I entered week 10 2-days ago. 70 days post rupture; post op
I also enter my last week of PT with my current physical therapist. I go back to work on November 4th to a desk job until the doctor gives me the word that I can return to full duty as a fire fighter (probably by Christmas). So...I'll sit at a desk and a computer for 10-hours a day. Sorry for those that do that for a living, but I'm used to the high paced action filled world of being a firefighter.
My limp is not quite as pronounced as it was a week ago. I've been focusing on taking proper steps to get my gait back. My wife noticed I was rolling my foot to the outside as I walked. The pad under the big toe is still painful when I put full weight on it, so to compensate, I roll to the outside to avoid that area. Also, my calf muscle and muscles in the front of the leg are so weak that I again compensate to the outside to lessen the fatigue. To correct that and build up tolerance to the weight bearing, I'm taking steps the way I used to before the rupture. After 3-days, I feel stronger and more confident with the calf, foot, and the big toe. I also work on two legged calf raises (standing) and one legged calf raises with 25 pounds of weight (seated) to build up the muscles. I'm not able to do a one legged calf raise while standing. It's a strange feeling to have the nerves fire up from the brain to the foot, but no strength to push myself up. I wear my running shoes all the time now. They tend to give me the most support for walking.
In PT, I'm still working on the balance board, squats, hamstring curls, some pilates type machine that works the thigh, and walking back and forth with proper walking mechanics. I did try and run the other day. It was a flat footed waddle and not a run, but I got a bit of cardio out of it! I've lost a couple of pounds from the injury weight, so there's a bit of encouragement there as well.
On to Week 11! I feel better every week! Oh...and I hit a bucket of golf balls again!
I've read a couple of blogs from folks that have re-ruptured their Achilles. One guy slipped while walking up some stairs at 11-weeks...11 weeks!! The other guy at 7-weeks slipped on a curb while wearing the boot! So, I have to be careful and not push too hard.
csco
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12 years ago
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Hi c sco
I’m week 10 today.
I have continued with exercises given by physio but seem to have hit a bit of a plateau. My ROM is improving but tendon and the inner ankle is still very tight, tender and nearly always swollen.
I seem to be getting more swelling since returning to work part time 4hrs per day wearing socks and work boots.
I hear what you’re saying, sat at a desk staring at a computer is driving me mad.
I’m still wearing training shoes as much as possible but I still have to have some padding on my heel to stop the incision rubbing on shoe which is still very tender
I have been doing lots of Thera band work, squats, stretching and this week started with the wobble board, focusing on balance and ankle rotation. I’m still doing Hydrotherapy in the pool twice a week, but I’m starting to get a little bit bored. It’s helping with my recovery and ROM but doesn’t do much for my fitness; I would rather be in the gym working up a sweat.
The problem you had whilst walking, rolling your foot to the outside, I had the same problem until my pyhiso picked up on it and started tapping my foot which made my foot rotate inwards, seems to help with the heel toe walking pattern.
I tried a bit of run well a chase after my dog who had just helped himself to the washing. I took about 4 or 5 steps running on my heel, my wife couldn't stop laughing, she said it look like I was running on hot sand.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:
ROM is improving
I’m sleeping a bit better
I’m only walking with a slight limp
I’ve increased my leg press to 100 kilo’s for 10 reps
I can do standing calf raises with both feet {But I wouldn’t say it was easy, slight pain}
I had one day without any swelling
I’m in week 10 post op
My 7 month old Dobermann dug minimal holes and didn't rip any plants out of the garden
Happy healing paul r
paul r,
Congrats on Week 10! It seemed so far away at Week 2!
I'm at a slight plateu as well, although I did manage a slow run with 4 200 meter runs today. Wow! was I weak in the foot! Like you said, it looks like I'm running in hot sand!
I get the same tenderness, tightness and swelling; especially near the end of the day. Rest and ice help me recover from it. The mornings are fine, except for that first step in the morning.
I figure I'll wear one boot and my running shoe at work for awhile. I like your "highlights" post at the end. The Doberman comment had me at a full laugh!
csco
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