achilles rupture/ no surgery healing

[bronte7]

I went to hospital for checkup. he put boot at flat. Then he said come bcak in 2 weeks and he'll give the leg a look at and probably remove boot. I said what then? and he said yes just walk out. I said if i'm going to learn to walk I will do so in the boot. From what I can gather 6 weeks is a bit soon to just free willy. I'm not sure he knows what he's doing and I'm glad I have all the advice on this site.

[bronte7]

I have a ROm boot and it is very hot here and it is starting to smell like a dog. Can I wash it?

[wild3]

Hey I wondered where you went!

Hows the boot? You getting your own cup of tea yet?I have to agree with you about freeing willy. Not sure it's a good plan.Are you putting any weight on it yet.What did you mean your boot was flat. 90 degrees?I'm going for a 90 degree change tomorrow can't wait. Heel still feels a little sore.Nice to soak the whole body in the bath now hey. God I'm so close to walking again. I can't wait. But still can't let go of the crutches.hope it soon.

Wild3

[Robbie B]

Joe,

Yes i was weight bearing after 8 weeks (in the boot) although i could walk carefully (with a dragging foot) without the boot the day after the fixed cast was removed. I actually started to walk on the cast the week before it came off i.e. after 7 weeks. In my view weight bearing isn't a bad/dangerous thing. It actually helps to start and strengthen muscles around the ankle in preparation for walking. It's the walking without a limp that really marks the progress made. I would say i didn't really achieve this until 8 weeks after cast removal.

Physio started the day the cast was removed. I didn't get an appointment until the next week but i made a point of ringing the physio and asking what sort of things i could do before the first appointment. ie. gentle ankle rotations, very gentle heal lifts whilst seated. At first it is a case of seeing how it feels i.e. does it hurt after exercises, is it really stiff etc.? If i didn't get a reaction then i would do a little more.

The phyio from then on was basically one appointment per week gradually building up the strength. Initially i used a theraband (big elastic band). After about 3 weeks i started to get a massage on the area as well. Progress was fairly good i.e. a little bit stronger and a bit more confidence after each week. My next appointment is 2 weeks away.

Hope this helps.

[bronte7]

Hey Wild, yes I mean 90degrees. No I am not weight bearing yet. I am only four weeks. but am starting to think about it. I am starting to take boot of a couple of times a day as it is getting damp with sweat and smells yukky. I want to know if I can wash it. I noticed it was sweaty after sleep even. I don't know what I'd do without this site. I love it and have learnt so much. I feel more informed than the public doctor. I might need to see a specialist when it gets closer to 8 weeks for some real advice. Thanks for you support Wild et al, it's cool

[DarylAug4]

Bronte7 - If you have a boot with a removable liner you can wash it... Just throw it in the washing machine with a bit of detergent on delicate and either line dry or put on a low setting in the dryer (it will dry very quickly in the dryer)... I put mine in the dryer several times and it did shrink a bit, but it still worked fine...

[bronte7]

thanx for that. I will wash it asap.

[Jomoj]

thanks for the details Robbie. I asked my consultant what the physio would entail and he was vague to say the least; "well the physios tend to have their own treatment programmes so I can't really say" - cheers mate, nice to be kept informed

Back in tomorrow for the full 90 and another 3 weeks on sticks. ho hum.

[wild3]

Oct 31 went to the Dr. thinking he was going to do my last adjust of the boot. I almost feel flat on my face when I felt the movement. My god it was so friken heavy, I couldn't put my foot down.My skin felt like it was going to split open all around. I hope I 'm not freaken you guys out,however I kept it on and just went with the flow.
Well today I rode the stationary bike for 20 mins. Felt great movement in the calf area. Now for the great news I lost my sticks and I'm WALKING. lIKE A CRAB THAT IS. So to all of my conservative friends out there stay positive.
Bronte just letting you know I washed my boot and hung it to dry, it turned out great. Hopefully I won't have to put it on again.
Love the Happy Wild
Time to ice

[Jomoj]

great stuff Wild - were you on the bike in the boot or with your foot 'naked'?
Got my last cast on now and really feeling the tightness of the tendon, it's pretty uncomfortable right now but will probably ease off. It is so tempting to try and stand on it but I've been told to keep the weight off it for a bit longer.