Four weeks post ATR, bearing weight
Well, it has now been four weeks since I had my ATR event and things are going well. As you can read in earlier blogs, I did go the surgery route, a few days after the injury, and I am happy that I did. My scar is healing very well and I have no more tender feeling in that area. I have a mostly desk job, but when I sit up with my feet down for most of the day, the leg still gets swelling each day, but that too has gotten better.
I am now testing some weight on the leg a little more each day. I do this with my boot on, since I figure I need the added stability and support, but I don’t have any pain in the leg when I do some weight bearing. I am flexing the ankle multiple times a day to try and get some stretch in the repaired achilles. My next doctor appointment is on Monday, when I hope to get permission to do more full weight bearing.
Cheers!
June 11th, 2011 at 11:32 am
My next appointment is also on Monday (hmm, we are eerily similar now). And I believe I will get the OK to start PT. When I went into the air cast from the fibreglass cast, the doctor said “You can put weight on it, you’ll find you can put your full weight on it. But keep using the crutches.” And then scheduled this next appt. for four weeks from that date.
I did continue to use the crutches as he advised . . . for about a week. I soon found that I could put the crutches aside, and hobble around by putting my weight on my bad leg and then bringing my good leg to meet it. It made a world of difference — now I can carry a coffee to the table. At Norm’s suggestion, I started trying to walk with a more normal gait, and roll through on my bad foot. That’s going great too, now I’m just experimenting with different shoes/boots on my left foot to try and get both legs closer to the same height for walking.
From everything I’ve read, weight bearing “as tolerated” is a good thing. I spoke to a friend who is a physio- and massage therapist, and she said putting your weight on the tendon (AFTER the first NWB stage!) is absolutely beneficial, it facilitates healing, strengthens the bonds between fibres and the functional alignment. Which makes sense when you think about it, and sounds pretty great to me. SO, not to unduly influence you against doctor’s orders, but I bet you could take a few steps around the house without crutches now, if you wanted to.
BTW, I’m also thinking I will try your driving trick for short trips this coming week. I can’t take being stuck asking for rides much longer, and my CRV has no centre console in the front seat either. Wish me luck!
Deana
PS. Go Canucks Go!
June 11th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Deana: Thanks for the advice. I have been trying some steps without the crutches today, and all is good so far. I still need to get more toward a normal walking gait, but I will get there as I build up confidence. I went to the gym this morning and moved around a bit between stations, if my crutches were nearby. I found that the rowing machine is a possible cardio exercise that you can do with your boot on. Just strap in your good leg and leave the boot leg to the side.
I do wish you luck with driving. I have no idea about Canada laws, so you might check that, but I can attest that driving with your left foot is really pretty easy. Move your seat up so your left leg is a little closer to the pedals. (by the way, if there is a Canada law against driving while having a booted leg, take your boot off while you drive. If the policeman stops you, you can always move your right leg back over as if you were driving right footed the whole time. These are the type of things a person with an ATR thinks about when they have a lot of time on their hands.)
Let’s compare notes after doctor appts on Monday.
How about those Canucks! One more game to win the Cup!
June 12th, 2011 at 10:44 am
ChuckP…for what its worth I remember the boot very well! I hated it. Each week was definitively better for me. After two weeks in the boot I was full weight and than the Dr transitioned me to an ankle brace (lace up) to prevent rolling my ankle (and reduce swelling) since the area was so weak. I think it helps to do work your ankle (rolls, inside/out, up/down) when you take your boot off to break up the scar tissue from being immobilized, let pain/discomfort be the guide.
Just be careful taking those baby steps….I stepped on my kids toy and it sent me through the roof when I stretched my new tendon a little too much. There is no hurry…each week will get better, significantly better. RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) helps a ton!!! Of course, your Dr told you that..
Atrain
June 12th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Atrain - thanks for the good words. Please get back to me after you play golf on Wed. and/or Sunday and let me know how the leg felt. I am extremely anxious to get back out on the course soon. I’d love to be playing on Father’s Day, but I will just have to resign myself to getting golf related gifts this year, instead.
Hit ‘em straight!