post surgery ruptured achilles tendon

Hi everyone,

I fully ruptured my Achilles 12 weeks ago and had PARS/small horizontal incision (a few days later). 18 hours after the surgery I could no longer take the comlpetely unbreable pain and went to the ER. Was never warned about that possibility - I hope it doesn't happen to you!

I am now walking without a boot but with a limp that is slowly diminishing. I still have pain, discomfort, swelling, weekness and vulnerability (this seems to persist through the process of PT and graduating through the stages). I thought I would be back to work a while ago but it's a very delicate injury and recovery. I broke my tibia/fibula once and that is a cakewalk in the park compared to this injury!

Mostly be careful and conservative in your activities. You are disabled. You can easily fall, especially when you are not fully weight- bearing (I fell several times - off a knee roller and off my crutches - anyone else???). And I was really trying to take it easy - mostly stayed home with my foot up. I was really surprised to read that other people went back to work after 5 weeks. I was still a mess at 5 weeks!

That's my story

Hi James,

I am 8 weeks tomorrow post injury. I ruptured my right leg this time ( left leg 5 years ago 😁

I am going really good with my recovery. A lot faster progress this time round. I did not have Surgury for either injuries, the thought just freaked me out more then the injury itself..... I had the newer Vaco-Ped moonboot this time round from day one and have found that to be the reason for my fast recovery I think. I was able to get foot and ankle moving alot faster due to being able to take boot off.

I have removed boot a week ago as I needed to start driving again and doing all the mummy jobs with school drop off and pick ups. I am waking with no crutches as well. First day back at work today since injury and lucky enough that I only do half days so not on foot all day, I have a little swelling but nothing too much. The bottom of my foot I s the sorest and the physio tell me that's a sign that I'm not really ready to be walking on it yet 😁

Overall feeling pretty good to be up moving about again. Loved having this forum to talk to others when needed, had a few tough weeks in the beginning.

Good luck and keep us updated with your progress

Cheers

Hi James, good to know you’re getting closer to 100%.

I’ve had a long frustrating journey since I completely ruptured my Achilles 13 weeks ago through football training (Age 24). Thankfully now I’m on the mend after an operation 5 weeks ago.

Firstly I went to my local A&E to be correctly diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles and put straight into a boot with the 3 wedges, however the staff at A&E were unsure how to put the boot on and told me I didn’t need any crutches. I took one step and the pain was incredible, I kindly suggested I needed crutches and to see another nurse who could assist in putting my boot on.

After 3 weeks I went back into the hospital to have a check up on my Achilles. The doctor performed the common following test -squeezing the back of my calf, the result was he found no movement, but he advised to stick with the boot for another 3 weeks. After 6 weeks I went back and I knew inmyself that it had got no better which was confirmed. I then got sent for an ultra sound scan which confirmed the tendon was failing to reattach. Then the doctor told me he couldn’t go any further as it was to complex for him and advised me to see a specialist. As you can imagine I didn’t react kindly to this as I had been treated poorly through the whole situation. I was at 7 weeks and no improvement, In fact then tendon was in a worse state than when it happened over 7 weeks ago.

Finally I got referred to a specialist who was appalled with the results and the treatment I had been given. He warned me that my tendon was in a bad way and the gap of the rupture was 5cm. The doctor reassured me that it needed urgent action and was very assertive which was pleasing to hear as I he certainly knew what he was talking about. On that same day he put me in for a urgent operation 2 days later.

The operation went well but unfortunately as the tendon gap was quite large and the ends of my tendon were no good I needed to have a graft. He took approx 5cm tendon graft from my big toe and attached it to my Achilles. Then he drilled a hole into my heel and pulled the tendon through and secured it with a screw. 

3 weeks from my operation I went back to a different hospital and my doctor was happy with the area that had been cut and was overall happy with the operation. Unfortunately I will have a fairly big scar on the back of my leg, just over 6 inches. The scar is no issue to me, I’m just happy to be on the mend and it was nice to have a doctor who knew what he was talking about!

I’m now in a boot for 6-9 weeks after being removed from cast. While the nurse was putting my new boot on I got talking to her and told her about my previous boot as it was put on differently to how she was doing it. She was shocked to hear my story and so was I when I found out that the previous hospital had put my boot on wrong, the first hospital left my heel hanging out the back of the boot by about 3-4 inches rather than it being inline with the back of the boot. The nurse said that I should write a letter of complaint about my experience which I’m unsure on what to do.

Thankfully I’m on the mend and have 2 weeks left before I can put partial weight on my left foot.

Sorry for the long post but I thought I would share my experience for others to read and to help others if they are going through the same situation. I’ve enjoyed other people’s stories and look forward to some responses.

Hello, I was running around the house and punctured a hole on the back of my leg on the corner of something. I completely tore my tendon and I could see inside the back of my leg. I went to the ER immediately and got surgery the day after. After surgery I was glad I was coming back home and on my way to my room I tripped on my crutches and I partially reruptured it the same day.. I didn't get surgery until 4 weeks after it because we weren't sure if I had torn it again.

So I am 2 weeks after that surgery and I will visit my orthopedist soon. I'm just wondering if anyone else felt sore on the bottom of the foot. My big toe and bottom of my foot are sensitive when I touch them.

I am 58 and completely ruptured my achilles tendon (right) while playing Tennis. For 3 weeks I just limped to work hoping it will be normal soon. MRI revealed a complete tear and at end of 4th week went to Surgery. Returned back same day and now it is over 5 days there is no pain and discomfort. I am due for a return visit to Doc next week on 12th day of surgery. Keeping my affected foot completely off weight and use a Knee support wheeler at home.

Anxious to know what will be next steps, after the cast is removed next Tue (12th day).  When can I start walking with support / bear gradually increasing weights on my right foot, when can I start drving?  Any feedback will be helpful and relieving.

Thanks

 

I tore my right achilles tendon on the 24th September 2016. Went for surgery on the 4th October 2016 I'm not in a cast should be removing my stitches soon. What can i expect after removing my stitches?

Hi  I had a full tendon rupture while tennis play on 14th August, but I took it only for a ligament tear and kept doing my normal activities, but was limping. Took me about 3 weeks to see an Ortho and after MRI learnt to be a full tendon rupture. Had surgery on 16th Sept and was no weight bearing for about 6 weeks. During this time I used the knee scooter instead of clutches and it really helped. My colleagues used to drive me up to work along with my knee scooter. The stitches were removed after 3 weeks and then onto boot but no weight bearing. Post surgery I did not experience any pain nor much swellings. I was full weight bearing 6 weeks post-OP on 27th Oct and could start driving. I started my PT from 31st Oct. and each day felt a lot better. The PT worked well on my ankle movements and now working on the strength.

The one thing I would highlight that helped me in my recovery is my regular meditations that keeps you calm and help natural healing. I am now 9 weeks + 3 days Post OP and am just going about my normal activities without the boot. I take my PT very seriously and do this about 4 times a day,whether at home or work.  I am 58 years and it is only the determination and patience that helps.

But would recommend Meditate..  it helps the natural healing process.

 

Hi James I had an laceration wound on my ankle which cause me to be rush to the er and have Achilles tendon surgery this happen on Sep 18 and Nov 27 makes it 9 weeks since I had the surgery I have remove all the wedges out of my walking boot and (fwb)in my walking boot how long before i can walk without my walking boot

Hi Guys. I ruptured my Achilles tendon on my left leg playing badminton. Did the surgery 2 weeks ago. No pain. But in a cast. Removing the external stitches today. And was told i have to remain in the cast for 4 more weeks and then physiotherapy. Does this therapy to walk again hurt. I am awfully scared of pain.

appreciate your experience.

i am 46 years old.

and a commercial pilot.

thank you in advance.

 

Hi James I had a injury to my foot 2 years now went to physio and it's made no improvement so I guess what I'm asking him is do you think it's worth while having the op ? I'm worried about the recovery time and being unable to get out and about but I'm limited already to walking just few steps as pain is up my leg and under my foot it's got worse over time. If I have the opportunity have you any advise please . Thanks Sam

Hi, all.  What a great source of info! I'll add one observation.  I ruptured my foot tendon playing tennis.  In my case it was the anterior tendon on the front of the foot (very rare).  Surgical treatment and recovery protocol is same as most have described for achilles:  in a non-weight bearing cast for 5 weeks then the boot for another 5.  I'm one week into the boot, having used a knee walker exclusively to get around while in the cast.  I tried the iWalk 2.0 that someone asked about but found using the knee wheeler was easier since I didn't need to be upright walking too much.  I start PT today.  My only complaint has been considerable swelling in both legs around the knees, and swelling in the bad foot.  The swelling is quite uncomfortable.  I didn't notice it until I started weight bearing with the boot.  Good chance I've been on my feet too much too quickly.  I see the advice of others to elevate, which I haven't been doing.  Best of luck to all!