Ruptured my achilles tendon playing basketball on October 15th. After talking with the surgeon, we opted non surgical recovery. It's going ok as I am just about 3 weeks in. Started physiotherapy after week 2...I can put some weight on it while assisted with crutches. I am wearing an air cast as part of the recovery.
I'm wondering if anyone else out there has gone through this...if they can help a brother out through his recovery. Any insight...thoughts...experiences would be great.
Thanks!
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The C of Red runs deep in Ontario.
An actual doctor can step in, but I'd assume it would depend on the extent of the "rupture", which as far as I understand is the term used for a tear in the tendon. Tears can be full or partial. Some partial tears heal and other can be compensated for by strengthening the structures around them.
I ruptured mine last July. Also did non-surgical and am very glad I did. I tracked my hole recovery and would be happy to share my story of recovery and insights into a speedy recovery with you. PM me and we can connect.
Non-surgical is used predominantly now in Calgary if the tendon did not receed into the calf muscle.
Ruptured my achilles tendon playing basketball on October 15th. After talking with the surgeon, we opted non surgical recovery. It's going ok as I am just about 3 weeks in. Started physiotherapy after week 2...I can put some weight on it while assisted with crutches. I am wearing an air cast as part of the recovery.
I'm wondering if anyone else out there has gone through this...if they can help a brother out through his recovery. Any insight...thoughts...experiences would be great.
Thanks!
Random question: were you on any antibiotics in the weeks leading up to the rupture?
Random question: were you on any antibiotics in the weeks leading up to the rupture?
Negative. I was asked that same question by the surgeon. I am 35years old and played a lot throughout my teens and twenties. Played at the college level as well. I hadn't played in about 3 years. I started to hit the gym 4-5 times a week after my basketball days were done...so I assumed my active lifestyle was enough for me to remain in good enough shape to go back.
Unfortunately I guess the movements are quite different. Lifting weights and riding the bike for cardio can be, but are not as strenuous a movement on the tendon as explosive movements on the basketball court.
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The C of Red runs deep in Ontario.
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I ruptured mine last July. Also did non-surgical and am very glad I did. I tracked my hole recovery and would be happy to share my story of recovery and insights into a speedy recovery with you. PM me and we can connect.
Non-surgical is used predominantly now in Calgary if the tendon did not receed into the calf muscle.
I was told it was a complete rupture...based solely on the Thompson test. I was lucky that the calf muscle did not recede. No formal imaging was done to determine the extent of the tear.
My physiotherapist is convinced there is at least some portion of the tendon remaining as further squeezing of the calf shows small movement in the foot.
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The C of Red runs deep in Ontario.
This is the first I have heard about a non surgical approach to a ruptured achilles.
How do they pull the two end of the tendon together without cutting into the skin?
It's interesting...I have looked into this as well and it seems the tendon can connect without surgery. More and more medical evidence is showing that the no surgical treatment is almost if not as effective as surgical.
The risk of re-rupture seems to be slightly higher in those who do not have the surgery, but you avoid the complication that can arise from a surgical procedure.
If I were a professional athlete or was dead set on returning to the basketball court..I may have opted for surgery.
For the most part, it seems as though surgical recovery is slightly faster...maybe 2 weeks or so faster seems to be the norm. But then you have wound care...possible nerve damage...etc.
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The C of Red runs deep in Ontario.
Last edited by RHFlamesFan; 11-03-2015 at 05:39 PM.
I had both of mine surgically cut, heelspurs chiseled off and then bolted back on a year apart. Walking cast, was in gym doing squats about three weeks in. My only advice, go to physio and listen to them! Ten years out I feel fine, can run and jump as well as before. Haverstock was my surgeon, great experience and my feet fit my ski boots!
I ruptured mine three years ago playing squash. I opted for surgery, but I don't think it really matters which option you choose.
I worked pretty hard to re-hab it after surgery. I got a good physio and went twice a week for the six weeks or so after I could walk on it with an air cast. They did a bunch of stuff including ultrasound, flexibility exercises and then eventually some strength training on it and gave me a program do to do on my own (which I worked hard on). I made really good progress on flexibility and strength until about the 3rd week and then plateaued for two weeks (no improvement in strength or flexibility at all). It was really, really frustrating and I was starting to panic thinking I was going to be stuck like that forever.
My physio suggested I do acupuncture on it (which I had never done before and though was complete bunk (and thought was gross)), but I was so desperate, I gave it a try. After two acupuncture sessions, the plateau was gone and we were both shocked at how quickly it improved after that. The theory is that acupuncture stimulates the nerves to enhance healing. I don't know if there's any science behind it, but I can say that it appeared to really help me. Maybe think about including it in your recovery program.
Good luck with the recovery. It's hard to imagine that you'll get over it and recover, but you'll be back to normal before you know it. Bear in mind that it probably happened for a reason (which is that most men are very inflexible in their posterior chain), so try to work on your flexibility on your hammies, hips and calfs from here on in (become a yogi?).
The good ol' Thompson Test. When I ruptured mine playing football and was in the hospital lying on my back, the Emergency Dr asked if some residents could come in to see it performed. I had no issue as she had already told me and I knew it was ruptured. It was funny though as they pinch the calf and no reaction. Each resident asked if they could do it.
Lots of good info above. RHFlamesFan and I are connecting. A couple main things I learned/lived through last year:
-you will have 100% recovery if you are patient and listen to Drs/physio.
-about 6-8 weeks of no weight bearing on the leg. Let it heal.
-crutches are horrific for NWB. They are ok when move to partial weight bearing in walking boot
- rented a leg scooter at medical supply store. Best thing ever. Gave back mobility, independance and mental mindset.
-also bought an iwalk online. Also helped a lot. Much better than crutches.
-was in 'Two Shoes' at the 9 week mark from injury. That is quick but I did not put weight or move toes or twitch calf till 6 week mark or with Dr. Listened to them even though I felt I could walk on it. So glad I listened.
-lots of physio appts after 6 weeks till 12 weeks.
-find a good sports physio
-acupuncture is a must. Also a good massage therapist. Best if in same clinic and they consult with physiotherapist. Helps with scar tissue.
-laser treatments for scar tissue release after 6/8 months also important. Made a huge difference.
I was skating pick up hockey by 6 months. I was practicing football 9 months from rupture at about 85% and 100% by month 10 and playing. I have no difference in the legs accept one achilies is slightly larger than the other.
Looking back I had tight calfs/leg muscles 6 months beforehand and some Plantar Fasciitis that all led to this rupture. Listen to your body!
If anyone needs more detailed info and/or support, PM me.
Ruptured mine playing tennis. Told by orthopod that muscle bulk does not diminish in early 40s but tendon strength does. Force mismatch with explosive movements in sports like basketball, tennis and squash. Made me feel better!
Weekend warrior injury.
No surgery just cast for 5 weeks then airboot for awhile. Took a few months before no stiffness. Now I often forget it ever happened. No limitations whatsoever. Go regularly to physio!
Be careful first 18 weeks not to accidently powerfully stretch the healing tendon too much. Re-rupture risk falls dramatically after that point. Tendon strong again by then.
I was told I have 25% chance of other leg rupturing some day, since predisposed, joy!
Achilles tendon rupture.
