Weak is an Understatement
It is one of those days when jumping up and running up and down the isles would be the correct response. I will not be doing that. I did walk out of the surgeons office without using my crutches. In fact I wore two hiking boots out of the office and used my two free arms to carry all the crap to my truck.
Reality is it was really hard to do. My leg is weak and I know there is a long road in front of me. No running or jumping for the next six weeks. I swore I wouldn’t do either. So now the real fun begins. Trying to get my leg strength back will be hard.
I know there are others that will read this and feel discouraged by their own progress. Just remember that not long ago I was thinking and feeling the very same things. The best part is there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and it will be there before you realize. I’m still very much at the beginning of this road.
5.5 weeks to two shoes is exactly what I did too. It’s going to be hard- but my advice is, for the next ~7 to 10 weeks, make your #1 job: “be careful”. Until at least the 12 week mark, your tendon is still weak; probably even weaker than it feels. A lot of re-ruptures happen during month 3, as confidence grows faster than tendon strength. Try to be very disciplined: before getting out of that chair, assess for potential hazards. Always look for trip or slip dangers. Take care to place each step precisely as you climb stairs. Don’t take chances walking around in the dark without lights.
By all means, do continue to work the calf and tendon (I suggest being conservative with dorsi-flexion for a while longer). But, only work it in controlled environments, light weights, high repetitions, where you don’t expose it to sudden loads.
Excellent progress so far! I caution you only because I’ve just seen too many folks have bad setbacks, and would hate to see you do the same.
Good luck!
Michael,
Congratulations on being at 2 shoes already. Hopefully your calf hasn’t atrophied very much in that period. I’m at 16 weeks and just now trying to put some distance in 2 shoes. I started about 4 days ago and did 1/4 mile and have worked my way up to 1/2 mile I judge how far I go based on when my walking technique starts to get sloppy.
In addition to the cautions ryanb mentioned above, concentrate on your walking technique and do your best to avoid limping. Style at this point is far more important than speed or distance.
Thanks Ryan and Starshep. I can say that while walking out was thrilling, I was totally drained by this evening. My stride is way off and the strength was not there. I will be very careful over the next six weeks or more. I’m certainly scared of the everyday obstacles that I will be facing without the aid of crutches. When I came home, the ridge of the threshold was enough to remind me that I still have a long way to go. Thanks again for all the advice.
Wow, Michael! I’m not discouraged, but I am jealous! I knew you’d be in shoes quickly when I saw the pic of your ROM right out of the cast. Be careful, and congratulations on such a big milestone!!! Can’t wait to get enough flex to do the same!
Michael,
Your fear is not unfounded. Based on what I’m going through in physical therapy, I’m not a big fan of going to 2 shoes virtually cold turkey. I’m convinced that there are a lot of muscles that need to be built up before going into 2 shoes. In addition, the senses of balance and proprioception need to be tuned up. Plus there is a lot of technique that goes into walking. That all has to be relearned.
Are you scheduled for any physical therapy?
Starshep,
I am in physical therapy and it is difficult. The supporting muscles are the ones that hurt today. He also worked on the scar and that sends me through the roof. On the plus side, when I concentrate, take small steps and go slow, I have pretty good form. I’m really not trying to push this but I know that some of this is in my head and some of it is just the pain of getting better.
It reminds me of using crutches at the beginning. There were times early on when I had to just stop and sit down. By the end of six weeks I could go half a mile on them without stopping. Now I’m finding that I have a hard time just walking across the room, but I know that if I push a little bit each day, I should be walking half a mile within six weeks or better. I swore I wouldn’t jog, or jump so it will need to be walking.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Repeat!