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.
Happy Halloween
12 years ago
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4 comments:
Hi there,
I fully ruptured my right Achilles 2nd August had operation 19th August. Surgeon re joined the tendon 20 cm above heel. All was going well with my progress until the boot position was changed to full weight bearing and the incision started weeping. Had my second post op appointment last week and was told by surgeon that the incision was not healing. Basically the tendon was good but he wasn't happy with the incision, there was no infection, redness or swelling but the outer skin {epidermis} had not butted together properly causing it to overlap. So now I will need plastic surgery which means back to hospital to have the incision re-opened and then re stitched.
My surgeon is taking the aggressive approach with rehab and wanted me walking FWB by week 6 as not to cause too much wasting in calf /leg area. I’m now week 6 FWB in Cam Walker Boot, no crutches and walking daily.
I am beginning to think maybe FWB too early or my aggressive approach may have caused the incision not to heal proplay, but according to surgeon this is not the case it just hasn’t healed no explanation given by surgeon.
Did you have any problems with your incision?
Hi paul,
Sorry to hear about the Achilles and the incision. I think your aggressive approach is appropriate, as my surgeon is on the same track. He wanted me in a shoe and full weight bearing just past week 8.
I'm finishing up Week 7 post op, and I have not had any problems with my incision. I started full weight bearing and walking in my cam boot today. The freedom of walking is tremendous physically and psychologically.
Get well soon, and if you continue to follow the blog, let me know about your progress.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi c sco,
Thanks for the reply.
Tuesday 30th September. GOOD NEWS!!!!! From the Plastic Surgeon. All appears good with the incision. The overlapping of skin would shrink back once the incision dries out and by pulling the wound tight with the steri strips was just making it worse. The dam boot was also preventing it from healing. I was told when at home to take the boot and dressing off and let the wound dry out. By not allowing any air to get to the incision was just prolonging the healing process.
Only a few days have passed and all ready the incision has improved and has starting drying out and scabbing.
I have only been wearing the boot when I go out, when indoors I walk around minus the Terminator boot and it feels great, very tight around Achilles and ankle area and a little bit of weeping, but I'm just moving slowly and of course being very careful.
Like you I'm very active and I’m required to be physically and mentally fit for work. I have had numerous injuries over the years, all work related but this must be the worse injury I have ever sustained.
I have a follow up appointment next Tuesday 7th Oct with Plastic Surgeon and then the following week with my Orthopedic Surgeon. Which will be week 8 post op, so fingers crossed I'm hoping to be in two shoes and getting stuck into some full on PT.
How are you finding walking minus crutches? It feels a bit strange at first but it’s great to be hands free, even if it does mean walking like a snail.
I will keep you posted
Happy healing paul r
paul r,
Great news! Good to hear your scar tissue is healing properly. I take the boot off often as it:
#1 Smells bad after a period of time
#2 Just plain feels good to get some air to my lower leg and foot!
Like you, I've been walking through the house without the boot, and I'm wearing a running shoe for support. I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this at Week 7, but the surgeon mentioned a regular shoe at Week 8.
So...being crutch free is awesome!
Good luck with your follow up appt. Mine is Tuesday the 7th of October as well. I'll throw some good karma your way.
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