Achilles Help

Your Helpful Guide to Getting Thru Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery or Recover from an Achilles Injury

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  • The Long-Haul Reality of Achilles Tendon Repair Recovery

    Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com

    Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.

    It’s a marathon not a sprint, eh? The age-old saying takes on new meaning if you’re recovering from Achilles tendon repair surgery. We’re talking about a recovery measured in months, not weeks or days.

    I remember seeing neighbors or acquaintances a few weeks after surgery once I was able to get around in a boot and there were too many to count comments about still being in a boot… Many people just have no clue as to how long it takes to recover from Achilles tendon repair surgery and how many stages there are to recovery. You really can’t blame them because unless they’ve had the same surgery themselves or know someone close who has the reality is hard to understand.

    If you’re one of the lucky ones who have torn your right Achilles, the recovery seems even more daunting when you realize it’s going to be a long time before you can drive.

    Be sure to be transparent with friends and family about how long the recovery timeline is and keep asking for help. I found it helpful to safely get outside each day (after the first couple of weeks) to soak in some vitamin d, feel the wind, hear nature sounds etc. The season in which you’re recovering of course influences your ability to get outside.

    Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.

  • How to Support Someone Who Has Had Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery

    Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.

    Achilles tendon repair surgery is no joke. Many people are surprised to hear how long the recovery is. The needs in the first weeks are very similar to the needs of supporting a mom who has given birth. Here are some ways to offer support:

    • Bring a meal (better yet, help arrange a meal train using something like sign-up genius)
    • Bring in their mail
    • Bring a returns package to the shipment store
    • Fill up their water bottle and make sure they have what they need where they are resting
    • Pick up prescriptions at the pharmacist for them
    • Text when going to store to see if you can pick up anything
    • Drive them to appointments
    • Relieve them of caretaker duties if they’re a parent
    • Help care for any pets (feed, walk a dog, scoop litter etc…)
    • Take out the garbage and recycling
    • Do the dishes and support other housekeeping tasks
    Photo by Kim Stiver on Pexels.com

    Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.

  • What to Expect the First Week After Achilles Surgery

    Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.

    Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

    The daze of the first week after Achilles surgery is a bit like the first week postpartum after having a baby. Everything has changed for you, yet the world is unaware and has continued to move on. In a previous post, I wrote about what I wish I had done differently before surgery.

    Now is the time to rely on help – meals, laundry, bringing in the mail, babysitting, caring for a pet. The more you can arrange ahead of time the better. Simple tasks like preparing food, caring for your household, caring for your hygiene suddenly become much more difficult if not nearly impossible. Don’t be shy asking anyone and everyone for support. People want to help, really.

    You will need to find a way to safely get from the place you are resting to the bathroom. I left surgery with crutches but it was recommended to me that I get a scooter to help get around. I used this every time I left my bed to go to the bathroom and carefully out in the real world the few times I needed to leave my home during the non-weight bearing (NWB) stage. My insurance didn’t cover the scooter but I was so uncomfortable with crutches that I bought one and found it to be a game changer. Talk this over with your medical provider to see what they recommend.

    You’ll also need to ensure you have a plan for showering.

    Stay on top of meds as dictated by your medical team, avoid constipation (bring on the prune juice), get lots of rest, rely on help (!), and find some comforting things to help pass the time.

    Don’t forget to get a ride lined up for your first post-op visit and book out your PT appointments when able. Depending on your car situation, you may feel more comfortable sitting in someone else’s car especially if you’re in a non-weight bearing cast situation.