Week 3: Achilles Tendon Rupture Non-Surgical - Don't Let it Heal Long! 

Don’t know if you’ll see this…but your videos saved me time and money and made me feel hopeful with my recovery process….thank you for all of it

Thanks SJ - I just wanted to share for anyone who has a complete achilles rupture that non operative aka no surgery is a possibility. As a previous professional athlete everyone told me to get surgery after a 2.5 cm complete rupture playing pickup soccer with friends on turf 2 years back. I did my research and chose to be a positive statistic. Its been a challenging recovery but i'm happy to say i'm back to running 2 miles on concrete in 98 degree heat and soccer 4x per week with no pain.

In week 2 of my rupture. Same thing, played basketball without warming up and I'm in my 30s. I hope to go conservative. I SOO Recommend splurging for the VACO boot. My dr. put me in a reg boot with wedges and I was nervous the first 10 days that the angle was not great enough. With the VACO boot, you can be confident you're at whatever degrees you want to be. The VACO boot also comes with a recommended protocol and allows for early range of motion. it is also way way more comfortable and has two inserts, so you can wash the other if it starts to smell. I also highly recommend the I-Walk 3. It's a game changer. I can carry upstairs bc I have my hands!! I can go to the gym and workout my upper body. Even did military presses! Thank you SJ for sharing your journey and good luck to everyone going through this challenge!!

It's now been about about 5 months since I ruptured mine. I didn't have insurance so I went the no surgery and rehab myself at home. I can't do a full calf raise but I can walk and jog on it. I tried running medium speed I was just sore a little after

07:30 in is exactly where I am at now. Confused and lots of differing protocols out there for the same injury. These are great vlogs SJ. Don't feel as alone with it.

SJ is a life saver! I appreciate you for taking the time, while going thru the pain, to make these videos. You helped so many people (as i read in the comments), and myself. I am in my 12 month recovery and i feel fine, just some stiffness, due to me going back to normal life around month 4, and i stopped stretching as much. thanks you so much, and for the newbies that just tore, FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS, Stay a couple weeks ahead (still follow week by week) of SJ videos, and YOU WILL BE FINE!

Hey SJ, I am now at Week 3 of my Achilles tendon rupture and have been taken out of the cast and placed in the boot today with 3 wedges however it was quite stiff and a slight pain around my foot sort of towards my ankle region which was weird so we went with 4 wedges. My doctor also told me that he wouldn't be surprised if I am able to ditch the crutches within 2 or 3 days and full weight bear around the home with the boot! which I just don't think I can do mentally or physically at the moment. I have my mind set on doing partial weight bearing with the crutches gradually during week 1 of wearing the boot. Anyway just thought I would share my process and fascinating that both of our doctors have instructed us that we could ditch the crutches after a few days of wearing the boot. Take care SJ and its great seeing your progress in your recent video! Keep it up.

Hi, Just wanted to stress the importance of SJs comment about being careful to not let the tendon heal long. Mine did, after doing non-surgical rehab in 2018, so I decided to get surgery to shorten the tendon. This was on Monday, so now I'm back in a cast for two weeks before rehab. Last time my physio pushed for me to stretch my tendon at an early stage because she worried it would get too stiff. This time I will avoid stretching it before week 8, as SJ says. I'm not a physiotherapist, but what I could tell from my last recovery was that my tendon felt both long (non-elastic) as well as tight (near the heel bone) for a long time, but the tightness did eventually disappear. However, I was left with what felt like a non-elastic tendon. I therefore think there's no rush to stretch it because the tightness will probably go away with time.

I ruptured my right achilles 10yrs ago. Then recently ruptured left. Had surgery both times. Was playing basketball both times. I said i was done playing after the first. Played a casual full court game a couple weeks ago and ruptured it at the beginning if the 2nd game that day. I couldn't believe it. I felt like it was a dream. Drove myself home both times.

I am happy that I found these videos. Today it is week 3 since rupturing my Achilles. I went the non surgical way as well.

Thanks for this great vlog. You're more detailed (sound smarter) than both my doctor and my PT. Currently on week 7.5 since injury. History: 40 y/o male sports related rupture. Day 1-12: Foolishly walked on injury and attempted stretchin before seeing doctor 1. Day 12-Week 6: planterflexed cast (going non-operative "very conservative"). Week 4: received MRI (5.5 cm rupture from insertion with 3.5 cm separation; showed some scar tissue rebuilding/healing). Week 6-7.5: Doctor 2 (non-operative willits protocol early rehabilitation) in walking boot with 2 shims (3 cm). Doing light massaging, bathing, light weight bearing, and minimal ROM exercises. Been wearing a compression wrap inside boot, which may have been damaging my rupture, because recently looks like a bigger dent in leg and some minor pain/discomfort in boot since I was fitted. I sleep with boot. My PT is useless and they still have not seen me; I finally go in first time next Weds (week 8) because of horrible scheduling. He called me and said not to worry about timing not matching with doctor's order for willits protocol; this seems wrong. I'm afraid tendon may heal long; hope I'm wrong.

Thank you so much for documenting this. Feeling so much better!

You are very good narrator.

You won’t believe what happened to me mate . I live in uk , was in Melbourne for two weeks on holiday , met few bunch of old school friends , ,end up playing game of cricket on a nice warm sunny day , then bam It was a mission me to come back to uk . Anyway I am in my third week , I find your videos very useful I am on non surgical option Thanks mate

Again, thank you for your videos the weekly updates are so great. Currently in my week two with a cast and not a boot for 5 weeks.

Thank you SJ, very helpfull video's. I like the way you go about it: the conservative way. Its been 4 wks since my surgery, have been searching for the most sensible way to go about recovery. Best to find out a lot for yourself so you can avoid mistakes from pt's etc. So many different routes are described, so good to follow yours :-)

These are fantastic videos and made me feel better. Ruptured my Achilles and now just going into week 3. Boot on 24/7 for now. Like you my feeling is to play it safe until my MRI in a week or two. I am using the elbow crutches.

I'm in week 3 and you are really helping me out with some questions I had. Thank you

I'm in the same boat as you brother. Thanks for your video!

It’s great you have kindly documented your journey. I’m in week 1 of a Ruptured Achilles Tendon on my left leg. I’m in a boot and this video probably is most reflective of my current situation. I opted for Non Surgery being a 1.5CM tear. Advise regarding sleeping would be great as I’m going bed with my leg elevated though waking up with it to my side - any suggestions / opinion on me affecting healing 😬?

Hi SJ. Your videos have been a great resource. First time full rupture thanks to game of netball. I also did not want to have surgery and am now into week 3. My doctor said that He would not be suprised if I am full weight bearing in cam boot by the end of week 3. I thought he was joking as I had trouble getting into cam boot from cast. How ever that was 4 days ago and I can actually put some full weight on it with out crutches!! I did not have faith however amazed at the progress since getting cam boot with 3 wedges. I have used your videos just to double check if I am on the right track. Thanks so much for the information and piece of mind. Still a long way to go however doing well. As I progress I will continue to watch your vidz. Thanks 😊😊

Ruptured mine a week ago now. No pain but it’s a full rupture. Hobbled about on it for a couple days as the hospital misdiagnosed it, but I got a second opinion. Straight into air cast boot, been full weight bearing on it from day 1. With crutches at first but don’t need them much now. First checkup yesterday with a re-dressing, now another 3 weeks till first wedges come out. Boot on at all times including shower and sleep. Still training from home with bands and dumbbells around the injury. Most annoying thing is blood thinner injections which bruise a lot, think img going to give those up after week 4 though.

Thanks for putting this series together, your shared experience is making me feel more calm about my upcoming journey through this. I have a partial tear most likely, only did an Ultrasound. I meet with a surgeon tomorrow to discuss possible surgery. Did you receive an MRI? I have not gotten one, but I think I need to in order to feel confident of surgery. My injury was incurred 6 days ago and I want to make the best decision. I love basketball and flag football and want to play both at a high level, it would be great to avoid having surgery and still be able to accomplish that.

Thx for all the info. So much help I'm doing everything you had done. Moving forward will keep you posted. I'm on day 7. I think it's a full rupture. MRI in s week from today. Ortho surgeon appt. After ✌

Hi there, I went from cast to boot on Wednesday after 16 days in a cast. It felt very strange and unstable. The surgeon’s parting words were get on and walk! By Saturday, 3 days later I’m fully weight bearing and have ditched the crutches, it’s wonderful. I do however keep the boot on at all times. Love watching videos.

It would be nice to have someone to talk to. After listening to your week three video... i realized that the title is misleading.... i thought it meant don't let it heal long... meaning start being aggressive after week three.... im afraid some people will get the wrong idea.

Hey SJ, You are awesome man!. I am going week by week on your videos and can't wait to see your results.I ruptured my Achilles and I have just finished Week 2 today (Non-op) And I got my boot and my doctor told me I should start partial to full weight bearing if I can. My protocol says week 4 I should be full weight bearing in the boot. But being cautious at the same time. I am not taken my foot out that boot

I was just thinking about this. Video came just in time. 🤞🏿🙏🏿

i'm liking the advice, same rupture happened to me from a football accident. Chose the non-surgical route like you, week 3. check up my journey too when you have the time. Sure it will bring back memories.

Thanks very helpful and I don't feel alone anymore in this achilles tendon thing!

Thanks for the videos, helps a lot. I weight bear in week one

Great video thanks , done mine on longboard 10 days ago and had to move out where I lived , stressy times;( cast off In 5 days time,;) glad I found your video least I know more of the process cheers fella

I have had a complete rupture 1.2cm last week. Worst pain of my life. Now on day 10 with 1st day of wearing boot and I am full-weight bearing with no crutches, but it's so scary I do not want to re-rupture

Hello ! I’m french ! thank you for these videos, I'm starting my breakup on 12/16/2022 and so I'm at video week 3 and 4, I would like to know the model (reference) of the boot with the 3 wedges. Thanks

I’m in a bad situation where I think I tore my Achilles tendon but I’m abroad in Japan and the doctors will check it and feel the tendon tell me it’s not ruptured but not do a MRI or Ultrasound. I’m using a brace with it and it hurts but I can still walk a little on it. But doing stairs is impossible. It’s already been a month since I injured it I think , I’m scared

awesome vids. I tore my achilles couple days ago: 12/20/21. tryin to figure out the surgery/non surgery thing. Im very similar to your story, love golf.

Dude I relate to this so much haha. I ordered a pair of Jordan’s and I tore my Achilles before they got here 😂. When they finally did I wasnt able to wear em haha. When your healed you may not be able to ball in them but you can still style in them! Haha. Looks like the video is 5 years old. Hope you healed up well and your back up on your feet!

Thanks for the videos. I just torn my last week and was debating surgery or not.

It so been 1.5 years since surgery and I still can’t play basketball 🥲

Thanks for these videos! Just ruptured my left Achilles tendon during soccer-practice and I´m curious to see how different persons progress during rehab. Wierd thing was that I walked out of the ER without crutches, I asked the doctor if they forgot about them, but he meant that you can put load on the foot in that boot, but not overload it. I borrowed crutches thou, since my foot is aching and swollen from walking wierdly this week.

Hi SJ, first of all love your channel! You explain everything in such great detail it’s fantastic. Now I am in my third week since rupture, so this is my first week with the boot. Is it normal to be in a lot of pain at night? The past two nights have been terrible waking up after only a couple of hours sleep in agony and having no option but to take painkillers. I feel like I want to rip off my boot when I wake and wondering am I doing it to tight that it becomes more inflamed at night? Or is this completely normal? I almost find that the exercises relive the pain during the day.. I’m scheduled to see my doctor next week for another follow up and to adjust the boot another 10 degrees so hopefully all is going to plan!

Hi SJ Thank you for your Videos , it has reassured me. Question: how long did you end up using your knee scooter? I was planning of buying or renting one depending on the period of use. Looking forward to your reply

I ruptured mine a week ago. My mri shows 7cm from the insertion point & tear is 0.9cm. All doctors have advised me to get surgery as non surgical has no certainty of healing. He also says my tear from the good tendon was 2cm & that tears of 2cm or more should get surgery. Plus limited resources here in my country the Philippines, most doctors I think do not have the patience or mind to go the non operative route. I am on front half cast & there is still swelling. I am really confused as to what to do. Pls help.

I ruptured my achilles on August 7th 2024, I went with non surgical route and I am in a cast at the moment. Im not doing anything extraneous but move around the house + rest, its now August 14th, 2024 (its been 7 days) and I feel a sharp pain on the injured part. Does that mean its healing? Am I doing something wrong? Please help.

Did you wear the boot 24hrs a day, or take it off to get in bed or shower etc?

Hey Sj, your videos are great and informative. I am on 1.5 week into this terrible injury and im in a cast at the moment. I don't feel swelling or lots of pain besides the blood rushing to my foot when I get up. Did you feel excruciating pain during your cast weeks?

Hello , which rehab protocol did you follow ? Can I find it on internet ? Thanks

Really appreciate for SJ vlog. It’s really helpful. My left leg was in the same problem about 8 years ago. And now it’s my right leg. I am in my week 3 with non surgical treatment. May I know is that ok for me just have the ultrasound check only? Or should I have the mri check as well ? Thank you very much!

u saved my life for this info , cause i dont believe the doc said i can do a conservtive way to heal from a complete ripped achilles , now i have confidence !!!!!!! appreciated for the vids!!!

Hi SJ, I ruptured my Achilles tendon last week. I was scheduled for surgery tomorrow but cancelled, I want to do non-surgical option. I have to wait a week to see my orthopedic specialist so hopefully I’ll be in a cast by then. My question to you is were you working during your recovery? I think it’s more of a mental thing for me and I’m totally devastated. I’m a kindergarten teacher and the school year is about to start. Feeling frustrated

I just left er they didn’t do mri .. Is surgery necessary? I’m on day one any advice?

I'm on week 3 now , hot put straight into the boot from day 1. How long has your recovery been please, is it possible to be back working after 8 weeks.

were they able to describe characteristics of a lengthened tendon? just got out of a cast and im fearing that i may have mine lengthened too much because i have severely decreased range of motion, but the tendon is there.

Thanks for the information. I didnt get any real directions from my doctor.

Hi Sj! I love your videos and appreciate them. It makes me feel better and reassured. Heres my story: Im week 3 in full Achilles tendon ruture and doing non surgically recovery. I was not given an option to do surgery or not. My orthopedist wanted to try the 30 degree boot for 2 weeks. My concern is I was given a walking air cast for the first week and that first week is considered to be critical for proper healing. My foot was at a normal level and I was walking with it. What do you think about that time that I missed out on? Im trying to get a second opinion but the 2 offices I was interested in cant see me for three weeks.

Did u have a full tear my doctor gave me a whole leg cast that stops at my thigh and told me I would have to wear it for 6 weeks how were u able to get to the boot

Hello can I ask a question please. I torn my Achilles 15 days ago but only got a permanent cast on on 12 days ago. Trouble being I am not planned to get my cast off until day 25 after the injury so a full 3 and a half weeks! Will this effect my recovery?

Hey SJ, for the first 2-3 weeks of your recovery, you mentioned the 3 wedges added up to about 3cm of height. Do you remember if thats accurate or if it was higher?

I’m in a boot week 5 doc told me I can sleep without boot. ??? What’s your take ?

Hello SJ! I recently ruptured my Achilles Tendon on Monday, Nov. 12th. I was put in a splint in Urgent Care until I saw my Ortho on Friday. He immediately suggested surgery instead of nonsurgical. He took the splint off and gave me a walking boot. He said, "You can walk on your foot. It's already injured and you can't injure it more." Before watching your videos and your timeline I thought surgery was the best option to gain full strength according to my doctor. Now I want to try the conservative way. He didn't really give me any instructions on keeping the boot on during sleep and I'm not certain it's in the correct position for healing. I plan to call my doctor's office tomorrow and was wondering what you would suggest for questions for my doctor. Since I'm still in week one, I want to correct the issue before it gets well of into week 2. Should I ask him to put a cast on for a week or two followed by the boot or just ask him to adjust my boot correctly to begin the nonoperative route? I have a surgery date of Dec. 4th so I'm not sure if that's why he hasn't given me any clear instructions and just the walking boot with heel lift, which he has allowed me to walk with. He said I have a full rupture due to the gap he feels, but he didn't do a MRI to confirm if it full or partial.

I'm coming upto week 8 in vecoped boot. Is my tendon being tight normal? Like I cant seem to get my heel flat against the floor? Is this normal or is it being healed long!! 😭

Hi SJ, I'm currently on day 3 of a 50% tear of my left achilles. I'm loving your videos as they answer a lot of questions i didn't remember to ask. I'm also non surgical. In video 2 you mentoned research on how the tendon heals non surgically. Did you locate it again? Sorry if i missed a link.

Hey SJ I am in week 4 post op. I am currently in a walking boot full weight bearing with the assistance of one crutch. What do you mean by "dont let it heal long"?

which brand boot you used. is united ortho tall one from Amazon is ok. I had a achilies tendon rupture and I m in 3rd week post op

It’s been 6 wks since my rupture. Swelling process has past and pain isn’t as crazy as it was the first 3 wks. It’s a 1.2 cm tear. I see a doctor next wk finally and would like to go towards surgery route for sure. If surgery will be roughly 2 months after the rupture, is it worth saving if I do surgery still?

Did you put weight on the boot right away? I was told I could

Hi SJ, thanks for your video. I just started my rehab, have been treated non surgically like you. Have you done MRI or ultrasound during your healing and in case at which month they showed a completely healed tendon? After how many months did you regain your normal shape of the ankle/tendón region. Thanks!

Just wondering how big was the gap between the two ends of the tendon

Thanka for sharing this. Knee scooter is a life saver. question, have you gone back playing yet?

Hey SJ, is there anywhere I can PM you with some questions. I'm starting week 4 now

Hi SJ, I’m week 3, I’ve seen 3 orthopaedic surgeons, they all have recommended surgery but said I can do the conservative root. Due to your great videos I’ve chosen no surgery, I’m in Sydney and I would love a recommendation for a surgeon or physio that can help guide me through the non op rehab, I done a ultrasound today and the gap between tendon is 16mm will this heal or should I really just bite the bullet and get surgery

Hey Sj, Nate he from Canada, im in my second week now and was given a boot the first day. One thing my surgeon did was prp injections into my tendon. Although looking at the medical journals on it most studies have shown it doesn't make a difference but hoping it does. I'm in a planter flex boot that locks in at 20 degrees at this point. There are no wedges. In the boot I can point down further but cannot bring my foot past 20 degrees. One question Inhave is did you ever have heel pain from the boot? Also here in Canada they told me not to wear socks. I might try wearing cotton socks might reduce the rubbing at the back of my heel. Thanks for sharing I thought of doing a video as well since there are not too many online. But you beat me to it! Great job and wonderful videos mate!

Would you know anything about peroneal breavas split tears if they can heal without surgery?

Why is stretching bad this confuses me a lot.

My achilles healed in a elongated position, last year, so i went to get surgery to remove the weak tissue, currently at 4 months post op now tendon feels weak and i have nerve pain😭

Is swelling still normal 18 days in? I had a splint on for two weeks and now I’m in boot . Took a gander tonight and seems swelling is a little bigger 🤭

Hey SJ, do you know if I should start off with the top 3 wedges or bottom 3 wedges?

Sir i have inury yesterday wid 5-7 mm rapture what should i do

And I haven't been told about wedges where can I get that? And should start from beginning and cast my foot...I defiantly gotta get a second opinion

I just got my CAM Boot, a VACOped to be exact. I only just now received the protocol sheet which was kinda alarming because they're expecting me to be done in 8 weeks and it doesn't feel anywhere near healed. My doctor didn't examine my tendon at all, only by the end of week 8 of they will check the status of it :\

How did you sleep? What sleep position is most comfortable

Good day folks.... Did you guys keep the walkin boot on all day or did you take it off for a little bit at home??

Hello SJ. I am at week 7. Still in the boot NWB. Have done moderate ROM. Just hoping I have not healed long if I am not doing stretching until week 12

is it normal to have extreme calf pain when switching to the cast from the boot? it mostly happens for the first 4mins after standing

I just tore my left Achilles in LeBron soldier X’s those sneakers are a death!!!!

I couldn’t even bring my foot up if I tried during this week 3. Was that normal for you?

Hey Sj, Your videos are great. I am at the end of the third week. I have Achilles tendon rupture more then 65%. Аll so obtained when playing basketball and i choose non surgical treatment. But Doctors hire put my whole leg ( right from under the thigh) in plaster (boot). I don't now what to do. Мy foot is at an angle of 30 degrees. And they do not give me any answer for how much time I should be like this or something. Except to don't move much. Please give me some advice what to do. Ty

Depressing staring week 3

You Started Range of Motion on week 3 ?

What do you think about using a tens machine and at what stage ? I'm still in week 1 of full Achilles rupture

Have you ever taken antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and levaquin before the tendon rupture?

Hi SJ First, thank you the great material and insights you post. Wishing you speedy and full recovery! My experience with my rupture feels very unusual, if not worrying. I snapped my achilles playing badminton at on 28th November. It is 16th December and I have my first USG scan tomorrow. So far they gave me a plastic boot and crutches at my local hospital. But reading your and others' stories here fills me with doubts as to my non-surgical-so-far healing. I felt within a week, definitely two, of initial rupture (and A&E visit) that I can easily stand on the affected foot. No way to lift my weight - I am just beginning to lift weight of the leg while sitting on a chair, but i can stand and walk (zombie walk) on two feet, without crutches. Would you say I am risking a "long" heal by doing that?

How bad was your tear

Nice haircut bro , I have the same barber .

Hi, what was the gap of your tear in cm?

Hey SJ I haven't been smart in my recovery, I went to emergency room and was told ankle was just sprained.. I was stubborn and went to work on it as a electrician and work for 4 days limped around. Went to doctor and they told me I have a partial tear in two places..I'm in my 3 week I have cam boot after injury..They want me start physical therapy but I'm afraid I'm not healing right.. should I sleep with boot on? Is it to late to heal properly?

Hi SJ, thank you so much for the videos, extremely informative and helpful. I’m just starting week 3 non-op. I am changing to a Vacoped boot tomorrow on the recommendation of my consultant orthopaedic specialist. But I have quite sever pain in my sesamoid bone (base of the big toe), which seems to be caused by the forced equinus position. Did you experience this and do you know if toe flexes or massage can help, even in week 3? Many thanks.

I started my week 3 of non-surgical treatment and I started partial weight bearing and it... is sore. My heel is tingling and uncomfortbale. Is that normal?

How much was your boot? Because my doctor told me I have to order it and it might cost me about 500 dollars

Hi SJ I'm two weeks since rupture and just been switched from cast to boot. It's one of those plastic 'Ironman' looking things. I can't even get my tracksuit off with the zip on them open all the way to the knee! but too scared to take the boot off now as had pain across the instep and heel since removing it just once. Can you tell me, did you take blood anti-clotting drugs and if so, what painkillers if any, did you use? Many thanks for the vlogs. Very helpful when you feel this helpless. 35 years of martial arts then I get this by missing two steps on the stairs!