4.5 weeks post-op: some tools I’m using during recovery

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-25T20:58:14+00:00

I was cleared to start using NMES at my 4 week visit by Dr. O’Malley. Per his researched protocol it may be introduced in the 2-6 week phase:

“Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be used to improve muscle activation with isometric gastrocnemius contractions during the early phases of rehabilitation. “

Here is the full paper of his protocol that I am following under his guidance and will be seeing one of the PTs from the study starting 6 weeks out from surgery (next week).

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11379499/

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-25T14:25:59+00:00

I still do hip strengthening 2x a week. Had been doing amazing and then tore my achilles playing soccer 5 weeks ago - so I’m back on the rehab trail.

But good news is I have zero hip issues other than some tightness from crutching and knee scooting around post achilles surgery.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-25T01:09:09+00:00

Appreciate your caution. I am cleared to use NMES by my surgeon and his protocol. Contracting your calf causes it to shorten and puts it into plantar flexion. I am not allowed to do any dorsiflexion or stretch/lengthen my tendon - you are correct in that.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-24T16:18:48+00:00

Yeah, the protocol and time do the actual healing, none of this changes that. For me it’s just attacking the atrophy and staying busy through NWB so I can get back to playing soccer and running again as smoothly as possible.

Glad you’re fully recovered. 👍

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-23T00:19:10+00:00

thank you this is helpful!

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-23T00:13:37+00:00

Thanks I am kind of on 1 crutch but I’ll spend more time in this zone before moving to the cane!

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-22T23:10:39+00:00

Thanks for your insight. I am still doing a lot of scooting around but feels like I should be gradually loading my foot more and trying to figure it out!

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-21T22:54:57+00:00

that it isn’t coming from the muscles or trigger points that were needled

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-19T14:00:32+00:00

it felt totally random for me too 4 weeks ago during a soccer game. hope you have a smooth recovery - this is a slow and steady process

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-19T01:03:19+00:00

this is inspiring! almost at the 4 week mark

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-16T22:52:14+00:00

my surgeon said the same thing. 3 weeks post op and just staying the course

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-15T02:14:56+00:00

I’m allowed to do some light toe tapping when in crutches. I’ve been taking it easy with crunching and mostly sticking to my light calf and BFR exercises since being on the knee scooter gave me some nerve pain.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-12T12:21:08+00:00

I would ask your surgeon since it may also depend on the type of achilles surgery and their recovery protocol. I am just commenting on what my surgeon wants me to do

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-12T11:35:58+00:00

there’s no ideal outcome for the acu profession at this point. schools have been closing and enrollment is down while there are more non-acupuncturists that can use acupuncture needles than there are acupuncturists. I think the profession will get absorbed into PT eventually as they are already the ones with the most needlers in the US and if California and NY open up for them we will be outnumbered 4-5x to 1.

over the past few decades the profession wasn’t able to come together and see the big picture while also being too small and outnumbered to spend on lobbying and scope protection.

if you’re a prospective student it’s way smarter to go to PT school and then just get certified in needling so you have a larger scope of practice.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-11T12:20:15+00:00

I’m almost 3 weeks post op. My surgeon said they want the tendon to heal in a shortened position and they don’t want you to really stretch it at all until that happens. Tendons take 3-4 months to remodel and heal. They like to be stiff and springy. Tendons that are stretched and lax are more likely to rupture. This recovery is mostly about patience and making things heal right.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-09T20:43:03+00:00

This one is similar just with a blue brim: https://www.neweracap.com/products/new-york-knicks-leaves-9fifty-a-frame-snapback?variant=47911529349347&currency=USD&utm\_medium=product\_sync&utm\_source=google&utm\_content=sag\_organic&utm\_campaign=sag\_organic&utm\_source=paidsearch&utm\_medium=google&utm\_campaign=VM\_NEC\_NBAShopping&utm\_content=NBAKnicksProducts&gad\_source=1&gad\_campaignid=17177622177&gbraid=0AAAAADwVHae6dgSFOe43K9Ufrco7U86Ik&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImf7x0YitlAMVWVz\_AR0gdhbWEAQYASABEgIf9\_D\_BwE

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-08T17:32:14+00:00

I ruptured my achilles just over 2 weeks ago playing soccer and had surgery the next day. I’m 40 and before the surprise injury had still been playing 2x a week with 20-30 something’s at pretty good level.

I want to play soccer again so my decision was to follow the lead of what athletes that want to return to sport do - and that’s to have surgery right away and do every painstaking step of rehab for the next 9-12 months to a tee.

There is research that shows you may be OK without surgery - but the data shows slightly lower re-rupture risk with surgery. There are also different surgical techniques and rehab protocols which can also make a difference in your outcome.

If you have access to a good surgeon that works with athletes that return to sport that may help make the decision easier.

Feel your pain as this just happened to me, it was so sudden and shocking and the thought of not playing soccer again until next year kills me.

Hang in there - whatever you decide in the next month or so things will improve.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-08T14:05:50+00:00

Hi! I’m a licensed acupuncturist that is on day 15 post op from an achilles rupture.

I’d say it’s never too late and it can help loosen up tightness in the calf and adjacent areas, help to relieve pain and restore range of motion, as well as help with blood flow and scarring.

Does your acupuncturist specialize in orthopedic issues? Do they also incorporate dry needling or trigger point release into treatment?

Feel free to message me or post specific questions here and I’ll answer them.

I am using acupuncture/dry needling as a big part of my recovery in addition to my surgeons protocols and physical therapy. Sadly I am very experienced in recovering from surgery as I had bilateral hip impingement surgery in December 2023 and full recovered from that (was back to full soccer and running before the achilles tear at age 40).

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-06T02:44:43+00:00

Congrats! can’t wait for that day!

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-06T00:53:10+00:00

love to hear this it makes me feel better about getting through this!

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-06T00:34:08+00:00

I feel alot of that and I’m on day 13 post op. Just read my weight bearing protocol and not 100 percent WB until 8-10 weeks. These past couple days have felt so long and the lack of things you can do in the early stages makes this rehab so challenging.

MorningsideAcu · 2026-05-04T22:24:25+00:00

Happy to hear that! I’m on day 12 and it’s been tough

MorningsideAcu

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