atr2014’s AchillesBlog

6 Responses to “ Cast off and first PT session! ”

1. # 1 nosport45 Says:
   July 25th, 2014 at 12:10 pm

   So glad you’re doing so well. Someone suggested standing near kitchen worktop with hands resting on it and shifting weight from one foot to other before trying to walk FWB. I found this worked pretty well for me. Then I did a sort of half step walk once I became confident. Felt like I wouldn’t be able to walk FWB but it does come eventually. It feels so good too. I just got a raise put into my shoe so now my hips are level which really helps to walk as normal as possible in a boot. Nice to hear you’re getting away on vacation too. Take care and happy healing.

2. # 2 dmbfan32 Says:
   July 25th, 2014 at 12:52 pm

   Its definitely an adjustment! Took a while before I was comfortable with walking and for the scar tissue to stretch out.

   Be sure to ask your therapist to work on scar mobilization. They should be doing a lot of hands on work to get your scar tissue moving, improve mobility of your arch and midfoot, and also having you start core and hip exercises. I always remind my patients that even though the Achilles was injured, the rest of your entire leg has not worked normally for the past 4 weeks since surgery.

   Hope your rehab goes well!

3. # 3 normofthenorth Says:
   July 25th, 2014 at 1:34 pm

   Sounds like good progress. I dislike big ankle angle changes when going from cast or splint to boot. There’s so much change, that seems like too much. It’s so simple to remove a wedge or move the hinge, surely it can wait a day or three. And of all the ways to get an ankle to DF a bit more toward neutral, going into a boot where your heel can’t hit the bottom of the boot is the worst. If you lose your balance you rerupture! But casts and boots are supposed to be protective, not threatening! Sorry to vent, but this is frustrating!

4. # 4 atr2014 Says:
   July 27th, 2014 at 2:22 pm

   nosport - I did exactly as you said and shifted my weight from one foot to the other on the kitchen counter and was successful in bearing full weight on my injured leg.

   I’ve been wearing my high heeled wedged sandals to even out the height of my legs as best as I could and have been walking around my house without crutches. No pain at all but my leg does tend to get a little sore after walking about a little bit. I am amazed that I was able to walk around (with the boot) after being out of my cast so quickly! I’m hesitant to do too much so am only walking around my house without my crutches and doing my ROM and stretches 4-5 times a day. I’ve noticed my ROM is improving but still have a LONG way to go. I’m hopeful that I might be on schedule to go to two shoes within the 8 week time frame my doctor has me on.

   dmbfan32 - it isn’t so much my scar tissue (internal) that was hurting me but my scabs being ripped when my leg was stretched to a more neutral position after being “on pointe” with my cast on. The scabs were formed in a “scrunched” position. Thank you for your suggestions though on the exercises as well as the scar mobilization I need to discuss with my PT.

   norm - it definitely was a HUGE change from cast to boot in ankle angles and agree that it didn’t have to be that extreme but other than the first night, no pain thereafter. I find the boot (as well as cast) very protective and actually scared for the day when I will have to transition to two shoes! Talk about feeling vulnerable!

5. # 5 nosport45 Says:
   July 27th, 2014 at 4:10 pm

   Glad its going so well. I felt FWB happened over night. One day I couldn’t next day I could. Was surprised. Think you’re right about the day we go to two shoes, I’m feeling nervous too. Boot becomes bit of a ’security blanket’ but sure we’ll get there. Good luck.

6. # 6 normofthenorth Says:
   July 27th, 2014 at 11:14 pm

   Ya, boot to 2 shoes is a vital and big landmark, but it’s also scary and vulnerable — like being kicked out of the womb!

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