Mar
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4 weeks Post op Dr. Visit
March 5, 2009 | |
I had my 4 weeks post op visit yesterday. My last visit was two weeks ago. Since then I am pretty much FWB in my boot, I rarely use crutches anymore unless I know I am going be walking long distances like grocery shopping or going to CU b-ball games etc. I keep forgetting to ask for my disabled parking permit, dangit! Leading up to yesterdays visit I have been fortunate enought to have no problems at all as it realtes to the wound or pain Of course I share the same inconveinces you all do that wear the boot or have the cast, I have adapted to it and accepted that it will be a part of me for the month or so.
During my visit yesterday I met with the PA for 5 minutes then the jedi surgeon came in and met with me for 5 mintues also. PA said soemthing that caught my attention He said my achilles will never be the same, I have read many of your posts and have probably falsely set my expectations that the achilles can be as good if not better than before since it was surgically repaired. My question to the privilged society of ATR’s - Can ATR repair allow you do do all of your favorite activities for long durations pain free even as you get old. I was under the impression the answer was yes. It did not occur to me to ask my Dr. as my mind is moving a mile a minute when I am in there. I had heard him tell me before full recovery in one year so I assume that means yes but I will seek a more specific answer next time I am in there as a result of the conflicting stories by the PA and the DR.
Overall dr comments was to continue the toe raises daily, he said I can take the boot of at night to sleep but other than that to wear it all the time, He said I could start riding a stationary bike for 10-15 mintues at a time. I have another appt with him in 3 weeks. He did say I was two shoes bound in that next appt. Until then - Onward my fellow ATR’s!!!!
Comments
6 Comments so far
i had a pretty in depth conversation with my doctor about me being the same. What it boils down to (I think) is that we are aiming for a 100% recovery, and i SHOULD be able to do everthing I did before (frankly hockey, golf, and jogging are all i care about) but i will just have an increased risk of re-rupture, about 1%. i think that looks wise it will never be the same i mean we will probaly never be symetrical if that makes sense. he told me to not get ahead of myself, that PT will answer most of these questions. hope that helps. Also something i did was read posts for folks that are 8, 10 12 months post op to see what they are doing and it seems that everyone has pretty much returned to normal life. Me personally I will probally never play flag football again, just a little too scared.
Great to hear you’re doing well.
I have been FWB without crutches for awhile like you. How’s your swelling around the ankles now? And how much ankle rolls you do? I did some little, but was fearful of stretching it out too much since I’m actually suppose to be NWB.
Also, hope you get your parking permit soon before you go 2 shoes, it has helped me very well to say the least.
As for your comment about going back to normal. I’m sure it’s going to be mostly mental even you’ve rehabbed well. I actually had an ACL reconstructive surgery 7 years ago and it took a year to play basketball at a level I am comfortable at. Yes, my quickness isn’t the same anymore, but the point is to enjoy the game that makes us feel like athletes. The key thing is to be able to play again.
Glad to hear about your progress and that you have a green light to take the boot off at night and to start on the stationary bike. That is real progress. I’m hoping to get the same go ahead on my next visit and to start weight bearing. I have tried a bit of stationary bike and it seems to be fine. I’m still nervous to sleep without the boot just in case. I do take the boot off when sitting on the couch which is a nice break. Are you doing any ROM exercises? What are toe raises? I’m picturing standing and raising up on your toes which seems like it would be tough to do at this stage–just curious.
Matt- Thanks for sharing your descriotion is what I aspire to. I hope I can return to normal activities pain free and moreover remain pain free as I ride off into the sunset in my senior years.
Carl- Not much swelling, but the skin surface is very uneven, I think it is caused by the impressions of the sock at least that is what I hope it is. Not sure what an annkle roll is… I know I nee dto get the permit, I just keep forgetting dagnabbit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts I totally agree, I will be grateful as long as i can get back on the hardwood.
Bode- The ROM excerises I do is pretyy much just moving my foot North and south. I can easily get to nuetral, it certainly did not happen over night the first couple of times I could not move my foot at all, only my toes would moveI attribute my success here to daily excercises. The toe reaises were taught to me by my DR. He taughtme to lean up against a dresser put my weight on my hands leaning over the dresser and do toe raises as I get more comfortable to put more weight on my ATR. I would say I am in the nieghborhood of %30-%40 weight there. I definetly can feel the fibers and ATR neurons firing (dont know if that is an anatomically correct statemetn but dang it feels good to wake it up and get it working) I do about 5-7 of those daily.
Ganahlsearch: My stationary bike has saved me. It is so great to get on that thing and just blow out the pipes. It loosens up the AT and the stress relief from the cardio is awesome. I also do some resistance strengthening and stretching with some thera-bands. Helps a lot.
Glad to hear that you are doing so well. Happy healing! Tis good to have a Jedi on your side!
-Smish
Hi everyone just new to site. Total rupture on 16th November. I did not have surgery thought I would try without. Had plaster on for 12 weeks, now doing physio once a week. Coming on well, can take dogs a half hour walk now and go for a swim. Would just like to know ow long before I can stand for long period of time without being in pain.
Thanks