Weeks 10 & 11 - Achilles Tendon Rupture - Operative Repair Surgery - Walking without the Boot
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- Achilles Video Series - Post-Op Weeks 10 & 11: Walking without the Boot
Video Series Description -
Thanks for tuning in to this video series. My name is Chi Chen and throughout the next year, I will be providing weekly updates of my recovery process. The purpose of these videos is to provide a live case study on the surgical rehab process in Canada for someone who is looking to return to competitive sports.
Summary -
I ruptured my Achilles Tendon on June 3, 2020 and it took about 3 weeks to go through the hospital system, appointments, scheduling and I finally had my surgery June 26, 2020. I'll be talking about weaning off the boot and walking again.
Physiotherapist -
Melanie Gordon at Mt. Sinai - Dovigi Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Centre
416-586-4800 ext. 5035
Physio Exercises Description - drive.google.c...
Physio Workout Tracker - drive.google.c...
I’m a professional soccer player and I’m going into week 4 after my Achilles tendon surgery and thanks for this videos bro. They have inspired me a lot
You're welcome man! As a professional athlete, you definitely have the mental and physical abilities to recover from this. Just stay positive and be patient and listen to your body. I'd also recommend staying in the gym and working out, lots of upper body exercises can be done in the boot etc. Also make sure you do all physio exercises for your uninjured leg as well. This will bulletproof that achilles so you don't end up like me and tearing both.
Thanks brother
@@ChiChen3 Hi bro, do you know why you tore the tendon on the other foot as well? Was it avoidable? Greetings
How are you holding up bro I’ve got a trial at a professional club in Austria I ruptured my Achilles 4 weeks ago my trial is January is it possible to be back on the field in time
I'm 7 weeks post op on a complete rupture. These videos have been inspirational and a huge help. Thank you!
Good luck with the recovery! Just keep up with the exercises and let the pain be your guide on whether to dial it back. You got this!! I'm almost fully recovered on my second one and I can vouch that if you stay focused, you'll be back to normal in no time.
Your second Achilles rupture?
@@ChiChen3 second ruptured?
I torn my acl twice but this gives me the chills I can’t imagine how painful that would be. 😬😬😬. Respect to all of you who are going through this. 💪🏽⚡️
Yeah the recovery process and time is the worst part as it's quite a long road to recovery.
My physiotherapist said he thought ACL recovery was the worst because you have to immobilize the whole leg
This was so helpful Chi, I am at this stage now minus surgery. Walking like my foot/leg is a club and have the same swelling issues - nice to know this is normal.
Hey Mr Chi chan,I’m an ordinary South African citizens,soccer player and I’m in week 9 after surgery, These videos Have been so helpful to me thank you..What you talking about is actually what I’m experiencing right now.
Hi Motsamai, I'm glad this video was helpful for you. I hope you're doing well in your recovery. I've never been to South Africa but I'm sending you positive vibes from Toronto! Keep up the positive attitude and you'll be playing soccer again in no time.
bro, I've been walking no boot, no heel lifts since week 6-7.. I'm so happy.. I credit my surgeon but all in all at week 10 now, I'm very happy I can do heel lifts on both feet, I walk with a limp and it does swell, but It's getting so much better... honestly, I feel like in another month, it'll be good to go... thank you so much for your videos... so much positivity from them
That is awesome! Keep up the good work man! Just listen to your body and don't push it into any sharp pain territory.
@@ChiChen3 you’re abs right bro. Thanks. This whole ordeal has taught me how impatient I am. Im walking on an incline treadmill rn, and frustrated that I still have a minor limp. Maybe at 12 weeks itll go away we’ll see
I recently ruptured my Achilles on Monday July 26th and just had surgery yesterday August 2nd. I started watching tour videos before my surgery and now here I am today watching you’re 10/11 week update lol on my second day of post op. Thank you for these, these videos are a great help. When I first completely tour my Achilles it became a huge mental block but these videos have helped me tremendously already and I can’t wait to get back on my feet ! So thank you!
Im glad you found them helpful and goodluck on your recovery! Let me know if you have any questions as you recover.
@@ChiChen3 when you started walking, did you get a tingly feeling at the bottom of your heel? I started PT and I’m down to my last two tab things in my boot. I’m able to use 50% right now but the bottom of my heel feels so awkward
@@yourannaforever9831 Yes it'll feel weird and tingly at first. I felt it even when I was just resting my heel on an ottoman watching TV at certain angles. It'll go away as you start walking without your boot.
My goodness I’m losing my mind 😅❤ thank you for this
I'm rooting for you! ❤🎉 I'm in week 1 after post op
You're very welcome and I hope your recovery is going smoothly!
@@ChiChen3 I can walk like it never happened you guys!!!! Going back to the comment, what a change lol
No more cane but the pain seems to creep up at night; like my muscle gets weak so I do use the cane but it’s rare now !!
@@charitysketches This is such great news! I'm so happy for you.
I have been following you and my healing is like right along the same timeline and progression as your videos. Thank you so much!
Glad they're helpful! Just keep up the exercises and you'll be back to normal in no time.
After watching a couple of these from a couple people to see what to expect, it feels a relief to find your video. It's interesting how differently the description comes across when someone has an athletic mindset! This is most helpful. Plus, it's the first I've seen a person actually walk after a ruptured Achilles, to get an idea of what gait to expect.
I'm glad these videos were helpful, yeah I was set on returning to sports so I tried to explain it to others the way I would've wanted the info.
I'm in week 11 since rupturing my achilles and currently waiting for my 1st physio appointment. Everything you say in this video i can relate too its uncanny! Great informative video and you are right, its the timescale that is mentally hard for me. Understanding that i'm at a critical point and I shouldn't rush the process... Respect!
Yeah, I found that the key to a smooth recovery was being patient and scheduling consistent effort. It really is a marathon and not a sprint. A little bit every day goes a long way!
Good morning, Docter.. I had a fall, which led to a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon in my leg. I underwent an operation to connect the tendon from the ankle with support for the tendon...My leg is currently in a cast for a month. After that, I have to undergo physical therapy because my leg has become shorter than the other by about 1 cm. I hope you can provide me with some treatments and exercises so that my legs become as normal as they were.I believe in you very much and I hope for your help. With my deepest gratitude and appreciation for you...What is required is exercises after the Achilles tendon connection and grafting operation... with my sincere thanks and gratitude to you
I show a lot of exercises that I go through during each phase (video). My timeline is unique so use it as a point of reference since all of our injuries and bodies are unique and will differ slightly.
Finally reached this step! Started walking barefoot today. Still scared to leave home with shoes or without the boot but I’ll give it a week or two before I go there. Thanks for these videos and I wish every a safe recovery 👍🏾
Ah thats such an exciting stage. You'll feel some swelling in your ankles at first but your legs will start to recover a lot faster now that it's being challenged more again. Just be extra careful and go slowly but try to move around the house as much as you can tolerate.
@@ChiChen3 yea I have a small little bit of swelling above my Achilles scar. Goes down overnight but comes back whenever I walk a ton. Question? When did you shower without the chair if any ? And when will the swelling typically go down or when did it for you? I’m able to walk outside with shoes and around the house barefoot. Just gaining strength in my calf and the rest of the leg. But it is recovering quickly as you said it would since I began walking more
@@mauricenicholson4331 How much time did it gets you to get out of your boot
@@joh.nnybhai69 I was in my boot for about a month tbh and from there I slowly got off two crutches to one than no crutches. You’ll be able to get off the boot for sure in about 2 months give or take on your healing
Hi Maurice, I'm 10 weeks in hoe are you doing now? Back to normal?
Chi, you have become my best friend for the past 3 months. I’m 5 days out of the boot and your videos are my inspiration and comparison data! I’m peeking ahead a couple of weeks to see how much process you have made. My heel is still pretty numb yet a source of pain. You said it should get better over time but nearly 3 months in and I see lots of progress with my Achilles but not the heel.
Yeah my heel was sensitive and numb at times for a while. Try to desensitize it by massaging it with your hands and just touching and rubbing it. It may be painful at first but my heel started to lose that sensitivity as I recovered and kept touching it.
How are you doing now?
@@cllrjoeneville Thanks for asking. it's 6 months post surgery and my achilles is fine, but my heel is still numb and painful to walk on. Cortisone shot did nothing. Nerve test next week.
Partially tore my achilles get my boot the 30th hope to hear nothing but good news 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
hope its not too bad and you have a speedy recovery!
when i first went bootless i found it was also tender and weak walking. what made a huge difference was wearing slippers for some extra cushion
I'm at week 10 post-op recovery this week. Been using the CAM boot for the last 5 weeks and was in a cast 4 weeks prior to that. Going to see the doctor today. I believe the next step for me is PT. Thanks for the videos.
You're welcome Andrew! Good luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any questions.
I’m at week 7 and your videos and everyone’s comments are so helpful. It’s good to know I’m not alone. Thank you!
You're welcome! I really appreciate it and I'm glad I could help. You're past the worst of it now and its just going to get easier from here! Goodluck and let me know if you ever have any questions.
I’m at week 7 post-op and just got off the boot today. Muscle memory is kicking in and my walk’s been improving daily. My recovery has been nothing short of a miracle; I fell about three times after surgery and had “pops” occur during each scare. I’ve been very lucky nothing has re-ruptured.
I’ve been watching your videos and stop and wait until I’m in the same recovery phase to watch the next. Your vids are insightful; thanks for taking the time to share! Question: About which week were you able to safely go DOWN the stairs normally. I know, weird question, but going down the stairs have comedically been the bane of my existence.
I always held the railings going down stairs or had to go down slightly sideways so I didn't have to flex my foot that much. It probably took till around month 5 or 6 to walk down quickly once I got the range of motion back.
What were those pops you heard. Because I had one recently during my Post Op. Did you have any pain when you felt the pop?
How long did it take for you to gain your dorsiflexion back? I’m very limited on mine at 12 weeks so it’s difficult to walk.
It takes a while to gain dorsiflexion back. I feel that it linearly correlates to the strength as you recover.
Hi! Did you get those burning sensation pain at the achilles tendon when doing heel/calf raises? im capable of raising to the top. both legs. After 3-4 reps, it’s starts burning but once my feet is at 90o there is no more « sharp pain ». Like needles pins.
Yes definitely felt the burning sensation when I was regaining my strength during physio. That is absolutely normal and as long as there isn't sharp pain, it just means your challenging your muscles and tendons which is great, just make sure to give it plenty of rest and recovery before you challenge it again the next day.
did your heels hurt or really sensitive when walking on harder surfaces at this point? that's what I'm experiencing at week 10 and was wondering if that's normal.
Yes definitely super sensitive and can hurt because its not use to it but as you heal and recover that should slowly subside.
Man's videos are full of details. so watch the whole videos , it is very helpful
Glad you like them!
Hi Chi, thanks for making this video. I'm at 12 weeks post surgery and was taken out of the boot a couple days ago full. I was walking without the boot at home for the past 4 days and it's swelled up pretty good around the ankle and Achilles. Did you have that? I'm assuming that's from not using it and it'll go away. Also, the ball of the foot is tight and hard to flex which I'm also assuming is normal. Seems like such a long way to go.... Does progress come pretty quick after this? I'm hoping to get to activity by month 6 or 7? Thanks!
Hey Michael, yes once you get out of the boot, your ankle and foot will not be used to using all the stabilizer muscles surrounding the ankle. Good news is that you'll see progress much faster for the next little while. Calf muscles will start activating more and will stop atrophying. There is still lots of work to regain full fuctionality for sports etc but as you walk more and more, it'll get easier everyday.
@@ChiChen3 thanks! how long did it take you to be able to run? And then to play Bball? I'm planning to go skiing in January which is 7 months post surgery and the PT says it should be ok by then. Just not sure how much I'll be able to push it and I'm wondering if it'll ever be like it was or if I'll be able to do the same things. I'm diligent with PT.
Thank you. I'm in week 11.. have my have raisers on my shoe. Not sure when they come off.
You're welcome and I hope your recovery is going well. I removed most of my heel lifts around Month 3 I believe? But I'd follow the protocol by your doctor on when to remove your heel raisers. I was removing them once per week I believe after my wound healed.
Good input! Thanks! I’m weaning out of boot soon
Good luck!
At this exact stage now! It’s so reassuring in some ways seeing someone else going through it!!
Yeah I hope that documenting my recovery can help others with having a reference point. Although all of our bodies and recovery times will differ, it's nice to know a general progression through the healing stages.
Thank you for these!! 9 weeks post surgery and this is very informative!!
Just came out of my boot at 12 weeks. In just 4 days an amazing amount of progress. I did notice my high arches, which made my shoes super tight. I wear the boot when going out to crowded spaces. Feel like confidence is one of the hurdles to overcome. Thanks for the videos.
Yeah coming out of the boot is definitely an amazing feeling and milestone. Your foot starts to recover much faster once you're walking around again and all the stabilizer muscles need to start firing and all your ankle, calf and foot muscles start strenghthening again. It's the end of muscle atrophy phase as well which is great.
Hey man, thanks for all these vids that you made, helped me a lot in my recovery journey. Today I am out of boot and first thing I notice is dizziness. Walking in my own shoe is quite comfortable and not an issue but somehow I have a feeling that my brain is adjusting to "new" balance, feeling lot of dizziness, is it normal? Did it happen to you? Thanks
Yes but this passed very quickly!
Your videos truly are a great follow-along course for anyone going through Achilles rupture rehab, Chi! I commented on another video of yours before, when I was at that stage. Now I'm here, going on week 9 post-op and just yesterday started walking without the boot and with my basketball shoes + 1cm heel wedge in the shoe. Also asked the FT about going barefoot, but he recommended to stick with shoes + heel wedge for the injured leg for the time being. Out of the boot feels awesome! My question this time is when did you start showering standing up and entering/exiting the wash area without the boot and how did you progress to it? I feel like I could handle it barefoot and standing easily but then again there are those what ifs that get me worried, considering slippery surfaces and such.
Yes definitely be careful in the shower. I had a plastic stool in the shower that I could sit on to take off my boot and then I can stand again to shower or stay seated. But I would always put on and take off the boot while I was sitting to be safe.
This is my 8th week 5 days so still I'm with 4 inches heel raise with pneumatic boot and doctor advised me only 25% weight bearing due to my weight and also prescribed crutches followed by tie movements exercises so all your videos are really helful so thank you once again👍🏻👏🏻
You're very welcome Sasha, keep up the hard work and be patient with your body but consistency really goes a long way!
Great video and great tips, thanks!
You're welcome man!
When you first started walking did you have a limp? And if so for how long?
I had a limp for a while when I first started walking, all the way until like Month 6-7.
Great video, very reassuring, I’m a week out of the boot, I had it on for 10 weeks, I’m practicing the heel rise, it’s difficult, I can feel the stretch but also my toes hurt when I go on the ball of my foot ouch, I’m rolling my foot on a tennis ball to try and stretch my foot tendons 🙏🏼
Ah this is best part once you're out of the boot. You'll see improvements really quickly as your ankle and foot gets use to walking around again. Just stay consistent with your physio and exercises and keep challenging yourself (while resting and recovering between). You'll see quick linear improvements starting now!
So I had surgery 2 weeks ago and I was able to get my foot to 90 degrees right out of the cast. The doctor said I could begin 100% weight bearing in a boot immediately. I don’t have any heal lifts and have been walking around with no pain. But I am worried about over stretching the Achilles, have you had this issue?
Hey Michael, you should be careful to not overstretch it right away because you’ll lose some tension and explosive power from the calf if you stretch it too early. But sometimes it depends on the kind of surgery you did, my doctors stitched me up with my Achilles pretty tight and my toe pointed down.
@@ChiChen3 thanks for the response. Yea he had my toe pointed down when I was in the cast the whole time. The tendon is still really really tight.
After a week of walking around in the boot with no wedges I was advised to make the "transition" into a shoe with a 1cm wedge inside. I am glad I did because there is more movement of the ankle in the shoe and the extra 1cm avoids dorsiflexion going too far. It was strange at first but over the following few days I noticed a general improvement in the ankle to take my weight and my lower leg moving over the ankle as I walked. I actually enjoyed slow walking today.
Yeah it feels great to be out of the boot, my ankle got a little swollen at first but then it started regaining strength and mobility so quickly once I was out of the boot and walking around. My strides were definitely much shorter than a normal stride but walking is one of the best physio forms for recovery.
Hi Chi, I am watching your vids as reference point, i feel there are more info than what my physio and surgeon gives me. I am in exactly the same point as you in this video. I can see the way that I walked just like how you are walking out of the boot. I was concerned, but you are saying it only for first 2 days? Now did you get a clear from your physio about out of the boot? I want to be out of boot at week 9, but my physio said wait. he said my leg is not strong enough to support me at moment. but I feel like i need use more to develop the strength
I'd follow your physios instructions since they have a better understanding of your current recovery. However, walking slowly out of the boot really helps your entire foot and ankle chain start to recover again. I did get clearance from my physio to walk around outside of my boot in very controlled areas like in my home here. Never up or down stairs and never around anything thats slippery or anything where I could lose my balance.
Is walking boot always recommended for achilles tendon rupture. Usually, in the case of half rupture.?
Walking boot helps you secure your achilles so you let it heal before aggravating it again. Although if youre careful you may not nneed the boot for a half rupture. Talk to your doctor and ask what may be best for your situation.
I'm at week 8 and just took the boot off. These videos are amazing, thank you so much.
Great to hear! You'll be starting to strengthen your ankle and achilles now which is exciting. Good luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any questions. Cheers!
Question: my job consists on physical labor: a lot of standing, walking and lifting. How long do you think I should rehab my Achilles tendon till I can go back to my work again? How many months am I out of action?
My employment has no light duty for me to take.
Yikes, this is a harder question. I'd say it may take 4-5 months post op to be able to go back to work again if you have to stand all day and carry things. Even then it won't be comfortable at all but you may be able to get through it.
Hello Chi.
During resting, were you laying down with your foot up for the most part or?
For the first 4-6 weeks I tried to elevate my leg on a pillow whenever I was laying or sitting down. It helps with swelling and inflammation while its healing.
@@ChiChen3 And how much mobility training did you do when the cast was off?
@@Tatarevic23 mostly just band resistance work and manual massage of my ankle and foot. This period is mostly for healing and don't push it too much, you'll have time for range of motion and strengthening once your tendon is healed.
Hi thank you for you sharing. How is your recovery coming along? For your first Achilles surgery with the other method. Is it normal to feel tightness in the front part of your legs like joint restrictions? Around the longus and extensor part of your leg? It is normal to have ankle joint tightness? It is normal due to the AT repair not fully being able to perform dorsiflex and squats, lunges and other dorsiflexion movements? It is normal to feel a lot of tightness in your soleus and gastrocnemius stretching walking and exercising? How long after you transition with walking will this go away? What happens if your Achilles foot won’t allow you to go past neutral?
Lots of questions haha I'll try to answer them one at a time.
1. How is your recovery coming along? It's going great, I'm pretty much back to about 90% and have been boxing and jogging etc but haven't returned to full pace basketball yet. I need to do an update video soon.
2. Is it normal to feel tightness in the front part of your legs like joint restrictions? Around the longus and extensor part of your leg? It is normal to have ankle joint tightness? Yes, it is normal to have a lot of tightness and joint restrictions during the initial recovery process. For me it included my hip as well. You have to understand that you experienced a lot of muscle atrophy while you were in a cast and boot, so you'll lose flexibility, strength and all those stabilizer muscles we take for granted. Once you start using your leg, all those ranges of motion will have to be regained through strength training or just doing the exercises you use to do (e.g. walking and running / jumping eventually).
3. It is normal to have ankle joint tightness? It is normal due to the AT repair not fully being able to perform dorsiflex and squats, lunges and other dorsiflexion movements? Yes this is 100% going to be the case for everyone recovering from a repaired achilles. Your ankle joint and range of motion is going to be really restricted until you fully recover. So for deep squats, that may take up to 10 months or 1 year before you can get that ankle range of motion back. I think I'm at about 90%-95% ankle range of motion on my left achilles from the first surgery and I'm at about 85% ankle ROM for the recent right achilles and its been about 11 months or so. But that being said, I haven't worked on my ROM as much as I could have recently so I think anyone else can definitely be further along with consistent effort.
4. It is normal to feel a lot of tightness in your soleus and gastrocnemius stretching walking and exercising? Yes, all the muscles and tendons connnected to your calf and achilles will feel sore as they rebuild and stregthen those connections while you recover.
5. How long after you transition with walking will this go away? By month 5-6 it should be strong enough to not be uncomfortable as you walk.
6. What happens if your Achilles foot won’t allow you to go past neutral? You just have to give yourself more patience and slowly do knee to wall stretches until it does. There's 0 chance that it won't stretch out past neutral, its just a matter of time and constant effort to stretch and then rest and recover and do it again.
Hope this helps answer your questions Jasmine!
@@ChiChen3 yes lol thank you so much! Also it is normal to for the incision area to be very stiff as in no scar mobility? Will your Achilles’ tendon become more pliable and softer as an Achilles’ tendon suppose to have elastic and flexibility. Will gastron, acupuncture, cupping, myofascial help with loosen up the area? It is normal for when you first start to walk your Achilles is very tight and it hard to push off of your feet due to the Achilles/soleus tightness restriction your heel to go down to the floor. It is normal for your new Thompson test after surgery to be very weak as in your foot doesn’t move as much because your Achilles is very stiff and tight? Will this improve?
@@jasmineegardner3499 Yes the incision area is going to be very stiff and even the skin over the scar will not be very pliable for a while. It will mould itself and become more normal and thinner as you gain the range of motion and strength back. At first it feels like a pen or highlighter replcaed your achilles (all that scar tissue and tendon remaining thick so it doesnt tear again right away. I tried laser and acupuncture and it helped break up some scar tissue and them using some scar tissue moulding tools (basically metal scrapers that hurt but worth it). Yes all these issues will improve as you recover. The thompson test will become stronger as you recover as well.
@@ChiChen3 Great thank you so much! Your details responses are so helpful. Thank you again! At what week would it be safe to get acupuncture, Gastron, cupping, myofascial release done?
Thanks for doing this. I'm 7 weeks out on a progressive recovery treatment. I was full weight bearing no heel lifts at 2 weeks. Then transitioned out of the boot week 5-6. I'm going into week 7 and I feel I'm at the same point as this video. I had a pars with speed bridge for my surgery which I believe is a newer method. I feel that I'm starting to battle swelling after physio and being on my feet more. When did you feel like you were walking normally without the tension in that causes you to shorten your stride and pull your foot up?
I would say about week 15-16 I could walk pretty comfortably without any kind of limp or feeling tension in the achilles, where I wouldnt take as full of a stride with my injured leg.
Holy cow! How were you able to have no heels (90 degrees) 2 weeks post op?! Im week 7 and still not 90 degrees (around 75) and it hurts if i try to stretch it to 90.
@@saadabual-haj5908 I think he means 2 weeks off the cast (more or less 4 of the surgery) did the same.
some surgeons start at neutral and weight bear immediately post op
Thanks. Having both Achilles tendon tear. Got one booth no surgery 3 & 1/2 mts now. Physio good My balance when standing awful Can get around without Ortho aide. Can’t shop or stand to make meals ( got great family support) as I’m older person, couldn’t believe my bad luck…. Think I’m venting, probably not see as you are a year ago
Hope you are doing great by ne
Will continue to watch ur Videos
Thanks. 💐🇮🇪
Vent away! We all know how frustrating this experience can be when you can stand or walk normally, doing daily chores or even going to the bathroom and taking a shower become huge chores. This community knows this better than anyone so feel free to vent when you feel frustrated😄 good luck with your recovery!
@@ChiChen3 many thanks Chi. My physio very good But find watching u r video’s v helpful nearly able to walk heel to toe & feel I am improving. Haven’t been to a shop since May😢. Not sure when I can drive
Really appreciate your tips. Maureen
This has been quite helpful. I am on week 3 and will take suture out next Monday. I had a heel bruise on week 1 because I landed my heel on the pillow while resting.
Thanks for the feedback and I hope you're recovering well and walking again now that you're around Month 7 of your recovery.
Is it bad that I never walked with the wedges first? I just started walking with boot and one crutch. Week 9 for me
Hm.. I don't know if it was bad but I definitely wasn't able to stretch my achilles to flat foot the ground right after surgery, it took progressive removing of heel wedges to stretch my achilles until I was able to walk flat footed.
hi Chi!! Thanks so much for all ur videos regarding the Achilles ! Where can I get the protocol? Thanks
I think in the description of Week 1 but I've copied it for you here. drive.google.com/file/d/1dtyQQ5hptCaJfPSS1pw0qyad8P7il8zA/view?usp=sharing
Starting my week 7 today of a full ruptured Achilles. Thank you for videos they’ve helped me a lot to get through it. I had a question for you or anyone else going through it, at what point were you able to start driving again? Right now the things I’m doing in physical therapy are really no more than basically stepping on a gas peddle. I’m just afraid to over do it.
I started driving around Week 15 when I was able to slam on the brakes in my parked car without fear of rupturing my achilles. I was out of the boot and was able to walk in shoes already at that point and had pretty good strength through the ball of my foot.
Its up to you. I am at week 4 from my surgery and am driving with the boot on. I drive in town only a few miles but after a couple of times I am good to go.
Thank you for posting these bro. Definitely a Blessing! How often did you yourself massage your Achilles? and what type of technique do you use? I’m 9wks post surgery and I have yet to have any localized massage therapy on the tendon by my therapist because my steri-strips have not come off yet.
I did a lot of cross friction massage and also just massaging up and down my achilles starting from my heel up to my calf and back. Really any kind of pressure and movement that stimulates blood flow and breaking up scar tissue will be helpful.
@@ChiChen3 It would be cool if you could show the massages you did with as much pressure as you did. So even though you are healed up now. We see how gentle or how tough you did the cross friction
Hi! I am 7 weeks and 1 day post op. Doc told me last Tuesday to ditch my crutches so that’s what I did! Was walking with boot and then out of boot last week. Started work this past Monday but wearing the boot is actually uncomfortable and hurts my foot now a bit. I’m on my feet a lot. About 7.5 hours of the day chasing preschoolers around. So my whole foot up to my calf got swollen :( not super painful but it got tighter and some pain but bearable. Any tips? My first physical therapy is next Tuesday. I just don’t wanna overdo it but it’s hard when work requires me to be on my feet all day
It sounds like your job requires you to be on your feet a lot. That's actually a good thing and it will challenge your leg. Just make sure whenever it gets swollen, try and ice it and let it rest elevated for the night. Tightness and soreness and swelling is perfectly normal at this stage, especially after your challenge it. Especially when you first leave the boot behind, your ankles will swell up to try and protect you cause it knows it's weak at the moment. This is all part of the process.
i am at week 9 and i have to say that i am now at a very good point to my recovery. i am walking without the boot for some days now and i feel my Achilles very strong, let's say i walk like you do in this video. i have been following yr exercises from the start. i have seen endless videos and i can say you are the most accurate and most detailed, plus a couple of exercises that i saw they were good for me. i want to ask you one thing and i'd like your response please. I went for physio this week. If you can rememberer, when did the physiotherapist started to stretch yr achilles past neutral point , 0 degrees ?
She started to do that once I was not using heel wedges anymore. Otherwise, I wouldn't go past 90 degrees until then.
Hey there Chi, I started to remove my first heel lift, but from the top first. I see you removed them starting from the bottom. Should I remove the bottom first instead of the top?
I started from the bottom beacuse they were thicker and made me feel like I was walking on struts which was not comfortable. I think you can do either but I was told to go from the bottom from my PT.
@@ChiChen3 thanks Chi, I’m on week 6 with 1 heel wedge left on the boot and so far, it’s feeling good and feel like I regained a good amount of flexibility again. I’ve been doing the heel slides and stretching the Achilles with bands and I’m almost at neutral! I’m starting to do a little bit of seated heel raises, but it’s feeling super weak as expected, and the Achilles feels really tight after only a few raises. I’m curious to know if the purpose of that is to only rebuild the calf muscle or does it also strengthen/thicken the Achilles’ tendon?
@@tranxxaction It strengthens your calf and all associated muscles / tendons / ligaments that are used for contraction. So it'll work your achilles and make it sore for sure. It doesn't actually thicken your achilles but it does strengthen it. After surgery your achilles probably feels extra thick and as you gain mobility and strength back, it'll actually thin down a bit (as scar tissue gets worked out). Hoewver, your achilles will likely always be thicker than the uninjured side.
@@ChiChen3 Hey Chi! I’m at 8 weeks post op now! I’m able to get to neutral without any heel wedges, but it feels pretty tight to go past that. My question is, when should I take off the boot?
@@ChiChen3 Hey Chi! I just bought a Dr Scholls 1cm heel wedge to put into my shoe and practiced walking in a shoe in front of my PT for the first time! I’m about 9 weeks post op now. I’ve been trying to stretch out my Achilles by doing heel slides but I feel like it still can’t get past neutral. It’s hard to walk because when I’m standing I can’t bend my knee since I can’t go past neutral. Did you experience this when you started waking again?
Hey chi, I’m about to be week 9 and have been doing physio for 2 weeks. I’m walking around without the boot but still on crutches because of my leg being weak. I’ve noticed and this is my main concern which I wanted to talk to you about and ask you about. 90 degrees is fine and feels ok now. I can sit up normally. However whenever I try to bring my heel back it feels really tight on my Achilles and doesn’t feel good. I’m walking with one foot more out than the other because of this. Once I bring my feet to the same place standing up the injured one feels really tight in the Achilles area and is really freaking me out. Did you notice this as well?
Hey Mason, yeah this is completely normal and you’ll be walking with your one foot out more for a little bit as your achilles stretches and your legs strengthen. You won’t be able to let your injured foot fall back and push off like a normal walking pattern yet. Just keep it around its limit as you walk more so you feel a stretch but not any pain especially sharp ones. Your walk will become more natural as it heals. Everything your describing is completely expected and normal. Be careful right now as your achilles is very weak so take extra caution as you walk around but just know it’ll get better and better by the day as you recover. Not better in terms of the discomfort as that will be the same throughout as you keep reaching new limits of flexibility. But your range of motion and strength will get better and better.
@@ChiChen3 thanks chi, yeah I’ve been careful. I should allow that stretching feeling though? Even though in my mind it feels like it’ll snap?
@@Killianshotya Yeah it's okay to feel the stretching feeling. I felt the same way with my first recovery but your body adapts very quickly so the more you can challenge it without going overboard, the faster it will recover. Granted you have a relatively healthy diet and getting enough sleep and recovery after you stress and challenge your achilles. Try to keep stress levels down as much as you can which will help a lot as well.
@@Killianshotya Remember to walk slowly and watch the video for example on how I transition to push off. At first you may be walking more like a club foot once you let go of your crutches but take it day by day and challenge yourself a little more each day.
@@ChiChen3 awesome man thank you. I just shot you a follow on insta and sent you a dm. Have a great night
I completely ruptured my achilles tendon and im nearing the end of my 5th week post op. I am able to walk like you are in 1:32 ... I don't know whether I should be happy or scared that im able to do this.
That is a little early to be stretched so far but that's up to your surgeon and physiotherapist. I was cautioned not to stretch my achilles too fast before it heals because you can lose some elasticity and explosiveness when you heal. Think of an elastic band that is pulled too lose, it wont have the same snap back compared to one that is still tight.
Just had my surgery today for my Achilles rupture, numbness haven’t wore off yet. What was you guys pain level the next day after surgery? and what are some of you guys update on your Achilles?
The pain level for me the next day was the worst. After the nerve block wore off and I woke up the next day it felt swollen and had a heartbeat of its own since it was throbbing and hurting so much. However the pain will subside after the first week as the wound closes.
When were u able to stand on the injured leg alone ( just standing)
Probably around week 9 or 10.
Hi chi chen, I am Kartick, from India, i am a soldier of Indian Army. I have raptured Achilles Tendon during Parkour tranning 3rd Dec, 2021 and surgery has been done 14 Dec 2021. Now 9th weeks are running. What is my next step shuld be? Can i use air cast shoe and after how much week later can i use sport shoe.
Hi Kartick, you should take a look at the recovery protocol I was following. drive.google.com/file/d/1dtyQQ5hptCaJfPSS1pw0qyad8P7il8zA/view?usp=sharing This gives you a rough timeline of what to expect. This is a more aggressive protocol so definitely listen to your body and slow down if it feels too fast. Ideally, talk to your doctor or physiotherapist and work together to plan out a recovery timeline for you!
Thank you❤
Hlo sir...what kinds of exercises should be done after 8th week of surgery....?pls suggest...
Just single leg calf raises and knees over toes stretch at this point as you're still quite early during recovery phase.
I completed 10 week after surgery,should I jogging like walk
No need to jog just yet until you feel like you can walk comfortably for at least 20-30min without your achilles being too sore. Everything happens in progressions. But you can start speed walking after you can walk comfortably as long as you have enough range of motion in your ankles. Otherwise, when you try and run, you'll be running in awkwardly and not with proper biomechanics which may actually cause other injuries as your other muscles try and compensate for your weak ankles and calves.
Thanks for that information 💪🏾🙏🏾🛐
Hey. A took the boot off almost two weeks ago. Getting pain after exercise etc. Didn't had that much on the first week. First time I feel a regression which is kind of a disappointment. It was going very well. Maybe I pushed to much.
What type of pain are you feeling? If it's a tender, sore discomfort then that is completely normal and just means you need to rest. If the pain is a sharp unbearable pain and feels like threads are ripping (you'll know it when you feel it) then that means you're going too hard and need to let it rest for a few days before easing back into exercises. In the first month or two, it's more important to make sure you're letting the wound heal before you start trying to grind the strength back up. You'll have plenty of time once the wound is healed and tendons are secure to really go hard on the exercises. Right now the exercises is meant more to get the mind-muscle connections firing and to make sure your muscles dont go through any more atrophy than it already has.
Be patient, consistency is more important than going too hard and having to rest longer. But other than that, keep at it man, it sounds like you're motivated to get better and thats a good thing, don't get too frustrated as set backs will happen for everyone, you can't control life but you can just shake it off and keep grinding. You'll be back in no time man, you got this!
@@ChiChen3 yea so I got back to the boot for a couple of days.... Got better after, those days and I better the ever. I feel am almost walking straight at the moment. Still can't do a one feet heel lift but getting there.
@@ChiChen3 thanks mate. You were a good support to a lot off people sharing your experience. This is scary at first, no doubt.
How many days the psygiotharapy shuld be important.
If you have the time, I would do exercises everyday even for just 15min. However, I went to see a physiotherapist for a session ~ about an hour every week and then later on around Month 6-7, it was every two weeks.
This is soo helpful I’m 2 weeks post surgery
Good luck on the recovery and let me know if you have any questions!
Hi chi I'm in the 10 week of my post op ...I'm going through physiotherapy daily ... morning and evening ...and I'm able to walk slowly as you walked in these video
The main thing is that after doing the exercises and bearing weight on my injurjed leg ...after so times when I'm taking rest there is alot of pain in my injurjed foot chi...
How to get rid of these and how many days does these pain continues ??? Is there will be pain in future years also ?? As your undergone 2 years back AT surgery does that leg even pain now also for you??
Reply please chi
Waiting for your reply....
The pain is natural after you work it out. Thats part of the recovery process and you just have to wait until the soreness subsides before you exercise it again. This will all go away as you get stronger.
@@ChiChen3 👍 thank you chi
Just got out of my boot. Thanks for talking me through the sensation. Appreciate it.
You're welcome Charlie! It's great feeling when you get out of the boot because you can start seeing progress much faster as your ankle and calves start to adapt quickly
When I able to proper walk after surgery?
Around month 4 if you work hard at physio
Did your opposite leg get really sore?
Yes during this period, my other leg did have to take long a lot of my weight so you have to be cautious that youre not overdoing it. You feel like youre hopping along sometimes using your other foot still like a club.
Were you able to walk up and down steps?
Very slowly and sideways.
I got out of the boot at week 9 at home and then completely at week 10. At week 11 now and there is no chance of doing a single leg calf raise. I’m supposed to be doing one by week 11. I don’t see how that’ll be possible.
Take your time with it and just slowly do what you can each day and you'll be surprised at how fast your muscles will recover due to muscle memory. But make sure you are eating well and resting well to support your recovery!
Hey Chi. I just started in my boot walking and I have quite a bit swelling in my foot and my leg near the achilles and also on the top side of my leg by my shin bone has quite a bit of swelling as well. Is it normal to have so much swelling when first walking? Thanks
Hey Brendon, yes this is completely normal. After you walk around for a bit and have exercised it for the day, you should try and ice it and elevate it until you are ready to work it again.
I hope you're doing well
I'm fully recovered now on both legs so I'm doing great!
Oops forgot to add that I’m not using the boot at work, just regular adidas cloud foam shoes. I’m wondering maybe I should wear the boot again, thinking and wondering if that’ll help with swelling...
Boot wont really help with the swelling, I'd advise not using the boot as long as its bearable. You'll heal and recover much faster than staying stuck in the boot.
At week 11 just came out of the boot today so I'm doing 5 heel raises three times a day & i just walked around the block without a boot but had one crutch felt funny walking again to be honest.
Thats really great progress! Steady and consistent effort is definitely the way to go. Listen to your body and progressively overload it as things start getting easier.
@@ChiChen3 Thanks slowly building up I've been going to the gym every other day to try to keep muscle & cardiovascular fit,I've been a cyclist all my life riding 100 miles a week so i do listen to my body i think I'm doing ok but at 60 years old i will get better slower.
Thanks man!
Happy to help!
Had a rapture on 24 Nov and had a surgery on 26 Nov. I can now walk without the boot but can't do heel raises yet.
Heel raises will take time but you can do negatives and just slowly control your bodyweight going down to strengthen it for now. Just use your other leg or a counter top to help you get to the top position and then lower yourself down till your heel touches the ground. Slow and controlled is the key and it'll help build strength until you're able to do heel raises going up by itself.
@@ChiChen3 thank you, i have been doing heel raises but now having a sharp pain at the end of the wound, like close to the heel. Going for a review
I'm 11 weeks 3 days out of the boot, today it feels like it's broken again....😭
haha yeah soon as you lose the boot rigidity, it’ll feel really weak. Your ankle stabilizer muscles and everything will need a week or two to start activating and strengthening up again. This is all good and part of the recovery! Good luck mang
Why is my heel numb and tingling sensation?? It is 5th week of my surgery
That usually comes from the tissue damage from the wound site as it's healing. I didn't experience this as much from my first surgery but my second one had a numb and tingling sensations sometimes sharp tiny pin prick type of pain right on the wound from the surgery. That lasted quite a while for me because I kept avoiding it but it went away once I started to just bear with the discomfort since the wound was clearly healed already (around month 4).
@@ChiChen3 thank you sir..
i am doing exercises. And i hope this Will go away slowly.. How many months does it take to atleast walk slowly without crutches ??
@@drsuvadeepsarkar6414 With enough work you should be able to walk slowly without crutches after about 3 months of recovery after your surgery.
@@ChiChen3 sir the tendon feels like a tight band while i am doing stretching exercises.. My tendon is tight and i am feeling a tightness in the back of my leg above my heel. Why is this happening??
@@drsuvadeepsarkar6414 This is normal. Your achilles tendon was repaired surgically and was tied together shorter. So you'll need to slowly stretch it back out to gain the full range of motion and mobility that you're expecting. This is a long healing process so you'll feel that stretch and tightness all the way until you gain the full range of motion and strength back, which may take up to 6+ months before it feels somewhat normal and about 10-12 months to return to sports.
Week 12 and that heal toe movement just isn’t coming naturally. Headed back to work in 2 days and my walking needs work 😂
Haha yeah it definitely feels awkward at first. It'll take some time since your achilles is really stiff and lacking range of motion. Just have patience and take your time to be conscious as you walk and apply heel toe mechanics every step. You'll be walking super slow but thats okay and just give yourself more time to get places.
I just got my boot on today, after seeing the actual scar, getting the stitches taken out & really feeling everything that it is. now seeing a little bit of this video about three minutes I’m a bit overwhelmed it’s a lot to take in but😅 good luck to everyone
Hey Red, yeah seeing the scars and incision site is definitely gnarly. Just take it day by day and your body will heal on its own. One day at a time is all you gotta focus on. Before you know it, it'll be over. I went through two of these now and can say that it'll just be a distant memory for you in about a year or so... keep your head up and you got this!
Thanks
You're welcome!
Im on week 10 and I think that next week ill be able to walk normally I hope
Take your time with it, even at Week 10 or 11 I wasn't walking normally. Let your body be your guide and listen to it. No shame if it takes a little more time. All of our bodies are different and will recover at different speeds! Be patient and keep showing up to do the physio work and strengthening.
Still on rest after my TA rupture surgery my tendon was completely damaged and there was a 3.2 centimetre deep cut on my tendon idk what is gonna happen also I’m a sports player pray for me to get well soon🫂
You'll be good as new! Just make sure to put in the work to follow your rehabilitation protocol and exercises. Ive torn both and am back to playing sports at a competitive level!
God bless you get well soon...Manish kc...
Even my Achilles tendon completely damaged ...15 days back only I had a surgery ...even I'm worried whether I will walk normally as usual or not l
No PT?
I had PT for the first few months but then afterwards I just did the exercises on my own at home since I knew what to do from doing PT throughout my first surgery.
I'm from Assam my Achilles tendon repair 11 week so calf is not working 🙏🙏😭😭
Yeah it'll take some time to build that connection back. Be patient and work on your calf raises!
Thankkkkkkkkkk youuuuu
Im 8 weeks post op and still in the boot. My Achilles is so stiff😒
You have to street brother back and fourth..your doctor should have been recommended the towel stretch ..Good luck to you my friend 💪😎 wishing you a speedy recovery
Our bodies all heal a little differently, don't get too pressured to keep up with other peoples timelines. Just focus on progressing through your recovery and it'll come along. My first achilles recovery took much longer than my second and that was just part of being patient.
Hi chi .... I hope you are doing good...
Chi I'm in the 8 th week of my post op
My front fingers are very flexible and are moving
But
My back of the foot near the Achilles tendon side it's very very tight and rigid chi there is no flexibility chi back part.... please let me know how to get the flexibility on the back of the AT near surgery area
Please chi
The achilles and heel will feel very tight and will slowly loosen up as you gain strength and mobility back in your achilles through exercise and physio.
@@ChiChen3 ok chi TQ
To my situation same week 10week of surgery from Achilles tendon rupture, im better walked than your vedio, with out boots at all
Thats great man! That means your progressing really well. Keep it up and be careful not to overdo it!
Im week 8 now. I can actually walk in shoes or barefoot. I tend to still use a slipper with a small heel to elevate my heel...
The first time with trainers/sneakers and heel lift hurt in terms of under my foot. But now I can wear a shoe and its much better. I also like balancing on my left [injured] ankle like a kung fu crane stance. Although first time I heard and felt a lot of clicks around my ankle and foot lol. But I actually have been moving around a lot more than I should have and im hopefully it worked in my favour more as involuntary early mobilization method.
If you come China, Thailand or London let me know bro, would be sweet as f*** to cross paths and grab a Red Bull or two ha ha ha
Ah sounds like you're progressing well! Balancing is a great exercise to get all those stabilizer muscles in your foot and ankle activating again. I sometimes make a trip to London for work and don't love redbulls anymore but I'd grab a pint! haha
@@ChiChen3 You get the pint, I'll get my Red Bull or chocolate milkshake lol.
I'm way past week 20. If anything I'm back to normal movement wise, not doing any jumping though beside small jumps for landing absorption. But definitely feel some soreness and aching in the tendon. Much much thicker which is seen as a good sign by most doctors, but also feels a bit lumpy and misshapen.
@@SurrealParkour ah yeah all this is totally normal, it'll thin down a little as it fully heals but it will always be thicker and lumpier than the uninjured one. The soreness and aching is normal as well and will continue all the way until you get back to 100%. Everytime your body goes a little bit further than it was able to before, you'll feel that soreness and aching.
@@ChiChen3 Feels like lumpy custard fam or congee ha ha ha. Deffo see you in LDN if you pop down. Not London Ontario, don't go to the wrong place ha ha ha
My protocol say no eccentric for 16 weeks
Hm.. that's quite a long period of time but every surgeons protocol is different and may be good to check with your PT or surgeon to see if you want to try a more aggressive early approach