My DH ruptured his a few years ago and a good friend of mine (my running partner) ruptured her first one two years ago and the other one this May. From their experiences it is a very long road to recovery. The only thing I can suggest from going through both of the experiences with them is to find yourself a really good physiotherapist and be diligent about doing all the rehab that they tell you to do - keep up with the appointments and do the assigned exercises at home.

My husband is a skier and a biker while my girlfriend is a runner and they found physios that would get them back to their active lifestyle and NOT just back to walking. Their rehab was longer but it was worth it in the long run.

It is going to be frustrating for both of you but especially for him. He will probably get grumpy, tired (and initially make sure that if he is tired that he sleeps because it is part of the recovery - let him nap without feeling silly about it), feel stupid for having done it, be uneasy about the recovery, and scared that it might not heal properly.

Both my husband and my girlfriend did get back to their normal levels of activity but it took close to a year. It was about 4 month to walking, sort of, and then more time to get back to normal.

Good luck to both of you.

Thanks blfenton. I'm more concerned with the immediate recovery. He NEVER complains about pain, but the last 24 hours have been brutal, even with pain medication. How long will this level of pain continue? I feel like my hands are tied in offering relief. He says it is just throbbing (even though it has been elevated all day) and he can feel the incision pressing on the dressing when he lays down.

From what I remember from my girlfriend - the pain should start to lessen in the next couple of days but it is going to be uncomfortable for about 4 weeks. When he is laying down does he have his leg up on a pillow at that time as well? It might help. The throbbing will come and go. Even when the pain goes away, if he is on his leg too much and tries to do too much it may throb and it will be time to put it up.

He has done major damage (hate to say it) and it is painful. I was with my gf the first time she did it (we were at our personal training session doing bench jump-overs) and I could not believe the amount of pain she was in. I "baby-sat" her when she came home from the hospital as her DH had to finish up work for a couple of days so that he could take time off to help her and she was in pain but after about 4 days she was able to cut back on the pain killers.

She also found that the internet was able to give her a little bit of info, although sometimes too much and she would panic at some of the info. out there.

Is he in a cast right now or straight into the boot? Different surgeons do it differently. My gf had two different surgeons and one put her in a cast and the other straight into the boot. So - he might feel like the stitches are pulling, his ankle is warm and then it will get itchy sometimes as well.

I wish that I could offer some good news for the immediate next few days but there isn't any. All I know is watching my DH and gf going through it, it's just an ugly injury.

Let us know how he's doing. ((((HUGS)))) to you both.

Oh jeeeeezzz!

All I know is that it's a long road back.
I wish I could help with the pain!

I'm sayin' a prayer for his "speedy and not so painful" recovery.
My vein-removal isn't even a minor cold in comparison to your DH's recovery!

Guess you'll just have to baby the Guy for a while...;-)

Faron

My husband tore his achilles several years ago. He was hiking when he did it, then walked around on it for five days before seeing the doctor. (!)

His recovery was really long. He obviously has a really high pain tolerance, but the first week or so was hard. We have found that taking the pain meds as prescribed does help, not missing any doses, etc. Keeping it elevated of course. During one of his exams, my husband's incision split open and that added a lot to the whole mess. (he bumped it).

Good luck to you both. One thing we have found helps during a long recovery is to find a fun series on DVD to pass the time. Arrested Development got me through an ACL repair and a hysterectomy.

Beth P.

How did he rupture it? Ciprofloxacin?

I had a tendon lengthening procedure when I was eight, I think, and they have discussed doing it again. I remember mostly a pulling sensation during healing and I was on crutches for what seemed like quite a while, but whey you are eight everything seems longer so I don't know.

Amj, how painful! And he's lucky to have you be so concerned too.

As far as the pain goes, any serious pain for that matter, is they tell you to take a pill before the pain sets in, because if you wait, then it takes forever to control it.

If it's 4-6 hrs. after a pill and he's doing okay, have him take another.

Keep us up to date!

blfenton- His leg is always elevated because the throbing begins within minutes of having it lowered. Plus, the doctor told him to keep it elevated at all times to help with healing. Finding a comfortable position has been challenging.

faron - surgery is surgery. I'm sure it is painful for you too. Thanks.

bethpen - Our husbands must be cut from the same cloth. Same situation here, that is why I'm so concerned that he complains of pain. It MUST be bad.

Pal - He was going up the stairs quickly, and his foot slip, then he heard it snap. No cool stories behind it! No cipro either. All the doctors and nurses at the hospital agreed that it usually happened when it wouldn't be expected.

Yes oakley - I've been telling him to take the max pain meds for the first few days just to stay on top of it. This evening he tried to take just 1/2 a dose, but took the other half 45 minutes later. He hates taking medication but I think he sees that it is necessary for now.

I do have to say that he appears to be a bit better today. Less wincing when he moves. Thanks everyone for your stories and tips. It is making me feel better about the situation.

amj,
Don't forget to add fiber or even a laxative to the mix because the painkillers can wreak havoc on the system. We are surgery experts around here (unfortunately). The very worst, worst, worst one that we went through was the surgery that my husband had for sleep apnea (UPP). It was terrifying to me to see him in pain. In the olden days we worked in a bar and I can remember him getting hit with chairs and bar fights and never ever saw him wince.

Hang in there...I laughed when I saw that you've been advising him to take the meds, then he ended up doing it. Pretty much the way it goes around here.

Beth P.

Hi All,
The first few days were by far the worst. DH is doing much better now. He is in a walking boot, but can't put much pressure on the foot yet. The crutches are annoying for everyone. (I have many, many dings in my hardwood floor from the crutches sliding away from the counter - errr!). Physical therapy starts next week. I know this will be a very long recovery, but he is doing better every day.

Amj-

I'm glad things are better!!
Tell your DH there's a guy up in Fargo who's wishing him the best plz.!!

(don't forget....I have another form of suffering too this Fall....I'm a die-hard MN Vikings fan....your DH may think this is REAL funny!!!)

This is topical for me too-
Had my 2nd leg-vein procedure done this am. Obviously, it's NOTHING compared to your DH!

Faron

Hello Amj,

Not a regular here, but do read once in awhile. Your post caught my attention.

Sorry about your DH. I have suffered from achilles tendonitis in both feet for years. I even wonder if I had a partial tear in one of them. Never went to the doctor though.

They will probably let him know this at therapy, but he should wear a boot to bed every night well past recover (maybe forever). Not the big walking boot. I found very small comfortable boots at CVS which do not restrict movement in bed. I linked it below, but it's available elsewhere.

Also, they will probably have him massage the area to break up scar tissue. Do not take this part for granted!!!

Hope he feels better soon!

Here is a link that might be useful: Futuro Night Foot Support

Thanks for the tip, houseful. He hates sleeping in the big boot, so if he needs something smaller (with the doctor's permission) I'll look at the one you sent. It looks much more comfortable.

You're welcome! Best wishes!