Allifunn avatar
AllifunnFunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
2,594 views
:( While playing a tennis match yesterday I ruptured my achillies tendon. I am going to the orthopedic doctor today to find out the surgery scoop. Anyone out there have some productive advice?

Replies

31
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#2
Let people help you so you don't hurt yourself more and then listen to the doctor and actually do the recommended PT and recovery.

Mama Scooterbug has major problems with this and I have to threaten to take away her chocolate and wine to make her behave and use her crutches.
justhavinfun avatar
justhavinfunBeach Fanatic
#3
Having done major shoulder surgery last year, two thoughts come to mind - First off, find the absolute BEST Orthopod around even if that means travelling a long way - Second as Scooterbug says, be relentless about the rehab!! If you are not against travelling, I have great recommendations from Kentucky, specifically Lexington so PM me! Good Luck
ameliaj avatar
ameliajBeach Fanatic
#4
Oh, I'm so sorry......What they said.......don't just find a good ortho, find a good ortho who does great achilles. Then rehab, rehab, rehab. It's not fun but you'll be glad in the long run.
KISH7374 avatar
KISH7374Beach Fanatic
#5
Don't be afraid to ask for help and play the gimp card for as long as you can. Doing the recommended PT is one thing but trying to do too much will only result in more problems. The doctor also told us when my Mom shattered her shoulder to quit smoking. This prohibits the healing process. So if you smoke, this is a good excuse to quit.
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#6
That stinks, Allifunn. :(

Unfortunately I don't know any ortho's within a reasonable distance of Walton County. Hubby had his back surgery at Emory Orthopedics and Spine Center in Atlanta. I go there too for my knees. There are signed photos all over the sports medicine offices and examining rooms at Emory from well-known University of Florida athletes who have had their injuries surgically repaired there. I'd say that's a great recommendation in that these athletes chose to go to Emory instead of Shands at UF in Gainesville.
DD avatar
DDSoWal Expert
#7
I don't have any advice honey, but I am soooooo sorry!!!! This sucks so bad. Prayers for you.
LuciferSam avatar
LuciferSamBanned
#8
:( While playing a tennis match yesterday I ruptured my achillies tendon. I am going to the orthopedic doctor today to find out the surgery scoop. Anyone out there have some productive advice?

Been there done that. I used Dr. Mark Williams in Panama City. I think he's excellent. He repaired a torn miniscus also. I would definitely get surgery. You can have a fairly complete recovery. It has to be immobilized for about six weeks after surgery. Keep it iced and elevated prior to surgery. Post op was very painful. Rehab involves getting range of motion back because you have less tendon so your calf muscle has to be stretched. Also a lot of balancing on 1 foot. The calf muscle will be weak. I think the treadmill at low speed is great. Hold onto the handrails with long slow strides. It's about six months before you can do any running.

Edited

Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#9
Been there done that. I used Dr. Mark Williams in Panama City. I think he's excellent. He repaired a torn miniscus also. I would definitely get surgery. You can have a fairly complete recovery. It has to be immobilized for about six weeks after surgery. Keep it iced and elevated prior to surgery. Post op was very painful. Rehab involves getting range of motion back because you have less tendon so your calf muscle has to be stretched. Also a lot of balancing on 1 foot. The calf muscle will be weak. I think the treadmill at low speed is great. Hold onto the handrails with long slow strides. It's about six months before you can do any running.
Thanks for the info about your torn meniscus. That's what I've been dealing with in my left knee, plus degenerative arthritis in both knees from too many years and too many miles of running. My surgeon at Emory says he doesn't want to do surgery on my torn meniscus until I have clicking, catching, or locking. That hasn't happened yet.

Again, good luck, Alli. I know from experience how depressing it is to have to stop running.
gmarcBeach Fanatic
#10
See if you can get in mayo in jacksonville. i had an illness that put me in the hospital for over 100 days and went threw 350 tests from mri.cat scan,pet and galliun scan to 100's of other tests with no firm diagnosis.i've had 30 radialogists look at the mri's etc nothing shows up. its braing problem. when don't know never fails trey predisone. it worked for about 4 months but i've been dropping the dosage huge . i had a incident 10 days ago as maybe the roids wore off, anyway i want to find out whats wrong so mayo said they they'd the case. but i'd rather go to johns hopkins and its hard to get in. were ever you use triple check your insurance covers. tell the hopsital you're not paying any thing over usual and customary. any other charge they eat
sisters4Beach Lover
#11
Allifunn: My husband had a complete rupture of his achilles a little over a year ago. It happened while he was playing racquetball and he was 55 at the time. One of the worst things was his immobilization and being non weight bearing for a while. (Maybe not so bad for him but tiring for me!). He had surgery about a week later and they were able to repair it but we were laughing the other day because that ankle is still a little puffy now. He said if he had to run fast it would be a challenge. He had a lot of physical therapy and actually not much pain when he injured it and post injury. It is one of those injuries that of course is not life threatening but life altering for a while if that makes any sense. Hang in there and get a good surgeon.
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocolia
#12
ohhh - wishing you the best Allifunn!:wub:
Miss Kitty avatar
Miss KittyMeow
#13
Oh, ALF! I am so sorry to hear this. SWGB did send me a pic of you in Das Boot and you are still the cutest thang! I will be there soon to wait on you! xox
Allifunn avatar
AllifunnFunnChef - AlisonCooks.comAuthor
#14
thanks everyone. I am having surgery Tuesday at Sacred Heart. Dr Markowski is my ortho. I know there will be alot of pain involved, and lots of pt to go through. I will stay positive and keep you up dated. Miss K...come on down! xoxoxo
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#15
thanks everyone. I am having surgery Tuesday at Sacred Heart. Dr Markowski is my ortho. I know there will be alot of pain involved, and lots of pt to go through. I will stay positive and keep you up dated. Miss K...come on down! xoxoxo
I'm sure it will go well. The people at Sacred Heart are really nice. There are pain meds - the Oxycodone with APAP makes one goofy but relieves the pain, then you can graduate to Tramadol which causes less goofiness. Too bad the weakest one, Darvocet, is off the market. I just dumped mine. :(

Will be thinking about you.

Edited

SHELLY avatar
SHELLYSoWal Insider
#16
Sorry to hear about your plight.

My recommendation is, instead of hobbling around on crutches and risking more/different injuries and pain, look into renting a "Knee Walker." Having had a bout with a broken ankle a year ago, I found one of these invaluable in aiding me to zoom around Open Houses (for the snacks) and using it to prop up my ankle while sitting down or resting my knee on while doing my morning grooming.

There are several makes and models you can buy or rent. Here is one link (of many) where you can take a look-see

https://www.rentakneewalker.com/item_details.php?id=10315&Invacare+Knee+Walker

Hang tough...and keep your sense of humor!

Shel.
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#17
Hello, SHELLY!
Allifunn avatar
AllifunnFunnChef - AlisonCooks.comAuthor
#18
Thank you Shelly, I have always valued your thoughts!
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#19
Thank you Shelly, I have always valued your thoughts!

our friend, Gwen, has already offered the use of her scooter thingy. you put your knee on it, so I guess it is what shelley is talking about!
Alicia Leonard avatar
Alicia LeonardSoWal Insider
#20
So sorry, Ali. I missed seeing you the other day at Sacred Heart, but I got to see Tootsie. :wave:
Hang in there sweetie and hope you are back on your feet in no time.:wave:

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