Achilles Tendon Surgery: Healing With Apolla Performance Socks

Rehabilitating from an Achilles tendon rupture is a long, arduous process. What has really helped in phase two of healing are my Apolla Performance socks.

January 20, 2025

The short history: On December 15, I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Completely and definitively. On December 18, the surgeon put me back together, just in time for the holidays.

Once the incision from my surgery was healed over, I wanted to do everything I could to improve my healing. One thing that came to mind were compression socks.

Apolla Performance socks

At the time, I was in my late forties. I was teaching 3-4 dance classes a day and after school rehearsals in a high school. I spent much of my time dancing in bare feet, which was taking its toll. My dogs were barking all the time.

I’ve had my share of plantar fasciitis and other foot woes. I found the Apolla site and they offered an array of options. I chose the compression crew socks that end just before the calf starts. They have a traction option, which means the bottom of the toe is treated to give a slightly grippy quality. Very beneficial for a slippery vinyl dance floor in the winter. I also got a bottle of their E6000 Spray Adhesive to refresh the grip (I still have it).

I wore the socks for a while, and they worked great. At the end of the year, they wound up in a dance bag that I had stopped using. Years went by before I found them again.

Strengthening my feet

In addition to my role as a dance teacher, I have an adult gymnastics habit. I call myself The Geriatric Gymnast. You can see the fun flippy things I do on YouTube @thegeriatricgymnast and Instagram @staceywritesandflips.

I started gymnastics when my kids were small. That was 17 years ago. I think as I trained, my feet got stronger and the plantar fasciitis issues eventually subsided. I was less in need of the support, and the socks stayed in the old dance bag.

My poor Achilles tendon

Fast forward to December 15, 2024. I’m in the gym, practicing roundoff back handsprings on the TumblTrak.

On one of the landings, I suddenly felt the classic POP behind my right ankle. It was like I bumped into something. I knew, when I couldn’t move my foot, that I had ruptured my Achilles tendon. Life would change drastically for the significant future. Read the beginning of the story here.

The injury was repaired three days later, starting a very long rehabilitation process. Two weeks after the surgery, my cast came off and a walking boot was installed. Physical therapy began, and phase two of healing was underway.

Taking care of the injury site

There were two important instructions that kept circulating in my head.

1. The doctor said that I needed to protect the incision. It was essential to avoid friction on the site so it would prevent infection and heal properly. Keeping it covered with a sock in the boot would do that.
2. The physical therapist told me to minimize swelling. The ankle has much less circulation and my calf muscle was basically out of service. I couldn’t rely on it to pump fluid back up to my heart.

I needed to figure out how to achieve both of these directives as I started walking more in the boot. Going back to work meant I’d be on it often all day. The boot offered some compression, but when it came off at home, I wanted something to keep the squeeze consistent.

Who loves a sale? I do.

I remembered the Apolla socks. I had seen them recently in the old dance bag and decided to fish them out. Also, I was seeing some advertisements in early January for a big 25% off sale. The incision had healed over well once the steri strips fell off. I thought it might be a good time to try the socks.

Of course, a sale is hard to turn down for a specialty item that you realize will be helpful. Also, each pair are $37. Not cheap, for sure. But, these socks are designed to strongly support the arch of the foot and the ankle.

I took advantage of the sale and got myself four new pair with the grips.

Time to try the Apollas

The first time I tried putting the old pair on, I remembered how tight they were. They were hard to get over my foot and I abandoned the effort. My incision was still pretty sore and I was afraid of aggravating it.

A few days later, I got my package in the mail. Four brand new pair and a little mesh bag to wash them in. I was hoping I chose wisely.

On Monday, I’d be back at work for my second full week. My ankle was feeling a little less sore, and I wanted to see how the compression socks would feel. After a bit of a struggle, I got them on.

The benefits

It was worth the struggle. Here are the main benefits of wearing them:

1. Perfect compression. The socks provide a delightfully snug hug around my foot and ankle. They are really supportive, especially in the boot.
2. My toes have plenty of wiggle room. I chose that design specifically because I hate when my toes are squeezed.
3. Good mobility. Inside the boot, the socks are compressive. Outside the boot, I can move my toes and ankle well. I can do my rehab exercises in or out of the socks.

I decided to test them on Sunday, when I went to the gym for some conditioning. You can see them in action in the video below:

When I took the sock off later that day, there was no swelling at all. Literally, none.

I wore a pair every day through the work week, and it was the same. When I took off the socks at PT, the therapist was amazed by the lack of edema in the ankle and foot. He said that was great. Seems the socks were, in fact, a wise choice.

Taking care of the socks

I followed the manufacturer’s instructions. The socks need to be inside out to maintain the traction on the toes. I shoved four pair into the mesh bag and tossed them in the washer on the gentle cycle. I neglected to secure the bag properly and the socks wound up spread around the tub. I think it would also help for the bag to be a little bigger. Into the dryer on low they went, where they took over an hour and a half to dry.

The second time, I washed and dried them without the bag. They dried in less than an hour. Live and learn.

---

Overall, I’m very happy with my Apolla Performance socks. I’ll continue to wear them throughout the healing process, especially as I transition into shoes and eventually bare feet. Now that my ankle has been compromised, I think I’ll need the extra support for long term exercise.

I can say with certainty, I chose wisely.