Achilles Tendon Rupture to Recovery, A Pre and Post Operation Impact Story

At Experience Momentum, we provide an integrated wellness approach that connects the dots between physical therapy, massage, nutrition, and fitness—and how it all relates to our body, our mind, and our planet. 

Our expert team of Physical Therapists, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, Massage Therapists, Personal Trainers, Fitness Coaches, Assistants, and Aides work together to create an individualized care plan around our client’s goals. 

But what does that look like in action? 

To answer this question, we’re walking you through a client case study (we like to call it an Impact Story) to explain how truly interconnected our body is and how impactful it is to treat the whole person, not just isolated pain points. 

The Story

Dan is an EM regular who, according to his personal trainer, Erin Melton (ATC, CSCS, RYT), “Always comes in with a growth mindset and a hunger to learn everything he can about his own body and where else he can find growth and progress.”

“Dan has always been active and strong, but, as many athletes do, Dan had blindspots that he didn't know about and over time led to injuries,” Erin says.  

Dan’s injury occurred in April 2022 when he suffered from a left leg Achilles tendon rupture.  

“I was familiar with this injury because I had ruptured my right Achilles 35 years ago. I immediately looked into getting in to see a doctor and scheduling surgery,” Dan says, “I also knew after surgery that I would need to get into physical therapy, so I contacted Experience Momentum to pre-schedule PT appointments because I have had great success with previous injuries there.”

The Goal

By working with a Physical Therapist both pre and post-op, the goal was to create a plan of action that would help Dan optimally rehabilitate and, eventually, fully recover from his Achilles rupture. Luckily, Dan was incredibly proactive in booking sessions with our Physical Therapist team around his surgery date.

The Process

Rehabilitation is a vital part of recovery, but equally, so is nutrition. Dan was receiving personal training with Personal Trainer Erin M. (ATC, CSCS, RYT), who advised him to contact an EM Registered Dietitian Nutritionist prior to his operation. 

Dan says, “I immediately scheduled a consultation with Crystal F. (RDN) for a post-op vitamin and nutrition plan.”

“Prior to surgery, I had a consultation with Crystal,” Dan says, “and we had an in-depth review of my situation and made some vitamin recommendations to start immediately after surgery. I also scheduled follow-up meetings to discuss nutritional advice during my recovery and ongoing vitamin plan.”

After his surgery, Dan started the post-surgery vitamin plan Crystal had designed. When he returned to his surgeon for a post-op evaluation, “he was extremely impressed with how great the ankle looked after just 5 days! He said he hadn’t seen an ankle look this good after 5 days in a long time!”

Dan’s physical therapy sessions with Dr. Stephanie (DPT, FAFS) and Dr. Robby (DPT) started two weeks after surgery –and he scheduled his personal training blocks to coincide with PT sessions so the entire EM team consulted about his overall recovery plan to work together towards his goals seamlessly.

Our care team created a recovery plan that “would strengthen those other muscles that were now being impacted by surgery, crutches, and a boot,” according to Dan. 

The Results

“They were able to consult with each other all the way through my recovery to discuss issues, restrictions, and guidance on rehab, exercises, and nutrition. They provided a smooth transition from PT to rehab at EM with personal trainers and fitness coaches,” Dan said, “Receiving personal training was a huge success in my speedy recovery!”

Two weeks after his follow-up appointments, his mobility and stitches were looking great. Dan was off crutches after a few weeks and out of the boot at night a few weeks after that. Dan said, “My final evaluation with Dr. Belfie was met with amazement on how well the wound healed, my strength, and my mobility in such a short time!”

The Long-Term Benefits

A few weeks into his post-op recovery—with the approval of his PT doctor, personal trainer, and fitness coach—Dan started attending Taylor Carney’s (PT, DPT, FAFS, CF-L1, CSCS) fitness classes here at EM. Proper technique and safety is built into the fabric of our fitness team, and Taylor embodies these coaching attributes, guiding individuals based on their current capabilities.

Dan said, “She changes individual exercises based on current or past injuries and that day's condition, not just for me but also for others that were in the class.”

“EM’s fitness coaches are more than just fitness coaches. They can be PT Doctors, PT Assistants or aides, they are all trained and mentored with PT Doctors. EM’s fitness coaches have guided and supported my total recovery back to 100% and more,” Dan said. 

“You will find yourself in better shape than you were before the injury with the rehab support that you get in personal training and fitness classes,” Dan finishes. “With the transition from PT to personal training and fitness classes, I have not only recovered 100% but have made huge gains and improvements in my overall fitness! Not bad for a 65+ year young person!”

Why Integrative Care Plans Work

“Since coming to physical therapy, then joining fitness classes, personal training, massage, and seeing our dietitians, not only has Dan's body gotten stronger, his injuries have diminished and led the way to increased overall strength in all the ways that will keep his injuries from coming back and in a greater range than before. 

More importantly, though, Dan has grown in confidence and fitness competence, fully taking the reins of finding his own blindspots and working on his fitness both within our doors and outside of them. 

He already traveled with sunlight emanating from him, but he carries himself with even more confidence and happiness now and has really bloomed into this health and wellness comet. He is a joy to work with, and we're all very happy to see him thrive, despite the injury setbacks along the way.”  –Erin, Personal Trainer, ATC, CSCS, RYT

Dan’s recovery and support team at EM:

Doctors of Physical Therapy: Dr. Stephanie, Dr. Robby

Dietitian: Crystal Franck

Personal trainers: Erin Melton, Taylor Kamiya, Salvador Sepulveda, Kyle Rosales

Fitness class coach: Taylor Carney