Keeping up with things but tomorrow returning to work. Wondering how much swelling will be a problem and if I will be comfortable for a full eight hours at my desk.
I have found that pain in the heel directly correlates to time on the elliptical. The boot is hard to do a lot of activity in. So I made a minor modification to my boot today. I have the Bledso and it’s at neutral. I pulled out a ’superfeet’ insole and about .5 inch heel wedge and contact cemented it to my Bledsoe insole. I’ve not been given any wedges or instructions to use them from PT, but this did help with alleviating pain with activity in the boot. Elliptical more comfortable and I am going to try a longer ‘crutch walk’ later today. (will try and post a picture later today)
Also got a little adventurous and tried mounting a bike on my indoor trainer. It’s not the clamp type, just rollers you have to balance on. First I have to switch mounting technique because I’m used to planting my bad foot first before putting my right leg over the bike. That was awkward. I practiced using my clipped-in pedal on my bad foot to be sure I had the strength to unclip. Felt fine to do that. Then I mounted and put both feet into the clips and started to pedal. Did I mention this is a single speed? Just too hard right now to counter the initial resistance to pedaling with my bad foot. But I had to try.
I’m a little more adventurous in my modified running shoes. Walking around house, up and down stairs, etc. (uh, limping/shuffling, not really walking)
Smish responded to my last note commenting about the usefulness of massage. I’m doing it now at least 3 times a day after ROM exercise. Only been at it for a couple of days but swear I feel a difference in the swelling around the tendon already.
Hi there…
You will experience swelling as long as your foot is down. I was on a flight wearing a walking boot from San Diego to Houston, then onto London Heathrow. My foot swelled up pretty good. Every night in London I iced and kept my foot elevated while in bed. My swelling lasted a few months. As time passed swelling wasn’t as apparent. Today it’s just a matter of getting my leg back to full strength.
Today I’m 7 1/2 months Post OP. I have not detected any swelling for some time now. Try to keep your foot elevated when possible. I was back in regular shoes at 8 weeks. Limping yes, but PT cured that. I am still very careful not to step on any uneven pavement, etc. Hang in there. Good Luck!
Glen
Hi Bill,
I hope work went well today.
Are you going up and down stairs turned sideways, like I did at this point?
You tried getting on rollers? Wow, you’re bolder than me, but then I only tried rollers once, with the predictable ending. I imagine rollers are old hat to you.
Best wishes,
Doug
Hi Doug,
Yes, with good shoes, I am going up and down stairs. I strategically place my foot going downstairs so that midsole is at edge of stair and even with a little weight I’m not going to be doing any flexion beyond neutral. I also am pointing the foot sideways going up and down.
I’ve been out of the boot more than in the boot lately. I wear it only for long outings and when I am on the elliptical.
thanks for your support here,
Bill
Hi Bill,
Going up and down stairs is one place I’ve always been extra careful, worrying that one slip could ruin everything.
How you’re describing using stairs is what I did about 4-8 weeks postop. From 2 1/2 to 4 weeks, I turned my body completely sideways, kept the bad foot out front, (like the “silly walk”), and kept my hands on the handrail.
Maybe my fear on stairs is justifiable, with an autistic teenager and three large dogs in the house.
It sounds like things are going great for you!
Doug