Top Achilles Tips

[Frenchgirl]

I thought it might be helpful/amusing/inspirational to post our 'top tips' for coping with ATR's. This could vary from where to find equipment we have used, alternative website addresses (although obviously none as good as here ) through to things we have learned through bitter experience. I shall kick it off with:

If you have an aircast boot or similar - buy some odour eaters!

Crutches and alcohol are not a good mix

If you have a below the knee plaster cast, buy some knee pads so you can walk round on your knees without it hurting. I prepared a 5 course dinner for 6 like this!

The Body Shop honey butter moisturiser for feet and hands is FANTASTIC for when you finally get that cast off and see what your foot looks like!

If you are in a cast where they change the angle of your foot every few weeks, take painkillers before you get the plaster changed. It HURTS!!

[Kafty]

Change of cast never hurt me fortunately but the guy before me screamed like a baby

In a cast? buy a limbo bag for showering but line it with electrical tape or wear a sock to stop it rubbing a hole. Put tape over the outside to protect it as well.
http://www.thesisonline.com/index.htm

Use a metal thermos to make tea, coffee or soup and roll it to where you need it if on crutches.

Aqueous cream is also good for when the cast comes off to moisturise. But do not under any circumstances scratch when it does come off and don't have too hot a bath.

No limbo bag? use a plastic chair and sit under the shower with your leg hanging over the edge. Makes it easier to get in and out of the bath as well.

I put pipe lagging on my crutch handles to reduce the possibility of blistered hands.

Go to the gym and do upper body work to keep fit, I did row one legged and cycled whilst still in the cast but that was against the advice of the plaster staff.

Wear zip off trousers for the cast change makes it so much easier.
_________________
Never, under any circumstances, take a
sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat
and drink beer all day.

[Grello]

Good idea, Alix! OK:

Buy Tesco value trousers at ?6 a go, so that you don't cry too much when you cut them up to get them over the aircast.

If you're in an aircast, get yourself a nice, high boot or shoe, to go on the good foot, to correct the height difference and avoid back-ache.

Get yourself a shock-absorbing insole for the aircast, especially when you're down to one wedge, which tends to hurt your heel.

Wear thicker socks if the aircast is chafing against the repair wound; better still, nick a few of those white, wooly stocking things from the hospital (the things they put on your leg before applying plaster of Paris).

Use a rucksuck for carrying things about when on crutches.

Treat your crutches as a good, upper-body workout.

Don't wet-shave standing on one leg.

Graham

[chair4trees]

Good idea.

1) Bookmark this site and read three times daily, more if required.

chers

[Middle]

Most life-improving device for me has been a foldaway ironing stool in the kitchen. Strategically placed, I can make tea and toast and eat them, with only a hop here and a stretch there.

Gel-padded cycling gloves can help with 'crutch hand'.

Old track suit bottom with a slit cut up from the leg bottom slip on and off easily. I also like the slightly chavvy look they give when I go out to the shops.

Small plastic stool in the shower.

Large bottle of water next to the couch, refilled each morning.

Large bar of chocolate.

[Yardage]

Combat trousers. Lots of pockets for the visits to the kitchen. Minimises journeys to and from the kitchen!

Trying to moisturise as far under the cast onto your foot as possible. If you do 12 weeks like I did, when the cast comes off, it's not particularly attractive under there!

[Paul Marfell]

If using crutches avoid wet floors at all cost. If you can't avoid it then hop carefully.

If you are not weight-bearing yet make sure you pull your trousers well over your good foot before standing up. You can't pull your trousers out from under your foot when you have all your weight on it.
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Your friendly host

[Pem]

Since my ATR, I?ve started to take Glucosamine sulphate and cod liver oil supplements. Both supplements claim to aid and maintain tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue joints. Something I?d never considered before.

[Paul Marfell]

[Grello]

Paul - I think my shaving habits are reasonably normal! Sharp blades and wobbling about are not good bedfellows!

G

[Frenchgirl]

At least you don't have to try to shave your legs - especially after 1 has been in a cast for 6 weeks!! But then again, maybe you do........

[Grello]

He he he! I can't give up all my secrets here...

[gerryk60]

Tips learnt from long bitter experiences !!!!

1. When you first take your cast off, beware when you lie next to your dog with your leg dangling as they often mistake it for a bone and try to bury it !!!!

2. Only ever consume alcohol when your loved one has strapped you firmly to the chair with handcuffs and you are wearing incontinence pants !!!

3. Never ever practice heavy weights whilst on your computer chair as it can lead to you doing a somersalt over the printer !!!!

4. Finally, if feeling amorous, make sure your partner is wearing some form of padding as this can help prevent serious cast chaffing and possible trauma. !!!

[Pem]

If you see a horse running in the 2.30 at Cheltenham name of "ACHILLES" dont like me think its a sign and put ?10 on the nose. This word has brought nothing but bad luck for me !!

[chair4trees]

My physio showed me a few things to do on my own. She said CAREFULLY "toggle" with your thumb and forefinger, the tendon from the heel to mid' calf. Keeps it loose (but not too loose).

cheers