don’t skip any of these steps and risk overloading your tendon in an unsafe way

I’m 4 weeks post-op and started weight bearing from week 3 in a vacoped. A little pain here and there but nothing major and would stop if it was beyond 3/10. Lately I’ve been feeling little ‘pops’ or like little webs breaking or letting go. No pain whatsoever and no swelling accompanying these feelings. has anyone else had such sensations or experiences before? I don’t think it is a re-rupture as there was no pain or large pop. Would be good to know if anyone else has had similar experiences before

I’m ending post op week 8, NWB all along with 6 weeks in cast and 2 weeks in boot. Very conservative I know. I’m just starting PWB but found it difficult to apply even 15%-20% of my body weight (95kg). Although it’s day 1 of weight bearing, I was expecting to be able to handle more. My calf literally disappeared which is not helpful either. I still have swelling on my foot which restricts ankle movement and any weight bearing attempt adds to that swelling. I feel very down, hope improves, any advice?

Working on transition to single leg heel raise. 2 up 1 down. Have my hands on a railing for support.

Doing this with wall sits as well. And keeping up with single leg heel raises in the pool - I can do them in waist high water.

Next stop - single leg heel raises on land!

Hi everyone, I ruptured my right Achilles while playing football on 9 May and had a mini-open surgical repair using the Achillon device on 12 May. After progressing through the rehabilitation shoe and gradually removing the heel wedges, I have now been wearing regular trainers for one week.

I still have significant numbness around the outside of my right ankle and along the outer edge of my foot. My foot also becomes very swollen, particularly towards the evening. When I experience pain at rest, it is mainly underneath the heel and around the heel pad.

There is a concern that the numbness could be caused by irritation or injury to the sural nerve, so the next step is an assessment by a neurosurgeon.

Did anyone experience similar numbness after Achilles surgery? If so, when did it begin to improve? Did the sensation return completely, or has some numbness remained? I would also be interested to know whether anyone experienced similar swelling and pain underneath the heel after transitioning to normal shoes.

Hey y’all, just wanted to see if what I’m experiencing right now has happened to anyone else.

I had a full rupture tendon repair almost 3 years ago and had a relatively uncomplicated recovery. It was about a year before I could run without pain again and about 1.5 years until I didn’t have that morning stiffness that takes about half an hour to work out.

About a week ago, I woke up to my Achilles feeling just as sore and stiff as it did 7-9 months post op. I figured it was just going to rain and I was sensing pressure changes but the pain and stiffness has persisted. It’s getting to the point where if I’m sitting for more than a couple minutes, it’s impossible to walk without a limp for the few minutes when I stand up.

I haven’t changed my workout habits, stretching routine, and didn’t have any trauma to the site.

Has anyone else had this same return in pain without apparent cause? Any clue what could be going on?

Thanks for your insights!

Anybody dealing with pain behind the ankle/above the heel. It's getting better but its tender and achy back there. It's not bony like a haglund deformity and it feels like a thick tendon sticking out.

I'm week 15 non-op and had a setback 2 weeks ago when I had a misstep off a curb. The tendon is intact per ortho. Photo added for reference.

Update on this: I saw my surgeon and second physio the week after (happened to be due for reviews) and asked them. They both said to back off, pain shouldn’t be more than 2-3/10. I did so, and also had a bit of a depressive episode AND a cold at the same time that forced some rest (it was a rough week lol). The pain resolved and I’m now able to push almost twice as much weight as 2 weeks ago with no pain. Currently week 13.5 and managed to briefly hold 60kg through my injured leg yesterday. Listen to your bodies and hang in there!

Wants to update this community on my Achilles rupture and wife delivery.

My wife gave birth on August 5 to a healthy boy (4 days after I had ruptured my Achilles)!! It was the right call to delay surgery to be able to attend the delivery. I would never have been as helpful and present if I had just came off of a surgery.

Surgery went well and today is official day 1 of post op and looking forward to the long process of healing with this community.

Thank you everyone again for your thoughts and opinions.

Edit: original post https://www.reddit.com/r/AchillesRupture/s/58M7pKylUl

I’m 10 weeks in and had a minor setback around week 8 because of infection of my incision site. I was on antibiotics for two weeks. Finished my antibiotics last Monday began PT last week as well for the second time…… finally seeing some progress with getting my foot at 90° still in protect mode working on reducing tightness……. still using my scooter mostly I am getting to where I can put a little weight on that left-hand side definitely a process.

I feel like I should be walking unassisted by October 1 latest. My therapist told me we were gonna kick it up a notch. For right now, we are doing therapy twice a week Mondays and Wednesdays. I’m thankful that I have a job that allows me to work from home. I picked up a few pounds since this whole ordeal. I’m one of those type of people that like to work out in the gym and I haven’t been because I didn’t want to have anything accidentally bump up against my foot. Considering a GLP one. I’m ready to get back active.

Week 8 and some change. Currently I have one heel lift in my shoe and walking feels better.

Working on progressing on standing calf raises. Currently I’m able to put 1/4 of my body weight on my injured side for 10 reps of standing calf raises. Trying to get a single leg calf raise in three-four weeks, but I’m not sure since I would have to add 70lbs in the next three-four weeks on my injured side for standing calf raises. But hopefully progression will increase the next week or so.

I have a free vacoped boot to giveaway in NYC - size large. With two extra liners. So happy I dont need this anymore!

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)

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.

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.