First Physical Therapy Session
Posted by bennet on May 14, 2009
So went to my first PT session today. He has me doing some light plantarflexion exercises (point toes down and allow for the toes to naturally come up) and toe curls. 4 times a day, 10 reps each. He then did some light calf massage (which felt really good) and then hooked me up to the machine that gives the electrical impulses on my calf. Then 15 minutes of ice on the achilles heel while applying heat pads on my calf. That felt kind of weird having both heat and ice applied at the same time. I will see him 3x’s a week for the first two weeks and then 2x’s a week for the next few months.
Wasn’t expecting too much this early on after the injury but guess the massage and electric impulses will do the leg good.
I’m putting more weight down on my boot today and almost have my heel down on the boot inserts. I’m probably putting about 10% of my weight on the foot. Both Dr and PT want me to be FWB without crutches in 7-10 days so need to try and put more weight on it in the next few days. Maybe tomorrow or the next day…
May 15th, 2009 at 12:11 am
hey Bennett, how’s the heel? I noticed you were from Shanghai - I am living in Beijing and ruptured my AT on Sunday playing footy in the park! Just wondering where you had yours operated on? I went for United in Beijing (they have another one in Shanghai) as supposedly the best care available here, but advice I am getting (particularly from specialist) Seems conservative in the extreme based on what is written in the blogs (6 weeks in cast, old-style procedure etc.). Anyway mate, hope everything is going well for you. I hear you on the swelling and pain the first couple of days but I am on day 3 now and mostly feel ok, hope you do too.
Cheers
May 15th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Hi Tommo:
I had mine operated at Shanghai United, the same hospital chain as yours. Treatment protocol is really up to the surgeon and not necessarily shared even within one hospital. I eventually chose the after-surgery treatment protocol that I was most comfortable with first, and that led to the doctor and the hospital.
I spoke to several doctors at Shanghai United about their after-surgery treatment protocol and they all varied. Some had me in an above the knee cast for 2-3 weeks and then changing to a below the knee cast for 3-4 weeks before being fitted in a boot. My current doctor had the most aggressive schedule and I felt comfortable with his approach so opted for him.
Ultimately, you need to be comfortable with the protocol that your dr has prescribed. Encourage you to ask your doctor about more aggressive approaches and hear what he says. Maybe he’ll place you in a boot sooner if you both agree that this is the best approach. You should at least ask the questions and see if it makes sense to you.
The last day has been great. Pain is mostly gone, even at night. Good luck on your rehab and let me know how it progresses.
May 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am
how many weeks did you start, if I may ask?
May 15th, 2009 at 10:25 am
hi mattmecs: not sure what your question is. i just started physio yesterday which was 2 days after surgery. I’m going 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks and then 2 times a week for the next 4 months. After that, probably 1 time a week for a few months.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Nice one Bennett, thanks for the tip. It’s also a relief to know I am not the only laowai to be doing this in China!! There was actually another expat in the room next to mine at the BJU, same injury, same day, same surgery.
I will definitely speak to my Specialist about aggressive recoveries. I am 30 and very fit prior to the injury so assume that will work in my favour also. Interestingly, I already have the physio and the specialist playing each other off, ie. Physio says my Doc is conservative and will push for 6 weeks in the cast whereas he thinks if we work hard we can push him for 4, pretty funny stuff.
Keep smiling,
Tommo