Week 7: Nov. 19- (Two Shoes!)
I started wearing two-shoes on Tuesday the 20th (got “cold feet” this weekend so put it off a few days). Being very cautious and using a hiking staff (looks like a hi-tech cane) in public as a defensive method to protect my AT foot (not using it except to steady myself as I go up steps).
I’m moving even slower now - trying to use my foot as normal but my limited ROM results in a kind of half-step and quick transition to my other foot. Picture Frankenstein.
Can’t wait until PT next week (they couldn’t fit me into this holiday week).
i still put on the boot to go up the stairs in the morning because my foot is stiff and I’m scared of re-injury. But once up (my office) I’m in running shoes and in the afternoon I descend one stair at a time in shoes.
After two days in shoes the swelling is the worst it has been since the week or two after surgery. I assume this is because I’m fully using a foot that has not been used for 7 weeks (and a new AT)?
You progressed to 2 shoes really quickly, which is awesome. The ROM will come back with PT. It seems they are working on my ROM, ankle strength, and upper leg strength before even starting the progression to FWB. I guess these doctors all have different ideas and plans to what is best.
Comment by kkirk — November 21, 2012 @ 9:20 pm
Yes, it’s nice they are preparing you better for FWB. It’s funny how wide a range of treatments there are for ATR.
Comment by loneachillesoftexas — November 21, 2012 @ 9:28 pm
It’s fine to keep your healing foot out in front. A normal gait will come, but only very gradually, as you gain stability, strength, and ROM/flexibility. Don’t forget how vulnerable you are, and always Watch Your Step. And control the swelling with lots of R I C E.
Check my blog for a trick to get you walking down stairs normally (at least from a distance), rather than always leading with the same foot. You could have started using the trick when you started walking FWB in a boot, then you’d be a pro at it by now. . .
Comment by normofthenorth — November 21, 2012 @ 11:47 pm
I was in a cast or splint for six weeks and wore my boot for three days and then went back to two shoes without crutches. Was back to full scale jogging at 18 weeks. I was walking three weeks before PT. You know what you can do - don’t stretch anything. Be careful and use your leg. You will see swelling after heavier use. It will decrease with time and exercise. Be smart and careful. Every day gets better.
Happy Healing
Comment by John — November 25, 2012 @ 10:44 pm