Jul 06 2011
Week 6 (Post-Op) | July 6 | ‘Ditch the Crutches’
I had my 2nd post-op visit with the surgeon this morning, at almost 6 weeks. It’s funny how you look forward to a date on a calendar for so long and the meeting literally lasts for a few short minutes. That’s pretty typical here I’m sure. Luckily, it was short but also very sweet. At my 2-week appointment I had been told ‘absolutely no weight bearing’, so I expected to be told to slowly start applying partial weight, but she took a look at the incision and said it looked good and my next step was to ‘ditch the crutches’ - using the boot as needed and progressing to shoes. I really like this as it feels like I am now more in control of my own destiny (although I knew I was before and cheated a bit on the NWB, but very cautiously). So, it’s on to more involved PT. The thing I really want to focus on is to increase my dorsiflex range so my walking motion is better - still very much of a limp in the boot and I haven’t tested the waters much without it due to the limited motion at about neutral. And of course waking the calf from the dead will be fun - I saw someone signs of re life this week as I did some swimming (felt wonderful) and also some light thera-band plantarflex exercises. I will say if you have access to a pool there isn’t anything better at this point in the recovery for boosting your mood and giving your foot more confidence. I’m ready to get moving again!
Here are a few photos of my first few weeks:
Day after injury #1 - OUCH! The bruise was still slightly visible at 5 weeks!
Day after injury #2: Another beauty shot of the bruise. Sexy!
Day after injury #3. Well hello calf, I remember you - and miss you dearly.
Post-surgery cast. R.I.C.E., R.I.C.E., R.I.C.E.
2 wk post-op visit #1: Post surgery cast - waiting to give it the boot in favor of ‘the boot’.
2 wk post-op visit #2:Oh lord, please watch the leg with those things.
2 wk post-op visit #3:Whew, freedom - I don’t think the smell was too bad but I wasn’t the one removing it either!
2 wk post-op visit #4: I remember this - scary feeling hangin’ in the air there.
2 wk post-op visit #5: I little bit of an oversight from the surgery clean-up crew - yuck!
2 wk post-op visit #6: The stitches’ last seconds.
Today at 6 weeks: ’The angry red line’.
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