I just had surgery for insertional Achilles tendinitis. I’m in a boot and using crutches for another month. Has anyone else had this operation?
I was told I could run after 6 months but I’m wondering if I can plan on racing next summer .
I’m just curious, what did the surgeons do while they were in there?
Detatched the tendon, shaved away bone spurs, cleaned up the tendon, and then reattached the tendon to the calcaneous
.
And what were your symptoms that led to surgery?
Pain
.
You can plan on racing next summer for sure. BUT - full healing can take as long as 1 year in some cases. Do you know how your achilles was repaired (with a suture/speed bridge, screw in bone anchor, graft?) after “spur” resection?
Yes,
Speedbridge with fiber-wire (not tape).
So even running a marathon might be “doable”?
In my experience - yes!
I’ll assume your surgeon knows of your endurance endeavors and this was discussed.
Just had the same surgery done in late February. 6 weeks in a hard cast, followed by 6 weeks in a walking boot. I’m back to running 25-30 miles/week without any major issues other than the foot is still stiff and a little swollen at the surgery site. I’m trying to add mileage gradually, but I pretty much took this year off from any races.
he does indeed. he said I was “allowed” to start running at 6 months…but I’m not sure if i’ll actually be able to effectively run at that time.
when did you start running/ cycling/ swimming??
I started using an elliptical a few days after I was out of the walking boot. After about two weeks of that, I started light jogging (1 mile @ 10/min pace). It didn’t take too long before I was doing 3-4 miles at a time at a faster pace. 8 miles has been my longest run this year. Haven’t been back on the bike yet - I think I would have difficulty getting a cycling shoe on comfortably. As I mentioned, the achilles area is still fairly large with swelling/scar tissue. I also haven’t returned to swimming, but it’s nothing to do with the surgery - I would always have to drag myself to the pool even when training for an IM.
One thing I am still experiencing since the surgery - the side of my foot and big toe area are still pretty numb.
wow, you were running pretty soon after surgery. I’m hoping to bike at around 10 weeks, but wont run for 6 months. swimming at around a month, I hope.
he does indeed. he said I was “allowed” to start running at 6 months…but I’m not sure if i’ll actually be able to effectively run at that time.
I had a rupture repaired. Initial was much the same, 6 weeks in a cast (Recast at a different foot angle every two weeks), then 6 weeks in a walking boot with light resistance band work. I was allowed to be on the trainer at 3 months, and running at around 6ish months. Not much more than a mile or two at a time (Although I pushed it more than that). Wasn’t able to be back to outdoor biking until 5ish months, and no forms work (martial arts) until a full year. I think there are a couple pics still on the forum somewhere from the surgery.
Mostly they were worried about me landing on the forefoot (such as an emergency stop on a bike) and needing to use the Achilles/calf as the shock absorber rather than as a pushoff. I imagine that it will be the same in your case.
John
I think the psychologic stress of losing all my fitness is the worst part.
I think the psychologic stress of losing all my fitness is the worst part.
Nah, the worst part is how little your calf looks when they finally get you out of the cast and stuff. The rehab takes care of the fitness, by the time you’re allowed back to near full activity, you’ve gotten back most of the fitness as well.
The hard thing for me was not eating as much as normal, and letting my weight skyrocket.
Hang in there, you’ll get through this before you know it.
John
Agree with Devlin - your calf will look like a pencil (coming from someone with no calves to start with). I probably put on 15 lbs while in the casts, but have dropped 10 of that.
Don’t stress about the comeback - I bounced back quicker than I thought I would. Haven’t started back with the big mileage, but I’m getting there.
I’m lifting weights and trying to stay out of the kitchen, but definitely hard to adjust to no aerobic activity and fewer calories burned
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