Waiting for Achilles Tendon lengthening surgery

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SwissHausfrau
SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone else had this surgery? The surgery will be done making three cuts at diff points down the achilles cutting half way through the muscle each time so it stretches out

I'm scheduled for in 2 weeks time and my surgeon said I 'should' be fully mobile with a boot immediately afterwards. I am seeing him at the end of this week where I will get drugs for afterwards and a physio plan, and I'm going to ask him to clarify if 'fully mobile' means with crutches or not. Does anyone have any insight.

At the moment I'm frustrated at not being able to do a lot of cardio without having lots of pain (plantar fascilitis) in my heel. I either have a walk or use the gym but only every other day so I have a day resting and getting over the pain. Even cycling and cross training are painful afterwards.

The thought of being able to get back to hiking in the Swiss hills and playing golf are really exciting, but the thought of restricted mobility after the op is a bit depressing. I won't even be able to drive as the boot is wider than my pedals.
On a plus I guess my upper body strength will improve if I am on crutches.....

Replies

  • eptanubrata
    eptanubrata Posts: 13 Member
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    I haven't had this surgery, but I've worked with clients who have (I am a physical therapist).
    I've seen clients with and without crutches post-op - this essentially depends on the surgeon's surgical approach and personal preference).
    Are you currently doing any stretching or soft tissue work on your feet before and after your exercises? Like rolling your arches with a ball, calf stretches, etc. These can often make plantar fascia pain more manageable.
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    Hi eptanubrata
    yes, I'm doing stretches for my muscles and rolling my foot over a bottle of water that has been frozen to help with the inflammation. the stretches aren't helping much to be honest.... I have some arch support for my shoes which helps during the walk, but I still get a lot of pain afterwards. even just a supermarket trip needs 'recovery'.

    The Surgeon said I am 'way beyond' any stretches even helping the foot that is ok at the moment and he said its just a question of when not if I need surgery for that one too.....I have completely contracted / spastic achilles.
    I'm hoping when I am assigned a physio that they might offer some advice for the other foot that doesn't include surgery.....
    For years whenever I tried to do yoga I was frustrated because everyone else had no problem doing some of the positions and I couldn't. I've never done Downward dog and been able to keep my heels on the floor or do squats in the gym with heels down, and every-time I get reflexology the practitioner always commented that I had tight calf muscles... I just shrugged it of because I walk a lot..... If only I knew then how this would end up...
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,210 Member
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    Did wearing a night splint help?
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    Cherimoose wrote: »
    Did wearing a night splint help?

    I never tried that.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,210 Member
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    SwissHausfrau wrote: »
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    Did wearing a night splint help?

    I never tried that.

    It should have been suggested by your surgeon. It's been proven in numerous studies to help many people, by lengthening the calf/Achilles complex. Can you postpone the surgery? If so, try the following:

    1 - Wear a night splint that can be adjusted incrementally to angles less than 90 degrees, like this one:
    https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Plantar-Fasciitis-Splint-Medium/dp/B006L8N71Y
    Use as small an angle as tolerable, gradually tightening it as your calves loosen up.

    2 - Stretch your calves and plantar fascia every 30-60 minutes for 30+ seconds. The effects of stretching don't last long according to studies (example) so it must be done more often than you were probably told. Use a reminder app if necessary.

    3 - Stop wearing shoes with a raised heel.. which over 90% of shoes have.. because they tighten the calf/Achilles (any physio can confirm that). Wear only "zero-heel" shoes, like skateboard shoes, some flats (not all), Altras, etc. Even a small heel-toe differential, like with some flats and "walking shoes", can cause noticeable tightness.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    Cherimoose wrote: »
    SwissHausfrau wrote: »
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    Did wearing a night splint help?

    I never tried that.

    It should have been suggested by your surgeon. It's been proven in numerous studies to help many people, by lengthening the calf/Achilles complex. Can you postpone the surgery? If so, try the following:

    1 - Wear a night splint that can be adjusted incrementally to angles less than 90 degrees, like this one:
    https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Plantar-Fasciitis-Splint-Medium/dp/B006L8N71Y
    Use as small an angle as tolerable, gradually tightening it as your calves loosen up.

    2 - Stretch your calves and plantar fascia every 30-60 minutes for 30+ seconds. The effects of stretching don't last long according to studies (example) so it must be done more often than you were probably told. Use a reminder app if necessary.

    3 - Stop wearing shoes with a raised heel.. which over 90% of shoes have.. because they tighten the calf/Achilles (any physio can confirm that). Wear only "zero-heel" shoes, like skateboard shoes, some flats (not all), Altras, etc. Even a small heel-toe differential, like with some flats and "walking shoes", can cause noticeable tightness.

    This is SUPER helpful- I don't have PF- but I have tight tendons and it causes a lot of tension in my shins. Doing ANYTHING flat foot full time (dance stuff) HURTS significantly after extended time period.

    I am wondering if a night splint would help. herm. Thank you!
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    I saw 2 specialists and both agreed that stretching is not going to help me at all at this point. So I guess thats why they didn't suggest a night splint... however I will ask my physic about this for the other foot as I currently don't have any pain in that one... but the same limited range of movement.....
    Had I actually realised there was a problem years ago then I could have done something less aggressive. Surgery appears to be the best option... I have a good school friend who is a podiatrist in the UK and she also agrees with the treatment options.....
    The result of years or wearing heels everyday for work and not doing any stretches I guess...
  • eptanubrata
    eptanubrata Posts: 13 Member
    edited January 2018
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    The night splint may not solve the problem on your worse side, but it may at least make the pain a little more manageable while you wait for surgery. It may be worth asking your physio about night splints for both sides.
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    I thought I’d come back and post how things went in case it’s ever useful to anyone else...
    The surgery didn’t go to plan because the tendon was too ‘contracted’ and so they did an open surgery with a cut about 5 or 6 inches.
    I was in hospital overnight and allowed home wearing a vacoped ‘boot’ I was weight bearing the day after the op but have my foot set in such an angle that it’s difficult to walk. I can shuffle,but I don’t feel stable so I’m using crutches.
    I was able to stop taking pain killers after 3 days as there isn’t any pain, it’s just sore. Bruised. And a bit uncomfortable wearing the boot.
    I’m going back to have the wound inspected 7 days post op and 14 days post op to have the stitches removed.
    I didn’t fully appreciate how hard it is to live with crutches.... I can of course cook and prep food, but carrying a plate to the table is not easy... I’ve been wrapping sandwiches in foil and putting them in a rucksack to get from Kitchen to table or putting food in Tupperware containers... hubby is on a business trip for 2 weeks so I’ve only got myself to look after which makes it easier.
    The vacoped boot is only for 3 weeks so it’s not so long, and I’m hoping to have great biceps at the end of that time. Going up and down 2 flights of stairs to bed is also quite a workout.....
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
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    SwissHausfrau wrote: »
    hubby is on a business trip for 2 weeks so I’ve only got myself to look after which makes it easier.

    dude. if your husband expects you to still wait on HIM after something like this, consider making him your next big replacement project.

    sheesh :D in other news, i just saw this thread and found it informative. i'm not dealing with the same thing but i have a pretty deep interest in everything relating to tendons and hamstrings right now. hope your recovery goes well and you get all the results you are hoping for.

  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
    edited February 2018
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    canadianlbs wrote: »
    dude. if your husband expects you to still wait on HIM after something like this, consider making him your next big replacement project.

    My husband has never expected me to wait on him... otherwise I would never of married him....:)
    I don't do it when I'm fully able bodied....but I do do all the cooking at home... I really enjoy it and since retiring at 45 the kitchen has become a bit of a no go zone for my husband (or any house guests).... even when he does manage to convince me to let him cook I can't even look at what he is doing... It drives me mad not being in there doing it myself so I usually take a glass of wine and have a long bath.
    He is a 'make loads of mess and clear it all up at the end' cook.... I'd be giving directions from the sofa and that would drive us both bonkers !!!

    The leg is slowly getting better, I have lost a shocking amount of muscle in just 2 weeks though... even the doctor was surprised.. recovery is going to be longer than planned before the surgery changed though, and I will still be on crutches for a few more weeks..... I just had stitches out and its healing well. It was apparently the worst contracted tendon he had ever operated on.....
    I asked if he thought I could work on the other achilles with splints or stretches to avoid surgery on that one, and he said he very much doubted it, but when I see the physio in a few weeks we can try.... he wasn't convinced that anything other than surgery would be a long term solution.

    I have a long weekend in London in 2 weeks and 8 days in NYC in 5 weeks.... I'm not too happy that they may both be on crutches...
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
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    Can you swim meanwhile? Front crawl and backcrawl both use feet in plantar flexion ie no stretch on your achilles/
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    meritage4 wrote: »
    Can you swim meanwhile? Front crawl and backcrawl both use feet in plantar flexion ie no stretch on your achilles/

    I’m not sure. I’m not allowed to take the boot off unless I’m lying down and have to wear it whilst sleeping Incase I stretch the tendon by accident. So getting to and from the pool and in and out would not be easy....
  • Karen_can_do_this
    Karen_can_do_this Posts: 1,150 Member
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    As an idiopathic toe walker here. I understand what the said about you being beyond stretching. I also understand the frustration in yoga and Pilates. Especially when the instructor is a douche and just tells you to “just put your heel down” uh it won’t go down!!!!

    Best of luck in your recovery
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
    edited February 2018
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    Karen_can_do_this wrote: »
    As an idiopathic toe walker here. I understand what the said about you being beyond stretching. I also understand the frustration in yoga and Pilates. Especially when the instructor is a douche and just tells you to “just put your heel down” uh it won’t go down!!!!

    Best of luck in your recovery

    And falling over / loosing balance trying to do squats..... my old PT thought I was messing him about.... my feet just wouldn’t do it
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
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    Most pools have wheelchairs-to get from change room to and from pool. Ask your doctor if you can swim.
  • SwissHausfrau
    SwissHausfrau Posts: 83 Member
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    meritage4 wrote: »
    Most pools have wheelchairs-to get from change room to and from pool. Ask your doctor if you can swim.

    Not the pools near where I live in Switzerland...

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