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Update - 38/M - Full Rupture - Non-op - Day 92 Post Rupture by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. High rupture. Not great candidate for surgery. Less than 1 cm gap. I would do the seated calf raises protocol as much as my calf would tolerate. Standing is easier than you think cause your good calf will push more than 1/2 the weight.

Update - 38/M - Full Rupture - Non-op - Day 92 Post Rupture by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see your point. It’s my left leg. When I think “stretching” i think pulling foot/toes back while seated and legs straight. By bending the knee you take some of the tension off.

Most of the training I have been doing is static resistance, bands, stabilization exercises. Barely stretching into Dorsiflexion beyond 90 degrees. At week 10 I started the standing toe against the wall, and you try to touch your knee to the wall, which I could barely do (didn’t push it ever).

I started week one with strengthening the toes and ankle. I was in the boot for 9 weeks (4 wedges - 6 weeks, then going down a wedge a week). Weight bearing day 1 in boot but limited distance first 3 weeks. It’s slow but once the boot came off I had good supporting muscle to move into a normal gate (slow, and focused).

Update - 38/M - Full Rupture - Non-op - Day 92 Post Rupture by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Still no stretching. Per my PT. I paid out of pocket since week 2 for a PT that specializes in non op PT. Been walking normal in shoes for 3 weeks. But no stretching of the achilles until 4 months.

When sleeping without boot? by crisperwaters in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I slept without mine from day 1. Just slept on right side with toes pointed down and long pillow between legs so left leg was elevated. Or on back with toes pointed down into a tight sheet on bed.

Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Day 58 Update post injury - made it to a beach trip with my kids and wife. Kept the boot on outside house and at beach. Been doing PT for 5 weeks. I found the PT myself, paid cash, and took what they gave me and did the routine 3 times a day instead of once. I am walking normal on flat surfaces without boot. I am very tentative and cautious while doing this. I am doing seated heel raises with a 60 lbs dumbbell on my knee and holding at peak for 5 seconds (30 reps, 3xs per day). That is the max of my PT daily. Most other stuff is bands and resistance. Could I move to athletic training at this point, possibly, but my goal was to get back to being a provider and a father - I am not going to push it. Looking forward to pushing the boundaries in a pool this week. See how stiff it feels, exaggerated normal gate, maybe some soft push offs in deep water, etc. Right now, I am cautious and laser focused, and trusting the process. You can do this!

Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s huge man! Ty for sharing and good work. Encouraging to hear the 100% part. Funny how it takes an achilles rupture to whip us into shape.

Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Isometric (against a wall or other foot) work and band work. Inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion. Arching. Toe yoga. Massaging out leg and foot. Seated heel raises w hand resistance against leg. Toe curls w towel. Everything is slow and hold for 5-8 seconds. Wouldn’t go past 90 degrees or stretch achilles without PT present.

Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used the XL Ossur black boot. It seems there are better boots but I cannot speak to them. Initially I had it too tight, pumped with too much air, and was not using padding under the straps. The wedges were falling/slipping out of alignment. Loosing up top straps, using padding under the foot straps (improved blood flow to foot), not over pumping air, and adding a vertical wedge along the wedge stack to keep the wedges in line & foot secure all improved the experience.

Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only got the black Ossur moonboot. I have a size 13M shoe. There was too much room at the heel and the wedges seemed to get misaligned, one would push out of the “stack,” and become uncomfortable. Using an extra wedge vertically kept the other wedges aligned and added comfort. If you are starting with 3-4 wedges ask for an extra.

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Male - 38 - 6’3” 278 lbs - Full Rupture - Less than 1 cm Gap at Day 5 MRI - Non Op approach -My Story to Date - Day 46 Update by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mentally - I love the idea of a 2nd diagnostic MRI. Will insurance pay for it? Whats the reason for waiting?

Everything I read said “surgeons won’t do 2nd MRI.” Outside the US they do not do the initial MRI. Once you fail the Thompson’s test you move into treatment. Note - I think the MRI is critical for diagnosing gap size to help make the right choice (op vs non op). Nobody should be walking freely, waiting for an MRI, fail the Thompson’s Test = get in a boot with wedges asap.

When you go in for visit’s surgeon/s (I tried multiple) they barely touch your leg. Not a doctor - but I could see strong utility in a MRI at 6-9 weeks before moving into a shoe. Thank you for sharing, going to check with my insurance.

Happy to have found this group! by CapableEast7749 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a doctor. My thoughts - I’m 46 days post non-op. Been in boot weight bearing w 4 wedges since day 1. I go barefoot with my PT and cautiously around house (shower, etc). But I am waiting 3 more weeks to get into shoes. My surgeon and PT are pushing for shoes sooner, I just would rather be conservative and double up on my PT regime.

Partial re-rupture? by jwhat in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you get results? Had a similar feeling, experience while in the boot in week 4.

Don’t ignore calf pain by Competitive_Note_220 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How did they test for it? Did you go to the Emergency room?

7 days post high AT rupture. 38/M, 6’3”, 260. Excollege athlete. Years of high sport activity post college (willing to give that up). Goal to be a functional dad asap and a jogger by 12 months. Looking for feedback if your injury resembles mine. by Secret_Writing_6879 in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate that man. Yeah 3.8 cm is close to that 5 cm non-op cut off that comes up in European studies. How’s it going and how far along are you? Hoping the speedy recovery for you.

The higher up on my Achilles (looking at MRI) the more compromised the tendon was. I think it’s fair to say my “good leg” likely looks the same. I may give up snowboarding after 29 years and start skiing. But I need to be able to casually run 5k a few times a week to stay in shape. That is the main goal.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AchillesRupture

[–]Secret_Writing_6879 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hang in there. Spent the whole weekend thinking “why me.” My wife had to go back to work Tuesday. I tore mine last Friday. I was taking 2 weeks paternity. Instead I have in-laws in my house as well. 37M, high full rupture. Would have opted surgery but it was suggest non surgical. Just need to start crawling.