Feeling so capable and yet so delicate…
I am forever testing myself during this healing process (it’s better than being bored I guess) and today I feel I’m progressing beyond the boot in terms of ability, at the same time I feel so fragile……examples:
1) My RoM is well beyond neutral now, if I take a position like in the kimjax pics - my knee is touching the frame
2) I can walk in trainers and go up and down the stairs barefoot, tendon/calf is a bit tighter going downstairs than up
3) I walked from my car to the house (30mtrs so nothing huge) in my trainers
But at 8 weeks POST ATR and conservative healing, I remind myself now of how delicate this freedom is right now - I feel very aware that I am in the zone of not having enough agility or muscle to react to the unexpected and potentially do more harm.
So after every test or exercise I do, I force myself back into the boot, mine is hinged so I get to walk and use my ankle in that controlled environment…….
Andrew - you sound like you’re doing better than I am! I’d give anything for more DF, but I’m afraid I’m going to need a scary scar tearing like Eva to get there. On the other hand, my AT feels strong - I have no fear of walking around or pulling on it. Congrats on such fast healing!
Hi Andrew,
Be aware anything can happen at any time……on my week 8 of recovery I went to spend a week end with friends (new environment) and walked into a dark bedroom put on the light and it didn’t come on straight away (Eco friendly) and my natural instinct was to carry on walking only to fall over my suitcase and then the light went on…..I’m on week 3 in plaster second time around! Words cannot describe the feeling. Best wishes David
@Kimjax, it’s a false ‘better’ though, your DF is much better than your scar tissue allows right now plus you have more strength and agility. It’s only a matter of time before that comes good….fingers crossed that’s soon for you
@davidb - my point exactly, achilles healing is a bit like snakes and ladders - if it tears or snaps (an unprotected trip or fall could cause that) again, then you could be sliding down the biggest snake on the board and it’s back to the beginning…..I need to remain disciplined for the next 4 weeks, that boot is the ‘get out of jail free’ card on the monopoly board
Confidence can be a bad thing. I am feeling really good at the moment, walking bare foot with a little limp achilles is sore and tight but more than bearable.
However, last night, enjoying the soon and doing a BBQ I walked outside into the garden and with my ATR leg stood on a smallish stone right on my heel. As the pain went through my Heel I move my leg sharply off the stone and felt an immediate twinge right across the achilles / calf. It did swell a little more than normal but seems to have eased again this morning
I guess it was natures way of telling me stop being over confident and I am back to watching where I step again
I really wish I had been more cautious. Tread safely everyone! Finishing this marathon of recovery is most important. Unfortunately, just going for groceries isn’t as simple as it was before the injury as it is a trip riddled with hazards.
You lot are scaring me, only 4 week in tomorrow. I was reading this without my boot on!! Guess what its ON now!!!
Hi Andrew
Moving over, as you suggested, from Eva’s blog.
It wasn’t any industry bias that made me suggest that symposium - it was the very natural technical interest that you have in your physical state of repair and the progress being made to help with many orthopaedic conditions.
Hi Hillie,
No need to stress about it mate, I just felt it a shame we all hijacked someones recovery blog like that….
I really appreciated the offer - this occurence is interesting to me, but just nowhere near enough for me to travel all the way to Bath and incur other associated expenses to attend a seminar.
**END**
t’s ok Andrew. And I’ve not been called mate for a while - equality or what?
We’re all mates here serving or already served a tour aboard the HMS ATR
Andrew, if you’ve been keeping up with the schedule in the UWO study, then 8 weeks from the start of treatment is when they “wean off boot”. Sounds like you’re starting to do that. Yes, there are scary things in the world, and yes, you’re still vulnerable to reinjury and even re-rupture for another 4 weeks or more. And yes, a hinged boot will give you a sheltered environment to rebuild some of your tendons and muscles and ligaments and proprioception “feedback loops”. But I’d gradually relegate it to scarier environments and slide towards shoes (or barefoot) in safer ones — always Watching Your Step, of course!!
Funny you should say that Norm - took my longest drive out today since my return behind the wheel of 50miles - I’ve kept my trainers on and continue to walk around the safe areas of the home - anything but the boot feels uncomfortable so I am hoping that my foot becomes more familair with regular footwear sooner rather than later.
Andrew…. Slightly off topic, but I have just noticed you are a Brummy?
Brummy and proud