Trekking Poles for long walks in 2 shoes?
Yesterday my PT told me I cannot use my Boot EVER again. It’s causing too many forefoot/toe/front of ankle problems, and my AT is doing just fine and I don’t need the boot anymore. I’ve been in 2 shoes about 2.5 weeks now. I’ve only been using my Boot for road walks longer than a mile and trail hikes of 4-5 miles. I live in New England, so most of our Woods trails are rocky, rooty, wet, and the hills are steep but not too huge. The boot helps prevent all the scary foot movement and makes my foot feel “safe” and protected. I miss trail running so badly and the hikes have kept me sane. I have the permission of my Ortho to hike with the boot in the woods all I want “within reason”. But my PT has said that each time I strap that boot on I am setting myself back again with the forefoot stuff. I am supposed to be able to start running next month, but not if I can’t push off through my toes and use my whole ROM.
I’ve been singing a twist on an old Beach Boys song: “She’ll have fun, fun, fun, till her PT takes her cam boot away….”
The PT suggested going back to flat trails (here that means Rail Trail) and using Trekking Poles. I’m thinking this sounds like a reasonable compromise. So, here is my question: have any of you used trekking poles to take some of the pressure off your AT foot? ( in my case the AT feels ok if a little tight, but the front of my foot is stuck and can’t move thru it’s full ROM without nasty pain) If you find the trekking poles useful, do you use 1 pole opposite your AT foot like a cane? Or if both poles, do you prefer to use “opposite arm/opposite leg” like walking/running, or “both poles in front with AT foot/step” like using crutches @ PWB?
Thanks so much for any suggestions! I know this is not the worst problem to have, and I am thankful!
hillie said,
July 19, 2012 @ 12:27 pm
Hi
I’m at 20 weeks now and increased my hillwalking a few weeks ago. I use either 1 or 2 poles depending on the terrain, and usually wear my hiking boots. These boots give all the support and grip that I need, at least while I’m using the poles. I use the poles in the alternating manner which works great. I haven’t used my achilles boot since week 10, and even during that last week it was only when outside on uneven ground.
I hope that this helps.
kimjax said,
July 19, 2012 @ 2:04 pm
Hi - I’m behind you - but I won’t put my boot back on because it’s causing me the same issues. I tried it a couple of times and it set me back. Love my Vaco boot - but it becomes a liability at some point…
eastcoastrunner said,
July 20, 2012 @ 11:54 am
Hillie– thanks for the info on the trekking poles. I’m glad to hear they do help. Looking forward to getting back to hills. I actually don’t have hiking boots, though. I’ve always done all my hiking in trail running shoes. I couldn’t wear hiking boots or any hard backed shoes with the AT degeneration and the extra boney growth all across the back of my heel. OUCH! I hope the trail runners will have enough support. Only one way to find out!
Kimjax–let’s have a boot-tossing party! My boot is falling apart, muddy and smelly anyway, I guess it’s time to send it off. Just putting it in the trash seems so undignified though!