Surgeon's consultation Wed. May 7th! Shit!

[Whisperinsmith]

Hey, I'm hoping for the best. I left my primary care physician this morning somewhat distraught. (That's an understatement to say the least!) I have a ruptured Achilles. Not severed. That's one good thing. Can you say Shit! on this site?

I know one thing. It's not keeping me from riding to Bennington. My only concern is my LONG planned trip after Bennington.

Wednesday will tell... Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!!! As they say, growing old ain't for whimps.

[bonnevillebilly]

John
That SUCKS, what does ruptured mean.
I hope it is some thing that will heal up quickly.
When I first read about it happening when you were golfing I figured you probably
just pulled a muscle.

I talked with Marty and he sounds OK with our preliminary plans to meet and the
route we will be taking.

I am sure you will be ready to ride in no time.

Bill

[matts1050]

Ace bandage it up. After all this time talking to you online, I'm not going to meet you!?

[TonUp]

Limp if you have to! Get well soon!


Tito


Ton Up!

[Hedge]

Oh shit - my father tore both of his when he was young playing basket ball. He said it felt like someone shot him in the back of the leg. He said it was such a hot pain that he thought he got shot.

I'm glad your coming but I got to say, I'm worried that you might exasperate the rupture into a full tear. You know, it wouldn't be the worst thing if you just 4-wheeled it to the bash and just hung. But alas, everyone must choose for themselves! Look at me, I'm riding up with 2 bad rotator cuffs. Neither are torn, both need evacuation and joint shaving. However, if I'm not careful I could exasperate them both into full tears then I'm Fucked! Right now the surgeon said that I will be in a sling for 1 day and 1-2 months of recovery per shoulder. I will get the left done on June 6th, 1 week after the bash and the right one I'll save for November after we put our bikes away!

Anyway, whatever you decide, just "Easy Dose It"!
Hedge

[bruce19]

Will it help to tape it up like they used to do when I was playing football in college? I know you football guys will know what I mean. I actually played three games on a fractured ankle just being taped. Hopefully that will save your achilles from more serious damage. BTW, if you do tape it, DO NOT forget that spray that keeps the tape from sticking to your skin when you pull it off.

[Hedge]

Good idea Bruce. Maybe ace bandage and then a good taping over top?

[Whisperinsmith]

Hey, if I'm going to tape it, it won't be with "no stinkin' Ace bandage, it'll be with DUCT TAPE! And nothing is keeping me from this event. I'm riding my bike!

The odd thing is, my Achilles doesn't hurt much, it's inside the knee. Maybe a section of the tendon or ligament popped and half of it pulled back into the knee. This is nothing compared to the stories of guys who completely severed it, like Hedge's father. I'm hardly limping today but I'll see the surgeon tomorrow as planned. I'm going to explain to him that I'll be keeping my foot in a solid boot that has little movement and in a resting position. That should convince him I can ride across country AS PLANNED FOR EIGHT FREAKIN' MONTHS! (Shit! again.)

And Matt, I've been looking forward to meeting you guys too long to let a little ruptured tendon stop me from showing up!

(Hey, Bill, Marty says were on for a ride on Sunday the 18th? Let me know where and when to meet. I want to see and hear your new beast.)

[Hedge]

Just take it easy and no sudden movements that can exasperate it.

[bruce19]

Just take it easy and no sudden movements that can exasperate it.

Good advice and whatever you do don't get off yur bike and let the weight of the bike work against that injury. I did that once when I didn't have an injury and my Ducati and I went down in a heap. Then, I did have an injury.

[bonniegirl]

you need an AFO (ankle foot orthosis). it's sort of a hard plastic thing that will keep you from dorsiflexing (pulling your toes up) or plantarflexing (pointing your toes down). that will keep undo stress from use or stretch off the muscle. the achilles attaches the two calf muscles from the heel to just below the back of the knee (sartorius muscle) and just above the back of the knee (the gastrocnemius). the sartorius only plantarflexes. the gastroc plantarflexes AND flexes the knee. maybe a KAFO...
are yousure that it's an achilles tear and not higher up on the tendon at the other end of the muscle?

[Hedge]

you need an AFO (ankle foot orthosis). it's sort of a hard plastic thing that will keep you from dorsiflexing (pulling your toes up) or plantarflexing (pointing your toes down). that will keep undo stress from use or stretch off the muscle. the achilles attaches the two calf muscles from the heel to just below the back of the knee (sartorius muscle) and just above the back of the knee (the gastrocnemius). the sartorius only plantarflexes. the gastroc plantarflexes AND flexes the knee. maybe a KAFO...
are yousure that it's an achilles tear and not higher up on the tendon at the other end of the muscle?

Yeah - just like she said!

[rbcathlos]

I'm glad I found this crew. You all have the same interests as me, plus made me feel a hell of allot better about being 40.

[Whisperinsmith]

Hey Robin,
You know your stuff! I've just been reading online about those attachments and muscles. And to answer your question, no I don't know if it's torn higher up. That's incredibly perceptive of you from just reading my post. I'm thinking along those lines myself, but I'll let the orthopedic guy tell me tomorrow. (And you know why I feel like a complete wuss complaining about this.)

I just got off my bike as I had new tires put on it in anticipation of a long trip and I went at noon to ride it home. It was no problem riding. Hey, I'll get some answers tomorrow.

And I'm impressed Robin. Are you sure you don't want to get back into that stuff? I have a feeling you were very good at your job. You don't have to work for the "man". Just put a shingle out and people will show up. Charge more than a cup of coffee and a muffin!

[bonniegirl]

i do that here at the cafe...pt treatments in the office. i have 4- 5 unofficial patients that i see 1-2 x's/wk to once a month.