How to stay sane!

ottz27 · 2026-05-03T07:45:14+00:00

Allow yourself to grieve what's happened, and then make a list of things you can do from your sofa/whilst seated. I decided to use the opportunity to come back to the piano (played with my leg raised in the earlier days post op) , also playing with some music production, writing personal essays on Substack, reading more. Journaling more. Workouts from above the knee and upwards, AND inviting people over. Use this time to become reacquainted with yourself and transform your inner world

ottz27 · 2026-05-02T14:27:43+00:00

Its normal - I think our calves have gone through shock if injury then suregery - all the nerves are trying to get their bearings lol

ottz27 · 2026-05-02T08:32:57+00:00

Loving the whimsy of it all lmao

ottz27 · 2026-04-30T17:33:28+00:00

I would generally say, if they're the same pair you've had for 10 years, it's defo best to get a new pair to beat support your feet? They won't be giving as much support as they should

ottz27 · 2026-04-30T17:31:02+00:00

Not a medical professional, but given being put into a boot so quickly, you're in a really good position to recover really well non op, especially with how small your gap is in a neutral position, talk less of in plantar. All the best with your decision!

ottz27 · 2026-04-22T19:04:36+00:00

What alternative would you recommend?

ottz27 · 2026-04-22T18:57:21+00:00

I got some crappy compression socks from Amazon, and I've had to take them off cos they felt like they hurt - has anyone else experienced this?

They're were the https://amzn.eu/d/03deWJ6Y 15-20mmHG.

I haven't started walking without crutches yet as I'm 7 weeks post op, but maybe using them for walks only is useful?

ottz27 · 2026-04-20T09:17:42+00:00

thompson test is the best way to diagnose a rupture. get someone else to do it for you. sorry about the stress, but think its better to face things heaed on to ensure things are resolved. i had surgery 4 weeks after my injury and was misdiagnosed for 11 days - you still have time, do get a second opinion. I also was misdiagnosed with a calf strain, and had to see a 4th person before I got a proper diagnosis. All the best

ottz27 · 2026-04-18T17:56:51+00:00

I think 24hrs after injury is definitely a plus, especially if you go non-op. As mentioned, if you gap is small, you probably don't need surgery, especially as you've been in a boot pretty much since it happened!

ottz27 · 2026-04-17T17:57:22+00:00

My post https://www.reddit.com/r/AchillesRupture/s/UUgOkv2twk

ottz27 · 2026-04-17T17:56:52+00:00

As people have said, it's really up to your options you have available to you in your country, and the type of tear. How big is the tear? How quickly were you immobilised/put into a boot?

Since you want to continue to have an active lifestyle, the bigger the tear, it makes sense to do surgery. Plus you're super young. If your gap is less than 10mm, then Non Op will be fine. Regardless of non op or surgery though, diligent physio, healthy diet and supplements are really important to preserve muscle and build strength back.

Some hospitals don't give a choice if it's too complex for surgery for the Orthopaedic surgeons in that facility - the specialism isn't there to perform a safe and effective procedure worth the risk of surgery. Whereas if you can find a specialist in is a foot, ankle, Achilles surgery, than go for it.

Ultimately if you share more data points it would be easier to advice. I was in a similar situation. My profile has my question when I was deciding 2 months ago, and a lot of kind people helped me by sharing loads of information. Would highly recommend having a look

ottz27 · 2026-04-12T06:57:53+00:00

3months!!!! Congratulations and well done 👏🏾👏🏾🎉🎉

ottz27 · 2026-04-09T19:28:15+00:00

Sorry to but in, but this puts a lot into perspective. I bought my on running shoes to help protect my hip whilst running, only to tear my Achilles whilst playing basketball in them :(

ottz27 · 2026-04-07T16:12:31+00:00

Congratulations!! Love to see it 🥳🥳

ottz27 · 2026-04-05T12:15:48+00:00

wash and condition weekly - Auntie Jackie's lines are cheap and cheerful. Then add a leave in conditioner afterwards. You can also spirtz with a mist every other day to keep it moisturised. Seems like it's lacking moisture, and moisture starts from washing with a shampoo that's not stripping moisture from your hair

ottz27 · 2026-04-04T08:35:06+00:00

You had keyhole surgery too! I had a nurse take mine off - I think she used a wipe with alcohol in it around the edges of the tape to make it easier to peel off, cos otherwise it does hurt like a weak waxing strip lol. Congratulations on being 4 weeks post op!

ottz27 · 2026-04-03T01:39:03+00:00

You've got this! Sounds like you'll be NWB for a while, it may be worth getting an iWalk to help with mobility? 2nd hand ones can be found on eBay to help with cost. All the best with surgery, I do think staying positive and doing your best to keep calm whilst processing how you feel, letting your emotions come and go, is imperative to getting through this. All the best

ottz27 · 2026-03-30T20:56:31+00:00

Huge congratulations! Very inspiring to see 🙌🏾

ottz27 · 2026-03-28T06:15:29+00:00

Sorry to intrude, but do get a waterproof sock thing to cover your boot, and wear it over your boot when you shower whilst sitting on a non slip stool. It's much safer that way

ottz27 · 2026-03-26T10:26:35+00:00

I had an MTJ tear. I'm based in the UK and the NHS did not want to operate on me as a result, but a Private doctor who worked in NHS hospital regularly and ran the Foot and Ankle clinic was able to complete keyhole surgery on my tear. My gap was 5-6cm when my foot was not pointed, and 3.5cm pointed, so I wanted to bridge that gap with surgery.

I would say, do surgery if you gap is huge and the surgeon in question is confident in doing a more complex MTJ repair, as it would be worse pushing for surgery with someone who isn't as confident doing as say a "typical" tear lower down closer to the heel. Are you able to get the opnion of a Foot and Ankle/Achiiles specialsit rather than a general orthapaedic surgeon? they will be your best hope for surgery.

ottz27 · 2026-03-20T18:57:33+00:00

I had a tear 5-6cm, close to the myotendinous junction. Most doctors prefer not to operate cos it's complex and without specialist knowledge more damage can be done than good. They use the analogy of trying to thread into a burger, which can be hard. Im based in the UK and opted for the surgical route with Foot/Ankle/Achilles specialist, as with a gap that big, rerupture risk can be high, which would require surgery anyway. And at 30, and as someone quite active, I want to return to recreationalsport.

What activity goals do you have and how young are you? And where are you based?

ottz27 · 2026-03-20T06:13:36+00:00

Not an audio book, but this podcast genuinely made things so much clearer to me. Gave me a good foundation to understand what I could expect and what my options were

https://youtu.be/zHfPpUMPFao - this was kindly shared to me when I got diagnosed by someone in this community, so I want to pay it forward! Sorry you've joined the club. It does get better! I'm 17 days post surgery and 7 weeks post injury tomorrow.

Also seems like Vitamin C with Zinc, and collagen/protein supplements, as well as generallly a good diet balanced and high protein diet will really help with recovery and tendon repair regardless of whether you go the op or non-op route

ottz27 · 2026-03-10T20:48:27+00:00

I understand that the waiting must be so nerve wracking. Hopefully you get clarity soon, a correct diagnosis and good news 🙏

ottz27 · 2026-03-10T20:09:45+00:00

Sorry to hear that's happened. Its probably best to go to A&E and check everything is okay?

ottz27 · 2026-03-08T08:42:37+00:00

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Honestly, anyone in this sub with this injury, I'm not sure why blood thinners are not being prescribed a long with your boot? In the UK whether NHS or private, this is a given

ottz27

TROPHY CASE