Advice about wheel chair
September 29, 2011
Am thinking about getting a wheelchair for a month to scuttle about the house. Bringing a coffee from the kitchen to another room is a challenge on crutches! The issue is not about avoiding crutches, I’m pretty good on them and do not lack the upper body strength to maneuver easily. Rather just thought it would be more efficient to get about, I work from home so setting up a temporary office in the living room seems like a good idea.
I’m giving myself a week to get some strength back and then I’d like to spend a few hours a day being productive.
Entry Filed under: ATR recovery, Uncategorized. Tags: achilles tendon injury, atr, ATR recovery, wheelchair.
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1. ryanb | September 29th, 2011 at 11:59 am
If you’re alone at home, then perhaps this is not a bad idea. Sometimes It’s tough for me to accept help, but during those first couple of weeks, I really had to rely on my family to take care of me- bringing over a drink from the kitchen being a good example. At work, I’d ask co-workers to bring my lunch from the microwave back to my desk for me.
My biggest scare came when I went over (on the crutches) to grab my cell phone off the charger. I was on the kitchen tile floor, and the dogs had spilled some water. The crutch slipped out from under me and I came down - reflex - onto the bad leg - which was not in a splint/brace at the time. I hurt it… but fortunately I didn’t HURT it. That was a potential disaster.
I got around quick on the crutches. As I made each progression, I actually slowed down. I was slower when I started PWB in the boot. Slower still when I took out a wedge. And slower yet again when I went to FWB (no crutches). But, liberating my hands to open doors and carry items was a huge improvement in my self-sufficiency.
For the most part I’m walking full time in the boot. But, I’ll take the boot off when I’m resting with the foot elevated (or sleeping). When I need to get up and around for something quick, I’ll still use the crutches- because it’s a lot faster to grab them than to strap on the boot. When in that mode, I still have to ask for help to move/carry stuff around.
Get yourself an easy to use back-pack. And though they look kind of silly, maybe one of those drink holders that hangs around your neck.
2. ali | September 29th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Hi, I had one on loan for a few months, I asked for an elevating leg rest which takes up more space but it was more comfortable for me. I used it outdoors. You might want to look at renting a knee scooter indoors. I preferred this at home because it meant being at ambulant height (with basket in front, love it). Hope this helps.
3. ryanb | September 29th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
This is the other option I’d seriously look at. I didn’t discover these until later in the process… too late to justify the expense. But if I was just out of surgery, I’d be looking seriously at it:
http://www.iwalk-free.com/
I even found a few used on ebay and such.
Ryan.
4. jjniss | October 1st, 2011 at 11:02 am
Yeah, now I’m thinking about getting a knee scooter instead of a wheel chair, at least to start. I’m confident on crutches so will use that outdoors. Can’t go very far anyway till I can drive again. Injured the right leg, poor choice of torn tendon location! I think I read somewhere that most right handed people tear thet left tendon, I’m a lefty so perhaps that explains it!
5. shootingthebreeze | October 1st, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I’m a righty and did my right Achilles ?!?!
I’m driving ok, bought myself a big, cheap, automatic with sensible footwell space and big pedals
Insurance company were cool with it, I checked first!!!
Doesn’t seem many motors can accommodate the requirements of the boot, so I ended up with a big motor. To be fair, I need a motor big enough to transport family and windsurf kit about, so I ended up with a Mercedes Benz E320 … Easy to drive in the boot
Good luck with your rehab