September 7, 2008
I had to learn how to walk again this week in PT. After doing about 5 types of stretches I was able to go heel toe instead of just heel drag. I can’t believe how tight this thing is. Hopefully the tendon grows longer so I don’t have to stretch out for 10minutes just to walk down the hall. I started doing toe raises this week (against my Mom’s wishes, haha). Hopefully I get some strength back soon. Muscle growth seems to have plateaued. I tried measuring calf circumference, but it is hard to pick off the peak measurement. The tape measure wouldn’t pass a Gage R&R test (shout out to my engineers). I got the most ridiculous exercise from my PT for doing in the office. You sit in your chair, and then try to pull yourself forward using the balls of your feet. My work shoes have about zero traction, so I just do burn outs
September 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I’m week 13 and still can’t get my heel flat on the floor barefoot. I have the extreme tightness also….Good job on those toe raises. I’m extremely jealous
Marianne
September 8th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I’m finding the more calf strengthening exercises I do the tighter my tendon gets, then I have to spend the next 15min stretching it out again. Can’t win!
September 27th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I’m Week 13, too, and still limping, but I find it brings me an interesting type of attention and sympathy in my job. I work with the tourists, who often have their own infirmities - wheelchairs and all! so they know I will understand them better. And in fact, I do. This is certainly humbling to go through in middle age, but it DID make me more aware of others’ suffering, esp. visible limping. Take a look around you! People are walking funny all around us! This week alone, I had one lady with MS and a middle-aged man with a stroke, both able to struggle with walking only a few steps, so both travelling with their own wheelchairs, permanently handicapped. I felt wonderful!
Mary