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Tendon rupture recovery

Posted , 6 users are following.

tim50stroud
tim50stroud

2 weeks into aircast boot off at night and gentle weight bearing after 4 weeks of no weight; tendon is joined up again, and starting gentle movement of ankle, good but its pretty stiff and the foot is swollen quite noticably; much better in the morning, but still swollen; not hot, presume just fluid? Should i be concerened... seeing the consultant in 2 weeks

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Ness123
    Ness123 tim50stroud

    Posted

    Hi Tim, so you at around the 6 week mark? I'm sitting at the 19 week post rupture and still have tightness (mainly my calf) and still have puffiness on my foot/ankle (more at night after being on it all day) so would say it's pretty much normal. 
    • tim50stroud
      tim50stroud Ness123

      Posted

      Thanks... thought that might be the case, but I couldn't find any refs to puffy feet on the forums or recovery website.... guessing I was being too impatient!
    • tim50stroud
      tim50stroud

      Posted

      Heres another question; I was 4 weeks no weight bearing, then 4 weeks with heel lifts being remove (2 out of 4 weeks so far) and supported weight bearing, with a bit of ankle movement from now on. How does the transition from boot to no boot go? Seen lots of comments about nervousness on weight bearing and re-rupture, but not much feedback about the actual process. I've got an automatic hire  car from work, and they want to know when i can start using my left foot in my own car!
    • samantha_16366
      samantha_16366 tim50stroud

      Posted

      I went back to consultant last week he told me I should be in "normal " shoes now after 5 weeks in cast and 4 with air cast boot with heel lifts , I tried my trainer on when got back from hospital and can't get foot in because still quite swollen so at moment still in boot until swelling gone down , but like you say nothing about going from non weight baring to boot and then shoes , I start physio next week so hopefully get bit more info as my toes are still numb consultant doesn't think it's due to ruptured achillies but I suffer from plantar fasciitis aswell 
  • Ness123
    Ness123 tim50stroud

    Posted

    When it came to driving I wasn't able to drive till I was out off the boot, then a further 2 weeks after that I got the all clear from my specialist. Mine was my right leg so even an automatic wouldn't of helped. So in total I didn't drive for 3months sad I was fully weight bearing in the boot (no crutches) for about 3 weeks before I came out of the boot. When I got told I could come out of the boot I had already been walking around home in my trainers and at work (work in an office) but when ever I was outside I wore the boot, so when I was told I could get rid of the boot for good it wasn't such a big step for me. I'm still uneasy of my footing on uneven ground, when walking on grass my eyes a firmly fixed on where I'm walking as I'm nervous of pot holes etc... It's a confidence thing and you will get over it  and walking around without the boot at home and at work helped a lot. I'm still in pain and my physio has just started accupunture to see if this helps. When I walk slow I'm fine but when I'm taking big strides and stretching the achillies I have so much pain. It's a long process and not one to take lightly!!  
    • tim50stroud
      tim50stroud Ness123

      Posted

      Thats REALLY helpful, thanks! I've started moving round the house a bit with a stick rather than the crutches, and so far theres been no pain at all. no pain in fact since i stumbled and it went. The transfer makes sense, nice to have it confirmed. I got a  "fitness" note sayin i could drive an automatic after a month of no weight bearing, and as I commute 15 miles and theres no public transport, work hired me a car.. they must need me more than they should, as I'm about to start part time retirement working 3 days a week from November. I'm afraid I'm going to have to admit it'll take longer than I want to get better!!!
  • Wicked993
    Wicked993 tim50stroud

    Posted

    Tim,

    I am 11 weeks in - my transistion to shoes after the boot was similar to Ness123. I was wearing trainers around the house and office before I fully removed the boot.

    My ankle wasn't stiff as I never pumped up the air boot and had it moving as soon as I was out of the cast.

    Swelling however is still an issue - after the physio I have a ten minute hot water / cold water swelling reduction process to go through which helps alot. 1 minute in hot water, 1 minute in ice water (5 times).

    You are getting close =)

    • tim50stroud
      tim50stroud Wicked993

      Posted

      2nd consultant visit, after 10 weeks in the aircast. Moving around without pain, crutches only outside the house. Driving an automatic to work. Passed on to physio, first appointment in 10 days time, but meanwhile keep the boot on for weight bearing, boot off for sleeping and in the evening, but still no weight on it. No heel lifts now. Hopw to get back to my own car in 10 days and start walking. Calf muscles feel and look pretty pathetic.
  • odette06380
    odette06380 tim50stroud

    Posted

    I ruptured my achilles on 3rd april. I am still walking with one crutch,however it was missed at casualty so I didn't get the op, I have worked really hard on physio and pilates which has really helped with flexibility, when it came to driving my physio told me to sit in the car and keep attempting to depress the clutch,after a few days I could do it. Still difficult to put my heel on the floor and keep in contact with clutch. Be careful tim and do not overdo it
  • rebecca_40796
    rebecca_40796 tim50stroud

    Posted

    I am in a boot and can I take it off at night

    • bobbers9
      bobbers9 rebecca_40796

      Posted

      Hi,rebecca ,hope tim doesnt mind me answering ,i was in a boot

      For 8 weeks non surgical after complete rupture april 5th ,and

      was told Not to take it off 24/7.except to remove a wedge x5.

      How did you injure yourself, if you dont mind me asking

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