2 weeks post op - first surgeon’s appointment
From tumblr:
Post-op follow up appointment yesterday.
I am not one for needles and other gross medical things but was very surprised when the nurse took of my cast to reveal the scar. A lot smaller than I thought, quite neat (stitches had dissolved). My foot felt vulnerable left out in the open and my leg didn’t really have any control over the movement, though I didn’t really attempt to test out my new achilles’ range of motion.
Not much atrophy from the calves although gave my shins a quick massage and disovered that it was really sore and tight! Minimal swelling apart from a little bit of bruising over the ankle which the nurse said was probably caused by sitting up too much.
The surgeon prodded and moved the foot around and gave me an exercise to do every day - just move the foot from side to side for 5 mins.
Got fitted into a boot and it was set at 30 degrees plantar flexion. I felt an uncomfortable stretch through the achilles and scar and could not manage to have my heel touch the bottom of the boot. Though this morning I have managed to do that! Still feeling quite uncomfortable and sometimes throbbing though the pain has subsided and is now quite manageable without drugs.
Next appointment with the surgeon set for 3 weeks’ time. In the meantime, no weight bearing, no swimming and sleeping with the boot on. Will attempt a small modified workout sometime this week. At least now I can give my right leg a wash and a shave!!
The boot I have been given is a Maxtrax. My most expensive shoe yet!!