Ruptured Tendon & surgical repair
Posted , 3 users are following.
In May 2017, I totally ruptured my Achilles' tendon and MRI diagnosed the complete tear. I had surgery within 1 week of the rupture and was in a hard cast for 4 weeks then a boot with wedges for 4 weeks. During this time, I was always wiggling my toes and stretching albeit in a boot/cast. Now I am without and have been walking without any supports for over a month; however my foot swells regularly. I am taking an anti-inflammatory as per my primary care physician but it is not helping with the swelling. I have had to purchase new shoes due to the swelling as my foot gets big. Is this normal? When should the swelling stop? Also, does the calf muscle ever return to look normal (not so weak)? I am not able to stand on toes but for only a few seconds.....and hopeful this will return as well.
Thanks in advance
0 likes, 3 replies
neil64709 candice73586
Posted
Hello,
I ruptured my achilles about the same time as you . Had surgery May 15th. Was in soft cast 2 weeks and then in boot for 4 weeks. My recovery was accelerated by lots of exercise. I was already on stationary bike in gym by week 3.5, and was in pool (28 days in a row) starting at week 4. My calf grows slowly, but I do everything I did before, except play active sports.
I can't rewrite all that I wrote before but my recovery and exercises that I did is documented on this thread.
Early weight bearing, lots of work in the pool, and the exercise bike really helped me, but there is a huge difference between surgical and non-surgical recovery !
The swelling is your body telling you to ease up. You are overdoing it !
All the best,
Neil.
neil64709 candice73586
Posted
The thread , duh
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/achilles-rupture-some-pain-during-healing-584283?page=1&utm_source=forum&utm_campaign=comment-notification&utm_medium=email#2812229
Ash91127 candice73586
Posted
Hi Candice, I am interested in your progress as I also had a complete tear on May 14th, surgery on May 19th, I ended up being 6 weeks in hard cast, and then 7 weeks in the boot (bit longer as got infection which slowed things down). Yes my leg is also very swollen, worse as day goes on, and I'm also in bigger size shoes. My main problem now is in fact in my knee, had knee problems previously, and now my knee is very swollen, probably all due to lack of muscle, but finding it hard to walk without limp. Id be also very interested to know when does the swelling stop.