Ruptured Achilles

Hi all, over the weekend I ruptured my achilles playing soccer with some friends and am having surgery this afternoon to repair it. My first thought was "damn! this is going to set me back with my GST!" and am hoping I can still carry on with at least maintaining a few strength and mobility elements. I will likely take the first week or two off depending on swelling and pain, but would like to get back into very light elements. I've encountered a lot of very knowledgeable people on this thread and am hoping someone has experienced something similar and wondering if the coaches have any input. Thanks! 

Vik

Hi Vik

I ruptured my achilles 2yrs ago and had it surgically repaired. It was as a result of this injury that I began my Gymnastic Bodies journey. GB was my saving grace and gave me focus/structure/purpose while all my normal activities were on hold.

The healing process from achilles repairs is notoriously slow... which is going to give you an amazing opportunity to focus whole-heartedly on your GB.

A week or two off is a good plan to make sure the wound heals nicely. But then!!!

Particularly straight after surgery there's no so much that you'll be allowed to do in terms of rehabilitation for your ankle. So you can really get to work on ABH/R, FL progressions, hanging leg lifts, chin ups etc etc. I had a little difficulty with pike and straddle stuff initially as the whole leg feels tight but it came back quickly. For push ups, I put the smith machine down low and rested my shins on the bar. Be careful with handstand stuff as the major priority after achilles repairs is that it stays repaired!! But all the HS1 IM's are fair game.

I was that crazy girl doing weird exercises with her foot in a cast... hahaha

Apply the same patience and persistence that you've learnt through GB to your rehab and you'll come out stronger in the the end. Keep your mind as your biggest ally in this process. Good luck and write me when you need a pep talk or want to know more about my experience.

Sarah

Sorry to hear that Viken, get well soon! 

Sorry about the injury, not fun. 

Sarah is right about this being a slow heal. It's going to be much more than 2 or three weeks. 

Stick to upper body work from the GB programs in the mean time and work closely with your physician and physical therapist regarding the early stage of your rehab.  

Later the ankle work found in the Front Split course will be very helpful in getting back to a full recovery.  

23 hours ago, Sarah O'Byrne said:

Hi Vik

I ruptured my achilles 2yrs ago and had it surgically repaired. It was as a result of this injury that I began my Gymnastic Bodies journey. GB was my saving grace and gave me focus/structure/purpose while all my normal activities were on hold.

The healing process from achilles repairs is notoriously slow... which is going to give you an amazing opportunity to focus whole-heartedly on your GB.

A week or two off is a good plan to make sure the wound heals nicely. But then!!!

Particularly straight after surgery there's no so much that you'll be allowed to do in terms of rehabilitation for your ankle. So you can really get to work on ABH/R, FL progressions, hanging leg lifts, chin ups etc etc. I had a little difficulty with pike and straddle stuff initially as the whole leg feels tight but it came back quickly. For push ups, I put the smith machine down low and rested my shins on the bar. Be careful with handstand stuff as the major priority after achilles repairs is that it stays repaired!! But all the HS1 IM's are fair game.

I was that crazy girl doing weird exercises with her foot in a cast... hahaha

Apply the same patience and persistence that you've learnt through GB to your rehab and you'll come out stronger in the the end. Keep your mind as your biggest ally in this process. Good luck and write me when you need a pep talk or want to know more about my experience.

Sarah

Sarah, thank you so much. Really appreciate the guidance and encouraging words. Your message alone put me in a great mood - THANK YOU. 

18 hours ago, Cole Dano said:

Sorry about the injury, not fun. 

Sarah is right about this being a slow heal. It's going to be much more than 2 or three weeks. 

Stick to upper body work from the GB programs in the mean time and work closely with your physician and physical therapist regarding the early stage of your rehab.  

Later the ankle work found in the Front Split course will be very helpful in getting back to a full recovery.  

Thank you, Cole. 

You will need to find a physio/osteo who is current with the latest tendon research. Did you have radiological investigations? If so, what did the report say?

@Mark Collins Don't want to thread jack but my friend recently ruptured her Achilles Tendon and according to her doctor is now not a candidate for surgery due to scar tissue having set in. What would you advise?

It depends on the size of the tear. If it is a complete rupture then they need surgery. If there is some tendon attached then it is standard tendon rehab management.