Hi Chi, I’m at this stage now. Thanks for the video! This injury has changed my every day life. As you and many others know this. Your video is encouraging and helps to know what’s next! ❤️

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found them helpful. Let me know if you have any questions as your going through your recovery!

I’m so glad I stumbled upon you. I’m on this stage right now you have been a lifesaver in this long journey! I can’t thank you enough for documenting this

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Oscar! I really appreciate it and makes me feel good that I decided to document my journey for others.

Glad I found you I'm actually at this stage and will continue to watch great stuff.

@larryreed6000

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! There was another guy on youtube that took twice as long to say what you did,

Appreciate you documenting your journey!! It’s helping me get thru and pick up great tips!! I tore my left Achilles 4/8/21 playing ball ! Salute

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

No problem! Good luck with the recovery and let me know if you ever have any questions.

thank you, for sharing your experience. I start Week3 today, will go to see doctor, remove stitches, and take aircast.

Your videos are great, a very big help! Thanks 😊

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

No problem, I'm glad you found them helpful! Let me know if you ever have any questions. Good luck with the recovery!

Hi Chi, I’m watching this video almost every night since the last three weeks. Thank you so for sharing …it keeps me inspired,

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! I'm happy that these videos have been useful for you to reference in your own recovery journey.

@jamesryan7840

Жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 Great videos! I’m a week post surgery. Question… mine is also my right foot. At what week we’re you able to start driving again?

Thanks for these videos, brother. I am entering week 3 on Tuesday and have an appointment to remove my cast. Your videos help put things in perspective. I see how careful you and aware of your body you have been throughout. I have a 2 year old at home and it's so hard not trying to do more but at this moment I need to focus on my healing. Thanks again, from Chicago!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Hey Nestor, yeah this period will definitely require a little extra caution and just being present and conscious of your movements. It is sort of like learning to walk again.. something your 2 year old probably just learned for the first time about a year ago haha. Be patient with yourself and give yourself the proper time to heal, you have many more years to do the most for your kid, they'll understand you need a few more months to let yourself heal before you can be more on your feet doing stuff. That being said, a knee scooter can help a lot so you have two free hands to do things versus trying to stand on crutches.

After tearing my tendon a year ago I finally got it repaired, plus I had a large bone spur removed from my heel. Thank you for sharing your recovery! I’m a high school teacher, getting my cast off and boot on in a couple of days. I’m hoping to be out of the boot when school starts.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Glad these videos helped! On a typical early weightbearing and mobilization protocol, theres decent chance you can be out of the boot by time September school rolls around. Although you'll want to make sure you stay on top of your exercises and always challenging it. Good luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any questions!

This is so good. thank you!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it useful! Let me know if you ever have any questions. Good luck with your recovery.

Thanks, thanks, thanks, your videos have helped me a lot in my post-surgical recovery. Excellent recomendations!!! I hope you are doing very well as I am doing thanks to your help

@ChiChen3

2 ай бұрын

Thanks man! I'm doing great and fully recovered. good luck during your recovery, you got this!

Thank you for these videos!

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

No problem! Let me know if you ever have any questions and I'll try and help where I can.

Good info about the shower. I would not have thought about or that.

Just happened to me! Your videos are on point bro! Appreciate you man

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome man! Hope your recovery comes along nicely and let me know if you have any questions.

Very informative. Thank man.

Thanks for sharing this 🙌 🙏

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome Rachel!

Thank you for your video. It’s really helpful😃👍🏽

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I’m going into this stage June 7 hopefully I get my cast off then! This channel is great !

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with the recovery mang!

Thanks for sharing your journey. Got my boot today at 4 weeks post surgery. My leg was super itchy when I returned home. Has my stitches out 2 weeks ago. From UK .

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Great, you're through the most painful part of the recovery! Now you can be more focused on rehabilitation. Slowly start with weight bearing in your boot with crutches and progress from there. Let me know if you have any questions and be sure to find a recovery protocol to follow!

I'm on week 3 post op. Kinda find this vid insightful, so thanks for sharing mate. Looking forward to be able to jump againn...

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you found them useful! Just stay patient and put in the work and you'll definitely be able to jump again. I just played basketball last night and everyone was saying how high I jump still. Thats after two torn achilles.

So I ruptured my Achilles three and a half weeks ago. I just find it strange that there are so many recovery variants. I actually was instructed to go full weight bearing as soon as possible. It ended up being at the beginning of the third week (I'm non-surgical). Yeah, and just a piece of advice, just like Chi said, no shenanigans around the shower without the boot. Remember it's easier to stretch the tendon if it's stiff than have it grow long (toes always point down at this point in the recovery). Good luck and stay safe.

ty for sharing, superhelpful, i;m still on the week 2 of this long procress

This channel is awesome I really appreciate you taking us through your journey, I’m getting my cast taking off this week & getting into a boot. When do you recommend me to start driving or should I avoid driving in all?

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

I’m assuming you injured your right leg (driving leg). I waited until week 15-16 when I was walking without the boot and was able to slam on the brakes no problem.

thank you

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Chi, I'm on this stage right now..I want to heal my foot and go back to normal 🙏🏻 thanks for your sharing the experience.. hopefully I will get better! 😌

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! You will get better, just be patient and let your body heal. Get lots of rest and take it day by day. You got this!

Thank you for this. I'm on week 3.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

You're welcome man and good luck with the rest of your recovery. Let me know if you have any questions as you progress through the healing.

Thank you for the info bro🙏🏻 I had a partial tear rupture, and I’m on my 5th week of recovery. A lot of what you’ve covered overall is exactly what I’m going through. Although I have my scooter, boot and family for support, it’s been rough both mentally and emotionally. These videos helped me get through the grunt stage, especially by someone who went through it like I am. But I remind myself that god makes anything possible, it’s how I found this video. Thank you again and god bless you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@ChiChen3

2 ай бұрын

Thank you, really appreciate your kind message. It's definitely a mental struggle going through this kind of injury but there are so many of us in these comments who are going through the same thing so keep your head up and you'll be healed in no time! Stay positive, be patient and just trust the process!

@alwaysreturnNurgirl

5 сағат бұрын

You are exactly right...im only 5 days into my Achilles rupture, and i wont lie, ive found myself tearing up late at night when im alone and this injury makes you feel so damn isolated. Its definitely grueling since you feel so helpless and can only literally lay on a couch or bed all day.

Hi chi! Thank you for all those video 💯💯👍👍👍 your video are very helpful - It will be 2 weeks after surgery tomorrow and I’ll start wearing vacoped Achilles booth

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome Ariel! I wish you the best of luck with your recovery and let me know if you have any questions while you go through my videos.

@arielm.1938

2 жыл бұрын

Chi Chen hi chi! Thank you so much those video are of a huge help knowing it’s a long and hard process. I have a few questions please from your experience: 1) during first 2 week with splint, I had a blister on my heel due to the weight on it while sleeping and now with the booth It’s been 8 days that I don’t sleep more than 2H straight, during week 3, were you sleeping with the booth?( it’s unbearable for me-going crazy lol) I’m having my foot off the boot most part of day and night on an elevated pillow (with feet still declined 30%ish) 2) I have vacoped booth (heard Kobe used it) but it’s so not confortable : which one were you using ? Mine has a system to adjust 30% Down to neutral 3) is it your second Achilles rupture !!? Does it mean if you had one therefore the other is also not strong and need to be careful Thank you a thousand time again for your help you’re amazing !

Been watching your videos since my Achilles operation, looking at pointers/ideas. I’m now in week 4 and started some stretches like seated calf raises and prone df/pf with knee flexed. In the last couple of days I’ve been weight baring without crutches and walking just around the house.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Ah that sounds like excellent progress. Keep up the good work! Yeah the more comfortable you are with 100% weight bearing the faster you can move onto the next phase in the recovery.

@martinpboon

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks I know it’s a long process back to physio next week hope I can push on a bit more. Physio said he will get me back on the football pitch(Soccer) in the long run. That’s where I tore it after the second game back from lockdown

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

@@martinpboon Yeah physio is important to stay consistent, although I find that theyre much more valuable later on once you're out of the boot and doing balancing exercises on bosu balls, and knee over toes etc and they can really massage the scar tissue. Earlier on, I find that you can do a lot of the exercises at home with the physio bands etc.

I’m on week 5 and just got a boot and can barely walk took 3 steps and fell I hope it gets better. Your videos are very helpful

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

Haha yeah walking with the boot is difficult. You should use crutches or a knee scooter until you're at 100% weightbearing stage with the boot.

Completely ruptured my tendon about a month ago and am a little over 4 weeks post op now. I have a very similar athletic background to you and aspirations for what I want to do post recovery so it’s been super helpful to see where you were at at each stage to reassure myself - it feels awfully slow but I know patience is a virtue with this injury haha I’m curious as to whether you ever did any aqua therapy? I’m currently weaning off crutches and will wean off my boot at 6 weeks post op and start physio at that point. I’ve started stationary bike, hamstring curls etc to strengthen what I can, but I’ve also read some people utilize exercises in the pool early on. Having difficulty finding what I could do and still have that psychological fear or re-rupture but I think it could be super helpful ahead of starting physio! Cheers.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't do any water therapy myself except just swimming around in the pool lightly on vacation. It was more relaxing on my mind. I stuck with a stationary bike and walking for the most part, along with upper body exercises.

Hey and thank u for video. Did you use a heel wedges in aircast boot for heel rise? Tnx

Awesome video man! Thanks for uploading, was that a dragon fly just chillin on your toe lol?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

lol ya he came to vibe

@Matt-zp9jg

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 I've never had that happened to me before lol, occasionally a fly might land on me. Quick question Chi, I've looked through all the comments and nobody has asked this and this might be silly but when you take the boot off do you have to maintain the downward foot position (toes pointing down) at all times for weeks 2, 3 & 4? Thanks Chi.

thanks, im at the start of week 3 after surgery. Tomorrow will start physiotherapy and now I have a boot with wedges so the tendon does not stretch.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you're coming along well! Once you get out of the boot, it'll be exciting and challenging but you'll really feel the progress then.

@reidandre

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks so much.. because it is a hard recovery injury it is also scary to think of tearing it again and follow the same process again

Hey Chi thank you for your videos ! These are very helpful . Qq , how do you measure the percentages of weight bearing?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Full weight-bearing would be you standing on one leg. So your full body weight is balanced on one leg. Typically when you walk, one leg holds your full body weight as you go to take another step. So half weight bearing would be you standing on both legs. Weight shared between both legs. And then a quarter would be a bit more like sitting down crossing your legs over the other and having one foot on the ground holding both leg's weight. Haha, I hope that makes sense.

Ruptured my right Achilles over the Independence Day weekend. Just had surgery on the 8th. Just got my splint off and stitches out yesterday. I’m moving into week 3 and man this injury has entirely changed everything about my life. Your video is really helpful. I washed the area with the special cleanser they give you before surgery and use a shower chair. That helps A LOT

@TheJRo

Жыл бұрын

Injury is definitely a game changer. How are you progressing now?

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome Mel! It definitely stops you dead in your tracks in life and makes you pause and think a bit. But this is just another stepping stone in your life and you'll be stronger because of it. Not many people understand the mental drain an injury like this can take on a person so give yourself a hand for tackling this head on!

After watching all the Videos in KZread for the phases and weeks , I enjoyed watching this a lot chi. I’m on week 4 and this motivated me a lot. I ruptured my left Achilles from a rebound. I love to jump and increase my vert and unfortunately it was bound to happened. I just turned 30 and I hope to get back to being explosive. I was wondering if you have any social media where I can talk to you, got so much questions Tnx!!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

You can reach me on instagram @allyoucanchi

Hey Chi, been binge watching your vids on your recovery process. I myself am 1 week post op and the surgeon here in HK said he will have me wear the initial soft cast for 4 weeks before moving to the boot. Does that seem it but too long?? I appreciate any thoughts you have, bro. Btw, I grew up in the Detroit area just across the way from you and also got my injury from bball.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

Yeah I had my cast on for about 2 weeks post surgery before I went into the boot but sometimes its good to let it heal a bit more in the cast. 4 weeks doesn't seem too long, hope your recovery is coming along well! Stay on course and you'll be able to play basketball again if you want to!

Thanks man! Your videos have been very helpful so far. I’m on week 3 post surgery and this whole process has changed my life. I’m still able to drive with my left foot quite easily and the knee rover has been a life saver. My main problem is sleeping, I tend to twitch a lot in my sleep and I feel like when I’m out the cast I will twitch to hard a cause a huge problem. Did you sleep with you foot wrapped or bare? Thanks for your help!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I would say I went with a boot for the first month but then afterwards just went bare. I don't move as much in my sleep since I got use to it from tearing my other achilles before. You can also loosen the straps on the boot or sometimes I took out the front shield and just kept the rest of the boot on. But if you fully strap up your boot when you sleep, it'll help with the stretch on your achilles when you remove a heel wedge cause it's use to that stretched position. When you sleep with the boot off too much, whenever you have to take out a heel wedge it was always extra stretch/uncomfortable for the first couple of days.

@dajo2824

Жыл бұрын

I tore my right Achilles. I feel confident I can drive with my left a few weeks after my surgery, off pain meds etc.. . It seems you did have any problems? At which week could you drive with your left foot? My car is an automatic and I live rural. Very little traffic. Thank you.

@bravobravo7547

Жыл бұрын

I was driving pretty well week 3 and 4 with my left… I probably drove with my left up to week 9 or 10…sometimes the boot would make it uncomfortable but for the most part pretty smooth…side note Everything gets a lot better week 11 & 12… I’m on week 18 now I can jog and I’m walking back to pretty much normal

Hey Chi .. thanks for the videos… how long did it take for the wound to heal after removing stitches?

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

The wound was pretty much healed when the stitches were removed but I’d say about another two weeks after stitches removed before it’s really sealed and you can take baths or soak it etc.

Thank you for these videos. I ruptured my Achilles a little over a month ago and these videos have been very helpful and encouraging. I had surgery 4 weeks ago. Technically I’m 4 weeks post-op but I am accident resulting injury to the Achilles two weeks post-op. Thus I’m about a week delayed on my recovery. I just got into my wedged- boot, and I wanted to make sure I was not being too dramatic. I was told I could bear full weight right now, contrary to your 25% weight at the first week. There’s great discomfort and pain to the Achilles area as I try to walk on it, almost as if I’m stretching it more than I should (mind you I have four wedges in them). Is this normal? The doctors said there’s going to be discomfort as I get used to it but I’m trying to distinguish between discomfort and pain, right now it’s painful. Would like to know what you felt when first getting into the boot. Thanks!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hm.. I wouldn't go to 100% weight bearing right away. You need to progress from 25% to 50% to 75% to 100% and in terms of pain level make sure it's about 50-60% uncomfortable and not 70-90% which is in the ouch wtf pain range and 90-100%+ is in the risk tearing it again. Like anything you need to progress to it. For example, when you start being able to walk again, someone wouldnt ask you to try "sprinting" first before they knew whether you could "walk" or even "jog". Hope that analogy makes sense. I'd try to use 25% weight and see how that feels, then 50% weight etc and so forth and I wouldn't try to walk around with 100% weight right now. I think that's somewhat dangerous.

Just got by the 4 week milestone yesterday! Feeling stronger each day, didn't even realise I was doing 50% weight bearing at week 2 (my physio showed me to walk with the crutches exactly as you did the same day I got the stitches out). Maybe he wanted to speed up the rehab process!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like great progress! You're past the painful healing stage with the stitches etc and you're going to be getting stronger everyday with more weight bearing and then eventualluy taking off the boot. This is all exciting. It does sound a little fast but as long as its not painful.

@thestinger5846

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 Not painful which is great! I was there with the doctor and physio so I was in good hands regarding knowledge/advice. Even though it is a bit daunting attempting to put weight after zero weight bear whilst in the cast.

Hey! Thanks for the videos, really needed this to look forward to. When starting to weight bear and actively move your ankle , were your calves and hamstring sore in the days after exercises for first time? And also how did you overcome the mind body connection when first out the cast, feels like I can’t PF at all but I can do eversion/inversion of ankle

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

When I first started the exercises, my calves and hamstrings were very sore after. In fact my calves barely wanted to make any connection while my hamstrings just felt really weak. To overcome that, you just have to take your time and slow down, breathe, and try and feel the sensations that your body goes through on your good leg. Then try and repeat that but with your other leg. Feel free to close your eyes which helps. Just be totally aware of your body and then focus the attention on your leg as it fires the muscles and activates. Then try the exact same thing with your other leg right after, even if thats just trying to flex the calves.

@jarredadams3502

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 most def! Thanks for replying! Over those few days between replies it has gotten so much better bro, can actively move my foot now! Only thing left is getting used to putting weight through my leg and crutches at same time but I’ve been replaying your videos to get a good grasp, was your Achilles sore when you first started putting weight through it?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

@@jarredadams3502 yeah definitely sore when I first started weight bearing and between that and stretching it as I took out heel lifts and then progressing to walking without the boot. It'll feel like the achilles is always sore as you're constantly challenging it to do more. Thats good sign though! Means you're healing quickly.

@jarredadams3502

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks bro, your a gem. Hope your recovery is still going good!

Hi Chi thanks for sharing. Question….which boot did you use? I am about to transition into a boot next week.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I used the aircast boot here www.orthomed.ca/aircast-airselect-elite-walking-boot?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QRGfbTsBU5eITO8VEaZd88uZ99AYQQ2ru16k6OvDMwOQPxKCibJajsaAl4YEALw_wcB

Thank you very much for these videos. I am 2 weeks post-op from a rupture repair. When you were going through weeks 3&4 with early weight bearing, could you have supported more weight and you wanted to adhere to the percentage protocol, or would it have been too painful to increase beyond the prescribed weights? I curious how others have felt with weight bearing.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

I just followed the protocol but I've heard of people being able to go increase their weightbearing faster than the protocol. Just listen to your body and gauge it based on any pain that you're feeling. It's alright to have 4-6 level of pain out of 10. But as soon as you feel any sharp pains or 8+ pain levels, you should dial it back a bit.

Hi Chi, thanks for the video, it really helps. I´m at this stage now but still with the cast. Could you please share the walking boot brand or link where i can find it?.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Diego, yeah I bought these from the hospital. www.djoglobal.com/products/aircast/airselect-standard

Ruptured my Achilles Monday night in my mens league playing soccer. Fully ruptured so going the op route this upcoming Monday. Honestly, I appreciate the level of detail and mindset you have you about going through this process not once but twice. Like many people in the comments, it’s been huge for me as I prepare for a tough 3-4 months ahead getting back into a better place and missing out on all the fun that I had planned with ski season coming starting. 1% better every day is how I’m approaching it! QQ: I’m only on day 5 but my stronger leg sometimes just feels like it’s being completely overworked with the crutches, my knee scooter for around the house will come in today. Should that help reduce the amount of stress I’m putting on it?

@StylezMajorMusic

Жыл бұрын

Tore mine playing basketball a few weeks back, about a week post-op. Knee scooter is a life saver. It's a setback for sure, but there are many lessons to learn going through an injury like this.

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Yeah the knee scooter is magical. Hopping around on crutches definitely overworks your other side and starts to create imbalances in your hips etc. It also made my achilles super sore on the otherside. I'd recommend using the knee scooter as much as you can and avoid crutches.

@johnleighty6564

Жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 Thanks for the response! It’s been a huge help for sure. My Achilles journey has been quite the up hill battle the last 6 weeks. I ruptured my Achilles on Nov 14 and had surgery on Nov 21. I ended up getting a bacterial infection on my incision that didn’t heal to the surgeons liking and ended up getting a 2nd surgery on Dec 13 where he cleaned it out and ended up detaching and reattaching the tendon. Still battling the infection right now but trending in the right direction! Definitely one of the risks that come with going the operative route but hope to be on the path to kicking off PT here in the next week or so!

@jinxedboo6031

9 ай бұрын

You gonna go back to playing soccer? I want to buy its scary.. 2 weeks in for me only tho@@johnleighty6564

Hey! How soon after your tear did you have surgery? I'm at 2 weeks exactly and waiting for my surgery date in another two weeks.. I'm sure that will just put me back in terms of time spent healing, but pretty sure everything else should go as planned with a successful recovery.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

I was rescheduled a couple times and it took about 1 month from my tear till I was able to get surgery. They say you should try and get it asap but I had to wait for both of my surgeries (effects of having free surgery in Canada with health care). So I'd say it's not that big of a deal but try not to have it last past a month as it'll start healing already by then. But to answer your question, yes it will just delay your recovery a bit since you'll be experiencing an extra two weeks of muscle atrophy as well since your leg will just be immobile while you wait.

Hey Chi, just came across your videos recently. Just a few questions. Do you feel any difference between the repairs on both your left and right tendon? Does one feel better? and how are you doing now in terms of movement? back to preinjury levels? Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

The left repair (old school style) feels much thicker and took longer to recover and gain mobility back. The right repair (newer style) feels much thinner and more like pre injury levels even though it was more recently fixed compared to the left. So I'd heavily recommend the newer style if your doctor offers it in your area. As for movement, my mobility is still a bit lacking from pre injury levels but I haven't be putting in dedicated stretching as much anymore and strength in the leg is back to pre-injury but strenght in my calf is maybe around 90-95%.

Chi did you get any calf swelling or pain at this stage? I’m about 3.5 weeks in, 50% weight bearing and getting lots of calf swelling and pain more than anything. Achilles feeling good though. Hope you’ve fully recovered now!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I got lots of swelling in my foot, ankles and calf during this stage. Just listen to your body and stop when it feels like it's too much. Also yes, I am fully recovered now! Thanks for checking in.

Hey I am more or less in this same period. 20 days after surgery started phisio, and the stretched it a little bit right on first day. Didn't felt any pain but definitely afraid of re-rupture. The therapist was a bit mad at me, but the surgeon did said to keep the foot pointing down. Anyway felt really good to push those muscles, and almost no pain at all. How are you after one year? Fully recovered? Thanks for the shared experience.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Just about fully recovered now. I'll make an update video soon. I've already started boxing and brazilian jiu jitsu and going to try basketball this saturday!

@84Justino

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 jiujitsu... that's pretty hardcore. Alright glad to know it's ended up all right. Almost a year... It's quite an injury, and it seemed to come out of nowhere. Thanks for sharing this.

Hi Chi Chen, thank you so much for making these videos, they’re great help. Quick one, I just got my cast taken off today, 2 weeks post surgery and got my walking boot as I’m entering week 3: at home, when resting, sleeping, etc. do you have to have the boot on or be barefoot?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Paul, I like to have the boot off when I'm sleeping but Doctors caution against it especially at the beginning when it's extra vulnerable. Injury can occur if you kick your blankets or roll around a lot when you sleep. I got use to sleeping pretty still after my first achilles repair. I try to take the boot off for a bit every couple of hours to massage for 5min before putting it back on. The advantage of keeping it on is that it's stretching your achilles and keep it in that stretched state so that it's ready when you remove another heel lift and stretch it more. If you're out of the boot for too long in a given week, you'll notice it's tougher when you remove a heel lift because you were't use to the stretch at the previous heel lift. A little long winded answer but hope that makes sense. I slept with it off and tried to keep it on for at least 8-12 hours while I was awake to get use to the stretch.

@petihabmx

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thank you! Good thing I asked because I had it off all day yesterday after getting the cast removed and getting home. Makes sense that it needs to be under constant stretch/tension in order to loosen up. Cheers

@petihabmx

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 one thing I noticed after watching all these videos, everyone seems to have these wedges in their boot to help with weight bearing which you also remove as the weeks progress: I don’t have anything in my boot, there’s a clear gap between the bottom of the boot and my heel being lifted… is this normal?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

@@petihabmx I'm not really sure what boot you have but the ones I'm familiar with come with removable heel wedges which allow you to slowly stretch your achilles over 4-6 weeks by removing a heel wedge per week. So you start in a really pronated position, then eventually progress to neutral position in the boot without any heel wedges. Your boot may have a built it mechanism to give you a heel lift that you can adjust? Otherwise if you went straight to a neutral position in the boot then thats a completely different story and I'd worry about a rupture going stretching it too fast like that but I'd consult your doctor and PT.

@walidzafari6487

2 жыл бұрын

@@petihabmx Hey Peter! I just got out of my splint this morning and into my walking boot. My doctor told me to go ahead and take it off when I sleep, rest or shower... When I asked if he was sure he was so confident and encouraging me not to worry at all. So tonight will be my first night sleeping with nothing on my foot. How was your experience? Did you end up sleeping in the boot?

Hi Chi, I’m on Wk3 I’ve had my stitches out and I’m told it’s healed well. My surgeon has told me to start partial weight bearing with my boot on through my crutches while walking and I’ve been doing this last couple of days, did you get a little bit of tightness and pain in your repaired Achilles when you did this the first week? I know you said you were asked to do this in wk4. Cheers Jack

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah you're going to feel that tightness and discomfort as you challenge your achilles through the whole recovery process. Use pain as your guide and ease off if it feels too painful but its good to follow a recovery protocol which tells you how much weight you should be adding each week. I highly recommend the early mobilization and weight bearing protocols as I used it for my second repair and it's worked wonders.

@Zzz-bq6pq

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 ok great thanks for the feedback 😊

Great video. I have a hard cast on now. Next week I get this cast taken off and stitches out. You have a boot. I heard I’m getting another smaller cast??

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

It's alright, the boot probably just acts as a heavier cast, you're not weight bearing at this point yet so it's not too big of a deal if theyre giving you another cast instead of the boot right now.

Hi, I’m approaching my 4th week post-op. Your videos have been very appreciated. My worst fear right now is that I would rapture the other one from straining it too much. That happened to one of my acquittances. Recovery can be a lonely road but seeing you being able to play sports again at the end of your journey sure keeps me hopeful. Thank you.

@alexghdv

Жыл бұрын

Hey, I'm in exactly the same boat and was worried because of how much weight my left foot was dealing with it would also rupture. I went to a physiotherapist and they gave me some strength exercises for the calf and for stretching it out as well as foam rolling the foot and calf to loosen the muscles. I know it's difficult but the best way is just reducing the amount you use the left leg alone, which means sitting around all day which is boring but ive found helps the most :)

@aeysahat

Жыл бұрын

@@alexghdv Four weeks seem like forever don’t they? I too try use a rubber band to gently pull the good foot. Will try foam rolling the calf as you suggested. Best of luck on your recovery. Thanks a lot for the comment. 🤘🏻

@alexghdv

Жыл бұрын

@@aeysahat time in the boot feels like the longest time of your life 😅 good luck with it all

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Yeah this is definitely a concern since you likely stressed your other achilles more during crutches and boot stages as it's had to carry all your weight with crutches and cant get help from your other leg. Make sure you rest your other leg and you can also do physio exercises for that leg now to bulletproof it. Single leg calf raises on stairs with slow control is really helpful for this but if its already really sore from hopping around all day then its better to rest it first.

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

this is great advice!

Hey Chi, thanks for the video! Did your tendon feel like it was being stretched a lot when you first started walking in the boot?

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Oh hell yeah, and everytime I removed a heel wedge it felt like it was being stretched a lot as well. You'll keep progressing like this all the way until your out of the boot and walking until you're recovered...

@jl7702

Жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks, Im now walking almost 2 months out of the boot! Did you notice a large lump on your tendon? I've noticed that I've had 1 or 2 big lumps on my tendon

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

@@jl7702 yeah I have a large lump where they tied the tendon together on my left leg, the older surgical style. My right leg, with the newer surgery style has much smaller bump and the tendon doesn't feel as thick with scar tissue.

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

@@jl7702 The lumps go down in size somewhat as you heal but my left one still feels pretty thick.

Chi Chen: I am at this stage right now. do you think one can use stationary bike using level 1 since one is allowed to partial weight bear?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I would say you could probably do it but it may be uncomfortable in a boot and lead to more swelling if you push it too far. Make sure to ice it after if it does swell.

Hello! Could you tell me please, how much time per day you was out of the boot in the 4th week? For massaging and toes exercises. Thank you!

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

I was out of the boot probably 4-5 times a day but I was working from home so I had a lot of time on my hands.

@cloudyw1thachanceofra1nbow

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 cool. Thanks!

Hey how many times per day were you typically doing the band stretches? Thanks!

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

I was doing it probably 3-4 times a day, just kept doing them until they were sore (pretty quick) and then stopped for a few hours. Theres a lot of mind muscle connection that happens when you focus on the exercise and I suspect that helps with the healing.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

@jperera181 I wouldn’t be able to do 1 unassisted to start so just tire your calf out, but I’d say once you get going. Aim to hit 10 reps per set and once you can do that, aim for 15 reps (hard). You can also add progression with how much weight you’re doing by leaning on a table or support to ease up the weight or carry things like books or jugs of water if you want to increase the difficulty aside from reps.

Hey Chi! Your videos have been super helpful and motivating. Thanks! Just curious, did you have any setbacks or scares during your recovery? I lost balanced and put all my weight on my leg (while in the cast) 10 days post-op, and my entire leg shot up in so much pain. Thankfully I didn't re-rupture my Achilles, but now I’m 16 days post-op and still feel random pain in my Achillies and heel. I'm not sure if that's normal when going from the cast to the boot or if it's from the fall, but either way, it makes me terrified of taking my foot out of the boot or trying to start weight-bearing.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I did have a scare where I was taking a shower withhout the boot and slipped and put weight on the foot. Luckily, I chose to fall over before I put too much weight on it but I wasn't in a cast or boot which made it extra scary. I didn't rupture anything and it just went back to healing. There's lots to heal from so a little jolt like that won't set it back much unless you tear it.

@Eatsleep864

2 жыл бұрын

@nidal balkis: do you still have random pain now? I just finished week 3 and going into week 4

@sophia6379

2 жыл бұрын

This happened to me too two weeks after surgery. I seriously think I’m suffering some post-trauma. How did that affect your recovery following the incident? I’m now in a boot and feel like I need more time to heal.

Hi, did you sleep with your aircast boot?

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

I did at the beginning but eventually loosened it or took it off when I slept but you have to be careful because if you kick the blankets, have people sleep in the same bed or sleepwalk, it can be dangerous.

Can you help me out Chi? I just need to know if you needed to go up in size on your boot for using the wedge kit or does it fit in your normal shoe size boot? For example according to the size chart it says for men sizes 10-13 we use a LARGE BOOT. I'm size 11 so I would get the Large boot size. But if I'm going to use the wedges then would I need to get the X-LARGE boot size? or would they fit along with my foot in the LARGE boot? Thanks for your help.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

They would fit in the large boot fine, you won't need an X-Large boot. The boots were made with knowing people will be using heel wedges. They are adjustable with a long strap to tighten the boot.

Did the hospital give you that boot or did you buy it elsewhere?

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

I bought it from the hospital but you can also order it online from sites like Amazon

Hey Chen, did you sleep with the walker boot ?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I did for the first week or so but I'm very good at sleeping still so I didn't sleep with it on much after. But be careful not to sleep walk or kick your blankets at night.

Next Tuesday (10/12/21), I will have my sutures remove & new cast for 4 more weeks before obtaining the boot! Sounds like you were provided the boot during your 3rd week?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah after the surgery, I was in a cast for two weeks and then they removed it and I put myself into a boot instead of another cast. I had more room to move my foot and it helped with circulation etc,.

@Loochee615

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 oh wow! I need to ask my doctor about it this but then, I need to take it slow too lol! Thank you for your response!

Question? Are you sleeping with the boot on or off at this stage?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I was sleeping with the boot off most of the nights but you have to be very careful with kicking the sheets or rolling it into someone if you're sleeping next to anyone. They recommend sleeping with it on but I found it way way more comfortable sleeping with it off and just being extra careful.

Had a full rupture of my Achilles in July. Had surgery beginning of august and got an infection that ate away at my tendon. Got my second surgery to get rid of the infected tissue and now I have a third surgery in upcoming weeks to repair my Achilles. I say all this because I had just become weight bearing when I got the infection and now I’m back to square one. How did you focus on staying positive though the process? As a D1 athlete it’s taken it’s toll on me because my entire schedule of sport, training, and everyday life being active is now altered.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hey man, that sounds like you had a rough time. Something that helped me stay positive was to watch other peoples achilles journeys and focus on what's ahead. Especially as a D1 athlete, I'm sure a lot of your identity and daily life / training went into sports and now that you're sidelined, it can be hard. This is all normal but at this point, you can choose to let this take you out or focus up and recover like Kevin Durant and others that have made full recoveries at a high professional level. You'll come out mentally stronger after all this and use it as fuel that life can throw bullshit at you and you'll still ovecome it. You got this man! Stay up and prove to everyone that your tougher than this.

@PreciousK03

11 ай бұрын

How are you doing now ? Did you feel when you had the infection?

Im on my 2n week and they removed my splint yesterday. I have alot of numbness around the surgery area of the Achilles. Did you have the same experience?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, thats normal and just a sign of scar tissue and nerves around the area of the incision point tends to be super sharp and painful or dull.

Do you mind sharing your protocol to me? Curious. How similar or different they are.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

My protocol is linked in Post-Op Week 1 video. Here's the link as well drive.google.com/file/d/1dtyQQ5hptCaJfPSS1pw0qyad8P7il8zA/view?usp=sharing

Hey Chi! I just got to week 4 post op today. Did you have any ankle tendon pain or foot pain? I have been doing great with some PWB in the boot, to the point where I can go short distances on a single crutch and even stand without a crutch with both feet! I've been doing the ROM exercises since week 2 that you showed and they've been great! Things have felt great, thanks to your videos! The last three or four days though, I've had some serious foot and ankle tendon tenderness and entire foot cramping. It's hard to explain where the pain is, other than "the entire foot". I'm assuming it's gait issues, with the foot being pushed downward due to the heel lifts, as well as PWB changing which muscles/tendons do the work? I'm curious if you had that type of pain or cramping... maybe I'm overdoing things? Thanks again for sharing your journey! I keep watching your vids, as they give me hope for the upcoming week progress!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Jeff, it sounds like you're doing great and getting after it. When the foot and achilles tendon starts to get really sore after walking or exercising, it's generally your body telling you that it's enough and time to rest it for a day. Walking around in crutches and boot isn't great for your hips and walking mechanics so it's a tradeoff between strengthening your achilles and also negatively messing with your hips and back and shoulders etc. Make sure to stretch and work on your hip as well whenever you can. I currently have some hip issues I'll be dealing with in my next videos as I'm going to be really tryinng to get my ankle ROM and hip be pain free again for squats.

Hi Chi Chen, Hope you are well😀 , I started (week 3) 3 days ago and i have an appointment with the doctor at the end of week 3, And till now i am on the cast, And when i asked him when we will remove the cast and start wearing the walking boot, He said most probably at the end of week 3 we will remove this cast and add for you another cast with different smaller angle to stretch a little bit the tendon, So do you think i am little bit late or it depends if the injury was insertion or non insertion because the one i got non insertion. ???

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Yeah every doctor has slightly different protocols. It's fine to be in the cast a little longer and it sounds like they are angling it for you so its probably similar angle and progression as getting into the boot with all the heel wedges.

Couple questions: 1. Did you sleep in your boot week 3&4? Dr. Advised me to for safety reasons but bro it’s pretty unbearable. I’ve been taking my chances without it. 2. During the first week or two after stitches removal, did you ever notice any slight opening of the cut and a little bit of blood seeping into the bandage?

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Latrell, 1. I did for my first achilles repair but for my second one I didn't. But you just have to be super careful you're not kicking blankets and rolling around too much. 2. Yeah I'm not sure if it was blood or just like healing juices I call it cause there were still holes where the stitches went and yeah that's expected sometimes for an open wound that just healed up. Hope you're doing well and wish you speedy recovery my man!

@cloudyw1thachanceofra1nbow

3 жыл бұрын

Hello, mate! Sorry to intervene. I know u didn’t ask me but I’m in my 4 th week post op, first week in the boot, and I would totally not recommend u sleeping without the boot. First and foremost u need the boot to keep your foot in a equinus position, so u want the ends of the repaired tendon to be as closed together as possible so it has the ability to heal faster. Second reason is that any untintentional move during sleep can lead to a rerupture so easily. A very big percentage of the reruptures happen in the first 12 weeks so that is the period when u need to be as careful as possible. Take care!

hi Im on my 3rd week and just change a castt that is still hard ,i dont know why surgeon didn't advice icing...i felt numbness and my toes i out a little bit I can see how swollen it is...every surgeons approach are different..I had my surgery at North york general hospital and follow up after the surgery is after 17 days.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yes depending on the surgery type, every doctor has slightly different protocols. The beginning isn't too important other than making sure you rest and heal quickly and then physio time will be important afterwards.

What type of walker did you use?

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

I use an aircast boot and just regular crutches until I got my knee scooter.

Did u feel like a lump/dent on your achilles when u rub it after surgery?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yes felt like someone hid a pen or thick highlighter in my achilles. The scarring will slowly mould and loosen up as you heal your achilles and stretch it out.

At this point in the shower do you still use a shower chair?

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Yes I used the shower chair all the way until I was out of the boot.

Not sure if you're still checking comments but I'm 2.5 weeks post op and an dealing with muscle spasms in the inner ankle at night. Did you deal with muscle spasms during your recovery?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

A little bit but it went away around Month 2. Once you're out of the cast, it'll feel weak and awkward until your almost out of the boot.

@pothiergu4646

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 Thanks! If you don't mind a second question, did you sleep with your boot and if so, when did you get the green light to stop? I'm also in Ontario so I figure protocols should be similar. I've noticed variance from folks in other countries.

Chi did you ever find yourself losing some toe function after surgery? I find I cannot really raise my pinky toe anymore.

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Yup that's normal right after surgery and as you develop the strength back into your calves, that connection will come back.

I'll be 3 weeks post op on Friday. Still dealing with a decent amount of swelling and dull ache. Did you experience that this far along? I'm working 8 hour days in the office with my boot so that probably doesn't help. Thanks in advance!

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah your ankle is going to feel some swelling and aching if it's immobilized for too long. If you're able to take off your boot at your desk carefully and let it breathe and give yourself a chance to massage it every once in a while, that should help.

@stephenpurver5047

3 жыл бұрын

I had the surgery. I am now 10 weeks post surgery and my foot is still swollen and painful when I stand or walk. So I spend most of my day with my leg horizontal or slightly elevated on the sofa. I have finally got a telephone appointment with a physiotherapist in one week's time. Other than lying down, I don't know what I can do to stop the pain and swelling. I go out for short walks wearing the support boot.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

@@stephenpurver5047 there’s a couple things that will help. 1) try and do a couple sessions of ice therapy per day when you’re feeling sore and swollen. Full a bucket with ice water and put your foot in for up to 2-5min whatever you can bear and then let it warm up for 5-10min and put it back in and keep doing this until the water is no longer cold. Ice therapy helps with inflammation and healing. 2) Sitting and elevating the foot is good but try to keep the boot loose when you’re just sitting around. If it’s too tight it constricts blood flow and slows healing. 3) Even though your foot is injured, try and exercise your upper body and exercises with your legs etc that don’t involve your foot. Exercising helps keep your body and heart rate going which also can help with healing. Just don’t overdo it and try to keep your foot protected.

@stephenpurver5047

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 Thanks Chi Chen. I will try that.

@bjkane7

3 жыл бұрын

@@stephenpurver5047 I'm now 9 weeks post op and have had 7 PT sessions. It's made a world of difference. Not sure why you haven't had any PT yet but that should help a lot.

Hey chi, Question, how long did the nerve block last you? It’s nearing 24 hours since my surgery and I still can feel pain or toes. My foot is numb and I sometime feel tingling and general heaviness of my foot. Just hoping it’ll wear off and a nerve wasn’t cut during surgery…

@CMX599

Жыл бұрын

Hello Miles. I had surgery Feb 6. For me The nerve block lasted almost 48 hours. My foot felt numb. I slept fine the first night but after the nerve block wore off I barely slept the next two nights because of the pain. However it gets better! The first couple of days keep up with your pain meds. Please hydrate because some of those meds cause constipation.

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Great advice!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

My nerve block only lasted about 24 hours and then it was quite painful and I used pain meds for the next day or two after but quickly went off of it because I didn't want to develop any codeine dependencies. Your foot will definitely have tingling and general heaviness for a while until your wound heals.

The boot was so painful I have had no weight bearing for 5 weeks I had a bone spur and Achilles heel repair and plantar fascia

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

Yes the boot is fairly painful at first especially as it stretches your achilles when you remove heel lifts. Just take it slowly and easy and be patient with yourself. Slow and consistent effort is the way!

I'm just starting week 3 post-op. I have a very similar protocol to yours so far, although, I am to remove one wedge each week starting this Friday (will remove 3 wedges total.) Instead of starting to remove wedges at the 6-8 week mark. Any thoughts on that?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Your protocol seems to be a little faster than mine and shouldn't be a cause for concern as long as you're able to manage it. Let your doctor or physio know if the stretch feels like it's too much or if it's progressing too quickly with the heel wedges being removed. You can always slow it down by a few days or even a week if your achilles needs time to adjust but I'd consult your doc if that happens.

@yaxing007

2 жыл бұрын

I have the same protocol, hurting like hell first couple of days in the boot. Don’t know if that’s normal

@woamaryseb

2 жыл бұрын

@@yaxing007 Mine did hurt a bit when removing wedges, goes away within a day or two.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

@@woamaryseb Yeah thats normal and will likely happen after each wedge thats removed. Your achilles will have to get use to stretching out more and more. The first day or two is worst but then it gets easier until you have to take another wedge out lol. But just think of it as one wedge closer to walking normally again and you'll even look forward to it by the last couple wedges.

What are the long term effects of not getting it fixed? Mine is about 4 years old . I was misdiagnosed at first

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

It depends whether you had a full tear or a partial tear. Your achilles can heal on its own if you give it enough time so it may be fine now 4 years later. However, there's a chance you never let it heal fully and it may be thinner and more susceptible to a full tear now. These are all speculations and I would just test yourself whether your feel that one achilles is weaker than the other right now.

How long did you walk for a day?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe 5min at a time every couple of hours at this stage.

Hey Chi, I’m on week 4 and the doctor told me I can put 50% weight onto my foot while in the boot and crutches. I’m feeling some tingling at the bottom of my heel when I put some weight on it, is that normal? I’m starting PT soon!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Hey James, totally normal to feel the tingles at the bottom of the heel. I felt this all the way until I was at 100% weight bearing and getting out of the boot. It lasts longer for some people than others but definitely normal.

@tranxxaction

Жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks Chi! I’m on week 5 and started PT. My foot is feeling better and better each session. I’m gaining a lot more flexibility than I did before

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

@@tranxxaction That sounds great! Keep it up and you'll be walking in no time

It's very weird the way my doctors post op recovery plan is. They expect me to be fully walking without crutches 5 days after I got my cast off beginning week 3. Sounds to soon. There's also only 2 very small wedges in my boot.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

That does sound a little quick but perhaps your achilles wasn't as damaged and may only be a partial tear?

@alphaandomega5612

2 жыл бұрын

I got my cast off 2 weeks after surgery and was put in a boot. I had physical therapy the same day. The physical therapist had me do exercises. Some with the boot on and some with it off. I thought that was too soon. I also have 2 small wedges inside my boot.

Chi, I’m at 2 weeks and I’m concerned they’re dealing with me “the old way”. I got my cast off and into a boot and the PA told me 6 weeks NWB and they scheduled me a whole month out to start PT. Should I do these 3-4 week steps on my own? They have barely told me anything. It seems like they’re overbooked due to COVID protocols, so I don’t want to suffer with NWB for 6 weeks!

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yea it seems like they're having you follow a more conservative weight bearing protocol which was similar to my left achilles repair. I did my research and encourage you to do the same but I'd recommend finding a PT thats available who is experienced following a faster weight bearing and mobility protocol. You can find a link to mine in one of my first videos to see what mine was like. My right achilles (this newest one) recovered much faster and with less atrophy than my left one which followed the old school slower approach.

@jeffreybray7877

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thanks so much for the reply. It was hard to hear “6 weeks” at the doctors, after sitting around for the last two weeks researching what I’m going to expect and seeing dozens of stories like yours. We’ve got nothing but time sitting around all day…. I’m definitely going to do some research on other PTs in the area. The orthopedics place that did my surgery has their own PT. As the advanced medical center in the area, I’m kind of surprised they’re doing the conservative approach. Thanks again!

@sanlitun2173

2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffreybray7877 I have the same. Living in Beijing for the moment. Doctors here are really conservative. I was allowed to bear weight at 25% only at six weeks post op. I am now 8 weeks post op and still only at 30% although I feel I am actually FWB at times. Next couple of weeks removing the last 2 wedges and progressing to FWB. My PT started weight bearing exercises 50% outside of the boot. The Achilles and ankle get swollen and tight very fast. My PT thinks I will be out of the boot in about 4 weeks. Better take it slowly, not worth rerupturing it. Just try to do your exercises and get ankle mobility back, also do not neglect your quads and hamstrings and hip. The boot will really lock up your ankle, foot, knee and hip if you do not mobilize it.

@jeffreybray7877

2 жыл бұрын

@@sanlitun2173 Hey! I’m hitting 4 weeks post op tomorrow. I’ve been doing some things on my own, very minimally. Range of motion exercises out of the boot, making sure not to raise my foot, and toe curl excersizes. Also, massaging my calf and foot and just trying to keep things loose. I am also icing my calf and surgery site twice a day and taking a single 325mg Aspirin daily, as a DVT (blood clot) prevention. I feel so unique, as I barely have any pain! My ROM of my foot and toes has been fairly easy, too! My surgeon must have been on his A game! This morning, in the boot with the two wedges, I put a little weight on my foot (week 4) and had no issues PWB walking slowly around. I’m getting no negative pain feedback at all. I’m just going to take it easy and keep things loose while I wait for PT to start in 3 weeks…. Thanks for the advice and hamstring and hip! I’ll start doing leg lift exercises right away for those! Great advice! Glad to hear of your story, also. How is your week of recovery going?

Hello. Thank you for your videos! I have a question, how long did you have a cast?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

I had a cast for 2 weeks before it was removed and I was put into a boot.

I'm in 4 week and I just watched this video where you're briefly walking with a boot and walking with a boot with crutches. My PT and my doctor have not cleared me to do those. My foot can't bend 90 degrees yet. I'm doing this seated heel slides with towel that my PT told me to do and I can see that my foot can't stretch to 90 degrees. I do this inversion/ everson with a boot just fine. It bothers me that my foot can't bend 90 degrees and that I'm not confident to walk with a boot with or without the assistance of crutches.

@ChiChen3

10 ай бұрын

Ah sorry for the delay in my response. 4 weeks is still really early and Id suggest just taking your time and slowly stretch your achilles as you regain strength and mobility. They go hand in hand together or... foot in foot? Be patient with yourself and slow consistent progress is the key!

Hello, I am starting week 4 and I still have half of my foot numb, is that common? Thanks a lot

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

Are you still in the cast or in the boot already? It's common to have swelling and feel numb in the foot sometimes if the cast is wrapped too tight, this generally fades once you're in the boot and give it time to heal.

hello chi im on my 3rd week but the doctor said my achilles tore so bad he said we need 6 weeks, i just wanna ask is it ok to workout sitting down doing shoulder workout chest workout all upper body work… will it affect the healing of the achilles? thanks

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

You can certainly workout your upper body and I did the same thing. I was working out in the gym with my friend after week 2. He had to help carry the weights sometimes to get set up but most seated exercises are fine as long as you dont need your legs too much for balance. Staying active actually helps with recovery in your leg. Just don't overdo it but staying active promotes blood flow.

@badinchantarapitak3530

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 ohh men good to hear that i was really scared haha. tahnks for the reply now i feel confident 😂! by the way last question sometimes at the middle of the night i wakeup my achilles hurt is it normal? then after it will be gone then i go back to sleep. this happens last night and last week… thank you so much 🙏

How do I get comfortable when my leg feels numb when elevated and swells when I sit in a chair not elevated 😢

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, it's just a cycle of switching between the two positions. But silver lining is that this does promote blood flow which will help the healing?

hi sir i am in week 9. i started slow walk and put weight on injured leg. but there is swelling and heel pain and heavy stiffness. is it normal

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Yes totally normal, your leg is just getting use to it and you want to just go nice and slow until your body adjusts.

Good to know what to expect but listen to a doctor.

@ChiChen3

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, I'm not a health professional and everyone should listen to their doctor and also their physiotherapists!

Hey man, im 1 week post op now and i got mine surgically repaired by a sports injury orthopedic specialist. He said that hes gonna take my stitches out end of this week, which is 2 weeks post op, why yours took 3 weeks?

@saadabual-haj5908

2 жыл бұрын

And during this week I’m feeling a burning sensation under my heel, is that normal?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

No I got my stitches out at the end of week 2. I think my video is just showing what happened during weeks 3 and 4 which is everything that happened at the end of week 2 and onwards. Hope that makes sense.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

This happens sometimes from the extra blood circulating to your leg to heel the wound in your achilles. Also the cast makes it stuffy as well. Its normal as long as it doesnt spike in pain levels, if its just uncomfortable than thats fine.

Hi Chen, im 4weeks post-op but I can’t put my foot on a 90degree normal angle, ny tendon is like a frozen rubberband and so stiff.. What can you advise?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

Hey this is perfectly normal. Are you following along a rehab protocol? I believe I got to 90 degree normal angle around Week 10 or so. I removed a heel wedge per week to get down to 90 degrees.

@adolffranklinelnar9311

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thank you for the quick reply.. i dont have any program so im following yours 😅, i also have a boot similar to the one you used and improvised insoles i glued on top of each other to make as wedge.. But i can perfectly put 100% weight on them and with no pain at all. Im just worried that the tendon will not be tender anymore because its thick also stiffer than my calf.

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

@@adolffranklinelnar9311 Thats completely normal, the tendon is going to feel really thick and stiff. As you slowly stretch your tendon and it gains its mobility and strength back, it'll naturally mold into a thinner more elastic tendon. This is fairly gradual and my tendon now is still fairly thick after 1 year. Even my tendon on the other leg that was repaired 3 years ago is still a little thick but I have the strength and most mobility back.

@adolffranklinelnar9311

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thank you for the peace of mind.. ill just follow your weekly program.. by the way, when did you start taking the wedge off one by one?

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

@@adolffranklinelnar9311 Starting on week 6. You can find the protocol I followed here drive.google.com/file/d/1dtyQQ5hptCaJfPSS1pw0qyad8P7il8zA/view

Great series Chi! Fully ruptured my left Achilles on Super Bowl Sunday playing racquetball. Question on shower. Once the boot is off, are you standing flat footed in the shower or on your toes, similar to wedges in boot? Not sure if flat foot is safe. Thanks!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

No I showered by sitting down on a stool, it's very dangerous to try and keep that tippie toe angle like in the boot when youre showering. You don't want to stand flat footed because you probably don't have that full range of motion yet especially if you still have heel wedges in your boot.

I'm at this stage now

@rachelwest1642

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video!!

@ChiChen3

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome Rachel, hope your recovery is coming along well!

How long till you can start putting weight on it

@ChiChen3

2 жыл бұрын

You can start putting weight on it around Week 4 and probably at 100% weight bearing around Week 6 or 7 when you start removing heel wedges.

@RK-ok1fl

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChiChen3 thank you 🙏🏾

Purchase a silicone boot cover for the shower - I used this over my boot for weeks in the shower. Available on line.

@ChiChen3

3 ай бұрын

Great advice and much safer than trying to take off the boot!