Following IMAZ 2010, I ruptured my Achilles. Recovery has been slow and difficult. Any othe ST’ers have advice or encouragement? How long post-op before you ran? Did you fully recover? I didn’t realize how much I would miss the training. Thanks.
Ouch. I didn’t rupture mine but strained it. After 2.5 months, I’m finally able to go on slow jogs on flat surfaces. Did a lot of water jogging but that get’s super boring after a while.
stay off of it until it gets better! get well asap!
I had double rupture. Two surgeries in August 2010 and September 2010. Still in bad shape. I can barely walk pain free. They told me I’ll be up and running in 6 to 8 months, which is a total BS. Reality is a lot different. Right now, 8 months post second surgery and I still can not lift myself on that leg.
If you want to learn more just DM me.
Damn, that’s terrible. I guess I’m lucky, relatively speaking. Ae you doing PT? It seems to be helping me. I’m now able to bike on my trainer and swim. I just can’t run. No strength, and pain at the attachment point when I walk. Any idea how we can speed this up?
Don’t try and speed it up…just settle in for the long haul.
I had Achilles tendinosis in 2009 and it was not until late summer 2010 that I could start to run again. The Achilles is a low-blood-flow area and healing takes time. If you try and rush it, bad things happen.
I injured mine, not sure how bad, but bad enough that I couldn’t even jog. I got the medical grade compression socks with the achilles support and I could run again with them. Went onto time trials the next day and competed!
Do you happen to know how your achilles was repaired (if it was)? Simple end-to-end? Onlay graft? Allograft? Was it avulsed distally off the achilles?
From my experience it was probably about 6 months post surgery before I started running somewhat normally and about 18 months before I was all the way recovered. You can’t rush it, you will just set yourself back - the best thing you can do is get a good physio and try to be patient! The good news is you can make it all the way back, I was able to do an IM pb 2 years later.
i found these exercises very helpful.
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0125-achilles-tendon-pain.htm
good luck
Eichboy,
I partially tore my Achilles in November of last year. I had a catscan and then was diagnosed. From there, I choose to go to the orthopedic practice that treats the pro athletes in Chicago since all the docs many times say running is “bad”. I went, they put me in a boot and gave me a 80% chance of recovery without surgery. I was in that boot for 8 weeks. Then, started with slow PT. They put me on specific exercises very slowly, and then eventually on the Alter-G treadmill (look it up) During I began slow plyometrics. During this time, I did water running for about 4 months. (I hate it but more on that in a second)
Everyone that was a professional told me that if I did all the exercises and stretches I may be able to run again. I did and started in the beginning of May on 100% gravity. I have a sprint next week and negotiated with the PT to do it but I have to walk the hills up. I agreed to this.
Good news? all the strength exercises and water running and heavy emphasis on the bike during these many months has resulted in my best running times ever! It does not make sense to an amateur. I even looked at my garmin many times and think it is not working right. But what it is is good endurance, good strength, and that has led to great runs. I just tell you to have patience and get the right team behind you in a PT that knows what they are doing. Look for this Alter G machine in your area. Do the death by water running and enjoy the big noodle ladies. I will do IMWI this year and expect to do it without pain. I still have it somewhat and it tells me when to back off and let it heal correctly. Good luck.
PM me if you want any more info.
Mark
I ruptured my achilles back in February, snapped it completely in half. I will tell you that it is NOT a fast recovery, but once you are out of the cast you will begin to feel better. I went into a boot which was great at the time, I just wanted off the crutches. Then I went into 2 sneakers with the crutches for assistance for a week or so, now that I was weight bearing, the crutches weren’t half as bad.
I ditched the crutches shortly after and that was awesome, but even to this day I am careful doing steps and even just walking around. I got back on my bike on the indoor trainer at about 10 weeks out. I am at 12.5 weeks now and did my first outdoor ride yesterday. I was also cleared to return to swimming which I have not done yet.
I am 2 weeks into physical therapy and it makes a big difference, I can balance on my bad foot and feel the strength beginning to return. No where near normal, but getting closer. I have been told I can start running in the next month or 2. My plan is to do a 70.3 in September (at a reduced pace of course…).
If you have any questions or need anything let me know.
Edit: Just realized it happened a while back, not when you made the post…sorry about that.