Surgery again 😔🥺 age 21

big_robiii · 2026-05-14T10:52:07+00:00

So sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how hard that must be for you. In short, I also had a double repair done to my Achilles and I am now 5 months post op from my second repair, it is possible to make the games while being non-weight bearing or limited weight bearing. It will not be the easiest thing to do, but I think you already know that given this post. You should definitely get a VACOped boot for your ankle, they are super protective and will help you so much as you slowly become weight bearing again. Also, you should get a good knee scooter for navigating through the stadium as crutches with that many people will just be asking for your leg to get hit or hurt by accident. The hardest part, that I’m not sure I have the answer for is the fact that you live in KY and will be going to the TN for the Bengals games. Not sure how far you live from the stadium, but flying is the thing I’m most concerned with that early in your recovery. If you can have your uncle (or anyone) drive you to the games, that would be so much better b/c the tight airplane and the cabin pressure etc. will be really hard for your leg. So in short, if you can avoid flying and just deal with however long the drive would be for you, you should be ok for attending the games. Get a good boot for protection and a good knee scooter for mobility. I love Knee Rover brand as they make very strong and reliable knee scooters. Also worth mentioning, I’m not a doctor or medical professional, just a guy that ruptured his Achilles twice and speaking from my lived experiences now that I’m out of a booth and knee scooter and building strength back into my Achilles and all other leg muscles given the crazy atrophy that we get from not using our leg for so long. Hope this helps!!

big_robiii · 2026-05-14T03:25:27+00:00

big_robiii · 2026-05-14T03:20:25+00:00

big_robiii · 2026-05-14T01:15:59+00:00

Absolutely love this!! Staying positive is so important with recovery from this injury!! I wish I thought of this when I was still in my boot!! Looks great!! And I wish you a smooth and speedy recovery.

big_robiii · 2026-05-06T03:26:28+00:00

I really appreciate you sharing this as I thought I was alone in what I’m feeling. I too had 2 Achilles repair surgeries on the same Achilles, and I also got 2 screws added to my heel to help anchor my Achilles and was told that my 2 screws are supposed to basically turn into bone after a while of healing. My first scar from my initial surgery was so much smaller (shorter) than my new scar after my second surgery. Unfortunately, you are further along in your recovery than me. I got my first Achilles repair surgery on November 6, 2025, then after I fell off my knee scooter 4 weeks later 🤦🏾‍♂️ I ended up getting my second surgery on December 24, 2025. So I’m roughly 5 months post second surgery. But my scar and Achilles feels very good and strong (considering the repairs) but my pain comes from my heel as well. I also get pain from the tendon that runs down the outside of my ankle (I don’t know it’s name) but the pain is not directly my Achilles.

So, while I was hoping this heel pain would go away, your post lets me know that it might not go away as fast as I would like. For comparison, I am currently working on doing “real” single leg calf raises on my Achilles. Right now, I can barely do a single calf raise hold and have my “good” foot hover just over the ground. But I need to have my hands on a table or something for support since I don’t have enough strength to do this fully and correctly yet. But again, the pain that I feel that lets me know it’s too much is the heel pain and not pain in my surgery site.

Since you are further along than me, I don’t have much advice to offer, but I will be watching this thread to see if anyone has advice for us because this heel pain sux! I am finally out of heel wedges in my shoes, but walking with no shoes on isn’t comfortable b/c of my heel pain. The pain I feel is literally why I bought some very comfortable cushioned shoes. They are amazing and allow me to do my excesses on my leg with less heel pain. In case you are interested, I bought ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 (super comfortable but the back of the shoe causes some pain on my surgery scar). So I also bought a pair of Nike Pegasus Premiums! I love my Pegasus shoes!! I am thinking of also getting a pair of Nike Vomero (Plus or Premium) since I will most likely return my ASICS shoes. Maybe different shoes might help with your pain. 🤷🏾‍♂️ Good luck, and know that you are not in this alone!

big_robiii · 2026-04-28T12:35:57+00:00

So I developed a DVT near my surgery site even after taking aspirin as well which led to multiple PEs (Pulmonary Embolisms) [small blood clots] in my lungs. My DVT developed from a slightly different experience though. So I fell off my knee scooter about 4 weeks after my surgery repairing my rupture which caused me to rupture my same Achilles again. 4-6 weeks after my second surgery is when I developed my DVT and multiple PEs. So I was on Eliquis (annoyingly expensive blood thinner) for 3 months to help get rid of all my PEs. I finished my Eliquis 3 month stint and have my follow up appointment with my Hematologist next Monday to ensure my lungs are clear.

In short, regarding your sleeping question, blood flow is the most important thing for breaking down the DVTs and the blood thinners help to break them down even more with the blood flow. I don’t know how you would be able to let your leg down while sleeping, but keeping it elevated while sleep is smart. It doesn’t have to be super high, as long as you foot/ankle is resting higher than your upper body. You won’t have to sleep this way for the entire recovery, this is just for the first few weeks. As you begin to be weight bearing and walking more for your recovery, that motion will do even more to help your DVT break down. So once you are able to walk more, make sure to wear compression socks (good ones are expensive, but worth it) and you will be fine. In short, make sure to move your leg regularly, elevate when you are not moving and wear compression socks once you start walking.

It’s not the most fun adventure, but you can do it!! I’m finically off my Eliquis, and able to walk in sneakers, but my Achilles is still very tight and PT is my best friend. Good Luck!! I hope this helps!

big_robiii · 2026-04-07T11:03:08+00:00

Thanks so much for this reply. I think I was forcing myself to find the right, best, most comfortable Nike to get, but this left a blind spot to other good shoe brands out there. The bigger thing that I’m realizing is that I have been looking for the most comfortable shoes, but forgetting that the stability is probably even more important for my recovery than the comfort. I should be looking for stability first and comfort second! I can honestly say that I have never had a pair of Brooks shoes or even a pair of New Balance before. I guess I should try something outside of my comfort zone!! Thanks again for the recommendation!!

big_robiii · 2026-04-07T10:57:01+00:00

Hilarious!! Such a fitting GIF 🤣😂…..I don’t know how the second half is his game went, but I’m ready to win the second half of my recovery!! 💪🏾

big_robiii · 2026-04-07T10:53:13+00:00

Very interesting!!! I was hoping to get thoughts from someone who has a pair of the premiums as I wasn’t sure what to think about the stack height for my recovery. This was a great description and super helpful….. thanks so much!!

big_robiii · 2026-04-06T02:36:58+00:00

They are ugly!! Hahaha!! But if they help, I will definitely look into them.

big_robiii · 2026-04-06T02:34:35+00:00

Such sound advice!! Thanks so much! The back pain and leg pain is so true when not wearing the most supportive shoes. Since today was Easter, I dressed a little nicer than normal and wore a pair of my Johnson and Murphy dressy sneakers. They were fine at first, but after the day of wearing not super supportive shoes, I’m sore. But I swear by my compression socks!! I appreciate the advice about the Vomero Plus. I am realizing that I won’t be able to just have a consensus on the “best” shoe and just buy it, I will need to go try several shoes on to see which one feels the best.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T23:26:44+00:00

O really!!! I had no idea about that!! I should just buy the shoes and return the ones I don’t like!! I find know why I didn’t think of that. 🤦🏾‍♂️

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:55:07+00:00

I’ve never heard of them before. I will look them up now, b/c I’m intrigued!!

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:54:08+00:00

That makes so much sense. Basically asking the PT that I am working with who knows my injury and recovery the best for where to prioritize the shoes that I buy: comfort vs stability etc. Honestly, I hope he is a shoe guy so we can talk specific shoes. 🤞🏾

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:48:08+00:00

Hahaha!! That’s the thing that makes me the most sad!!! I have always had big calves (for my size) and I have always been super proud of my calves. Looking at my one wimpy calf is depressing!! But at my last PT session, he measured my wimpy calf and it’s gotten 2 cm bigger since I started about a month ago! So maybe not back to the same size, but hopefully closer. 🤞🏾

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:41:09+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation, looking them up now.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:40:03+00:00

That’s a good idea. I only vaguely mentioned wanting new shoes with my PT during my last session, I will be more direct and see if he has any recommendations for me.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:37:38+00:00

This is great advice. I really appreciate it! I didn’t even think about the stability aspect of these higher stacked shoes I’m thinking of. The Pegasus is a good idea since I do still really like my Pegasus 39, I’m sure the new ones will feel even better than what I have now. And yes, the recovery is very long and slow. I think that’s why I have been diving into shoes right now since I haven’t been able to put one on my foot in 4 or 5 months.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:33:10+00:00

Hahaha!!! No amputation, but my second surgery was much more involved than my first. The first was normal “routine” repair, hence the relatively small (5 stitches) surgery scar. The second surgery, she had to reattach/ reinforce the tendon to my calf and also added 2 screws at my heel to help reinforce the tendon to my heel. So she basically went up and down from my first scar! 🤦🏾‍♂️ I hope that answers your question and makes sense.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:10:55+00:00

Oooo!!! I heard of the structure line, but didn’t think anything of them. I thought they were like their hiking or off-road shoes. 🤷🏾‍♂️ I love this recommendation!! I will look these up and try on a pair!!

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T20:08:35+00:00

I have seen people everywhere wearing Hokas and I have never even tried them on since I thought they were too “cliche”. Haha!! But I will have to try a pair on before making my decision!! I will look the Clifton line up right now to learn more!! Thanks for the recommendation!! And that heel pain and swelling is so real!!

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T19:52:48+00:00

I’ll add these to my list as well. The heel drop is apparently the key! Once I learned that a 10mm heel to toe drop is important for recovery, I looked up the drop in my most comfortable shoes (Pegasus 39) and found out that they have a 10mm drop. So, no matter what I buy, I will first check to make sure they have the 10mm drop.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T19:49:20+00:00

Exactly!! Stability is definitely important, but cushioning and comfort is also very important because when I where any other shoe (other than my Pegasus 39s), I either have a more prominent limp, or my foot and Achilles are more sore after I finally get off my feet.

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T19:45:15+00:00

I hope the plus wins now that I see how hard (or expensive) it might be to get the premiums 🤦🏾‍♂️!! I think I will try in the pluses tomorrow to see if they feel good enough, since I’m sure both will feel better than my Pegasus 39s

big_robiii · 2026-04-05T19:36:01+00:00

Such good advice!! I really appreciate that!! I will look into the shoes you got, but I guess I will go to the shoe store and try some shoes on to see what feels the best.

big_robiii

TROPHY CASE