing is visit a doc to get an MRI done for your AT.Where the doc can diognise if there is some thing is wrong with your AT.  Leaving things to chance is not a good idea. And healing takes time. If you dont attend now you will have to do it later.

      As they say stich in time saves nine.

      good luck.

    • jennb
      jennb jayant04434

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I made an ortho appt this morning. Unfortunately it will be 3 more weeks before I can be seen. 🙁

    • shunie27290
      shunie27290 jennb

      Posted

      Jenn,

      I can't say if it's your AT and I agree with Jay. A MRI should be done and I am curious on the outcome, so please keep us posted. When I ruputured mine (completely). I couldn't walk on it as my foot was dangling. Try to ice and elevate as much as you can to keep swelling down and it helps with pain too. It is evident that something is wrong as this is not your normal, so making an ortho appointment was a good step in the right direction.

      I apologize for the delayed response as these past for days was busy with my daughter. You are welcome to post on this thread anytime!

  • Terralily
    Terralily shunie17254

    Posted

    Hi, I'm 46 and I'm just shy of 4 weeks post surgery for a full rupture. I'm in a fiberglass cast. My doctor said I could go to an air cast at 4 weeks but there were no appointments so I have to wait an extra week. The cast is very uncomfortable and I'm anxious to get it off. I've been having more pain than usual today and it's a bit concerning. I've been getting sudden sharp, almost electric pains in my heel and tendon today. I did have to go to a football game last night to watch my kids in various activities and probably overdid it a little (even though I was in a wheelchair). I've been icing behind my knee on and off and elevating. Has anyone experienced this type of pain? Is it normal? Thanks.

    • lori73693
      lori73693 Terralily

      Posted

      It's the nerves trying to fire back up if that makes sense. Yes it is normal.. I had surgery in May and i still get the shooting pains every once in awhile- they are enough to make u cry or scream.

    • Terralily
      Terralily lori73693

      Posted

      Thanks Lori, that's a relief to hear. Yes, they practically send me through the roof!

    • shunie27290
      shunie27290 Terralily

      Posted

      Yes, that is very normal! I been walking since 5 weeks and it still fires and cause much pain!!!! Ice and elevation is the best remedy!
    • Terralily
      Terralily shunie27290

      Posted

      Thanks, I've been trying! I just can't wait to get this cast off!!

  • shunie27290
    shunie27290 shunie17254

    Posted

    Hello Everyone!

    I wanted to provide my soon to be 11-week post op...

    My PT has definitely step it up with the stair master, balance platform with throwing a ball and catching it (straight and over the head), balance on different types of foam pads, ski machine, leg press! A true workout indeed! Literally, I am sweating aftetwards. My leg raises are pretty solid and next week we will start trying assisted single leg raises. I am sure it will be very hard, but I will work hard to get it!

    My walking is much more fluid. I can start jogging next week as well.

    There is definitely life after this surgery. Continue to be positive and start doing what you can to make it easier on you in the long run...

    I dont get really no swelling...my tendon has thickened cause I dont massage as much for the scar tissue, so I need to start doing that again. My calf muscle is trying to come back in, so I am pretty excited about that too!

    An aggravating thing is my foot will get stiff if I dont llmove it for long periods of time...I keep a tennis ball at my desk to keep moving it and that has help tremendously.

    How is everyone else doing?

    • Gah6000
      Gah6000 shunie27290

      Posted

      Thanks for the update, Shunie. Good to hear you are doing well. My position continues to be pretty similar to yours -- no swelling, ramping up PT in a big way, calf muscle slowly, but surely coming back and a stiff foot when I don't use it for a while -- especially in the morning.

      Today is my official 12 week mark post-surgery. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he said everything looked well. He wasn't too helpful beyond that.

      I’m walking pretty fluidly now. I still have a slight limp from time to time and get tired after I walk or stand for a while. Still get some pain in my foot after walking  – it’s nothing unbearable.. just uncomfortable. Doctor said it’s due to my foot not evenly distributing weight.. which should fix itself as I continue to get stronger.

       I was told by both my doctor and PT to ramp up my cardio on the elliptical for a few weeks and then I should be able to run shortly thereafter.  I’ve been traveling and haven’t had a chance to get to the gym, but hopefully this weekend.

      Overall everything is good. There’s even times when I forget that I’m injured and in recovery.. which is a nice change from being constantly worried and focused on my AT every second of the day.

    • shunie27290
      shunie27290 Gah6000

      Posted

      Greg that is awesome news! 12-week mark is a big milestone! Yes, we are on the same path of recovery. I been told that I can start back at the job too, but been traveling for my job which makes things harder.

      For the ladies that had surgery...I have brought a new wardrobe with long maxi dresses and skirts. I can't stand the fact that one leg is smaller than the other. I know it's a blessing to be able to just walk...but there is ways of coping until things normalize!

      Glad to hear progress!

  • Terralily
    Terralily shunie17254

    Posted

    I'm at about 4.5 weeks post surgery for a full rupture. I get my fiberglass cast off Monday and go back into the air cast. For those of you further along, how long is it before you can walk without crutches or drive? The past weeks have seemed like an eternity and I'm getting very anxious. I even have dreams where I'm walking or driving and wake up disappointed. Unfortunately, I was out of shape when the injury happened due to having rheumatoid disease and prolonged use of Prednisone and other serious treatments. I've even been reading that my meds could have played a part in the injury.

    • Gah6000
      Gah6000 Terralily

      Posted

      I started walking without crutches -- but with a boot -- in weeks 7 - 9. Weeks 9 - 10 I transitioned to shoes. I can drive now.. but I try to limit it.
    • Terralily
      Terralily Gah6000

      Posted

      Thank you. Ok, that gives me hope. I can handle a few more weeks.
    • shunie27290
      shunie27290 Terralily

      Posted

      I started walking FWB with boot at 4 weeks. Walking at 5 weeks with two shoes and driving with my ATR leg. Before than I started driving with my left leg around week 4. The time will go by soon enough. It was sooooooo hard for me to stay still! Now I wish I had another break sometimes...not with an injury though!

      You will be up and out before you know it! Keep us posted!

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