7 weeks out… Getting used to the boot
Hello folks ~
this week marks my 7th week past surgery and the end of my first week in the boot. My first few days in the Aircast were rough. After experimenting with a few different kinds of socks and playing around with the tightness if the straps and the air pockets it became much more comfortable. In fact, I was given the green light to sleep sans boot next week and I can imagine letting my leg out of it’s protective case is going to take some getting used to.
I went out for something other than a dr appointment on Saturday! I went to hear some music. The chairs at the venue were placed very close together and I could barely fit the boot under the seat in front of me. After a couple of hours I could feel my foot swelling so I braved crutching up the narrow and dark aisle with worries of going ass over teakettle in front of the entire music hall. I made it out just fine and the bartender actually set me up with a tall barstool away from the crowd for the second half of the show.
Another first this week was tackling the bus. I rode it to an acupuncture appointment. I was surprised and pleased that the stairs to get in turned out to be easy peasy (I am back to NWB). Also made a stop at the pharmacy. All in all it was productive and tiring and I am now certain that I am not ready to make the 35 mile (and 2 bus changes) that would get me back to work.
Also had my 1st pt appointment. They gave me an exercise and a stretch for my left leg because my Achilles on that side had become very painful. That ankle also got an iontophoresis treatment. The therapist was very helpful and she gave me more info about my injury than anyone else has. She showed me a litte scar massage and eased my mind (an left leg) by telling me that it was okay to use the boot occasionally for balance… On the same day I removed a wedge.
Yesterday I was still feeling strong so I worked on many chores around the house. The more I did the more ‘normal’ I felt so I kept on pushing. Today I am paying the price. Even my fingers hurt. It has been a good lesson about pacing myself.
So, in a nutshell, that has been my week. As always, I have a few questions for te group. Please chime in if you would like. The knowledge and experience of this group is what has gotten me through thus far. Thank you all 
Scar sensitivity and healing. Any thoughts? I had been using vit E but stopped because it seemed to get super tender. Now it is getting dried out and angry again.
Bathtime. Is hot water bad for my healing leg? The rest of my so badly wants to soak but it gets tingly and seems more swollen after being in the hot water. Is this common?
Swelling after removing wedge. Normal?
phew, sorry for going on and on. :)
on July 25th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Hi Shannon, I too felt tightness and swelling after removal of wedges. Remember, your achilles is being put under new strain to which it hasn’t felt since just before you-know-what!
I hear you re bath time as well. The hot water swells my ankle and I really don’t feel like going straight back in the boot afterwards.
Unless your scar hasn’t healed, you can’t do any skin damage. It’s good for getting rid of dry skin too.
It’s good to hear you’re getting back to normal, I’m trying my best too. Hobbling about in the boot without crutches has been a long time coming, but its really liberating.
on July 25th, 2013 at 11:17 pm
I haven’t had a bath in about 20 years but couldn’t resist it, I HAD to soak after I got the go ahead. So I did and it felt pretty good. My foot swelled a bit but it wasn’t all that bad. To me it was worth it, I rested, elevated and did ice which helped.
I too used Vitamin E oil but now am using a regular body lotion. The reason - I lost the bottle of Vitamin E oil, but both my doc and PT both recommended it.
on July 26th, 2013 at 1:53 am
Hey lady….. Glad to hear your doing well. I had an extremely painful time last weekend. Sunday night, I soaked my feet in cold and them warm water. I did feel much better afterwards and Monday I felt better than any other day with the boot. Could I say it was because of my warm/cold routine, I don’t know, but I think so.
Keep up the great work! Glad to hear your doing well.
on July 26th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Wow you are amazing getting yourself out and about!! I am lucky to have a 15 year-old son with a permit. He just loves driving me around! Or rather he HAS no choice but to drive me around but what’s the difference?
Every new phase caused me some pain and swelling. Every wedge removal meant another day on the couch! As for the bath - my doc was super paranoid about the incision and infection. I still feel like I am sneaking around when I get in the pool at 9 weeks!
At 7 weeks I am guessing you are fine but keep an eye on the incision.
I massage vitamin E oil into my incision every night and it feels so good - I pretty much get my whole ankle (and the sheets)! Ahhhh…. I would say do what makes it feel better.
on July 28th, 2013 at 12:20 am
You said you’re back to NWB but you didn’t say why. What’s that about?
Try to keep progressing without losing the sense of INCREMENTALISM.
on July 28th, 2013 at 5:19 am
Hi, I am on week 7/8, but I didnt have an op. i regularly bathe my leg, massage it, and take the vaco boot off when I get the chance to sit in the sun.
Each notch that the boot moves is just fab, and I must say I dont get any real pain. Im not super brave, just lucky perhaps?
I see my consultant on Tues, should I be asking about PT? Thanks
on August 6th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Hi folks! Thanks for the input. In is so helpful to hear from those in the know. Am very grateful for the advice and kind words