Ruptured Achilles, Can't Drive My M3

[1LegitM235i]

Don't wish that on anybody, second to kidney stones.

Let me guess, you're in your early 30s? I ruptured my first one (left) playing dodge ball. One year later, my second one (right), playing basketball. I was 31 and 32 when mine ruptured.

Are you on a soft or hard cast? Hard cast will put you on a longer rehab. Since it's been a month, recommend to start contracting your calf muscle as much as you can. It'll help when you begin your rehab. In the meantime, take a passenger seat and gather your thoughts, you'll be down for a bit, so chillax. No use of being anxious to get back on your feet and drive.

[guni]

Originally Posted by 1LegitM235i

Don't wish that on anybody, second to kidney stones.

Let me guess, you're in your early 30s? I ruptured my first one (left) playing dodge ball. One year later, my second one (right), playing basketball. I was 31 and 32 when mine ruptured.

Are you on a soft or hard cast? Hard cast will put you on a longer rehab. Since it's been a month, recommend to start contracting your calf muscle as much as you can. It'll help when you begin your rehab. In the meantime, take a passenger seat and gather your thoughts, you'll be down for a bit, so chillax. No use of being anxious to get back on your feet and drive.

ouch, both Achilles torn back to back?

I'm 32, so yea, I guess it was time for something like this to happen.

I had surgery 2 weeks ago and have been on the hard cast for a week. removing the remaining staples/stitches tomorrow.

should be 3 more weeks on the cast and then 4 weeks in the boot. hopefully will start physio as well.

thanks for the calf muscle tip. I hear it's gonna take a good 3onths until I'm walking properly again. any more tips are welcome.

have you been able to get back to full activity. at least no issues lifting and doing some running? I may take up swimming regularly again.

[1LegitM235i]

Ask your doc if you could be put on a soft cast on your next follow-up. Learned the hard way on my first rupture. The result, shrinkage calf muscle! Your doc will put you on a walking boot after your cast is removed. Walk with the boot at home without the crutches starting with short distances when you are ready. This is a good pre-rehab training. Use good judgement when you are ready and go from there. I can't emphasize enough to massage your scar tissue and your calf as often as possible. This is the first challenge you'll need to help yourself rehab quickly. Getting back a good blood flow to some of your dead scar tissue is important. It maybe painful at first, but you'll thank me later.

My recommendation to getting back to full activity is to take it in strides. Remember what got you in this injury in the first place. You are no longer in your 20s, physically...but your mind still thinks you can do all the things you did in your 20s.
Exercises I did without running or jumping were: toe raises, light step lunges, use of band, light bicycling, etc. Your therapist should be giving you some exercise regiment. I bet you can find some from YouTube.

Biggest challenge is accepting the fact you will not be 100% again on your Achilles tendon. You may have some numbness and soreness during your first year. After that, you should be good to go until the next one ruptures!

[Canuckles]

It sucks... it took me 5 months before I could really get back to my manual E92. Ruptured my left two years ago this July. I did not have surgery though, so you should recover quicker. Just remember to tender the battery.

One of the best feelings, on the flip side, was getting back in and proving I could still drive her. Good luck with the recovery and don't get let yourself get down.

Also, which foot right or left, and do you drive stick?

[Needbmwpartzz]

I will gladly drive your car for you....poor car!
Kidding.....in all seriousness....heal up that ouch,I'm in pain thinking of yours!

[guni]

Originally Posted by 1LegitM235i

Ask your doc if you could be put on a soft cast on your next follow-up. Learned the hard way on my first rupture. The result, shrinkage calf muscle! Your doc will put you on a walking boot after your cast is removed. Walk with the boot at home without the crutches starting with short distances when you are ready. This is a good pre-rehab training. Use good judgement when you are ready and go from there. I can't emphasize enough to massage your scar tissue and your calf as often as possible. This is the first challenge you'll need to help yourself rehab quickly. Getting back a good blood flow to some of your dead scar tissue is important. It maybe painful at first, but you'll thank me later.

My recommendation to getting back to full activity is to take it in strides. Remember what got you in this injury in the first place. You are no longer in your 20s, physically...but your mind still thinks you can do all the things you did in your 20s.
Exercises I did without running or jumping were: toe raises, light step lunges, use of band, light bicycling, etc. Your therapist should be giving you some exercise regiment. I bet you can find some from YouTube.

Biggest challenge is accepting the fact you will not be 100% again on your Achilles tendon. You may have some numbness and soreness during your first year. After that, you should be good to go until the next one ruptures!

This is great info and advice, thank you.

You are absolutely right about still having a 20yo mindset when it comes to physical activity. I think this might be a sign it's time to take up golfing

[guni]

Originally Posted by Canuckles

It sucks... it took me 5 months before I could really get back to my manual E92. Ruptured my left two years ago this July. I did not have surgery though, so you should recover quicker. Just remember to tender the battery.

One of the best feelings, on the flip side, was getting back in and proving I could still drive her. Good luck with the recovery and don't get let yourself get down.

Also, which foot right or left, and do you drive stick?

9 months?? wow, impossible not to be a patient person after that

it was my left Achilles and my car is stick.

[guni]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

I will gladly drive your car for you....poor car!
Kidding.....in all seriousness....heal up that ouch,I'm in pain thinking of yours!

thanks!

I'm actually having my detail guy come over and give her a wash and put some gas. If it's going to take over 4 months to drive her again I have to make she's well maintained.

[guni]

Some nasty pics to make it fun

[F30_SixSpeed]

Jeez man thats crazy!! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

You guys made me feel better. Mid december I completely tore a muscle in my left groin. Hardest parts were getting in and out of a car, sitting down, and getting into bed believe it or not.

Fast forward to Monday night.... not even four and a half months later. I think a similar thing happened ... only on my OTHER side (as if I wasn't hurting enough.) I'm actually on my way to the orthopedic this morning and will be getting an MRI after to access the damage. Hope it turns out to be ok.

FYI my left side (original injury) healed up extremely well. I couldn't drive well for a few weeks either (f30 is a 6 speed, my daily driver is a 5 speed lol)

[bimmette]

Oh geez the pics were gross.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

DUDE!?!?!

I thought back to back rotator cuff surgery was bad...

What is the (expected) life span of those hips?

There is no real life span...it is given in % to failure per 10-12 years. The 10-12 year failure rate is 8-10%. I was hoping to hang on long enough to get the 3-D reprinted hip based on my own anatomy but it is still too far off. I did about 8 hrs standing on mainly concrete yesterday and was in excruciating pain at the end of the day.

Oh well.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by guni

Some nasty pics to make it fun

Ok. That is insane. Good luck with the recovery.

[Sara]

Wow, I cant imagine 3 months. I was going crazy for just 11 days.

[ptbarnacle]

Wow!! I was going to post--



But then saw the pictures. Gross. Those staples look mean.

Hope you heal soon. I pulled both ham strings and developed tennis elbow last year. Had to switch it up. Brain kept saying go for it and body protested.

[guni]

Originally Posted by F30_SixSpeed

Jeez man thats crazy!! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

You guys made me feel better. Mid december I completely tore a muscle in my left groin. Hardest parts were getting in and out of a car, sitting down, and getting into bed believe it or not.

Fast forward to Monday night.... not even four and a half months later. I think a similar thing happened ... only on my OTHER side (as if I wasn't hurting enough.) I'm actually on my way to the orthopedic this morning and will be getting an MRI after to access the damage. Hope it turns out to be ok.

FYI my left side (original injury) healed up extremely well. I couldn't drive well for a few weeks either (f30 is a 6 speed, my daily driver is a 5 speed lol)

damn I hope it's nothing serious. good luck man!

[M3 Number 86]

Time for dct now

[rr006rbc]

OH MY GOD why the pictures?! Haven't even had my breakfast yet.

I guess this is a pretty common injury..lots of people have chimed in. Kinda makes me weary about continuing to play league basketball.

[guni]

Originally Posted by Sara504

Wow, I cant imagine 3 months. I was going crazy for just 11 days.

I'm hoping to maintain my sanity.

Funny thing is, I'm driving my wife's car and whenever I hit the gas it feel like nothing is happening. So slooow...

[guni]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Wow!! I was going to post--



But then saw the pictures. Gross. Those staples look mean.

Hope you heal soon. I pulled both ham strings and developed tennis elbow last year. Had to switch it up. Brain kept saying go for it and body protested.

ahahah, I had a feeling someone would post that so I made a preemptive strike.

[guni]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Time for dct now

Lol, I'm not ready for that yet. maybe in 10 years

[Kong Sheng Han]

I watched hip replacement surgery videos last night because of this thread. I love science, technology, and medicine.

Good luck op.