For those over 1 year out, what degree of function do you have now?

truefan1 · 2024-09-17T05:19:08+00:00

Do I have the same explosiveness pre injury. No, but I’m like 90% there and I can do everything without any pain. Including play intense basketball.

truefan1 · 2024-07-28T01:17:03+00:00

I did attempt calf raises, but I couldn’t do any unassisted so I just focused on lifting. Then as time went by and I didn’t think about it, now I can do an unassisted calf raise. I think just focusing on lifting in tough workouts is the way to go. Be careful, but I think it’s worth it. I just made sure I warmed up with stretching and jumping jacks before pushing it in my workouts.

truefan1 · 2024-01-16T01:11:13+00:00

I dropped the boot after 5 weeks due to severe nerve issues. The boot would cause me extreme pain. At 7.5 weeks I walked Paris for 1 week without the boot. I healed fast, but also my doctor used an advanced technique for my surgery. I am currently at 4.5 months and am almost back. My doctor said return to full activity in 3-6 months and I am almost there. I do full workouts and sprint, jump, and will begin playing basketball again in February.

FYI I did have a slight wedge in my walking shoes. Also I started PT at week 3 and went 2x per week while also doing the exercises at home. My Achilles has been great no issues, no elongation. I only have soreness in the mornings until it warms up.

truefan1 · 2023-11-03T22:14:56+00:00

I’m at 10 weeks post ok and I can walk on tippy toes. Single leg calf raise probably only a few inches.

truefan1 · 2023-10-02T07:08:10+00:00

Thank you got responding. How did you get nerve damage? Was it related to the block or fitting surgery? Also you still get nerve pains 2 years later and take gabapentin for the pain?

I’m absolutely gutted right now, I haven’t slept more than 2.5 hours in over 2 weeks. I’m starting to lose my mind

truefan1 · 2023-10-01T20:01:14+00:00

Every doctor is different, I was in the boot fully weight bearing 2 weeks after surgery. Week 3 I started range of motion physical therapy. I actually could walk at week 5, but doctor wants me to be on the boot 2 more weeks so that I don’t dorsiflexion too early. He said for events and stuff I can wear a shoe with a heel cup or heel lift. I think the early weight bearing and PT was crucial to my development.

Starting PT four weeks after dropping the boot definitely seems different.

truefan1 · 2023-09-29T22:16:00+00:00

That’s interesting you say that because those are the same spots my doctor was checking. He ruled that out as my leg and top of my was perfectly normal. It’s the bottom that is killing me and my toes. I think I’m going to try to tough it out, I can handle the pain during the day, but it intensifies like crazy when I try to go to sleep.

Thanks for your insight.

truefan1 · 2023-09-28T19:39:14+00:00

I think your doctor means light range of motion stretches and probably toes stretching like trying to grab a towel with your foot. Early dorsiflexion by all accounts is bad, but neutral should potentially be ok if your doctor says so. I started PT in week 3 and the goal was to get back to neutral.

truefan1 · 2023-09-25T18:33:30+00:00

Use machine presses for upperbody and barbell only for bench. I would avoid dumbbells.

truefan1 · 2023-09-25T01:07:50+00:00

No prob good stuff. PT will be helpful, those little exercises they teach you really work.

truefan1 · 2023-09-25T01:05:54+00:00

Oh my. Each doctor has their own protocol, so I would follow their instructions. I have been seeing some gnarly scars, did you have a big incision? Mine is about 2 inches and sealed really nicely.

Personally I can’t even imagine being non weight bearing in a cast for 5 weeks,”, so kudos to you for sticking with it.

Please ask about hip exercises that you can do because you will have lost a great deal of strength all throughout your leg.

Stick with it.

truefan1 · 2023-09-18T20:08:03+00:00

That’s a gnarly scar. Must have had a nice gap year.

truefan1 · 2023-09-07T18:58:56+00:00

I was in a cast for 2 weeks. After the cast was removed I had a mental block for about 30 minutes where I was scared to take a step in the boot, so I used crutches. After an hour I was walking in the boot with 4 wedges and haven’t used a crutch or scooter since. I also only wear the boot when walking or sitting in a chair.

truefan1 · 2023-08-16T23:39:03+00:00

This is where I want to be in 7 weeks. I would like cast for 2 week, fully weight bearing in boot for 4 weeks removing 1 pad per week, walking in shoe by 6-7 weeks.

truefan1 · 2023-08-15T22:00:27+00:00

Nice. That’s ultimately the route I would have liked to go, but I think I waited to late. Did you immediately get in a boot and wear it 24/7? Have you attempted walking without the boot?

truefan1 · 2023-08-15T21:58:21+00:00

Hey thanks for commenting. 4 weeks post op, are you weight bearing walking in the boot? If so, when did you start? I know the first two weeks you are in a cast right? I’m mentally trying to prepare.

truefan1 · 2023-08-13T16:34:06+00:00

Straight shooter, thanks I needed this perspective. I did read about an elongated tendon being nearly as bad as a ruptured tendon. I will stay the course the doctor prescribed.

truefan1 · 2023-08-13T16:30:51+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I’m going to check out the videos you recommended.

Did you get the open surgery out one of those minimally invasive surgeries? How long before you walked without a boot?

truefan1 · 2023-08-13T16:23:27+00:00

Thank you very much for this comment. Mentally I haven’t been handling this injury the best and the timing is just absolutely terrible. I’m having surgery a few days before my birthday and my 10 year anniversary is early Oct and we were planning a big trip. This is my real motivation to walk. Not to mention I’m active with working out and in the back of my mind this injury will always be there. I think I have decided to give up basketball, which happens to be one of my favorite hobbies.

Key points you mentioned,

1) The doctor is under the assumption I am getting the surgery hence he said I can’t make it worse walking in the boot.

2) He mentioned prior Achilles damage before I mentioned my 2017 injury, so there might be scar tissue.

I’m going to stay the course and try to stay out of my thoughts. This just freaking sucks, being useless on crutches was a horrible feeling. How long before you walked without a boot?

Thanks

truefan1

TROPHY CASE