Just Another Not So Ordinary Day…..

Well, went to my PT appt. on Friday and asked them if I could advance from towell scrunching and marble picking, rocker, pro-step, and wedge work…..Come on people!!!! have been doing all that at home, twice a day, for the past 2 and a half months, plus biking, and band and towell stretching.  Yeah, it worked (all my whining); they let me on the total gym and tomorrow I get to add the stair-stepper!!  My PT did say, “be careful what you wish for”…and I asked her, “are you going to be mean to me?”  She is the therapist that kills my ankle when she stretches it…..I think she has some agression issues:)  Well, at least I get to skip the towell and marbles when I go to PT….still do them at home though as warm-up.

Using my Silipos achilles heel sleeve, to help the sore area of my incision withstand the pressure of the one pair of shoes that work for me–have been wearing them everyday for the past 2 months.  So, progress is slow, but is happening. Still on one crutch, limping and slow….yesterday I took my daughter, who lives on her own, can’t drive, (because of disabilities) to adopt a cat at Pet Smart….what an adventure.  I am not used to standing/walking around on one crutch for 2 hours shopping and adopting….I was pooped, but we found her the perfect cat…..so was a good day

Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend!

Marianne

My last post I was soooooo frustrated with the lower half of my incision because of the red, burning irritation that was not allowing me to bear as much weight as I felt I could at this point in my recovery.  Well, good news to report!!  Last Friday, my PT showed me a 4X4 gel patch that I could cut to fit the area that was irritated, providing a cushioning while I am in shoes.  I said, “I’ll take it!!!” , even though it wasn’t cheap for one patch—-$7.00….desperate, you know :)  Well, when I got home I immediately cut of a piece of “Elasto-Gel”, slapped it onto the lower half of my incision and wrapped it with gauze bandage to keep it on.  I put my shoe on and pure bliss!!!!  I have been able to bear more weight and work with one crutch again with a lot less pain until the end of the day!  JOY!!!!  I leave the gel patch on most of the day, even when I take my shoe off because it is suppose to help flatten the scar, and it just feels good.  I am so happy to have discovered something to give me some relief, as I have tried many things up until this point.  I was even able to take a couple hobbling steps without the crutches (held up in the air for mental support) yesterday. 

I would highly recommend the Elasto-Gel patch if any of you are experiencing burning/blistering pain.  Go to Medco-school.com and check out their bandages and dressings….

Thanks Steve and Sanfran for your advice and kind words…..I really appreciate your input!!! 

Go Bears!  and keep on healing everyone!!

Marianne

Nine days ago I posted my most positive blog yet—-one crutch and moving along.   My goal, 6 wks. ago, was to walk into my ortho’s office with no crutches, or at least, only one, but because of the pain/rubbing after working with one crutch, I’m back to two crutches except when I practice around the house with one.  I guess the amount of weight I have been putting on the incision just isn’t able to allow the lower half of my incision to not get irritated and have extreme burning….

Saw doc on Tuesday, and was afraid he was going to give me a good tongue-lashing for still being on crutches and not quite to 90 degrees/neutral…..got in quickly, and doc walked in, took a look at the leg, pushed on the foot and said “almost there”…”doing a lot better than the last time I saw you”……he didn’t say anything about the two crutches leaning up against the wall– big surprise there, since he’s been telling me to ditch the crutches everytime I’ve seen him.  I showed him the area on the lower half of my incision that is very painful and he said it looked like my shoe was irritating it…..I know that!!!  He gave me no suggestions other than saying, “I like your shoes”, no alternate shoe suggestions….  Told me I get more PT and off he went….that took maybe 2 minutes…

So, I’ve had no PT this week, as I wait for authorization from insurance for continuing, and my burning heel continues to keep me from doing more than I have been doing as far as walking and putting weight on the leg….kind of stuck here…..I continue to do my PT exercises at home twice a day and ride my recumbent bike, as well. 

My mind just keep saying, “If I could only find the right sock, the right shoe, etc., I could be walking more without this horrible burning ankle”.  But, my rational mind tells me that this injury will heal in its own time.  So, that’s where I’m at right now….am grateful for the progress I am making, but feeling stuck.

Hope you all are healing and moving along this rocky road we all must travel –some faster than others

GO BEARS!!!!!

Marianne

Has anyone heard of using this type of tape (Kerri Walsh wore it during the Olympics) for our type of injury? I have googled it online and have found Kineso Tape being used for all types of rehabilitation from injuries.  It provides support, pain relief and has many other benefits….I was just wondering if anyone is familiar with this tape and whether it would be useful for those of use having pain and having trouble weightbearing….Any thoughts?

Marianne

My PT mentioned to me tonight that I might try putting “scar conforming tape” on my scar to keep it from getting irritated by my shoe. Is anyone familiar with this product?  It’s also suppose to flatten the scar somewhat and is reusable. Help anyone?

I got measured at PT tonight and was very excited about my progress in 11 visits.  I measured -58 degrees 4 weeks ago and tonight I measured -11 from 90 degrees!  Yessssss!  I may just make my  goal of getting to 90 degrees by next Tuesday’s doc appt.  I REALLY don’t want to be put back in a cast….

Marianne

Wow, I am really surprising myself (remember me–”the wimp”  -  my PT’s affectionate nick-name for me).  Last week, I got out and started driving, and today I ditched one crutch!!!!!  I even took a couple steps without crutches :)  It was definitely what I would call hobbling, but I did it!!!!!  I have been practicing all day today around the house and can’t wait to go to PT tonight to show them my progress.  Didn’t have the burning feeling in my ankle this morning and after I did my morning PT home exercises I was somehow able to move the bad foot and opposite crutch and then pull my good leg forward.  That was where I was getting stuck….I didn’t think my bad ankle would hold the weight of my good foot coming forward.  But it did…..and I was on a roll :)  I practiced all around the house today and am soooooo excited.  I’m week 13 post-op and have been very discouraged lately that I haven’t been able to ditch the crutches; but hey, I’m on my way.  My goal has been to walk into my ortho doc’s office on Tuesday (6 weeks since I last saw him) with no crutches….I’m in two shoes.  Things are really looking up……driving and one crutch……still slow going and have pain in ankle, knee and lower back (saw my chiropractor yesterday)…..Plan on surprising my chiropractor tomorrow with my one crutch……I will have a proud smile plastered on my face

I really do believe that getting a recumbent bike that I have been using in this last week, driving, and having my dear husband deep massage my ankle in the thick, tight spots the last 4 nights has helped tremendously.  Just got to keep working at it!!

My scar looks pretty red and thick still– will post another pic soon. 

Happy Healing To All My ATR Friends,

Marianne