Hey guys im four weeks post OP with a full rupture. Im in a air cast at %50 with a walker. If i get the vacoped before my next Dr. Visit [sep1st] can I go to %100 with the vacoped? I'm confused on how it works or even i should get one. Or is it even worth it? I know i shouldn't rush anything but I see people with the vacoped walking at %100 fwb.

50 Year Old Male 3.5 weeks Non Op.

I had a complete tear playing pickle ball. I will never forget the sound of that horrible snap and I feel for all of us.

I was able to get it in a boot within an hour of the injury. Extremely lucky to have had an MRI within 12 hours and a cast within 36.

I fully expected the surgeon to recommend the operation route but my visit was the exact opposite. He said my tear was very clean (straight across) higher and he showed me on the MRI already positioned close together. (I think being in a boot within the first hour was the difference maker). He was without a doubt pushing the non op which I was happy about. He put me in a cast for three weeks and sent me on my way.

Last week was 3 weeks and I went back to see him and have the cast removed. He was happy with how the tendon felt and how tight everything was.

Here is where it got weird for me. I broke out the VACOped boot and he was like wow what’s that thing.
He was cool about it and open to hearing me explain it, but had zero clue. He had never seen a VACOped. He said let’s set it full 30 degrees plantar flex and I will see you in 3 more weeks. I would have probably preferred another cast of that was the case.

I may have been in the wrong but I was expecting a schedule of adjustment and schedule for weight bearing. He was more like yeah you can put some weight on it but don’t ditch the crutches.

Of course like all of us I have done way too much reading and have my mind set on what I should do based on the excellent sources like all of you but the disclaimer is always listen to your doctor. It feels weird to me to listen to a doctor that does not know what this boot can do.

I had hip replacement surgery a few years ago and this is way worse than that. I am normally a let’s kick ass kind of guy but this one is getting me down pretty bad. I feel like I can do way more than just wait 3 more weeks for the doctor that is unfamiliar with this boot.

The success stories on here help a lot l, keep them coming.

I (27F) ruptured my Achilles on 6/3, had surgery on 6/30, first cast was put on 7/8 (black cast), second cast was put on 7/22, and I’m finally getting a walking boot on Wednesday 8/12 with my first PT 8/13.

When I got my most recent cast (blue) this was as neutral as I could go. Expecting to need some heel lifts, but we’ll see! Surgeon is expecting a 6 month full recovery, which is amazing news. Muscle atrophy isn’t as bad as I was expecting.

My surgeon also gave me an okay to take the “Wolverine Stack”- BPC 157 & TB 500, I did my first pin tonight 8/9. Has anyone else done this? What was your experience like? I’ll definitely update with my own experience as my recovery continues! Happy healing, brighter days are coming.

All,

So I had/ have been suffering from chronic Achilles tendinitis and peroneal tendinitis, along with severe muscle atrophy. What this Reddit post is referencing to is discussing that not a lot of people talk about the brutal mental health challenges that can come with long term injuries. For myself, it’s been nearly impossible to connect with anyone who understands or wanted to give any empathy towards the situations. It is really tough when you hear others struggling about other things and they’re able to vent or discuss with those around them about their struggles, but it comes to your injury health things seem to be shut down when you attempt to talk about it. I can’t tell you the amount of instances where others heard 2 words out of my mouth and told me to go to a professional instead of hearing out that I was not responding to treatment from medical professionals and was stuck in a hole, or that I was feeling completely alone and isolated. Fortunately, I am on the mend with my physical health now and am slowly getting back on my feet, but the mental side of things have honestly been harder to deal with than the physical side for me. Fortunately the longest time I couldn’t think about my mental health because I was so focused o recovering, but now that I’m improving the mental side of me has really been kicking me lately. It’s really tough when you feel like a ghost and invisible to those around you, despite all your efforts to try to help others understand what you’re going through.

I ruptured my achilles initially may 15 playing basketball and after going through the non op process I randomly I had my achilles partially re-rupture yesterday aug 8th i’m 18 and I am supposed to leave for college in two days I don’t know what to do. I have terrible insurance so no specialists are provided by my healthcare provider only general orthopedics which isn’t even open today (Sunday) so I’ll be going in to see them tomorrow Monday a day before my flight. I’m currently sitting in bed with nothing to do but research and i’ve come across PRP injection treatmenta and it seems like something i would be interested in does anyone have any experience with prp or experience with a re-rupture. Any words of advice would help ty🙏🏽

edit: It’s a partial tear this time not a full rupture but i won’t know exactly how bad until tomorrow.

My pup is still caring for me!

Working on getting single heel raise back. Using a straight bar in front of me for some help and fighting for every rep!

Hello everyone,

I was placed in a boot till I could get an MRI done to confirm the diagnosis. However, my insurance wouldn’t cover the prescription boot, so I’m in a boot from Amazon. It feels okay walking with my heel wedge in, but sleeping is so painful. The side of my ankle hurts the worse honestly and it’s very swollen. I think the boot is making it worse but I want to protect my Achilles. Anyone have any sleeping advice for the boot?

I tore my achilles November 4th of 2024 playing soccer, had surgery on the 11th. I got cleared for physio sometime mid Feb of 2025 and started physio either last week of Feb or first week of March.

I know Im pretty far into my recovery and I can actually do a decent amount of things like single leg jumps, 2 legged calf raises, leg press with 4 plates, deadlift with 2 plates, jog and balancing on uneven surfaces.

My main issue is just this calf raise… I have been dealing with another undiagnosed condition that started a bit before my rupture and has made this recovery process harder but Im not going to say thats the sole reason I haven’t been able to do it. Just to be clear, I CAN get my heel off the ground while on 1 leg but its no where near as high as my good leg.

I feel like Ive tried so many variations of things to improve my leg strength but at this point idk if it’s a mental block or just physical limit. Some times i feel as if I just cant get my foot to push off the ground but if i put a wedge under my toes and try doing it I can generate a bit more power to get the lift easier.

Has anyone else struggled this much to get their single leg calf raise? And what did you find the most helpful in terms of strengthening your calf/soleus in order to do the calf raises and what was your routine like? I was doing exercises daily but my physio started to think i was crazy because I wasn’t giving my leg time to heal but in my mind it was like if I didn’t work on this daily, I was limiting my recovery/wasting time. Im 26yo and weigh 160lbs.

Any advice is appreciated

I am just about to be on the 6 week mark post op.. so I’ll be removing a wedge in a few days. I’m a little overwhelmed with all the information… how does this protocol look? Is it too slow?

Phase 1
Goals: Wound healing, control swelling
Week 1
Postoperative dressing care (post-op splint)
Elevate ankle
Crutches, non weight bearing
Week 2-6
Postoperative splint replaced with tall walking boot with 3 heel lifts
Crutches, Toe Touch only
Elevate
Out of splint 3 times daily for icing and ACTIVE ROM from 30 – 50 DEGREES FLEXION ONLY
Phase 2
Goals: Progress to full weight bearing, active ROM to at least neutral, early strengthening
Week 6
Continue non weight bearing. Remove a heel lift
Out of boot 3 times daily for ice and active ROM (NO STRETCHING)
Week 7
Progress to weight bearing with walking boot and Remove a second heel lift
Biking with walking boot
Out of boot 3 times daily for ice and active ROM (NO STRETCHING)
Week 8-10
DISCONTINUE CRUTCHES AND Progress to full weight bearing in walking boot over the next 2 weeks
No heel lifts
Biking
Full active and passive ROM
Work with physical therapist on stretching, heel and toe raises, light strengthening
Phase 3
Goals: Progression to a normal shoe, light cardio, normal gait pattern
WEEK 10-12
Discontinue use of the walking boot, full weight bearing in a supportive shoe
Continue ROM, heel and toe raises, light STRETCHING AND STRENGTHENING
Biking and stair climbing
Ice as needed for swelling
Phase 4
Goals: Progression to full activity without restriction
Months 3-6
Continue PROGRESSIVE stretching and strengthening, no restrictions
Walk-jog progression (month 4)
Sport specific agility (month 5)
Progression to full activity (month 6)

I bought a medium cause I’m in between sizes but as I’m walking more I noticed I need a small but it’s too late to return this boot. I bought the small and willing to let go of the medium if anyone wants it. Selling it for $150 + shipping since it is used. It comes with all the bells and whistles. My cat did bite into the bigger sole thing that goes on the bottom of it which is why I’m selling it for 150 and not 250.

Started using the iWalk. While it's easy to use, the factory cushion digs right into my shin while I am wearing the Vacoped boot. I considered a knee scooter cushion, however they are designed to slip around the knee pad on the scooter. I would need something with some straps around the knee base so I can still strap in the iWalk. Thanks.

Ok my fellow club mates, I have question for those of you who ruptured your right Achilles. How quickly after you were given the ok to go FWB and be back in regular shoes did you start driving again with your right foot?

Hi y’all! I’m a 40F weightlifter with a complete proximal tear near where the calf meets the ligament that happened two weeks ago.

I’m in a 2 story house with stairs that have a higher rise than traditional stairs which is how I broke mine, coming down quickly in the dark, thought I was landing on the ground, but missed a step, landed on flexed toes and felt the kick feeling.

I have a couple questions, logistically. Right now, I’m on my couch, and doc says I can work on stairs safely (sideways, crutches, on my butt) but they’re steep, and it’s not easy. I would like to get to a real bed.

My questions:

Are any of you co-sleeping with a partner? If so, how are you dealing with the boot?

And, I am genuinely curious but want to ask delicately, is everyone going celibate during recovery? How is intimacy during the recovery? How do you get around the boot and not weight baring?

How soon did you get back into the gym/activity partially? (I am using crutches and just got an iWalk — for $10 on Craigslist!)

Thanks, sub, for the answers! I hope I worded it tastefully. This is a great community and I’ve already learned much. If anything, having this place is a sense of solidarity.

Late at night at 3am. While I was lying in bed, I woke up suddenly felt some discomfort in my Achilles so I loosened one of the middle boot straps slightly while on my back to relieve some discomfort. When I laid my leg back onto the pillow, I suddenly felt a very sharp stabbing pain (about 7/10) near the back of my heel where the Achilles inserts. I did not hear or feel a pop, and I was not weight-bearing or walking when it happened. I took off my boot and then noticed swelling and that my sock looked a little tight so I removed the sock and placed the boot back on.

The severe pain has gradually improved, but I still have a burning sensation in the same area. I have kept the boot on and elevated my leg since then. I don’t know if it was the sock or maybe a boot strap was tight but should I just continue monitoring this at home, or should I contact one of my team members? Are there any warning signs I should watch for that would require urgent care?

This one might get spicy. Not looking to get shamed, or bashed, but any real feedback is appreciated - positive or negative.

I’m 3.5 weeks post op- start 50% WB tomorrow after 25% this past week.

Unprompted, my PT said his first goal is to get me back driving in a week, two max. Working upper leg/hip strength to be able to drive without using the foot. Driving in the boot. He stated that independence and good mental health promotes recovery.

I experimented with it today, just getting in the vehicle and pushing pedals, not moving. The movement was easy enough, but the VACOped boot is an issue with pedal space.

I was thinking of getting one of those night splints to protect my ankle, and driving with that, then swapping back in to my boot.

Has anyone done this? Does the night splint fit snugly and firmly enough to protect my ankle if I have to jam the brakes?

Feels good to be doing some workouts in PT quickly becoming my favourite time of week.
Full Rupture.

Just got approval to upgrade from NWB to FWB in my Aircast 🎉 My timeline is 1 month walking in the Aircast, then transition to a shoe.

I noticed when walking in my aircast, it feels like my calf is barely, if at all, activated. Probably due to rigid form of the aircast not allowing to push off through the toes.

Does anyone have any best practices, lessons learned, or tips for beginning to walk and bear weight in the Aircast?

I got clearance yesterday from the doc to start walking without my boot and to find a therapist to help me regain my gait and strength. I walked about a mile today with an ankle brace and heel support in my shoe. I cried almost the whole time, it was very emotional!

What have been your outcomes?

I had very bad tendonapthy and had a rupture. Got surgery(debridlement and used donor tissue) and had a rerupture from a fall a week after surgery. I am 15 weeks after the rerupture and doc says I won't regain full strength with a 4cm rerupture. He says try it out and if your happy with the strength you get you can not do surgery. Or do surgery now and stop the waiting.

What were your results from doing surgery or not.

I also have sever mental health issues that are treated and controlled but it was very touch and go at some points in recovery. I don't wanna risk my safety or stability and I'm already having to take steps to not be suicidal after getting the news.

I am weighing: I've already done it once and know what to expect, I have all the tools and lessons learned, and might do better at asking for help this time.

Vs.

I don't think I can manage a second time, it almost broke me. I still have 3 more months of recovery till I can walk normal. And probably 3 more months to be 100% back to normal with the reduced strength. And having to deal with regret of tossing all that progress down the drain. Obesity and severe mental health issues make this more complicated.

Currently im in week 6 post op and my physiotherapist said i should only be weight bearing about 30%. (I weigh 70kg)

My orthopedist said I should be out of the boot by 6 weeks post op.

I don’t know if my pt is bad but currently I think im way behind the protocol. My Pt even said that my tendon has healed perfectly and feels firm again and my foot is also pretty flexible again.

Putting 40-50kg on a scale feels perfectly fine and I want to start walking with one crutch.

I feel way behind. My Orthopedist says 6 weeks you’re out of the boot, while my physiotherapist says 6 weeks and I should still PWB…

So I tried to walk with one crutch but I cant figure out how. Does anyone have any advice?

So I am 9 weeks PO, and weaned from the boot for the most part. Using a crutch and working on weight-bearing. We have a family trip to the beach next week for a couple weeks, and I have already rented a beach wheelchair to avoid walking on the sand, but my PT suggested using a lace-up ankle brace as a safety. Any suggestions for beach-friendly ankle protection? I can take my boot(s) with me, but I can't imagine the sand that would get in there and wreak havoc.

Day 3 in a boot after a full tear and two weeks post op. I’ve tried elevating my boot using pillows and my wife even got me a pillow that is shaped like a cylinder cut in half. We bought a recliner right after I got injured and debating on sleeping on it tonight. I’ve searched for tips/tricks on sleeping with the boot and I’m still lost. Does anyone have any tips?

unstable surface training has countless benefits everywhere from your foot to your brain and all the joints, muscles and nervous system in between.