First day home!!
I made it home at last, it’s now friday morning I got home yesterday evening…..the final moments in hospital…..the pain had almost gone (thank god), I went to the plaster room and had my plaster replaced for a shiny new black one my food is now at an angle of about 30 - 45 degrees a little hard to tell without a pertractor. The physios’ came round and gave me a lesson on how to use them, which was helpful especially with the stairs. I then waited a couple of hours for the consultant, she came and said that I would have to keep my leg up for at least a week, and that I would be back in two weeks for a check on my wound and progress. I left with a goody bag of pills for pain and constipation.
I got home first thing BATH oh my god how good did that feel….My Vacoped Achill arrived this morning, quick since I only ordered and payed for it yesterday. It looks bloody awsome and cant wait to get into it. I had to pay for this myself as the Nhs in southampton only use the aircast systems due to budgeting, if you live in london you might have a better chance apparently. I am hoping to have this on when I go back in two weeks, which would then enable me to get in the bath, shower and go swimming without any issues of getting the plaster wet.
Well I will keep people updated with my progress and check in on others most days. Keep well and recover quickly.
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Hi Gazroscoe
Great to hear you are at home and trying to get some order back in your life.
Be very careful with the crutches going up / down the stairs. In anticipation of the problems I anticipate post op,( tues) I tried early this week using them up the stairs - and fell back down really hurting myself - fortunately I didnt rupture the bit of tendon still holding my foot together but it really shook me up.
I am interested to know how high above your body does the foot have to be? I have heard ir should be above the heart? but that is not easy.
Hope you make good progress.
Keep Blogging!
Birdieboy
Good luck, Gazr and birdieboy both! Nobody’s born knowing how to walk in crutches; it’s a set of new skills, and you’re going to pick up a lot of those before you’re through! (Minimizing the hazards of crutch-walking is one of the major benefits of a faster protocol that gets you to PWB and FWB sooner)
The key to elevation is controlling inflammation, period. Some people swear by the “above the heart” thing, while many of us get enough relief from sticking our leg up on a foot stool and/or a bolster , a table, whatever. A little elevation is a lot better than none, for sure, especially if you give it the needed time.
This is one spot where your leg will give you the answer quickly and reliably — especially when you’re out of the cast and can actually check the swelling visually. If it’s puffy, elevate some more (and rest and ice, and maybe compress).
Gazr, it sounds like your professionals are already boot-friendly (which is a Very Good Thing), just more familiar with the AirCast than the VacoPed. As long as you’ve got the Vaco set up to be rigid (not hinge-ing), it should be functionally identical to an AirCast — or a cast, for that matter. Just more convenient because it’s adjustable and removable and waterproof, etc., etc. In maybe 5-6 weeks, you’ll probably want to use the Vaco’s hinge feature, which the AirCast doesn’t have, but not now. With luck, they’ll appreciate the high-tech boot you’ve bought.
I am really confused about how long you were in the hospital and even why, other than for the surgery. I went to the hospital about 90 minutes before my surgery was scheduled and was released a few hours later, after I was sufficiently recovered from the general anesthetic. My second surgery actually required I be in the hospital because I had a wound vac pump on but that was because of complications from the first surgery.
Elevation means getting your foot above the level of your heart, which is really not difficult at all if you just think about it a little. I was actually able to get mine to just about the level of my heart at work. It took a while to find the right height for my chair but it worked just fine. At home it is dead simple and you want to keep it elevated even when you’re asleep. Pillows work really well for that.
Going up stairs on crutches is relatively simple as long as you remember two things: lean very slightly forward and take one step at a time, not trying for the next step until you know you’re stable. With both crutches on the same step, lift your good foot to the next step and get the whole foot on the step, transfer your weight to the good foot and bring the crutches up to that step. Going down stairs is a bit trickier and requires a leap of faith, sort of. The most important thing about going down is to keep your injured foot in front of you. If you keep it behind it can easily catch on the step and pitch you forward, completely off balance. If you use both crutches to go down stairs, make sure the crutches are firmly planted on the next step down, with your injured foot in front of you before stepping down with your good foot. Also, the most important thing about using crutches without too much discomfort is that when standing on your good foot the crutch should not touch your armpit. If it does you will be bearing your full weight in your armpits with every step. One day of that and you will be in serious pain. Your weight needs to be taken by your arms which should be pretty much straight when using the crutches.
I was never given instructions on how to use crutches, but maybe at 66 years old they figured I had already used them. I had but nearly 50 years earlier. and nobody told me how to use them then either.
Hi Gazroscoe
All has gone quiet? hope all is ok as I am following your progress with interest.
Best wishes
Birdieboy!!
Hi Birdieboy, thanks for the interest sorry not been on. I’be been away on holiday, which I spent with my leg up in the air drinking the amber nectar, what a joy!!!! Well all seems to be going well I’ve got my next visit to the hospital on Monday 22nd at which time I hoping to get into my Vacacast which I bought £125.00 which hopefully is going to get me back on my feet sooner, well into the pool anyway, not sure what the doctors are going to make of it but will keep everyone informed. Hope all is going well with yourself let us know….
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