Thoughts from PT
The basic premise that physical therapy helps to heal and regaine the functions we had prior to injury was seriously brought into question this week. The ultra sound was no problem but the massage was anything but enjoyable. I think my therapist is a sadomasicist. I know that he is just trying to break up the scar tissue so I don’t have problems down the road, but it was all I could do to not kick him in the teeth.
Other than the massage it was really good to get on the bike and pedal. I could feel the burn and twinges of pain, but I think that is mostly just in my head. I started doing leg exercises to work my hip and butt and upper leg muscles. It is really amazing how weak my leg is. The best part is I’m able to do something that is helping to get me back to normal. My physical therapist suggested I ask my surgeon if I can go into two shoes with heal lifts. I think he is being more optimistic than I am but who knows. My surgeon originally said I would be in a cast for eight weeks, then let me wear a boot after 3 1/2 weeks.
Now I just need to make sure I don’t do anything stupid between now and Tuesday. Do you think this counts?
Er Maybe? Ha ha!
Go for it - Being happy makes you heal faster! Michael - are you in the boot or barefoot when you bike at PT?
I have been in shoes. I’m not sure how it would be bare foot. I have hobbled around a bit bare foot but not much other than standing at the sink and in the shower. I have really flat feet and need the support from shoes. My foot on the pedals does feel weak but the pedals have a strap across them so I can work on the push and pull stroke.
Michael– my therapist did Graston massage on my calf this week at PT. It is more of a digging and scraping with a flat metal tool than what I would think of as “massage”….thankfully he stayed of the incision scar. And as you said, it was anything but enjoyable!
Mine didn’t stay off the incision. I guess the good part is that my incision is healing really well. He was just using his fingers but it felt like he was using metal.