How long (realistically) will the whole process take and how long off work.

Hi Denise

?I'm now 4 months post repair.  I had the cast on for 2 weeks and then into a boot for 4 weeks, starting with 4 wedges and reducing one wedge each week.  I was told I could FWB from day 1 in the boot, but the first 2-3 days, it was simply too painful as there had been no weight on the leg for the previous 5 weeks (I had to wait 3 weeks for an op post injury). After a few days it was a lot better and I was able to get around using a knee scooter and crutches.  The crutches were slow and cumbersome, hence getting the scooter.

?Four months after the repair I am finally walking with an almost 'normal' gait.  The leg is finally strengthing and loosening up but I still don't do any impact work.  I could get up and down stairs carefully and slowly once the boot came off but I wouldn't want to do it several times a day until you've lost the crutches.  I still can't bend the leg sufficiently to take the weight on a normal step down - I do an 'old lady' half step.

?The worst thing you could do is try to take it too quickly and end up with a re-rupture.  My recovery is slow and frustrating and I do my exercises every day.  I'm finally seeing some real progress and I'm now strengthening the calf on a trampette (still no running or jumping). 

You sound English so I assume you will be offered NHS physio.  They don't treat you, they just assess you and give you exercises.  You must do them.  I also decided to see a private physio who massaged and stretched my leg twice a week the first few weeks.  And gave me more exercises.  It was expensive but really helped. 

Stay positive and patient.  It's a long road but you will get there!

Cibby x

My timeline since my surgery on Dec 30 of 2016...

2 weeks in fiberglass cast

then stiches were removed and I was put in a boot (non weight bearing for two weeks)

after those two weeks I started using the crutches and put weight on boot until I could walk in the boot without crutches.  I was this way for another 10 days and then started wearing a shoe one hour a day til I worked up to shoes only

PT started 3 weeks after surgery  3 times a week

I'm 48 days post op walking with a small limp for now and still going to PT.

Foot still swells if I'm on my feet for a while and I three toes are a bit numb.  All normal.

That's where I am at this point.  Feeling pretty good.

Hi Denise . Sorry to hear about your accident.I have a rupture of the Achilles' tendon,been in a cast for 6 weeks.I went to hospital this morning where my cast was removed.The nurses said I was getting my foot positioned at a different angle and put in another cast for 3 weeks.I rejected this straight away,I asked to see my consultant and told him I had done my research and would like to be put in a boot with weight bearing.He said that's what he intended.I told him the nurses were going to put me in a cast again,in which they claimed they never said that.My wife and I just looked at each other in disbelief at their denial.Anyway I was put in a boot for 6 weeks with 2 wedges,I've to take one of the wedges out after 3 weeks and the the other a couple of days before I go back.I will weight bear gradually and carefully.Its a bit delicate and sensitive.I reckon a couple of weeks then rehab and working with normal shoes.I reckon all in about 14 weeks for me hopefully. I'm 54 a joiner and don't get paid when off. B.t.w. In non surgery. Hope this helps .Take care.

Sorry to hear about the injury. I had achilles surgery on August 2 last year after rupturing on July 29th.

I had the plaster/splint removed one week after the surgery and was in a boot. I was cleared to go back to work the day I got the boot. I borrowed a scooter and some awesome crutches (they are called mobilegs and are way more compfortable than conventional crutches. I was non-weight bearing for about 5 weeks, then started 25%, 50%, and 75% for the next three weeks in boot. Each of those weeks the protocol called for removing one of the three wedges. One week after the last wedge was out I was back in shoes. That was a challenge because my foot shape and size changed a bit (swelling at the heel as well as some residual tenderness and numbness). So I had to get a couple pair of other shoes that were comfortable and functional.

Stairs are tough. Fortunately there is an elevator at work and I was able to use crutches for short walkis and scooter for longer distances. Physical therapist told me to ditch the scooter to make sure my injured leg was getting exercised. I used it sparingly at home.

Started physical therapy as soon as the hard splint was off.

I am now 6 and a half months after surgery. I go to PT once a week and mostly focus on regaining the calf and foot strength--almost there. I am able to do most things I did before injury still not cleared to run (which is how I injured it) but I am skiing, walking distance, up and down steps. A little discomfort still in the heel, and the strength deficit has some adverse effect on my gait.

If you research pro athletes (which I am not!) and achilles rupture, you will find that it takes them 8-12 months to get back to world-class athletic performance. I suspect it will take us mortals a good 8-12 months to approximate pre-injury status--depending on the injury, treatment plan, and overall health status.

In any event, best wishes for a complete and smooth recovery!