Week 4 (Non-op)
I am mid way through week 4. My next appt. is 4 days off. I am now in the Air Cast and was advised to have no weight bearing and use crutches. Upon reading the non-op blog (Mostly Norm’s) I have gone to NWB, to PWB, to a some FWB. My ATR feels better when I am PWB - FWB. My only complaint is my heal ‘feels’ like it is being chaffed from the air cast, but upon inspection all is fine. I assume this is okay and doing no damage. I am also now sleeping with the air cast, all is fine. I have not even attempted to take one step without the boot. I don’t want to jeperdise my recovery. Having said all the above. At my appoinment this week, I am assuming that I will have the ‘heal lift’ taken out of the air cast and told to use the cast without the heal insert for the next two weeks. Does anyone think that because I am now basicaly FWB without crutchs that I will have something other than the air cast ?
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Sounds like good progress, Consi, don’t stop! And don’t stop Watching Your Step, either.
The UWO protocol left 2cm of heel lifts in for 6 weeks (and got very good results). 4 weeks might also work fine (or even better), but it’s never been put to a rigorous scientific test, so it’s a crapshoot. Some time after FWB, it’s time for 2 shoes. Not yet. ‘Til then, you’ll stay in the boot, at least most of the time. I think hinged boots are a useful tool for making the transition, just based on my experience and common sense, no convincing studies, AFAIK. It’s usually not worthwhile to buy a hinged boot after buying a fixed boot like the Aircast. (Hinged boots can be made fixed, but not t’other way ’round.)
There are some tricks to make the boots more comfy. If you can put a sock on that foot without scaring yourself silly (or hurting yourself), that often eliminates chafing. Most of us had discomfort or pain on the bottom of our booted foot (often worst under the heel) when we started FWB, and squishy footbeds help for that.
I agree with Norm, I too felt lots of sensitivity on the bottom of my foot. I also experienced all the skin peeling off due to no pressure or wear and tear. I am over a year on with the non surgical method and couldn’t be happier. I too used the air cast to good efffect, a little slower that you admittedly but still with great success. As Norm says just watch your step, Good luck with your progress LL
Thanks for the information. I just returned from 4 week check up and I am remaing in the boot with the heel lift. I return in 2 weeks. Merry Christmas