3 Days Post Op Status
Posted by bennet on May 15, 2009
So you can probably tell I have some time on my hand. My week’s vacation that I took ends today so I hope I can continue to blog daily on my progress as I go back to work.
Anyway the house is quiet. Kids at school, wife at yoga and I’m stuck on the couch. A friend brought over some good movies and will watch a movie later on today while doing some of my exercises.
So my wife asked me if this injury was a life-changing event for me. I had told her that it looks like I am retiring from squash, basketball and other high-risk ATR sports. The thought of going through another rupture really scares me and I’m going to be happy just playing soccer with the kids and swimming/golfing/biking instead of the “aggressive” sports. So I guess, this has been sort of a life-changing experience…
Maybe it’s the final realization that I’m no longer 18 years old and can disregard my body. But when I told my dad that, he told me that I was still young… Guess it’s a matter of perspective!
To help with the healing process, I’ve been going on a high protein diet. Since collagen is the protein in the body that helps with the recovery of ATR, I’ve decided to add in some protein powder into my diet. I’m taking 2 tablespoons of protein powder along with some green powder in the morning with my smoothie as part of my breakfast. No huge appetite these days but need to get the body the necessary nutrients to heal faster. I’m taking a Japanese enzyme called nattokinase as my blood thinner as I don’t like taking aspirin.
So feeling like my diet should be pretty good in aiding my healing process. I’m also tempted to look into doing injection of platelet rich blood into the injured area to help with the healing. Several baseball/football players have done this with very good results. Especially since the achilles is a poor blood flow area. Anyone with any comments here?
I’m finally down on my boot inserts. Believe we’ll be taking one of the inserts out next week so I’m happy with my progress. Three days ago, I couldn’t even get my heel down on the inserts. Now I’m resting comfortably on the insert so my achilles tendon has stretched naturally. Still trying to get to PWB. I’m still a bit tentative. Will continue to practice today. Trying to push but if I feel any pain, will back off and wait another day. It’s still early and although I want to push the body, if there is pain, I will respect my body and try again the next day. Wow, perhaps this has been a life changing experience!
May 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
an expat in China respecting their body - definitely a life-changing experience Bennett!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
LOL! Thanks Tommo. Well, at least until I’m back on two feet!
May 15th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Oh and forgot to add taking my Cod Liver Oil. Helps with inflammation and pain.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:41 am
sounds like you have a pretty aggressive doctor/program Bennett? 3 days post-op and you are in boots? how does it feel? I am still in cast for another 3 weeks, then boot, just thinking about putting my bad foot at 90 degrees to the floor scares the hell out of me!
Tommo
May 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Yes in an aircast boot that my kids call the Storm Trooper Boot. First 2 days was uncomfortable but now I like wearing it as I feel “safer” in it. (http://www.aircast.com/index.asp/fuseaction/products.list/cat/2)
I have two inserts in my boot so I’m not 90 degrees. I’m very close to PWB now. Been practicing trying to put some weight down and it’s starting to get much easier. Maybe in 1-2 days, I’ll be official.
We’ll see how the aggressive schedule goes. If I re-rupture, the aggressive schedule will be too aggressive. But so far, I don’t think I’ve pushed my leg beyond that point.
Only time will tell…
May 20th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Hey Bennett,
had some time with the Physio here in Beijing today, He mentioned that the Otrhopedic Surgeon Dr Chen in Shanghai is excellent and is the guy that looked after Liu Xiang (Chinese hurdler that won in Athens but wussed out in Beijing). Says they are more advanced down there than here in Beijing, hence you are in a boot and I am in a cast, haha.
I actually have to sell the idea of the boot to my Doctor up here as he has never used them before - scary!! Am hatching a plan to confront him with the physio next week when the stitches are removed!
Anyway, just wanted to let you know about the surgeon in Shanghai.
Tommo
May 20th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Tommo:
Thanks for the tip. Yes saw Dr Chen from Hua Shan hospital. Supposedly he treated Yao Ming for his foot injury but had not heard about Liu Xiang. I ended up not going with Dr Chen though as his treatment was pretty conservative as well.
Let me know how the master plan with the Physio vs Dr Part 1 goes.
Bennet