Woe is me

[Allifunn]

While playing a tennis match yesterday I ruptured my achillies tendon. I am going to the orthopedic doctor today to find out the surgery scoop. Anyone out there have some productive advice?

 

[scooterbug44]

Let people help you so you don't hurt yourself more and then listen to the doctor and actually do the recommended PT and recovery.

Mama Scooterbug has major problems with this and I have to threaten to take away her chocolate and wine to make her behave and use her crutches.

 

[justhavinfun]

Having done major shoulder surgery last year, two thoughts come to mind - First off, find the absolute BEST Orthopod around even if that means travelling a long way - Second as Scooterbug says, be relentless about the rehab!! If you are not against travelling, I have great recommendations from Kentucky, specifically Lexington so PM me! Good Luck

 

[ameliaj]

Oh, I'm so sorry......What they said.......don't just find a good ortho, find a good ortho who does great achilles. Then rehab, rehab, rehab. It's not fun but you'll be glad in the long run.

 

[KISH7374]

Don't be afraid to ask for help and play the gimp card for as long as you can. Doing the recommended PT is one thing but trying to do too much will only result in more problems. The doctor also told us when my Mom shattered her shoulder to quit smoking. This prohibits the healing process. So if you smoke, this is a good excuse to quit.

 

[Beach Runner]

That stinks, Allifunn.

Unfortunately I don't know any ortho's within a reasonable distance of Walton County. Hubby had his back surgery at Emory Orthopedics and Spine Center in Atlanta. I go there too for my knees. There are signed photos all over the sports medicine offices and examining rooms at Emory from well-known University of Florida athletes who have had their injuries surgically repaired there. I'd say that's a great recommendation in that these athletes chose to go to Emory instead of Shands at UF in Gainesville.

 

[DD]

I don't have any advice honey, but I am soooooo sorry!!!! This sucks so bad. Prayers for you.

 

[LuciferSam]

While playing a tennis match yesterday I ruptured my achillies tendon. I am going to the orthopedic doctor today to find out the surgery scoop. Anyone out there have some productive advice?

Been there done that. I used Dr. Mark Williams in Panama City. I think he's excellent. He repaired a torn miniscus also. I would definitely get surgery. You can have a fairly complete recovery. It has to be immobilized for about six weeks after surgery. Keep it iced and elevated prior to surgery. Post op was very painful. Rehab involves getting range of motion back because you have less tendon so your calf muscle has to be stretched. Also a lot of balancing on 1 foot. The calf muscle will be weak. I think the treadmill at low speed is great. Hold onto the handrails with long slow strides. It's about six months before you can do any running.

 

[Beach Runner]

Been there done that. I used Dr. Mark Williams in Panama City. I think he's excellent. He repaired a torn miniscus also. I would definitely get surgery. You can have a fairly complete recovery. It has to be immobilized for about six weeks after surgery. Keep it iced and elevated prior to surgery. Post op was very painful. Rehab involves getting range of motion back because you have less tendon so your calf muscle has to be stretched. Also a lot of balancing on 1 foot. The calf muscle will be weak. I think the treadmill at low speed is great. Hold onto the handrails with long slow strides. It's about six months before you can do any running.

Thanks for the info about your torn meniscus. That's what I've been dealing with in my left knee, plus degenerative arthritis in both knees from too many years and too many miles of running. My surgeon at Emory says he doesn't want to do surgery on my torn meniscus until I have clicking, catching, or locking. That hasn't happened yet.

Again, good luck, Alli. I know from experience how depressing it is to have to stop running.

 

[gmarc]

See if you can get in mayo in jacksonville. i had an illness that put me in the hospital for over 100 days and went threw 350 tests from mri.cat scan,pet and galliun scan to 100's of other tests with no firm diagnosis.i've had 30 radialogists look at the mri's etc nothing shows up. its braing problem. when don't know never fails trey predisone. it worked for about 4 months but i've been dropping the dosage huge . i had a incident 10 days ago as maybe the roids wore off, anyway i want to find out whats wrong so mayo said they they'd the case. but i'd rather go to johns hopkins and its hard to get in. were ever you use triple check your insurance covers. tell the hopsital you're not paying any thing over usual and customary. any other charge they eat