16 week post Op: Big Toe is weak

Posted on July 31st, 2013 by kingb

Visited the Ortho Doc today for my 4 month visit. The ROM has gotten much better since my last visit and everything seems to be on the right course. That is in my foot which is the most important. However, my Big toe is weak. I can curl my big toe down without a problem. I can’t lift my big toe above neutral. The Dr. thinks it’s from being inactive. It’s difficult to workout the big toe in the upward direction. He added PT work on my big toe. Has anyone experienced issues with the big toe in regards to weakness?

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10 weeks: weening from the boot

Posted on June 20th, 2013 by kingb

Visited the Orthopedic Doc today at 10 weeks post op.  Everything seems to be going well… I’ve been transitioning from the boot to shoes for the past 5 days.  The PT has me on a boot weening program that progresses until you are out of the boot.  The only issue I’ve been  dealing with is getting more ROM in my foot.  My foot is still stiff and the big toe gets purplish and feels prickly at times. The Doc told me that it just means that I need to start walking more in shoes to loosen-up the foot. He wants me completely out of the boot in a week.  I probably have been taking it a little gingerly.  That won’t happen moving forward. Also the Doc started me on more active exercises.  I’m sure it will loosen-up, but there’s always irrational concern.  The good news is that I can start driving in a week:).  That is a huge milestone and gives back freedom.  It really is hard being at the mercy of others.  Although, I’m thankful.  For everyone that recently joined the club… It gets better every week.  Once you become FWB things get multitudes better!

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8weeks Post-Op…

Posted on June 3rd, 2013 by kingb

8 week follow-up with Doc went well… Progressing from boot to shoes in the next 10 days and got the green light to sleep w/out boot.  I also can start driving in a month.  Of course there are the little reminders that there is still quite a journey left.  The swelling has increase since FWB and my ROM is somewhat limited. The Doc isn’t worried and said that PT will help increase ROM. Start bike this week :). Can anyone shed light on when you can begin walking normal in 2 shoes and not have to worry about uneven surfaces (curbs, stairs, etc.)?

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Ditching the crutches

Posted on May 27th, 2013 by kingb

So it’s time to ditch the crutches at a little over 6 weeks post op.  I been working- up to going crutch less the last few days.  As the Tom Petty song goes, “I’m learing to fly but aint got no wings”. That’s where I’m at as far as boot walking goes.  It’s basically a hobble.  Anyway, the fact that I can begin fwb and think about walking is great.  Of course irrational or not there’s always the fear of re-rupturing.  That probably has a lot to do with the hobbled walk.  The Doc wants me to walk from the parking lot to his office by next week.   At this point it would be tough.  I’m sure this is par for the course.  If anyone has advice on walking in a boot it would be much appreciated.  Off to a bar-b-que and beer.  I’ll be taking the crutches:).

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Kingb’s Hurt Achilles - 6 weeks post-Op

Posted on May 24th, 2013 by kingb

Just had my 6 week post-op visit.  Everything seems to be mending very well.  Up until this point the directive from the Doc has been nwb.  Needless to say that the little things in life that we take for granted take on a whole new meaning during this phase.   I definitely have a better understanding and empathy for the disabled and caregivers.  I have been given orders from the Doc to start bearing weight ( w/ crutches) this week and begin to walk w/ out crutches next week (w/ the boot).  I’m beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel.  It’s a little nerve racking bearing weight for the first time, but also  a step closer to getting some normalcy back.  Unfortunately, the Doc wants me to continue to wear the boot while sleeping.  This is a big pain… Literally a pain!  The boot is pressing on the top of my foot causing burning and tingling. It’s not excruciating, but uncomfortable enough to make sleeping very tough (That’s why I’m blogging at 1 am).The Doc said he’ll reevaluate in two weeks and I may be able to ditch the boot while sleeping.  Anyway… back to counting sheep:).

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  • purple | August 2nd, 2013 | 10:43 am

    Hello Kingb,

    I am 4.5 weeks post op. interesting you should bring up about your big toe. Mine has been weak since before my surgery and also a little numb. Just tonight I have been getting some weird sensations into my toe and I hope maybe it’s a good indication that things are healing. I too have limited movement and want to ask my surgeon about it at my 6 week follow up. It’s really quite surprising how frustrating it is (mind you so is all of this).

    Let me know how you get on with the physio, I haven’t started yet as I’m still considered to be in cast (although I’m in a vacoped).

    Purple

  • kellygirl | August 1st, 2013 | 12:40 am

    My toes and foot, in general, are much weaker from being held captive in a cast and boot. I think working on standing balance exercises (standing on the bad leg) and using the theraband to do forward, backward and lateral stretches will help enormously with building up your toe strength. Good luck!

  • kellygirl | June 21st, 2013 | 11:37 pm

    Congratulations on getting to two shoes. That’s a huge milestone. Driving is too! I hope to join you in two shoes next week! Good luck with the weaning.

  • Kingb | June 4th, 2013 | 12:52 am

    Cole… It gets better especially when you go to FWB. The time seems to speed up quite a bit when the FWB phase begins. Unfortunately, swelling will be a constant reminder that you are still in recovery for awhile. I didn’t have much swelling weeks 4-6. When I began FWB I had more swelling in the foot. Nothing to worry about… It’s manageable.

  • cole | June 4th, 2013 | 12:11 am

    8 weeks and still swelling? I am just under 3 weeks and the swelling is the most aggravating part. I read from the averages on this site that it is 10 weeks to wearing two shoes. It seems so far. Good luck with the recovery. Hoping to see how it all works out for you.

  • kingb | May 27th, 2013 | 10:28 pm

    Thanks Norm,

    I have been securing the aircast boot w/ guard in place. I will take your advice and try walking as normal as possible. I haven’t felt any pain while bearing weight so I should be good. the Doc told me to let pain be my judgement on weight bearing. I have a PT appointment this week and will ask for advice on walking properly in the boot. Thanks again.

  • normofthenorth | May 27th, 2013 | 5:48 pm

    If you can stand up crutchless and lift your uninjured foot (even briefly) without pain, I see no reason to hobble. Just start walking as normally as possible. Your boot has to be snug and supportive enough to transfer the “normal AT” force to the front of your shin, via the top front cuff of the boot.
    If you’ve been leaving the straps loose, it will make you nervous or worse (at risk), so don’t. Some crutches (like the Aircast) have a separate L-shaped “tongue” that some people sometimes forget to insert. DON’T forget it!!
    Once you get the fit and stiffness adequate, you should be able to roll from heel to toe, straight-footed, on the boot, just as you do on the other leg. BUT your booted foot will be much higher off the ground than your other foot, so you’ll quickly get into trouble with the rest of your body (knees, hips, spine) unless you build up your uninjured foot to the same height. Inside the shoe, outside the shoe, whatever. You can buy a “level-up” or a “cast shoe” that will raise your shoe up, or try multiple footbeds in a thick boot, or take an old shoe to a shoemaker, or. . . but do SOMETHING!

    Hobbling is not goo

    [...]
  • Ripraproar | May 25th, 2013 | 4:10 am

    Hi kingb
    Had the same I put extra padding
    Georgia , I did the opposite I kept the foam sleeve but felt it important to have the front piece on for position so wearing the sleeve with the front piece and wedges I taped it all up without the heavy boot

  • georgiemac | May 25th, 2013 | 1:50 am

    You won’t take sleep for granted again once you get out of that boot! I took the front piece of mine (it was an air cast) and had the straps quite loose when sleeping.

  • kingb | May 24th, 2013 | 3:27 pm

    Thanks for the advice… I have been loosening the straps at night to get some relief. It has helped a little, but the sore spots on top of foot get irritated during day when I have to use the foot strap. Therefore, at night there is lingering pain. Not the end of the world. Hopefully in two weeks I will be able to ditch the boot while sleeping.

  • robina | May 24th, 2013 | 7:54 am

    Kingb, i was allowed to ditch the boot at 6 weeks and go to 2 shoes, before then i loosened the boot straps also…i also moved my foot left and right when straps were loose which is why I believe i have good lateral movement now…however, remember going fwb whether with boot or shoe takes a littlemgetting used to! Go slow and make sure you walk correct form even if it is very slow…it is easy to compensate for the weak foot by changing correct walking form…week 7 is today for me and I am walking in 2 shoes..doing my stretching frequently throughout the day…also bought the achilles titanium velcro support, which feels great and helps with blood flow…highly recommend it..robina

  • hoppymodo | May 24th, 2013 | 5:22 am

    Hi KingB, I’m at the same stage as you are. I had the nighttime pain but it never happened again after I loosened up the boot when in bed (mine has two straps on the foot). It comes off when I am lounging around at home and showering, BUT take great care not to flex because the boot is meant to protect from over stretching! Keep your spirits up, we’ll be running soon! (Soonish! In the grand scheme of life)