Achilles Tendon Surgery recovery

[zoo2tycoon]

If this is wrong forum please move. I’m lurker and this is not Disney related but I’ve seen questions pertaining to surgery and recovery.

I’m having surgery in June to repair a partial Achilles’ tendon tear. I’m in a boot and have been since end of March. It’s not getting better so doctor recommended surgery which I’m able to put off until my DS graduates from college next week and an already booked (yes I have trip insurance) family cruise (last family trip that can’t be postponed). So I’m looking at doing immediately after we get back.

I found a knee scooter on a garage sale site in perfect condition that I’m buying for the month I can’t put weight on. I know I’ll need a shower bench (thankfully master on main floor). My concerns are I know I can’t use scooter all the time in all areas of house so crutches are needed- has anybody used the hands free crutch (iwalk)? Pros/cons

Final question I live with my hubby and 22/23 year old sons. The 22 year old one doesn’t start job until August so he will be home thankfully during day. What are toilet bar/seat recommendations —not asking my son to help mom use restroom. I’m not sure how getting up will be etc .

I’m trying to plan ahead and any recommendations and advice appreciated. Any sites or experience also .

Thanks

 

[Chirple]

If this is wrong forum please move. I’m lurker and this is not Disney related but I’ve seen questions pertaining to surgery and recovery.

I’m having surgery in June to repair a partial Achilles’ tendon tear. I’m in a boot and have been since end of March. It’s not getting better so doctor recommended surgery which I’m able to put off until my DS graduates from college next week and an already booked (yes I have trip insurance) family cruise (last family trip that can’t be postponed). So I’m looking at doing immediately after we get back.

I found a knee scooter on a garage sale site in perfect condition that I’m buying for the month I can’t put weight on. I know I’ll need a shower bench (thankfully master on main floor). My concerns are I know I can’t use scooter all the time in all areas of house so crutches are needed- has anybody used the hands free crutch (iwalk)? Pros/cons

Final question I live with my hubby and 22/23 year old sons. The 22 year old one doesn’t start job until August so he will be home thankfully during day. What are toilet bar/seat recommendations —not asking my son to help mom use restroom. I’m not sure how getting up will be etc .

I’m trying to plan ahead and any recommendations and advice appreciated. Any sites or experience also .

Thanks

I had

If this is wrong forum please move. I’m lurker and this is not Disney related but I’ve seen questions pertaining to surgery and recovery.

I’m having surgery in June to repair a partial Achilles’ tendon tear. I’m in a boot and have been since end of March. It’s not getting better so doctor recommended surgery which I’m able to put off until my DS graduates from college next week and an already booked (yes I have trip insurance) family cruise (last family trip that can’t be postponed). So I’m looking at doing immediately after we get back.

I found a knee scooter on a garage sale site in perfect condition that I’m buying for the month I can’t put weight on. I know I’ll need a shower bench (thankfully master on main floor). My concerns are I know I can’t use scooter all the time in all areas of house so crutches are needed- has anybody used the hands free crutch (iwalk)? Pros/cons

Final question I live with my hubby and 22/23 year old sons. The 22 year old one doesn’t start job until August so he will be home thankfully during day. What are toilet bar/seat recommendations —not asking my son to help mom use restroom. I’m not sure how getting up will be etc .

I’m trying to plan ahead and any recommendations and advice appreciated. Any sites or experience also .

Thanks

I had the same surgery 17 months ago with the added bonus of a bone spur shave. My experience will probably be very different than yours. When I had my surgery, I had to be non-weight bearing for 2 weeks. However, I was allowed to stand in the shower with minimal weight while wearing a boot covering (getting in and out was fun). After two weeks I was allowed to put weight on my foot but still required my crutches for another 4 weeks. What type of timeline did your doctor provide?

I live in a second floor apartment and basically bear crawled my way up and sat on my way down. The whole process required a lot of pulling and pushing.

In the bathroom I would grip the edge of the sink vanity with my other hand on the wall (or tub, depending upon which bathroom I was using) and pushed myself up with my booted leg not touching the floor.

If you are in okay physical shape now, I would recommend start building some strength in your legs and arms. I was healing so well that my doctor did not prescribe PT, but then my ankle kept swelling months later so I went for 17 sessions. Much better now.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I had


I had the same surgery 17 months ago with the added bonus of a bone spur shave. My experience will probably be very different than yours. When I had my surgery, I had to be non-weight bearing for 2 weeks. However, I was allowed to stand in the shower with minimal weight while wearing a boot covering (getting in and out was fun). After two weeks I was allowed to put weight on my foot but still required my crutches for another 4 weeks. What type of timeline did your doctor provide?

I live in a second floor apartment and basically bear crawled my way up and sat on my way down. The whole process required a lot of pulling and pushing.

In the bathroom I would grip the edge of the sink vanity with my other hand on the wall (or tub, depending upon which bathroom I was using) and pushed myself up with my booted leg not touching the floor.

If you are in okay physical shape now, I would recommend start building some strength in your legs and arms. I was healing so well that my doctor did not prescribe PT, but then my ankle kept swelling months later so I went for 17 sessions. Much better now.

Thanks! He said non-weight bearing 4 weeks. Never thought of the arm weight training ahead. It’s something I’ve half heartedly been doing since I’ve been in boot- normally went to gym 2-3 times a week. I really do appreciate your suggestions.

 

[SG131]

Different surgery, ankle reconstruction, non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. I hated crutches since it was hard to carry things along. I used a rolling desk chair to set my leg on and push myself around and home and at work. It had a much better turning radius than the scooter for tight turns around furniture and corners.

I was lucky enough that my house had a grab bar at the toilet and in the shower from the previous owner. My sink is a bit too far that I would not have been able to get out without the bar. With the shower, my shower has a lip to it so I had to hang onto the vertical grab bar inside and jump in on my good foot.

 

[arminnie]

My sister had the Achilles tendon surgery two years ago at age 58. She is a LLL - lovely large lady. She stayed with me for almost 2 weeks. The first week I brought her meals to her in the guest room. She also had a knee scooter.

She was able to tend to her bathroom needs without help even from day one. And the toilet in that bathroom at the time was not a high one - it was regular height.

 

[mamabunny]

I think it really depends on you, and your overall physical condition at the time of the surgery. If you can, "practice" a bit before the surgery. Spend a day not letting that foot touch the floor and you may find you have needs (or abilities!) you didn't realize

A couple of things you can consider adding to your home from Amazon: (and you can donate them after - lots of churches and civic groups welcome clean, good condition durable medical equipment to loan to others in the community)

Sliding transfer bench for the bath/shower

Temporary Toilet rails

Bed assist rail

 

[lanejudy]

Moving to the disABILITIES Community Board since this doesn’t directly pertain to trip planning.

OP - best of luck with the surgery and recovery. I severely pulled both Achilles’ tendons in high school, but fortunately did not require surgery, just crutches for a bit.

 

[arminnie]

I think it really depends on you, and your overall physical condition at the time of the surgery. If you can, "practice" a bit before the surgery. Spend a day not letting that foot touch the floor and you may find you have needs (or abilities!) you didn't realize

A couple of things you can consider adding to your home from Amazon: (and you can donate them after - lots of churches and civic groups welcome clean, good condition durable medical equipment to loan to others in the community)

Sliding transfer bench for the bath/shower

Temporary Toilet rails

Bed assist rail

I have the sliding transfer bench but with a swivel seat. It was expensive, but my needs are long-term. Without it I had to take a sponge bath as I could not safely get in the shower or tub. But I have very little use of one leg and almost none of the other leg.