Complete tear of right achilles tendon and reattachment surgery

by Robert Peacock
(Santa Rosa, California)

I had problems with the heel being inflammed for a year and a half. I finally resorted to the risky cortizone injection and a cast for 4 weeks to try to get it to heal. I was told there was an 80% success rate.

Initially there was some improvement.

I was walking on the beach this last Mothers day and stepped backward suddenly to avoid the water. I am sure that I partially tore the tendon then.

A week later I kicked an immovable object (accidently) full stride in my garage and the tendon ripped away completely. I had reattachement surgery a week later. Two weeks out of surgery, my doctors are not sure that they like what they are feeling in my heel.

My foot was put in a cast with the toe pointed (a pain in the butt and uncomfortable)I have 3 weeks to go in it, then maybe a walking cast to start bearing weight again.

Surgery was smooth, relatively pain free. They did an epidural which temporarily deadened everything, and I mean everything from the waist down.

It really stinking hurt later the night of surgery (out patient)and the next day.

Tip: Ask for Percocet and take them before the pain really kicks in.

Not in so much pain now. The new cast is waterproof so I can get in a pool now that it is summer. That is a nice break from the monotony of this injury.

I highly suggest renting a knee walker while recovering from this injury. It is a four wheeled manual scooter that you can glide around with. It is highly preferrable to crutches and it frees up a hand so you can carry something around.

It is also great for ensuring that you DO NOT place weight on the foot. It's too easy to screw up with crutches. Scars down the back of heal and in the right calf area.

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Joshua Answers:

Hi Robert. Thanks for sharing that Achilles Tendon reattachment surgery experience.

The knee walker tip is a great idea.

And yeah, as pain returns to the surgery site after the painkillers wear off....that's a doozy!

Regardless of whether you had Tendonitis or Tendonosis that set the Achilles Tendon up for a tear, once the tear happens it's a totally different ballgame.

You may be interested in The ARPwave System. Yes there's a cost, but you can look forward to a 6-8 week full recovery. It may or may not be for you, but it comes with my highest recommendation as the ONLY way to get fast and full recovery after surgery (and often preventing one from needing surgery in the first place, even with full tears).

Otherwise, come on back when the cast comes off and we'll see what we can do for you self-care-wise to make sure you stay out of pain, speed your healing, etc.












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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com