Week 20-21: Achilles Tendon Rupture Non-Surgical - My Physio Now Prefers No Surgery!

Week 20-21: Achilles Tendon Rupture Non-Surgical - My Physio Now Prefers No Surgery!
Discussion points:
- Can now stand on toes
- Can squat
- Getting closer to "return to running" program
- Physio now prefers no surgery for this injury

[@wilkiecoco]

Hey thanks for this video. I've been following along with you and I'm at pretty much the same stage as you. I'm at 21 weeks and also just made it to being able to raise my heel off the ground. My tendonitis is also affecting me at this stage both physically and emotionally. I think the because I've reached that illusive goal of getting my my heel off the ground, I'm also taking a bit of a break, trying to rest my muscle and give it time to recover. I walk a lot because I have a big dog, and within a 1/2 hour walk I can go from aching pain to no pain, and back and forth like that in one session. My goal is to get back to hockey. I've been back skating for the last 4 weeks, and that's helping to strengthens my muscles. Hope to get on the golf course soon too, and I'm glad to hear you've been golfing so easily. I just tried walking on tiptoes, and I'm able to do it as well, so thanks for your video, it makes me feel better to know that you're taking a bit of a break at this stage as well!!

[@robertcraig4587]

22 weeks in and just wanted to say thank you so much for these videos, I've found them so helpful and I'm certain they've helped my recovery, Many thanks

[@sheriyap5093]

Thank you for these videos SJ! I rupture my achilles tendon in Aug. and decided to go non-surgical. The videos helped me a lot in the recovery process, so much better and more info. then my doctor gives me. He literally just sees my foot, tells me in one sentence what/what not to do, then that's it. I ask am I ready for this or what's my timeline, he's response "everyone heals differently" or "it takes time." Never gives me a direct answer or an explanation or goes into in more like you do. Feels like I'm wasting my money and time going to the doctor visits. You and my physio are way more helpful than he is.

[@KA-ry6nz]

Thanks. I am at 20 wk non surgical healing. Tendonitis around rupture site on and off depending on days activity and exercise. Still ankle edema daily so wear compression socks to avoid that. Recovery is slow but I am not doing intense leg physio daily.

[@thestunnaz]

So glad I did non op...Been following along with you as I progress in a similar fashion. I'm glad I went against my doctor's orders and did sensible early weight bearing. Doctor was impressed too. Cheers SJ.

[@facelessman5362]

Hey SJ , I'm currently starting week 12 and I've been in sneakers for about 2 and a half weeks. Still have a pretty substantial limp in the morning and I cannot do a single calf raise at all. My physio has me practicing steps horizontally and a 2-4in(I'm in the US) step vertically, squats, lunge dips, and double calf raises. I just got cleared to try and drive. I have had a little tendonitis but it my healthy leg, my physio determined it was because when standing I compensate a little bit. Thank you for these videos, they have been tremendously helpful in keeping me optimistic!

[@yesreneau]

I really appreciate these videos, SJ. It blows me away that I almost got surgery when I’m healing so well without it now.

[@dontpanic00xx]

Same here. On week 14, walk about 95% normally with no pain. Can do double heel raises with long pauses, nearly able to do eccentric single calf raises, able to do skater squats etc.

[@romainewhite8469]

It’s was 4months he wanted me to wear the boot which is 16weeks. Making the initial transition from boot to shoes at week 8 was a bit painful to move around. I am at week 10, foot feel stronger every day. Slightly stiff in the morning but know pain. Your videos give me hope thank you

[@909stealth]

Thanks for sharing your experience.. curious how is your leg after few years .. are you able to play tennis and basketball ?

[@romainewhite8469]

It’s crazy man, I am know expert but didn’t seem logical. I am still wearing my shoes and doing the home exercise he gave me.

[@walyson96]

Seus vídeos me ajudaram muito. Uma pena, pois não falo inglês

[@imseauxcray]

my first squat had mee excited

[@ashiqhabibullah3104]

Excellent bro for the info. Great help. Currently I’m nursing a Achilles tendinitis. Can you pl consolidate all your exercise program in one video if possible. You are doing a great job for this community. 🙏🏽 thank you.

[@SJachilles]

Thanks. Did you also rupture your achilles before the tendonitis came?

[@ashiqhabibullah3104]

SJ there is no rupture. Only pain in tendon area, it’s almost 45 days. Still stiffness there and finding it difficult to walk normally. Going for physio now. But very slow progress.

[@artrebel2764]

Thank you so much for your video journal on this difficult injury SJ. I ruptured mine over this Xmas period and it took six days of walking around before I could get an ultrasound diagnosis because of the holiday period. Finally saw an Orthopaedic guy a few days later & am going conservative route and now in boot with a 3cm heal raise. I remember you mentioned you bag the boot for showering. It worked for me the first time then second time I got the boot really wet...after using two garbage bags. Nightmare to get the boot dry. Can you please inform me how you managed to keep the boot dry when showering. Very Best, Garry

[@dot382]

Artrebel dunno if you still need this info but wrap it with cling film at least twice around.. making sure you have no uncovered/open parts...then you can tape the top end of the boot off with some sellotape or any other adhesive tape you have available. This worked for me but you may bag it after this process if you want to be extra sure.

[@billtor7377]

I really appreciated your videos! It's been of great help. I'm like you, golf is my main sport. I'm just a little over 10 weeks since my full rupture. Also took the conservative route. Starting from last week, I was playing 9 holes every other days, walking. Tendon feels fine, a little sore after the round but no issue at all. Average 10k steps since beginning of 10th week with peak at 15k.

[@SJachilles]

Sounds like you are flying! Well done.

[@billtor7377]

Couldn't do it without your videos. I'm working on single calf raise. This is the difficult one.

[@TheBuddaful1]

Wow! I am so grateful for the videos that you have posted.they are very helpful and informative. I am in my 2nd week of almost complete rupture . I was concerned because I went directly to a boot instead of a splint an cast which makes me worry if I came keeping planter flexion suficent for healing. I have decided to take the non surgical route as well. I starting to second guess that decision because I have no way of knowing if the tendon is properly allonged for healing. What do you suggest?

[@billtor7377]

The first two weeks is the most difficult one. I wait until two and a half week to take off the cast. You should be able to feel the continuous of the tendon after two weeks, otherwise take it slowly.

[@billtor7377]

Thanks mate. I finally be able to do single calf raise with my sneaker on. Last few days was able to walk 18 holes on a very hilly course.

[@topstuff9145]

Top videos SJ. Ive just gone partial weight bearing at the start of week 3. Heel area feels sore sometimes but i guess thats cos i haven't used it for 2 weeks

[@SJachilles]

Yep you will get a lot of weird pains during this period!

[@topstuff9145]

SJ your voice has become so familiar in our house 😀

[@bjornlijemans1106]

Hello , Nice video’s. I have a question. Did you still have swelling on the ínside of your ankle when walking of standing for a long time? I experience swelling at the end of the day on the inside of the ankle with some pitting edema. Regards from thé Netherlands

[@bjornlijemans1106]

Hello, Nice video’s, I have a question. Do you still have swelling at the end of the day? I experience still swelling in the inside of the ankle when standing a Lot or end of the day. Im in week 20 My regards from the Netherlands

[@Jorlivia]

Yeah the reason I went OP was to be up and running and jumping sooner for sports. I was running at 12 weeks but was on a pretty strict timeline kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn7UomeFp5WFe9E Good Luck to all the Achilles Warriors in your recovery!

[@babithk]

can you clarify what you mean by the 1min isometric hold when it becomes stiff

[@SJachilles]

babithk hi it’s the one I showed in my week 14 video. It means you do a small single calf raise (slightly above ground level) and just hold it there. That’s the point where I get pain so I hold it though the pain for a minute and it generally goes away.

[@jbs1446]

I have completed 15 weeks now. I am very shoes with 3 cm heel sole. I am limping and pelvic groin pains while walking. My achilles also stetches and there is a small lump on the heel ankle non paining. Is the lump and pelvic pain normal in 15 th week?

[@cigarking5553]

2 months and still can’t walk worst injury of my life. You are a champion man or you make it look easy lol

[@svetlanajovanovic9885]

Me to.

[@toniavasseur9574]

I have a friend that messed up his Achilles tendons and they want to do surgery because they said that if he doesn’t it’s just gonna be hanging he limps it’s been about a month now since he hury it They want him to have surgery but I’m thinking he needs to try other things first is that what you’re saying that you don’t need surgery

[@dontpanic00xx]

If he didn't get a split or a cast/boot within 48 hours of the injury occurring then it is usually not going to heal without surgery. One of the keys to non-operative is that it is immediately put in the position in order to heal