Posts Tagged ‘PWB

28
Jul

3000 miles from home…hey, that looks familiar

At 3 weeks post op (boot, PWB) I flew from NYC to LA for a long-planned family visit/vacation.  Dr. Very Laidback gave me his typical blessing, “Might be a little awkward, but you’ll be fine.”  I am already down to one crutch and have even started doing the Frankenstein walk without crutches at times.  Because I feel more mobile than ever, I debated whether or not to use a wheelchair in the airport. I did, and boy am I glad.  A couple of months ago I wouldn’t have even noticed the vast distances covered during everyday life.  Instead as I was being wheeled through JFK and LAX I kept thinking to myself, “There’s no way I could have done this.”

I took off the boot during the flight but couldn’t elevate my foot. Didn’t spend too much time worrying about it because the focus was on my 4 year old and 11 month old daughters who both have stomach bugs.  I believe it was somewhere over Arizona when my wife clinched the Woman of the Year award as she cleaned up the vomit covering her and the baby.

It would be another couple of hours—rent the car, drive to Long Beach—before I got a look at my foot. Whoa, the sucker was swollen. The worst I’ve experienced.  As startling as it was to behold, it was just as reassuring how quickly it improved. Things were back to “normal” after maybe an hour of ice and elevation.

Okay, so now off to Target to pick up some stuff for the kids we needed. I’m scooting around in style when I hear a woman say, “That’s what you need.”  I look up to see her friend on crutches, her foot in a fiberglass cast.  Without hesitating I ask, “Achilles?”  She looked shocked and I could tell she was going to ask, “How did you know?” Instead she saw my leg and said, “Oh wait, you’re in the boot. I’ve got a few questions for you!”

We traded stories; her injury sounded particularly nasty, even after all the ones I’ve read about here. An avid runner, a heel spur was slicing through her tendon. She finally decided to get it fixed which they did by severing it, cleaning up the spur, then reattaching it with screws. So naturally, she’s putting me to shame by crutching around the store.  She did admit she was getting a little worn down from overdoing it. I told her not to rush things, wished her well and said, “You know, if you need info, there’s a great web site…”

What a day.

22
Jul

Goodbye cast, hello boot

As the song goes, “I’m walking, yes indeed I’m…partial weight bearing?” Forgive the lengthy post, but hey, I’ve got time on my hands.

At day 15 post-op my cast came off and the 15 staples were plucked out (not painful, photos below).  The scar looks okay, though I’ve noticed a little bulge near the top.  I guess I’m glad my surgeon went in “off center” after reading of people’s complaints that the incision on the back of their heel gets irritated by the boot.

I was then outfitted with the must-have fashion item sweeping the runways: a black DJ Ortho boot.  I waited a few days before posting so I could report on the transition.

First, let me outline my doctor’s timetable.  His plan is for me to use the boot for 4 weeks and then start PT.  I don’t have any heel lifts, but my doc did tell me to get one made for when I go into two shoes.

As for instructions…Dr. Very Laidback said I did not have to wear the boot while sleeping.  That’s a relief because, as others have stated, the sucker is hot.  Especially during these dog days of summer. It’s also heavy.   I bought some of those Under Armour moisture wicking socks which have yielded mixed results. I suppose covering the sock in a tight boot defeats the design that lets it breathe.

Next issue was mobility.  He said I could go from two crutches to one, to a cane if I needed it, then nothing.  “So, um, doctor, what does putting some weight on it mean? Like how much, and when should I start?” “Just do whatever you can,” was his sage advice.

So how has it been?  So far, so good.  By day two I was rolling the foot heel to toe, making crutching much easier because I’m no longer supporting my whole body.  By day three I was down to one crutch for most of the day.  I’ve even tried ditching them both, though I’m not really there yet.  And kkdub, I slept the very first night without the boot with no problem at all.

I’m in the same boat as those who describe the injury as not being all that painful. Yes, the incision is a little tender, and the tendon feels tight and stiff, but moving the foot does not cause excruciating pain that would make me stop. I have noticed swelling, for which ice and elevation provides immediate relief.




 

September 2023
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