First PT 24 days after ATR
Had my evaluation appointment with PT today. I have used this group before while trying to straighten out issues quite probably related to my first ATR 4 1/2 years ago. I have the dubious honor of being their only two-timer EVER.
I brought my Ortho Doc’s PT orders and a copy of the MRI report so that they would know exactly where the tears were. Things went well. Mostly measurements to get a baseline and some ROM and massage along with a laser gizmo treatment that is supposed to stimulate blood flow. It is standard practice to measure the affected ankle against to unaffected one to establish expected results. I wonder if anything makes sense when you are comparing a damaged foot to a previously damaged foot. When healed I will be weaker than I was on the right but the left was weaker than the right so now I should be evened out–right?
My directions are to stay in the boot but to work at range of motion and improving circulation via heat and movement 3 x a day.
PT is scheduled 2x a week for the next 8 weeks. I feel like I am in good hands and it sure was nice to get out.
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You ask great Qs, Chuck! If your PT (or anybody) measured your strength and/or ROM deficits 4-ish yrs ago, you could use that to compare, if you’re lucky enough that your L leg overtakes your R. Otherwise, you’ll just have to scratch your head and guesstimate.
I never noticed a strength of size/shape deficit after my first ATR healed, and my second-ATR leg will always be weaker and a bit skinnier — though neither in a way that affects any part of my life — so I didn’t have that “problem”.
Is is normal to feel a tingle shoot down my leg when I scratch behind my knee? I’m guessing it was from my nerve block from surgery. It’s also still in a cast and when I give myself the Thompson test I really don’t see my foot move much. Is this normal, or is the cast keeping this from happening?
Masons I dunno re the shooting tingle, though lots of abnormal feelings are common in our situation, with or without nerve blocks.
Most people can’t self-administer that test even when they’re NOT in a cast. In it, there’s nowhere for your foot to move… I’d spend your spare bored time doing something more productive. If your AT repair DID come apart, getting your calf muscle to contract would just make it worse. If there’s good reason to fear, call your OS. If not, give your head a shake.
Well I can administer the test really easy on my other leg so I was trying out my atr leg, and wondered why I wasn’t seeing the same result. I really don’t have free time. I teach all day and coach in the evenings. So I guess I’m not a patient that can sit home and recover all day. I’m on the go all day. The feeling shooting down my leg when I itch the back of my leg just feels odd to me, and I didn’t know if there was anyone out there that has had a similar feeling. Cast comes off on Tuesday, looking forward to it! Can’t wait to see my leg, wash it, and start the process of walking again.