Achilles Tendon (fao AlanW)

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

Alan,

Notice you mention tearing your achilles in an earlier post re breakdown cover. I've done mine in and been in plaster (and recently a torture device thingee) for 8 weeks now. Just wondered what the recovery time is and if you have any tips to aid recovery. Mine's a 2cm rupture; no fibre connections at all.

 

[Cockovan]

Hi Jeff,

Mine was a 95% rupture with 1.8cm gap on th eruptured part. I was in plaster for effectively 3 months. I was then told to try walking on it for a month and if I had problems then they would offer me physiotherapy, having done the other leg over 8 yrs ago I knew the exercises and was walking with a crutch immediately, then limping for a few weeks but not walking normally for several month.

Whilst in plaster try to exercise you injured thigh by lifting and lowering the leg when seated, this reduces muscle wastage. Likewise if you have your toes free exercise them as much as possible for the same reasons.

Once out of plaster I was given a foam wedge to put in my shoe to raise the heal slightly. Then try exercising by going up onto your toes lifting your heals off the floor and down until it aches or starts to pull, then rest. Once you can do 20 or so try doing it with your toes on a low step (or book measuring a few cms) this stretches the tendon when the heals are on the floor are on the ground and strengthens the muscles in the calves. Hope this helps, any other questions please ask and if I think of anything I will post it.

I've been banned from playing tennis, unless I'm sitting down, I now want a remote controlled wheel chair!!

Good luck

Alan

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

Thanks Alan. Was fearing I'd never walk again, let alone pull a caravan around! My wife towed for the first time 'cos of my leg, and as we were driving on the M4, a ladder fell off an overtaking van, into the front of our car. Sorta put her off a bit....

 

[Cockovan]

Hi Jeff,

I'm not surprised it put her off a bit, it probably would most people,never mind the first time towing. My wife avoided the tow as we gotr a chauffer back from France and although still in plaster my insurers and DVLA were quite happy for me to drive in the last month as we have an automatic, so I still towed the van then.

Nearly 11 months on and I played tennis against my 10yr old son yesterday without any serious mishaps, there is life after getting plastered!!!

Good luck.

Alan

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

Thanks again, Alan! It's nice to know there's still life in the damn limb.........