Ruptured Archilles tendon

KJ2024

Hello, 4 months ago, I fell over in my garden and landed on my hip, the left side that I have osteoarthritis. Luckily the grass was soft and wet, it didn't affect my hip. My right ankle felt like I had sprained it. It hurt but also felt very stiff. I never bothered going to my GP which I now regret because I left it too long. I had an ultra sound, an Mri and saw the foot doctor last week and he said I had ruptured my archilles Tendon with a gap of 10cm. The doctor was talking into his voice recorder and mentioned a Tendon transfer but I think he was thinking what I already knew, I might be wrong but tendons are supposed to be repaired asap. I think I have left it too long to repair as a lot of scar tissue had formed at the back of my ankle and the doctor doesn't seem in a hurry. He told me to discard the medical boot and see how I manage to get a round without it and see him in a month. My heel feels detached from my foot, it sometimes hurts but also feels a weird like numbness if that makes sense. Stairs are a nightmare, It's hard to walk, especially on uneven surfaces. If I put pressure on my foot, it feels like a bone is coming through my heel, there isn't, it just feels like that. Has anyone else ruptured their Archilles and left it too long?

Rachel_Scope

Hi @KJ2024. So sorry to hear about your achilles, it sounds very painful. I haven't had this issue myself so I don't know much about it. Has the doctor told you what the plan is for treatment?

JessieJ

Hi @KJ2024

Ouch, painful! Yes, I did mine a good few years back, went to A&E, given a temporary pot & the plan was to operate 2 days later. Unfortunately, I came down with flu & was wiped out for 3 weeks in bed, at least I wasn't moving around on it! 😆 Anyway, I had been told to call when better & that was 4 weeks later, then told it was too late to be operated on. Just as well I was/am already on crutches!

It eventually 'sorted' itself out, there are a couple of lumps & a bigger bump, it still aches sometimes & tweaks, other than that, it's okay. There again, I'm not that mobile anyway. I would still see the doc, explain what's going on & see what he thinks, it could be he'll send you for physio if it's affecting your mobility. Good luck with it!

KJ2024

Thank you for your replies Rachel & Jessie. The hospital foot doctor mentioned a Tendon transfer and also said go home, discard the boot and see how your mobility is and come back in a month. I have left this too long and he knows this. I have been hobbling around since April when this happened. I just thought I sprained my ankle. Three weeks ago after a scan, the hospital put me in a wedged boot. Three weeks of that was a waste of time, it did nothing as the tendon was already ruptured. My ankle is quite stiff and so are my toes. Stairs are a nightmare and I have to wear a slip-on trainer because I hate the feel of my bare boot on the floor and it's the only thing that's slightly more comfortable. I am so slow at getting around. I wonder if I will ever be allowed to drive again, I got an automatic.

Rachel_Scope

I'm glad the trainer gives you some relief, even if it's not much. Is the pain expected to ease over time? Will they try you on different pain relief? I hope you're able to drive again.

KJ2024

Hi Rachel, I can drive again, the doctor gave me permission. You adapt to your circumstances. I can walk within reason but sometimes im so stiff. At times i get this really painful cramp feeling in my ankle I got to have 9 months of physio, my first is this Friday. I very been waiting since mid September.

Bluebell21

Hi @KJ2024 Good luck with your physio on Friday. I hope it helps. Take care.

KJ2024

Thank you.