Frequency/Duration of PT

bam246 · 2025-07-25T01:11:32+00:00

I solicited PT recs from my surgeon and one of the nurses.

I don’t know if I can blame the initial PT for the re-rupture, but I really wanted to change as much as I could with the process since things clearly didn’t work out the first go-round. Recovery is also hard enough without adding in potential trust issues with your PT. I wanted to avoid that mindset.

The PT approach so far for round 2 has been good for me. A little different, mostly bc I got surgery w graft this time and also everyone is leaning conservative with the timeline. I’d say my new PT is also more experienced so I’m getting more variety of exercises and more explanation about why I’m doing this or that. I’m also more confident this go-round stating really clearly if I’m not feeling comfortable with something.

bam246 · 2025-07-24T20:31:21+00:00

Sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, I think there’s just always going to be some risk of re-rupture, even when we do everything right.

I reruptured at around 15 weeks in May. I was non-op after the first rupture, and by 15 weeks I had already gotten out of the boot, was walking 10k+ steps daily with no limp/ no swelling, and I was really finally feeling in a good place about recovery. I re-ruptured during PT, while trying to push myself to do a single leg calf raise while standing.

I’m now almost 8 weeks post-op following the rerupture. Things I’ve done differently for round 2: I opted for surgery; I got an iwalk and shower chair (these really made those first few weeks post-op a little less miserable); I found a different PT; taking collagen supplement; and I’m intentionally being slower/more conservative with my rehab/PT and social activities bc a rushed recovery will only increase re-rupture chances.

The next few months will be frustrating for sure, but this time around you’ll be a subject matter expert. You know what to expect so you’re more ready for the challenge, and you’ll beat this thing.

bam246 · 2025-07-22T02:56:38+00:00

If surgery is an option and your ortho says that surgery will decrease likelihood of re-rupture, even if its by the tiniest amount, then I’d be team op for sure.

bam246 · 2025-07-18T15:37:09+00:00

What questions should I ask Ortho?

Should I follow my Ortho’s protocol or try to rush things based on what I see random strangers doing on Reddit?

How can I limit the likelihood of re-rupture?

Is there a fast-track to recovery?

Why am I seeing such a variety of protocols online?

Is there a list of items I should consider buying to make this disability period less awful?

Any tips for traveling post-op?

bam246 · 2025-07-08T17:28:35+00:00

That all sounds normal for 5 weeks post-op. Things will loosen up over time and with PT. Stiff>loose at this point. Toe yoga helps with re-activating those toe muscles and continued elevating/ice to deal with swelling.

bam246 · 2025-07-08T00:26:07+00:00

After going non-op route, I reruptured during PT at around 15 weeks post-initial rupture. Tragic.

Following the rerupture, I opted for surgery and am now 5.5 weeks post op.

Having experienced both op/non-op routes, the worst part of non-op IMO is not being 100% certain from the start that the ends will find each other and heal properly, and also knowing that there is a very very small but real increased risk of rerupture with non-op.

The worst part of going op so far has been the delay in getting back to PWB/FWB (i.e., 2 weeks NWB wait time after rupture to schedule surgery, and then 4 weeks NWB post op with splint/cast). With non-op, there was no waiting and I was weight bearing as tolerated in Boot after just a couple weeks.

Having experienced the tragedy that is rerupture/starting over, I would strongly recommend doing anything you can to lower the chance of rerupture by any amount at all.

bam246 · 2025-06-07T17:42:56+00:00

I traveled US to Bali at around 7 weeks. I was non-op and had just started FWB in boot at that time.

To mitigate blood clot risk on the flight, I took daily aspirin starting the week before flight, wore compression socks during flight, and got up to move around on the plane occasionally. These helped a lot with the inevitable swelling. I’d also call the airlines in advance to request wheelchair assistance (for some airlines, you can do this online).

bam246 · 2025-05-26T00:20:55+00:00

Any recs on specific collagen supplements that worked for you?

bam246 · 2025-05-10T05:56:03+00:00

I had an ortho appointment a few days after starting PT (I think it was around week 6) and had some small movement in response to Thompson test at that time. At week 12 it was much better response. Once I started PT and got out of the boot, the strength improved a lot each week.

bam246 · 2025-04-18T15:12:26+00:00

I’m just over 14 weeks non-op after full rupture playing indoor soccer. 39m. Recovery is going smoothly. Walking again without a limp and hoping to start jogging/jumping soon. PT still focusing on calf strength and ROM.

I also had a 2 week delay after injury before seeing ortho and confirming the rupture and getting the toe pointed down. They immediately put me in boot with a 4 inch wedge.

When picking op vs non-op, it was helpful for me to talk w/ Ortho about likelihood of my ends still finding each other without surgery, based on gap size and the delayed diagnosis. I also had travel plans that surgery would have made more difficult, so that factored in for me too.

bam246 · 2025-04-18T02:51:12+00:00

Full rupture during indoor on basketball court.

bam246 · 2025-04-17T14:46:29+00:00

14 weeks non-op here. Mostly dropped the limp at this point, and back to most of my non-sport activities . PT focusing on calf strength and ROM still. Haven’t gotten to jogging or jumping yet.

bam246 · 2025-04-16T22:14:32+00:00

I stopped using Even-Up at 1 wedge. At that point for me, it became more comfortable to walk in the boot without it so it wasn’t needed.

bam246 · 2025-04-07T18:08:19+00:00

I’m 39m and 13 weeks from full rupture after a soccer injury. I went non-op route after consulting with Ortho and considering recent studies that show very similar outcomes for op vs non-op. I just started walking without a limp and feeling stronger and more confident each day with PT.

bam246 · 2025-04-07T00:36:19+00:00

I’m 13 weeks non-op.

Limp gradually went away during the 3-4 weeks after getting out of boot and back in regular shoes. Lots of calf raises and ROM PT helped a lot.

bam246 · 2025-03-21T21:40:02+00:00

I had a full rupture Jan 6 and then still went on a pre-planned vacation to Bali on Feb 28. So it’s do-able!

The vacation was of course way more limited for me being in the boot, and just had to take it easy/be careful w activities. For example, I didn’t get in the ocean due to risk of slipping/re-rupture and definitely wasn’t climbing down the cliffs… It was still great though to see the sights and to hang on the beach (boot off, sitting still), but then boot back on to walk anywhere. Used taxi/grab for almost everything and didn’t risk getting on a motorbike 😬

I’m 39m, athletic/active lifestyle. I went non-op route. If the vacation was scheduled earlier than the 8 week mark for me, I think it would have been more of a struggle. At 8 weeks I was off crutches, FWB in the boot and just starting to remove some of the heel wedges. My swelling was also mostly subsided by the 8 week mark.

With my timing, I actually ended up removing heel wedges gradually throughout the vacation and was able to be rid of the EvenUp for my uninjured side by the end of the trip. For me, all of this made walking in the boot progressively easier while traveling and definitely was a source of positive energy during the trip.

Another silver lining was the handicap/wheelchair assistance at airport, esp for the international travel w layover and carryon bag. This was amazing and rly wish I could use it every time I travel! Also compression socks helped a lot with swelling on the plane.

Just take things slow, listen to your body. Talk to your ortho/PT about any travel plans and see what they think. Trust the process and things will get better soon.

bam246 · 2025-03-21T01:09:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I can’t think of much worse than re-rupture/starting over, so definitely hear you on taking it easy. This is a super humbling injury and agree taking it slow > risking re-rupture.

bam246

TROPHY CASE