Day 11 post op…..I went swimming!
This morning my waterproof cast cover arrived in the post from a super-fast seller on eBay.co.uk (precisiondippings, item no. 32055871493)…I was slightly dubious that it would keep the water out; it looks like a giant swimming cap. I got my long suffering husband to drive me to the local pool, help me with my 1st attempt & on my crutches I lowered myself gently in, squeezing all the air out of the cast cover as I entered the water. It works an absolute treat! I swam in various strokes; backstroke using just my good leg was most successful, but I also managed arms only front crawl, one legged breast stroke, plus a number of floating aqua aerobics moves; I tried anything which enabled me to increase my heart rate to above 140 & keep it there, whilst not stressing my achilles repair whatsoever. I checked the cast cover every few mins, but no water at all entered it & the inside was completely dry when I’d finished swimming.
I got out of the pool after this trial which lasted no more than 20 mins…feeling FABULOUS & inspired! I can exercise safely & effectively like this, every day if I so choose……such a relief as all the sitting around has been utterly dreadful.
I’d love to know of other ATR sufferers experiences with swimming; prior to starting rehab……I’ll be back there again tomorrow…………
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YAY!! Don’t stop!
When I had a cast that needed protecting from showering (8 yrs ago, first ATR), I slipped some absorbent stuff inside the cast protector “just in case” — like some chamois/shammy cloth or (these days) some microfibre cloth. I figured it would soak up more water than the cast would, just in case some got in.
Lots of people here have really benefited from exercising in a pool, later on, in a removable boot. I think they all recommend it highly — although one guy here did re-rupture by pushing off into a “surface dive” too vigorously and too soon after getting out of his immobilization. I only recall a very few who actually swam in a cast protector, but it sounds wonderful.
And you HAVE started rehab!
Thanks Norm; that’s a good tip; my cast cover has been completely waterproof so far, but just in case, I’m gonna put a microfibre cloth inside anyway….