Dear Vacocast………
Posted on June 11th, 2014 by jeffk58
While you have been a good friend these last six weeks, it is time we spend some time apart. So, I now begin my transition to two shoes! Starting today, I am beginning the process of walking without the boot. With a small heel lift in my left shoe, I am able to walk fairly comfortably. I was only going to go without the boot this morning, but am now going into the afternoon! Started PT as well, so the next phase begins. The Vacocast will remain close at hand for all crowded places - like tonigt’s Portland Timbers game, where crowds and stairs would otherwise scare my fragile AT!
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Jeff, congrats on moving to 2-shoes. It is a little scary at first, but soon you’ll be looking to banish the boot to the basement, attic, or out at the curb! Keep up the PT (and the RICE) and incrementally increase your walking–focusing on using a good and normal gait. I did notice an increase in swelling after initially moving to 2-shoes, which felt like a regression, but I think it’s due to increased activity and re-energizing muscles that were immobilized in the boot. Swelling peaked for me a couple weeks after 2-shoes status and has since gone way down. -David
David - how quickly did you “ramp-up” the two shoes? My doctor said start at about an hour the first day, then add an hour or two a day. I already cheated a bit, as I did 3 hours today
Jeff, I actually moved pretty quickly. I had very little guidance about the process and didn’t ask for details either. In anticipation of the official boot-weaning period, I started experimenting a week early–although very limited. Then, during the first week of my 2-week boot-weaning period, I only used my boot on 4 separate occasions where I felt the surroundings (terrain and/or people) put me at risk. Otherwise, I was in 2-shoes or barefoot all the time. At the end of week 1 I decided to go cold-turkey and ditch the boot altogether. Perhaps I moved a little too fast, and that may be why my ankle swelling picked-up during that second week, but I felt confident that my foot was ready to support me sans brace and I don’t regret it now. I think you just need to listen to your body and let it guide you on how fast to move along. Good luck! -David
Congrats Jeff! Enjoy the game.