Achilles Tendon Rupture Diary

November 2 2006

Situation as of November 2, 2006. Didn't do much except hobbling around the house.

posted by Jonathan Wu. CFA, FRM, MCTS @ 11:54 AM 0 comments

October 8, 2006 Whiteplains, NY.

I ruptured my left Achilles tendon when I was playing tennis in 8 Oct 2006. I played tennis the day before on the clay court. Then on Sunday (8 Oct) we switched to the hard court on which the tragedy entailed. I had been playing for roughly 2 hours on and off. Then when one ball from my opponent landed short, I was running towards the ball with a sudden push off. BANG~~~ I felt I was hit hard from behind with a rock. I fell to the ground immediately and I knew something BIG was WRONG. Minutes later, I realized it was an Achilles tendon problem and diagnosis confirmed it soon after I went to emergency. Surprisingly it wasn't too painful; I couldn't remember clearly - maybe a massive pain only lasted a couple seconds.

My surgeon performed a relative new surgery on me in 11 Oct 2006: Achillon Suture System.It only took about 40 minutes and I was told it went very smooth. The incision is only about 2 - 3 cm. However, I do have concerns about the new technique in that there aren't that many studies confirmed its reliability and long term prognosis. Anybody experienced the same surgical technique; please comment.

2006 年10月8日下午两时许, 在纽约北边一个城市(Whiteplain)的一个网球场上, 我在开心地挥舞着球拍与朋友们打网球. 但是乐极生悲, 当对方一个球落在近网的时候, 我从底线向网前冲想去救球. 突然觉得我的左脚后跟上部被一块石头给猛敲了一下. 顿时我就软~~~了, 一下瘫在球场上. 由于对体育运动的熟悉, 我立马意识到这是跟腱断裂. 一小时后在当地县医院急诊确诊是跟腱断裂.

由于我在纽约市工作, 第二天 10月9日我就去了哥伦比亚大学校医院骨伤科做进一步的诊治. 也确诊是跟腱断裂. 但手术要一星期后才能做. 所以我决定去其它地方手术. 后来找到一位给美国足球运动员做脚踝手术的专家; 我在10月11日去做了手术.

幸运的是我的手术是一种很前沿的手术, 切口才2-3公分. 用的是一中微创手术(Achillon Suture System:
http://www.ilstraining.com/Mid%20%20Hindfoot%20Solutions/achillon/achillon_00.html),
大夫也很有经验, 整个手术也只有40分钟. 我做了全麻, 但是有没有任何需要导尿的经历, 一切都很正常.
我的石膏打了10天时间, 从10月23日开始换成了充气的Air boot. 我的膝关节能全部伸直.

我八个星期不用上班, 在家疯狂的打电子游戏. 说实话, 挺难熬的. 走路离不开双拐. 现在脚跟部还有肿胀,
我已经开始热敷, 用透骨草.

posted by Jonathan Wu. CFA, FRM, MCTS @ 11:51 AM 0 comments