Week 4 - Get on your boot, yeah. (hey hey hey)
Today I “got on my boot, yeah. Sexy boot, yeah.” :) Well, no, not really. Just that it seems to work with the U2 tune pretty well. (Aside: I’m not actually that much of a fan of this song. But I admit after 20+ listens, it does grow on you. Whenever I hear it though, I can’t help but think they’re borrowing from someone else on this song - I can’t put my finger on whether it’s melody or lyrics, but there’s something. Aside from that, there are so many other better U2 songs - even better songs from new album).
After the cast was cut off and before the doc came back to check it, I was given a washcloth to clean my leg a bit and assess the situation. I “tested” carefully how much weight i could put on my foot and the answer is not much at all. Foot feels a bit floppy without something holding onto my leg. But putting some weight on the foot in sitting position felt like a comfortable next step as a start. For the first time I saw the extent of calf atrophy. Pretty wild stuff.
Achilles @ 4 weeks (boot install day 10/28)
Calf atrophy comparison (boot install day - 10/28)
Doc said it looks good. And as recommended by a few of you, I pushed the doc to get some questions answered (thanks again!) Doc said I could do some gentle up and down movements with my foot as far as stretching exercises but that’s about it.
I was told I could finally wash my leg, but one question I forgot to ask, maybe I’m just being too cautious, but if anyone else who knows can comment, is it okay to get the white tape wet? I’m still taking baths anyway so imagine I won’t shower until I can get more comfortable on that leg.
Of course the big news today is getting out of the cast and into a boot! Does this mean I’m officially PWB?! I know I can finally wash my leg and also been told I can sleep at night without the boot on. We’ll see how that goes! All ’round, I guess it’s a good step forward.
Phase 1 of Conversion to become Bionic Man / Terminator.
Filed under: Uncategorized and
Hey! I got out of a cast today and into a boot, too. I am 4 weeks post-op and I was expecting another cast at the doc visit today. I don’t know why I was so clueless. I think I’ve read too many of these blogs late in the night and others’ experiences have taken over my brain. My boot is much shorter than yours and way less “bionic” and much more “frankenstein”. I am supposed to still be pretty much NWB - still crutching full time.The foot feels so weird and fragile on its own. It’s liberating and scary all at the same time. It was suggested that I sleep in this beast. Good luck to us both!
Hey Kath! Congratulations to your milestone! I’m probably not PWB. My doc doesn’t really give me much info for each appt, so I’m probably premature in saying that. I’m still full crutches too, but being able to put some weight on the foot without pain feels like such nice progress I probably want to say I’m PWB sooner than I really am… we’ll have to compare our progress along the way! Cheers!
Brian
Hi girls, I had my 2 week post op today to remove stitches. I had been in a splint only NWB with my foot pointed down. I expected another splint with a degree change for 2 weeks. My doctor surprised me and wants me to start wearing my boot now NWB with crutches. Over the next 2 weeks he wants me to keep removing one of the wedges (3 to start) with the hopes of getting to 90 degree(flat foot) at the end of the 2 weeks.( I’m going to double check that timeframe with the nurses in the morning) Then I am suppose to start 25 % weight bearing ( this would be 4 weeks post op) then 50 %, 75 % until full weight bearing on a flat foot still with crutches thought not walking. when I return to the Dr. in 4 weeks (at that time I would be 6 weeks post op), I don’t like the boot, it is so heavy and I am feeling soooooo old “60″ I’m using the boot for 1-2 hours at a time, mostly setting just to stretch the calf & tendon gradually. It does burn a little, but seems to be able to handle it. Then I remove to boot to give my leg a break while hobbling on the crutches. He also has no problem with me sleeping with out the boot (this is only 2 weeks post op) so I would think Kath63, that you could sleep without the boot 4 weeks PO, just don’t forget to not stand up on it in the morning. I did have a full rupture, so he seems to be moving very fast to me, but maybe has found that getting back to 90 degrees as soon as possible is best to reduce stiffness and artheritis (sp)in older patients. Anyway glad to see I’m not the only one carting this stupid boot around. Paulette
Good Day and Congratulations on your milestone………happy to hear things are progressing along for you. I have my first post op appointment on November 3……..I’m pretty excited to say the least. Cut off the old cast, take out the sutures…..get a good look at how the foot is healing up. I’ll be sure to ask some questions as well……..hopefully my boot-wearin’ days aren’t too far off! Best wishes on your recovery………..Stroh!
I was puzzled by the white tape and when I asked, the nurse told me I can remove it myself, best once it is wet in the shower. I felt squeamish having to do it myself - but it was all right.
I was taking showers (not bath) until I saw that the wound was all well closed and dry.
My surgeon told me to PWB for a week and put more weight on it as I feel it comfortable. I guess you need to get used to the 0 degrees also.
So did you sleep in the boot?
It was such a joy to be free, I found trying to sleep in the boot worse than in the cast. (I was told to - but I could not take it - the boot is bulkier and hotter than the cast)
So… slept in the boot last night. Very uncomfortable. I was so scared of letting the foot ‘freewheel”. Out of desperate sleep deprivation popped half a percocet at 1 a.m. and slept like a baby. I have been Tylenol only for weeks and I’m a real lightweight with meds, but I was near tears (ok, in tears). Tonight hubby is back so maybe I’ll try w/o boot b/c if anything happens he can pick up the pieces. Making peace with my post-op foot. I don’t have a cankle, but rather a heenkle (heel/ankle). Wound looks tidy, but man do I BRUISE!! Showed it to 15 yr. old daughter for sympathy points- it worked
Paulette. Thanks for considering me one of the girls.
Definitely sounds like a very aggressive recovery schedule for you! I guess the main thing is if you feel comfortable and aren’t hurting yourself doing it, then it can’t be bad. But it seems like everyone here seems to have such different approaches to recovery from their docs. I agree the boot is heavy. I’m looking at the positive that it will help build the muscle again by having a bit of extra weight to lift for a while. I wish you all the best in your progress!
Stroh: Thanks! And best of luck for your recovery! Hopefully some of my learnings I’m passing along will help others.
2ndtimer: I’ll have to ask about the white tape next time. I admit I’m a bit afraid to see just what it’s going to look like without the tape, definitely good for Halloween though.
2ndtimer+Kath: Agreed. This boot is definitely hotter and more uncomfortable to have on. Since I feel somewhat comfy putting some weight down and knowing I’ll be careful in my steps, I’ve loosened the strap around the foot to give a bit of air breathing room. It seems to help a bit.
My first night in the boot was not fun. I was very careful with “Floppy” the Foot. I woke up several times in the night, not a very good sleep. I must have had similar fears of turning the wrong way. I did elevate my foot on a pillow and noticed that my foot had fallen asleep and got a bit “pins and needles” tingly. Wore off once I got up but still. I don’t think I’ll elevate any more.
I had better success last night. This time I put together 2 pillows side-by-side and put my foot in the middle, just to keep it straight and somewhat rigid in the same spot. I did turn onto my side once or twice (I could rest my foot on one of pillows which gave me a sense of comfort that it’s soft and won’t be cause for concern - I think I’d be more worried if it was a harder surface like mattress), I was very conscious of how my foot was resting.
I can totally see how it would be rough sleeping in the boot. It definitely feels good to have my foot be free. I think it’ s more of a mental milestone hurdle of progress for me.
Kath, I’m sorry to hear it was a difficult time for you. I know what you mean about the worries we create mentally for ourselves. I don’t know if any of the pillow ideas may help ease your mind a bit, I know it helped me. But I’m glad to hear that hubby’s home to help and you’re getting sympathy points from your daughter! That’s great! I love the “heenkle” idea. My “Floppy” the Foot has a friend in “Wobbly” the Calf. When I’m sitting, my left calf muscle looks like it could get blown by the wind in comparison to the right. This process is really quite fascinating to me!
Slowly but surely! Best wishes everyone!
Bri