Physical therapy post achilles rupture

[augustg]

Hi All,

I suffered a chronic rupture of my left achilles tendon on 6/20 and had surgery to repair it on 6/26. I am about three weeks post-surgery now and I have a few questions for any MDs or physical therapists out there.

I am scheduled for my first PT session on 7/31; they wanted to get me in earlier but they were booked until that date.

I am currently in a walking boot with instructions to not have any weight-bearing and I have stuck to that religiously.

The last few days, when I have removed the boot to air out the foot I have tested the waters on my range of motion; moving my toes, making some small circles with my foot, and tiny dorsiflex motions. I have not been testing this to the point of pain or even discomfort.

Should I even be doing the very limited motion with my foot that I am doing, or should I just let it be?

Are there any therapists who can comment on a potential course of action that I can discuss with my physical therapist to get back to diving as soon as possible.

Has anyone else has this injury and if so, how long did it take before you could dive? I am concerned about my ability in the future to enter/exit the water both on boats and from shore.

Thanks in advance

Aug

 

[Spectre]

I blew mine August 8th, 2004. I had my surgury August 31st after being mis-diagnosed by my PCP and going on my scheduled trip to Truk Lagoon [whole other story].

I was in a cast for a few weeks, in another cast for a little more, then in a walking boot with a lift that I was supposed to lower every few days. When the boot came on, I was able to start PT. I believe the walking boot came into the picture in mid october and I started my PT at the end of October.

The PT isn't nearly as extensive as I had on my knee surgery. It's mostly flexibility and range of motion. Given what happened when I did my first giant stride in Micronesia without an achilles... I can tell you; -don't screw around until you're completely cleared-.

I did quite well with PT, and my doctor gave me the 'go' in the middle of december. She said ok to skiing [originally telling me March], she even ok'ed diving as long as I was -very- careful with the gear. I got back in the water on December 28th, and I did my ski racing series that winter.

They will have you do some ankle stretching when the time comes. You'll do a lot of circle making, as well as a lot of time with one foot on a balance ball doing circles.

Eventually you'll be tested for strength and flexability. If you pass you get to leave.

It's a long road, but it sounds like you're way ahead of me if your in a walking boot after only a month.

-Jeff

Hi All,

I suffered a chronic rupture of my left achilles tendon on 6/20 and had surgery to repair it on 6/26. I am about three weeks post-surgery now and I have a few questions for any MDs or physical therapists out there.

I am scheduled for my first PT session on 7/31; they wanted to get me in earlier but they were booked until that date.

I am currently in a walking boot with instructions to not have any weight-bearing and I have stuck to that religiously.

The last few days, when I have removed the boot to air out the foot I have tested the waters on my range of motion; moving my toes, making some small circles with my foot, and tiny dorsiflex motions. I have not been testing this to the point of pain or even discomfort.

Should I even be doing the very limited motion with my foot that I am doing, or should I just let it be?

Are there any therapists who can comment on a potential course of action that I can discuss with my physical therapist to get back to diving as soon as possible.

Has anyone else has this injury and if so, how long did it take before you could dive? I am concerned about my ability in the future to enter/exit the water both on boats and from shore.

Thanks in advance

Aug

 

[augustg]

Thanks Spectre.

Wow, based on your experience I should be happy that they already have me in a walking boot even though I am not allowed to put any weight on the leg. I hope that I can get back in the water as soon as you did; my b-day is in early December and a dive would really lift my spirits.

Do you find that the achilles gives you any problems now that you have a few years behind your incident? How were those first few dives once you got back?

Aug

 

[Spectre]

Do you find that the achilles gives you any problems now that you have a few years behind your incident? How were those first few dives once you got back?

Oh, those first dives kicked my ***. The leg strength was so shot and I was diving Ginnie Springs in the flow. I didn't get very far.

My achilles is still swollen, but it's almost back to normal now. no problems diving, I'm extremely careful getting on boats now and walking around. Originally because of where my rupture was [extremely high] and the delay between accident and surgery, they didn't think I'd have 100% recovery; but she did some amazing things with her sewing.

Skiing sucked. I was in a ton of pain taking my boots off; but I could do it.

Just be real careful, and take it really easy. Trust me, in two months you'll be pretty much sick of it and ready to never let it happen again!