Achilles Tendon, Rupture, Repair and Recovery

[beerzeeboy]

Hi Y'all

Am an older guy who sustained a partial tear of my AT. After a period of about 1 year and after mucho orthotic devices I had surgery( now post op is 2 weeks+ 2 days). my consultant has not mentioned a walking boot but on next visit probably will take cast off and put me in a splint. I have been led to believe that I must continue to keep leg elavated ( 2-6 weeks) and will not be able to drive for 8 weeks.

How do you react to the above. Am especially anxious to resume driving. Am happy to learn about this site and hope the my wife, who faces back surgery shortly will benefit also.

Monty

[murray]

The biggest thing that stops you driving is the lack of knee movement (Although if you have an automatic, you could drive left footed)

[Max]

If you do decide to drive with your left foot, check out if you will be covered by your insurance company should you have a prang. I know in Australia, if you drive before your specialist has given the okay, you may not be covered. That could be an expensive drive!

[richardp]

Monty

8 weeks is realistic i think. I started to drive again in the 9th week and felt pretty comfortable in doing so. Beforehand would be rushing things i think and would give issues with insurance coverage. Don't rush it - better to be ready!

Richard

[beerzeeboy]

RichardP et al,

Thank you for your advice. I too am concerned about the insurance liabilty and plan to accept my consultants advice.

Monty

[roundtwo]

I am 2 weeks post op, on my Achilles, and things seem to be going ok this time round. I 1st ruptured my Achilles in Aug 06, playing squash. I was operated on the next day and was then given a recovery plan of 8wks in plaster (having my foot angle changed every two weeks) once i had completed the 8wks i was told to spend 2 weeks in a walking boot, than i could resume to walking in shoes again. Once out of the cast i was sent to physio (two sessions per week) and given exercise to complete daily. By all accounts i was doing well, and was showing signs of a speedy recovery. This is where things turned horriably wrong for me. Exactly 4 weeks to the day post cast, i was doing my normal routine prescribed to me by my physio, of standing calf raises while holding onto a door frame, when suddenly i felt a "POP" Once the all to familar pain subsided i realised that i had ruptured my Achilles again. Once again my partner had to rush me off to A & E to be read my worst fears, again. The Consultant decided not to operate immediately, and decided to place me in plaster and hope that it would re attach on its own (which i was not really happy about since i am, sorry now was an elite athlete) After spending a week in a cast that went above my knee, the doctors re evaluated the situation, upon inspection they said that it need to be operated on. I had surgery the next day. Now two weeks on i find my self really depressed and uninspired by my situation, i guess it doesnt really help that i am still looking for answers as to why this happened not only the first time since i am only 26, but why the 2nd time. The only thing that i can make out of the numerous converstaions with other consultants and physios is possible bad surgery (although the consultants will not say it in so many words, however i did manage to catch the attention of the head Foot and Ankle Consultant, who has now taken special interest. Lets hope he did it right the second time round)
The only good thing that i have been able to get out of this experience is knowledge. This time around i felt much more prepared and educated on the different methods and the current research and data on this injury (which some times i wish i didnt)
Anyway the consultant was keen to listen and we have devised a new method for recovery.

I will be in a cast for 4 week, moving the angle once. Than i will be in a walking boot for 3 weeks with a heal life which over the 3 weeks i can start to take out the heal lifts and partially weight bare. Once the lift is gone i am to spend a further 3 weeks in the walking boot at 90 degrees. I am also to start physio as soon as the cast comes off.

If i could offer any advice, it would be - dont do it. People are continually asking did i warm up, did i stretch when i first did it. Well i did warm up and stretch, the Achilles ruptured after 1 and half hours of playing squash.....

Hope you are all successfull in returning to full activity, and do not suffer the same as myself.

Also if anyone has re ruptured their achilles again, i am very keen to know if you where able to get back to previous levels of strength and fitness. As i am very keen to know if this injury will be the end of my elite sporting aspirations.

Cheers

[sbcrc]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your re-rupture "roundtwo"
I have also re-ruptured my achilles.
The first time I was playing indoor netball and it completly ruptured. It was operateted on (NZ public health scheme) which was OK. But I think they could have done a better job.
You must remember that I am 30, very athletic, 100Kg of mostly muscle, always stretch and warm up.
I was in plaster for 8 weeks. Then 3 weeks later, I was walking up a slight 15degree incline and pop pop. There it goes again. I must admit I did cry. Mainly because my wife and I were having our first baby and it was due in 3 weeks. I think she was more upset then I. I think I leant into the walk up the VERY slight incline. (as you do when you walk)

So I had it operated on again. This time they placed more stiches in it to guarrentee it would heel. I am currently at week 7 of 8. So I will be walking (hobbling) again soon. Everyone says there will be a full recovery. But I might just stick to Poker and Golf.

What gets me is the sensation of walking as you can only stride as far as your calf will let you. But with every step I feel the pull on my Achilles. That sensation is very scary and I don't know how to combat this.

I have ACL'ed my knee, shoulder reconstruction, smached elbow, broken wrists, smached jaw and broken my ankle. (all sporting injuries) Nothing compared to this, I am terrified of doing this again.

I will keep you posted on the recovery.

[roundtwo]

sbcrc, sorry to hear about your re rupture. I know exactly how you are feeling as i have the same fear of re rupture.

I am at 10 weeks post op and i have just thrown away the crutches and i am just walking in the walking boot now. I was initially told that i could of been walking in the boot at 8 week, but i felt that i would give myself a llittle longer, just to make sure.

The Dr have said that i can come out of hte boot at 12 weeks, so fingers crossed that it doesnt go again

Round Two

[Beung]

My recovery seems rushed compared to yours, I am only about 7 weeks post-op and my doc told me the cast is not needed anymore and to start the rehad.
Now granted my injury my not have been as bad nor do I pretend to be an doc but it puts a bit of doubt in my mind about my progress or the method of recovery.
My doc has always told me from the day he saw me in emerg, that it would be about 8-10 weeks to be walking normally and I look to be right on schedule.
If I may ask, what were you doing in terms of rehab between week 8 and week 11 when it re-ruptured? You make it sound like you went from being in a cast for 8 weeks and then walking as if it never happened, that doesn't sound like a good situation to me.
Did it re-rupture in the same place(s) or on different strands of the tendon?

[warnluv]

Guys, sorry to read about your injuries. I'm 9 weeks post op but didn't have a cast during my first 4 weeks.The first part of this may be like shutting the barn door after the cow has left but I've found two contraptions that are helping tremendously. First, I lucked out (if that can apply in our situations) and picked a doctor who uses something called a "graft jacket" of collagen, grown in a lab to wrap around and suture to the injury site - think of a copper pipe sleeve coupling two ends together- in addition to suturing together the two ruptured ends. I was walking again in four weeks (in a boot) but am experiencing the same fear of that tight calf causing more injury. My doc asked me to do calf raises at the 5 week point when he cleared me for walking shoes which freaked me out (you know why). In the mean time I bought a wobble board (disk with half moon shape underneath). It doesn't take my ankle past 15 degrees and certainly strenthens/stretches all the related lower leg parts. Second thing is a mini ultrasound wand to break up the scar tissue and increase circulation in the area I ruptured (3-5 cm above the heel) where there is little natural circulation. This area also has blood "wrung out" of it when pronation of the foot happens. I started tapping my other ankle in stirrup fashion which stops pronation of the foot and casusing our AT to whiplash (and get injured). Hope this helps in some way guys.

[Giddyup69)98]

Greetings All:
Well, I happened upon this forum in my "quest" for more information on my injury. I have to say, I no longer feel alone in dealing with my achilles tendon rupture. Let me give you MY story.
5 weeks ago tomorrow I was playing squash....typical pop, pain in calf, etc. Rushed to the hospital....yup, achilles rupture. 2 days later, met with the ortho. 2 options, surgery or no surgery. I opted for surgery because i wanted to make sure the repair was optimal, etc. Anyways....woke up with my right leg in a cast from the knee to the toes. 5 days later they took out the stitches and put me in another cast with my toe pointed down. That was 4 weeks ago. i go back to the dr's on Wednesday to have this cast taken off and my injury inspected.

I guess this is my question. I have done a lot of reading related to early mobility and its benefits to recovery. I want to insist to my dr. that i be given a walking boot so i can drive, walk (with a cane) and at least be a bit more mobile. i think my wife is sick of having to do everything for me....plus i am looking after my elderly parents....the stress has been pretty crazy. any advice out there?

[jamar]

Giddyup,

My only advice, do what feels right for you, everyone's recovery is different and everyone takes a different amount of time to heal.

But, most of all, don't rush it. You could turn your initial 8 weeks in a cast into an additional 8 weeks just by trying to get to weight bearing a couple of days early.

Cheers, Marla.

[Dotwilliams]

PLEASE HELP!

I had a paritally ruputured achilles tendon from falling ina psot hole in a parking lot in March. did not get a cast fotr two months. Was in cast for 6 weeks and it didn't heal right. In addition, much necrotic (dead) tissue had formed ans was causing chronic problem and pain.

They did surgery last week (debride of bad tissue and repait of tendon), kept me in splint for 8 days, removed the stitches on the 8th day, and put me DIRECTLY IN A BOOT WITH 1-INCH LIFT. I WAS TOLD TO WALK! It hurts like you can't imagine, with electric feelings up and down. I really can't bear weight without sever pain. The doc said my repair was not as severe as he thought, so do you think this is why he is putting me on weight bearing 8 days after surgery?

PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME-I am afrid or a rerupture if I walk on it, and I and afraid of not following doc orders at the same time. I have heard a few people say that early weight bearing makes it heal faster. Is that right? How can I find out. This injury happened at work and is on Workmen's Comp. I didn't get first calss treatment as a result (that is why it was neglected for two months before the 1st cast). The orthopedist they gave me is supposed to be really good in the real workd of private practice and is not a WOrkmen's COmp goon or butcher like the first doc they sent me to (the first line of defense for insurance company that tries to ignore your injury and make you go away). I have a little trust problem still, but can't afford private funds to get a second opinion about weightbearing after 8 days. I have confidence in doc but not in workmens' comp, plus I haven't seen anyone else on internet that started walking 8 days after surgery on a partial tear repair. DOES anyone know of a place to get information I can count on?

Thanks,

[Dotwilliams]

Comment(s)
There is good evidence from an increasing number of randomised controlled clinical trials that early ankle-motion and weight bearing do not compromise the surgical repair of ruptured Achilles tendon. On the contrary early mobilisation and movement allows speedier rehabilitation, causes less restriction of movement, and allows a higher proportion of patients to return to competitive sport at the pre-injury level.

Clinical bottom line
Early weight-bearing and ankle motion is likely to be of considerable benefit following surgical repair of ruptured achilles tendon and should be encouraged.

[shodgk]

Hi guys, I have just ruptured my achilles tendon playing football. This is my first ever sports related injury and it sounds like its a biggie. The NHS have been very good with the exception of a post surgery report but I am led to believe that the op went well and I am to visit the hospital again to have the cast changed (below knee cast) and the angle of my foot changed accordingly. The information appears to be that I will have the cast for around 9 weeks with 3 changes every 3 weeks relating to the angle of the foot. Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom as to how i can reduce this time and improve the healing process. ie. stuff I can eat, leg exercises etc. Also as i have never had to use crutches before, but does it get easier. I only left hospital 2 days ago and getting around is a pain. Reading everyone's messages makes this sound very scary. I am a pretty active person and would love to go back to playing football but not sure if i want to risk a repeat of the tear. Thanks for any tips guys, good luck with your recoveries.

[Lisa1]

Hi All

you all seem to of been injured playing sport,all of you sound fit when you injured your selves
so can any one tell me how i got injured.

i was a ward assistant/orderly working in a hospital, i am overweight, i started to get a limp
and next thing you know a operation now i have the right foot that needs a operation as well
and the left is playing up what have i done wrong and is me weight the promlem

[Lisa1]

[QUOTE=Lisa1;28069]Hi All

you all seem to of been injured playing sport,all of you sound fit when you injured your selves
so can any one tell me how i got injured.

i was a ward assistant/orderly working in a hospital, i am overweight, i started to get a limp
and next thing you know a operation now i have the right foot that needs a operation as well
and the left is playing up again

[Lisa1]

[QUOTE=Lisa1;28070][QUOTE=Lisa1;28069]Hi All
hi Dot

to weight wear so early sounds wrong you could cause more problems that is you haven't already change doctors or get a second doctor to review things

[sittingbison]

Hi Lisa, weight is a problem for everything. However with the achilles it mostly seems to be exacerbated by a sudden increase in physical workload in early middle age (about 40), usually by playing sport again after a few years break (mid life crisis hehe) or going to the gym, and overdoing it. Its usually in autumn or spring, and the left leg. It often happens without notice, with a loud "crack" and feels like you have been wacked over the calf with a bat (when playing squash the opponent is often blamed).

Being overweight is a problem for recovery and rehab. Crutches and no weight bearing (NWB) is hard work and puts a real strain on the good leg (especially the hip and knee). And as you get into partial weight bearing (PWB) and no cast, you will put more strain on the wounded achilles than if you are lighter.

So if you can, its best to lose weight, and go easy on the good leg.

cheers
Adrian (I'm having the cast off next Friday after six weeks).

[jwesty]

I got my boot one week after my surgery. I went back to the doctor at 6 weeks and started full weight bearing that week. I was told to wear the boot 4 more weeks. But at eight weeks it was feeling so good from the stretching and isometrics that i tried wearing shoes and walking on it. It felt good so then I tried plaing my drums and it worked and really seemed to strengthen the tendon and calf quickly. I'm at around ten weeks now and i've been wearing regular shoes and playing my drums for two weeks. It almost feels normal, except for calf weakness. this seems stange to me because I can't find anybody who has healed like I seem to be. Maybe I'm on the verge of a re-rupture at any moment but it doesn't feel like it. I can walk around pretty much all day in my shoes and it feels good. I go back to the doctor Oct 27 and plan on wearing my shoes there.

[Cohick]

Hello all my fellow companions who have suffered this horrific injury. I completely ruptured my tendon Oct. 13 and had my operation Oct. 20. Two weeks later I was put in a boot which allows movement of the ankle but no weight bearing actviites for me!! I was a good girl the first 2 weeks out of surgery, stayed in bed with foot elevated. I was fortunate to get a game ready ice machince which helped with the swelling and pain. The past couple of days have been more painful then I expected....maybe being out of bed and doing to much, or not using ice....or maybe just moving the foot to much. I'm a little freaked out that maybe they missed something....or I'm doing to much, and depression is hard to fight off. I'm a very active person with a family and job - what a pisser to feel so helpless and missing the beautiful fall weather for so many outdoor activities. Anyone want to give me a kick in the butt for being a little pathetic this morning? Maybe I'll feel better after a shower.

[Fiona-Sussex uk]

Hi there,
I had a total rupture on june 20th this yr, was in hospital for 3 days before they decided not to do surgery, and went for the conservative way (which has been really good)
Had 14 weeks in plaster, 7 weeks of physio when i had to do a calf stretching excercise, which felt too tight and ....pop/bang.... achilles went again !!!! waiting for ultrasound now, which is on wed, the hospital thinks its a partial re-rupture, which is depressing, at the moment i can sorta walk about as long as i have high heels on, i can't put heel to floor at all without a tearing, tight feeling which really hurts and scares the s**t out of me !!!!!!!!
I don't know how they will mend it, as its been 2 weeks since it popped again, and most of tendon is healed anyway, it's just on one side i have a lump of hard stuff and bruising....!!!!
Oh well, it's such a bugger of an injury, it's been reported that it's one of the most debilitating, worse injuries anyone can have that is non life threatening....!!!!!!! TELL US ALL ABOUT IT !! AS IF WE DON'T ALREADY REALISE.........LOL........!!!!!
Oh well, see you all soon,
Fee xx

[Lefty R]

Hello,
I am a 43 year old male who ruptured his tendon 10 weeks ago playing a sport called handball. Handball is like squash or racquetball but play with your hands.
I was in 3 different casts for foot positioning for 6 weeks. My rehab is going very well. I do ultrasound 3 times a week, I ride an exercise bike 3 times a weeks for 20 min, I'm walking and have very little pain. I do feel some discomfort at a full walking stride, I also ice 3 times a day, 20 min on 20 mins off 3 times daily. All these combinations seem to be working for me. I have been a professional athlete in my past and had taken 8 years off from any real physical activity. About 5 months ago I started back, mentally at a level i used to play at. Then it happened, "pop".
It has been a temporary set back to my physical desires but I will not let it get me down. I too was warmed up and stretched out and it happened about 1 hour into my activity.
The reason for my thread is to see if anyone has had any experience with acupuncture?
I was told this would be good for the excess scar tissue break up and to relieve any pain. I am also considering this option.
Cheers,
Lefty

[Fiona-Sussex uk]

Hi everyone,

Gotta have surgery tomorrow on re-rupture, can't believe it, 23 weeks since first time, am gutted !!!!! Oh well, will be in full cast for xmas.....will have to be waited on seeing as i can't cook dinner now !!!!!:D

Hope you are all ok, it gets so depressing, but we have to just get on with it....!!!, some days are more of a bummer than others, but it does get better, mine has only gone wrong because of a pushy physio !!!! quite a common cause of rerupture !!!!!:(

Lefty, hi there, acupuncture sounds like a good idea, i'm sure it can't do any damage, as long as it's all pretty much healing ok. hope you are ok, did you have surgery or go conservative ?? I was conservative first, but now am having surgery.....it's great, i can join all the groups on here !!!!!! ha ha ha ha !!:cool:

See you all soon,

Fee xx

[Lefty R]

Mine was surgically repaired.

[Fiona-Sussex uk]

Hi all,
2 weeks since surgery,and feel great.
Am so glad it's been sorted, hurt a lot for first week and a bit, but last 2 days have been without any pain relief and it's good,go back tomorrow for stitches to be removed,they had quite a bit to do in there, so am looking forward to seeing my scar...........!!!! sick i know, but i find it interesting.
Hope you are all ok,

Fee xxx

[karen j]

Hi , cant believe how common this injury is ! I am 46 and have my op on the 9th Jan and that will be 15 weeks since i did it !!!!! Have been misdiagnosed until this week ....said torn calf . Feeling a bit ...well u know but am a positive person so only trying to look on the good side ...its finally been diagnosed !! Just wish they could do it now this minute so i could then be on way to recovery . Never mind theres worse things i know but at times you just forget that and feel quite gutted .Anyway no more netball for me thats for sure ...thought i might take up yoga as soon as i can and that will go very nicely with the reiki i practice ...which incidently is helping me no end --- with the pain and also my innercalmness !! hope you've all had a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year , Karen x

[karen j]

Well op is up in limbo as theyve found i have a heart murmur and have to have an echo on Tuesday so dependent on results my surgery will go ahead on friday ....was gutted at first but staying positive and hopefully it'll be an innocent one !! happy new tear folks xx

[karen j]

and a happy new year too haha

[bluelegacy_22]

Hey everyone! I tore my AT Aug 11 playing basketball and had surgery a few weeks later. My doc said I'm healing nicely and after being in a cast for 4 weeks he's gonna reposition my foot and put another cast on or see if I can go into a walking boot. I wanna know if it will be very painful to bear weight on my foot? I know there will be some tenderness and discomfort but what should I expect? I'm so anxious to go back to work! I'm a Pre school teacher so I need my legs to run around after kids and I can't do so being in the predicament that I am in. I'm really frustrated and I just want my life back! Am I rushing it to go into a boot and try to start walking 4 weeks after surgery or should I give it more time and hope the pain is less? Mostly I just wanna know will it hurt to walk?