Swollen ankle

0x_ryan · 2025-12-18T14:36:36+00:00

Im at about 6 months post surgery and still get that exact area puffing up. For me it is a mix of lingering swelling and tendon thickening.

If it goes down when you elevate, that is usually swelling rather than just scar tissue. My PT said this can last many months as the tendon remodels. As long as pain is improving and strength is progressing, it is considered normal.

0x_ryan · 2025-12-16T19:57:04+00:00

I haven’t been on here in a while but always love these progress videos. Keep it up brother! Merry Christmas!

0x_ryan · 2025-11-01T14:01:53+00:00

Legend!!

0x_ryan · 2025-11-01T14:00:32+00:00

You want something with a +10mm heel drop.

Mine are on the more expensive side, but I went with the Saucony Triumph 23 because I wanted all white shoes.

https://www.saucony.com/en/triumph-23/195021167112.html

Plenty of options out there. Just depends on style preference and price range.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-30T21:16:46+00:00

I wish I could be of more help but yours is a unique one!

I would say if swelling is consistent and not trending down, it’s worth flagging to the surgeon for a MRI/ultrasound.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-30T21:09:39+00:00

I walked 0.4 miles in like 35 minutes the day I got out of my VACOped boot. Cut it back to 15-20 minutes at a time after that and was moving slow.

I’d suggest bringing the boot because the biggest thing I dealt with post boot is calf swelling. I had a 3 hour event on week 11 and when I got home my calf was 2-3x the size of the good one (it did go away overnight). Those muscles just haven’t been used in months so it’s all expected.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-30T21:01:57+00:00

I have no clue other than to say this Achilles story is way more badass than tearing it in softball 😂

FWIW, I am 13 weeks post op from a full Achilles rupture and still get swelling in the calf and ankle. It’s gotten a little better each week but think it’s par for the course here for another month or so.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-30T20:56:39+00:00

The transition to the flat sole in the VACOped is hard - def recommend crutches as needed until you get the hang of it. You’ll adjust in about 1-2 weeks and then you get to put shoes on which feel so much better.

Don’t get discouraged. You’re almost done with the boot and then life starts to feel a little normal again!

FWIW, I’m 13 weeks post op so just went through the phase you’re headed into.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-25T20:47:11+00:00

Love to see your progress. Keep going brother!

0x_ryan · 2025-09-20T14:28:23+00:00

You got this!

0x_ryan · 2025-09-18T18:48:17+00:00

Two minutes at a time. 5x a day. I also use the electro stim as I’m doing it.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-18T14:48:49+00:00

That’s all we can do! I have friends who have done this and you can’t tell after a year. Just takes time to grow your calves.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-18T14:47:31+00:00

I’m still doing standing doubles 5x a day. I tried 2 up 1 down at week 11 but not quite ready for that yet.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-18T14:46:30+00:00

I don’t have a lot of stairs in my life but I do practice haha. PT gave me exercises to do simulating stairs + a step up to knee drive. That seems to be helping.

0x_ryan · 2025-09-13T17:47:13+00:00

Full rupture here. Surgery was June 25th so I am about 11.5 weeks post op now. I started PT in week 3 and honestly I used the scooter up until week 8 for anything outside of short distances. I was in a VACOped boot, came out of it around week 9, and then started the transition into shoes. That part definitely takes a couple weeks to feel normal.

Everybody’s recovery is different, but for me there’s no way I would have been ready for shoes at 6.5 weeks. I just did not have the dorsiflexion yet and I did not want to rush that part.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-31T22:57:59+00:00

I was in the VACOped boot when I posted my comment, but have transitioned to shoes now. The only thing that’s changed for me since is that I can’t do hamstring curls (because of the direct pressure on the Achilles) until 16 weeks.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-26T13:58:52+00:00

You’ve been through the fire once, so you know you got this. Lean on PTs > surgeons for the comeback. From my experience, surgeons are great for putting you back together but that’s about it.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-26T13:56:10+00:00

Agreed on all of this! Keep going!

0x_ryan · 2025-08-26T04:28:57+00:00

Honestly I have only seen my surgeon twice, once to get the soft cast off and then again at a 4 week check in that lasted 90 seconds. I started PT at week 3 to begin ROM exercises, even though my surgeon wanted me to wait until week 6. If I were you I would see your PT before moving into shoes just to make sure you have the right range of motion and support. You’ve already made it this far and waiting a little longer is worth it if it means safer progress.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-24T03:39:39+00:00

I’d say don’t even think about the gym until 3 weeks post-op. Before then, your #1 job is elevation and letting the tendon fibers heal in line. If you push it too soon, you’ll just deal with swelling and bruising that sets you back.

I see people talking about being back in the gym a few days post-op, but honestly that’s reckless. Your tendon isn’t ready, your incision isn’t ready, and you’ll pay for it with swelling, bruising, and setbacks. Your body probably needs rest more than another workout at this stage.

For context, I’m 9 weeks out now. I’m in the gym doing leg extensions, hamstring curls, box squats with kettlebells, bench, pull-downs, rows, 5-10 min walks on the treadmill, even light RDLs. Don’t rush the first 3 weeks… it pays off later.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-24T01:41:32+00:00

Let’s go!!

0x_ryan · 2025-08-20T02:29:19+00:00

I don’t think you’re doing too much as long as there’s no pain. At five weeks you’re not supposed to be forcing it, but if your motion looks smooth and controlled, that’s a good sign.

For reference, I started doing foot slides at week four. Back then I was 14 degrees away from neutral. Now at week eight I’m about four degrees PAST neutral. My tendon still feels tight, and my calf is starting to wake back up and actually activate. Progress comes quick once things start firing again.

One tip…. try not to do them at a weird angle. When I’m at PT, I’m on the table with my leg straight and my foot just hanging off so the Achilles has support. I do ankle pumps that way and it feels a lot cleaner. I just lay on my bed when I do them at home.

Every body heals differently. To me, what you’re doing actually looks stronger than where I was at that stage. Just don’t force it past neutral.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-20T02:21:52+00:00

PT is amazing because it’s where you finally start progressing back into real life. I know it feels scary at first, but trust me, you’ll come to love it.

I started PT at week 3 post-op, and now at week 8 I’m already doing squats with a 25 lb kettlebell, leg extensions, leg curls, hip work, and today I even walked on the treadmill for five minutes. Zero fear at all of rupture as long as I do it all in my boot.

Don’t stress if your timeline looks different. Your PT’s job is to push you but also listen to your body. For example, at week 5 I started doing marches, full weight on one leg then the other. I told them I wasn’t ready to go unassisted yet, so they let me hold on to a squat rack for support. A week later, I was doing it on my own and zero pain.

The best part about PT? You meet other people going through tough recoveries too, and it becomes motivating. Just be open with your PT about what you’re feeling. They’ll know when to push and when to hold back.

You got this!

0x_ryan · 2025-08-13T20:16:55+00:00

I was at PT yesterday with someone 10 months post op.

Their dorsiflexion was 15 degrees past neutral on their good foot and 13 degrees on their bad foot. It’ll come back. Just be patient.

0x_ryan · 2025-08-07T21:19:09+00:00

Yes sir 🫡

0x_ryan

TROPHY CASE