Achilles tendon rupture.

[RHFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

Just out of curiosity, does it hurt to rupture and Achilles?

Or maybe the right question is how much does it hurt?

To be %100 honest...it doesn't hurt as much as you would imagine. It feels like someone kicks you in the heal or tendon area.

I walked off the court after the rupture. I didn't fall to the floor at all. The strangest part is looking behind you and seeing no one has struck you. Then the odd feeling like your heal is through the floor is quite strange.

After that, the recovery has little pain at all. I used a little ibuprofen at first...but after the first 2-3 days I haven't used any at all.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by cracher

Half of the treatment protocols in this community would 100% be considered malpractice in many US centers.

Could you elaborate?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22802271

From what I've seen, both surgical and non-surgical interventions for achilles ruptures do fine. I've never seen a re-rupture. Just my musings from the literature above is I'm wondering if those who were non-surgical had lower perceived disability and returned to sport/activity too soon. Anecdotally both seem to take the same amount of time but surgical will have more post-immobilization stiffness/swelling vs strength deficits in non-surgical.

[cracher]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Could you elaborate?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22802271

From what I've seen, both surgical and non-surgical interventions for achilles ruptures do fine. I've never seen a re-rupture. Just my musings from the literature above is I'm wondering if those who were non-surgical had lower perceived disability and returned to sport/activity too soon. Anecdotally both seem to take the same amount of time but surgical will have more post-immobilization stiffness/swelling vs strength deficits in non-surgical.

Deleted my post... had a hot-headed GMG moment. Don't want to stir the pot so I'll just shut up now.

[calumniate]

I would recommend not jumping for a little while

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by cracher

Deleted my post... had a hot-headed GMG moment. Don't want to stir the pot so I'll just shut up now.

But now I'm intrigued

I've worked with/heard stories of some amazing surgeons. Thankfully less so, I've also heard of some very questionable decisions made by some.

Were you a patient or do you work in the field?

[annasuave]

My injury was ACL, not achilles, so I can't speak specifically to heel/calf issues - but it worked out great. The pain of the injury wasn't really ever that bad. The pain of physio therapy was a different story. I was underinformed as to what physio was like, and thought it would be like a nice, relaxing massage. I swore, I sweated, I cursed, I whimpered, I begged for mercy.

I was able to walk almost from the get go, but had to keep away from just about every sport for about a year because of the risk of re-injury.

About a year later, I slipped and fell and hyper-extended the injured tendons (without re-rupture thankfully!)

The best advice I can give is follow instructions. Rest as directed, exercise as directed, and do NOT re-injure that sucker.

Good luck, and speedy healing! Mine healed up well enough that I don't clearly remember which leg I injured anymore.

[RHFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by calumniate

I would recommend not jumping for a little while

[cracher]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

But now I'm intrigued

I've worked with/heard stories of some amazing surgeons. Thankfully less so, I've also heard of some very questionable decisions made by some.

Were you a patient or do you work in the field?

In the field, repaired 3 last month. Not really appropriate for me to spew grievences on this topic.

[RHFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by cracher

In the field, repaired 3 last month. Not really appropriate for me to spew grievences on this topic.

So, to sum it up...are you saying that you believe surgery is the way to go? Or do you believe it to be more of a case by case? Are you against non-surgical recovery?

Just curious.

[Locke]

I do not have any useful advice for you, what I do have is a funny story!

I was playing Co-Ed Rec indoor soccer many an eon ago and we had this crazy British dude on our team, he was an older fellow but he was a gamer.

Near the end of one game he was playing and you could hear an audible *snap*

Me having no experience with this I had no idea what that was but off he comes to the bench. It was near the end of the game so he just chilled for the rest of it.

Now, I didnt realize that if that happens you really have to go to the hospital rather quickish before the thing contracts.

He did not do that. He stuck around for post-game beers.

Also, you shouldnt drink right after rupturing your Achilles. Apparently it means you cant have anaesthetic once you do eventually get to the hospital.

[OMG!WTF!]

I've played basketball three times a week for twenty yeas and just recently noticed a bump on my achilles along with some pain. It was such a lucky warning shot for me. I've slowed it all down, stretch, roll, ice and warm up all the time. It's back to normal now but you really do have to slow down as you get older. I still play, but I could give a damn if someone gets past me now. Just wondering if anyone who's had a blow out had any previous pain or any warning signs before the injury.

[dubc80]

RHFlamesFan,
I feel your pain. I blew my Achilles about 2.5 years ago playing ball hockey. Felt like I got slashed in the back of the leg, or got hit by a slapshot. You're right about feeling confused after it happens. I was playing D and the other team dumped it behind me into the corner and I was going from running backwards to turning and exploding forward to go chase the ball when it happened.

I opted for surgery, but they gave me the choice to do the non-surgical option too.

Non weight bearing for 2 months, then wearing an air boot for another month was not fun. As others have suggested, physio, physio, physio, then hit the gym for strength when you're able.

Worst part was all the day-to-day tasks while non-weight bearing and on crutches. I lived alone so it was tough to even do groceries, showering, laundry, all that kind of stuff. Another tip would be ask for help if you need it.

I was back playing rec ice hockey that fall about 5 months later, but ice hockey isn't that bad for it because it's in a boot (skate) and the skating movement doesn't really affect it. With that being said, I don't think I could of played any high impact sports like basketball, squash, floor hockey, etc by 5 months.

I'm back to "100%" meaning I can do everything I used to do but the tendon is still much thicker than my other and definitely not as strong. No effect on day to day life though.

This was also during Stampede, so I took the liberty to decorate my airboot when I went out. It was a pretty big hit at Cowboys