Achilles Tendon Rupture - How long before I can ride again??

[Pale Moon]

I severed 93% of my right achilles tendon exactly a month ago. After some deliberation, my consultant decided not to perform surgery, but to let the injury heal conservatively and I have been in an Equinuus cast for the last four weeks. I am non-weight bearing and on crutchs. I am due back at the Hospital on the 22nd January for a further scan, then another cast for approximately a further eight weeks, followed by intensive physiotherapy.

Does anyone have any rough ideas as to when I may be fit enough to ride my horse again?

I am not sure how long I will need the Physio for, I just know that it will be intensive and quite painful.

I am 37 years old, weigh nine stone and am fit and healthy in all other respects.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I am considering what to do with my horse during this period of inactivity.

[KazRider]

Hi there, i don't know anything about how long these things take to heal i'm afraid, but i would personally start as soon as you feel you can, have you asked your consultant what they think??

Riding generally is non weightbearing and fantastic for ankle problems. If you are able to start without stirrups then there would be no pressure on the achilles tendon, obviously for this you need incredibly safe horse, possibly lean rein to start as you really don't want to be worrying about falling off and doing any damage that way. When using stirrups i'd imagine you'd need to have them long so you are basically just supporting the toe - western style would probably be good.

You may have seen this other thread about foot and ankle problems:-

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1521845#post1521845

There are a lot of useful points in there which i'm sure would apply to you as well.

Hope this helps, but i would stress that you should ask your consultant if it is ok, at least you can give him some good reasons why it would be good for you from the other post!!