@ 9 weeks, a painfull setback
Hi all
I have not been on since Friday, sorry. Mainly because on Friday afternoon my foot started to feel uncomfortable, so I elevated it. Later in the evening it puffed up like a football, my ROM was reduced to zero, and then it became very painful if I moved my leg at all. So I took the old Paracetamol and Ibuprofen coctail, to get some sleep, sleep as in “bugger all”. The pain went on through Saturday, when I tied the hot and cold water treatment. This did help a little, and the swelling went down a fair bit, and so the pain backed off as well. Today Sunday, all is a little better, and I think I may sleep without pain killers tonight.
With regards to what went wrong, I think I stayed with my foot down for to long on Friday. Is 3 to 4 hours watching films too long. I Guess it is, but compared to some of you and your stories of swimming and exercise, I do feel I should be able to do more at 9 weeks. I am hoping my PT appointment on Wednesday will give me an indication of how things are progressing , and what I can do to help things along.
I have felt a bit low these past couple of days. I know these set backs get you that way. And It’s not that I don’t want to rush things, but just walking with sticks seems a lot to ask of my AT right now. Ho hum.
Lee
September 13th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Hi Lee,
Sorry to hear you’ve had more pain. I’ve been managing to keep the foot down for quite a few hours at a time with little extra swelling, but doing my physio exercises every so often and a bit of massage to help. Perhaps your foot has complained more than some because of the very restrictive first 6 weeks you had?
My foot/ankle’s been very tired today after yesterday’s shopping and party (didn’t get to bed till 2) so have taken things very easy today and not walked around any more than necessary in order to rest the foot for another busy day tomorrow.
It can be difficult comparing progress with others, but no-one’s injury will be exactly the same as anyone else’s, and so no-one’s recovery will be either.
I’ve been telling myself it’s the end result that counts and not how long it takes to get there.
Hang in there, onwards and upwards.
Sam
September 13th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi Lee,
I really suffer if I do too much during the day without elevating the leg. Perhaps this warning is a good thing & will stop you damaging the repaired tendon.
Take it easy tomorrow & you will feel much better. Treat yourself to something to cheer yourself up (shares in Cadbury’s have shot up since my little accident!) or have a look at my injury happening on YouTube, (search “The Achilles Dance”). If me pratting about doesn’t make you smile, then you are in a bad way!
Chris
September 13th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Sam
For your words of wisdom. I am feeling more like Thursday last week today, if that makes sense? I think sleeping will be OK tonight, But just to be sure I have pain killers on hand. Did I mention I have tried the foot in cold water, it makes my foot feel much better, and helps the swelling no end. I need another bucket to try proper hot cold therapy. The best I have managed is bath water to cold bucket, which is a bit tricky, not to mention dangerous. So for safety sake and my AT (Slipping in bathroom), I am sticking with cold water, till I get another bucket dear Lieza.
Upwards an Onwards, I like that saying, more onwards would be nice.:-)
Lee
September 13th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Chris
Your dance did make me laugh, thanks mate, just the job.
And yes tomorrow I will rest and elevate all day. Its obviously what my body wants me to do. And the Chocolate is what I want to do, pass me the fruit and nut. I am off to Sleep now, I hope.
Lee
September 13th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I hope everything goes better tomorrow for you. I could only imagine how it would feel to hit a major set back. Just think though, things could be worse. You could be back at week 1. Just keep your head up and don’t over do things.
Ryan
September 13th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Sorry to hear the bad development… Maybe your AT was not ready for the FWB? Did you get the swelling from just sitting around? You are still in the boot, right?
I hope the physio will be able to give you some good advice and explanation. They are usually the most helpful.
Keep resting and cooling it.
Good luck!
September 13th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Hi Lee,
That does not sound good - have you managed to get it seen by anyone yet? It sounds like it might be a bit more than just swelling if you have all that pain as well. I haven’t tried it myself yet but I have been given a pultice recipe for swelling using washing soda (sodium carbonate) will put it as a post - it might work?
This is a long slow haul - I keep expecting to wake up and it is all over but it doesn’t happen like that - the year timeframe is probably a good guideline.
Take care,
Hope you are feeling better today
September 14th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi Lee,
Hope you had a better night and your ankle is improved today. If not, perhaps as Sharon suggests you could ‘phone someone to get it checked out?
My busy day partly cancelled as have sick daughter at home, so no popping in to work for team meeting and to catch up, have had to ask a friend to come and look after her when I go to physio later and will now need to pay for taxi both ways. Sometimes feel someone’s really got it in for me!
Take care,
Sam
September 14th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Hey Lee - had busy weekend with hubby’s 40th and assorted rellies here to stay so only just saw your posting. Bit scary. Sorry to hear about that - hope you are feeling better today.
Smoley
September 15th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Hi Lee,
How disppointing for you! Are you using a compression stocking? I don’t need mine so much anymore, but I used to wear them religiously whenever I had to sit or stand for long periods, and they made a big difference. I did wear it again last week when I was flying up to Darwin - on the way home I had forgotten to wash it and didn’t wear it, and had some swelling, ache and reduced ROM as a result, but not as bad as you’re dealing with.
Good luck with the fruit & nut and Baileys therapy.
Dylan
September 15th, 2009 at 2:20 am
2ndtimer
I was trying partial WB. 60% would be about right. And not for that long ether I stood in the garden for a few minuets. Yes I am still in the boot, I have my first PT tomorrow, so rather than aggravate the problem I am going to go with their plan and my way forward. No pain today, feeling much better thank you.
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 2:44 am
fitterguy73
Thanks Ryan, thankfully the pain has gone, and today I am feeling a lot better. I can’t imagine what going back to week one would be like. I think the word “suicidal” springs to mind. Some poor souls on the site have had it happen, and It must be hell psychologically. My heart goes out to you all. I definitely will be taking it easy, till my PT on Wednesday that is. Thanks.
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 2:58 am
rainbow395
Thankfully as the pain was fading on Sunday, so I did not go to the Hospital about it. I don’t think my foot could swell up more than that, I think that’s what caused the pain though. Although it feels much better today, I will give it another day to settle. So my physio can do what she needs too, instead of being hindered by a painful foot. With regards to your poultice, have you tried cold water in a pale or bucket, Its much more effective than an ice pack, throw some ice in the water for better results, give it a go I am sure it will help you. Good luck.
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Hi Sam
I am feeling much better today thanks. The pain has gone away mostly down to Iced water in a bucket, rest and elevation. At least now I will be able to do something at PT tomorrow. Sorry you missed your team meeting, the chance to catch up with work, I bet you were looking forward to that as well. I hope your daughter feels better soon as well.
Your taxi ride is why I switched my PT from Sittingbourne to Medway, The difference in taxi bills would be horrendous. Although tomorrow my wife is taking me, her PT is an hour after my treatment, very handy.
Enough about me, hows the jogging coming, has your time to the postbox improved at all?
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Hi Smoley
Yes I am feeling much better today thank you. Have your guests gone home, or have you got them for the week? Did your hubby have a good 40th Birthday. I hope you had a good time, with all that company, I bet you forgot all about your cast.
For my 40th, my wife booked us a surprise weekend away to New York. We had a fabulous time, I would recommend it to anyone, Times square is amazing, and we flew around the statue of liberty in a helicopter, first time for me. I will never forget my wife’s face, when the pilot banked right so we were looking down at the river, priceless.
The wheather is so bad today, lots of heavy rain and very dark, So dark in fact, I have got the light on, so I can see the keyboard. But thinking positively, cool wheather is better for my right foot. lol.
So Smoley, how are you doing?
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 3:41 am
Hi Dylan
I will ask about a compression stocking at my PT tomorrow. Sounds like it might help a lot, thanks. I suppose your flight to Darwin might have caused your swelling. You should have asked the air stewardess for a DVT sock, it would do the same thing, and then you would have spare socks.
Fruit and Nut with Baileys is great therapy, I would recommend it to anyone. it helps you sleep as well. if you drink the baileys from mini chocolate cups and eat them as well, that’s probably the best way to drink it. I bet you are all thinking about getting the chock cups now sorry lol. Happy days.
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I’m doing okay, thanks Lee. Have even started sorting through all our photos! We had my parents for weekend plus hubby’s Mum. He spent most of the weekend paddling a canoe down the river Stour and didn’t actually get home until 5 on Sunday pm! I probably over did it wheeling around on my office chair because on Sunday evening leg felt very tight in the cast. But it was okay by morning and I was v. lazy yesterday. I have quite a bit of ‘tugging’ in the site if my leg is out straight, but I think that it where the dressing under the cast is a bit stuck to my skin (nice!), and the stitches in the soft tissue rather then the AT pulling. It is very dark and rainy here too (NE Essex). Not weather to brighten the mood!
Smoley
September 15th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hi Smoley
Good old blighty whether, guaranteed to make your day, NOT. I had trouble finding the front door earlier, the batteries in my torch have run down lol.
And it was only last week that I was telling annieh that we were bathed in sunshine, me and my big mouth. If it rains any harder I will have to get a boat. Which at my current status, I could drive no problem, “what break pedal” ha ha problem solved. Get a boat and ditch the car.
Your right I have lost the plot. When all else fails, you tube will make you smile, better still find your favourite track and wind it up, and break the six oclock rule, with no ice. Feeling better yet?
Lee
September 15th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hi Lee,
I am glad the leg feels better but I would ask questions from the PT how come it swelled up from a little standing around like that.
I am sorry to hear you have rain… We had the most rainy summer in memory, and in Ontario (Canada) when it rains, it pours…. I was raised in Europe, where I have never seen anything like this. Summers here are tropical: humid and hot. On top of it all we have a creek 20 feet behind our house, and it swells up into a rushing river after thunderstorms. A bit concerning… However the past 2-3 weeks are gorgeous: bright and sunny. Best time to visit here if anyone ever considers it!
Enjoy your Baileys - chocolate treatment. (here it is a bit early for that)
September 15th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Lee,
Glad the pain’s gone.
Hoing to arrange lifts for some of my physio sessions, but yesterday’s was short-notice change of plans.
Haven’t been to the postbox again yet, will have to try it if the rain ever stops!
Best of luck with your physio - keep us posted.
Sam
September 15th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hi Lee,
Yes, the DVT sock is exactly the same thing as the compression stocking. You should be able to pick one up at Boots. Supposedly they make them with different strength elastic for more or less compression, but in reality how much compression you get depends at least as much on how big your leg is to start with! Flying on a budget airline you’d be lucky to get a free tissue, never mind a DVT sock ;-/
Must remember to go wash mine now and hang it over my office chair to dry, have a business trip involving 3 hours flying time this afternoon and had to pull it out of the dirty laundry…
Dylan