Is Working Out Good for Us?
I have read several folks’ blogs about how they are working out early in the recovery phase of our injury. I have felt guilty about doing so many things that the doctor has not discussed with me or released me to do. Just like eriedutchgirl mentioned in her 4 – 5 week post, I, too, have been working out like a madman since my ATR five weeks ago. Working out has kept me sane throughout my recovery period. Up until about the fourth week post op, I had been using my crutches as my cardio workout (unlike many of us, I love those crutches). Although I have been in a boot for about three weeks, I continue to use the crutches occasionally when I engage in walking around my neighborhood. I begin with the crutches and end up just walking after a warm-up. I am so angry that I cannot get a real cardio workout with sweat and a significantly raised heart rate included.
Although I was not released to do so, I also exercise in the pool in my subdivision. I thought I could breast stroke without involving the afflicted leg (right); however, I could feel some pulling in the tendon and decided to halt all true swimming activity. Now I just stand on the good foot, use the arm movements of the breast stroke, and propel myself forward. Although I do not increase the heart rate as much as if I was doing the breast stroke, after about thirty passes in pool, I feel some fatigue. I CANNOT WAIT FOR PT!!!
I have also completely revamped my diet and have lost between 15 and 20 pounds since my injury. I have also lost almost 3 inches in my waistline. I continue to lose weight although I am where I want to be (as it relates to size and weight) at this point. Hopefully, the weight loss will stabilize.
Although not released to do so, I am driving with my boot on; I have gotten very good at it, too. I know, I know - I shouldn’t do that. However, it’s just to the gym and around my community.
I have a doc’s appointment today at 3:00 pm and am just biding my time here at work. I am hoping that he will allow me to ditch the boot and go with 2 shoes. I have two sets of shoes with me (three including the dress shoes I wore to work with my suit) awaiting the end of the appointment when I hope to walk out of there with 2 shoes. I also hope he releases me to drive.
The question I pose to you is “Am I doing too much too soon?”
That’s it for now. I hope your recovery is progressing as quickly as mine (knock on wood). Here’s to a speedy recovery.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
My personal rule of thumb is that if following doctor’s orders, let fear and pain be your guides. I would think long and hard before exercising in a way not explicitly approved by your doc - there could be dangers you are not thinking of and it is not worth risking rerupture (in my mind). That being said, I tend to bug my doctor a lot. If you have a question, call - don’t wait for the next appt.
I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to get to 2 shoes - the boot really does protect you from overextending that tendon. Again, not a doctor, but I would rather have that protection for longer while that tendon continues to heal…
Ed
June 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
At first, I was gung ho to get back to my workouts. My personal trainer said,”Lets wait”, I thought he was saying that because he didn’t want to work with me out of guilt for the injury, since it happened during one of our workouts. But now, I realize maybe I needed the break. I am at the point now, 8 weeks post op, that i’m starting to get antsy. I can kinda do stuff, but not. I can kind of walk, but not. I have been thinking about starting to do some upper body workouts. Even though I had Dr clearance, I just kept thinking to myself, “If I get on the hand bike, am I going to be able to crutch back to my desk? I decided against it. I talked to my trainer on Thursday and he mentioned working out, my PT said today to ask Dr for an ok to swim. I guess now its time. 3rd post op appt tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
drkpllrd - I echo Ed’s advice. I wouldn’t do too much, espically without the protection of the boot, until you’ve spoken with your doctor. I would also be careful using the pool until you’ve gotten the okay from your doctor. Pools can be a breeding ground for bacteria which would not be good if your incision isn’t completely closed. You can still get a pretty good workout just doing pushups and situps. You can also do leg lifts with your boot. It’s not the cardio work you’re probably used to, but it will still get the blood pumping. Good luck with your appointment.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:21 am
I am doing a lot of upper body work but I am cosely following my doctor’s orders about PWB and lower body work outs. He said in all the years he has repaired ATR’s (with the “Mercy Hopsital Method”) he only saw one re-repture and that was because the person was not following the protocal — went to FWB too early, etc, etc.
Anyway, I can’t afford to have any hiccups in this recovery so I am towing the line. But my upper body and abs feel GREAT!
Good luck to you! I am in awe that you could be in two shoes at five weeks. I am at five weeks too and feel about a month away from that!
You wil LOVE PT it is has kept me sane and I feel progress everyday. Keep us posted!
July 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Today I went for my second appt post-op and was amazed to learn that I, too, will be going to two-shoes. I had not even thought it possible, so had not brought a shoe. The younger and the senior surgeon both thought that I was an excellent compliant patient, that my wound was well-healed, and that I would be careful. With patients more careless (and they’ve seen a lot!), they would not allow it.
So I am to drop in on Tuesday with some sport shoes and even buy my own inserts from Longs or Walgreens!
No boot? No intermediary step? Of course, nowhere near PT yet, either, they said, just will begin alphabet-spelling.
After reading about reputures, I too am rather puzzled and worried, almost glad that I have until Tues to reconsider!
(or pick up a boot from ebay?)
Mary