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Full rupture of achilles tendon. How long is the road to recovery?

Posted , 4 users are following.

nickdrakelives
nickdrakelives

Hi all. I was training to do a half marathon with friends and stupidly did a sprint finish after 10k, snapping my tendon. I started with a cast for two weeks,and am now wearing a "moon boot". I was a little concerned there were no consultants to check my leg after getting the cast off. I have now had the boot on for a week and can feel some improvement. My next check up is 8th August. I have been told from various sources that it will be a SLOW recovery and may be looking at 12 weeks with the boot on then physio. I would really like to get back running as soon as possible. What are everyones experiences like with this? BTW it was my left leg.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pacehuman
    pacehuman nickdrakelives

    Posted

    Hi

    For full recovery you are looking at around 6 months

    • nickdrakelives
      nickdrakelives pacehuman

      Posted

      So it happened 29th June so I'm looking at December? Do you think I'll have to keep the boot on for all that time?
    • pacehuman
      pacehuman nickdrakelives

      Posted

      I had partial rupture on 1 st june and cast was on for 6 weeks , came off on this Monday past, but there is hardly any strength in the calf bez of the cast so when i walk there us a limp. So it will take time to strenghten the calf.

  • wm16931
    wm16931 nickdrakelives

    Posted

    From having my accident to full recovery took six months (April to September).  I had an operation 4 days after my tendon was ruptured and then had a cast on for two weeks. After the cast was taken off I wore a boot for thirteen weeks and was finally signed-off by the physiotherapist 2 months later.
  • karen42768
    karen42768 nickdrakelives

    Posted

    Not sure as my fracture was not a full rupture and non operative route I took. I am now 8 weeks in no cast just airboot and end of July my last heel lift comes out not sure how long boot will be on thereafter prob a few weeks. but I would estimate you are looking at 12 weeks minimum. I have been told if you do exercises early on and try putting as much weight on your foot as possible early on it will help. My physio said don't do anything until my appointment begin of Aug but doing my own exercises anyway. 

    good luck

  • jaythings56743
    jaythings56743 nickdrakelives

    Posted

    Hi.  I'm a runner and ruptured my achilles in the gym in late November.  That puts me just under 8 months and earlier this morning I finally surpassed 10k in 50minutes. (still nowhere near my PR) Full recovery really depends on your fitness level.  They say 6-12months, and the more you embrace gym time (even though you will feel silly at first being on crutches) and then the physical therapy it 'will' be closer to 6 months than 12 months, I promise!  But, my last race before the injury was a 5k @ 19:52.   I've spoken to others and to get back to my normal speed it's usually 9-10months... and so far it feels like that's going to be the case.  So you really have to gauge your fitness and how well you keep up with your PT exercises.  In about 8-12 weeks you will be able to cycle either in a trainer or on a speed bike.  Please do!  It will make you feel better and it will help you maintain your cardio.  I swear once you do with the boot someone will walk over and tell you their story of how they injured themself and will encourage you to keep at it!

    I will say the worst part will be when you are moving from what they call PWB to FWB (partial weight bearing to full weight bearing).  Everyone has a freak out moment somewhere during that process.

    • nickdrakelives
      nickdrakelives jaythings56743

      Posted

      My fitness level isn't bad. Thing is i'm 6,5" and 17 stone so not exactly built like a runner. I've been running a good few years though. My main concern is the first run. If it happens again, i'm finished. Was yours a full rupture? Typical NHS aren't being very forthcoming with recovery times but then i suppose that is dependant on the patient.
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