Achilles Tendon Repair Info.

(Reposted from the blog, Get Kyle Back on His Feet!)

Follow-up Visit

I went to the doc's office this morning for a follow-up and got my bandages and splint taken off for the first time since the surgery!  Don't worry I got new bandages put on again and a hard splint on the bottom to maintain plantar flexion.

(Turns out the doc is going to recycle this for the hard cast...I found that rather distasteful but then he assured me just the cast part in the back, not all the soiled, bloody bandages as well.)

Soiled Dressings

It was pretty gnarly looking.  I had no clue there were friggin' staples in me haha.

My cell phone doesn't have flash and Samantha has an iPhone 4s so she offered to take some photos and send them to me as e-mail attachments but I decided to go with my own photos after all.  They are more close-up and you can see more details like that weird blood pustule and the weird black grooves.

Also, there's an odd growth at the bottom of my foot that was never there before (see that bright white spot on my sole?).  The surgeon said it was probably just a "maceration" (maybe he meant laceration?) but later said it's probably a tumor.  I said I'll cut that out myself and he said he would watch.

Metal Gear in Me

He said I would get a cast put on, on Tuesday since the staples aren't ready to come out yet.  He said if he tried yanking them out today they would "hiss" and "squirt"— nasty!

New Ace Bandage

The doc said, "Don't worry.  I'll make it all pretty again for the ladies.  I could see the stress in your eyes."  What a joker.

I asked him if it would be OK for me to return to classes next week and he said, "I want you to.  We can cure everything but stupidity.  Have you heard that before?"

He also told me that since I waited so long to have surgery, the gap has widened considerably so instead of using 2-4 strands, he needed to use 6.  I asked him about the suturing and he said it's super strong sutures.  He said those 6 sutures are strong enough to support my whole body if they were hanging from them upside down.

Surgical Staples vs. Sutures


I forgot to ask why staples were used to close the wound instead of sutures though my mom said that black stuff ARE the sutures so she said both were used, only since it was such a large wound both sutures and staples were required.

I'm not so sure but this eHow Health article explains it pretty well.  (Note to self:  also ask the doc to check my left Achilles because it's been feeling odd.  I hope it's not tendonitis.)

I read a study that said in stapling led to 4x the number of infections versus traditional suturing but since I obviously have staples in, I'm going to ignore that study and not post the link.  Ignorance is bliss.  Anyways, there are plenty of other studies out there that say they are comparatively the same, the only difference being cosmetic (staples leave more scars, but scars are sexy so who cares?).

A preview of what's going to happen to me next week:



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The Nitty Gritty

I found some more interesting videos to post.

This one is just a general video on how one ruptures their achilles tendon or if it's just tendonitis (check this out, B-money!).

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This other one talks about the Krakow suturing technique for connecting the two ends of the ruptured tendon.  It's a very detailed and informative video.  The best one I've seen so far.  (FYI:  some graphic still images show up after 2 minutes though.)





David Beckham's Ruptured Achilles Tendon (2010)


After seeing that video, I looked it up and apparently soccer star, David Beckham, ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2010; I don't follow soccer/football so I never knew.  Read about it here.

After 2 years, David Beckham I guess is still not all healed though and he never went to the World Cup because of it.  Now he's doing Bikram yoga to heal his Achilles.  Sigh ... I tried to find an article stating that the soccer star was now all healed but even after 2 years, I couldn't find any.  Oh well, I'm a lot younger than him...

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"Plastic Planet"


I know this has nothing to do with my achilles surgery at all, but I also wanted to write a review on a brilliant documentary I started (but didn't finish) last night called "Plastic Planet."  It's fascinating and scary how much a completely synthetic product has come to dominate our planet, from clothing, chemicals, fuel, to even cosmetics and food additives.

They assured everyone that plastic is a completely inert material that will not invade the food system but in fact, it has.  Fish eat tiny bits of plastic that has broken down from sunlight exposure and the churning of the seas.  Cattle and livestock eat petroleum-derived, pesticide-laced grain feed.  Even our processed foods are all packaged in various plastic materials and even preserved and colored with petroleum-derived preservatives, food colorings, and other additives.  We are assured it's all safe, but we now know (after all the BPA, pthalates, parabens, plasticizers, etc.  media blitz) that it's endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic.

I believe it's a German documentary so I couldn't find the interview I was after with the scientist, Klaus Rhomberg.  He talked about how a single PVC diaper takes 200 years to breakdown to its component petroleum materials.

Anyways, for those that comprehend German, enjoy (I didn't see this clip in the documentary (it's probably part of the deleted or extras from the DVD, so I have no clue what he's talking about, can someone translate?):

For English-speaking folks, here's a trailer:

Day 11 & 12 (Today) Update

(Reposted from the official fundraising blog, Get Kyle Back on His Feet!)

Day 11 (Yesterday):


Orgo II

I tried to read about phosphorous ylides and Wettig reactions but basically zoned out.  I finished reading Ch. 19 but I just couldn't seem to focus.  I tried to finish the OWL homework online today too but only managed to get through carboxylic acid nomenclature and a tutorial on the Wettig reaction.  Sigh.


"Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox"

I also watched this rather quirky but illuminating documentary ("Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox") on the late Dr. Emmanuel Bronner, the creator of those Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps.  You know the peppermint soaps with the crazy labels:  "All One! All One! All One!"

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/back-to-basics-dr-bronners-classic-liquid-soaps

It was quite entertaining.  The man escaped the Nazis from Germany only to be locked into a mental asylum in the U.S. and put there by his own sister!  He escapes to California where he sunbathes in the nude and preaches about "uniting Spaceship Earth" while selling his castille soap.  Brilliant.

http://brokelyn.com/tested-the-crazy-alleged-uses-of-dr-bronners-soap/

Disturbing Jewish Complex

One disturbing fact, was about how Dr. Bronner actually favored his youngest son who appeared to be Aryan since he had blonde hair and blue eyes.  He neglected his older son, Ralph, who took after himself and "looked Jewish" with dark brown hair and thick glasses (Dr. Bronner was legally blind).  Dr. Bronner developed a complex over his Jewish heritage in Germany.  When he tried to play with the neighborhood kids a group of them took a pail of piss and threw it at him and called him a "Jude (Jew)!"  In his labels and in his preaching, clearly the Jewish faith remains a strong part of his identity but in his unbalanced treatment of his children, it's also clear that deep down in his subconscious he bore a self-hatred for his Jewish heritage.

So it's ironic, that Jim (the favored Aryan child) grew up to completely dimiss his father's teaching as insane ramblings and it was Ralph, who has gone on to carry his father's legacy and spread not only the message of the Castille soap but also his father's message of unity and faith.

Dr. Bronner lost both of his parents to concentration camps and his sister thinks that trauma destabilized his psyche.  Dr. Bronner referred to his stint at the Elgin Mental Asylum as a concentration camp where he was forced to "mix cement like a slave" (the mental patients were forced to do labour as it was believed to help aid in their treatment).  He also had undergone shock therapy there.


The Groovy 60s

Apparently, during this time in the 60s, Dr. Bronner was a contemporary of Paul Bragg (the apple cider guy), so the heath movement was strong, especially on the West Coast.  It was said that Dr. Bronner was embraced by the counterculture, which is ironic since Dr. Bronner had this paranoia that the commies were out to get him.  He even called the FBI numerous times claiming that the communists were poisoning the public water supply with sodium fluoride.  (There are only a few American cities that have refused fluoridation of tap water, off the top of my head Ashland and Portland, OR have always refused fluoridation due to its toxic effects.)

One would think that Dr. Bronner would be more concerned about right-wing fascists due to his experience in Nazi Germany, who knows.


More Netflix Streaming

OK so I got carried away with my synopsis of an interesting documentary... It's on Netflix streaming for those interested.  I've been watching a lot of Netflix lately.

I'd recommend "Tucker & Dale vs. Evil;" it's about these rednecks in West Virginia fighting off stupid preppy college kids. "Phase 7" is another quirky, funny horror movie (It's Argentinian).  Oh and I actually liked "Quarantine 2" and unlike the first one,"Quarantine" being a complete rip-off of the original Spanish movie, "[Rec]," "Quarantine 2" is completely different from "[Rec]2" and I think it's even better.


Tucker & Dale vs. Evil was hilarious.  I love horror/comedies.
"They hate my face!" LOL!


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Perspective

Day 12:

Now about my recovery.  Laying in bed all day has given me some lumbar back problems that I hope will go away once I start moving about some more.  At least I don't have to worry about bed sores developing.

My mom gave me some perspective too.  She said back when she broke her collar bone, she was forced to wear a torso cast and in the summer it was so sweltering and humid that it got itchy and she developed boils underneath the cast.  It also didn't heal properly because she was still made to do household chores like sweep the floor etc.

I also found out that my CrossFit coach was in an awful car crash, where his car had to be cut into and then he was medi-flighted out to a hospital.  He had two brain bleeds and was not breathing on his own. Then just today his wife said on Facebook that he has opened his eyes and even breathed for awhile without the machine.  The marvels of modern medicine.

So yes, I'm extremely lucky to have a brain that is functioning (more or less), a heart that beats, and lungs that work on their own.

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Surgical Footage (for the "Nip/Tuck" Fans Out There)

I've gotten to the point where I can now look at images and videos of the surgical operation that I underwent on Friday without getting too squeamish.  Perhaps, it's just morbid curiosity but I'd like to know exactly how I was repaired.

Part of me wants to give up Naturopathic Medicine and become an orthopedic surgeon now...especially since graduate students and professional students can no longer apply for subsidized loans I might as well be learning something that can truly help someone, right?  I don't know.  I was so sure about becoming an ND after India but now I'm not so sure...

This is a cool video showing the surgical repair using a "burrito technique," where the orthopedic surgeon places a graft jacket over the sewn tendon.

This, on the other hand, is just a really bizarre video since it has upbeat Flamenco music playing to a more seemingly gruesome repair of the torn achilles.

Are You Regular (Day 8)

(Reposted from the official fundraising website, Get Kyle Back on His Feet!)

I've never had a problem with regularity.  My bowel movements have always been punctual and frequent and work like clockwork.  Then comes along Mr. Narcotic Analgesic, Hydrocodone, piggy-backing on Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen and bam!  I'm stopped up like the Hoover Dam!

It's been more than 2 days and let me tell you, that's not a pleasant feeling.

I had no clue what to do since I've never been in this position before.  So I did a little Googling:

"Constipation due to hydrocodone/APAP will not go away on its own, as long as you continue to take the medication. Someone who has been taking the medication for years is just as likely to have constipation due to the drug as someone who just started taking it. The body never adjusts or adapts to the effects of hydrocodone/APAP that cause constipation."

(From the website eMedTV.com)

So, I took Metamucil (Psyllium Husk) for the first time in my life today ... and it worked like a charm!  WOOT!

LOL I've never been so thrilled to drop a deuce before! Now I can't wipe this idiotic grin off my face. =) 

That Metamucil/Psyllium Husk did the trick! No need for hardcore laxatives, psh! Narcotic analgesics ain't go nuthin' on my colon!

We take so many basic things like being REGULAR for granted. The next time you get on that john, thank your lucky stars that things are going smoothly (mine was painful as heck at first before it was smooth sailing) LOL, TMI?

Well, get over it!  Talking about and observing your stool should be part of your daily routine.  Check out the book, What's Your Poo Telling You?
And yes, I own the book.

The Morning After (Surgery; Day 8) — Reposted

(Reposted from the official fundraising blog, Get Kyle Back on His Feet!)

Once again, I'm tired and in pain, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet.


Eating is a Chore

It's extremely awkward eating while laying prone.  I've made a compromise to sit up and try and keep my leg semi-propped up (those yoga classes paid off finally).  It still hurts but it's better than letting my foot just rest comfortably on the floor in a seated position.


Logistics of Pissing (The Female Persuasion Is the Key)

It's not that bad using the restroom.  I just sit down like a woman instead of trying to keep balance on one leg and giving the toilet seat and rug a golden shower.  (Now I know why y'all get mad about keeping the lid down!)

Oh and I dunno if this it TMI, but I've also been constipated ever since I started taking the Vicodin.  I'm going to try and eat more raw salads and see if that helps.  Meh...I've never had this issue before, but my dad said the nurse warned that this could happen.


Smellin' Like the Filthy, Rank Dog That I Am

I haven't showered or bathed in 2, maybe 3 days now and I'm sure I smell like a rank, mountain man...but oh well, it's not like I'm entertaining guests in my condition.  And according to Alex, a man's rank B.O. attracts the opposite sex with his pheromones (I'm not holding my breath on that one).

When it gets so bad that I can't even stand my own odor, I'll probably have to figure out the logistics of crawling into a tub with my injured leg hanging off the edge.  (And no I don't have someone in mind to help me with this endeavor.)


Reason for the Cortisone Shot to the Bum!

The scars have mostly all but faded but there are still remnants on my upper right arm (yes, it looks like some bulbous fat thing but that's actually my arm.)  The scratches on my belly have already faded away.  I have fast healing abilities!  Let's hope that applies to the poorly vascularized Achilles tendon as well.


Keep Dat Foot Up, Son!

Whenever I have to stand up to go to the bathroom or let my foot drop down, the pain comes rushing back as the blood pools and collects in the ankle that has been operated on, so I try my best to keep it elevated above my heart at all times.  This means I'm basically an invalid at age 26.

It's a gorgeous day out and I'm stuck here looking out from my bedside perch by the window.

Free Mystic Tan (From the Knee Down)!

FYI:  My skin isn't naturally that orange-y...they covered my leg and even the toes in some reddish-orange disinfectant, probably something like iodine. It stained my skin.

So now I have a free mystic tan on my right leg (below the knee) from Faith Surgical Center! Yay! ;-p


Why the Hard Splint?

A friend just commented that he was surprised that I will need a cast put on after this hard splint is removed.  From my limited knowledge, it's because my tendon has contracted so much and they had to pull it and then sew it together.  It's really taut right now, hence the extreme PAIN.  (Someone f'n get me some codeine or oxycontin please!  LOL...I'm actually kinda serious. Vicodin is not doing it for me.)  If it wasn't held in place by a hard splint and/or a cast, then I may accidentally flex my foot back and rip apart the fragilely-held together strands that are holding my ruptured Achilles together now.  Right now, the splint is keeping my foot in the awkward position where the foot is angled down (like when a woman wears high heels), which doesn't exert pressure on the achilles tendon.  (So now I know what it feels like to pee like a woman and to wear heels...)

The hard splint was put on to allow for some swelling post-surgery.  After a week and the swelling subsides, then a hard cast can be put on and that will be left for around 2 months to let my tendon fuse together on its own.  This is slow work though since tendons and ligaments are not highly vascularized like bones and muscles (thinking back to A&P class...I think that's right?).  After the cast is removed, then I will wear a boot for a month or so.  Then I believe finally, I can start physical therapy.  Dr. Hanssen said that recovery will be 3 to 4 months and he warned of a 20% reduction in strength but I'm hoping with proper nutrition, rest, and physical therapy I can beat the odds and get it back up to 100%.

(Beastmodal told me that he has set PRs after his surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon so there's hope for me yet.  He did say that his calf muscle is weaker but he feels like his tendon is back to where it was.)


School Next Week?

I doubt I'll be leaving the house next week due to the pain and since just letting the foot drop below my heart increases the pain.  I seriously hope I don't wind up failing Organic Chemistry II because of this.  I've already failed the past 2 quizzes and then having to miss the quiz next week would not be ideal.  Then I would miss the 3 hour lab and all those hours of lecture as well.  I'm way behind in guitar class too.  Oh well.  I think I'll pop some more pills pass out and hope for the best...

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This Would Have All Been for Naught,  If Not or Y'all!

I've spent nearly the whole fund on the surgeon and anesthesiologist already (father paid for the facility fees) but I was reminded by Ted that I'll have to still pay for follow-up visits and a long physical therapy, so I'll still be accepting donations.  Thank y'all for continuing to express your generosity with your pocketbook (#PayItForward).

Updated List of Cream of the Crop Top Contributors (Triple Digit Donations):

Jorge Salhuana
David Wu
Alex Holliday
Alvin Lin
Siby Spurgeon
Kyuha Lee
Jonathan Ko
Niven Hsu

Extremely Generous Contributors (very close to the cream of the crop):
*
Shawn Hiller
Valerie Easterling
Christina Ayala-Vance
Chase Park
James Haver
Kim Palumbarit

*Vast majority of donations ranged from $20 -50, so I needed to make a judgement call and have a cut off point for this second list (right below top contributors).  Since the amount donated could be any amount you typed in, it was hard making that decision.

There were amounts such as $40 and $60, etc.  Just know that whatever amount you contributed, you definitely helped tremendously and you are greatly valued and loved.  Thank you all.  Even to those who did not contribute and helped out in non-monetary ways as well.  Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers.

I promise whatever you dole out will come back to you double or triple-fold at least.  It's an undeniable fact of life.  Those who are perceptive enough already know this.  Skeptics will discover it eventually as well...that karma is as real as electricity.  We're all connected on this Earth and every action has a reaction (e.g., the holographic universe, Indra's Net, and all that jazz ... a friendly suggestion — watch "What the Bleep Do We Know?").

Whatever we do for (or to) another, we ultimately do for (or to) ourself.

I still need to calculate the fund amount since most of it has already been spent on the surgery... I'll post that later (my mind is foggy after taking that Hydrocodone + Acetaminophen + Ibuprofen).  (Around $200- $300 has been added to the pot since then though.)

If you don't see your name on this list, know that I still greatly value your contribution and that every bit counts, even the single digit donations.  I just wanted to provide more praise and recognition to those that went above and beyond the call of duty.  I promise to include the entire list of contributors eventually.