If you have undergone or are facing Achilles tendon repair surgery, this post is for you.
I saw the movie trailer for Hercules starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson over the weekend, and noticed that his calves look good. Wait, what? Why am I looking at another guy’s calves?
Johnson, if you’re not aware, ruptured his left Achilles tendon while filming The Game Plan back in 2006. I ruptured my right Achilles tendon at around the same time in 2006. After almost eight years, his calves look good while mine are lopsided. I guess I have calf envy.
** Update 12/30/16 – My Shrunken Calf – An Achilles Tendon Rupture Story – Part 2 **
I am not comparing myself to The Rock. He is Hercules, and I am a mere mortal, but it did give me hope that I might be able to build my calf back up to its pre-Achilles surgery size.
Since I don’t know him and therefore can’t ask him directly, I consulted Google to see if I could find out what he did to rehab his shrunken calf. I found this recent picture on his twitter account:
Maybe it’s just the angle of the picture, but his left calf looks a bit smaller than his right. So maybe he hasn’t regained the full size of his calf, but it sure looks better than mine does.
I also found a Muscle & Fitness article that outlines his calf routine. According to the article, he does single leg calf raises on the leg press, standing single leg calf raises and seated calf raises.
When I was able to start lifting weights months after surgery, I did those exercises too, but probably not often, long or hard enough to see the difference.
It is time for me to try again.
If you have had Achilles repair surgery and have built your calf back up to normal size (or better), I would love to know how you did it.
If you haven’t had surgery yet, but have questions about what to expect, here is my story:
I ruptured my right Achilles in June 2006 when I was 38 years old. While playing on the first night of a new volleyball league, I jumped up to spike a ball and “POP”… I landed on the floor and looked around to see who had stomped on the back of my ankle, but nobody was there.
I didn’t know that I had ruptured my Achilles. All I knew was that I couldn’t lift my heel off the ground or push off the front of my foot. I put some ice on my ankle, hopped to my truck, called my wife and then drove myself to the emergency room. Luckily, I drove an automatic, because I couldn’t use my right foot and had to drive with my left (I don’t recommend this).
It didn’t take long for the doctor to determine that I had snapped my Achilles tendon in half. I believe the technique to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture is called the Simmonds-Thompson test, which essentially shows if the foot moves when the back of the calf is squeezed (the indentation on the back of my ankle where my Achilles ruptured, was also a giveaway). The nurse wrapped up my ankle, gave me some crutches and sent me home to await surgery.
Thanks to my wife working the phone, it took four days for me to get into surgery. I have read that many other people have waited much longer.
Since this was an outpatient surgery, I was sent home after I woke up. Having my tiny wife push my big body out of the hospital in a wheelchair was a unique experience, but she was a trooper.
I was alert and able to work from home the next day. I don’t remember much pain in the area of the repair, but I do remember throbbing pain in my inner and outer ankle areas, which I assume was from swelling. The prescription pain relievers definitely helped.
I had been working out a bit before my injury, so I was ready for the crutches and the task of lifting my body into and out of the bathtub with my foot hanging over the tub. Crutches are a pain though, so I looked for a different solution. I found this great contraption called the oneCrutch that allowed me to have one hand free to carry things as I walked around the house. I don’t think it is made anymore, but the website has a link to the Freedom Crutch. I haven’t used the Freedom Crutch, so I can’t vouch for it, but it appears to be based on the same principle as the oneCrutch.
After my surgery, I learned that there are two different types of surgery: percutaneous and open. I am not a medical professional, but I have read that percutaneous surgery requires a smaller incision and results in a faster recovery. Here is an abstract from a medical study I found:
CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous repair provides function similar to that achieved with open repair, with a better cosmetic appearance, a lower rate of wound complications, and no apparent increase in the risk of rerupture.
Unfortunately, I had open surgery and have the scar to prove it.
Here is a timeline of my surgery and initial recovery:
Day 01 – Surgery to repair Achilles (4 days after rupture while playing volleyball)
Day 15 – Bandages removed, first hard cast put on
Day 29 – Second hard cast put on
Day 48 – Second cast off, into a boot
Day 77 – No more boot, time to walk
It was about 11 weeks from surgery to walking in regular shoes. I assume that every case is a little different, so I have no idea if this will mirror your schedule.
I was freaked out when I tried to take my first step. I don’t know if other people have experienced this, but my right foot felt like it was broken (it wasn’t) when I tried to take a step for the first time. I guess it is because I hadn’t fully used it in such a long time. I don’t think that feeling lasted more than a few days, and after some time and physical therapy I was able to walk normally again and play sports.
If you are active and are worried about life after surgery, all I can tell you is that I can run, play volleyball, ride bikes, and do pretty much anything I want. Although My right Achilles tendon is stiffer, thicker and harder than my left, I haven’t had too many problems. I was worried about rupturing it again, but that worry has gone away. I do have pain and popping in my ankle, but I don’t know if that is from the initial injury or if it is just because I am old.
If you have any questions or would like to share anything about your injury or recovery, please leave a comment below.
| ** Note: This was originally published on my other site (OLESPORT) on 04/24/14. I am consolidating my websites, so it is now published here. ** |
Hi, I fully ruptured my achilles in June of 2008, also at the age of 38 (and nine months post-pregnancy which I think may have been a contributor) playing slo-pitch while making a dive for a line drive. I am now 8 years post-op and still struggling to increase the size of my right calf. In fact, after spending most of this summer hiking and backpacking, I have noticed that my calf seems smaller instead. It may actually be that my other calf has gotten larger due to the exercise and my injured calf has not responded in kind. Because of the significant difference in strength, I am finding that I have been having sharp pains in my tendon when hiking, which is causing me some concern for a repeat performance. I restarted physio for 4 months a year ago but it didn’t help rebuild the muscle either.
Did you catch the ball? =) Re-rupture is always in the back of my mind, and I’ll admit that I get nervous sometimes when my tendon is stiff or sore. My wife usually gets me out of my funk by telling me that my Achilles is probably stronger than before. I hope that’s true. I remember thinking while watching the movie “Central Intelligence” that The Rock’s calf still looked smaller… and he works out like a beast.
I hear you all. What a process. Could be worse obviously but what a frustrating effort to increase the calf size after full rupture. I am here searching for the miracle strength secret too. :p
Good luck. Please let me know if you find the miracle strength secret.
Did you experience any calf or shin pain approx. 5 weeks post-op? I’m 6 weeks myself and I’m still spending sleepless nights due to the pain. I don’t think that’s normal but the therapist and the MD but kinda shrugged it off like it was. I’ve been trying to find research but all I find is everyone’s progress is so much further than mine and without the pain.
I was still immobilized in a cast at 5-6 weeks, and I don’t remember having much pain at that point. I do remember having pain in my ankle for probably a few weeks while I was in a cast, and then pain when I started walking. Reading other accounts, it seems like every recovery is a bit different. I wish you the best and hope you get some sleep.
I had no pain like that.
Pain in general while being casted was only the period about 2 weeks after surgery when I was suppose to be on pain meds but after 4 days of pain meds and bad reactions I stopped taking.
But after 2 weeks the only other pain was when I accidentally slipped on my crouches twice and bared weight when I was not suppose to.
The first time was a searing sensation like a knife ripping up the back of the leg, kind of like a Charlie horse, the second time was close to getting the cast off so they actually removed it and did the Thompson test to make sure the tendon was still intact.
Then, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, the ankle throbbing, cracking and pain begins as you try to rehabilitate the limb. It’s a full body workout for the first year and then it gets a little better after that.
I would say trust your gut, get a second opinion. There’s a lot I know now from doing more research that I really wish I had known prior to surgery. Such as starting rehab as soon after surgery as possible and also getting the right doctor to do the surgery and the different surgical techniques available. I had an ortho surgeon do a general full rupture repair. Should have seen a podiatrist and seen about laparoscopic availability.
Hope this helps some.
I had an Achilles bone Spur removed on 12/30/16. The Tendon had to be detached to remove the Spur and the damaged Tendon from the wear and tear.
I went home that day with a half cast. I am 34 with 3 small boys. The doctor insisted on a knee scooter opposed to crutches for safety.
On day 3 I was returning to my comfy recliner after a restroom break and I lost my balance. I remember feeling dizzy and then the next thing I know I was falling. My automatic reaction was to put my foot down and I felt it rip. It was the most intense pain I have ever felt. My husband tried to help me up but I couldn’t lift my leg at all.
Long story short – I had surgery #2 on 1/9/17. I am so beyond over this recovery and I still have a ways to go.
Thank you for sharing your story – it gives me hope that their is a light at the end of this long tunnel!
Wow. I am so sorry to hear about that. Yes, there is light at the end of this LONG tunnel. Hang in there!
I ruptured my right Achilles November 1, 2016 playing volleyball with my 8th grade team (I’m the coach ?). I had surgery two weeks later and my recovery time is frustrating. I ripped the Achilles off of my calf muscle as well as my heel. My doctor is not so good at the bedside manner, plus she told me she has no idea what my recovery will be like since my Achilles’ was attached to my heel in three places instead of one. Just what I wanted to hear! I’m out of my walking boot now, and working on walking normally, but I’m experiencing quite a bit of pain. On the day I got my first cast, my doctor actually said to me “I don’t know why you’re still in so much pain.” Ummm, I’m sorry?!? I’m not a wimp, delivered two big boys by c-section and was fine within a couple days. I’m worried about re-Rupture, but also TERRIFIED of rupturing my healthy Achilles. I have been reading a lot of testimonies from other Achilles survivors and appreciate their perspective and helps me feel a little less crazy!
I totally empathize with you! Being out of commission for three months and counting. Knee wheeler saved my life, but work on straightening your knee when you’re seated. My physical therapist is doing some work to fix the damage and prevent a knee issue once I start walking.
Thanks for the blog! Seems to match my experience, with some additions:
2-5-16: Achilles popped, and broke a large bone spur growing up into the Achilles
2-10-16: Surgery. Achilles stitched together, attachment to heal partially removed to clean up bone spur, reattached. Done by ortho surgeon – also wished I had found a good podiatrist for 2nd opinion and more effective repair! Good advice.
3-9-16: Cast off, started using boot (including sleeping in the darned thing!). Lots of pain, including burning pain on skin which lasted until about week 13.
4-13-16: 9 weeks after surgery, lots of burning pain, tried acupuncture a couple of times: useless effort. Still in boot.
4-20-16: 10 weeks, out of boot around the house. Hurts like crazy. Been in Physical Therapy since week 5.
4-27-16: 11 weeks, out of boot, still burning pain and general tenderness. Using compression sock to help reduce swelling – helps a lot!
8-10-16: 6 months since surgery: still a lot of swelling, painful trying to raise myself on toes. Impossible to lift heel on injured foot (toe lift). Calf still shrunken about 1″ less than ‘good’ side.
2-5-17: 1 year since injury: No change in calf size regardless of lots of PT and exercise. Walking fine. Can raise heel about 1/4″ using toes. Still painful if I try jumping and landing on injured side. Doing most normal activities – but no sports yet.
Comments:
– Used “iWalk” instead of crutches. Great help. Need to pad it to minimize sore knee
– Lost all skin on bottom of foot during recovery. Also lost all foot muscle, which returned during rehab
– Toughening up heel again to accept body weight was hard – it gets tender without use!
– Consistent message is avoid NSAIDs for pain relief – may retard tendon healing.
– All folks I’ve talked with say the calf never returns to pre-injury size. Not sure if leg function will fully return, but it hasn’t yet after 1 year.
– My PT has been and is still aggressive. Cardio workout is back to pre-injury level.
– I was 68 years old at time of injury, very active. Slowed down a bit now, but expect to return to ‘very active’ by summer!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Seems like there are 90% of articles on the 1st year post-Achilles but very little on what to expect after that — especially when it comes to calf size, plantar flexion issues, etc. And the problem is there are too many articles & experts out there that make it seem like recovery is a year or so and that you’ll be back to normal running & playing sports and A-OK. I ruptured my left achilles nearly 3 years ago and while i was back to running, etc. within a year, the problem I encountered that practically no articles talk about is that you’re very likely not a full 100% so you overcompensate a bit and your gait actually changes ever so slightly which can cause undo stress on other parts of your leg — like your knee. Even now — after 3 years — my left leg is still weaker than my right. Not much — but it is weaker. And while i have done some physical therapy & continued my gym routine, my left calf is still 1/2 inch less than my right calf & looks significantly smaller. I still cannot stand on my left achilles & do a full flex as much as i can my right. And so I still do feel a bit weaker on my left side when I walk. Bottom line — Unless you are a professional athlete and have handlers & trainers and/or truly can dedicate the time (like the ROCK!), what is very clear is that it is a long road back to coming close to the 100% that you enjoyed before the rupture — and that is what I was always most concerned about. Of course, you knew you were going to walk again & do activities. I’m not trying to be negative & glass is half-empty, but I do think it’s important to manage expectations as too many publications I believe don’t believe are telling the real truth or simply only report the drama during the first year. I’ve found that years 2 & 3 are just as important and we need more commentary on those years as people attempt to go from 75% strength to hopefully 100%. I’ve worked my butt off for a good 2 years but my leg is probably about 85% of my stronger right.
The iWalk looks pretty cool. I agree, taking those first steps after being off my ankle for so long was brutal. Good luck!
Thanks for the comments. You are right, it is not over after the first year of recovery. Good points.
Hi- I have a quick question for you, given your extensive time line. I’m 11 weeks post op tomorrow and I’m doing pt at home. No boot, only an ankle brace and fwb. I do wear compression socks due to swelling but have had minimal pain for a few weeks. Today I stepped on rock and the sharp pain up the back was almost as painful as my initial tear. It only lasted a few minutes and now it’s an odd feeling in the upper part of my calf (nowhere near my surgery site) that feels like a catch. Have you ever felt anything like this?
I’m so nervous about re-rupture!
Sorry for my late reply. I remember tripping and putting my full weight on my injured foot not too long after being put in a boot (I had it off because I was sleeping or something). I felt that pain and was freaked out that I did some damage. I was fine. I do have clicking sounds and sensations in my ankle, but not in my calf, so no, I haven’t experienced exactly what you’re experiencing. If it were me, I would ask the doc about it. Hope you’re OK!
Was interesting to find this blog post. I’m not alone. I ruptured my achilles tendon in 2008. I had had foot surgery. Thought I was recovering. Was a nice day. Took of the special shoe, put on my sneakers and planned to cut the grass. Guess I wasn’t healed. When I turned around I experienced the worst ripping pain through my leg and was on the ground. I was 53. It was a long recovery but I am lucky I don’t have any problems except my left calf is substantially smaller than my right leg. Now I only like to wear slacks or long dresses. I asked a couple PTs if there was anything I could fo but they didn’t know. I never thought about looking this up until now and was surprised to see this is common.
You are definitely not alone. Glad you’re not having any other problems.
I tore mine when I was 26 in June 2012. It is now 2017 and my calf is still small. However I returned to play rugby at a high level, my squat numbers are higher, my jumping ability is the same as pre-injury and my top end speed is arguably at pre-injury levels. At this point it is cosmetic. But the solution is likely calf raises (weighted and unweighted, standing and seated) every single day for very high volume. You walk and move on your calves every day so they have a high tolerance, so if you want them to grow you need to blow them up daily. 1000+ reps per day. This is my opinion and I have not actually done it b/c of the time and effort and due to the fact that I am at pre-injury levels. The appearance is the only issue. Maybe some day I’ll give the 1000 reps a day for a month a try.
No it’s not the angle, his left calf is definitely way smaller than his right.
Check this picture for further proof:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/23/16/3279B42D00000578-3506247-image-a-32_1458750129928.jpg
Eccentric calf raises have made a difference , i feel the pain of everyone here! Keep grinding!!
I guess I can join in. I tore my Achilles 1 week ago while running bases in softball. It was the day after 36th birthday and it felt like someone punched me in the bsck of my ankle. I looked behind me as I fell and realized no one was behind me and I knew right away what happened. I went to the ER that night and got lucky enough to be in surgery the next morning with a ortho. I have been in a soft cast splint wrap and will get it off next week. I am hoping to be mobile come fall huntung and just be able to do some walking at this point and returning to be able to play softball again next year. Thanks for all the stories.
Welcome to the club!