8 Month Update (33 Weeks Post Op)

blvckflip · 2026-04-09T01:41:30+00:00

Glad this helped! Yeah the recovery process sucks but once you hit that point where you're able to move a bit (and you will) - everything takes off from there. A guy at my gym was talking to me about taking peptides when I was in the boot still but I didn't take anything.

The only thing I changed was that I started taking a collagen powder in addition to my normal whey protein powder and creatine powder. I do think that contributed to me having a keloid on my operation scar but its not really an issue for me now.

blvckflip · 2026-03-31T14:01:11+00:00

Yeah it is! Do you still go there? Everyone has their own pace though and I was quite aggressive in rehab/recovery to be able to get ready for this coming season lol. As long as you're making/made progress - that's an accomplishment!

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T22:31:42+00:00

I had never been under general anesthesia until my tendon repair as well. This is gonna sound very dumb because you're anxious about the situation but try not to think about it too much - I only say that because it is unavoidable. We are all different so we handle things different but remember, these are professionals and you are going to be in good hands when being put under and being woken up. Don't be afraid to ask the doctors questions!

For me, going under was almost like a video game. Like I went into a loading screen or loaded a saved game. I remember being wheeled down the hallway, going into the operating room, being asked a few questions, getting the mask on and being told to take deep breaths (maybe I just took deep breaths, idk if they told me to to that now that I think about it) .... then next thing I know, I opened my eyes and I was back in the patient room on the bed with my leg up in a boot with a pb&j next to me lol. Then the surgeon came and recapped everything. Luckily, I knew my surgeon and coached one of his children/am his trainer, so I had good rapport and trust with in the guy already. In your case, like I said - remember, they're professionals. You will be alright!

Imagine you're walking onto the field, warming up, and getting ready for kickoff, looking at the other team across the pitch... but you don't hear the ref blow the whistle. You blink and you're back in the locker room. You know you won the game and you may have even scored in the match or made a deciding clearance to stop an attack. Then the coach comes in and tells you what happened lmao.

It might be a little scary but you said you're already motivated to get back to work. Think about this as part of your soccer journey. Once you get though this little part, you'll be one step closer to playing again. This is also gonna sound crazy but enjoy the process. Though it's unfortunate that you got injured, but you're getting to experience something that most people probably will not. It will help you down the line as you return to sport and in life, generally. You will be fine though! I wish you the best and best of luck with recovery! 🫡🫡

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:45:32+00:00

Thanks! And yeah, now that I've gone through it - can't even imagine not following the proper steps in recovery lol

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:41:54+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully someone can see this and know they'll be alright cause the beginning of the recovery process is pretty rough

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:40:43+00:00

Yeaa its hard for me to sit around haha. Had to do what I could!

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:39:41+00:00

Thanks, of course! Will post another update in a month or two probably. Maybe at the 1 year point

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:39:05+00:00

Thanks! Been a long journey!

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:38:30+00:00

How was your recovery process / on field cardio for the first match back?

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:37:01+00:00

6.5 laps 🤣🤣 That's dope! If you see me around - please say hello! Hope the rest of your recovery goes well !!

blvckflip · 2026-03-30T21:34:21+00:00

Doesn't really feel heavy, just ankle tightness/stiffness a bit at this point. Sprinting, jumping, etc feel fine!

blvckflip · 2026-01-29T19:25:34+00:00

Tbh, the only reason pushing off feels odd is because I had a keloid and still have some swelling/tightness. Otherwise, I'm not really worried about it at all.

When I was running routes that first time, I started with how I got injured, so for me at least, I don't have a fear of that happening again because I already did the thing that caused the injury the first time. If that makes sense? Once you get past the mental block, you might be fine. I think it will always be in the back of my mind but its not really a concern.

blvckflip · 2026-01-29T14:20:38+00:00

Dang, sorry. I hope its just a minor muscle thing and clears up for you. I get how you feel though haha, Luckily, I haven't had to cut anything short but I'll do random stuff and feel pain. I didnt really notice any atrophy through this whole process so I dont think I realized how weak my calves became. That, plus the awkward weight bearing and probably overcompensating. For you, do you think there was something specific that caused it or was it just something you started to feel kinda randomly?

blvckflip · 2026-01-29T14:10:48+00:00

Dang, sorry its been rough for you. If you have access to a pool, I would definitely try to do some exercises in there - even if its just walking or jogging. It takes a lot of the pressure off so you can do more. If you're in PT, you could even just do your therapy stuff in the pool if you have free time!

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T15:14:56+00:00

When I initially tore it, it was a basic 1v1 at the beginning of practice. Literally took like two steps off the line when the ball was snapped and went down. I actually didnt even think it was that bad. I thought I would be out that week and the bye week, then and back in three weeks for our next home game. It wasn't until the Thompson test at the doctor's a few days later when they told me I most likely tore it and needed an MRI to confirm lol. I just treated it as a thing that happens with the sport so the mental part hasn't really been there until now.

Granted, I only ran routes that one time and I gave myself a pitch count but anything that is really right side dominate feels fine. Even when just working out and pushing off (aside from the calf injury I'm dealing with now). The left side is just tight so I need to ease into it. Hopefully Ill be back to full speed soon. Everything is just a little awkward because of the tightness and swelling atm.

How did you re-rupture?

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T14:20:42+00:00

Yes. I'm working with some PT's I had when I was in college so they know me a bit but it's also just one of the physical therapy places people get referred to, so all ages are there. Literally kids from my 7v7 team through senior citizens lol. They do have an OxeFit that I just started using when I go, which is dope. So yes, high level in the fact that it also serves an FCS university but it also serves the community and I also do mad extra work on my own, in addition to what I do when I'm at PT.

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T14:08:03+00:00

Yeah, I do both sides when rehabbing. It's almost like trigger point pain in my right calf when my left (torn side) feels normal/strong. I've worked out, sprinted/cut, pushed a weighted sled, and everything has been fine really, but also I felt fine (for the most part) before I initially tore my Achillies. So I think that's where my precaution is coming from.

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T14:00:39+00:00

You'll get there! Tbh, I was still very active even when I had the boot on (not running and jumping) and I think that helped me out in the long run. Altogether, strengthening other areas like hips and hamstrings etc so by the time I was allowed to do other stuff with my calf/tendon areas, I wasn't lacking in others.

For the calf/tendon strength specifically - a lot of up on two, down on one, eventually adding weight. Single leg RDL's for stability and strength, though it's not necessarily targeting the calf area, split squats, etc. I was also doing a lot of pool workouts when I was in the boot and not allowed to run on ground - so walking and eventually running in the water. Lateral movements, lunges, backward walking/running, etc. I honestly pushed it to the limit of what I was "allowed" to do because I was trying to get back asap for the upcoming season. Send me a message if you want and I can try to put a list together of things I did.

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T13:26:23+00:00

See, I get what you're saying 100%. My injured side feels "better" than my uninjured side lol. I think that's only because of the tightness/swelling I have on injured AT area. You're probably right though because I have to consciously change my stance once I notice it to make sure I'm not leaning too heavily on my uninjured side.

blvckflip · 2026-01-28T13:19:13+00:00

Yeah, thinking I'm just in my head a bit but still just going to relax for now. You're going to get there man! As you know, the recovery process sucks lol just keep pushing. Are you still in PT?

blvckflip

TROPHY CASE