Jen’s Achilles Blog

Last Tuesday was my first post-op visit (8 days after repair). I went to a cast clinic at one of our local hospitals, where a nurse removed my original plaster cast. I saw my incision for the first time. It is about 4 inches long, and looked better than I had imagined. The swelling in my ankle was down, and the bruising is starting to go away. After a quick wash, my old cast was replaced by a new bright neon green cast (I had a choice of colours :-). My 11 year old and my 15 year old were impressed! This new cast continues to keep my foot and lower leg immobile. I am to go back again in one week to have the new cast removed, and my sutures out. I am not sure if I will get a removable boot of some kind, or another cast again.  I am finding I can be up on my crutches for longer periods of time with my foot down, and I am able to sit at my computer with my foot elevated for much longer periods of time. My new cast is quite tight, which really only bothers me in the late evening. I have found the burning sensation at my incision line is now gone. Even the tingling sensation in my toes from hanging my foot down is getting better. With my new cast on, I am finding I am sleeping better, as I don’t feel like I have to have my foot elevated so high. I am still sleeping with one pillow under my foot, and one between my knees, just to stay comfortable.

All in all, I am getting more energetic, and my leg is feeling better all the time. It feels good to have someone take me out of the house  - although there are lots of runners out there to be jealous of (including my husband :-) He supported me while I trained for my triathlon, so now it’s my turn to support him while he trains for an upcoming race. So far this experience is just motivating me to get back out there and really enjoy whatever physical activity I will be able to do again soon. I’ve decided to buy an indoor trainer for my road bike, so it will be safer and easy for me to get back on a bike when I’m able. Hope everyone else is finding they are improving each day, and for anyone who this has just happened to, I am finding the time is going fairly fast. I’ve been on crutches for almost three weeks now, and it’s going fine. Take care!