Achilles Repair Update: On The Mend

It’s been three weeks since my ruptured Achilles tendon repair surgery. During my follow up appointment two weeks ago, an athletic trainer removed my splint and my stitches removed. He also fitted me for a boot with a 2-inch heel insert. During the appointment, my surgeon approved me for physical therapy and gave me the green light to walk with the boot. I started therapy a week ago.

I hoped to receive therapy with the same group that performed surgery, but unfortunately, all of the therapists were booked three weeks out. I needed to start therapy asap to get back on my feet, so I found a small therapy clinic with a therapist who focuses on sports injuries and she is great.

Mobility

The hardest part of this injury is mobility. The hospital provided me with standard crutches after surgery, but I ditched those quickly. They were uncomfortable and difficult to use. I searched online and saw many athletes with lower-body injuries use In-motion crutches from Millennial Medical and I purchased a pair. Their crutches are comfortable and their built-in springs propel me. The crutches are a little costly, but they beat the alternative from the hospital.

I keep my boot on every time I am moving, and I occasionally walk without the crutches if I wear a heel on the opposite foot. The boot with the heel is my fashion accessory for four weeks. After the four weeks are up, the care team will remove the heel and I will have to wear the boot for a bit longer.

Rehab

Surprisingly, since surgery, I have had no pain and very little swelling. I do have some discomfort, but I expected to feel some pain. I’ve used prayer and meditation to help with the discomfort, maybe that’s helped control the pain.

Currently, I visit the physical therapist twice a week. When she first saw my incision and lack of swelling, she was pleasantly surprised. She told me that it is uncommon for many people’s ankles to look this good after Achilles repair surgery. She even said my incision could be used in textbooks because it is so good.

During therapy, we focus on small movements such as eversion, inversion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion. We also focus on strengthening my quadriceps and hamstrings since they aren’t getting much. I also do my therapy exercises twice a day at home.

The therapist encouraged me to stay home as much as possible due to the Coronavirus pandemic since I am still recovering, so that’s what I am doing!