Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

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Colin63
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Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Colin63 »

On August 1st last year. I fell off a chair in the kitchen - the silliest of accidents, but my foot slipped through the wooden leg spars and snapped my achilles tendon. Eleven weeks later the orthopaedic boot was removed so that I could start building up strength again. Unfortunately I hadn't been given the right meds for the last few weeks of boot wearing and I developed deep vein thrombosis (this led to pneumonia, pulmonary emboli and catching Covid 19 in hospital, but that's another story!) so I've been dealing with two medical issues as I recover. This week I loaded the bike into the car and took it to the riverside path and rode for 50 minutes. Apart from a little difficulty in mounting and pushing off it was a delight to be pedalling again, and I only experienced very mild stinging sensations in the damaged tendon. It's been quite a ride these past several months! What I'm posting for is to know if anyone else has had such an injury, what experience they may have had throughout recovery and if there is anything I should be aware of as I regain mobility.
thirdcrank
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by thirdcrank »

It's about 12 years since I did mine. I had the plaster cast rather than surgery. No complications such as the bad luck you have had. I'm still aware of it in cold weather. I got a lot of benefit from the NHS physio.
Jdsk
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Jdsk »

Have you got access to a physiotherapist to discuss progress?

If not the usual principles are to recover mobility and strength but not to "push through pain".

Jonathan
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Colin63
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Colin63 »

I've been getting regular physio and progress has been good.
My physiotherapist warned me that it won't be a straight line graph to health. I did overdo it for a while, but that just resulted in me tearing a ligament in my good leg! The situation is now that I can walk for about 1-2 miles max but it becomes increasingly painful which I think might be the DVT rather than the tendon. The damaged part of the tendon is now fat and soft rather than being tight and narrow like an uninjured tendon. The calf is about 70% the size of the other leg. There's a lot of healing to go.
ClappedOut
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by ClappedOut »

Similar ankle issues, ended in a boot and crutches.
Wear a brace when bad and hospital adapted footwear.

Tilting the bike and mounting made it easier.
A mixte Dutch bike etc another consideration.

I can ride 8-11 miles after Building it up then my foot hurts still.

I'm after a recumbent trike, but cost wise I think it will be box section DIY as the ones second hand are miles away and £800-1300
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Colin63
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Colin63 »

An update. I went for my first 'real' bike ride this morning - a 27km amble up and down the Lune Valley. My injured leg is very weak, but I could get up very short and steep inclines as long as I was riding a very low gear (24/30). I can't take my weight on the leg yet, so mounting and dismounting is difficult and there's a little tendon pain and a lot of heel pain. But it's such a joy to be riding again.
Jdsk
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Jdsk »

Glad you're riding again.

As above... until you've got access to that physiotherapy advice I'd suggest not "pushing through pain".

Jonathan
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Colin63
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Colin63 »

Jdsk wrote: 10 May 2021, 11:11am Glad you're riding again.

As above... until you've got access to that physiotherapy advice I'd suggest not "pushing through pain".

Jonathan
Pushing through pain with my general recovery has been my biggest mistake, though that lesson has been learned. I came off anti-clotting meds this week and the consultant is going to refer me to an orthopaedic specialist to check out the various aches, pains and swellings. Onwards and upwards.
MartinP
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RTA yesterday. Snapped achillies, any advice?

Post by MartinP »

Got broadsided on roundabout yesterday. Have been knocked off numerous times but this was the first time I have been hit by a car (SUV).
Cuts and bruises etc but my main injury is a ruptured achillies. Clipped in and went ass over apex with the bike. Ambulance, police etc. Driver 'sorry mate, didn't see you' classic. Cycling UK solicitors on the case.
My question is, is there anyone out there who has had similar injury and what's the journey back to riding my bike? I'm in a fancy looking boot for 10 weeks and have been shown how to inject a blood thinner (one injection a day for 6 weeks) into my tummy area.
Any advice appreciated.
Martin
Jdsk
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Re: RTA yesterday. Snapped achillies, any advice?

Post by Jdsk »

Sorry to hear that.

Recent discussion, including my general advice:
[link removed by moderator]

Jonathan
Jdsk
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Jdsk »

Have you been given any advice about mobilisation yet? And when do they want to see you next?

If you have to rest that ankle and can't cycle for some time how would you like to get some other exercise?

Jonathan
MartinP
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by MartinP »

Thanks Jonathan, that's usual along with the replies. I'm guessing the injections they have given me to self- administer will help in avoiding the thrombosis that you suffered. I'm 66, is age a factor in recovery do you think?
MartinP
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Joined: 28 Oct 2008, 9:51am

Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by MartinP »

The hospital want to see me again in 4 weeks.
Scratching my head a bit about alternative exercise but you're right, I should, important.
Jdsk
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by Jdsk »

Fortunately for me that wasn't me!

It sounds as if you're injecting heparin. Do you want any reading matter on that?

Yes, age is a factor in recovery. But there's a lot that you can do to help this along. And you've started with the enormous accumulated health benefits of your previous cycling.

Jonathan
MartinP
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Re: Returning to cycling after Achilles tendon rupture

Post by MartinP »

Response before last should have read 'that's useful ' (not 'that's usual'). Predictive text!!!!
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