Achilles & Ankle Recovery Guide · Prosper, TX
A phase-by-phase guide for Prosper athletes, and where certified, hands-only MLD fits around your surgeon and PT.
Book Recovery MLDWeek by Week
These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline.
Weeks 0–2
What usually happens: Splint or cast, usually no weight on the leg, and lots of elevation. The foot and ankle are at their most swollen, and blood-clot precautions matter most now.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Usually a rest phase. If your surgeon approves, very gentle drainage of the thigh and groin nodes can help prepare the leg's drainage pathways, without touching the splint or incision.
Weeks 2–6
What usually happens: Stitches out and into a walking boot (often with heel wedges after an Achilles repair). Weight-bearing increases as your surgeon allows. Swelling often pools in the foot by the end of the day.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Often the most useful phase for MLD: 60-minute sessions moving fluid from the foot and ankle up the leg, with the boot off only if your surgeon allows.
Weeks 6–12
What usually happens: Weaning out of the boot, walking in shoes, and PT for ankle range of motion, balance and calf strength. Swelling flares after long days on your feet.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Sessions as needed after flare-ups. A 120-minute session adds work for the hips and low back, which often tighten from limping in the boot.
Months 3–6
What usually happens: Calf raises, hopping drills and, when cleared, a return to jogging. The repaired tendon is still remodeling, so progress is gradual.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: MLD for swelling after new loads; sports massage can be added for the calf, hamstrings and hips once the area tolerates pressure.
Months 6–12
What usually happens: Cutting, jumping and sprinting progress in stages, and return-to-sport testing follows. Achilles repairs often take the longest of any sports surgery.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Occasional recovery sessions around training, tournaments or a new season.
For Prosper Athletes
Bleu Massage is about 15 minutes from Gates of Prosper, Frontier Park, Prosper Town Hall and the Tollway at US-380. Book recovery sessions around school, club seasons and PT without a long drive. Certified, hands-only MLD by Maria Her, LMT, CMLDT.
Other surgery guides: ACL recovery and rotator cuff recovery. Other injuries: sports injury & post-surgery lymphatic drainage.
Who Will Treat Me?
Licensed massage therapist (MT137227) and Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist, trained by Klose Training in the Vodder technique (45 contact hours, written and practical exams). Every session is manual: hands only, no machines or devices.
Frequently Asked
Only with your surgeon's approval. Many athletes start once stitches are out and they're in a walking boot, around 2-3 weeks, but your surgeon sets the timing. Bring written clearance to your first visit.
Swelling collects in the foot and ankle because gravity works against it. Gentle MLD moves fluid up the leg toward working lymph nodes, alongside elevation, compression and your PT.
Only if your surgeon allows it. If the boot has to stay on, Maria works the thigh, knee and any area you can safely expose.
No. Maria works around the incision and never presses on the repaired Achilles or ankle. Drainage is feather-light, on the skin.
Yes, with your surgeon's clearance: ankle fracture fixation, Brostrom ligament repairs, ankle arthroscopy and other foot and ankle surgeries.
No. Heat and deep pressure aren't used on swollen or healing tissue. Every session is manual and feather-light.
Call your surgeon right away, or seek emergency care, for calf pain or sudden swelling in the leg, warmth and redness in the calf, chest pain or shortness of breath. These can be signs of a blood clot. Also call for fever, drainage from the incision, or a sudden pop or loss of push-off strength.
No. These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline and restrictions.
Related
60 or 120 minute sessions. Appointments confirmed within 24 hours.
Book Lymphatic Drainage