Air cast boot questions

Hi Denise I never used any wedges in the boot and could walk ok pretty soon. I think was in the boot about a month. I think it's as much to keep your leg safe as anything else! Good luck. My leg is stronger than ever now.

Hi Denise

I had surgery repair after a complete rupture. 2 weeks in cast before sutures removed and into the boot. 4 wedges, one wedge removed each week for 4 weeks. PT did not start until I was out of the boot as I had to wear it 24/7.

Having put NO weight on the leg up to going into the boot, I was told I could fully weight bear but it was very painful the first 2-3 days. I used crutches to take some of the weight. Once I was used to the boot I was able to walk with minimal use of crutches. Coming out of the boot was also a huge shock.

I'm now 5 months post op and only now walking with a near normal gait. The PT stretching and strengthening exercises are gradually loosening and building up my leg but I'm still a long way from jogging, let alone jumping. The leg is still very stiff and tight.

If you are in the U.K., don't expect any treatment from the NHS physio. They will simply assess you and give you exercises. I paid for private physio twice a week to have my leg properly manipulated and stretched, as well as ultra sound.

Be patient. It's a long, slow process.

Good luck, Cibby

Hi Denise.

I ruptured my Achilles' tendon Hogmanay.I was in a cast for 7 weeks,put into a boot 3 weeks ago with 2 wedges,Ive to take out a wedge tomorrow and stay in boot for another 3 weeks then go back to see consultant.

I went to see physio last week and was given some exercises.I phoned up to push for an appointment.

The first night I was terrified to take the boot off going to bed but had to.It was fine most of it is all in the mind.Im healing well.I started full weight bearing with crutch and boot after about 3or4 days.Last week I started walking about house with shoes on,no crutch.Im not really supposed to but I'm just going with my own feelings.I can stand on one foot (the bad one).Tendon area is ok,I get a lot of wee sore twitches around the foot ( nothing major).Impossible to tip toe,numb sensation but I feel it getting stronger everyday.Im a joiner and aiming to get back to work mid-end April.(4 months all in)off work.I hope this helps,don't push it too much.You will get there.Take care .Mark.

Hi Denise

your other leg has 2 rips also? That's awful.

When I came out of hospital with boot it was a new experience.I used both crutches until I got familiar to what was happening.You maybe ok to walk in boot but just take care practice in hospital and see if your comfortable,we all have different strengths. Mark.

Hello, Denise. Great questions. Here is my experience ((all weeks counted from day of surgery)

When first in boot I was instructed to have no Wright bearing on surgical foot. I used crutches and knee scooter. I was in boot 1 week after Surgery to repair rupture Achilles. As soon as I was in boot I started PT 2x per week as well as prescribed exercises daily

I started with three wedges in boot until week 6. Then took one wedge out per week and at the same time started weight bearing: 25%, 50%, and 75%. So by week 8 I had no wedge and 100% weight bearing in boot.

Week 9 the boot cane off and I transitioned to shoes.

I am now 7 months post op and close to fully recovered. Still have some weakness in ankle and can do partial heel raise.

Hope this helps. Best wishes for speedy recovery!

Hi Denise,

I had my OP last year on 16th Sept for a complete tendon rupture. After 3 weeks I had my case removed and Boot on, but non-weight bearing. After another 3weeks (total 6 weeks from Op) was allowed full weight bearing and physio started. My PT trainer was excellent and he took me on a fast track. Today I have completed 5.5 months and am able to Jog, do a heel raise without problems.

What did contribute to this state of recovery, I am 57 years:

- I am a yoga practitioner and also meditate intensely. This helped the healing process very well. A calm state of mind is very essential to any healing process.

- I was 110% with all the PT sessions and followup rigorously, till today. So, the tendon gained both stability, strength.

I injured my achilles tendon while playing Tennis (my passion) and today after 5.5 months I am able to play table tennis (though this is not as rigorous as playing Tennis). In another 3 months I would expect to play a full game of Tennis.

I really can understand the anguish with the tendon injury,  but have confidence and faith that it is going to heal. Meditate!!!  and also give at least 20 minutes each 3 times a day for the PT sessions. In the best of conditions a full tendon rupture would take at least 6 months for a 90% recovery.

Happy healing!!

 

Started PT exactly 3 weeks after surgery had one wedge for period of about 3 weeks. Had splints no cast but once sutures removed was back in boot and could walk but we with Achilles injuries walk like penguins. Swelling was another factor but it gets better with time. God luck and I preach patience