Think I have torn my achilles putting my motorbike on its center stand this morning. Have been doing a lot of cycle commuting in the last month so everything feels a bit tight and i wasnt warmed up as it was early doors.
Went straight to hospital and have a temporary pot on and got DIY anti blood clot injections now waiting for an MRI scan, nurse gave me the squeeze test and could only feel an indent so I am fearing the worst. However since the boot was added no pain.
Back home now and consulting the oracle and found this thread. Is the advice still current? There is reference to a blog but the link no longer works, if the author could republish I have plenty of time to read it - thanks!
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/off-topic/achilles-injury-recovery/
Ooof, my heart goes out to you. The Thompson Test I think is the standard for diagnosing a rupture (that's the squeeze test you mention), but an MRI will be definitive.
If it's snapped you'll have surgery followed by a fairly long road to recovery, inc non-weight bearing for many weeks. Try to push for maximum physio afterwards, one of my legs has a noticeably smaller calf muscle due to not walking for about 3 months. It's never recovered fully. I wish you luck.
I had a full rupture (doctor examining said it was the clearest case he'd seen via the squeeze test). Had an ultrasound the next day to confirm and to establish how far apart the two ends were sitting when my foot was pointing down. Mine were close enough (I forget the criterion they used, but it was a decent gap like 5 or 10 mm that they were confident could magically heal) that I didn't need surgery. Stats are not clear that surgical treatment gives a better outcome overall. So I was on crutches in a cast / boot for a good long while. 7 years on its basically fine, but my calf is still smaller and weaker on that leg than the other.
I had Tendonitis in my for shifting all my weight onto my right leg after recovery from knee surgery the previous year. It inevitably ruptured. Had the op and took a good 5 months till I was back at work. This was in 2014. Didn’t get back cycling till March 2015 Op was April 2014.
All the best - at least you have the anti-blood clot drugs. I was told my pelvis wasn't broken, so flew 3 hours on holiday a day later, did nothing all holiday, flew back a week later. Six weeks later they found it after my insistence. Only then did I get the injections.
The injections were fine for about 3 weeks, then I started bruising badly at the injection sites (black, swollen and itchy), but as I was more mobile, I stopped them.
It's a long recovery from these injuries, all the best !
I didnt get an MRI or scan, my foot didnt do anything on the squeeze and I couldn't move it myself it, it was obvious I had a full rupture. I just had the boot so it could heal itself, surgery was offered but gave the same outcome and the same recovery time so I didnt see the point. 10 weeks with the boot on, then once i was mobile I got back on the bike. I reckon it was another 6 months until I felt near normal, I attended some physio but I was so worried about hurting it again I was getting annoyed with myself. 2 years on now and my calf is still reduced and flexibility is more limited than pre accident and I still wont do jumps / gaps that I think I could case hard, but its generally not too bad. dont get any tendonitus or similar. I do wear supportive insoles especially when walking / trailbuilding I find they help foot stability alot.,
