Week 14 - Back at work
7 09 2008I almost didn’t get in a post this week. Back to work for me means bring on the chaos. New classes, teams to coach, spin class, writing, and of course squeeze in physio and my own exercise program.
This week my left heel took a beating. It was very sore each day. I experimented with various insoles, footwear, the Achilotrain brace, etc. The only meaningful relief was my sit breaks and icing it down at home. Despite the pain, I do think that all this moving around is good. By the end of the week I have more flexibility and strength. I can actually do a modified type of run where I don’t plant and push off with the forefoot (I discovered this after another accidental run). Can I actually run now? Probably, but why take the chance. I’ll be patient for a another few months.
My physio is trying to challenge me with more strength exercises and he is making serious inroads in reducing the little scar tissue bump at the lower incision. Quite a painful process though.
I just got back from my first Masters Swim session. It felt great but my foot is a but sore from the kicking.
Til next time.
Happy healing.
How do you find the Achillotrain brace, is it helpful at this stage your recovery?
Hey hoss, I am week 12 and took a second year of mat leave so no teaching for me this year!! I was thinking of all you teachers though on the first day. I am really glad though that it worked out that I am not going back yet. I am just starting my second week of pt and my tendon and foot are just screaming at me. However, I have made some big leaps this week. I started driving today (freedom!!) and my physiotherapist told me not to show up on Wednesday with the boot. So I celebrated with a new pair of runners this evening. The massage is very painful, but I have started riding the bike so I am very excited. Well good luck on your new school year. Hope you have a good timetable and well behaved kids (don’t we all!)
Jenny,
I am jealous. Enjoy this next little while. You will make some great progress but it will tail off into more gradual improvement. Don’t you love those massages? It hurts so good. Enjoy all your time with your baby. Happy healing.
Hobblit,
I used the Achillotrain today at work for the first time. It is the first time I’ve used it with shoes (usually with Birkenstocks) or Crocs. It felt ok, but mine is fairly snug so after 4 hours I took it off to air out my foot a little.
Make sure to use the heel wedge for the other leg. I forgot mine today and walking would have been smoother with it. I really like the amount of pressure it places on the Achilles, it actually helps shape it and to make it look somewhat normal. I would suggest using it when you have to spend more than 1 hour on your feet. Don’t get it too snug or else it won’t feel all that great. Good luck.
hoss,
hey man i have some questions .
one day i tried to do much and did ride my road bike about 18 miles , no clipless pedals but just platforms - averaged only 15 miles per hour .
the next day it was sore and i did try to break in the leg as i might go back to work soon so i went to the big mall with the wife and after 2 1/2 hours of walkign around i was limping quite big . it took 2 days for my limp to subside and im still imping a bit now compared to a very little limp before i started to do too much.
did you experience this much soreness at the tenson , the insertion and maybe the incision ? im hoping its just the adhesions breaking down and getting sore and hopefully nothing serious.
raffy
Early on I felt some weird pains when I rode the bike but not now. I have the ability to push fairly hard with no problems. I just choose to play it safe and do longer aerobic stuff in the 150-170 watt range. My pain comes when walking and standing too much and all of it is in the heel area. I’m thinking it is mostly the adhesions. I had this early on and just backed it off a bit and was fine.