OT: Ruptured Tendon

[howkim]

When you're on the crutches.....no matter how much you want to
not be on the crutches....be...on the crutches.

AMEN!!

It's such a temptation to not use the crutches. Every step is the equivalent of one push-up. After a while, the arms and shoulders REALLY protest. However, it's sooooooo much better for you to use the crutches when walking. Especially with your kind of injury.

[LinkC]

It appears this sort of thing is more common than I thought!

I know it's a personal preference thing (much like asking which mask is best), but I've been given the choice between crutches or walker during the "cast" phase. Having never needed EITHER, I haven't a clue which to ask for. Any wisdom on that?

EDIT: OK, it appears howkim has already added some insight! lol Thanks. (One vote for the walker...)

[howkim]

EDIT: OK, it appears howkim has already added some insight! lol Thanks. (One vote for the walker...)

Yup. But the same thing applies. if you are supposed to use a walker, use the walker.

[patdart]

OW! I had a complete rupture in 2000 and it was misdiagnosed by my PCP, so it was 6 weeks later before I was seen and correctly diagnosed and another 2 before I had the surgery. I have lots of loss of muscle because of that time warp. So, in that respect you are lucky! Because I live alone and was terrified of a fall, I used a wheel chair most of the time and I'm so sorry I did that because it allowed more muscle loss. Do use a walker if you can or do it with both. It is an art to walk with crutches, but you may find a combination will work better than either alone. Do all the rehab stuff as they tell you and you should make a full recovery.

Best of luck!

Patdart

[Kiralynx]

I've been given the choice between crutches or walker during the "cast" phase. Having never needed EITHER, I haven't a clue which to ask for. Any wisdom on that?

I used a walker for a number of weeks after my cancer surgery. Being plus-sized, I requested a wide walker. Make sure you ask for the glider skis on the back.

The walker can be quite useful. You're leaning on your hands, not having something jammed under your arms. Also, the walker stands by itself or can be folded against a wall if you are in a restaurant. Crutches stick out and trip others, or fall over, and can be generally a nuisance.

[LinkC]

it was misdiagnosed by my PCP, so it was 6 weeks later before I was seen and correctly diagnosed

Now you're scaring me! It happened in Jan. My (now former!) PCP gave me two rounds of steroid shots and two weeks of walking around in a foam bootie before he gave up and sent me to the Ortho-guy. PCP still doesn't know it's ruptured--although all the signs were there (as pointed out to me yesterday by the specialist. PCP thought it was "just a strain and inflammation".

I fully intend to raise it, ice it and walk it exactly as directed. I'm too suave, sophisticated and handsome to end up with a limp!!!

Shut up, Rooster! (in advance...)

[LinkC]

Thanks Kira! I'm leaning toward the walker (no pun intended...). But I want the fashionable yellow tennis balls on mine! They are all the rage over at the Senior Center...

I'm just hoping walkers come in "Tall". I'm 6'3",

[kteague]

About the walker vs crutches thing, seems it would depend on if the docs instructions allow any weight bearing. I don't know if your particular surgery would allow this or not, but I love the scooters I've seen people using, where the knee of the bad leg rests on the raised scooter. Those look fun.

[ozij]

When I had to put no weight on my foot at all I used crutches. There are a number of types of crutches:

If you go for crutches, Make sure you get the type with the "bracelet" (bottom of the picture) and make sure the "bracelet has a hinge -- that way you can let go of the one crutch while leaning on the other, and you have a free hand to open a door (home, car) prepare a cup of tee or coffee, etc while the free crutch is dangling on your arm above the elbow. Also note that some crutches are lighter than others. The armpit type of crutches, and the ones with a bracelet and no hinge give you less freedom.

Make sure you have a physiotherapist teach you how to use whichever device you get.

At a certain stage of my rehab, I used only one crutch.

I've never used a walker, but have seen it in use. Given a choice, - and having the upper body strength (it develops very quickly...) I would prefer crutches - but that's me .

Another major difference between crutches and a walker is that you need to agility to be able to bend down to the floor and pick the crutch up if you're sitting -- they may slip from wherever you've leaned them on - it is often better to place them on the floor. This never happens with a walker (as long as you haven't folded it).

Good luck!

O.

[pdean44]

I wish for you a speedy recovery.

[Gadget_OSA]

I broke my right achilles 25 years ago playing squash. Get it repaired as soon as you can. Use a heat lamp and as much exercise as you can bear to restretch the tendon and get full movement at your ankle when you get out of plaster. As others have noted take all the physio you can get to strengthen up your calf muscle other wise you will start to favour the opposite leg. I trust it goes well for you.

[Muffy]

Then, once you get mobile, you need to do about a million "grapevines":

http://www.roguerunning.com/resources_a ... php?aid=73

Muffy

[sleepyjan]

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT take your boot off in bed even if it's terribly uncomfortable and messes with the covers and takes the dogs spot on the bottom of the bed........took my boot off after 3 weeks while Iwas in bed, no fighting covers etc......was great ....woke up the next morning and stretched ....and rebroke my foot! had to redo the danged surgery.......so a word to the wise.....wear da danged boot!

[Slinky]

Were you at any time on a flouroquinolone like Cipro, Levaquin, etc ? They are notorious for causing tendon and muscle tears - even months and months after the fact. The Achilles tendon is particularly susceptible to the floroquinolones.

[LinkC]

Thanks for all the good wishes and advice. Especially ozij's wisdom on crutches. I've seen the "cuff" types but never considered their superiority. I was envisioning the ol' wooden "ironing board" style. I will specify the metal cuffed ones! The benefits of a walker without the bulk, it appears. (Although the guys at work already bought me flourescent pink tennis balls for the rear legs! )

While I'm not normally an exercise-kinda-guy, I see the real value in countering the atrophy from the cast stage with lots of rehab after.

The "get-er-done-soon" ship has sailed. This happened back in Jan and my PCP was treating with steroid shots, having missed the complete rupture. (Guess I should say "former" PCP...) Surgeon said it may require a tendon graft..won't know til he gets in there. That would mean longer, slower recovery. And the graft material comes from "donors who no longer need them". (I see dead people...)

So, with all that in mind, we're taking our granddaughter to SeaWorld BEFORE the surgery...even if I have to rent a wheelchair to keep up with her!

I'll have lots of time to post updates...

Thanks again!