Weeks 7,8 & 9 - Achilles Tendon Rupture - Operative Repair Surgery - Removing Heel Wedges

[@amystudts927]

Thank you for making the videos and sharing your progress. It helps others know what if they are going through is “normal”.

[@MuhammadAbdullah-pe2ze]

I was put in a boot a week after my injury. I'm non op. Doc wanted 1 lift removed a week. He also told me I could take it off at night and shower. I think maybe he's for surgical repair so he's rooting for a rerupture or for it not too heal. I've watched lots of webinars and advice from patients like you and I suggest for anyone really wanting to heal to do the same. There's still a lot of debate and controversy on this topic. Just a helpful tip 🙂

[@natanaelpana7668]

Great job to sharing others all this. But 3 weeks for the appointment is to much, horrible and painful to stay 😢. I tore my achilles tendon on Friday 8 of January and had my surgery on Tuesday 12 of January. Take care of you. 😊

[@carloorias8787]

Thankyou so much for sharing this video sir. I rupture my achilles tendon my right foot on august 14 during our basketball and had my surgery on august 25. It take long days to get surgery bcoz of financial problem. But today I'm so happy that i see all your videos to back normal your achilles sir. Thank you! Godbless!

[@ChiChen3]

Hey Carlo, you're very welcome and I'm glad you found this helpful. Yes I'm completely back to normal now and you will be too! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@darcoman2]

Great video. Thanks for your help mate. Week 7. Non operative. 1 heal wedge out.

[@ChiChen3]

No problem and I hope your recovery is coming along well!

[@sanlitun2173]

Great job on the videos. I now know what to expect.

[@ChiChen3]

Glad to hear it! Let me know if you have any questions as you go through your recovery!

[@sashikala2229]

As I'm recovering slowly as all your videos are really informative and helpful to me so thank you 👍🏻👏🏻

[@ChiChen3]

You're very welcome!

[@TheArtisticGardener777]

I’m at week four post op…down to one wedge in the boot, pretty much walking and weight bearing now with the boot, no crutches. This morning I put a half inch heel lift in my running shoes and was able to walk …slowly, carefully, and with little or no dorsiflexion, but it felt great! No pain or swelling. I’m due to remove last wedge in a week and scheduled to see my surgeon in two weeks. Not sure if I will walk into the office in the boot or the running shoes😮. I’m hoping he’s ok with my progression. Everything feels and seems great. I just need to start physio and strengthening and re-building. It’s gonna be a long haul, but I’m determined to get back at it. Gotta stay patient and be careful, though, I know. Thanks for the videos!👍

[@ChiChen3]

You're very welcome and it sounds like your recovery is coming along really well! Great work and keep up that positive attitude and all of this will be behind you in no time.

[@TheArtisticGardener777]

@@ChiChen3thanks so much! I’m walking and hiking now every day pretty well now at week 10, doing exercises like heel raises, leg press, resistance bands, etc. still a very tight, awkward feeling in the tendon when I do calf raises, and not able at all to do single leg calf raises. Just hoping my tendon continues to strengthen over time and I am eventually able to do single leg calf raises, walk on my toes, go down stairs normally, etc. Has your tendon regained full strength by now? Thanks again!👍

[@ChiChen3]

@@TheArtisticGardener777 Yes absolutely, your tendon will continue to strengthen and also gain its flexibility back at roughly the same pace. You'll definitely be able to do single leg calf raises and all that as you recover. My Achilles has almost fully regained its strength. I'd say it takes about 1.5 years to reach around 90-95% recovery. I'm at the 3 year mark now and it's still around 95%, while it may never get back to 100%, the difference isn't noticeable.

[@TheArtisticGardener777]

@@ChiChen3awesome!👍. Thanks again!💪

[@acyko]

Thanks for these videos. I ruptured my left achilles 3 weeks ago and now into my second week post op. These videos really help with the rehab process. I can’t you’ve had the same injury on both legs!

[@ChiChen3]

Yeah rupturing it the second time was definitely a shock and a reality check. Make sure you don't do what I did. Do all the physio exercises for both your legs when you start PT. It'll help bulletproof the other one so that you don't risk injuring that one as well. Trust me!

[@acyko]

@@ChiChen3 thanks for that tip. I saw my surgeon a couple of days ago and he said exactly the same thing. There's the physical rehab but I think the mental scarring will take longer to heal.

[@GQXLII]

How’s your recovery? I’m 10 days post op.

[@7marigold]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!

[@ChiChen3]

You're very welcome Mary! Good luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any questions.

[@gamingfarm8533]

Good day sir, thank you for your vids, imy Achilles tendon rupture op, right now week 3 i don't have a boots, im here KSA and im doing pt on my self, flexion exercises

[@ChiChen3]

Try to be careful at the beginning without a boot because you can injure yourself further if you're not careful.

[@sanlitun2173]

Just 9 weeks post op. Went for my first aqua therapy session. Walked for the first time without the boot in the pool with no other support. I would recommend aqua therapy. I had a lot worries doing the exercises. I must say the facility here in Beijing is state of the art (and the fee is accordingly). Still with one wedge in the boot and only WB at 30% though but I consider this a big victory. Gait was pretty ok, tendon is still stiff and cramped up. I advise to do all the AROM exercises to loosen your foot and ankle. I hope to be in shoes in 3 to 4 weeks.

[@ChiChen3]

Sounds like you're progressing well! Thanks for the helpful advice for others as well. Good luck with the rest of recovery.

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Tore both Achilles heel post given group of I. V. Drugs (flagyl) got 2. different of same group Shocked . Had to travel by air 5 hrs No surgery. Had only one boot. Now boot off & on physio 3 &1/2 months. Got very little information from hospital. Physio is best. Best luck to u 💐🇮🇪

[@ChiChen3]

Ah man that sounds rough. Physio is the best as hospitals are too busy. Good luck with your recovery and be patient with yourself, it's definitely tough, especially with both achilles but you got this! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@maureenbrophy7852]

@@ChiChen3 You are so right since I started physio I am improving. This is my no 2 and today thanks again

[@moviestrailersoon]

Thanks for sharing

[@ChiChen3]

My pleasure

[@lyledavis7175]

I had a complete rupture of my right achilles… my surgeon gave me no lifts. He said I could start walking on the leg but with the boot at six weeks. I’m at week seven and I’m driving with just a sneaker.

[@ChiChen3]

That's quite a fast recovery timeline! Everyone's case is different based on the injury and whether you do surgery or not so I'd recommend following your surgeons advice.

[@wayneross-kent8534]

Helps a lot.👍

[@ChiChen3]

Glad to hear that

[@johnphan9104]

Hey Man, these videos are a life saver. Do you remember did you walk without crutches completely before removing heel lift?

[@ChiChen3]

Yes I was at 100% weight bearing in my boots without crutches by the end but follow the protocol. I was still in crutches for most of the heel lifts until the end.

[@yaxing007]

Uhhhh… i just got in a boot(start of week 3) I only got 3 layers of heel lifts(exact ones in the video) hurts like hell when I try to put my foot entirely down. Not sure if it’s normal.

[@ChiChen3]

Totally normal, I had 4 wedges I believe. The boot is going to stretch your achilles for the first time since the cast kept it in a super pronated position. So now you'll start feeling it stretch in the boot as you remove heel wedges each week. The first couple of days are the most uncomfortable but then your achilles starts getting use to the stretch.

[@roybro2084]

When I got my boot the Doc took 2 wedges out from the start 2 weeks after surgery and now it is time for me to take my 1st one out my self and I am a little scared. I am on week 4 after surgery.

[@ChiChen3]

I'd follow your doctors advice and let them know if you have any sharp pains or discomfort.

[@mohmmadyaseenshah9839]

Thanks you very much. Your vedeos are of great help to me. Allah bless u

[@ChiChen3]

Thank you my friend! Let me know if you have any questions and good luck with your recovery

[@tjg9950]

Man don't recall what happened to my heel lifts. My doctor didn't really care about it though. One week and a day out of the boot currently.

[@ChiChen3]

Ah that sounds exciting man, getting out of the boot is a great milestone and now you can see your foot and ankle bounce back and start building strength and muscle again!

[@nicholaspratt8537]

Did you experience any nerve pain or burning sensation on the back of your foot bear your toes and if so what did you do to get rid of that pain?

[@ChiChen3]

Definitely experienced that and it will naturally subside as you heal and recover. The more strength and mobility you unlock, the faster that pain and burning sensation starts to go away. It felt pretty linear to me.

[@byampolsky]

Hey Chi - thank you. Did you have foot pain at the bottom of your foot when you tried to walk, even weight bear? I am in week.

[@ChiChen3]

Not the bottom of my foot no, but I did feel the tension on my achilles which is more typical. However, at the beginning of weightbearing, everyone will feel something slightly differently as your tendon and leg is trying to make all the necessary connections again. What kind of pain are you feeling? Like stinging or throbbing or sharp pains etc and what week are you in?

[@byampolsky]

@@ChiChen3 I'm in week 9. The foot pain is sharp, like pins. It's getting a little better but man... the amount of patience this requires is amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@albertomassari77]

Hi! Im om week 6 and almos removed every wedge, I there isnt too much medical consensus in this right? Its a very difficult reba

[@ChiChen3]

It sounds like you're progressing pretty quickly. I'd be careful not to stretch it too quickly. Do you have a recovery protocol that you're following? This was mine drive.google.com/file/d/1dtyQQ5hptCaJfPSS1pw0qyad8P7il8zA/view?usp=sharing

[@6authcity]

Hey, brother. Awesome video. Helped me feel better during my recover. I am in Week 7 Post-Surgery and right on par with what you are talking about in regards to removing the heels. Quick Question, have you experienced pain/tingliness/weird feeling at the bottom back heel of the foot when you've tried pushing it down? Is that normal at all?

[@ChiChen3]

Yeah thats completely normal and part of your achilles trying to gain the range of motion and flexibility back. Just ease yourself into, it should feel uncomfortable but not painful. If you feel 6/10 pain level or higher, especially if theres any sharp pains, then ease up on it, let it rest and try it again later.

[@cyrusm3391]

Hey Chi, how many weeks after your surgery did you started driving? I'm at 7 weeks post surgery and I started driving around for short periods. No pain and feels great to see places other than my immediate area of home.

[@ChiChen3]

I waited until about week 15 when I could slam on the brakes if needed but it was during lockdown so I had nowhere to go anyways. But sounds like you're healing up well!

[@ogonnannamani9472]

At this stage did you still need to keep your leg elevated?

[@ChiChen3]

No, but it does help sometimes with recovery after a hard physio session as it reduces some swelling but you do not need to keep it elevated. That is more for the healing process right after the surgery.

[@Smithy316]

You definitely feel more vulnerable the first day that you’ve taken a heel lift out!

[@ChiChen3]

Definitely!! But it feels great that each heel lift you take out is one step closer to walking again.

[@richardgu8966]

Thank you Chi - watching your videos religiously! Quick question, at what week were you able to drive?

[@ChiChen3]

Oh glad you've found them helpful! As for your question, around week 15-16 when I was able to press down on the brakes for an emergency stop with no problems. Once you're able to do a one leg calf raise I think you may be alright. It means you can support your full weight in that position.

[@dustinkeeton4193]

My surgeon gave me a boot today and it doesn't have any heel wedges. I literally went to cvs and got some dr. scholl's to stack myself up. I'm on the waiting line with him now. This is unheard of right? My impression is that I should definitely have some heel wedges. I'm 4.5 weeks post op (check up was delayed due to holidays).

[@ChiChen3]

Yeah from my understanding, it should come with heel wedges but doctors have different recovery protocols nowadays so its good to check with your surgeon/PT on what recovery protocol to follow and using what equipment (like my aircast boot with heel wedges).

[@7marigold]

My heel lifts did not come with the boot, I had to buy from the doctor separately for $25- $30. Insurance didn't cover but I had the option. Pretty much the same time table as video.

[@nikiwiley5514]

Have you had any experience with using peptides for healing your Achilles?

[@ChiChen3]

No unfortunately I don't have any experience with that.

[@stephenosadolorjr]

Thanks so much for documenting your journey, Chi! I am currently approaching week 9 now, and doing PT three times a week. And I have to say that your videos have been super helpful. I wanted to ask however; when you were at this point, were you having some difficulty stretching past the neutral point? I’m sure everyone’s process is alittle different, but I seem to have hit a wall in regards to going past neutral. It almost feels like my Achilles won’t stretch any further, and of course I don’t want to forcefully push through and cause injury. I currently have no lifts in my boot, and can say that my achilles has gotten pretty used to being in that neutral position. I guess I’m just worried that it could be more difficult to stretch past that point, because of course, in order to walk you need for the knee to be able to go over the toes (if that makes sense). Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

[@ChiChen3]

It'll naturally stretch past that point when you start walking without the boot. You'll have to consciously walk heel-toe pattern and not sideways like a duck and work on flexing your calves as you step off. This along with knee to wall stretches will help you move past neutral. Don't rush it and it'll all come naturally as you start walking again.

[@coreytomsrealtor3072]

When you experience the stretch as you take out a heel lift, did you feel a slight twinge or pull at the top of the heel? My first 2 wedges I didn’t get that much, but I’m on my last wedge and there is more noticeable *twinge* at my lower Achilles/upper heel. Not sure if I should go back a wedge for a few more days. Any advice? TIA!

[@ChiChen3]

Let the pain be your guide. If it feels like there's a noticeable twinge, then I'd say give yourself a few extra days to stretch. Go back a wedge but everyday give yourself a few opportunities to take that wedge out and stretch it a little to see if you can to the next wedge or no wedge without a twinge. Don't need to stay in that position for long or put weight on it as you would if you took the wedge out. But allow your body to get use to it and when you do finally take the wedge out, you shouldnt' get as much of a twinge or discomfort. Hopefully that makes sense.

[@coreytomsrealtor3072]

@@ChiChen3 thank you so much! Took a rest day with the old wedge on yesterday and am giving it a go again today. Those anchors really get pulled against.

[@ChiChen3]

@@coreytomsrealtor3072 Yeah I felt this most when I did any calf stretches once I was out of the boot. Whenever I felt this, I dialed it back just a bit so I wasn't trying to push it further on that day. I'd take it to the edge of that feeling and use it as my guard rails.

[@Zone-mc2tp]

Question when did you start therapy I'm @ week 7 still no therapy

[@ChiChen3]

You can start as early as when your cast is removed but I'd say its fine to wait until you are out of the boot and just manually do the exercises I show in my videos before the boot comes off.

[@andyvaldez212]

Bro im on week six and feel like i can walk again. Im just scared of rerupture. Ive been driving since week 4-5. I can move me foot up down and can contract my calf pretty hard. Also ive been cycling 2x on a stationary bike. My achilles does feel pretty tight after inactivity

[@ChiChen3]

Wow it sounds like you're progressing very well! Just listen to your body and try not to push it into any sharp pain territory. The achilles will feel very tight after inactivity especially waking up in the morning. Give it a little time to warm up before any physio.

[@bjkane7]

Hey again Chi, I'm following right along and we're having very similar results. One thing I'm dealing with that I haven't heard you mention much is continued pain/swelling at this stage. Were you still dealing with that much 7-9 weeks in?

[@ChiChen3]

yeah there was still swelling around then and it will swell up once in a while especially after a physio workout, so I recommend icing it whenever possible as it also helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing.

[@bjkane7]

@@ChiChen3 Gotcha. Did you deal with any nerve pain, like a burning feeling in your foot? For some reason it only bothers me while trying to sleep. I was hoping any aggravated nerves from surgery would have healed by now.

[@ChiChen3]

@@bjkane7 No I didn't experience any burning feeling in my foot. Only nerve pain I had was just on my heel near the incision point when I let my full leg weight rest on it would hurt at this one spot and that took a long time to go away, maybe around month 5-6.

[@jeffreybray7877]

@@bjkane7 I’m at week 8.5, 3 PT appointments down and just got out of the walking boot and into a sneaker. I have had foot issues with nerves since the beginning! How did you make out with your foot issues? Im going crazy with lack of good sleep… With PT ramping up with working toes and foot more, I’m getting worse cramping, numbness and toe feeling issues. My PT says it may go away as we keep working, but it doesn’t seem very common what I’m experiencing vs. what they think is normal.

[@bjkane7]

@@jeffreybray7877 For the most part, my nerve discomfort went away. I know how you feel, like maybe the nerves were damaged in surgery or something but everyone told me it would go away with time and that's what happened. Sounds like you are on a pretty progressive recovery so far. Don't think I even started PT until 8 or 9 weeks and still not out of the boot until a few weeks later. Hand in there, the nerve pain should subside soon. I do still have a little residual nerve discomfort but nothing bad.

[@rodneylockhart1471]

How long did you have tightness in your achilles for?

[@ChiChen3]

I had tightness through the full recovery process even up till Month 7-8, Id wake up with tightness and then once I warmed it up a little from walking around it would get better. But it'll feel tight for a while as you'll keep unlocking more and more range of motion as you strengthen and heal.

[@adnanalkaf260]

Hi, do you use pillow with the boat/without boat when you sleep!

[@ChiChen3]

I used a pillow between my legs but then eventually took off the boot to sleep around Week 6.

[@adnanalkaf260]

While sleeping do you remove the boat? Cause I couldn’t sleep with it ! Will It make difference with regards recovery? Cause am on boat and did’t put any wight on leg as per the Dr instructions

[@ChiChen3]

@@adnanalkaf260 I did remove the boot when I was sleeping after around Week 6. Although it does effect your progress as you're not stretching your achilles in the boot while you sleep. This makes the transition to the next stage of removing a heel lift just a little bit harder.

[@adnanalkaf260]

@@ChiChen3 Ya man I started to notice the difference and the progress by keeping the boat for 1 day, and decided to keep it while sleeping and as long as I can. Many Thanks for your reply and support. Keep it up, and hope for the best. Regards, Thanks

[@thomash5018]

Is it normal to not really feel any stretch when you remove a heel lift? I've removed two so far and I haven't really felt any difference. There's no pain or anything.

[@ChiChen3]

It depends on how much stretching and work you've been doing between removing heel lifts. There should usually be a stretch after each heel lift removed but you may be pushing it outside of the boot already. But yes it should be tight right now and shouldnt be that easy.

[@tranxxaction]

Hey Chi. I’m on day 4 and still in the boot. They started me with 3 wedges starting at the bottom and up. So it’s missing the top small one. Is that correct or should it be the first 3 wedges from the top?

[@ChiChen3]

Yes that is correct the wedges at the very bottom are the last ones to be reemoved, the top ones go first.

[@tranxxaction]

@@ChiChen3 thanks for your response Chi! Day 5 now and it’s been really hard to move around and do basic things. Is it okay for me to take off my boot but still main plantar flexion as I shower and ice? Do you also any tips or tricks for up to week 2? Thanks and appreciate your time!

[@ChiChen3]

@@tranxxaction Yes it's okay to take off the boot but I would be very very careful when you shower and take off the boot in the shower and put it on in the shower before you get out. Just try to rest and have a good diet, right now it's just about healing

[@tranxxaction]

@@ChiChen3 hey Chi. I just took out my stitches at week 2 and currently on week 3. My doctor suggested to let my wound heal for another week while in a boot and revisit him at week 4. It feels super tight at the moment and I’m barely able to stretch my foot to lay flat on the 3 wedges. Is that normal?

[@nfamarasanyang6732]

Hi. I hard an accident and my Achilles tendon cut completely and I did surgery. Please I need your guiding through it. Probably i will give you my contact after replying me

[@ChiChen3]

Let me know what question you have and I'll try my best to answer them. I'm not a health professional but I can try to tell you about my experience

[@legacyaaliyah289]

I'm at week 4-5 right now and I already ditched my crutches around the house and I feel great. I actually went out to a ball game without them last night and I felt no pain at all, my body lets me know when I need the rest but like I said for the most part I feel great. I also don't wear my boot all day, what's your take on that

[@ChiChen3]

That's crazy fast progress!

[@angstfree2008]

When did you stop sleeping with your boot? Thanks.

[@ChiChen3]

I stopped sleeping with my boot fairly early on because I was confident that I wasn't kicking my blankets or sleep walking etc, but sleeping with your boot does keep your feet in a more stretched position which can help with recovery. When I slept without my boot, I always found it extra tight when stepping into my boot in the morning as my achilles wasnt being stretched at night.

[@legacyaaliyah289]

My boot didn't have heels lifts in it. That's weird to me

[@ChiChen3]

Yeah I've heard this a few times, I'm not as familiar with it because my foot definitely would not be able to stretch to neutral / 90 degrees right after I got out of the cast. I needed to slowly stretch it over the weeks.

[@jacobbriones8812]

How long did you have to wear your boot for ?

[@ChiChen3]

I wore the boot for a while, I think until week 12 or 13?

[@aaaaffffr3888]

Hey CHI Chen is it normal That the achilles is thick at week 6?

[@ChiChen3]

Oh yeah, depends on the surgery you got, my first surgery with the regular surgical method, the achilles is still thick and its been 2-3 years.

[@Poodedbihh]

Hey where do you get the wedge kit for boot ?

[@ChiChen3]

It came with my air cast boot.

[@DRACOFURY]

I guess I'm gonna need some flats... Vans Im in week 6

[@ChiChen3]

I hope your recovery is coming along well! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@lostpuppy810]

Hello, I'm at week six and have been partial weight bearing for about a week and will start working towards getting off crutches and out of boot by week 7.5. It was my right driving side. I just worry about aggregating it. Anyone have a similar schedule of progression?

[@ChiChen3]

That's really good speed to get out of the boot by week 7.5. I'd recommend following a recovery protocol, I have a link to it in my first or second video to the one I'm using. Usually take out one heel wedge per week after you're at 100% weightbearing. You don't want to over stretch your achilles too song as it'll lose tension and power before its given time to heal.

[@lostpuppy810]

@@ChiChen3 We were very aggressive with PT about 10 days out and I've been very discipline with doing my prescribed exercises and icing. Your video on walking with boot was very helpful. I got the green light to ween off boot over the next couple of weeks and will exercise caution when transitioning. Once I start walking without boot I will expect to have some discomfort correct? Get up the great work!