achellis tendon surgery ??? help !~ - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

mdctlew · 08-07-2005, 08:36 PM

HI my son had hamstring lengthenings done is early april . he also had botox at the same time . now , it seems the botox is wearing off and his heal cords are very very tight ., we are not getting a 90 degree stretch anymore .
his dr said we might havet to have the achellis tendons lengthened too . has anyone had this done ? I am afraid he is going to have this done .
pleasse give me as much info as you can . did you wear the full leg casts ? did you regain your strength back in your ankles ? I am so upset . we had his AFOs on tonight and we could NOT get his foot into them .

thank you debbie

JellyRJFan · 08-07-2005, 08:50 PM

Debbie,

I'm not sure how much help I can be as I had this surgery, tib transfer, release and recession all at the same time, but I can tell you there is no need for a full leg cast. My right ankle has always been very spastic and weak, but I did gain full strength back (unlike my hamstring lengthening where I lost a LOT of strength). Luckily lengthenings are easy to recover from... I wouldn't worry too much

Steffers2318 · 08-08-2005, 12:05 PM

I had achilles lengthening about ten years ago... I had regular casts, up to the knee. The doctor said that particular surgery would not be painful, but to be honest I found it VERY painful, a lot more so than the hamstring surgery, which I just had...but I was about nine then so that might've been a factor (over-reacting and everything

).

I was very weak after I got the casts off, but regained my strength with therapy. And it definately did help me to walk "correctly", instead of on my toes.

Zagreus · 08-08-2005, 05:22 PM

My son has made wonderful progress with this surgery. He had a walking cast for a few weeks (about 4) and was stiff and weak right after the cast came off. But with good PT, he pretty quickly built his strength back up and has not needed a brace for well over a year now.

mdctlew · 08-08-2005, 05:43 PM

HI thank you .. do you mind if I ask .. were your sons casts the full casts ?
meaning all the way up to his thighs ?
I am hoping AND praying that we dont havet to have the full length casts again .. but IF we do .. we do and we will get thru it .. tristin weighs 200 ILBs and it is really hard getting him around ~~~

thank you debbie tristins mom