Hello fellow hippies,
Time has past and my Achilles is healing up nicely. It’s been 4 months. Feel like I could go back to playing basketball now, but am going to stay conservative. Plus it’s not bball season yet
.
With the experience of more time and hindsight, I offer up more contrasts between my Achilles rehab this summer and my hip resurfacing rehab last summer:
WORK
Hip resurfacing:
Off work for 6 weeks (could have gone back in 3-4 weeks or possibly even 2)
Achilles:
Surgery Saturday morning, back to work Monday (albeit on crutches)
CRUTCHES
Hip resurfacing:
1->4 days - walking with crutches
5->20 days – walking with a cane or one crutch. Towards the end of that period, walked with a limp when not using the cane.
+20 days walking with no assistance
Achilles:
0-4 weeks cast and crutches (supposed to be 6 weeks, but long story, I cut off my cast and got a walking boot)
4-7 weeks – (removable) walking boot
+7 weeks - shoes
PT
Hip resurfacing:
No formal PT, instead self PT of walking, then elliptical trainer machine, followed by return to golf by 6 weeks and sports (playing basketball) by 5 months.
Achilles:
Once a week PT visit, self workouts 2-3 times a week, return to golf at about 8-9 weeks, and (anticipated) sports by 6 months.
PAIN
Hip resurfacing:
Before surgery - excruciating bone on bone pain just walking to the bathroom. After surgery - none
Achilles:
Before surgery - explosion in Achilles area during the injury, not much pain after that
After surgery - none
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Hip resurfacing:
Start in a non-functional, handicapped, painful existence – get the surgery and slowly progress towards no pain and complete functionality. Thorough research and careful choosing of a doctor that is an expert. Complete satisfaction with the medical experience.
Achilles:
In very good athletic shape – BAM! Crippling injury, no time to choose the right doctor (this was my incorrect perception and a mistake), end up with the wrong (for me, anyways) doctor. Surgery went well. Complete disagreement with doctor on rehab. Miserable month in cast and on crutches. Steady, slow progression towards full recovery.
That’s all I’ve got today. As always, good luck to you and your hip story!
Wes