FWB and Walking Like Frankenstein
I thought this day would never come! Doc changed the angle on my boot to neutral (90 degrees) and cleared me to full weight bear. To shed the crutches and finally hobble around the apartment (albeit gingerly and sloth-like) is a huge milestone - both mentally and, of course, physically! And to think that only 8 days ago I was NWB and miserable…
I also got a scrip for PT today. 2-3x/week for 6 weeks. Luckily, the PT clinic is located downstairs in my work building. Talk about super convenient! My first appointment (and my first day back at work) is next Wednesday, March 18. I’m actually a little nervous about going back to work seeing as my brain probably atrophied more than my calf muscle over the last 6 weeks.
The first steps feel really, really, really weird. I’ll get up out of the chair and gently place the ball of my foot on the ground. Meanwhile, I’ll gradually place weight on the heel until my weight is evenly distributed among both feet. There’s a slight “pins-and-needles” sensation when all the weight is on the heel, which totally freaked me out (I am assuming this is normal?) but it goes away pretty quickly once you start moving. Yesterday, I was still using one crutch to get around, but then I graduated up to a cane. I can maneuver around without it, but it’s probably safer to have something there for support and balance. I can’t stand up for more than 5 minutes at a time without my calf muscle barking at me due to fatigue. Simple and mundane daily activities such as brushing my teeth can become rather tiresome because my calf muscle is so weak. Oh well - I’ll get there eventually. I’m just happy to be on my own two feet again! And my wife is happy that she doesn’t have to wait on me hand and foot (no pun intended) anymore!
So to recap:
Jan. 23: Ruptured right Achilles tendon playing indoor soccer
Jan. 29: Surgery (spinal anesthesia, outpatient, fiberglass splint/cast)
Feb. 13: NWB in a CAM Walker (105 degrees and splint/cast removed)
March 4: PWB
March 11: FWB (90 degrees/neutral)
March 18: PT begins and I return to work
March 25: Next post-op doctor visit
April/May: Two shoes!
Hey Famin
Great news on the fwb. I am wk 5 post op so hopefully when I see the doc nest wk he will give me the all clear for fwb.
I have already had my 1st physio sessions. He just massaged the achilles to start the break down of scare tissue. Maybe we could exchange tips?
A tip my physio gave was to freeze a bottle of water and roll it under your foot and massage the calf with it. He said this will help for when you do into 2 shoes.
take care
Robby (UK)
Famin: There is the Frankenstein walk or the penguin shuffle. Either way, I agree, it is nice to move around on your own. My surgery was January 29th as well. My doc is moving me a little faster with weight bearing and shoes but I am paying for it a little and having to spend a lot more time on my keester. Sometimes I have to go back to the safety of the boot. Oh well. As of yesterday, I can make it until about 1 or 2 in the afternoon before my leg is barking at me. The nice thing is that as soon as I get sitting with my feet up and get either ice or heat on it, it settles right down. I am looking forward to the day when I can be up all day and not pay for it at all. I guess we will get there.
-Smish
good news!! glad to hear all is going well…i am going to update my blog soon as i am almost FWB keep it up
Nice work Famin–The FWB is a chore with the boot and slow going. I had to go the the eye doctor today at the Mall of America and was counting on renting a wheelchair for the long trek around the mall so did not bring my crutches. Well, they were all rented out by the time I got there so I had to walk-slowly. It wasn’t too bad but I was definitely sore by the time I got home. Now it’s back to work with the boot on tomorrow. Keep up the great work!
Great work, it will get better, I’m FWB as of yesterday, but have been testing it out earlier than that in small doses. I’ve also been back to work since 3 days after surgery and on my feet alot during the day. So I think this has helped my strength and recovery too. Always listed to what you body is saying and you’ll do fine. If it hurts get off it. Do lots of stretching and ROM stuff. Day by day and step by step we’ll all be back doing what we want to do.
JIM
Almost forgot. I’ve found getting a boot/shoe with a high heel helps with the height difference. Also try to walk tall and point toes forward instead of dragging it around. You’ll do more for your calf and less wear/tear on your knee and the rest of your body for walking awkwardly.