Oct 18 2011
The first post op office visit.
So I went to go see my podiatrist yesterday for my first post op office visit. It seemed to have gone pretty well. I was afraid of the slight twinge I was getting in my right ankle, especially since I had that splint on ever since the surgery and couldn’t see what was going on down there. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright inside the splint. And it turns out, everything was fine and dandy, if not better.
I was initially brought into the exam room by the ortho tech. After taking my vitals, she proceeded to remove the splint. It was weird seeing my foot for the first time in what seemed like FOREVER. To tell you the truth, it felt wonderful. My foot could breath! The ortho tech told me to enjoy it while I could, since I would be placed in cast after the podiatrist had seen me. And so, I savored those few minutes as much as possible. 
Ahhh, my foot can breath!
My podiatrist then came in after the splint was taken off. She check my stitches and assured me that everything was going as planned. My sutures were looking nice. No signs of infection whatsoever.
Oooo, look at those stitches!
She stated that the sutures would be taken out the following Monday. For the time being, I would be placed in a fiberglass cast. I asked my doctor to give me a brief summary of the recovery protocol she had in store for me. According to her, I will be in fiberglass cast for 4 weeks at NWB. Afterwards, I’ll be placed in to a walking boot, whilst starting PWB. Two weeks after that, I will begin PT. I’m not too sure if that is considered a conservative protocol. To me, it seems a little bit on the aggressive side, which is totally OK with me. Fortunately, my doctor also gave me the OK to start working out again. Of course, it would have to be limited only to my upper body. After consulting with doctor, it was off to the cast room to get my fiberglass cast on.
And on goes the cast.
The casting was a very quick process. Either that, or the ortho tech was just really good! I thought it was pretty neat that they let you choose the color of the cast. After a bout of indecisiveness, I went with blue. Maybe next week, I’ll go with the glow in the dark :D. The fiberglass felt a little warm during the application, but it was nothing unbearable. Within minutes, I was fully casted and out the door. I was surprised at how light and much more sturdy it felt. My splint felt as if it was starting to get loose, as I could feel my foot moving around it. Also, it was much bulkier than the fiberglass cast. With the cast, it definitely feels like my foot is much more protected. My foot remains in a plantar fixed position, at least for the next 4 weeks.
My friend for the next 4 weeks.
Everything is going well so far. I also worked out today, for the first time in about 2 weeks. It felt GREAT! As you’ve probably read in my first post, I was very active prior to the injury. I was used to working out 6 days week. Being able to work out definitely was stress relieving and brought back some normalcy, which is always appreciated. I’ll see about posting more detail about my workout regimen later this week, for those who are looking to work out during the recovery process. I have also learned a lot about staying healthy by reading others’ blogs on this site. I am currently consulting a fitness coach’s recommendation on another forum, in regards to how my workout should look like. I’ll be sure to report back on what I learn.
Good luck to everyone and their recovery!
7 responses so far
I go for my first post op visit today, so it helped reading your experience. Thanks. I’m thinking I will have very similar, so now I’m more prepped on what I might expect and thanks to you, I get advantage of having more time to think about cast color! All the best to you.
You should ask if they carry Mobilegs crutches or check them out on the web. They were a big help in my recovery. And much better than a colored cast.
Hi Jabootee, glad I could help :). Yea being able to choose the cast color was a nice surprise. Good luck at your appointment today. Keep us posted on how it goes!
Hi Jenna, thanks for the suggestion. My current crutches are starting to make my hands sore. Did you see a noticeable difference between the normal crutches and the mobilegs? Are they lighter as well?
Some cheap gel-padded cycling gloves ($15 @ wal-mart) will make a world of difference. When you get to PWB, and are moving around more in a boot, you might also look into elbow (Canadian) crutches. Your arm-pits will thank you- though they are even harder on your hands. Then again, they therefore encourage you to put more weight onto the boot
Just returned from 1st post op visit. To end suspense: I chose black as my (1st) cast color. Felt it was sophisticated with the white sock underneath (suitable for black tie events!), yet could be worn business casual : ). This is my first cast set. I’ve been in soft cast (essentially, ace bandage with casting splint under foot and up back of calf). I’m pointed down. I have this for 3 weeks, NWB, then go back for a replacement cast (surely, another color!) and then another 3 weeks, NWB. I asked if pressure felt in achilles when I rise up from seat having foot elevated to standing on crutches was “normal”…Doc said…”Yup. You are a week out of surgery tommorrow (Thurs) give yourself some room for healing feelings.” That’s what I’ll call it now…”Healing Feelings”. I’m just looking at today…then I’ll add up the time when the days add up. Not looking ahead…so far, so good.
Thanks for the advice Ryan! I tried using my workout gloves (Harbinger brand), and they seem to work great! Whenever I plan to crutch long distances, I’ll be sure to use then from now on.
It’s good to hear that your first post op visit went well, jabootee. I was actually considering the black color as well lol. Right now, it’s a tie between glow in the dark and black. We’ll have to see come next Monday when my stitches are removed. I know what you mean about those “Healing Feelings”. It feels like a little twinge or itch. Sometimes it feels like like the tendon itself or the incision. I can’t be too sure. The pain’s not bad at all. I’m pretty sure it’s the healing taking place!
Sorry for the delay. The mobi grips were much easier on the hands. They are angled at the right position so they don’t strain the wrists. Also the foam molded to the hand shape is a very nice comfort feature.