Achilles rupture surgery - support group

[Beung]

Realistically I could have gone back to work no more then a week after the surgery, just I didn't "HAVE" to go back and I wasn't able to drive so it would make getting to work very difficult.

The body is an amazing, to think of what actually happens with this injury and the ability to repair itself is quite amazing (with help from medical profession of course). I think you know yourself better then anyone when it comes to where the limit is when doing rehab either with the therapist or when doing at home exercises.

I do some form of stretching about once an hour, I know that mobility/flexibility is the most important part right now and the strength part will come later.
How fast and how fully you recovery really depends on you. Going to physio once or even twice a week for an hour isn't going to cut it. You have to do the exercises everyday, as much as possible. Not only to work on the flexibility but also to build confidence. I find that when doing the stretches the "pain" is more of an awareness that there is an injury there not that it actually hurt. I am not saying it doesn't hurt physically but there is a mental part to it and there is good pain and bad pain. You have to be willing to take your stretches to the point of discomfort and a little beyond that not too much though - we are in a state of recovery, then improvement, we are not just trying to maintain and ride out the injury.

[damian]

UPDATE: Went to the GP yesterday 16/MAR/07, had my bandages tightened and my right side stomach/groin area checked, he seems to think nothing to worry about at the moment and could be muscle strain. If it gets worse, I am to go back. Last night, the bandages felt too tight, so I actually undid a couple of them. my leg was throbbing and felt it best to give it some room. Will get my sister to put the other bandages back on today, a little less tightly. There is a fine line between loose and tight.
Starting to prepare my mind for the thought of going back to work. Once I get my next cast on 26/MAR/07, figure if I can go back to work, that might be good. Will discuss with my surgeon.

RESPONSES: Does anyone have any positive stories they would like to share to help people get through it all?

MORE: I was thinking I might get involved in some volunteer work once I am fit and able again. I have become so dependant on peoples kindness and help that I wonder how some poeple are going out there who don't have it. Would be nice to give back to the community in some way. Every day is precious, even the ones we spend getting better with casts on etc

[Beung]

I have a bit of a tip for recovory, I am not sure if any of you are into this sort of thing or believe in it but I am.

Anyways what I am talking about is negitive ions theory. I wear negitive ion bracelets and have done so for over 2 years. When my injury happened they made me take them off, welll more like they cut them off because of the IV I was wearing. You can't wear jewelery during the surgery even though it's not "hard" jewelery, they even made me take my ear-rings out.

Anyways I haven't got a chance to go pick up some new ones until this weekend and I don't know if it was just coinsidence or what but I bought them on Sat afternoon and by Sun morning the swelling was really down. So much so that the flexibility in my ankle has greatly improved.

Now again, I believe in that sort of thing but you may not so take it for what it's worth. They are pretty cheap and can be purchased at most golf retailers. I wear one Titan kind because that is what I have always used but I now also wear a Trion:Z one, I thought I would give it a try. Give them a try and let me know what you think.

http://www.trionz.com
http://www.titanbracelets.com

[dougdigital]

Damian,

Its great to hear that you surgery went well and that you're doing ok! I hope that you're keeping your leg elevate as much as possible. At the beginning stage its all about getting as much rest as you can. I had a cast on right after surgery so I can Imagine that bandages would give you a problem. That area is very tender, and once you're in a cast it even takes a while to get use to resting your leg in the cast. I missed a week of work after my surgery but I fortunately have a desk job. Mentally I would vision myself at work before I started back. I did the same thing for each step of my recovery. I visioned myself putting on a walking boot, then I visioned myself walking, later running. Everyday brings you closer to doing these things. It is a long process but its a life changing process that today I'm greatful for. I didn't know about this forum or any forums during my recovery but can imagine the extra confidence that it would have given me. I'm here for anyone who needs advice along the way. Stay in touch

[Megs]

Well finally after alot of presure from me on the doctors,I am getting my surgery tomorrow. Ultrasound reveled that my tendon had completely snapped one end down behind my ankle and the other in my calf.The doctors however did not want to operate cause I am not a sports person,I was made to feel second rate and not werthy of an operation.I informed him that my foot ment just as much the me as any athleats foot (not happy.) The ultrasound technition said it would need surgery and can't understand why it had been left so long she was wondering where the doctors get their licences. I was thinking if the doctors have no intention of doing surgery, then why the ultrasound?
My brother had surgery 24hrs after he did he's I just don't understand the wait.
Damian Glad to hear your recovery is going well,keep up the good work.

[Megs]

I am getting sugery tomorrow and was planning to go back to work friday, will this be possible? I sit at a desk and can put my leg up, only hassle may be the stairs, but i have them at home anyway. what do you all think?

[A killies]

Hi Megs
I have been following your thread, you seem to have had the same issues as me........I was told by A & E doctors that because I was not a proffessional althlete!!...... i would have to go with the non - conservative treatment (6-8 weeks in plaster), however after 2 weeks of doing my research decided that I wanted an operation to repair the AT. I found the consultant who was a specialist in this field, made an appointment to see him and he agreed it needed to be operated on, and surgery was done the following day! The consultant also advised that the reason SOME Drs don't like doing this surgery is because it is a very skilled procedure, in his words.' the ruptured tendons are like a horse tail, with loads of fine hairs..........just try and stitch them together' he also advised that it depends on the individuals cirumstances, age etc....
Good Luck with your op..please let me know how you got on.........also rest for the first 2 weeks and keep your leg elevated, my advise is dont go to work.......it is a serious injury you have, so let it heal..........Im sure the work will still be there when you go back! best wishes.......

[dougdigital]

Megs,
I'm glad to hear that you're getting surgery. You will definitely want to rest as much as possible before going back to work. I was able to have a week off after my operation before returning to work. I had a desk job as well, I took a couple of pillows with me to provide cushion for my foot while I propped it on top of my desk. I would use a chair sometimes as well. I could send you some pics of what I did if you want. I took me a week to master the stairs but I finally got the hang of it. Going down the stairs was more difficult than going up. I would be extremely careful when going up and down stairs but as far as sitting at a desk I would go for it! Best Wishes on your surgery and let us know how it went

[damian]

UPDATE: Hi everyone, starting to get into a groove and slowly building my confidence with crutches and dealing with the day to day activities of life post surgery.
Sleeping with the bathroom light on, so if I go in the middle of the night, I see what the hell I'm gettng myself into with the crutches etc.
Last night, I wasn't happy with the restraint on my foot area near my toes , so got up and used an old bandage to really tighten the area up myself
I'm really suprised at the amount of freedom in leg movement I can achieve at times with the back/splint cast and bandages on!
Looking forward to the next step on Monday 26/3 with my surgeon, getting a new cast on and who knows maybe a Boot.
Still not 100% sure of what is going to happen next but my guess is a full cast will be put on and I will be required to have it for another 4 to 6 weeks,
before moving to the boot.
This time I plan to ask lots of questions, so I have a clear road map of the time frames involved.
I haven't had any further Partial Weight Bearing (PWB) slip ups, and feeling OK that I didn't do anythng bad the first time.
So almost 2 weeks post surgery and only 1 PWB incident, which I feel is pretty good.
I still get blood rushing to my toes foot each time I stand up and move around, or sit at a desk with my leg down on the ground!
I currently only take 2 x paracetamol pain killers with ifbrufon (anti-inflammatry) each night, a couple of hours before I go to bed.
I take 1 aspirin per day in the morning for blood thinning, to stave off blood clots.
I take a range of vitamins each day to help as well.

QUESTIONS - Could some of you guys/girls summarise how long you spent in each stage, with each cast type etc
Would be nice to have some summeries for future reference.

My surgery was 8/MAR/07, since then I have been in a back/splint plaster cast with banadges, tightened at least 3 times already.
The angle of my foot appears to be around 30 to 45 degrees downward.
I go to my surgeon 26/MAR/07 to go to the next stage. 2 weeks and 4 days post surgery.

RESPONSES:

BEUNG - Thanks for the tip Beung, does anyone have any other things like this that may prove useful.

DOUGDIGITAL - I like the way you visioned doing something before it happened.
I really think you are onto something here, as the power of positive thinking is an amazing thing and find that it works for me as well.
It also really helps your frame of mind and keeping happy about the next stage or step.

MEGS - Nice to hear from you again! Glad you are going ahead with surgery.
You got me thinking about whether I have any damage further up my calf muscle as well.
I assume you meant that you actually have 2 tears, one down low and the other up high?
I always assumed the rupture/tear would only be in one location.
I was never checked out in the entire calf during my ultrasound, not as far as I had expected anyway.
Good luck for your surgery, let us know how you go!
In answer to your question, take at least the first 2 weeks off work after surgery!
Don't rush back, it's not worth it. This is serious and you deserve a break to heal.
I plan to have at least 3 weeks off (post surgery) before going back to work (IT).
My boss is OK with me doing some stuff at home to start with and coming back in a gradual way.

A KILLIES - Thanks for your positive input!

MORE: I have been on the web and found some interesting articles (research) about early mobilisation (movement) of the muscle.
In other words, it may actually be better to start careful rehab earlier and not be kept prone in a cast for as long as usual.
That's not to say you want to rush anything, just that months on end in a cast doesn't necessarily mean the best or fastest outcome for the muscles.
Would be worth discussing it with your surgeon and doctor and see what might be best for each individual persons situation.

WEBSITES:
http://www.orthoassociates.com/achilles_protocol.htm
Physical Therapy Center - Achilles Tendon Repair Protocol

http://www.bestbets.org/cgi-bin/bets.pl?record=00704
Early mobilisation following achilles tendon repair speeds up recovery and improves functional outcome

[Beung]

I had my surgery 2 days after I ruptured. There wasn't even a doubt, my doc told me surgery wasn't necessary but he advised it.

I was in plaster for exactly 10 days with < 90 deg in my ankle.
I was then in an aircast, NWB for 3 weeks and 1 week PWB with 2 heel lifts. Removed a lift every 5 days or so for the last 2 weeks.
I was able to limp around and returned back to work on the 7th week.
This week has shown the most visable improvements and the most confidence building week so far. I think once you have no cast of any form and start seeing the improved range of motion of your foot it is quite up lifting.