My Achilles Rupture Recovery: A Physio's Own Story | Hands That Heal
Common questions about Achilles rupture recovery
There's something a bit ironic about spending your career treating Achilles injuries, then rupturing your own. That's exactly what happened to me this year. I wanted to share where I'm at, partly because it helps to write it down, and partly because it might help someone else going through the same thing.
First, a bit of history. The Achilles tendon is named after the Greek hero Achilles. According to the myth, his mother dipped him into the River Styx as a baby to make him invincible, holding him by his heel. Every part the water touched became unbreakable — except the heel she was holding. That became his one weak spot. I've told that story to patients more times than I can count. It's fairly humbling to now be living it myself.
How I'm treating it
I'm managing my rupture without surgery, using the Achilles SMART protocol. It's a physiotherapy-led plan that rebuilds strength in the calf and tendon step by step, rather than repairing it surgically. As a physio, I know the theory inside out. Following it as a patient is a different experience altogether.
I've been out of the boot for about three weeks now. Walking in a trainer with a heel raise feels comfortable. I started driving again two weeks ago and I'm feeling much more confident behind the wheel. I even did my first full Pilates class in three months — I was completely knackered afterwards, but it felt like real progress.
Where I am right now
At the moment I'm working on standing heel raises. They're uncomfortable, but doable, and I'm gradually putting more weight through my injured side. My main goal is to get to a double leg heel raise with equal weight through both legs, comfortably.
My colleague Martyn and I have been using the footplate to check my walking pattern is symmetrical, and to measure exactly how much weight I'm putting through my right side during heel raises. Seeing the actual numbers, rather than guessing from how it feels, has made a real difference.
The bits nobody warns you about
Recovery hasn't been a straight line, even though I knew it wouldn't be. I've developed some plantar fascia pain since the injury, most likely from being in the boot 24/7 and not being able to stretch my foot normally. The tendon itself is still thick and swells in the evenings, especially after a day on my feet.
Knowing this is normal helps. It's still an adjustment, even with my own clinical background.
The small things that matter most
The part I've found most encouraging isn't the exercises — it's getting back to normal life. Showering without a shoe on my injured foot. Driving again. Getting back to Pilates. None of these feel like huge milestones, but they're exactly what good recovery looks like, even from the physio's side of the table.
Common questions about Achilles rupture recovery
Why is it called the Achilles tendon?
It's named after the Greek hero Achilles, whose heel was his one weak spot after his mother dipped him in the River Styx to make him invincible.
What is the Achilles SMART protocol?
A non-operative, physiotherapy-led programme for Achilles tendon ruptures that rebuilds strength and function through gradual loading, without surgery.
How long does it take to recover from an Achilles rupture without surgery?
It varies, but most non-operative recovery programmes take several months, moving from immobilisation through to full weight-bearing and strength work.
If you've ruptured your Achilles and you're deciding between surgery and a non-operative route, or you're already on a SMART protocol and want proper physiotherapy support, our team at Hands That Heal in Pocklington and South Cave is here to help.
