Had surgery beginning of july for a chronic Achilles tendon rupture. They performed a FHL transfer. I'm now at 3 months and I'm walking without the boot indoors and doing some strength exercises supervised by my physio. I'm 56 years old this type of injury is a nightmare especially if you're an old fart like me however my progress is good and my consultant seems to think the boot can be dispensed with completely in 2 weeks. Your videos have been very informative and given me hope that eventually I'll get the ankle back to almost what is was before the injury. Just gonna take time. Again thanks for the videos
You're very welcome and it sounds like you have the right attitude. Knowing it will take some time to get back to your usual form allows you to handle this journey of recovery with patience and a positive mind. I hope your recovery goes smoothly and let me know if you have any questions.
I appreciate your video! Im at month 9 on my first ever surgery. really gave me some confidence knowing mentally where you are and how you are feeling. thanks again CC
You're welcome Walter! I'm at about 2 years post surgery and I feel like I'm completely back to normal again, playing basketball every friday and not worrying about it at all. No mental blocks when I'm performing any moves etc.
Good luck man, just keep consistent with your exercises and know that you should be able to make a full recovery. I'm on my second achilles and it's almost back to 85% now around month 9-10 and I expect it to be 95-100% after month 12.
Thank you man, it was definitely challenging but the second one was easier than the first because I knew what to expect and had experience going through it already.
I'm in 6 month and still not able to do that much ( my age - am 76 years old), but an active woman. I, unfortunately built neuropathy and around my surgery area looks darker and have pain.
Be patient as it's a gradual process. Have you been doing any physiotherapy or exercises at home? Try to be consistent with the exercises and also getting lots of nutrition and rest to fuel the healing. At your age, it'll be important to challenge your achilles but be mindful how long it takes for you to recover between days of exercises.
I’m at month 7 post op and still doing PT. I can relate to your flat tire analogy while walking fast. Still pushing to get my left calf muscle stronger.
Hey Chi! I was wondering if you felt weakness at the end range of your plantar flexion, for example when you were doing your calf raises? I currently feel weakness in the end range, and there is some "jerkiness" in the muscle movement as well, likely due to a lack of muscle control in the end range. Wondering if you experienced weakness or jerkiness in the end range?
Yes that is completely normal. At the end ranges of motion, your body with naturally limit your force generation until your flexibility and strength returns. Otherwise, youd risk tearing it again. This will naturally get better as you gain more strength and ROM.
Damn bro you brave as hell ❤️🙏🏻I ruptured mines in 2020 I ruptured it 2 inches before you get too the heel . It took me a full year just too get my full strength back it’s better now but I gave up on sports completely bro ..
Yeah I feel you, especially after returning to sports and tearing my other achilles. But at this point, I'm two year post my last surgery and I'm back to playing sports again, it just takes extra time to stretch and keep it strong but sports is definitely on the table if it's something you want to get back into.
how’s your jogging and pushing off ability now ? i’m at week 2 post op they’re removing my stitches in about 10 days so i’ll be in the boot soon. great game btw👍🏽
Im at about Month 10 now and my standing vertical jump is almost back to where it was since I've been doing squats and cleans again but my stamina for jogging still needs improvement. Mostly because I haven't been jogging since it was so cold here in Toronto but I'll start to now. I can probably jog around 2-3 km before I have to stop but Im sure I can get it to 5 km pretty quick. I just hate jogging, Id rather play sports but thats too dangerous right now.
Take your time and just try to walk consciously by trying to get onto your toes and mimic regular biomechanics whenever possible. Even if you end up walking extra slow...
The tendon will be hard at the surgery part for a while until you gain strength and flexibility, the tendon will naturally return to a more pliable and softer state as you recover. Cross friction massage of the tendon will help break up scar tissue as well. And yes there is soreness and some pain after long walks, thats normal and you want to keep working it. Walking is really the best form of physio.
I think it was around Month 7 or 8 and it wasn't a full lift to the top either. It's alright if it takes a bit more time, just keep strengthening it using the progressions like leaning over a counter or doing negatives until you gain the strength back.
Hey, I tore mine sept 8, 2020 & I’m struggling with single leg calf raise. That’s the hump I’m tryna get over and get use to landing on my toes when I’m jumping single leg. How did you recover or things you did because I play basketball as well.. I’m not sure if the strength isn’t there as well as if it’s a mental thing. What did u do to lead up to that single leg calf raise?
Hey you're only at about Month 5 post op. I have a catch-up video I'll put out in the next couple of days to give you an update. Single calf raises are going to be an on-going struggle for the next few months. It's going to feel like a flat tire for now and you wont get any pushoff yet. Your body is just getting use to your achilles connecting to your calves again and needing to generate strength. For the single calf raise, start with leaning over a chair or table that you can use to help you off the ground. If thats still too hard, you can use your other leg to help but make sure your still letting your injured leg carry some weight.
quick question do you wear insoles in your shoes after your achilles surgery? and did you start jogging before you could fully do a single leg calf raise?
I did not wear any insoles in my shoes after achilles. Once I was out of the boot + heel wedges, I went into normal shoes. As for jogging, yes you can do some light jogging before a full single leg calf raise but I'd be very careful and slow. Keep working on both heel raises and walking/super light jogging and you'll see the strength and mobility come back quick.
Yeah look for my protocol in the description section of my Week 1 video and see the schedule for an early weight bearing protocol. I'd say just start seated in a chair and slowly add more and more pressure to your foot to get a sense of how it feels. Let your body / pain be the guide and don't try and speed faster than the protocol. Flipside, your body can likely take more than you think it can. So when you're feeling 7/10 pain, you should ease up even though it can probably take 9/10 or 10/10 pain and still not rupture again.
Hey man I appreciate everything you did with your videos I’m week 5 post surgery and my doctor told me there’s no 25 percent or 50 percent bearing, he said for its zero percent and then after 6 weeks he’ll let me drive without the boot and start PT. I was just wondering if I’ll be able to hoop again by November or December
You likely won't be hooping again by Nov or Dec. At least not full pace games, but shootarounds may be alright and some drills. It'll take till around Month 10-12 depending on your physio and work effort. Don't want to rush it because thee last thing you need is to re-rupture it and then you're out for another 10 months when you couldve waited an extra month or two and really made sure it's bulletproof.
@@nickgabe9940 Lol nah definitely don't recommend getting out of the boot then. Even if your protocol says you'll be out then, Id suggest keeping that bad boy strapped tight and enjoy your night. Last thing you want to worry about is accidentally walking on it wrong while youre drinking and having a good time. Or just distracted with friends etc.
WIll do! Ah man right before Christmas, sorry to hear that. But keep up a healthy diet, get good rest and stay consistent with your physio and you'll be back in no time. Stay strong, you got this!
Traditional surgery is just an open procedure where they cut up your entire calf starting from the achilles and its just one long open cut. The newer procedure, they just cut one small hole in your heel and two small holes higher up on your calf and use a video microscope and machine to sew your achilles back together. Basically theres far less wound to heal from when your surgery is done.
I made the dumb mistake of playing volleyball at pretty much full speed during month 6 and now starting 7.. I have bad ankle pain intermittently .. I’ve already cut out all explosive exercises since I’ve felt the pain and I don’t feel any improvement. Also my PT was done really early . I can’t do single leg raises like you can but I’m also 225lbs. Do you have any suggestions on what i could do ?
Ah yeah definitely be careful with any explosive exercises this early on. Focus on developing the full range of motion through knee to wall stretches and strength through that full range of motion doing single leg calf raises on elevated surface for a while before you get into the more explosive movements. I'd stay away from competitive sports for a little bit because its easy to forget your injured and to go after a ball that you shouldnt go after when youre still recovering.
Yeah my second Achilles was probably weak due to the stress from sports all my life and then during the recovery of my left Achilles before I got the knee scooter, I was overusing it by jumping around a lot with my crutches. So I was putting a lot of my weight on my right leg and jumping around a lot which lead to overuse.
I just wonder how are outher people getting back to sport at month 6 maybe 8 even a phisiotherapist made a video of his complete recovery time and by end of mont 4 he was runing making jump rope and even skeeing..... i have a friend he was a world champ at long jump he made a recovery for 5 monts.... maybe its different for everybody sorry for my english writing its bad haha
@@vasilasenov-om4dh Just watch out that you don't overuse your right achilles while your left one is recovering. I was hopping around a lot on crutches which puts extra weight and strain on the right one and this is why I also got a knee scooter. As you recover, just try to do the same physio exercises for your uninjured leg as well to help bulletproof it. Single leg calf raises on stairs or platform are great for bulletproofing your achilles.
@@vasilasenov-om4dh These timelines are definitely a bit more aggressive than my experience. It's definitely doable but likely requires a lot of work and effort. A more normal timeline would be around Month 8-12 to get back to sports especially if they're high impact like Basketball or Tennis etc. It also depends on your age and fitness level before the injury as well.
Did you have surgery to repair it? Also have you been good with physio therapy or exercises at home? Ideally you should be able to walk normally now and be comfortable with calf raises if you’re around month 4 or 5 post op.
Had surgery beginning of july for a chronic Achilles tendon rupture. They performed a FHL transfer. I'm now at 3 months and I'm walking without the boot indoors and doing some strength exercises supervised by my physio. I'm 56 years old this type of injury is a nightmare especially if you're an old fart like me however my progress is good and my consultant seems to think the boot can be dispensed with completely in 2 weeks. Your videos have been very informative and given me hope that eventually I'll get the ankle back to almost what is was before the injury. Just gonna take time. Again thanks for the videos
You're very welcome and it sounds like you have the right attitude. Knowing it will take some time to get back to your usual form allows you to handle this journey of recovery with patience and a positive mind. I hope your recovery goes smoothly and let me know if you have any questions.
I appreciate your video! Im at month 9 on my first ever surgery. really gave me some confidence knowing mentally where you are and how you are feeling. thanks again CC
You're welcome Walter! I'm at about 2 years post surgery and I feel like I'm completely back to normal again, playing basketball every friday and not worrying about it at all. No mental blocks when I'm performing any moves etc.
How many months after surgery did you play your first pick up game @chichen?
This is really motivating, I’m at 3 weeks post op. My rupture was a vertical sheer so I had a weird operation. I start PT in 2 weeks!
Good luck man, just keep consistent with your exercises and know that you should be able to make a full recovery. I'm on my second achilles and it's almost back to 85% now around month 9-10 and I expect it to be 95-100% after month 12.
Chi Chen Thank you King! 👑
2 ruptures man you’re a real champion 💪🏾💪🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🛐🛐
Thank you man, it was definitely challenging but the second one was easier than the first because I knew what to expect and had experience going through it already.
@@ChiChen3
What’s the update on the injury?
@@jeromeparker1055 I'm fully healed now and have been playing basketball, boxing and jiu jitsu for the last year or two!
@@ChiChen3
Great news I’m going on 8 months now, those single calf raises are my biggest challenge yet lol
Very informative and encouraging. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
You lowkey have game to you, lol. Behind the back side step jumpshot. Legit.
Thanks mang! Even after two torn achilles, I still cant put the game down.
I'm in 6 month and still not able to do that much ( my age - am 76 years old), but an active woman. I, unfortunately built neuropathy and around my surgery area looks darker and have pain.
Be patient as it's a gradual process. Have you been doing any physiotherapy or exercises at home? Try to be consistent with the exercises and also getting lots of nutrition and rest to fuel the healing. At your age, it'll be important to challenge your achilles but be mindful how long it takes for you to recover between days of exercises.
Helpful to see this. Thanks!
I’m at month 7 post op and still doing PT. I can relate to your flat tire analogy while walking fast. Still pushing to get my left calf muscle stronger.
Yeah it'll take time and my calves were the last thing to recover in size and strength but keep at it and the bounciness will come back!
@@ChiChen3 what month did you feel comfortable sprinting ?
Hey Chi! I was wondering if you felt weakness at the end range of your plantar flexion, for example when you were doing your calf raises? I currently feel weakness in the end range, and there is some "jerkiness" in the muscle movement as well, likely due to a lack of muscle control in the end range. Wondering if you experienced weakness or jerkiness in the end range?
Yes that is completely normal. At the end ranges of motion, your body with naturally limit your force generation until your flexibility and strength returns. Otherwise, youd risk tearing it again. This will naturally get better as you gain more strength and ROM.
Damn bro you brave as hell ❤️🙏🏻I ruptured mines in 2020 I ruptured it 2 inches before you get too the heel . It took me a full year just too get my full strength back it’s better now but I gave up on sports completely bro ..
Yeah I feel you, especially after returning to sports and tearing my other achilles. But at this point, I'm two year post my last surgery and I'm back to playing sports again, it just takes extra time to stretch and keep it strong but sports is definitely on the table if it's something you want to get back into.
Will you be doing an update soon? I’m about 5 weeks out should be coming out the boot next week hopefully.
how’s your jogging and pushing off ability now ? i’m at week 2 post op they’re removing my stitches in about 10 days so i’ll be in the boot soon. great game btw👍🏽
Im at about Month 10 now and my standing vertical jump is almost back to where it was since I've been doing squats and cleans again but my stamina for jogging still needs improvement. Mostly because I haven't been jogging since it was so cold here in Toronto but I'll start to now. I can probably jog around 2-3 km before I have to stop but Im sure I can get it to 5 km pretty quick. I just hate jogging, Id rather play sports but thats too dangerous right now.
Good job🎉
Thanks 😁
how are you mate, please make a new video, tell us how you doing 🥳🤩
Haha yeah I will, I broke my camera so I'll have to figure it out with my iPhone@@uniqau
@@ChiChen3 tx for all 👍
Many thanks. I can’t go up on my toes yet ( bilateral Achilles torn) my walk is still old lady like🥹
Take your time and just try to walk consciously by trying to get onto your toes and mimic regular biomechanics whenever possible. Even if you end up walking extra slow...
@@ChiChen3 Chi, thank you I will do that. (& I am an old lady🥲)
Bro make a video on your tendon it is soft or hard near sugery part. And tell me u have pain after long walks ?
The tendon will be hard at the surgery part for a while until you gain strength and flexibility, the tendon will naturally return to a more pliable and softer state as you recover. Cross friction massage of the tendon will help break up scar tissue as well. And yes there is soreness and some pain after long walks, thats normal and you want to keep working it. Walking is really the best form of physio.
Do you know when you were able to do single leg raises on your injured Achilles? I’m at 7 months and still unable to do it
I think it was around Month 7 or 8 and it wasn't a full lift to the top either. It's alright if it takes a bit more time, just keep strengthening it using the progressions like leaning over a counter or doing negatives until you gain the strength back.
Hey, I tore mine sept 8, 2020 & I’m struggling with single leg calf raise. That’s the hump I’m tryna get over and get use to landing on my toes when I’m jumping single leg. How did you recover or things you did because I play basketball as well.. I’m not sure if the strength isn’t there as well as if it’s a mental thing. What did u do to lead up to that single leg calf raise?
Hey you're only at about Month 5 post op. I have a catch-up video I'll put out in the next couple of days to give you an update. Single calf raises are going to be an on-going struggle for the next few months. It's going to feel like a flat tire for now and you wont get any pushoff yet. Your body is just getting use to your achilles connecting to your calves again and needing to generate strength. For the single calf raise, start with leaning over a chair or table that you can use to help you off the ground. If thats still too hard, you can use your other leg to help but make sure your still letting your injured leg carry some weight.
@@ChiChen3 Thank you so much
quick question do you wear insoles in your shoes after your achilles surgery? and did you start jogging before you could fully do a single leg calf raise?
I did not wear any insoles in my shoes after achilles. Once I was out of the boot + heel wedges, I went into normal shoes. As for jogging, yes you can do some light jogging before a full single leg calf raise but I'd be very careful and slow. Keep working on both heel raises and walking/super light jogging and you'll see the strength and mobility come back quick.
I’m 4 months post op and just started physical therapy last Friday any tips or techniques you can pass along by chance?
Check out my month 4 video ruclips.net/video/qzN1HGNu9FA/видео.html which will give you a good update!
I tore my achilles three weeks ago, and had a surgery two weeks ago, any tips for early weight bearing?
Yeah look for my protocol in the description section of my Week 1 video and see the schedule for an early weight bearing protocol. I'd say just start seated in a chair and slowly add more and more pressure to your foot to get a sense of how it feels. Let your body / pain be the guide and don't try and speed faster than the protocol. Flipside, your body can likely take more than you think it can. So when you're feeling 7/10 pain, you should ease up even though it can probably take 9/10 or 10/10 pain and still not rupture again.
Hey man I appreciate everything you did with your videos I’m week 5 post surgery and my doctor told me there’s no 25 percent or 50 percent bearing, he said for its zero percent and then after 6 weeks he’ll let me drive without the boot and start PT. I was just wondering if I’ll be able to hoop again by November or December
You likely won't be hooping again by Nov or Dec. At least not full pace games, but shootarounds may be alright and some drills. It'll take till around Month 10-12 depending on your physio and work effort. Don't want to rush it because thee last thing you need is to re-rupture it and then you're out for another 10 months when you couldve waited an extra month or two and really made sure it's bulletproof.
@@ChiChen3 okay gotcha and do you think i could start walking without the boot by week 8-10? Only asking cuz my birthday September 24th lol
@@nickgabe9940 Lol nah definitely don't recommend getting out of the boot then. Even if your protocol says you'll be out then, Id suggest keeping that bad boy strapped tight and enjoy your night. Last thing you want to worry about is accidentally walking on it wrong while youre drinking and having a good time. Or just distracted with friends etc.
@@ChiChen3 yea I hear ya appreciate that, hopefully I can at least walk with the boot then.
Please keep us posted at the 1 year mark
Post op 12-18-20 hate that day lol , just want to know can we get back to 100 percent !!
WIll do! Ah man right before Christmas, sorry to hear that. But keep up a healthy diet, get good rest and stay consistent with your physio and you'll be back in no time. Stay strong, you got this!
What is the traditional surgery and what is the surgery you had on your current rupture?
Traditional surgery is just an open procedure where they cut up your entire calf starting from the achilles and its just one long open cut. The newer procedure, they just cut one small hole in your heel and two small holes higher up on your calf and use a video microscope and machine to sew your achilles back together. Basically theres far less wound to heal from when your surgery is done.
I am on month 7 and it gets sore quick after working out.
Yeah this is totally normal and just keep at it (without injury) and it'll get stronger and stronger.
I made the dumb mistake of playing volleyball at pretty much full speed during month 6 and now starting 7.. I have bad ankle pain intermittently .. I’ve already cut out all explosive exercises since I’ve felt the pain and I don’t feel any improvement. Also my PT was done really early . I can’t do single leg raises like you can but I’m also 225lbs. Do you have any suggestions on what i could do ?
Ah yeah definitely be careful with any explosive exercises this early on. Focus on developing the full range of motion through knee to wall stretches and strength through that full range of motion doing single leg calf raises on elevated surface for a while before you get into the more explosive movements. I'd stay away from competitive sports for a little bit because its easy to forget your injured and to go after a ball that you shouldnt go after when youre still recovering.
can you tell me how you rupture you second leg... did it hurt before that because to rupture two different leggs you must have some sort of a problem
Yeah my second Achilles was probably weak due to the stress from sports all my life and then during the recovery of my left Achilles before I got the knee scooter, I was overusing it by jumping around a lot with my crutches. So I was putting a lot of my weight on my right leg and jumping around a lot which lead to overuse.
@@ChiChen3 im post surgery 3 weeks.... left achilles so im kinda scared about my right one maybe if i give it more rest latter it will be fine.....
I just wonder how are outher people getting back to sport at month 6 maybe 8 even a phisiotherapist made a video of his complete recovery time and by end of mont 4 he was runing making jump rope and even skeeing..... i have a friend he was a world champ at long jump he made a recovery for 5 monts.... maybe its different for everybody sorry for my english writing its bad haha
@@vasilasenov-om4dh Just watch out that you don't overuse your right achilles while your left one is recovering. I was hopping around a lot on crutches which puts extra weight and strain on the right one and this is why I also got a knee scooter. As you recover, just try to do the same physio exercises for your uninjured leg as well to help bulletproof it. Single leg calf raises on stairs or platform are great for bulletproofing your achilles.
@@vasilasenov-om4dh These timelines are definitely a bit more aggressive than my experience. It's definitely doable but likely requires a lot of work and effort. A more normal timeline would be around Month 8-12 to get back to sports especially if they're high impact like Basketball or Tennis etc. It also depends on your age and fitness level before the injury as well.
I tore mine Oct 20th 2020 how good should I feel
Did you have surgery to repair it? Also have you been good with physio therapy or exercises at home? Ideally you should be able to walk normally now and be comfortable with calf raises if you’re around month 4 or 5 post op.
He got game.
After two torn achilles playing ball, my main motivation for physio is so I can play again lol
Surgery is speed bridge...
I agree and partly why I opted for surgery!