Week 6

Pt is going well. My range of motion is excellent, but my strength is very low. The calf and muscles of the foot have completely atrophied. My PT is working on both range of motion, massaging the scar tissue, and strengthening exercises. I was able to ride the exercise bike during PT for the first time in a long time. If felt great! My knee joint has tightened up a bit over the past several weeks, so the bike loosened up the knee and the Achilles tendon.

I'm partial weight bearing still using both crutches. It's not too bad and putting weight on my foot has helped out my hip muscles as well. The pins and needles affect has worn off, but I'm sure it will return when I move to full weight bearing next week. I amazed at how weak my right leg has become. I will have to learn to walk again. There's still no pain, although it gets a bit stiff at night from the PT.

I slept for the first time not wearing the boot. I actually fell asleep with the boot off while watching TV, and woke up at 3am with a throbbing foot. I put the boot back on, and the throbbing went away. I guess I'm not ready to go "bootless" yet. I also put on a tennis shoe for the first time over my right foot. It was a bit tight, but I wanted to see what normal looked like again. I took several steps using my crutches to loosen up the ankle. That felt great too! I can't wait to walk again!!

The mental side of this recovery snuck up on me again the past several days. I have become bored not being able to drive and stuck in the house. I've been moody and depressed up until today. The same old routine is wearing on me. I'm a very active person, and not having the freedom to "get up and go" is very tough mentally. There are several projects around the house that require a ladder...and I can't get to them. Arghh! The weight gain is pissin' me off too. I'm doing upper body work, but it's done nothing for my new belly. I set up my bike on a trainer, but it's hard to ride without my cleated cycling shoes. A spinner bike would be nice! There's light at the end of the tunnel...there's light at the end of the tunnel....there's light at....the....end....of...........the tunnel.

I'm off to ice my foot. I'll check back in at Week 7.

Started Physical Therapy

Friday I started PT. I'm using Rocky Mountain Spine and Sport in Lone Tree, Colorado. After a quick interview to see what my Doc wanted for PT and what I wanted for PT, my therapist started off with range of motion exercises consisting of pushing and pulling my toes forwards and backwards. This started to loosed up the joints and muscles. He used his hand to create some resistance to help strengthen some of the muscles not used in several weeks. I had no pain, and the 1st appointment went well. My PT is 3 days a week for the first several weeks.

I'm still non-weight bearing (toe touch only) until Today! (5-weeks post op) I start partial weight bearing using both crutches, and progress to full weight bearing at the 8-week mark. I hope to be walking with one crutch by week 7 and full weight at the 8-week mark. The Doc said I might even be able to ditch the boot and start with a shoe on my next appointment October 7th.

Except for the pins and needles feeling coming from the ball of my foot, it feels good to put the foot on the floor and stretch out the atrophied calf muscle a bit. I'll probably ice the foot in the evening as that's when the swelling and tightness is at its worse. I'm going to set up my road bike on a trainer and start riding that slowly to increase some range of motion and gain some of the cardio I lost during the past 5-weeks. My upper body has also atrophied a bit, but my belly is looking fat and happy! I better get back on the workout trail! I have a job to do in December that will require 100% of me.

Here's my progression so far:

August 15th: rupture day
August 15th: surgery day
August 26th: 1st post op check with the Doc. I get the boot and non weight bearing for 4-weeks.
September 16th: 2nd post op check. Start partial weight bearing week 5.
September 19th: started PT
September 20th: Wife's birthday! Started partial weight bearing using crutches and the boot.

October 7th: next check up with the Doc.

4-weeks, 4-days, 2nd Doctor's visit

Good news today. I visited the Doc, and they changed the settings on my boot to a neutral position. The Achilles felt a bit tight as I tightened the boot back up, but I know it's progress. I actually saw a bit of light at the end of a very long tunnel today.

I start partial weight bearing in 7 days (with crutches), and full weight bearing in a couple of weeks (one crutch). I'm still under toe touch weight bearing at the moment. I start PT on Thursday to start working out some of the kinks and swelling in my right ankle. They will start some with some minor range of motion exercises before ramping it up to all out physical therapy.

I told the doc I wanted to be as aggressive as possible to get back to work, but I think he's going by the book on this one. He's more aggressive with treatment then most, but he does not want me re-rupturing. Amen on that! Vail Orthopedics is an amazing facility. They've worked on major athletes, mainly skiers, so I know I'm in good hands.

I'm off to ice the freshly adjusted Achilles.

29-Days post rupture

No change in the injury from yesterday. There's no more itching. Probably due to my liberal use of cocoa butter lotion on the lower leg every other day.

I'm writing today to say I have a new found appreciation for those folks who are disabled--either permanently or temporarily. All of my previous injuries in my life were upper body injuries. Broken arm, shoulder surgery, broken orbital, broken hand....thank you sports!...so this is the first time I have not been able to walk. Actually, in high school...25-years ago...I sprained my ankle and hobbled on crutches for 2-weeks, but it was nothing compared to this.

Not having the luxury of walking has opened my eyes to the disabled world. But...adaption is part of human nature. I wear a small backpack when I'm on crutches. I have a basket attached to my roll-a-bout to carry my phone, the house phone, remote control, bottle of water,etc. I use a plastic lawn chair in the shower. I have to sit on the closet floor to change clothes, but going to the bathroom has become much easier now that I can balance on the toe of my boot. When my 2-year-old daughter leaves her toys and other goodies lying around, I have to navigate the extra obstacles. The poor dog keeps hearing, "Hannah...you have to move," over and over again.

Now I see why the ADA was created! And...the temporary disabled parking pass has been tremendous!

I have my next (2nd) appointment with the Doctor on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll hear some good news about weight bearing, walking, and a time frame on my return to work.

I'll post the results on Tuesday evening.

4-weeks...post rupture

At 4-weeks, I'm seeing some change...not only in my foot...but in my mood/attitude. I've come to acceptance with the terms of my injury. When it first happened, I knew it was a major injury, but now I know what I'm in for: more time in the boot, more of a hit to our finances then first predicted and a possible return to my job in December...if not January.

Remember what I said in an earlier post--if you can afford it, get disability insurance, because this injury is taking a toll on our finances and emergency fund. Although worker's comp is picking up the tab for surgery, crutches, etc., my salary is taking a beating with the worker compensation rules and regs. My mother helped out with a nice check to keep our heads above water, and both sets of grandparents are helping out tremendously with taking care of our daughter while my wife picks up extra hours. But, I wish I kept AFLAC years ago. bummer. I actually miss the duck!!

I was in a full on depressed state a week ago...down on myself and what lies ahead. As I read through the numerous Achilles tendon blogs out there, they lifted my spirits reading about their recovery processes. Some folks have had longer rehabs than others, but all have recovered fine or are on their way to recovery as they check off small milestones: wearing a shoe, ditching the crutches, losing the boot are some of the examples. My mood is a bit better, and the depression has lifted. I'm sleeping much better at night...thank you Lunesta!

I'm still in the boot, my staples were removed a few weeks ago, and the steri-strips they put on over the scar are now gone. I actually removed a stray stitch that was sticking out of the skin. The scar itself is about 5-inches long and looks pretty good...for a scar. There's still some swelling around my ankle and toes, but the bruising is gone. I'm able to move my foot in circles and side to side. I'm flexing it a bit just to the point of tightness, but not over doing it. I'm tracing the alphabet with my big toe...it seems to help loosed up the tightness in my ankle. The relief from itching is a mental boost as I can take the boot off to keep the incision site clean. The boot will take on a pretty bad smell over time, so I take it off and throw the soft part in the laundry. yuck!

Here is the best site I've read so far: http://achillesblog.com/ It has everything you want to know and a community discussing their Achilles recoveries. You will definitely get stuck reading it for hours, but stop back by once-in-awhile and check in on my progress.

Also, the weight gain is getting a bit out of hand. I was in great shape going into the Achilles rupture, but now I'm not! I'm seeing a bit of a second chin and my love handles are barking for more and more food! I'm still eating like I'm working out everyday and training for a marathon, but I'm not training for anything but getting back on my feet. I'm calling it my baby weight as I get even with my wife for having to clean out the litter box for 9-months! I just need to slow down the "boredom eating" and get back on track with some nutrition.

I still want to run a marathon in May. But...I've heard it could take up to a year to get back to the athletic firefighter I once was. bummer. I want to get back to work and just do the job.

3 -weeks

Nothing special after 3-weeks post injury. After a full day of "scooting" around, I need to ice my ankle and foot at the end of the day. I've been putting a bit of pressure on the toe section of the boot when I use my crutches. It feels better on the hips and upper leg on my injured side. It's not much pressure, but I use it mainly as a "stabilizer" when crutching.

The mental side of this recovery is the worst. It's the end of summer and the weather has been perfect...it's tough watching the world go by. I'm in the depression phase...is the acceptance phase next?

The Doctor's appointment is just 10-days away! It's funny how that's my next milestone!

20-days post rupture

I actually walked out...ok...rolled out into the real world yesterday. Depression and touches of anxiety were caving in around me as I began to realize the true length of this recovery process. I could have it so much worse, but I've been in a rather down mood lately. So, I went to a Rockies game with my Stepfather (free Brad Hawpe t-shirt day!)

I brought the crutches as I was unsure what to expect. Plus, I'm a bit vain, so I was worried what other people would think of my knee roller. It turns out, I should of brought the Roll-a-Bout because of the distance between the car and the seats. Plus, the ushers at the game put us in the disability seating area which had great seats and a place to park the walker. But...I did not have it, so I parked the crutches. My triceps took a beating from all that "crutching!" My ego would have been fine.

I picked up a temporary disability parking pass from our local DMV. Tip: pick up a disability parking pass if you find yourself in need of a closer parking space. Having the pass allowed us to park right next to the stadium saving a longer walk(crutch) through the parking lots. I'm not abusing the privilege, or looking down upon those who need disability parking full time, but with this type of injury, it is very useful for close in parking spots. It expires in December, but I hope to never have to use it again after November.

There is relatively little pain now. I no longer take any pain medication. Although my foot began to throb a bit at the game, I was comfortable. My incision itches like crazy though! With the boot, I'm able to take it off and scratch the itch. I can also massage my atrophied calf muscle and the swelling around my foot area. I make sure I wear the boot all the time in case I accidentally step down on the foot. I have dreams at night of running. I feel like I can get out of bed and walk to the bathroom at night, but reality hits hard when I wake up. Peeing in the middle of the night is tough trying to balance on crutches half-asleep!

My foot is still swollen along the right side, but the overall swelling has decreased. I still get sharp burning pains from either nerve endings coming back, or the sensation returning to my foot as the swelling recedes. My ankle is very tight, and the calf muscle is pretty much gone. I can move the foot in circles and slightly up and down, but I don't want to push it and risk a re-rupture.

Remember, opt for the boot! You can take it off and give your lower leg a breather!!


August 15th: rupture day
August 15th: surgery day
August 26th: first visit to the doc and I get the boot
September 16th: next doctor's visit!