Inspiration: The Road Back (Achilles Recovery)

Video: Kobe Bryant: The Road Back (Achilles Recovery)

Illustration by: Tavo Montañez

SUMMARY: Achilles Tendon Rupture Journey (Surgical Route)

IMPORTANT: Orthopedic Surgeon / Doctor may have a different surgical protocol. The default patient protocol is to follow what doctors recommend as they know all the information of the patient.

Week 14: OFF the Boot (FWB) - Back to Shoes

Week 14 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 103 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 138 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 103: Doctor gave approval to get off the boot and walk with regular shoes. Rehabilitation continues for 10 more weeks. Status will be monitored until return to normal physical activity.

Timeline:

3 months and 12 days: 103 days (from day of surgery)

4 months and 19 days: 138 days (from day of Injury)

Week 13: Pilates Rehabilitation Session

Week 13 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 127 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 92 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 77: 1215pm

Pilates Rehabilitation Session (1st)

Doctor endorsed Pilates rehabilitation program.

Compilation of Pilates Exercises 

Week 12: Walking Up the Stairs WITHOUT Boot

Week 12 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 89 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 124 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 124: Doctor allowed walking up the stairs with no boot.

Week 12: Walking WITHOUT Crutches and Cane (Outside)

Week 12 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 85 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 120 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 120: Walked without the aid of crutches outside. Walker boot still has to be worn. 

Cane or Trekking Pole now optional but recommended to use when walking on uneven terrain.

Week 12: Leg & Foot Condition

Week 12 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 85 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 120 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 85: Stitches & Macerated Skin

Week 11: Therapy - Completed

Week 11 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 83 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 118 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 83: 1034am

12th Session (of 12) of Therapy

Next: Pilates Rehabilitation

Information: Achilles Rupture Recovery Update (NFL Jaelan Phillips)

Jaelan Phillips (NFL Linebacker) Achilles Recovery Update

• Day of Injury: November 25, 2023
• Day of Surgery: November 29, 2023
• Walked without a boot for the first time since surgery: February 8, 2024 (Week 10 on the 72nd day)

Blogger Achilles Recovery Update

• Day of Injury: October 14, 2023
• Day of Surgery: November 18, 2023
• Walked without a boot for the first time since surgery: January 23, 2024 (Week 09 on the 68th day)

Patient Protocol: 

Respect the process. Respect the timeline. Follow your doctor.

Related Post: What an Achilles Rupture Looks Like

Week 11: A Shot for Hope

Week 11 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 78 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 113 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 78: 833am

First Shot in 3 months and 22 days from day injury (Oct 14, 2023)

Love to our cancer warriors, survivors and lost loved ones.

Week 10: Therapy - Compilation Video of Rehabilitation Exercises

Week 10 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 112 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 77 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 77: 832am

11th Session (of 12) of Therapy

Compilation of Rehabilitation Exercises 

Week 10: Driving Allowed (NO Restrictions)

Week 10(Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 77 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 112 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 77: Driving allowed by doctor with no restrictions.

Related Post: When Can I Drive Again?

Week 09: Physical Therapy - Heel Raises 1st Time

Week 09 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 105 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 70 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 70: 906am

9th Session (of 12) of Physical Therapy

1st Time to do heel raises

Walking with no boot

Week 09: Walking WITHOUT Boot (at Home)

Week 09 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 68 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 103 (Day of Injury day tracker)

 

Day 68: Doctor allowed walking without boot at home.

Video shot at clinic (5th visit since surgery)

Week 09: Sleeping WITHOUT a Brace or Boot

Week 09 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 67 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 102 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 67: Doctor allowed sleeping without an ankle brace.

Information: Shoe Leveler Ideas

These shoes and clogs may be an option to the ShoeLift as the soles are 1/2 inch to 2 inches high. 

Benefits of a shoe leveler:

• Adds height to compensate for a shorter limb length when wearing a walking boot, cast or fracture boot.
• Improves uneven gait and balance.
• Eliminates low back pain and hip pain often associated with a walking cast.

Related Post: Purchase: Shoe Leveler

Week 08: Driving Allowed (WITH Ankle Brace)

Week 08 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 60 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 95 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 60: Driving allowed by doctor. Recommended use of ankle brace to protect leg.

Related Post: When Can I Drive Again?

Week 08: Walking Cane or Trekking Pole

Week 08 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 57 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 92 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 57: Doctor allowed use of walking cane or trekking pole instead of crutches. Crutches are essential when climbing the stairs and when outside the house.

Article: Trekking Poles as Alternative to Walking Canes

PWD (Temporary)

Even without a PWD card or PWD car sticker, gracious, kind-hearted and concerned staff and personnel of establishments offered assistance, parking spaces and priority access when they saw the patient in a walker boot and in crutches or walking cane. 

Note: By law and city ordinance, vehicles with issued PWD stickers, IDs or car tags are allowed to park at designated PWD parking spaces. PWD IDs are required to avail of priority access to services.

INFO: BP 344 - Accessibility Law Philippines (1983)

INFO: Republic Act 7277 - Magna Carta of Disabled Persons (1992)

INFO: PWD Philippines: 4 Important Things To Know

Week 07: Walking WITHOUT Crutches (at Home)

Week 07 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 54 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 89 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 54: Doctor allowed walking without the aid of crutches at home. Walker boot still has to be worn. 

Crutches are essential when climbing the stairs and when outside the house.

Week 07: Leg & Foot Condition

Week 07 (Post-Surgery week tracker)

Day 50 (Post-Surgery tracker)

Day 85 (Day of Injury day tracker)

Day 50: 219pm Stitches