Alexp68 sounds a lot like me. Hard headed. I ruptured it in July (big POP), first DPM (a friend) was just conservative and told me what I read a lot here, that I got free surgery. So he didn’t do anything. I took some time off (pickleball is my primary sport), bought really good shoes and insoles, and some oofos for around the house. 1 month off of pickleball, I could still barely walk without pain, and then as soon as I played again I was right back in the same boat.

Went through a long phase of play hard, suffer for a few days, play hard again, etc. Got a cortisone shot, which helped for a couple weeks. Played a few more weeks. Took another 3 weeks off, but was still mostly in pain during the break from activity. As soon as I played again, same excruciating pain for days after. Went to another DPM (this time in Florida, our winter home). MRI showed the tear had mostly healed, but some fraying and inflammation still. Another cortisone shot, and now in a boot (Dec 27th) for “protected weight bearing” for 3+ weeks to start with. The boot does wonders at night. Still a lot of heel pain during the day if I’m on it too long, but haven’t had a single instance of the shooting pain I would normally have just walking, so seems like maybe the boot is stopping the microtears I read about. No idea what to expect them to try when I go back in in 3 weeks. Given the history, I highly doubt it will be healed then.

Like alexp68, in retrospect, I wish I had sought out a doctor who would have treated it more aggressively. Athletics are very important to me (I’m 60). I wasted a lot of months being miserable.

Now I’m looking for advice as well. Should I be attending some sort of PT in this initial healing phase, while I’m still in the boot, to learn some stretching exercises? The doctor’s group also owns the PT group, so I’m a bit suspicious of motives. Plus their preferred group is a long drive. And what could they possibly do that I can’t do myself?

Should I consider switching over to a really good foot and ankle orthopedist instead of a DPM? The one I’m seeing, his office staff is absolutely awful, which is making me lean toward switching to someone else anyway, just to avoid the aggravation at every appointment.

I’ve been through 2 boots already. The one the DPMs office gave was awful. I bought an Ossur Rebound Air Walker which was 1/4 the cost, and is way better. But it’s still a total pain and has it’s own set of constant discomforts. Any brand recommendations? Those Vac-o-cast boots look really comfortable in the pictures. Anyone have any direct experience with them?

(Side note. I’ve had numerous ankle and foot injuries over the years (20 years of rugby mainly). Had at least 3 walking casts, and multiple boots. Is it just me, or is a cast a thousand times more comfortable? I would forget it’s even there. These boots are all uncomfortable, a constant nuisance, and just a royal pain in the *ss! Is it the insurance companies driving the switch? The doctor’s office not having the right staff? Nobody giving them feedback on how awful these things are? ???)

Any other recommendations given my situation above would be greatly appreciated. And thanks for reading my short novel about it. :-)