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When will I get strength in calf back?

Posted , 12 users are following.

Mark_A
Mark_A

I ruptured my Achilles 10 weeks ago.Non surgery.Was in cast for 7 weeks. Been in boot for 4,another 2 weeks out of boot and 2nd physio.Ive been fully weight bearing for 3-4 weeks.Walking about house in shoes.I can stand on bad foot itself.The problem is it seems that it's not gaining any strength,it just feels the same every day.Just  a numb stiffness,no where near standing on my toes.Am I doing too much?Will things progress?.

0 likes, 38 replies

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  • matthew_91848
    matthew_91848 Mark_A

    Posted

    Hi Mark

    It's a very slow process mate. I fully ruptured my achilles back in August, again opting for non operative and still can't do single leg calf raises. Unless you completely focus on building that muscle back up (which could be risky after only 10 weeks), then sadly you're looking at at long recovery time. It will improve fella, it just takes time and patience. You'll get there smile

    • Mark_A
      Mark_A matthew_91848

      Posted

      Thank you Matthew.patience is not my greatest virtue lol.So frustrating as you will know.You take care as well mate.
  • Ankle_Surgery
    Ankle_Surgery Mark_A

    Posted

    Well, it takes time and effort.

    First why you walk in house in shoes? Is it because of weakness?

    You should do exercises, it take a lot of time... It’s a very slow progress, AND sometimes painful especially at the first...

    You are talking about the stiffness, this stiffness can be result of weakness in muscles (can be), so try to see if this becomes from your weak muscles, how? move it with you hand, and help your leg muscle by your hands, and check if you can move it better or not...

    You have to do so many exercises, to make the muscles strong again...

    7 weeks in cast! It is certainly too much, then plus 4 weeks in boot... So of course you have lost muscle...

    Do your exercises in home, does it as much as you can... if you want progress you must put time and effort...

    • Mark_A
      Mark_A Ankle_Surgery

      Posted

      Thanks Ankle Injury.

      I walk about house with my shoes on as I thought this would be a part of exercising and natural movements to get strength back.I was informed you should never walk on bare feet anyway.I do a lot of exercises from physio too.I'l probably need to be more patient. Thanks again.

    • Ankle_Surgery
      Ankle_Surgery Mark_A

      Posted

      After my surgery I too feel better when wearing shoes, but first my physiotherapist told me I shouldn’t do that! Then when I see my surgeon, he Told me no problem but he also prefer bare feet walking, Then I see another physiotherapist she also told me I should not wear shoes in house, I told her that I’m so much better in movement when wearing shoes but she also (third person) told me not to wear shoes inside home, she told me to try slippers but better to be bare feet...

      Right now I can walk bare feet better but I yet prefer shoes, but I do not wear them insides, because of those 3 specialists...

      Yes it takes time and too much effort (Walking normally and putting pressure)...

      Wish you fast recovery...

  • Cibby
    Cibby Mark_A

    Posted

    Hi Mark

    Yes it will progress but you have to be really patient. Keep on with the exercises and physio and just take it steadily.

    I had an operation and I'm now 5 months post op and only now really starting to get some strength back in my calf.

    One day at a time!

    Cibby

    • Mark_A
      Mark_A Cibby

      Posted

      Hi Cibby.

      5 months after op? Geez!. It's so frustrating,I'm just wanting to get back to work as a joiner.lol. You take care .thanks.

  • karen_04673
    karen_04673 Mark_A

    Posted

    I had achilles surgery along with equinus (calf cut to grow back longer) in October of 2016 on the left leg and then the right leg (same surgery) on the right in December of 2016.  Since beginning of March I have been able to get up on tip toes using both feet but I am still unable to do a single heel lift on the left without some support.  Calf strength takes a long time and you didn't even have surgery.  It's hard to be patient, I know.  I am in PT twice a week where we do all kinds of strengthing exercises.  The purpose of my calf surgery was to lengthen it to decreas the stress it was putting on both achilles tendons.  Hope this helps.

    Karen

    • Mark_A
      Mark_A karen_04673

      Posted

      Hi Karen,

      your problem sounds awful,I hope you are recovering well.

      Im out the boot in 2 weeks.Do you think aggressive physio can be harmful?

    • karen_04673
      karen_04673 Mark_A

      Posted

      It should never be aggressive.  At least not at first anyway.  I started out with simple stretches for several weeks as well as isometrics.  The most aggressive thing I'm currently doing is throwing a ball against a trampoline while standing on the bad leg, side squats, and the heels lifts.

       

  • richard27768
    richard27768 Mark_A

    Posted

    Hi Mark - I am exactly 3 years post rupture and have had a long interesting journey to gaining almost full performance/muscle back in the calf. As I am (Still) sports mad MY recovery standards were very high. I did extensive re-hab for 2.5 years incl running, cycling, pilates. I could walk with no limp at 9wkks, jog at 12wks, run at 15wks - i.e. You can get 60-70% power back in 4-5 months .....and live ok with that.....as many do.... BUT really intensive sports - squash (me), basketball, etc - require power/muscle endurance to be back to around 90% pre-injury and that requires sustained hard work. After 3yrs of heavy exercise - that's where I am now. Happy to share my re-have tips/advice. I was non surgical & in boot/cast for 6wks. Remember very very few people - incl elite sportsman regain 100% performance. Richard

    • Mark_A
      Mark_A richard27768

      Posted

      Hi Richard.

      Im at 12 weeks post injury,I walk with slight limp in shoes,bad limp without them.Im 55 and don't do sport now,although I work mainly fitting heavy doors and up and down stairs a lot.I take it you are a lot younger being a sportsman.Still can't stand on tip toe (bad foot).Im hoping to get back to work within 4 weeks.The past 3 weeks walking in shoes seems to be a stuck process,so frustrating and foot and leg turns red/purple after a while.

      Thanks for posting,glad you are recovering. M.

    • richard27768
      richard27768 Mark_A

      Posted

      Hi Mark - this injury requires patience, time, and work to get back to whatever "normal" is. If you do the right exercises daily - would expect you to be walking etc fine at 6 months. You will probably only have 70% strength and won't get much more without real hard work. Then again, as your not doing lots of sports - like most 50yr olds (in fact most of the general public nowadays !) then you don't need that in everyday life. BTW I am 52 & not young 😂 LOL. But to all others a very good recovery IS possible - I'm finally after 3yrs back in my local squash clubs premier league and completed a tough century ride last weekend.

    • victor06877
      victor06877 richard27768

      Posted

      Hello Richard,

      I ruptured my achilles 3 weeks ago playing basketball. I chose the non surgical route. I am in a boot now for 3 weeks and have been making progress daily. I have been able to move my foot up and down without pain just stiffness near the achilles. I shower with slippers on and sleep without the boot. I am able to walk short distances around the house without the boot painfree.I am just scared to do so because its a fresh injury. I have 5 more weeks until my next doctors visit in which I am hoping he says I can take the boot off. Any advice you can share with me about vitmains, exercise etc? I want this to heal good so I can go back to playing some sports. 

      Thanks!!

    • richard27768
      richard27768 victor06877

      Posted

      Hi Victor - my advice is to do the leg exercises 3 times a day, every day, every week ! I.e. Eccentric heal drops and toe rises. Secondly balance exercises a la Pilates... on 1 foot - you can always close your eyes to make it harder and/or pull your other foot up behind you. Get the calf wobbling = massive workout. Thirdly - biking - the more miles/hills the better. Fourthly lunges  and pushing back. Diet - usual vits but I eat fish regularly and little junk food which is inflammatory. Good luck.
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