First “official” Physio at 7 weeks
Quick update. I’ve had 3 “private” PT sessions now, nothing too much to report here, a little massage, good elasticity in the tendon, some advice on the type of the exerises, now trying to progress to gentle heal raises ensuring it’s a raise and not a cheating lean forward. I’m back driving with no problem at all. Limp isn’t quite as pronounced, but as others report it takes a while to get the calf strength back to drive this away (see doug53’s excellent post). Really focussing now on trying to roll from heal to toe on the bad leg when walking, there’s a twinge there but nothing too bad. Exercises with a resistance band pushing (plantaflex) to try and build some strength and move towards those heal raises.
First “official” physio appointment is on Thursday, this will be exactly 7 weeks post-op. Following the “official” rehab protocol I’d still be in the boot with 2 or 3 wedges and PWB with the next follow-up Doctors appointment still two weeks away. Thursday will be very interesting and I’m not going to dance in there shouting “look what I can do”, but it will be interesting to see what reaction I get and what advice I’m offered.
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Hi jgsquash,
Good to hear things are progressing well with you. I was wondering how far or for how long you can walk in two-shoes unaided without discomfort. I have been in 2-shoes for about a week and can walk for around 5-10 minutes (albeit slowly) before I feel discomfort/tiredness in foot.
I have now been to physio 3 times in the last 7 days and have been doing a range of stretching exercises. I can’t do heal raises but the physio has asked me to (pretend) lean forward so that I feel it in the tendon. My flexibility is increasing, but still need a lot of work on strength. I will also start some hydrotherapy sessions shortly.
Hi rudedog,
I’m not finding I have to limit my time/distance walking. By the end of the day my leg is slightly swollen (gravity playing it’s part), and I’d say I’m tired but I’m not finding I *have* to rest it. Don’t get me wrong I’m not walking for miles or standing up endlessly, but I can basically live “normally”. The physio started me off stretching the tendon by keeping the bad leg out behind and ensuring it doesn’t bend and having the good leg out in front and bending this leg to give the “stretch”. To increase the stretch put the bad leg further out behind you. At all times though only use your own muscles to perform the stretch, i.e. no “dynamic” stretching or bouncing, basically keep it gradual and controlled and try and hold the stretch each time. I’m now working towards heal raises, this is my next milestone, i.e. to be able to do one!
It remains a long road, but I feel the uphill section is getting behind me.
Stay well.
Cheers,
JG