Achilles rupture surgery - support group

[Fiona-Sussex uk]

Hi all,
Bal.................all i can say is "yayyyyyyyyy"....perhaps the rupture did some good huh.....????(only joking) xxxxx say hi to Mrs Bal from me xx
Ricey.....good luck with the baby, and learning to walk in yr boot xxx
Franky.....glad yr leg is getting better...what a nightmare xx
Ken......i'm always confused....hahahahaha xx

Sammie....welcome to the gang......you will get used to all the terms people use....although i haven't yet...lol....!!!! Crutches will become part of you after a while, although you will grow to hate them with a vengeance.....!!!!!, and as for showering...my boyfriend is a builder, so installed a shower seat for me....which i still use even now 'cos my achilles foot is so soft from ages being in casts, and not walking, that the moment any soap or shampoo bubbles hit the floor, my foot slides away from me, which scares the crap outta me....lol.....!!!!! Hope you are ok xx

Where's Smitty, and Kaz......huh....????? c'mon girls xxxx

tons of love fee xxxx

[atrken]

Sammie: It's great your doc allows you to start physio early. As far as showering is concern, I wrap my leg with a big garbage bag, you can buy a plastic cast protector from a drug store also. I have a removable showerhead, so I just sit in the tub to shower. Did your doc say you can take off the boot to shower, as well as washing the ankle area? I'll be sure to ask mine today when I see him.

Ricey and Franky 34: When do you guys start physio? I seem to hear you guys just go straight walking in the boot.

[atrken]

p.s. and fee always brings happiness to this forum, thanks fee!!!

[atrken]

I came back from the doc this morning. He removed everything and he told me there is no stitches to remove since it's not an open surgery (there were 8 little incisions). He put me on a cam walker with angle adjustment, foot still pointing. He did tell me I can now wash the ankle but no soaking. That bloody boot is so heavy and puts on extra weight for the ankle, which results in more pain in certain positions. Has anyone taken it off to sleep at least (well, leave the cushion part on)?

[ricey]

Hi All,

Ken, i was told by my surgeon that i am right to begin physio as soon as my cast is off. I was hoping to book in and have the cast removed this week but i'm waiting on a boot from a friend of mine. Hopefully it fits?!?! The surgeon seems to think i shouldnt have too much hassle with walking straight away. I'm assuming i'll use the crutches when out and about but practise my walking around the house. I'll let you know how it goes once the plaster comes off.

Franky- the race is on!!! How's the infection coming on? I'm still not sure what to expect with the boot but i expect it to be better than the cast. I cant wait to get this thing off! Let me know how you go on Friday and good luck.

Sammie- i remember the days when i used to enjoy a nice hot shower. Now it's just a pain in the butt!!! Garbage bag on the leg, chair in the shower, trying not to slip. I have one of those bath and shower in one so i feel like i need to pole vault into the shower every day. Not alot of fun i'm afraid. Best of luck with your injury though. Everyone on here is great and you will learn alot.

My daughter is demanding the Wiggles so i better go.....

MArk

[MarkyD]

G day gang,
I've done the "net research" thing and I guess I 'might' fit in here, although not a "rupture"..my injury occurred July27,2009..

Whilst using a hand held circular saw to cut some lengths of wood at ground level, the cut was progressing nicely when the saw bucked whilst cutting and jumped off the wood... unfortunately it jumped at my left foot and *whammo!!* , bit my foot just below the ankle (Medial Maleolous) and just missed the main artery there by absolutely nothing ( so close you could see it through the wound and watch it pulse with each heartbeat!) and lacerating almost right through the Achillies tendon.... 2.5cm cut @ 45degrees....not quite totally severed.

Long story short... Ambulane to hospital....admitted and operated on next morning...surgery went ok...tendon sutured back together, wound sutured closed...and PLENTY of pain relief...so much so,as to not suffer from any major discomfort...*sigh of relief*. Home 2 days later... on crutches...foot/leg in plaster.

Saw the Ortho. last week..had cast removed for suture inspection...very small infection, sutures to stay for a bit longer.. was told to keep an eye on it ... finish antibiotics (it's behaving itself...no pain or inflamation). Also fitted with "Cam Walker" moon boot...NO weight bearing...stay on crutches.
Quite confident on crutches....had plenty of practice 27yrs ago... broken right ankle. Just like riding a bike....you don't forget how to use 'em LOL
Here I sit 16 days post op. the plan is to see the Ortho next week for suture removal, and maybe start some Physio.


Will post as the saga continues.... MarkyD

[Franky 34]

Morning All

Firstly welcome to the forum MarkyD and might I say what a great story apart from the injury you sustained.Not only can you Rupture and tear a AT playing sport or doing physical activities but you can even use tools as a means of hurting yourself (VERY UNLUCKY) and hope the recovery works out for you. I too had a small infection and on antibiotics but I have a check tomorrow and hopefully the scar has closed right up so I can move forward.

Good luck with the recovery and hope everyone else is well.

Cheers

[ricey]

WOW. MarkyD- that is quite a story. Makes me feel like i should stop whinging!!! I swear i was sitting here reading it and the back of my leg started throbbing in sympathy
Welcome to the club!!!!

[karen j]

Hi guys ...wow where do i start with you all , my memorys not the best so today i'll talk to you all collectively if you dont mind ...this age melarkie stinks lol !!
Can empathise with you all , its a long slow process , please dont try to rush it guys ...its not worth it and remember we are all different with different recovery rates , guys no competitions lol
Im over 7 months post op and doing great , just been on the treadmill for half an hour and id say im 85% there , just cant bend my knee completly down yet and after exercise it seems bit swollen and sore but hey i can cope with that !!
So im thinking of you all and take care
Kaz xx

[Miker]

hi all,

sammie, sounds like i have the same program as you. was in a backslab cast for 8 days then in a boot for about 6 weeks, not weight bearing. next week is my 6th week, and i have been told after this appt, i will still be in the boot for another 2-4 weeks but walking in it. then depending on how its all going, into heal raises in my shoes. did u say that you were starting physio? if so thats pretty good. i ve heard that its a good thing to start getting it active, if your situation allows, which sounds like yours does. i was told physio after i get outta the boot. i suppose next week ill have an updated schedule.

someone mentioned about clotting. if you need to know anything about that, i prob can assist. i have a clot in one of the smaller veins in my calf, and am currently taking blood thinning tablets, to hopefully break it down....not a good thing. next week an ultrasound will show how its progressed. fingers crossed!!

markyd, what a story. very unfortunate that it hit you there. you wonder sometimes why/how things happen ...