Achilles goooorne....

Bones

So it seems I'm getting old, playing indoor netball the other night and someone whacked me in the back of the ankle with a plank of wood. Or so it sounded and felt. Seems I've had a complete rupture of the achilles - fun! 
 
Anyway, wondering if anyone has ever been through this before or knows someone and has any advice or tips? Would be much appreciated! 
 
So far I've discovered that it is nowhere near as painful as you might think - but on the flip side, crutches fucking suck arse. After only one day my hands were so swollen and bruised I can't even close them properly. A 5 minute wander now takes probably close to 15-20 minutes and requires multiple stops along the way. Had to laugh at myself the first night when I decided I wanted a cup of coffee, something as simple as that....but you only realise once the kettle is boiling that you can't carry shit like that anywhere! 
 
Anyway, anything anyone can suggest to make things easier, would love to hear! <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Wairau

My sympathies bro <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> 
 
I had a niggling strain/tear of my archilles all year, it's on the mend touch wood. Really annoying, but nothing like what you've done. 
 
I'd suggest doing a heap of pull ups and dips. Well, I would say that (says JK). The reason is you're going to be lifting yourself around, so dips are perfectly applicable. Pull ups will toughen your hands, and stretch out your back, since you're going to be putting a lot of pressure on it using crutches or a cane. 
 
I'm sure others will be along with better advice, so all I can say is good luck.

Chubby13

That sucks, thats one of the big injuries which I dont wish upon any body. I dont know anybody who has done their archilles, but from my experience with my ACL my advice is to

listen to you doctor and physio to the LETTER. Its taken me 26 years to learn that but it is incredibly important so that you dont do any more damage.
dont me afraid to take the pain killers. Why put yourself through discomfort if you dont have to. Also the less pain your body feels the more it helps your body relax and start the healing process where ever/however possible.
dont worry about finding crutches a pain in the arse. They are hard when you first start on them but after the first week they become second nature. Once you're used to them you'll build your endurance up and you'll be fine. 
 
All the best for the rehab. I dont know much about archilles injuries, are you going to require surgery? If so how long before you can have it, and whats the rehab period like?

Paekakboyz

Bones!! sorry to hear about the injury mate, shitty news. 
 
Solid advice there Chubby, I agree entirely. My aunty did her [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]achilles (snapped) so she had surgery and a lengthy recovery. But she's fine now... just doesn't play netball anymore![/font][/color] 
 
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Stick to what your doc says - you'll be flying on your crutches in no time, just need to get used to them.[/font][/color] 
 
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Let us know how you get on mate, the Oversize crew can be relied on for encouragement and 'expert' advice [/font][/color] <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />

MN5

Yeah stink one homeboy, above advice looks pretty solid and speaking from a mates experience your PS3 ( or playstation as it was then ) ability will officially go "off the charts" 
 
Your fern name dictates otherwise but make sure you don't do what he did and bulk up in the wrong way, CC's covered in cheese became his staple diet.

Bones

Cheers fellas! 
 
Kea - in terms of exercise - yeah I had a bit of a think about that and luckily have a playground down behind my flat which I can get out and use the bars on early in the morning when no one is around. Going to leave it a few days until I'm more used to the crutches though as don't want to be too exhausted before the day starts! Will be wanting to mix it up too so it's not just an all day shoulder and back work out <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
Thanks for the advice Chubby. Thankfully I've had enough chances over the years to learn my lessons on doctors - and especially physio. Spent almost 2 years out in my early 20's after a groin injury, slow diagnosis, operation and not being able to run meaning I discovered the gym, protein and creatine and piled on 20kg in a few months. Once back able to run, I soon found my body couldn't cope with the new weight - another 6 months of visiting a bio-mechanist/podiatrist and changing my running style completely was certainly an experience! 
 
That's certainly good news on the crutches, I never even thought it would be this tough. 
 
So in terms of treatment, there were 2 options. Option 1 - go in a cast for 2-3 months, with the foot pointed and new casts every so often to gradually bring it back up to normal position. I figure if that's an option it means I haven't had a complete snap so I guess that's decent news. Option 2 - surgery to stitch it all back together (needs to be performed within 7 days). After that it's 8 weeks in a cast, then the doc reckons another month before I can be back playing any kind of sport. 
 
So I went with Option 2. Option 1 seems a bit airy fairy, hit-and-hope for me. Although not a great deal of difference between the results apparently. Option 1 has a 12% re-rupture rate, whereas option 2 has a 6% re-rupture rate. Option 2 has the benefit of [i]knowing[/i] that the tendon is fixed properly, but the downsides they give you are that you have a scar down your ankle (big woop) and the risk of infection with the wound. I'll take those over a [i]maybe[/i] 
 
I was surprised by what they say as recovery time though - both options were given 3 months until back to near normal, which is much less than what I expected, so I'm dubious but hopeful at the same time. Can't say how I'm gonna be in the first few weeks of getting back though, it's not going to be an easy thing to get out of my mind anytime I go to push off.... 
 
MN5 I'm already eyeing up a new xbox and a bit of other kit... 
 
Luckily I'm one of those fluffybunnies that can eat whatever the fuck I want and not put on a gram, more likely to lose it if I don't go gym! Some pretty solid gym work through my 20's has left me with a decent base to work with too, so all good <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Bones

So found something which if not a bunch of bullshit could make life a WHOLE lot easier for the next 8 weeks. 
 
[url="http://www.iwalk-free.com/"]http://www.iwalk-free.com/[/url] 
 
Apart from the budgo website and looking like a scam, it seems like a bloody good idea. Going to have a word to the doc on Thursday about it but have already shown to one of my physio friends and she is pretty dubious. My thoughts were apart from the obvious benefits of having hands free, etc, that at least I would be starting to use my upper leg and core to some degree and placing less strain on my 'healthy' leg. May have some issue with the impact on the knee my physio friend thought though, which was something I hadn't thought about. 
 
Thoughts anyone?

Paekakboyz

Hmm, I'm dubious about that. Surely having your leg bent will have some impact on the tension/flex of your lower leg/ankle? I know when I'm doing hammie curls that I flex through my calf and ankle - ok that is in reaction to shifting weight but... 
 
You'd only really be using your hips though? quads/hammies act through the straightening/bending of your lower leg? 
 
I'd flip it around and look at crutches as a chance to improve upper body strength!!

Bones

[quote name='Paekakboyz' timestamp='1347956146' post='311763'] 
Hmm, I'm dubious about that. Surely having your leg bent will have some impact on the tension/flex of your lower leg/ankle? I know when I'm doing hammie curls that I flex through my calf and ankle - ok that is in reaction to shifting weight but... 
 
You'd only really be using your hips though? quads/hammies act through the straightening/bending of your lower leg? 
 
I'd flip it around and look at crutches as a chance to improve upper body strength!! 
[/quote]So the leg bent thing I've thought about - but it's bent anyway when I'm walking on my crutches, obviously not as much - but the other thing to think about there is that this is only for when walking, which will still not be all that often. And it won't be on all the time, will still use crutches time to time. I'd also only be looking to use it for the last few weeks. 
 
Hips, anything is better than nought! 
 
Yeah definitely, but not sure I like how it's going to be built - seems a bit unbalanced to me - and the results aren't coming quick enough <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Bones

Operation day! 2 hours into my 5 hour starve, going ok, think I should get through fine...looking forward to collecting some good drugs later <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
Luckily I live 5 minutes from Kings (hospital), so no fuss trying to get there. 
 
Any good TV series anyone can suggest for the next few days would be most welcome (Already done the likes of Breaking Bad, SOA, The Killing and a re-watch of Generation Kill all recently). Chur!

SimonAdd

Best of luck, Bones! 
 
Game of Thrones and Homeland are both worth a watch, if you haven't already. I've heard good things about Broadwalk Empire too.

Bones

[quote name='SimonAdd' timestamp='1348128815' post='312114'] 
Best of luck, Bones! 
 
Game of Thrones and Homeland are both worth a watch, if you haven't already. I've heard good things about Broadwalk Empire too. 
[/quote]Ah yeah should've mention the first two as I've watched them too! Lost interest in GoT towards the end of season 2. Good shout on Boardwalk Empire I've actually got it and only watched the first episode, so will dig it out. Cheers for the luck! 
 
Forgot to mention I will find out the results of the x-ray today also (so whether there's bone involved). Anyone know the implications if there is?

Wairau

This video, or one of her others, might help with some exercises once the doctors give the go-ahead on rehab. 
[media]

Good luck, hope it went well!

Wairau

Oh, and the perfect TV series for both you and Bart to watch right now: 
[media]

flip thru youtube if you can't download it... 
 
'We have the technology to make the world's first bionic achilles. Bones will have that achilles. Better than he was before, better, stronger, faster .....' 
<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':yes:' />

Bones

Man was I drunk last night. Woke up in hospital still drunk! 
 
Cheers Kea will check it out. Managed to download season 3 of Archer before I left home too. 
 
Surgery all good cheers gents. Now for them drugs!

Bones

So update - less painful now than it was before the op. Think that might have a bit to do with the cast - whereas prior it was down the back of the leg and strapped on, it is now down the front and wrapped a bit, so is properly forcing my foot into a 'ballerina' pose and much more comfortable, although a bit heavier. Didn't get any outstanding drugs (unfortunately) so it's just codeine and ibuprofen (4 days worth). However because there's so little pain I've only taken one dose so far today and really just because I thought I might as well, I'm sure the ibuprofen will help with the healing? 
 
Speaking to the doc and later a brief chat with the physio yesterday so got a bit more detail. No bone involved, think that's a good thing! First 4 weeks I'll be in a cast, go back in 2 weeks to have a check and get a new cast with my foot less pointed. Able to put 'toe-touch' pressure on the leg during this time. Then after the 4 weeks, into a boot with a wedged heel, which I assume will get gradually less and less of a wedge for those 4 weeks - walking on that so can't wait! Then 4 weeks of rehab, apparently they are quite aggressive with it these days as it has shown better results. 
 
Anyway, big couch, thermos of coffee, ginsters slices, bottle of water, modified crutches and McCullum losing his shit at a little white ball on the tele, so I'm all good. 
 
If anyone is [i]really[/i] interested I can post up shitty pics of the foot out of the cast 1.5 days post injury. Not pretty, but nothing like the bruising and swelling I would've expected. 
 
And as I type, James Franklin shows he's better than Jeremy. 
 
P.S. If Gibbit goes missing for a while, don't worry he's safe in a log cabin.

BartMan

good option the operation, agree, other way seems too hit and miss. Tie it back together so you KNOW it's back together!! 
 
and good luck on the rehab!

Bones

So not a lot to report back, but get the final of my four casts off tomorrow and into a boot, so am a little excited about that. The last week or two have been more frustrating than ever, just sick of being on the crutches and so useless. Very much hoping I will be allowed to walk with the boot, at least after a couple of days if not straight away! 
 
Anyway the last couple of weeks have been with a full cast which was much more comfortable and allowed me to get a bit of Kiwiana going for the last RC game. 
 
Any pain I had stopped pretty much just before I went in for the last cast, and I got to have a look at the op result then too, which looked a bit more gruesome than I was expecting (but maybe just the way the stitches were pulling and I'm told it heeled well). I was told that I may experience loss of feeling in the area as a result of the op and maybe too early to tell, but that could be the case as I didn't feel a thing when the stitches were taken out, it seemed the nurse was expecting me to be in a bit of pain. For just over a week I've been able to wiggle my foot/leg about quite happily and put pressure on the leg - well as much as can possibly be done with my foot still pointed. Feeling good although definitely still feels strange - although it's even a strange feeling at first once you start to notice the achilles is there after not having one, even if it was only for a short period. 
 
Oh yeah - and I figured out that after the injury, to get home I walked almost a kilometre including about 7-8 sizeable flights of stairs on a snapped achilles. Fuck I'm hard. And yes I have a cheesy tattoo. 
 
[attachment=1506:DSC_0150.jpg] 
 
[attachment=1507:384534_10151218913870376_1081278133_n.jpg]

Paekakboyz

Fark, that is a pretty line of stitches there bro! you got right opened up! At least your Tat isn't on your lower back... ahem 
 
Good to hear rehab is coming along. You'll be good for the ferns rugby comp in 2013!?

Bones

[quote name='Paekakboyz' timestamp='1350590066' post='318413']Fark, that is a pretty line of stitches there bro! you got right opened up! At least your Tat isn't on your lower back... ahem 
 
Good to hear rehab is coming along. You'll be good for the ferns rugby comp in 2013!?[/quote]Yeah mate I was pretty surprised about the cut too bro wasn't quite expecting that many stitches. 
 
Prob goin back in Feb so not sure I can afford two trips in the year! Sponsored right?

The Silver Fern

Achilles goooorne....