Overdue post…
I think it has been about three weeks since I posted, so figured I should give a little peep.
Since getting out of the boot around May 21, I have limped my way through days, weeks, airports and hotels and am happy to report that all is well. My limp is still prominent, but I’m no longer moving at a snail’s pace. I was in Chicago walking down LaSalle Street during rush hour late may and felt I was causing serious congestion due to my pace. Now, I’m failry speedy although my step length is far from equal. I would estimate the difference at max speed is 75% of full length for the bad foot.
I saw my surgeon this week, and he cleared me of any restrictions. I think he has sensed that I push myself about as much as is sensible and that I won’t go too far beyond what is right. He told me the bump in my achilles about 1.5 inches above the rupture site s likely due to the suture where it grabs the tendon. Keep massaging it and it should disappear, he said. Fine by me.
I have been rubbing vitamin E on the wound for the last four weeks and it looks pretty good. I should see if it actually spells something in morse code -.-.–.-.
At work my advisor gave me my annual review today and she told me one of my strengths was my left calf. I tore the right one. Funny gal. While I’m feeling pretty good, I’m a bit frustrated that the calf is still so weak. I try to walk and bike regularly - I did a 1.5 hour ride clipped into the pedals last weekend and will attempt 2 tomorrow - but the calf is still a limp, wet noodle.
Patience, I know.
On the positive side, Kobe had surgery one day after me and he’s about 9 days behind me in getting out of the boot. perhaps I should getting ready if he can’t make it for the start of the season…
OK, maybe not.
I am quite amazed at the huge variation between people, doctors, recovery times and experience. I have talked to my doctor once since my surgery and I will likely not see him again. He is totally confident in my recovery and my own ability to manage it. No word of PT or to be careful about specific activities. He said cycling is good and that I should walk a lot, and that is what I’m trying to do. I really don’t feel any restriction now other than seeming older than I think I am. My time in the cast was about 2 weeks, and the boot 3 weeks. My foot still swells up without a compression sock, and turns all sorts of colors when I get out of bed, but besides the time in the cast, I have had an easy run of it. Reading many of the posts, I feel I am lucky that it has been so relatively easy.
My doc strongly feels recovery is faster with the operative route, and he said he was aware of the UWO study. Yet he insists non-op is for older folks who have the time to heal. While he may have read the study, I’m not convinced he believes it, but then again - he is a surgeon.
I’m not complaining, though. My foot feels good (much better than it looks…) and I’m experiencing progress, albeit slow. I’m off to Europe on vacation on Sunday, with many miles of walking ahead of me. I have a coterie of compression socks and sleeves for my calf and a strategy for getting around.
The only thing that bothers me is that the only things I have spent money on lately are compression undergarments…
Heal well, everyone.
Sounds very solid for 9-ish weeks post-op. Don’t forget that even “sound” (uninjured) athletes build strength best when they leave time (like a day or two) for recovery between workouts.
You crack me up. Let us know what the Morse code translation is–my guess is probably something like “unzip here.” Glad your review went well too–I like her sense of humor! Let us know how the wet noodle progresses–I’m looking at my own wondering if it is ever going to look al dente! Thanks for the update. Good luck!