I managed to snap my Achilles about 5 yrs ago while stepping forward in a warm up for a volleyball game. I'm in the 30-50 range, in good shape - bike, workout, ski and no history of achilles issues. Apparently the largest percentage of achilles injuries happen from stepping out of the house onto your deck - its totally random.
I did the surgery route at Lionsgate - it all went ok. I had a full detachment (the Thompson test made be scream). 4 weeks in a half-cast, 8weeks or so in a boot where you start with heel-lifts and take one out each week. Getting the stitches out was the biggest pain for me of the whole ordeal. The biggest win for me was getting a "iwalk". Yes you look like a pirate, but you have pretty awesome mobility and two free hands for beer and wings - you can even go up/down stairs. Forget the scooter, get the iwalk. Showers are a bad idea until you can stand...
Recovery - 2 months and on a trainer while wearing the boot (I looked cool), month 3 unclipped on the trainer, clipped at 4-4.5months (being clipped was very helpful in reestablishing flexibility). 5 months on the bike (light road) and 6 was a gentle ride on Bobsled. In my case the damaged leg was my "rear" leg while riding, so the bouncing of mountain biking on flow trails with a full suspension bike was good stretching rehab. Month 6 included lots of laps of highschool league, Bobsled, empress bypass and eventually JD and Expresso - the jank is hard on the leg, so I took it really slow. I had written off the ski season (and putting my new-shaped ankle area in to a boot the first time the next October was excruciating). I got back to some light low-leg workouts at month 6 (i.e. weights), but took it very slow.
I was back to full strength in ~10 months, flexibility took time. My calves and lower leg shape are now different left to right "I'm unique", but I've managed to get strength fairly balanced. Wobble-board or bosu were very helpful (or even standing one-footed on a pillow) was good to do while watching tv.
Good luck in the recovery - feel free to message or PM me for any advice or recommendations.
Jan. 24, 2022, 3:53 p.m. - Taz123
I managed to snap my Achilles about 5 yrs ago while stepping forward in a warm up for a volleyball game. I'm in the 30-50 range, in good shape - bike, workout, ski and no history of achilles issues. Apparently the largest percentage of achilles injuries happen from stepping out of the house onto your deck - its totally random. I did the surgery route at Lionsgate - it all went ok. I had a full detachment (the Thompson test made be scream). 4 weeks in a half-cast, 8weeks or so in a boot where you start with heel-lifts and take one out each week. Getting the stitches out was the biggest pain for me of the whole ordeal. The biggest win for me was getting a "iwalk". Yes you look like a pirate, but you have pretty awesome mobility and two free hands for beer and wings - you can even go up/down stairs. Forget the scooter, get the iwalk. Showers are a bad idea until you can stand... Recovery - 2 months and on a trainer while wearing the boot (I looked cool), month 3 unclipped on the trainer, clipped at 4-4.5months (being clipped was very helpful in reestablishing flexibility). 5 months on the bike (light road) and 6 was a gentle ride on Bobsled. In my case the damaged leg was my "rear" leg while riding, so the bouncing of mountain biking on flow trails with a full suspension bike was good stretching rehab. Month 6 included lots of laps of highschool league, Bobsled, empress bypass and eventually JD and Expresso - the jank is hard on the leg, so I took it really slow. I had written off the ski season (and putting my new-shaped ankle area in to a boot the first time the next October was excruciating). I got back to some light low-leg workouts at month 6 (i.e. weights), but took it very slow. I was back to full strength in ~10 months, flexibility took time. My calves and lower leg shape are now different left to right "I'm unique", but I've managed to get strength fairly balanced. Wobble-board or bosu were very helpful (or even standing one-footed on a pillow) was good to do while watching tv. Good luck in the recovery - feel free to message or PM me for any advice or recommendations.