Achilles Rupture Recovery

VACOped extra XELGO inlay: my boot only came with one inlay … this is due to the German health system only paying for what is absolutely necessary. Wish I knew who the genius was who decided that one inlay was sufficient … I’d invite that person to come smell one after its had a climber’s unclean foot in it for 10 days ^^! Anyway, it took a while to find a part number, order and receive one, but Oped delivered – be aware that there are different sizes for the different sized boots … probably obvious, but thought it’s worth mentioning. Machine washable they are … but not suited for the tumble dryer -> takes hours to dry … hence, if you can afford it, having 3 of these suckers can make your life easier; a 2nd is indispensable, though, I would say.

Extra socks: a very generous German health system allows all of 2 whole socks to be delivered with the boot … these are without compression, nothing fancy; you can buy another 5 in a pack from Oped, definitely worth doing … just makes the whole changing / washing much simpler; I also wouldn’t want to wear normal socks under the inlay – it’s all a snug fit, you get some pressure marks anyway, wouldn’t want any more due to ribbing or other socky features.

Rucksack: without doubt, for me, the top-of-the list ‘non-rehab’ item. I don’t go anywhere without it; at the beginning, not even the bathroom … mostly because I’d refill my water flask, for example, at the same time as going to the toilet (not in one action ^^!). It shouldn’t be too big, definitely no hip pockets (they get in the way of crutches), but you will need some room, particularly if you’re heading out when the weather’s not great and / or you’re going shopping.

Shower stool: this is pretty much tied with the rucksack … in fact, with regards to safety it probably should come first. However, at least in the beginning for a few days you can manage without a shower, you can’t manage without a rucksack (unless you’ve got someone to wait on you hand and foot, of course). Once you’re psychologically ready to shower, (or being pushed into doing so by your significant other who just can’t take the stink any more 🤢 ), DON’T DO IT without a stool … unless you want to be one of those people who slipped in a wet bath tub / on a shower floor puddle and re-ruptured, or at the very least ended up in serious pain.

2nd Rucksack (no joke!): less critical, but also super handy – I have a ‘small pack’ one which fits into one of the little net pockets of the main rucksack; I use it to, for example, carry laundry down to the washing machine in the cellar on the way out (when the main rucksack is already full); additionally, if you go shopping and misjudge how much will go into the main rucksack (not that I’d EVER do that, of course ;)!), you can unpack the second, sling it on the front of you before pulling on the main onto on your back and hey presto, loads more space!!

Shower cover (for the boot / cast): this is an accessory which will divide people. I did buy one, used it twice, then found I could use the shower curtain instead (bad leg hanging over the edge of the bath tub with the curtain draped over my thigh) and since then it’s gathering dust. Add to the fact that with the VACOped you can actually go swimming / diving (really!), it’s not something you absolutely need … but for many it will be really handy, I’m sure. You may need to be careful pulling it over the boot / cast to make sure you don’t tear it.

Thermos flask (for carrying drinks around in the rucksack): don’t suppose this needs much of a description but don’t underestimate how useful it might be to have two to take to bed … one with cold (even iced) water for during the night (I always get thirsty), and one with hot coffee (or tea) for first thing in the morning.

Tupperware (for carrying food around in the rucksack): again, don’t suppose this needs much explaining; I like to eat at a table usually, but it doesn’t take long for your foot to swell up … eating a meal with your feet up on the sofa / laying down propped up in bed solves that problem.

Boot cover (for outside): you’re wearing that boot 24/7 and there are boot covers for bed, but even taking those into account, you’ll find, for example, that when it rains, this cover is great; in fact, it’s enough when there are dead leaves on the floor … without this great little cover, you end up with a collection of leaves in your inlay, pushing dirt and probably damp into the inside of your boot – no thanks! ‘pro’ tip: use a small carabiner to hook the pull-tight drawstring into the back of the boot to stop the heel of the cover from slipping / dragging on the floor.

Calf cover or ‘gaiter‘ (for outside): this handy if uncommon garment picks up where the boot cover stops, namely covering up the upper part of the boot to stop it getting wet when it rains (or snows).

‘EvenUp’ (for outside): as great as the boot is, the fact is it makes that bad leg really much longer than the good one -> mechanical imbalance which leads to back, hip and leg pains. This little helper pulls onto your shoe (chucks are not suitable … found THAT out the hard way ^^!), best of all a chunky shoe already, so that this difference is minimised … not gone, but minimised. As the VACOped goes down and at some point gets the flat sole (I’m not that far advanced yet!), I imagine that the time will come when the legs are about as long as each other.

Platform sandal (for inside): so, this is something which you could live without; you also have to be careful that you don’t trip. Nevertheless, I’ve found it helpful, if not indispensable – just reduces the difference between the two legs; is nice on the way to the bathroom, or standing in the kitchen cooking, but by no means necessary.

Folding camping stool: I’ve been caught short several times outside … not needing the toilet, no, rather, badly needing a sit down but not having anywhere to do so. Particularly in the cold, wet, potentially snowy time of the year, I like to take this in my rucksack if I’m going more than a few 100’s of metres; if you don’t need it to sit on, it may still help to have something you can put your foot up on when away from home.

Telescopic Nordic walking sticks: not yet used in this case, but available already from my hiking times (they will come again 💪 !); these will be going in my rucksack as I transition from crutches to ‘free walking’, just in case as a kind of ‘back-up solution’.