Week 1 of my Achilles rupture

Hi Ness, 

i also did my achiles playing netball end of May. I am 6 weeks in nearly 7 at the end of the week and counting. I went straight into a boot non operative. Have had swelling and still do but once I gave elevated my foot it does seem to go down. When I take my boot off when showering my foot looks purple although seems to be less blood rushing to my feet these past few days. Not sure if this is why I have started doing some basic movement/exercises ( it doesn't hurt so thought I would try) , helps with the boredom.

it does get better as I have been in your situation and it feels like it will never end.

karen 

Hi Mate

I had my partial rupture almost 5 weeks ago and now on monday i will come out of the cast, and will start walking. About crutches ask your doc to give your fisher crutches they are much better than the normal.

More you elevate your injured foot, more quickly you will heal, rush of blood is normal, but pins and needles for more than 5 mins need to report asap.

   

Hi Karen and pacehuman, thanks for your comments! Wow pacehuman nearly at the walking stage yay!! That's pretty quick, hope mine is like that!  I have googled lots (that's what you do when you have so much time to kill) but the time frame of walking is massive, some like you at 5-6 weeks and others are in a cast for 8-10 weeks then go into a boot.....  Karen, think my netball days are over for me, I was classed as a weekend warrior haha my only fitness was netball so will have to find something else now!i know it will get better but so hard to keep positive argghh!!

Mate, i ruptured while playing Cricket, and i will start again if Doc will allow me. But be positive and elevate as much as possible and you will be all running again!! Back to netball!!  

Thanks, I need positive vibes haha let me know how you go when you start walking! All the advise is great!!

Pleasure mate!! I am here for you, if you ever need me

Hi Ness

How are you feeling??

Mine rupture also happend on the 21st June !!

I was not given the choice for surgery,

I had an appointment with the Orthapedic Specialist last Thursday and he said that i will have to have it in plaster for another 9 weeks.

I know what you mean about the swelling when you put your leg down - when i do this my plaster gets really tight and uncomfortable,

what is your phone number, so that i can call you for a chat

Mandy xx

Wow another 9 weeks in plaster! It's amazing the different approach doctors/specialist take. I would love to chat but I'm not based in the UK, I'm way over on New Zealand!! When I did a search in google this thread came up, I didn't click it was a UK patient site till after, but hey I'm still a patient!! Would definitely love to keep in contact, you can email me that may be a great way or on Facebook?? I'm still unsure about leaving my leg up all the time, I worry that having it up is reducing the blood flow which may not be great for the healing process? I don't know, will definitely check with the specialist on Tuesday when I see him! 

Ness x

Hi Imran, 

hows it going? You came out of your plaster this week and walking.

karen

Hi Ness , how are you doing?

I have just ordered on line something called ' IWALKFREE2.0'

have a look on line and see what you think!!

it should arrive tomorrow, i am so exicted at the thought of being able to walk around, let's hope it works as i can't stand the thought of another 8 weeks in plaster.

Have your doctors said how long it takes to walk after to plaster comes off??

Where abouts in NZ are you??

Mandy xx

Hi Ness

What is your facebook account name? i will try and add you as a friend

Manyd xx

Hi Karen

Not yet, will be on Monday, but from last 10 days i am on a weight bearing sandal with one crutch in my left hand..

And as you know i am adventurous and like to accept challenges, walking without any crutches!! Lol.

All good

How are you, when i can see you running?

  

Hi Mandy

I have looked at iwalk too, but ask your doc because it may affect your blood flow towards the lower part of tour leg thats why i didn't    opt in for it!!!

Be careful!!

Imran

Hi Imran

Thank you for your advise . I don't intend to use to iwalk for long periods at a time, just for pottering about a little bit, i will definately still rest alot with my leg elevated. Will let you know how it works out, should arrive tomorrow.

Mandy x

Hi Mandy, my Facebook name is Vanessa Church and I live in Taupo - I did a search and there are quite a few Vanessa Church's but only 2 in Taupo (the other one is my sister n law) to be sure it's me, my place of work is ADDI consultancy.... Hope that helps!! 

Ness x

Hi Mandy, I'm not sure that you can get those walkers here in NZ, I did a search and nothing came up for here

The plan for me is getting the moon boot on Tuesday, this would be approx 3.5weeks after injury. The moon boot has heal lifts in it and each week they will remove one so eventually my foot will be quite flat down (not pointing down) From memory this was 4 weeks of this b4 I can start walking / weight bearing. I start physio as soon as the moon boot is on too, that scares me a bit! I am to take the moon boot off regularly and start making slight movements of my foot. I know I will be very nervous taking it off but oh that will be such a great feeling!

Hi paceman, still can not believe how fast your recovery / mending time has been! Wow already walking/ weight bearing!!!!

Hi Ness

Yes, on Monday i will be walking again.. Hurrah... Love to be in that mode!!

Yay!! How long since you first ruptured it? Is it 5 weeks? 

First ruptured on 1-6-14. While playing Cricket. I miss my game loooadss

I know the feeling about missing the sport! You must heal real fast, my other half is telling me to drink loads of water he thinks this will help with healing haha I'm so jealous but excited for you!!

I am drinking around 3 litres a day!!

Man that's a lot!! Gosh I drink hardly any..... That's my next mission for my recovery, drink loads of water!!

You must drink water

Hi Ness, 

yes protocol seems to be different the whole world over. 

I am in a boot with heel lifts, had 4 fitted and have to take mine out every 2 weeks so 8 weeks in total. By the time I go back to the docs I will have none in my boot, not sure how long it stays on after that. I have booked my physio appointment but not until week 10. They Nantes me to book week 12 but I pushed for sooner. I have started doing small exercises a few times a day without my boot on and all is fine just push yourself to however you think you are capable of. I am on week 7 now and. An see some lit at the ends of the tunnel. Even went into work today for 5 hours to. Ring some normality back into my life.

good luck with your recovery. 

Karen 

Hi Karen, yeah I'm getting my moon boot on Tuesday (3.5 weeks after injury) then 3 weeks of no weight bearing in boot (with heel lifts lowered weekly) then in week 4 of the boot I can bear weight and take the boot off at night. By week 6, fully walking in boot. This is going by the print out from my specialist so hoping all goes to plan!! Also told that once my moonboot is on phyiso can start immediately. So being proactive and booked a physio appointment after my specialist appointment on Tuesday!!! I am lucky and able to work from home for a few hours a week (only 6hrs a week) as soon as I'm comfortable with my foot hanging down I will go into work to do these hours for a change of scenery! Hardest thing is I've done my right foot, so can't drive at all, luckily in NZ we have ACC and they are paying for taxis for me to get around! They are also paying for a taxi everyday to get my boy to school!! Not sure if you have any help like that over there, but it's a life saver for me!

Hi Ness, 

protocol certainly different around the world. My treatment is much longer with boot on for minimum of 8 weeks. I am able to walk with one crutch all be it not yet perfect but little by little. Be coz. Y physio is not until week 10 I am doing my own exercises. I have also done some work from home and back to work next week crutches and boot as company. No help needed by work have offered lifts as it is mt right foot too so no driving too. I have to slep with my boot and getting used to it ( although my husband still doesn't like it). Try wearing the bloody thing!

good luck.

 

That's great that your walking already,  I can't wait till that stage!! Haha.

Must be a shock to the foot suddenly having weight on it, but would be a great feeling :-) I've only just got used to sleeping with the cast, so probably in for a bad few nights when I first get the boot on. Hubby been great, not too much complaining from him, tho I do see him getting a wee frustrated with all the jobs he's suddenly inherited haha  

Hi Ness, my IWalker arrived today and I have actually been walking around in doors and in the garden, I even managed to walk up the stairs to bed, I don't think i could walk very far with it on and it is a bit sore just below my knee where the plaster cast starts, but at least it has given me a little bit of independence and I am not totally reliant on others to do everything for me.  I am lucky as I work from home and I have put a reclining armchair in my office, so I can work with my feet up and the laptop on my lap, might even leave it like that when I can walk again lol xx how has your day been ??

Wow that's great with regards to the Iwalker! Does make you feel good when you can do something for yourself! We all take so much for granted when we  can do everything when not injured! Days just started for me.., well been up for a few hours (it's currently 10.30am) heading to my mums house for the afternoon for a change of scenery - four different walls to look at for a few hours haha. Hey did you get my message on Facebook - hope it was you that gave me the friend request!! Or else some other Mandy would be thinking who's this!!

Absolutly !