Achilles Tendon Rupture

Hi Evelyn

I done the same over a year ago now and know exactly how you are feeling!!

Unfortunately this is a slow healing injury which cannot be rushed as your seriously put yourself at a risk or re-rupture so literally take one step at a time and do not push yourself. Re your questions-

Leg elevation- for the time you are in a cast I would always try and keep the leg elevated as you are a high risk for DVT with this injury. Even when sleeping elevate on a pillow

Cruches - are hard work but definitely worth walking around with them and keep yourself fit and busy. Maybe set yourself a routine of going for a walk every few hours (starting slow and short and building this up over time). The handles of the crutches can make your hands really sore. I bought some crutch grips. Search 'Awesome Potential Grips' they are excellent!!

Other things that helped me:

Leg raises- whilst lying down on sofa or bed I would do leg raises. This will keep you active and fill in the boredom gap but most importantly keep you mobile and fit

One leg squat with crutches (on good leg!!)start very slow with 3-5 reps and build up and will keep your good leg strong.

Get yourself a small book- this is a great 'me time' and 'think time' write down your plans in life your goals, dreams. You prob won't get this much free time again so make the best of it! I watched a lot of motivational video on you tube too :-) Surprisingly useful!!

Watch films/shows- are you in UK? Get yourself Sky movies and box sets! But be warned and don't spend all day watching it lol

I work in sales and also on my feet all day so went back after 4 months and still limited so it will take time. You just have to be patient and know it will get better and easier but you really just need to persevere.

Wish you the best with your injury!! Any more questions welcome as I know exactly what it's like!!!

Keep strong!! 💪🏽

Welcome to the biggest lesson in patience you will probably ever have. I am 14+ weeks post injury. I did not have surgery. However with surgery or without the long term outlook is the same.  You will find that no two ruptures and healing paths are quite the same, but we still all have several exercises in common.  For me, I was placed in an air cast - hard plastic cast that is removable, held on with velcro straps. It had 4 heel wedges in it to begin with. After 4-5 weeks, heel wedges came out, approx. 1 wedge per week.  Then after week 8,cast removed.  During this period I was advised to see a physio therapist, which I did. She initially had me doing exercises to keep other muscles going strong. She also provided some healing treatments to injured area, but nothing very intense.  At week 4 we started with ROM (range of motion) exercies - boot removed and gentle movements, toe scrunches, etc. Fortuneately my cast was a walking cast, so I was mobile quite soon. Although it is exhausting. At 8 weeks, when cast removed, then stretches began - and continue.

I'm not sure if you are in a walking cast or not. Doesn't sound like it.  Certainly whatever your Dr. or PT recommended, do. And what they recommend you don't do, then don't do it.  

There is no quick or easy fix. You will find some weeks are amazing and others you seem to go backward with your progress.

Good luck!!

Hey Evelyn I rupture my achillies and had surgery June 20. I still have staples in and a hard cast. I get both remove on July 10 (6 days and I'm counting) I will be put in a boot with 3 wedges. I believed my Dr. Told me once I'm in the boot I will be able to put weight on it however I won't start therapy until week 6.

I am bored and it's a mental struggle. My dr. Said I must keep it elevated at all times even when I get the boot on. I would say try to keep it up to a avoid swelling and blood clots.

Hi Evelyn

Did you have surgery? I'll tell you my situation. I was diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis January of 2016. I did therapy, wore a boot and had minimally invasive tenex procedure. None of the above helped. I ended up with a partial tear. I had reconstructive surgery on December 20. I'm now 6 months past surgery and still not completely healed. I was out of work for 4 months. It was quite boring. I kept myself entertained with coloring, reading, watching movies and Internet games. I had a knee scooter which was very helpful but I also used crutches here and there. I got tired of laying around so I got up every hour and moved around.

I had a splint/hard cast for 2 weeks. I had my stitches removed and they put a plaster cast on for 4 weeks then I had the boot for 2 weeks. I had a lot of swelling which didn't help with the having to wear a sneaker. My therapist gave me massages of my foot to help the swelling go down. I did therapy for 7 weeks. I've been back to work 2 months and still can't be on my feet more than 5-6 hours without being in excruciating pain. It's a long recovery. My calf muscle is still weak. (I've been slacking on my calf raises) I still can't stand on my toes. Probably my fault for not doing my exercises regularly.

Just find things to keep yourself busy and make sure you do those stretches and most importantly heel raises when it's time for therapy. Good luck in your recovery.

Hi Evelyn, I ruptured my achilles 4 days ago and the more I read the more I realize how this is probably one of the longest recovery injuries there is - no fun! Not sure if you have looked into the IWalk2 - my doc recommended it too when I asked about it. I'm setting mine up today and I'm sure it's going to make my life much easier and mental state of mind more positive. Also there are these great blogs and videos (Youtube) by an Agnes in Washington DC - she gives excellent week by week expectations and how to cope.

It's nice to share with others in the same miserable position!

I suffered a rerupture 7 weeks ago, doctors say I'm just unlucky, anyway i wanted to try a few different things as my personal research seems to suggest that earlier weight bearing has better results. My treatment both times involves non surgery and the vacoped boot.

This time I have been eating more protein as this is what the body uses for muscle and tendon repair, also I have been eating fruit that contains vit c daily as apparently that aids the body convert that protein.

Also I have been adjusting my boot 5 degrees every 4/5 days so now at week 6/7 I am in neutral position and now at 7 weeks I am full weight bearing. First time round I think I was to gentle plus I had a different doc with a different plan each time I went in (every 2wks) then my physio wasn't arranged till wk12 but this time I have notified the physio myself in preparation.

The problem is weeks 4-6, partial weight bearing, what does that mean? A good tip here is to tread your injured leg onto some bathroom scales(in your boot!) I found I was putting 2/3 stone through my leg but this way I could manage what I was putting comfortably through it.

My final tip is clingfilm by the kettle, this way when using your crutches you can make a cup of tea, put clingfilm on top of your cup, carry it to the sofa and put your leg up, spill free!

Good luck with your recovery.