Aug
18
First physio yesterday, then walked home.
August 18, 2009 | |
Had my first physiotherapy session yesterday afternoon.
- The worst thing was I didn’t really learn many new exercises to do.
- The best thing was I didn’t really learn many new exercises to do, because I already found them on this site…thanks guys!
What did I get for my A$112?
- Some ultrasound stimulation…no offence, but this rings my “quack alert” bells. Got a nice rub in the process at least:-)
- Some stats on my ROM as a baseline:
Dorsiflexion: less than -5 degrees (vs >-15 degrees for unaffected leg)
Plantar flexion: about equal, a couple of degrees less than unaffected leg
Eversion: a couple of degrees better than unaffected leg (probably due to lots of practice walking on outer edge of foot following smashed up big toe knuckle some years back)
Inversion: a couple of degrees worse than unaffected leg.
Most of the ROM limitation in dorsiflexion is coming from the achilles (duh!) but there is still some tightness in the joint due to swelling.
- Got some tips on massaging the tendon and mobilising tissue over the scar.
- The main thing I got exercise wise was the instruction to go on to more intensive stretching and strengthening work. Basically I’m to do everything from the 12-24 week section of the rehab plan below over the next two weeks. Then I get a review with the aim of moving on to single leg heel raises if I can do it. A bit ambitious but I’ll give it a shot.
http://achillesblog.com/files/2008/03/achilles_tendon_rupture_mass_gen.pdf
- The other instruction was to start riding my bike without the boot, but on flat pedals so I could moderate the force on the achilles a little more. I assume this doesn’t mean the same sort of riding as peterh recently posted a picture of on his blog (for which I will certainly keep the boot!).
After the physio session I walked the 2.6km (1.6 miles) home - I did use a trekking pole for the second half which is more significantly uphill.
Today my leg is a bit tired (particularly the muscle in front of the shin) but overall the achilles is not too sore. If the rain lets up, I think I’ll walk home again.
I’m updating my NYC Marathon widget now, as I don’t intend to be limited in any way by the time the southern hemisphere summer rolls around…
I can smell freedom!!!
Comments
2 Comments so far
- dsut4392 has completed the grueling 26.2 ATR miles to full recovery!
Goal: 152 days from the surgery date.
Click here for the Group Marathon Tracker
- dsut4392 has completed the grueling 26.2 ATR miles to full recovery!
Well done for walking home.
That website link is fantastic, I think it is worth all of us reading it.
I may have to have a second operation so I have already printed it off, there is more information on that than I was given. Would have known nothing had it not been for Dennis setting up this site.
Keep up the good work.
Annie
Way to go. Walking sounds great.