Week 12: Still hobbling along
These weeks in two shoes sure fly by unlike the l-o-n-g days of NWB! I’ve been doing pretty much the same things but have upped my walks to a little over 2 miles a day. I’m still limping but I’ve been told it is getting better (my family is not one to sugar coat anything so I’m pretty sure this is true.) One thing I’ve noticed is how weak my foot is when it comes to rolling off the forefoot–the weakness is primarily the calf and not so much the achilles. I’ve been keeping up with the spin bike too–I can stand with less discomfort but not enough to do very much. I stay seated for most of the ride. The exercises/stretches PT gave me seem to be helping. Heel raises are getting easier–I don’t feel like I’m going to get a charlie horse in my calf every time I get onto the ball of my foot. I can also really get my heels off the ground now even without support. Same goes for the calf stretch–hanging over the stairs doesn’t make me want to cry. It’s uncomfortable but in a good kind of way. Stairs are getting better too. I can almost walk heel to toe instead of rolling off the edge on my instep. It doesn’t feel natural yet but I can see how I will eventually master the stairs again.
PT is having me try kinesio tape to see if it makes a difference. It’s suppose to stay on (even with showers) for up to three days–so I will let you know how it goes. She said there is a good YT video on how to self tape the ankle so you might give that a looksy if you are interested. I haven’t seen it yet as I’m not convinced it will make a difference.
In addition to the other exercises/stretches, I got some new balance exercises using the theraband that I’m excited to start working on. I’m sure many of you have been doing them already but they are forward, backwards and lateral stretches done while standing on the injured leg. Lateral is definitely the hardest for me right now and I find I really have to engage my calf to maintain my balance. I’m suppose to do wall sits with the ball while doing toe taps–not sure what that does except engage my quads (but whatever. She said to do it, so I’ll do it.) The other new exercise is kind of a slow walking simulation that emphasizes rolling off the foot. This is suppose to help me correct my limp. From standing position, step forward with the good leg while slowly rolling off the injured leg on to the toe (right to left):
then slowly roll back on the injured foot, raise the good leg and balance on the injured leg, step back on to the good leg while keeping the injured heel on the ground and lifting the toes (left to right) :
This therapist offered a little more guidance in what to do and how often. I asked her if I should be increasing my walks and she said to keep it at around a two miles a day until I get rid of the limp. She thought adding in some hills would be good. She also thought using the elliptical would be better until I can spin while standing–saying that weight bearing will probably produce more benefit that seated spinning at this point. I asked about jogging and she said she wouldn’t bother trying until I can do single leg calf raises–gulp, that’s going to be awhile.
All in all, I can’t complain. Slow progress is better than nothing and two shoes is better than the boot! Hope that you are all doing well.
July 24th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Hey, I’m finally checking in again. Congrats on your improvement, you’re well ahead of me. I just began 2shoes yesterday (12 weeks also).
July 25th, 2013 at 2:45 am
Thanks for a of the great info and the pictures. I can’t wait to try them when I get home tomorrow.
I am working in London at the moment and have become a crutch less, bootless commuter on the public transport system. I was going to go back into my boot for a bit of protection but I have done the whole thing in 2 shoes! I am back to the PT on Saturday so will let you know how I get on.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:56 am
Great pictures Kelly thanks. I also do the slow walking and the wall sits but minus toe taps, not sure what the toe tapping will do, perhaps someone can enlighten us. You’re packing in some good walks each day, more than I can achieve of late, I’m only managing it 2-3 times a week currently. I’ll set my mind to it!
July 25th, 2013 at 4:58 am
ps. Vacuming loosing its thrills, lol!
July 25th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Sounds/looks like good stuff to me, kg! You’re starting to emerge from the rerupture-risk “window”, too, which is nice. Still at risk for reinjuries so don’t go nuts or drop incrementalism, but it’s always nice not to be risking The Big One!
July 25th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Hi KG - I have to say you have amazing calves! You good one is so strong - and your other is coming along nicely! I am also so impressed that you are walking two miles. I am walking a little better but my limp is just too present to walk very far. Great job!
July 25th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
KG - nice definition in your legs. Clearly you are working hard. I am curious when did you start taping?
Thanks for the tips as well.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Thanks for the nice comments! I’m checking in quickly in between my daugher’s gauze changes–she got her wisdom teeth out today. Ouch. Glad that I’m FWB and in two shoes–we can only handle one injured person in the house at a time!
@HT: Keep in touch, week 12 buddy. Nice to see where you are at and what you are doing!
@Andrew: That’s terrific news. It’s hard to go back to the boot, eh? I thought I would be using it too but it just seems so cumbersome now. I’m impressed with your public transport-ability. It must be a little nerve wracking to be around so many people–glad that you are able to navigate in two shoes! Yes, let us know about PT. I always like to hear about that!
@micah: I was thinking about the toe taps and I think it helps with the muscle that makes us heel strike when walking. Whatever that thing is in the front of the calf. I felt it more today than yesterday. Yes, vacuuming has lost it’s lustre. I’m happy to have the kids do it now!
@Norm: 12 weeks is the magic number! I felt like if I could get here, that I would be okay. Hopefully, things will continue to improve. No way will I be doing anything crazy–I do not want to go through this again. No skate boarding for at least 6 months!
@Lynne: Thanks. I think I’ll be covering them in jeans and tall boots for awhile. The one looks so scrawny still although is only a .5 inch smaller than the other. Don’t be too impressed–I break the walk into am and pm. I don’t do it in one shot–too fatiguing for my weak little calf.
@brokendad: PT just tried the kinesio tape on me. I really can’t tell much of a difference–I’m still limping. I don’t know that I would bother to try and tape myself–I’d probably end up with both calves taped together!
July 25th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Great update and pictures. Calf’s are looking good and heel raises? A boy can dream….keep up the great work.
July 26th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I know its been awhile, but I think your progressing great, my PT also used the kinesio tape before my surgery when my AT was still technically rupture and it helped immensely. Keep of with your PT and in few more weeks you can start pushing yourself even more (incrementally)~ (under dr’s orders of course).
July 26th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@Craig: Judging by your walk, I’d say you are closer to heel raises than you think!
@Kevin: Thanks! I guess I’m a Debbie Doubter by nature. I didn’t notice a difference with the tape–but I think I was expecting it to fix my limp! Yes, incrementally is my new favorite word these days.
July 26th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Kelly~
Such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your experience and photos. It gives me something to look forward to
July 29th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Hey Kelly,
Thank you so much for posting on my recent blog. You are absolutely right…I hit a plateau and let it discourage me but I have been doing the exercises you recommended and demonstrated and it has been helping me a lot. I wish I had the insight to do them when I was at your stage but its all good. I have really enjoyed reading all of your posts and witnessing your incredible recovery. Thank you again for sharing the details and pictures of your journey because you have been a big asset to this community.
Good luck and we can’t wait to read your next post!