14 Weeks 2 Days post opp
Hi all
My doesn’t Time fly when you are not having fun!
My last post said “into shoes” well it did not go according to plan. My first problem was my foot is so badly swollen that none of my shoes fit me. I am a size eight and a half, So I went out and bought a wide size ten trainer, just so I could get my foot in it. I have had problems with pain in the heel and my calf as well.
As the weeks have gone by my PT appointments were frustrating, because I did not seem to be getting any better. I was doing exercises 2 or 3 times a day, with the odd bit of walking with both crutches. As per my pysio’s instructions but my ankle in particular kept going stiff, to the point I could do nothing at all. So my physio changed my exercise to little and often, just keep moving, this was at week 12. At week 13 my ankle started to free up, and the stiffness has almost gone away now. I am moving my foot as often as I can, and my walking is improving daily. Still not FWB though, and I still can not straighten my leg properly yet. Mind you it is only 2 degrees so I am nearly their. Getting the balance right on PT is difficult, when I am so paranoid about re rupture. But I think I have found a reasonable level of exercise and stretching, that seems to be doing a lot of good.
I want to be walking without crutches for my birthday next month. That’s four weeks away, I hope I can do it. With Christmas not far away, it reminds me I missed the summer this year, so next year I will make up for it, by being outside all of the time, and walking everywhere.
Lee
October 19th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Lee - Good to hear from you, you have been maintaining radio silence for weeks. Had hoped that was because you were off having fun, so sad to see that’s not really the case. But on re-reading your post it’s not sooo bad, you are making progress albeit not as fast as you would like. Wonder why your ankle seized up like that? I seem to remember that swelling has been a problem for you from the start.
It’s good to have a target in mind. I’m 40 in early December. Pre-ATR I was congratulating myself that I would hit 40 in better shape than I was at 30 (although I had a baby 3 months before my 30th birthday, so it wasn’t a tough target!). Ha ha! Fat chance! Now my target is to be walking on my birthday (laugh/sob), which is 4 weeks after I finally lose the hard cast. Having read your entry today I hope I’m not kidding myself.
Anyway, you seem to have found the right formula. Wonder if there is anything else you can do to get the swelling down? Ultrasound? Hydrotherapy?
Keep plugging away at it - slow and steady wins the race!
Smoley
October 19th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hi Lee,
Echo Smoley that I thought you were enjoying life too much again to log in here.
My ankle too is stiffer some days more than others, and need to do extra stretches - long slow ones to get the tendon stretching and working smoothly.
For a while I was finding that the ankle at the front wouldn’t bend far enough to allow me to bend my knee properly for squats, but that has improved with the regular stretching/massage/walking. Massage to get rid of the oedema to loosen up the ankle too.
The top of my foot also seemed to be a bit squashed from the cast - physio said the bones felt fine and it was the tissue inbetween that needed to get used to stretching and moving again. Maybe that was an issue with your ankle?
The WiiFit has been useful for me to practice equal weight-bearing on both sides as it tells you what % of weight you’re putting through each leg.
It also took me a few weeks out of cast before I could get my right foot flat to the floor when barefoot. You’ll be there soon.
I feel like a tortoise when I’m walking around without my crutches ‘cos I have to go that slow not to limp, but at least I can get around on 2 feet now. You’ve come so far already and I’m sure you will be racing around like me (!) before too long.
My goal now is to be walking at my pre-injury speed without a limp by Christmas.
Take care,
Sam
October 19th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Lee, good to hear from you again. I too was hoping you forgot about us because you were running around.
I am sorry your recovery is not going according to plan.
Got any explanation why all the swelling??
That must be holding things back and causing the stiffness.
I had lots of swelling first time and that did not help things.
Do you have lots of scar tissue around the repair?
Are you still elevating a lot? I was wondering if swimming would loosen things up?
Pain in the heel is frustrating. Do not walk barefoot on hard floor. But the swelling could cause tendonitis that manifests in heel pain if I understand right.
Maybe you should see the surgeon, I find it worrying that you still have so much swelling that you need larger size trainers.
Wish you luck!
October 19th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Well done Lee.
Progress however slow is still progress. Once you can go FWB & dump the crutches you will feel much better. I am 10 weeks post rupture & have only been FWB indoors for the last week, like you I am still suffering with swelling & don’t know how I am going to get into a pair of shoes again. It looks like it may be sandals with socks - how very British!
All the best mate.
Chris
October 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Hi Smoley
I went under cover to concentrate on my exercises, It was getting to me so I have been keeping at it, and today it paid off, I stood on my own two feet, for at least a few minuets at that. A but of a Superman moment, sorry I am gushing but it feels so good. I know now that my ankle seized up, because I was not moving it enough. Little and often has worked for me anyway. As for the swelling, I think it will go in time.
I hope you do walk on your Birthday, I don’t remember you having any complications, so you should be ok, I have my fingers crossed for you anyway, just in case.
I think I am going to go and stand in the garden again, just because I can. After three and a half months, so would you.
Lee
October 20th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Lee,
Hurrah! So happy for you! I’m sure now you have turned the corner you will go from strength to strength, each bit of progress building on the last. Michael Flatley will be back on the blower in no time!
Smoley
October 20th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Fantastic Lee! Enjoy the achievement!
October 20th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Hi Sam
Today I stood on my own two feet. What a fantastic feeling it is, after three and a half months, I thought I had forgotten how to do it ha ha. My foot is so stiff in the morning, but like you with a little work it soon frees up.
My goal is the 24th November, which is my Birthday. I want to be walking without crutches. Fingers crossed I can do it. But my next main goal is my exercise bike, I should start after PT next week, or sooner!
You are doing really well, your Christmas goal should be a breeze for you. I hope you do it, fingers and toes crossed at the ready.
Lee
October 20th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Hi 2ndtimer
I had not forgotten you, just concentrating on getting more mobile. The swelling I think is a by product of the operation, I am one of the lucky ones to get “big foot” syndrome. It will go in time I have been told, but for now elevating it cures it within a few minuets. I think you are right about the stiffness, being related to holding back. As little and often has made a huge improvement. So much so that today, (as I am sure the whole world knows by now, sorry), I stood on both feet, without crutches. three and a half months after my operation. I am very pleased with my scar, it is tiny. I will take a photograph and uploaded it.
I have read on this site, that people have re ruptured when swimming hard, so be careful if you do go for it. All the best to you, mend well and soon.
Lee
October 20th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Hi Chris
I went to a sports shop, and tried on loads of trainers, until I found a pair, that worked well with both feet. I bought a Size 10, (I am an eight and a half normally). They are very wide and well padded, with elastic to hold the trainer tong down, which helps getting them on as well. if it is any help to you they are called Airwalk.
Today was that day, FWB and no crutches YeeeeHA. H.A.P.P.Y me, oh yes.
Blimey Chris your recovering like a ferret down a drain pipe. Ill have a pint of what ever you are drinking, because it sure is working for you. Nice one.
Lee
October 20th, 2009 at 9:47 am
From one ‘big foot’ to another…..Yee-ha!
No stopping you now.
Chris