Crutchless

Posted on March 28th, 2014 by jules19

Four weeks after surgery and a much better week this week.  Spent all of last weekend in bed resting up a strained thigh muscle but back on my feet by Monday.

Major milestones this week

  • Now completely comfortable sleeping without my airboot on
  • Walking around the house completely crutch free
  • Through necessity climbed a number of staircases at work/social events and found it easier than I thought

Walking around the house with both hands free is a major improvement and I’m beginning to feel vaguely normal again.

I may have to get on a plane in a couple of weeks to attend a conference overseas, would be a 9 hour flight or so, Dr said it’s doable but I should be sure to take aspirin a week before and after - maybe compression socks as well.

I can see it would still be a challenge, even at some airports you have to walk miles these days between the plane and customs.  I’ll make a decision next week but would appreciate any advice/experience others can share?

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One Response to “Crutchless”

  1. normofthenorth, on March 29th, 2014 at 1:24 am Said:

    Most airports are OK with people who need lifts on power carts. A call in advance sounds like a good idea.

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  • normofthenorth | March 29th, 2014 | 1:24 am

    Most airports are OK with people who need lifts on power carts. A call in advance sounds like a good idea.

  • normofthenorth | March 21st, 2014 | 11:56 pm

    It’s easy to forget how many OTHER body parts have been resting and atrophying.

  • Ron | March 13th, 2014 | 2:35 am

    Great update and good luck.

    Have a safe trip, but be careful.
    Ron

  • jules19 | March 11th, 2014 | 5:37 am

    Good tips - thanks. The stoop down seems to work for me, gives you that extra bit of stability and confidence which makes a big difference!

  • normofthenorth | March 10th, 2014 | 5:15 pm

    There are about 2.5 ways of going down stairs NWB, not counting on the behind. The easiest by far only works if youve got a good strong bannister on the same side as your injury: Hold both crutches in your other hand and use them like a single crutch. Lean hard on the bannister, and move your sound foot down a step. Repeat all the way down.
    The other two (1.5?) ways involve real crutch walking on stairs, and they both take some getting used to. The revolutionary way is explained on RyanB’s blog, complete with videos. It looks good, but I’ve never tried it.
    The standard way is a lot like crutch walking on the flat, but on stairs:
    Stand on the top step, put both crutches down one step, stoop down to lower your center of gravity to the level it’ll be on after you step down, and step down. For max safety and confidence, I find that “stoop down” very helpful. And standing tall pre-step when going UPstairs likewise. This separates the “leap of faith” step from the (miss-able) change in altitude.

    It’s a new skill, but one that can be learned.

  • terencemc | March 10th, 2014 | 8:57 am

    Yeh, the shower seat is a necessary evil for sure. The daily shower is a godsend for the mental state, or at least was for me.. the leg protector was a must as well and did its job. i don’t envy you for being in the office that quick. My pain was still raging a week post-op, so good on you for doing well. Continued good healing.

  • Mr WordPress | March 2nd, 2014 | 1:28 pm

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