After two weeks of PT, I went to a basketball game today in a pair of Merrells. I had to walk further than usual; up stairs, down stairs and did fine. However, the high point of the day was when someone asked me “which foot did you have surgery on?” They couldn’t tell! That means progress!!!! (Surgery was November 22.) Came home to do my PT homework!
Yesterday was day one of PT. The evaluation and initial treatment, massage, strengthening exercises, homework assignment took about 1.5 hours. I will be going twice a week for 5 weeks. I had been doing PT several months before my surgery so I was acquainted with many of the exercises, etc. My doctor had encouraged me to get my ankle moving as soon as the cast came off, so I was happy to find that the range of motion on my ATR foot was better than my non-operated on foot! However, the strength is another matter! I am ready to get walking in a normal gait. We are hoping that a dog adoption is around the corner and I want to be able to take “Daisy” for a walk in the neighborhood. I plan on trying a swim this weekend and am pleasantly surprised at my attempts on the exercise bike. Swelling is still a problem - I have added compression stocking to my Rest, Ice, and Elevation - It is helping some and the swelling at the base of my toes has really subsided. I overdid last Monday - went shopping for a bit - and don’t want to overdo again for a while! The swelling was much worse after that for about 24 hours. Anyway, I am enjoying being boot free - although I would not hesitate to put it back on if I decide to go to the grocery store! (or any other crowded place) Thanks for all the support, sharing etc on this site - it really helps! To any of you at the beginning of this journey, do not lose heart…it does get better!
Woo hoo! I have just completed a full day of two shoes. Saw the doctor yesterday and he encouraged me to retire my boot except for when I was in crowds. We stopped by the grocery store on the way home and I went in…realized when a lady came up close behind me pushing a cart that I would consider the grocery store “a crowd” for quite a while! I almost had a panic attack just thinking about her touching my heel with her cart! Today I went to work and have been in my shoes (Merrells clogs) all day. I have an appointment with the PT next Wednesday. My foot is swollen tonight. The compression sock had been working well on keeping the swelling down but today the foot looks pretty fat. I am icing, elevating etc. Will do less standing/walking tomorrow. The doctor wasn’t worried about the swelling and said it was normal. He also told me I could bike, swim and even work out on the elliptical - but that sounds a bit much for now! I will try biking and swimming first. Trying to walk properly in my two shoes…definitely walking happily!
Kathy - Grammy
I was supposed to return to the doctor on 2/19 with two shoes but life got in the way. It has been a busy month for me - valentines day as a florist and my sons wedding the following week and then taking care of a 15 month old grandson for three days. I have kept on in my boot - which probably was good for protecting my achilles. Now, I have questions….
1. I still have swelling - both sides of my ankle and on top of my foot - will this ever end?
2. With this in mind, any shoe recommendations?
3. When moving to two shoes, how much time in boot vs shoes each day?
i had a small spot at the bottom of my incision that was stubborn about healing that has finally healed - hoping to begin PT after Monday and possibly swimming. I have had a few times lately where I had pain at the back of my calf - sharp but goes away - at about the site of my upper incision - should I be concerned?
Happy to be heading to the four month mark and have valentines month behind me! Kathy
