9 weeks down, and a few questions about shoes
In my last update, at the 4-week mark, I was getting ready to be extracted from a gravity equinus cast. I wrote that my doctor wanted to put me in another cast, at plantigrade, for six more weeks. However, on advice from the folks here, I talked to my doctor and he gave me permission to use a removable orthopedic boot. I chose the VACOcast Pro Achilles, and that’s worked out well for me.
My next consultation isn’t until this coming week, at which point I expect my doctor to progress me to shoes.
However … I’ve already been experimenting with shoes on my own. At the 8-week mark, I felt able enough, and tried on a pair of sturdy trail shoes. I’ve been walking in these shoes around the house, and then using the boot for everything else.
At first, it felt like I was using someone else’s foot. A few days later, it still doesn’t feel like normal walking. Not that I was expecting to hop into shoes and cruise around, but I’m also not pushing too hard. Just like the transition from PWB to FWB, I don’t know if I’m physically ready but mentally holding myself back, or if a full-ahead charge will put my recovering Achilles tendon in jeopardy.
Anyway — here are my questions.
1. What advice did your doctor give you on how to manage the return to shoes?
2. Are there any particular activities/actions around the home you found to be difficult in shoes?
3. Would it be risky to go barefoot around the house?
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Dave - you have done well to change your doctor’s mind. What you are doing around the house is also good and the shoes you are using i.e. sturdy trail shoes are very good for support. I assume there is little flex or twist in the sole. They should bend at the ball of the foot and have very little or no twist. Going barefoot around the house may be OK for short distances but you will limp more due to the lack of dorsi flexion and limping is something to avoid. Managing a return to shoes is varied and you could get lots of different responses. Easing into the way you are is good. I used one crutch outside for a few days just to keep people away. I also had some wedges in my shoes to take pressure off the tendon. This helped me walk better and I removed them over a couple of weeks. I also took the boot with me in the car but never needed it. Avoid uneven or slippery surfaces and crowded places until you are confident.
I didn’t get into shoes until quite a bit after you, but I found a heel lift to be a godsend. I used it for about 2 days at full height, then kept it at the lowest level for a couple of weeks.
1. I was told to go without the boot - only at home and wear the boot while outside until week 10.
2. I actually started walking around the house without the boot around week 6 and the most difficult aspect was balancing myself and any type of eccentric bending of the ankle.
3. I walked barefooted since week 6 and did not slip even once. I did almost slip two times - but it was in the boot!
I have to advise you that walking around barefooted (I have marble floor) is not as comfortable as wearing a well cushioned sneakers (I have Nike Flightknit).
Even walking on carpet is easier.
But I felt that it helps me recover and progress faster - so I liked walking barefooted.
Thanks for the advice, Stuart, djflight, and Sneaker!
Ended up being progressed to shoes, and it’s going well so far. Heel lifts have been a great buy — I ended up getting an Achillotrain for my healing Achilles tendon, and I can walk without a limp while wearing that.