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Written by a patient
2nd January 2020


I sustained an Achilles Tendon rupture on the 2nd January 2019 and after a protracted diagnosis at my local hospital I was subscribed a boot by the outpatient doctor and after lengthy process I had an ultrasound examination which indicated a 3 cm gap in my tendon. Despite this severe injury i was prescribed to continue with wearing the boot. Through my insistence i was eventually given an appointment for an operation on my heel however, i found out that the doctor was a knee surgeon and after having the likely complication of doing the operation explained to me I decided that I was not prepared to take the risk and asked for the operation to be conducted by a ankle specialist. I was eventually referred to Peterborough hospital where I was met by Dr James Carmichael on March 2109. From the outset I was impressed and reassured by Mr Carmichael's approach and professionalism and no longer had any reservations or concerns about going ahead with the operation. I was given to understand that given the passage of the time since I sustained the injury the bridging of the gap between the two ends of the tendon may prove difficult and may require taking a tendon from my toe to assist with bridging the gap plus the additional issue of scar tissue build up to contend with. I expressed my wish to go ahead with the operation and Dr Carmichael pleased with my decision. On the day of the operation I was taken through a comprehensive pre-operation check and was met by Dr Carmichael who again explained the planned procedure, the likely duration it would take to complete and the fact that I would be met by him again after the operation to give me an outline of how the operation had gone and the next steps etc. After the operation true to his word I was met by Dr Carmichael who explained he was pleased with the way the operation had gone specially as the gap had reduced aided by the wearing of the boot and there was no need to take any tendon from my toe. there was however, a substantial build of scar tissue which he had to contend with. I was told I would be able to go home the following day and would go through a period of rehabilitation during which I would continue to wear the walking boot and would have my wound checked and dressing changed on weekly basis. I was told by Dr Carmichael to feel free to contact him should I feel it necessary at any time until the time the boot was due to be taken off after which he would meet me again in order to advise of the next phase of my treatment and that it would most likely be a period of physiotherapy. When the time came to take the boot off I was met by Dr Carmichael again who carried out the relevant tests and was happy for me to commence with the physiotherapy treatment. I was told I would be contacted in due course in order to sign me off once the physiotherapy treatment had ended. I met Dr Carmichael on New Year's Eve 2019 and after almost a year since I sustained my injury I am now fully recovered and my ankle is able to function to 90/95% of its full potential. My scar on my ankle which is about 6 inches long is hardly visible and I am most grateful to Dr Carmichael for his skill, professionalism, approach and openness. In my life time I have had a number of operations due to sport injuries which include a back operation on L4/L5 of my spine, Shoulder ligament reinforcement and a broken thumb and in my opinion given my experience Dr Carmichael is one of the very competent professional I have met in NHS.

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