Concerns about recovery from Achilles rupture
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all,
I’m male, 38, and live in the UK. I completely ruptured my Achilles nine months ago and received a surgical repair a month later. I had a cast, walker boot, crutches, etc. I underwent a course of physiotherapy and was discharged from it in January. However, I’m concerned that my progress is slow.
My Achilles is still painful with every step and the area is swollen (photos here, apologies for ugly hairy leg). I limp when I walk and my range of motion is poor. I can just about get my knee over my toes, whereas the unaffected leg has a much greater range. The range of motion has not improved over the last few months.
I can’t jog or jump but I can just about do one-leg heel raises, though it’s painful for 48 hours afterwards. Lately I’ve been doing fewer exercises as the pain and swelling have increased. I still wear a dressing on the scar as otherwise my shoes rub on it and it blisters.
Is my progress normal for eight months post-op or do I have reason to be concerned? I worry that I’m going to be stuck with a limp, limited range of motion, pain and an inability to do sports for the rest of my life. I used to be very active and that would be very hard to live with.
I’d be grateful for any advice or comments. Thanks!
0 likes, 10 replies
dorrie_50806 wantoosoon
Posted
Hi I ruptured my achilies last March and still have all the symptoms you have mentioned. I have been told it can take up to two years!! Very annoying. I consciously have to try not to limp and after walking for some time I'm in agony. If I rest too long the damn thing seizes up. I think it really takes time and patience. Hope you get there soon but your not alone
Regards
wantoosoon dorrie_50806
Posted
Thanks for the reply, that's really interesting to hear. Two years is a long time. I was told I'd be back to my previous level of activity within 8-12 months, but lately I seem to be going backwards!
It's good to hear that I'm normal, thanks!
Luis125 wantoosoon
Posted
Hello there. Sorry to hear about what happened to you. I tore my Achilles tendon 10/2016. It took me a year to do a fast walk... 6 months later I was able to jog slowly and to this very day my left leg hurts every morning. I exercise, I can run but the progress is very slow and can be very painful. Don't overdo it. It's a slow healing process.. take your time and do your stretch exercises daily. Best of luck.
wantoosoon Luis125
Posted
So 18 months to jog? That's a long time. It's incredibly frustrating, isn't it? I was very active before, exercising 5-6 times a week, and being less able is really hard to accept. I miss being able to nip across the road or run up the stairs.
I think you're right though - I need to take my time and stick with the physio programme. Thanks for your support!
dorrie_50806 wantoosoon
Posted
Yes I was told six months initially!! I only returned to work in November 8 months later on phased return and still using annual leave for last year to continue phased return. Think of the summer and hopefully it will make it all less demoralising ha ha. I had boot and cast all through that heat last year. Take it steady and listen to your body. Swimming is good. I have been to work today and I call my leg Pinocchio, as it feels like wood when I get home.
wantoosoon dorrie_50806
Posted
I was the same last summer! The cast was so itchy in the heat, and wearing the boot in bed was almost unbearable. I was very tempted to take it off. You're right though, this summer will be a lot better. Perhaps I should be grateful that I will be able to walk around this time. Last year we had to cancel our holiday because of my leg. I hope you continue to improve!
mary_70540 wantoosoon
Posted
looks like im the only one who has had brilliant recovery ,i complety snapped my achilles and was miss diagnosed for six months in that time i was in a boot ,i knew it wasnt right and went to a private doctor who operated straight away ,was in a cast for eight weeks ,then another month in a boot ,within six months my leg was brilliant ,dont have any problems and the leg was stronger than ever
wantoosoon mary_70540
Posted
I'm really glad to hear that you've made a complete recovery! Being misdiagnosed must have been terrible though. I can't imagine how a doctor could have missed that. I would think that the tendon would have become much shorter over six months.
My physio told me that a complete Achilles rupture has about the longest recovery time of any orthopaedic injury, so you've done really well to recover so quickly. Congratulations!
amy1057 wantoosoon
Posted
Hello!
Sorry u are not recovering as fast as you would like but it takes time.
I had Achilles Tendon and Bone Spur surgery, a year ago this month. 4 months later I was doing great. At 5 months post-op, I stepped into a hole and completely ruptured the same tendon plus took half my heel bone with it. I was in a cast for 3 months, walking boot ( non-weight bearing) for 6 weeks then another 6 weeks of walking boot but weight bearing and began physical therapy. I am improving everyday, it's just a very slow process. It has been 6 1\2 months as of today. I am walking without crutches or a cane. I do have a limp, my physical therapist says its due to the non-use of my hip for so long but will become normal with time. I have pain occasionally, especially either after a hard physical therapy workout or the weather changes. I do have swelling at times but not continuously. When I do I get off of it and ice it. My first surgery looked similar to yours with the bump. My 2nd however is smooth with no bumps but a much longer incision. It went from 2 inches to 7 inches.
My range of motion improves every time I go to therapy.
All in all, even though my recovery time is much longer this time around, everything is going good.
It sounds like you may need more Physical Therapy. Have you discussed your concerns with your Doctor?
wantoosoon amy1057
Posted
Wow, so your whole ordeal has lasted over 18 months? That's a huge amount of time to be off your feet. I can't imagine re-rupturing the tendon - it's my worst nightmare at the moment, to be honest. Perhaps I'm feeling a little sorry for myself, so it's beneficial to know that others have the same issues or worse. I really hope that this is the end of your tendon problems! I bet walking around and being independent again feels good.
I haven't been back to the doctor yet because I wasn't sure if I'd be wasting his time. I wanted to post here first and see what others think - I actually think other patients might have a more valuable perspective on this than a GP. When I've seen my doctor about related issues before, he didn't know what to say. Getting an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist would probably take a few months as a non-urgent case. I'm definitely going to look into getting more physiotherapy, as I feel my progress has stalled or even reversed.
Good luck with your recovery and thanks for your advice!