Progress
Progress has finally been made. I am now 2 months post-op and am finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. I was at the surgeon’s office last week and he has allowed my to start FWB exercises at PT. He only wants me to wear the boot in the snow. The only issue I am having is the boot has irritated the incision area by constant rubbing. Has anyone else had this problem? Dr wants me out of the boot as much as possible because of this. For those of you just starting recovery, the light will come soon. It is a long road, but every stride of progress is a victory. Those victories come from listening to the doctors and working hard in Physical Therapy.
Good Luck to all in your recoveries.
January 30th, 2011 at 12:55 am
If you search here, you’ll find some similar stories. Try eliminating friction (rubbing) as much as possible. That could mean adjusting the boot tighter so it doesn’t shift around. Or using socks, maybe even two pair, that could slip over each other. Some kind of bandage tape over the scar when you’re in the boot might work, too.
Good luck. And be careful. You’re at a very high-risk part of the journey.
January 30th, 2011 at 11:43 am
You thought your guy was too conservative? I’m six weeks post surgery, got my cast off Thursday and was told by my dr: work on stretching your foot, see you in six weeks. No boot, no WB, no PT, NOTHING! According to him, I’ll start PT at week 12 post surgery. I haven’t read anything similar as far as a recovery plan from anybody here or any other site I’ve been on. WTF??? Any thoughts?
January 30th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Wat too consevative - go back and complain. By 12 weeks NWB you’ll have no calf muscle at all. Mine lost 4 cm in 6 weeks!!!
January 30th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I’ve called another dr. to get a second opinion. In the meantime, I’m wearing the boot I was given at the emergency room and applying weight slowly. I’ve got my foot at almost 90 degrees while in the boot. Started swimming, too, even though I was told not to.
January 30th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Wow Flanker -that is dangerous. No protection at all. I would definitley look for another doc.
I am 8 weeks and walking pretty good barefoot. Tough to wear shoes because of the friction. The PT has increased my range of motion incredibly. Swelling and redness due occur after PT though…ice and rest take care of that.
Thaks for the tips Norm…will try it out.
January 30th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Thanks, I’ve got an appointment set with a new guy.
Anything wring with what I’m doing in the meantime?
January 30th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I would be careful with the swimming at this point - My Doc doesn’t want any soaking of the leg (showers are fine) due to making sure the incision area continues to heal properly. As I stated, my incision is very irritated at the end of the day and gets dried out after a shower. I am putting Vitamin E oil on it as per the Rx.
January 30th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
If your weight bearing I’d do it in your boot until you see your new guy. I was doing lots of ROM stuff before weight bearing out of boot. Be careful as your still at a very precarious time in your healing.
January 30th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Agree w/brutus on the swimming…my doc didn’t want me swimming that early on either for the same reason, you need to let the incision area fully heal before you can “soak” the leg. Showers are fine, baths, pools and hot tubs, not so much until they verify the incision wound is healed.
January 31st, 2011 at 2:03 am
Flanker, I think you’ve gotten good advice here. You’re new to WB, AND you’re also new to your new flexion angle. Combining them both is asking a lot of your AT. OTOH, lots of us were FWB from 4-ish weeks, and at the neutral position at all kinds of timing, seldom later than 6 weeks.
But I think I’d still “waste” part of a week spacing out the new developments — like sleep in the boot at 90 degrees for a few nights, but get to FWB and comfortable walking with a small wedge under your heel (= NOT quite 90 degrees), assuming that feels even more comfortable and foot-friendly. You’ll be able to combine them very soon with full comfort, and that should be a bit safer, too.