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SportDr · 15-10-2006, 08:32 PM

Hi Tatyana,

Glad I can do something for you here as you did me a great favour putting me on to Tom Venuto's BFFM book.

As you may know I work in a fracture clinic, and treat a great deal of achilles ruptures, both partial and full.

Generally treatment goes like this, Cast for six weeks in equinous, then bi weekly cast changes (in fibreglass) gradually bringing the foot up to plantigrade, possibly another six week, 12 weeks total.

Getting surgery will bring the time down a little, 8 weeks possibly but it will depend on your healing rate. This is then followed by physio for a further 6 weeks. The Tendon is scarred and never quite as strong but strong none the less, full healing can take up to 8 months due to poor blood supply.

The best treatment I have seen for TA rupture was a removable cast or Aircast boot with heel wedges. This enabled the patient to see a physio at her local GP weekly, gently increasing ROM and preventing muscle wastage (as well as a good leg shave). Not many consultants go for this though so you will have to insist on it specifically. The consultant who does this is at Maidstone (Kent) General btw.

Remember its YOUR leg and YOUR treatment, you can ask specifically for what you want, even insist on it if the consultant is squeamish. They only cast you up cos they dont trust you not to walk on it, so gain there trust and tell them what a keen sportswomen you are, the protocol I outlined above does work! heals you quicker, and stops you getting ****ed off with casts and leg hair.

Your scar will be very thin, but long, depending on whether you had a partial or full tear, I have patients who use a product called scar oil, from boots I think. It contains vitamins E etc, and essential oils to lubricate the scar tisue, plus the massage helps disperse it.

Consultants are not sportsmen generally, they despise sports for all the work it sends them and they dont understand. Dont take any crap from them, be polite but firm and get what YOU want.

If you do end up in a cast, you will need to do your homework on static contraction exercises and do lots of straight leg lifts and extensions to maintain muscle mass, which decreases significantly in 8 weeks, dont be too shocked most of your size loss will be water, retained by carbs in the muscles that were no longer needed as you were imobilised (all the nurses et will say its muscle though...bless).

HTH if you need anything more please ask...

SD

15-10-2006, 08:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
SportDr Getting HUGE! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: E-Sussex UK Posts: 2,674	Hi Tatyana, Glad I can do something for you here as you did me a great favour putting me on to Tom Venuto's BFFM book. As you may know I work in a fracture clinic, and treat a great deal of achilles ruptures, both partial and full. Generally treatment goes like this, Cast for six weeks in equinous, then bi weekly cast changes (in fibreglass) gradually bringing the foot up to plantigrade, possibly another six week, 12 weeks total. Getting surgery will bring the time down a little, 8 weeks possibly but it will depend on your healing rate. This is then followed by physio for a further 6 weeks. The Tendon is scarred and never quite as strong but strong none the less, full healing can take up to 8 months due to poor blood supply. The best treatment I have seen for TA rupture was a removable cast or Aircast boot with heel wedges. This enabled the patient to see a physio at her local GP weekly, gently increasing ROM and preventing muscle wastage (as well as a good leg shave). Not many consultants go for this though so you will have to insist on it specifically. The consultant who does this is at Maidstone (Kent) General btw. Remember its YOUR leg and YOUR treatment, you can ask specifically for what you want, even insist on it if the consultant is squeamish. They only cast you up cos they dont trust you not to walk on it, so gain there trust and tell them what a keen sportswomen you are, the protocol I outlined above does work! heals you quicker, and stops you getting ***ed off with casts and leg hair. Your scar will be very thin, but long, depending on whether you had a partial or full tear, I have patients who use a product called scar oil, from boots I think. It contains vitamins E etc, and essential oils to lubricate the scar tisue, plus the massage helps disperse it. Consultants are not sportsmen generally, they despise sports for all the work it sends them and they dont understand. Dont take any crap from them, be polite but firm and get what YOU want. If you do end up in a cast, you will need to do your homework on static contraction exercises and do lots of straight leg lifts and extensions to maintain muscle mass, which decreases significantly in 8 weeks, dont be too shocked most of your size loss will be water, retained by carbs in the muscles that were no longer needed as you were imobilised (all the nurses et will say its muscle though...bless). HTH if you need anything more please ask... SD __________________ I don't like Sports and I am not a Doctor! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. You expressed and challenged yourself, startled the dozing muscles and welcomed the sweet pain of gain. Boredom begets mediocrity. Enemies both, they deserve swift eradication. Let's hit the weights and build some muscle. Race ya to the bench press. Dave Draper A goal casually set and lightly taken will be freely abandoned at the first obstacle. Zig Ziglar Any advice given is for information only, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner. Use this My Protein refferer code and get a 5% DISCOUNT on your first order! MP2819