Partially ruptured achilles at calf...

[StuckInTheEast]

Just fishing for any input from anyone who may have delt with this type of injury as far as what was done to fix and how long/rough recover was.

Long of it short, I won a stupid prize pushing something apparently too heavy yesterday. Something snapped loudly and violently in back of my right calf on forward stride. Put me on my ass cursing and fighting passing out.
ER folks say most likely achilles where it attaches to calf muscles. It's not all balled up so not totally gone...but the snap sure points towards that vs just a muscle tear.
Can't get into Ortho till Tuesday so nothing but time right now sit and think about how bad this gonna make me for the summer and our vacation in 3 weeks...
I'm sure they will need some imaging to see what let go for sure, but all things point this way presently.
So how screwed am I?

 

[Poser]

Probably not going to be able to tell you anything definitive without an MRI. You might go ahead and see about scheduling one -you can always cancel if you don’t need it.

Assuming an injury to the Achilles, it’s going to be relatively slow to recover. Now, what that recovery looks like, I can’t say. In the meantime:

Get yourself 2 wrap around ice packs. You need 2 because they take awhile to get really cold and you’ll be using them regularly.

Voltaren arthritis cream. It’s basically IB Proffen in a cream form. Apply it liberally and regularly.

You’ll likely need to dedicate at least a few days to a week of staying off of it as much as you can to give yourself some recovery runway. A walking cane can really help take some load off that leg for when you have to get around.

You might consider BPC 157 Peptides. You can buy it legally online but Drs can’t recommend it and nor is it FDA regulated. Do some reading up on it. I’m currently using it myself for an injury. It’s a synthetic version of a compound your body already produces to heal injuries. It’s kind of akin to the healing process on steroids, especially if you are older than 35 or so, but, again, it’s the Wild West of opinions.

Good luck.

 

[8mille]

Just fishing for any input from anyone who may have delt with this type of injury as far as what was done to fix and how long/rough recover was.

Long of it short, I won a stupid prize pushing something apparently too heavy yesterday. Something snapped loudly and violently in back of my right calf on forward stride. Put me on my ass cursing and fighting passing out.
ER folks say most likely achilles where it attaches to calf muscles. It's not all balled up so not totally gone...but the snap sure points towards that vs just a muscle tear.
Can't get into Ortho till Tuesday so nothing but time right now sit and think about how bad this gonna make me for the summer and our vacation in 3 weeks...
I'm sure they will need some imaging to see what let go for sure, but all things point this way presently.
So how screwed am I?

Mentally prepare to exercise patience. I had an Achilles tendon(the other end from yours)
that was painful and mildly debilitating for two decades; on some days ! However, yours may not end up nearly as bad.
Edit: come to think of it I also pulled it at the base of the calf like you pushing our car that broke down on the way back from salmon fishing on Vancouver Island. How could I forget. Hard time -and painful- but it came and went. Not like the aforementioned. You’ll be fine. Best wishes. Hang tough.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Got the wrap ice packs already from previous knee/shoulder issues unfortunately and putting them to use.
Planning to stay off it as much as possible until I see the Doc.
My sister in law works for a good orthopedic and has me setup to get in Tuesday and then schedule MRI then for same or next day.
I'm hoping for better news than it feels like I'll get...I'll read up on the supplements.
Patience is not my strong point. I'm already stressing all the stuff I can't get done around house/work for at least next few weeks/months. Sitting tight and not over doing it will be a challenge. I worked through knee and shoulder surgery with only a week off for each of those 2 years back...not sure that'll be the case with this one.
May have to change up antelope plans here in a hurry too. Trying not to over think it but failing at that pretty miserably at the moment.

 

[Whaledriver]

Sorry to hear. I ruptured mine back in spring of 2018. Had surgery in March, hauled out my bull in November (12" snow and 8 mile round trip). I admit, I pushed hard and was sore for a couple weeks. I did the Aaron Rodgers surgery style. I was out of surgery 5 days and walking in a boot. I worked my tail off in PT. It was not pleasant but worked. Took me 9 months to be 100%. Long story, long it is rough but can be overcome. I never think about it now. Doc said my other one would blow before repaired one...lol.

Side note. If you do have surgery. Infection (low blood flow area) is a thing. Follow docs instructions on how to prevent. I changed cotton socks 3 times a day religiously. I have know two guys who had infection. It is no bueno.

If you are in the front range CO, PM me for a good doc. Good luck!!

 

[Cervid]

the main thing you need to do right now is get off the leg and splint the ankle joint so that your toes are pointed down. Once you go to the orthopedist you’ll get a real diagnosis and a treatment plan, but doing that right now will potentially help save some time on recovery if you decide not to do surgery.

I tore my Achilles a few years ago. Mine was also high up on the tendon and I got it splinted immediately. The torn ends didn’t separate that far from each other. After talking it over with the surgeon, I decided to not have a surgery. (If I’m going into surgery, I want the surgeon to be gung ho about surgery - this one wasn’t. Plus, there are a number of studies that don’t really find any meaningful benefit to surgery.) It took me about 6 months to feel normal. The actual recovery is longer than that though just because you lose so much fitness from not being on your feet and exercising regularly. I did a lot of PT - really recommend hitting that hard.

One last thing - an immobilizing injury like a torn Achilles with a lengthy recovery is harder to deal with mentally than physically. It just really sucks to not be able to even walk around like normal for a long time and enjoy your regular activities. It also can impact your relationships.

Good luck

 

[180ls1]

Got the wrap ice packs already from previous knee/shoulder issues unfortunately and putting them to use.

The advice/actions is good so far. I would caution you on this though. Inflammation is linked to your body's natural healing process so I would not be icing the injury unless you need it for sleep.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Appreciate the input fellas. I'm hoping I'm over thinking this and Doc just says a boot for a few weeks and sone PT.
I woke up this morning wishing it was Tuesday so I can get some real direction on the matter, the timing is just terrible. It's never a good time for an injury...but December/Jan/Feb would have been alot easier to deal with. There is so much planned and going on next few weeks/months my head is spinning just trying to sort out how to make it all work even if this is much less dramatic than it feels.
I'll update once I have final diagnosis

 

[McCrapper]

Is the soreness in your calf or in the heel?

I just popped the plantaris tendon about 3 months ago. I was playing basketball, it snapped, i heard it, the guy I was cutting around heard it and that was that. Look into this, maybe this will match your symptoms and maybe save you some money. There is nothing you can do about it. I took BPC-157 as well, RICE was the recommended treatment and you will make your vacation.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Is the soreness in your calf or in the heel?

I just popped the plantaris tendon about 3 months ago. I was playing basketball, it snapped, i heard it, the guy I was cutting around heard it and that was that. Look into this, maybe this will match your symptoms and maybe save you some money. There is nothing you can do about it. I took BPC-157 as well, RICE was the recommended treatment and you will make your vacation.

Ive read into that...i suppose its possible, much rather deal with that. Its sore/swollen, light bruising in spots from just below back of knee to 4" above ankle. My main concern is I can see deformity of calf muscle vs my good leg. Could just be swelling...I dont know.
Just gonna try to make this day go as fast as possible to get to tomorrow.
Think Ive gotten myself past the guilt and self loathing. I've got a great wife and 2 boys old and able enough to fill in alot of gaps, we will deal with it however it goes. The uncertainty is driving me mad presently as there are things that need rescheduled, rethought, preplanned or canceled in short order pending diagnosis. Like I said....its just terrible timing more than anything right now.

 

[waspocrew]

Sorry to hear about the injury! One thing is for certain - injuries rarely occur at a convenient time. I can't really add much besides see what imaging shows and be consistent with rehab (whether surgery happens or not). Hoping you'll have a speedy recovery!

 

[cottonant]

Sorry about your injury. In 2010 while water skiing/chasing buoys my Achilles tore in one place at the heel, and ruptured in another place just above it. Surgery 5 days later with a pin at the heel and a reconnect where it ruptured.

If my memory is correct, a cast and crutches for 6 to 8 weeks then a boot for another couple of months. Had a knee scooter to get around on at home. Six months later I was back on the water. I still use a wedge from time to time to keep it stretched out.

A buddy ruptured his Achilles at the calf while playing tennis. Recovery from his injury took longer due to having to sew the Achilles back to the calf muscle.

“Partially ruptured” should be a less painful and quicker recovery. Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[StuckInTheEast]

So my assumption was mostly correct, just not as bad as I feared. Tear at lower gastrocnemius...where tendon attaches and then runs down becoming the achilles.
Doc says should not require surgery presently unless things don't start to heal properly on their own.
RICE, walking boot and crutches/knee scooter to get around vs walking any long distances in boot for a few weeks to start. Go back in 4 weeks.
Said the large knot I see/feel on middle of inner calf is hematoma and Ill likely show some colorful bruising down into foot next few days.
He was not concerned with me walking in boot as tolerated but I'll aim to stay off it as much as possible next few weeks. Will get a good large tire knee scooter for work and vacation to be more mobile and get around airports easier...still gonna piss on all the hiking we planned. Perhaps a bit more fishing and just taking in what can be seen not far from the beaten path...be a more typical tourist...hate the thought of it, but better than nothing. Said 4-6 months to heal and few more to feel 100%. Will likely get some PT scheduled for after 4 check up if that goes well.
Not good news, but not terrible and shouldn't require changing up antelope plans for October, just gonna make summer vacation a bit more of a challenge, a bit less exciting and more laid back than planned.

 

[Curhunter]

I completely tore mine off of the calf muscles a couple years ago. Had surgery to reattach and was in cast for almost 2 months. I was told it would be a 2-4 inch incision and ended up closer to 12. Besides tearing it off all of the tendons were frayed and had to be repaired.
Once the cast was off I was in a walking boot for another 2 months.
Today I can walk with no issues and I am working on running again. The tendon is strong but is stiff. No more jumping for me.
Listen to the doctors and don't push it. When therapy starts follow through with it.

 

[cottonant]

Excellent news! Yea it will be a pita in the airport and on your trip(s), but not needing surgery is a real blessing. Congrats!

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Just a quick update at 1 week in...This absolutely sucks.
I'd go in and have rotator cuff surgery and meniscus repair again twice tomorrow vs this tear in the calf.
It's tolerable in the boot for a bit or laid out with ice pack, but it just hurts like hell most the time and Tylenol doesn't dent it. I won't do the hard Rx pain meds so it's just misery presently.
10/10 do not recommend this type of injury...ask for help and don't try push stuff that's just too heavy on your own. Really hoping it let's up a bit next week or two or vacation is just gonna be misery with different scenery.

 

[wyosam]

Just a quick update at 1 week in...This absolutely sucks.
I'd go in and have rotator cuff surgery and meniscus repair again twice tomorrow vs this tear in the calf.
It's tolerable in the boot for a bit or laid out with ice pack, but it just hurts like hell most the time and Tylenol doesn't dent it. I won't do the hard Rx pain meds so it's just misery presently.
10/10 do not recommend this type of injury...ask for help and don't try push stuff that's just too heavy on your own. Really hoping it let's up a bit next week or two or vacation is just gonna be misery with different scenery.

You might try a compression sock/TED hose. It might help with pain when you’re up and about. Might also hurt like hell trying to get it on, but worth a shot. It helped me with a partial years ago.


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[StuckInTheEast]

You might try a compression sock/TED hose. It might help with pain when you’re up and about. Might also hurt like hell trying to get it on, but worth a shot. It helped me with a partial years ago.


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Compression sleeve is only relief I can get presently, definitely helps, but Soon as it comes off it just hurts constantly.
Been getting by with Ice, elevation every few hrs and compression. Compression helps the most but nothing is comfortable. Ive got a scooter to get around and doing pretty well staying off it last few days but it's gotten little worse each day last 3 days. Some pretty drastic swelling by end of day, but few hrs of elevation and icing and it subsides.
Doc wants MRI in a hurry now for some reason so headed for that this afternoon.

 

[Huntinmechanic]

Good luck with recovery. I hope you get good news from the MRI today. Look into BPC-157 peptides. Here's some reading material regarding them https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30915550/

I had my left achilles surgically detached and reattached May 15, 2022 using the Achilles Speed Bridge method. I realize this doesn't pertain to your particular injury, but it may help you feel better about your prognosis. The surgery was to remove a 6mm bone spur that was causing insertional achilles tendonitis. Up until the surgery, I was taking 1600mg/day of ibuprofen to function. I lived with it for 3 years.

From the start, Doc told me 8 months to full activity, i.e. basketball, heavy squats, heavy hiking, etc. I mostly followed orders. I was full weight bearing at 4 weeks post surgery, while in a boot. I started PT around week 3. The boot came off in late June. By early July I was fishing and strolling along the beaches in Kauai and hunting second season OTC elk near Gunnison. I took it pretty easy though. I wasn't hiking anything too steep or walking too much in loose sand or rocks.

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Initial mri Read is a grade 2 gastrocnemius tear/strain. Intact achilles, intact planteras. significant edema/swelling. Follow up tomorrow with orthopedic for reevaluation. The concern is Im worsening vs any improvement over last week and half despite limiting time on foot, wearing boot when up and about, using scooter to get around, continuous RICE treatment... to be continued.
Been reading on the peptides...Im still on the fence there, especially with lack of real standards/regulations on them. Got enough problems at the moment, if I had adverse reactions to that stuff it'd just be salt in the wound right now.