Achilles Tendon Rupture Question [Archive]

Spartan74

12-09-2006, 21:40

Has anybody here or know someone in the military that has come back from Achilles tendon rupture surgery to get back to normal heavy running and rucking? Any details on how you felt after surgery, how long it took to get back to normal? Thanks in advance.

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longjon

06-11-2007, 12:48

Short of the TCCC taught in CLS, managing a few wounds in Iraq and generally wanting to know how my body works, I do not pretend to be a medical expert. In other words, I am only speaking for myself here and avoiding any potentially incorrect terms.

While a young 2LT at the OBC at Bliss, I stepped on a large rock while running in the desert with my loony Captain. Result: Achilles tendon ruptured.

Corrective surgery and six months of rehab and I was able to run well enough to pass the APFT. Six more months after that I was able to max the APFT. I completed the Manchu Mile (25 miles) twice in Korea in the same time frame. I rucked 3 times a week with distances ranging from 6-12 miles, carrying roughly 45 pounds in my ruck and a Stinger THT on top of that. I am sure there are plenty here that would call that a light workout so I won't address "heavy running and rucking".

It is almost nine years later. I still have stiffness at the heal end of my Achilles and must conscientously stretch that area. If I overtrain, I am prone to soreness in that area and must take time off. To date, I still run 15-20 miles a week and ruck three times a week with distances ranging from 4-12 miles. Again, I am not sure what you consider to be heavy running and rucking so you can make your own determinations there.

Hope that helps for a frame of reference.