achilles surgery rehab

[raw23]

I play semi-pro basketball and ruptured my achilles tendon (tore it off the muscle) during a game last August. Now my doctor has advised me to not see a physio as he says I don't need to. He advised me that because of where I tore it I wont be able to play again for 12 to 18 months, instead of the normal 9 to 12.

Now I'm wondering how am I going to get back to the level I was at if I don't see a physio or someone to make me a rehab program to get the strength and movement back? Will it hurt me in the long run, not getting onto a proper rehab plan designed by someone? I don't mean to second guess the doctor, but I could understand why he would want to take things slow for the first six months but now I would think it's time to get a rehab program?

Also, after a week of some fast walking I started to feel a little tingling (not painful) at times where the injury was repaired. Is this normal when you start to increase your activity? Is it important to stretch the tendon regularly? Should I be seeing someone that can moniter my activities more closely.

The doctor basically told me I can workout. Most things as long as it doesn't involve quick stop start motions, ie jumping or sprinting. But I don't know where to start and if I'm doing the right things to get me back to where I was physically. I feel rude pushing the issue with the doctor, because he is the professional. But I'm not sure where to go from here to get back to the level I need to be at?

Can someone please give me some advice:)

[hhh]

Sounds like your Dr went to the Bogduk school for the appreciation of passive therapy

[Ian]

I think you would be silly not to go and see a physio and get an assessment. Not only an assessment on your previous injury, but on other complications (e.g stiffness) that may have resulted due to a fairly un organised rehab.

[jess]

Only thing would be to check that your surgeon isn't concerned because the repair hasn't healed like expected. If it is just that the surgeon hates people playing sport and hates physios (and these surgeons do exist) then you would be better off ignoring him. If he or someone else actually thinks the Achilles hasn't knitted properly, then it might be best to wait.

[raw23]

Thanks for your replies. I'm seeing an OT now, who routinely works with elite athletes. He has suggested that I see a specialist to get some Prolo Therapy done, to help break up the massive amount of scar tissue that has built up in the area. And so that he better treat it. After one treatment the swelling has gone down some and the area is looking much better. So I will continue with that (three more times) and continue to see the OT. I'll suggest to the specialist that I get a scan soon to make sure all is ok, just to be on the safe side. I would of thought the surgeon would have suggested that, but oh well. I'll see how this goes.

[injuryupdate]

Sounds like a good plan. Most prolotherapy has very little in the way of side effects. Therefore go for it if it is reducing your swelling. If activity isn't making you worse it is making you better, so progress slow and steady

[anigee]

I've had tingling in my achilles too, my surgeon told me it was normal. Stand on the edge of a s tair with both feet and let ur heels fall letting the tendon stretch, then go up on ur toes to strengthen. Also do heel raises on flat ground holding dumbbells, be patient! but dont feel bad for second guessing a doctor, if i didnt, i might have needed a tendon graph..gradually increase cardio in your workout. if you do it gradually it won't hurt. and lastly, time spands arent always right. they told me 6-9 months... and i was 100% in 4