Question about surgery for torn achilles tendon

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Unfortunately I will need to have surgery for a partial tear of my achilles. I have been wearing a fracture boot for over 2 months now, and I have made minimal progress. The surgeon wanted to wait 3 months to see if it healed significantly. However, I have had 3 back surgery's, and now I am having sciatica in the other leg because it is very hard to balance myself out. And also, walking up and down stairs puts a strain on my back. The surgeon I am using is the official doctor for the Islanders, Jets, some indoor football team that I can't remember the name of, Hofstra University, and Adelphi University. He graduated from Harvard Med school and did a residency at Mass. General. I feel very confident with him and his decision.
OK, that said, my question. I am having the surgery on 4/10. I will be in a hard cast for 6 weeks. My daughter is getting married 3 weeks after the cast is removed. I forgot to ask the surgeon this question. After the cast comes off, should I expect my foot to be swollen? Will it be hard for me to wear flat shoes for awhile afterwards? My daughter tells me that I should hold off having my shoes dyed to match my dress. I might have to wear sneakers instead. If that is the case I would like to get sneakers now. However, the keds which would probably be the nicest looking are very flat. Also, I have some limited choices since I have a big foot and most of the time wear men's sneakers.
I would appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I fully ruptured an achilles tendon and here is what happened to me. After the operation, I had a full leg cast for 6 weeks. When the 6 weeks was over, my leg was so atrophied, that it looked like a stick. I had to wear a softcast for another 6 weeks after that. It takes a while for the flexility to come back into the tendon. After that, it still took me 1.5 years to fully recover. And this was when I was 30 years old.

My guess is you will need to wear a soft cast like I did and hobble around for at least another 6 weeks after the full leg cast comes off. If anything just to build up the muscle mass back into your leg and to let the tendon gain back some flexibility.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Ann Marie,

I am sorry to hear about your surgery, and the timing to your daughter's wedding.

If I were you, I would hope for the best, but plan for the worst. If the best occurs, that will be wonderful. If not, you won't be scrambling around for a solution.

I would suggest getting a formal flat comfortable shoe, and hope that you are able to wear it. If not, are you, or do you know someone who is a little crafty?

What you can do is decorate your sneakers, or cast by getting some glue and sequins, lace, etc. at a craft store. Whatever would look good with your dress.You can also purchase applicays, and just glue them on. This will change the look of your sneakers/cast completely. Usually, there is a large selection of things to choose from. The salesperson can also give you assistance.

Good luck to you. In the end, you being there is the only thing that will really matter.....

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

My MIL went through this last year. IT WAS NOT FUN AS THEY HAD TO RE-CAST HER. It was very hard for her to get around and recovery took a long time. The good news is, she now moves around 100% better.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Thanks for the info. Bigfrank: It is better to hear from the horses mouth. I think that at times the surgeons don't want to scare you by giving the worst case senerio iln a case like this,
I am definately going to decorate a pair of sneakers with sequins etc. Great idea!