Achilles Tendon Recovery: From Cast to Boot

This is the ongoing saga of my recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon in December. Two weeks post-op, this is how I’m doing.

January 2, 2025

It’s my first post in 2025 and already the year is starting off…interestingly.

Two and a half weeks ago, I completely ruptured my right Achilles tendon at gymnastics. I was working on my round-off back handspring connections on the TumblTrak. I had already done four or five of them. On the last one, I felt a POP and suddenly I couldn’t move my foot. The beginning of that story is here.

Three days later, I had surgery to repair the tendon. That story is here.

Recovery: Phase one

Thanks to my family, my early recovery phase has been really good. We celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah “as usual” and I’ve been very well cared for. I was able to take of a week at work to focus on healing, then another week of winter break.

I’ve been slowly gaining some independence using crutches and a knee scooter. My goal has been to need as little as possible from everyone else. My husband (my hero) has been shouldering most of the load at home (this is my tribute to him). My kids, who are home on winter break, have picked up a lot of slack as well.

I’ve been able to feed, bathe and clothe myself. I can do little chores here and there, even though it takes three times the time and energy to accomplish. Stairs are certainly a challenge, but I graduated from sitting to standing to get up and down. I’ve also been doing some strength and mobility training to keep the rest of my body in good shape.

I’ve been very good about following instructions to elevate and keep off of the cast. My normally short patience and quick tempo have been tested. I’ve had no choice but to slow everything down and be very mindful of every movement I make.

Finally, the first two weeks, probably the hardest, are behind me.

At the doc’s office

I started this post about 15 minutes before leaving for the doc to remove the cast and stitches. I was SO excited to get the monstrosity off of my leg. My skin would be able to breathe. I’d be able to move my foot around (a little). I’d also be getting used to walking in a new boot.

The appointment went well. I got to see my surgeon for a few minutes, but the PA did all the work.

Then, she assembled and put on the walking boot. It’s MUCH heavier than the cast, but at least I can take it off to shower. Even better, I can walk on it with crutches! It’s like wearing a very cushy high heel, strapped inside a metal cage.

Out of the cast, my foot feels like it has to wake up. You know when your arm falls asleep when you lay on it for too long? Then as it wakes up, it feels super weird? Yeah. That’s the feeling. Super weird.

On to phase two

I’m now in phase two of my healing process. These are my week three to four instructions:

• Ankle movement: I can do slight movement up and down at the ankle. 
• Physical Therapy: I’ll start next week. I imagine that will be very uncomfortable and I’m very much looking forward to it.
• Weight bearing: I can bear weight on the boot using the crutches for stability. So far, there’s no pain.
• Showering: I can shower without boot. There are steri strips in place over the incision which will fall off on their own. It will feel really good to let water run over my leg, for sure. I will use my shower chair until the boot comes off.
• Sleep: I’ll sleep with boot for another 3-4 weeks. It’s super heavy, and will probably be awkward, but I’ll get used to it.
• Incision: It’s healed, but I have to pay attention to the incision. Nothing can rub against it and I always have to wear a sock for protection.
• Driving: With any luck, I’ll be driving in another 2-4 weeks. The boot will come off to drive and back on to walk.

In two weeks, I’ll return to the doctor for a four-week checkup.

Moving forward

I’ve already made a bunch of physical therapy appointments for the next two weeks. It will take me a few days to adjust to this new boot, which is like a lead weight. I don’t think I’ll need the scooter at home, since I can move easily in the boot with the crutches.

I’ll try going back to work tomorrow, to see if I have the endurance for a whole day. As a dance teacher, I’ll have to do much more description of what I want my students to do. It will be another opportunity for learning!

Here’s my little video journal of the doctor’s visit.

@staceytirro

The cast is OFF!! YAYAYAYAYAY!! Time to rehab this thing. #achillestendon #thegeriatricgymnast #CapCut

♬ original sound – Stacey

If you have any questions about recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture, put a question in the comment section!