CrankyFranky

After that wonderfully mild winter we had here in CT, which I managed to ride through except for a handful of days, I had gotten into shape pretty well - and then an old partial tear turned into an ache, followed by some PT, and then -POP. Dang!
So instead of taking the family on our traditional camping trip on Cape Cod, I'm stuck indoors with this massive boot on. At least the pain is completely gone. When my surgeon asked me "how much medical leave can you take?" I knew it wasn't going to be a rapid recovery. I can't yet put more than 50% of my weight on it, wearing the aircast. I've got to slow down and take it easy - not easy for someone who still thinks he's 29! At least I got to watch the TDF and now, the Olympics. I'm told that it is important to make sure that one's seat is not too low to avoid straining the achilles, something I did not apprehend before. I can't wait until I can ride again!

bruce19

That sucks. Sorry to hear that 'cause, as you know, it's gong to take a while. BTW, where are you in CT? I'm in Lebanon.

NOS88

Ouch! Just keep telling yourself, "This too shall pass."

TomD77

That's counterintuitive, would have thought that max stress on an Achilles tendon would be when approaching full leg extension when max down force was being generated. Or maybe when standing up on the pedals.

skilsaw

Sorry to hear of your injury. Hope you heal well.

qcpmsame 

Bad timing on your part CF, you really should schedule and plan these type things better. Air Cast are wonderful appliances for the ankle injuries, I've had one twice now. Helped me recover better and quicker both times. Hope your recovery goes well and you are ready for the fall riding times.

Bill

Bikey Mikey

Oh man, I winced when I read the title. Sorry for you injury. I'll keep good cycling thoughts for a quick recovery.

CrankyFranky

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes!

bruce, I'm at sea level, in New Haven, waiting for the next hurricane.

Tom - I agree it seems counterintuitive, but I think that the explanation lies in the fact that you can transiently overload the tendon when your foot is hyperflexed (when your toes are closer to your shin). When your seat is too low, you're more likely to hyperflex. When hyperflexed, your gastroc and soleus must exert more force for the same net result because of reduced mechanical advantage when your toes are pointed up. At least that's my take on the seat height issue. Any alternate explanation will be welcome!

BlazingPedals

The way I understood things, you're more likely to stress your Achilles tendon by having your saddle too high. Stretching for the pedals causes your tendon to be tight all the time, leaving it more vulnerable to injury. A flexible Achilles tendon is a happy one! Injury prevention involves *proper* extension to the pedals, stretching, and warming up before applying max horsepower. Once an injury is healed, rehab involves strengthening and stretching, usually by doing heel drops and raises on a stair.

flan48

Hi Cranky,
Sorry to hear of your achilles injury. I ruptured my left Achilles tendon in January of 2002, a few months before turning 56. I had surgery that evening, was in a cast for 6 weeks (actually soft cast for 2 weeks and hard for the next 4). For the entire 6 weeks I was not allowed to put any weight on the injured leg.

When the cast came off I began 6 weeks of physical therapy. To be honest, it took about 6 months before I could walk normally without thinking about it, and around 3 years before the injured leg stopped feeling different than the right leg. However, before I knew it I was doing exercise walking, and around 3 months post-surgery some light jogging. I wasn't cycling then so I don't know when that would have been allowed.

You'll be just fine, just keep working hard on your re-hab, and hang in there.
I wish you the best.

Best regards
Barry

trek330

Mine popped about 25 years ago.Ouch!Felt like someone wacked me with a baseball bat.Actually turned to see who hit me!I was playing basketball.healed stronger than ever.Takes a long time to lose the limp.

Phil85207

So sad to hear of your injury. Keep thinking good thoughts. Mental attitude is everything they tell me. I, however am not a good example of how to do it though.

ftwelder

I raised my saddle 5mm for a ride on Sunday and ended up making mine sore. Lowering it didn't make the pain go away. I hope I didn't mess anything up..

CrankyFranky

Thanks again to everyone for your encouragement - and I am in a good space about the time to recover. First thing I want to do is get back to walking my pup.

ftw - please take it easy - it seems that our tendons do get more brittle as we get on. Ease up on it a bit, and I hope the pain goes away!

I'm going to see my surgeon for the first time (last time it was a specialist nurse) and if I have the opportunity, I plan to solicit his opinion on the seat height issue. (He's a bike nut too, besides to being a tendon specialist). If I succeed, I'll post it here - if it has to wait, I may bump the thread then.
Cheers all round 'til then.