Advice: Torn Achilles Tendon

[KENZ]

Folks,
Anybody with experience of a Torn Achillies Tendon. How long before they got full mobility, how many casts were used. How long off work?

Unfortunately I did mine on Tuesday.I've put a thick quilt under the mattress to ensure I sleep with it upright. However on the first nite I almost got cramp. Drinking more water to hopefully reduce the chances if re-occurrence.

I'm active, swim,cycle,weights and very healthy. Age 43

[KENZ]

rog007 said:

Have you had your injury professionally diagnosed? If not, your diagnosis may be incorrect. If you have had it diagnosed, the professional should have advised you based upon their investigations and assessment. As a minimum however, and assuming the worst, 6 weeks of no weight bearing followed by 6 weeks rehab is the normal programme. If it's not torn, then 6 weeks rest (from sports) should do it. But still see your GP and a physio ASP if you havent already. Good luck!

It's was diagnosed by the specialist at A&E using the feeling of calf and looking for the foot to respond. My foot was swollen but when shown I did see it as missing. Plaster will come off in for 4 weeks. But they mentioned another 3x3 weeks with the foot casted in different positions..

Can someone give me some hope that in 4 weeks it may have healed..ie anything I can eat or do to speed it up.. I've moved locations recently and have just registered with a new practice so I'd like to discuss options with GP.

As I live on my own and on 3 floors, I spend a lot of time crawling and hoping around. Although once I leave my bed where my leg is elevated, I get a soreness pulsating feeling on my calf. Any ideas?

[KENZ]

Discussed with GP who wasn't a great help. Wish I had private Health care. He actually said to keep mobile and not to rest and only in the first few days to keep foot elevated.

Anyways got a line to sign me off for 28 days..

[KENZ]

I was given the thompson test at A&E where the specialist could see no movement in my foot when calf was being felt and there and then was told it was completely torn. After 4 weeks in cast, it will be removed and a x-ray carried out to see how we'll it doing. The guy that did the cast told me it would probably be cast 3 times for the period of 3 weeks in different positions. Toe pointing down, normal and raised. Then physio..

[KENZ]

Thanks for your help. That's 10 days now. Not had that onset of cramp again since the first nite which is good. Calf size has noticeable reduced. I can wiggle my toes quite freely too. I do feel somewhat isolated. Forums have been a great fountain of knowledge, however I'm not sure if surgery would have been the right option. Will find out when my appointment is due on the 15th when cast is removed..

Edited by KENZ on Thursday 27th December 14:13

[KENZ]

Update: no pain at all now on the achilles. Can wiggle the toes freely and move the foot a bit in the cast. I suppose the tendon has reattached itself?
Frustrating being stuck at home and getting out on crutches is quite tiring.

[KENZ]

General Bilko said:

KENZ said:

Update: no pain at all now on the achilles. Can wiggle the toes freely and move the foot a bit in the cast. I suppose the tendon has reattached itself?
Frustrating being stuck at home and getting out on crutches is quite tiring.

AFAIK wiggling your toes is possible even with no tendon attached, so probably doesn't indicate anything. Not sure if the tendon would have reattached after 3 weeks, perhaps the beginnings but definitely not strong enough to support putting any weight on your toes.

I guess your cast has some wedges under the heel? When are you going back to get a wedge taken out, should be soon? Will you get put back in another cast or have you asked about getting a support boot (Vacoped) instead? With a boot that you can take off you would be able to start moving your ankle and putting some gentle stretches on you achilles. Also you can take it off for baths / showers.

Correct I was able to wiggle my toes before but it does feel a lot easier now. I do use my toes to balance a fair bit when I'm hoping around the house.
Regarding my cast. It has no wedges, just a plain cast. I hope to get a support boot when I go back next week.. Should I ask for one in advance. It is the NHS. The forums suggest getting movement in it as soon as its healed.. So the boot to me sounds ideal, as I could take it off at night and do stretches. however the doc said it would be recast again with foot in a more downward position?

[KENZ]

Forgot to mention. Before the injury I never felt any soreness in the Achilles, however my left one is now starting to become quite tender. I think when I get back training I'll have to be careful and just stick to weights and swimming with very little leg work. I do enough leg work on the stairs at home :-)

[KENZ]

Update. I've received my appointment with not much options on the table from Aberdeen NHS other than to recast foot in flat position. They don't use the boot treatment. However I think this is the right approach. Doc was happy. Tendon looks to have reattached but ankle was still swollen with a small amount of bruising which surprised me. When getting the foot in the flat position. I had a tingley sensation round the ankle. I cannot believe how much movement I've lost. So its the next two weeks in flat then another two in upward position then physio. I'm hoping when cast comes off I get some sort of movement which will allow me to drive and get back to work..

Edited by KENZ on Thursday 17th January 18:39

[KENZ]

The positives are that I'm half way there and better to stick with their treatment which has proven to be successful for top athletes/footballers. Well that's what I was told ;-)