62 days: progress and frustration
- 62 days post injury, non operative, NO pain of any kind since day 3 or 4
- healing is going unbelievably well
- FWB aircast at 4 week (two wedges)
- Down to single wedge at 45 day
Plan: Two more week in aircast NO wedge
One week in shoe with single wedge
Followup in three weeks (83 days total), PT AFTER that visit, although current activity without the boot is doing some amount of work on ankle / calf / tendon.
Dr knows I have not used the aircast 100 of the time but wants to stick with this plan, being conservative (by his own words).
In reality I will do a mixture of shoes around the house and short trips, aircast for longer days / more walking, and air travel.
I think my docs viewpoint is this: the aircast is not hurting the recovery, but is providing much greater strength and protection, particularly against a miss-step or severe strain on the ankle/tendon complex.
So, frustrating in the short run..
Thanks for reading
on October 4th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I think doing a mixture of shoes and boot may be under-rated as a rehab strategy!
I almost smacked my surgeon, 8 years ago (1st ATR, post-op), when he called himself “conservative” one time too many!
Keep healing, and keep Watching Your Step!
on October 5th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Well done you, always great to hear from people who are so close to total recovery. Gives those of us further away hope. Thank you and keep up the good work.
on October 5th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
You will be there before you know it. The first few weeks are the hardest for sure. Once you get your walking cast (and knee scooter!) you get your mobility back.
And your AT is healing while you lead a reasonably normal life.
keep on keeping on
on November 22nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Brad, I’m happy to hear about your smooth recovery–I’m also non-operative and have a doc (OS) who has never had a non-op patient before & although has not uttered the word yet–is conservative.
I’m at 7 weeks, 2 days, FWB in a boot, but I don’t expect to be cleared for PT until my 8 week, 3 days appointment on 11/30. I see that you were on about the same schedule and I’m debating whether or not to just wait until my OS clears me or find a PT this week & get started. Any input is appreciated…
Also, when you went to two-shoes did your OS clear you first?
on November 22nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I was not “officially” cleared to two shoes until around 11 weeks. But I did a fair amount without the aircast in weeks 8-11, as i work from home and have hardwood floors without trip hazards.
I think you REALLY have to push your ortho to get answers/opinions.
The longer the wait, the greater the atrophy
on November 22nd, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Brad, when did you start with a PT?
on November 23rd, 2010 at 11:14 am
Officially, my ortho allowed for PT at 11 weeks. But he does NOT send his patients to a Physical Therapist; he gives them exercises to do on their own.
For me, I am focusing on getting the heel to rise while leaving the ball of the foot / toes on the ground.
So, from a seated position, i placed a pillow and weight on bad leg, then did heal raises, two count up, four count down.
Until I can raise my entire body weight, this seems to the best controlled way to isolate calf/AT
brad