So, I had my first physio appointment today, 45 minutes this morning at my smaller local hospital in Wimborne. It was interesting and I am assured it went well by my PT. She started by taking my history of the injury, how it occurred, the operation, any niggles I had and what my goal was, she had a copy of my protocol issued by the hospital and felt it was reasonable.
We had an interesting discussion on protocols, apparently Poole NHS had been trialing the Vacoped boot 6 months ago for ATR treatment, all the PT’s had some training but there was a supply issue with the boot so they went back to Aircast and the protocol I am on, still quite forward thinking in her opinion but with a fixed boot.
Boot off, my natural position for my injured foot has become 35 degrees flexed, I can move it at present to 25 degrees flexed. My good foot moves just past 0 degrees (I am not very flexible) so that is my eventual goal with my ATR foot. My foot is still a bit swollen and is bruised.
We embarked on some exercises and I am to take my boot off and do the exercises 4 times / day as follows:
- 10 x Foot flex from 35 to 25 degrees or as comfort allows while sat on the end of the bed.
- 10 x Foot flex from 35 to 25 degrees or as comfort allows while lying on my front with my leg raised 90 degrees.
- 10 x Foot flex with toes on floor lowering my heal to the floor to 25 degrees or as comfort allows (I like this one, it feels more controlled and ’safe’ to do).
- Wiggle toes to get some circulation and just relax with the boot off.
Then, put boot back on (still 5 wedges, these start coming out at week 4 or 5 post op). I am then to lift my toes into the top of the boot, push them down and put the boot against a solid object left and right and push my foot left and right, again, 10x for each action, gentle.
I am also allowed to PWB with crutches in the boot at this stage while walking, initially at a grape squashing pressure over this weekend into next week, perhaps moving to larger fruit over time! This is also allowed while standing still. PT advised me to listen to my foot, if it feels tired and swells a bit, back off for a while. I have another PT scheduled for Monday so she can review my thoughts on initial exercises and set me up for next week and weekend.
Thoughts right now are:
- It scares me to take it out of the boot and move it but my PT says it is ‘designed to move’ and early movement will help circulation and healing of the tendon (blood supply).
- Moving it scares me, my brain no longer seems connected to my foot, my free movements are hard, my brain is trying but my foot is listening to an IPod or something else, not my brain.
- I am pleased to be making progress but am happy to stick to the protocol suggested, things seem to be flying along all of a sudden and I want to feel in control.
Sorry to ramble but thought I would be thorough for anyone reading this in the future and going through the same thing!
Wishing everyone a good weekend, I have no big plans!
March 9, 2012
So, yesterday I was 12 days after my surgery and had my follow up appointment at Poole Hospital. I arrived 20 minutes early (keen to progress) and was called in straight away. I have got to say that so far Poole NHS Hospital has been great in every way, fast, efficient and friendly. So, they cut my substantial cast off to reveal my little leg and ankle. I had a 3 inch scar up the back of my heal, stapled together, the wound apparently looked to have healed very well, keeping it elevated at all times seems to have done its job. Staples removed and the consultant came for a look. He was happy, said it looked great and that he would see me again in 6 weeks to see how I am doing with physio which I start tomorrow.
Off to the plaster room next where they issued my with an Aircast Boot, 5 (yes, count them) heal wedges, a pump, some instructions and a hygiene cover for bed time. Overall it is heavier than I imagined and I think my foot is more downward flexed than it was in the cast, this hurts the upper part of my foot a bit (I am not very flexible) so I will discuss this with my physio tomorrow and see if we can make it more comfortable. The swelling has stopped a bit now, I think the boot helps with that.
So, physio tomorrow, back to the office Monday (I have missed work), will keep posting progress.
March 8, 2012
Hello All.
So, day 2 after surgery and I am sat on the sofa with my leg raised above my heart, as seems to be the done thing. I was first on the list Friday, down to theatre at 0800, sent to sleep at 0815 after discussing the perils of badminton with the surgeon. He estimated 40 minutes to an hour and sure enough I woke up in recovery at 0930 ish, I was told it went well. The first thing I noticed was how heavy the cast is compared to my temporary cast from before. Back to the day ward, slice of toast and some digestive biscuits and then the physio came to see me. Keep it rasied if possible for 2 weeks, if you can take time off and just sit with it raised, it helps a lot. Wiggle toes, leg lifts etc. as and when.
I got home in time for a late lunch, but I was not hungry so just sat on the sofa with my leg up. As the local anaesthetic wore off the pain kicked in, took some of my oral morphine I was given, and felt good.
The next morning the pain was bad, especially whenever I had my foot below heart level, so, for some peace and quiet I went to my parents for the day and vegged with my foot up.
Today, day 2, and I must say that the pain is subsiding a bit, keeping it raised is the key and I would recommend it to anyone reading this in the same situation. The only issue is that when I put my leg down and it starts to swell with blood again I have to sit for a minute or two before moving as it makes me feel wobbly! The wife is doing well to put up with me, overall I feel like a bit of a spare part sat in the corner, the inabilty to do anything of any use is annoying for all of us here, not just me. Also, young kids and surgery don’t mix, I need a little orange flag for the end of my cast with ’stay clear’ written on, I am 6ft3 and my leg is apparently always in the way.
Still, onwards and upwards hopefully, will keep posting progress, thanks for all your helpful replies so far.
February 26, 2012
Hello all, since we last spoke I went to my NHS fracture clinic on Monday (20/2), ATR confirmed by the doctor, no scans or anything, new cast on and told to return Wednesday (22/2) to see an orthopedic surgeon to discuss options. Wednesday was interesting, we discussed at length the different options and I opted for surgery, I had to make a choice so that is what I went for. I have to be on the day surgery ward at 0715 tomorrow morning (big thanks to the taxi of ‘Dad’) and we go from there. My surgery will be 9 days after my injury, this frustrates me a little but other than that my spirits are good, it is ‘a plan’ and I am happy to be making progress.
Is 9 days unreasonable, any thoughts out there? What have other people experienced with the NHS in the UK? Other than the timescale I must say that everyone that has seen me in various departments have been wonderful, friendly and uplifting, which is nice.
So, that is all from me for now, thanks for the nice comments on my last post and it is good to be in the company of others with experience and thoughts on ATR and recovery, a nice community feel!
February 23, 2012
Hello All! It seems that last Wednesday evening (15th Feb) during a spirited session of badminton at my local club I managed to injure myself in what appears to be quite a major way, and am now a member of the ATR club. I spent the next two days reading many peoples blogs and other great information on this website and thought I would sign up.
A bit about me, I spent much of my childhood from 10 onwards playing badminton eventually to a good level, I played for my University, usually playing 3 or 4 times / week and after that played for a local league club for a while until other bits of my life grew in importance (marriage, work etc.), this would be around 2001. For the last 3 years I have got back into fitness, I cycle to and from work every day (10 miles / day) and usually do the odd 60 mile charity ride. I was in the loft at Christmas, found my rackets, got some new shoes and strings and hit the court in January. Things were going great until last week. I had warmed up (as always) been playing for around 90 minutes on/off and went to step back and hit a smash when, pop, there it went.
Not much pain, just wondered why my ankle had hit the floor and why my foot felt numb. My playing partner also heard the noise of it going and was quite concerned. Iced my ankle, my Dad drove me to the A&E department where they gave me my diagnosis, put it in a cast (foot flexed down) and gave me an appointment at the NHS hospital fracture clinic today (20th Feb). Today, cast off, ATR confirmed, cast back on and appointment Wednesday (22nd Feb) with a foot and ankle surgical specialist with a view to operating end of this week.
My main frustration lies with my complete inability to transport myself anywhere (foot, bike, car) and my complete reliance on others to get about and do things. My wife has been great but she already has 2 young children to look after and now one big one!
After Wednesday I will know more, so until then, thanks for all the info and experiences on the site and I will keep posting progress.
February 20, 2012
Next Posts