4 months down, how many to go?
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Lets see… I made it through physical therapy and going back to work…well kind of.
I’ve been back to work for about 6 weeks now and completely off crutches for about 8 weeks. Going back to work has been really hard. I manage a store that is in a warehouse, so it involved a TON of walking, 8-12 hours a day. I did two weeks where I only did 6 hour shifts, but after being gone for 3 months, my store needed me. Recovery, I feel, has slowed since being back at work. It hurts. Bad. By the end of the day I can barely walk. I ice my ankle every night to help with the massive amounts of swelling I still have. I call myself a “speed limper” haha.
I was told that a lot of my pain was coming from where they drilled holes in my bone to reattach the tendon after shaving the bone spur (gross!) however, lately, my foot has been really bugging me. Like I notice that more than the tendon pain. I’m calling the doctor tomorrow to make another appointment. I have a feeling its plantar fasciitis again. But I refuse to get another cortisone shot, as it didn’t work the last time. I fear he will put me back in the boot to be followed by more PT. I’m know I’m pushing myself too hard at work, but with only one employee, and being open 65 hours a week, I don’t have much of a choice.
As for shoes, I’m still in my Birkenstocks. I have tried to wear shoes with a back, but there are two problems with that. 1. The swelling overtakes the shoe within about 2 hours of being on my feet. 2. It rubs and hurts the incision still.
Overall I feel I’m on track with healing. It’s frustrating at times, I miss running still also. It’s definitely put my weight loss at a stand still, but if I’m healing I’m ok with that.
Until next time all!!
-D
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Sounds tough, maybe you should look at getting a “knee scooter” for use around the shop when the leg is getting swollen. I was advised to a warm / hot as you can manage bucket of water and ice cold one and swap your swollen limb between them every minute or … how ever long you can stand it. I did not try it but is is apparently really effective at getting the swelling down?
A 65hr week sounds tough enough without a recovering leg to deal with.. Good luck, hope it improves soon.
The water techniques is sometimes called contrast bathing (google it for a YouTube video). Warm water in one bucket, ice cold in the other, alternating as SpaceMonkey says. It works, it is excruciating, try it. Instant relief, albeit too short-lived.
Dana O, I can’t tell about all of your circumstances but is it possible to alter your approach with work, with breaks/chair/footrest.
Employers in many jurisdictions have a ‘duty to accommodate’ disabilities. If your employer (assuming you’re not self-employed) needs you, they may be interested in your longevity on the job. They would not want the doc suddenly ordering you to stop working.
If it helps and is appropriate, you may consider talking to your doc about your situation and the doc may write a note with some recommendations regarding accommodation. Your employer may want to work with you and the doc so you are not suddenly told to be off work by doc. Sometimes small accommodations can make a large difference without effecting productivity…or even increasing productivity in your case.
Yikes, that sounds uncomfortable. I agree with bionic in trying to see if your employer will work with you during your recovery. 65 hours on your feet sounds like too much too soon. Have you tried a compression sock to help combat the swelling? Good luck!
Hi Dana, I’m at 19 weeks from my FHL transfer for a shredding Achilles. I still have a swollen, stiff foot, ankle and calf. When I asked my orthopedic surgeon about the burning on the bottom of my heel that I thought might be from where they drilled a in my heel bone to reattach the grafted tendon, I was told that the hole is much higher and the pain was plantar fasciata. I could get a cortisone shot or try wearing a soft boot that keeps my foot flexed at night, which seems to help. I still have to ice every night and don’t have to walk as much as you. Keep doing your calf stretches and heel lift to stretch all the tendons ndons