He's Special

I already knew Brent was special, but we've even been told by his doctor a few times since his Achilles rupture in December:)

Quick history:

• December 8 - Brent ruptured his Achilles tendon playing basketball
• December 16 - Brent had surgery to repair the torn tendon
• January 5 - He got his cast off, learned his wound was healing well, and started in an aircast boot bearing no weight (even though the boot is commonly called a "walking boot", he was doing no walking)
• February 7 - We got to see his surgeon for the first time since surgery and got a good report

The first time we were told Brent was special was in the ultrasound confirming his Achilles rupture and to prepare for surgery.  Apparently, most people who rupture their Achilles tendon rupture it in the middle of the tendon (see image).  Brent, however, tore his Achilles tendon from his calf muscle (imagine higher up in his calf than the picture of the typical tear).  By the time he had surgery a week after the injury, he had a two inch gap between his Achilles tendon and his calf muscle.  The location of his injury resulted in a longer recovery plan than most Achilles rupture repairs.  Not a great way to be considered "special".  

The second time we were told Brent was special was talking with the surgeon today.  We learned about the plantaris muscle that runs from the back of the knee to the heel...in 70% of people...the rest of us simply don't have this muscle.  Strange, right???  Well, Brent is one of the 70% of people with this thin, additional muscle, which worked to his advantage in his surgery.  The surgeon was able to take this muscle (that stayed intact during the injury), splay it out flat, and wrap it around the repair to his Achilles/calf repair (Brent has surgical pics if you want to see how this worked).  This was an added bonus to his recovery in that it reinforces the repair made.  Now this was a much better way to be considered "special";)  

We also learned today that Brent will be able to wean out of the aircast boot (which he can put some weight on now with the help of crutches) and start trying to walk in a regular shoe.  Once he's in a regular shoe and putting full weight on the injured foot, he can start driving!  Losing crutches and the boot and learning he could drive were all very good news today!