When will you feel normal after you tear your Achilles tendon?

One of the most painful and challenging injuries for an active person from their thirties to fifties is an Achilles tendon rupture. Most patients end up undergoing surgery, but it can take a long time for the tendon to feel normal. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss recovery and return to exercise like jogging after you tear your Achilles tendon.

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Nola asks:
I am a 40-year-old female who ruptured my Achilles playing basketball 6 months ago. Will it ever feel the same as my other foot again? Running is still difficult and there is pain.

An Achilles tendon rupture is a traumatic tear of the Achilles tendon that connects the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle complex in the calf to the calcaneus (heel bone) in the foot. While surgical and nonsurgical treatments are debated in the general population, surgeons generally repair the Achilles tendon in high-level athletes.

Regardless of whether you have surgery or choose to treat the tear without surgery, wearing a boot or using a cast, you have to get the tendon to heal before you can start aggressive physical activities. Often physical therapy can help you get ankle range of motion and calf strength back in the months after you tear your Achilles tendon.

As I discuss in the video above, though, it can take a long time for the tendon to feel normal. Weakness on the injured side can persist for months, making activities like jogging difficult. Often it can take a year or more for the legs to feel equal.

[DrDavidGeier]

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[ghnfyhj]

Just had my surgery 3 weeks ago and I have to be honest, it's the worst thing ever! They said I can try walking on it but its stiffer than hell which prevents me to even stand straight. Very frustrating especially when I am such an active person. It can be worse but still. I dont recommend this injury to anyone.

[TomG-ff]

Blew my tendon out 22 years ago. I never ran again. last month I tore my other one about 90%. So I'm in a boot and out of work for a while. I'm 64 now and I know that I don't heal up quite as fast as I used to. Drinking lots of water and taking vitamins.

[fidelbanuelos]

Ruptured my achilles 8 years ago. Repaired it surgically. Now I don't think about it and worry more about the other one popping. I didn't feel any pain just a pop. I read that complete ruptures don't hurt but partial rupture do.

[esnvzrd]

Full ruptured my Achilles almost a year ago, had surgery. Still not the same - can’t run or jump yet, have lost a lot of strength in my leg. Terrible thing to go through but see how the next year plays out

[markrmgliberia]

4 years post op ATR and I still not normal... burning in my foot and pain in my Achilles. Very tight and painful.... what did I do wrong?

[abslayer]

Hi... I need to hear your reply...I broke both the radius and ulna of my right arm a little bit beneath the wrist bone...the doctor inserted a t plate and a +ky wire to join the bone or maybe bones ... He said that you'll be freed after 6 weeks and you bandage will be removed..now my question is that can I get back to my regular activities like soccer??? My age is fourteen..and 1 more thing do I need to remove the plate or not...please answer both my questions and by the way I love your videos and the info which you provide...

[vanshikarikhi]

Sir my father age is 61 years he had ultrasound scan sharing with you, pls suggest what procedure is required
USG right ankle
Right ankle shows that the tendo achilles is bulky and heterogeneous and shows a full thickness tear of approximately 4 cm With reaction of fibre and resolving haemorrhage at the tear site

[neetapatil]

Sir I had an acl and meniscus surgery last month when can I start my walk and college

[jaybeeee]

im on my 6th week since i ruptured my right achilles...i chose not to have a sugery. can i walk normally on week number 12?...

[RK-okfl]

What if you're still feeling pain after a year... At times severe pain then what?