Nov 06 2008
Whew!!! 90 Degrees and Rising!:)……….
Two weeks ago, my doctor told me I needed a “serial cast” for 6 weeks to get to 90 degrees/neutral. When I didn’t answer him right away, he told me to go home and think about it, and come back in one week. When I told my husband, he said he would PT me for 2 weeks, then we would go back to see what the doc says. Needless to say, I was a bit hesitant, so asked you ATR buddies of mine for advice….I was prepared to be casted again, but knew it would be very difficult mentally and physically for me to go there. In addition, I had my husband who really did not want to have to take care of me in a cast again either…..the no driving, etc.
So, in addition to the exercises I have been doing twice a day at home, my husband massaged my ankle every night and also stretched it for me…..:) (I’m very lucky!!!!!!)
Here we are now, two weeks later, and the doctor was surprised to see how much progress I’d made and the serial cast was no longer an option—Yay!!!! I can get my foot flat on the ground, but still walk with a limp and very slowly. But, my doc says it looks like I’m even a little past neutral, which was music to my ears!!! He says the limp will go away once my calf and thigh get stronger— and I thought I was limping because of my ankle…..so much is connected—also have terrible back pain on right side. I think it’s my sciatic nerve acting up because of compensation with the limp. Boy am I out of shape…….but my foot is flat!!!!!!
Thanks to all who have been supporting me through this very long, slow recovery process! I go back to doc in 2 months and plan on continuing my exercises at home. Any ideas for strengthing the calf and thigh without messing up my back anymore? I do see my chiropractor once a week which helps…..I feel my foot needs strengthening to—especially the ball of my foot. Haven’t practiced heel raises standing, only sitting.
Well, that’s all for now….I am thrilled to have progressed, on my own, in two weeks….something I couldn’t do during the last 6 weeks of PT…….I was stuck at -11degrees, but not anymore. It can be done!!!!!!!
Keep Healing and GO BEARS!!!!!!We take on USC on Saturday…..:)
Marianne
Congrats to you and good luck in your continued recovery.
GO TROJANS!!! [JUST BUSTIN ON YA]
marianne,
im glad you are getting better. keep it up…….
Great news Marianne….
Glad to hear it. Keep up the good work!!!!
Matt
Thanks maestro, screwdriver, and Matt for your encouragement!! Not funny maestro
…… I know we Bear fans need a miracle….lol ……
Marianne-
Now what did I tell you. I knew you were going to break through that point…you know the invisible barrier that when you pass your mind just feels relief and you know you’re going to get better.
Keep up the stretching and exercising that leg, and you’ll see more changes for the better. Try to practice as normal of a stride as you can (heel to toe) as you walk. The stronger your calf gets, the better you can push off of the toes. It’s been working good for me. I have little to no limp at all at this point.
My doctor recommended eccentric motions to strengthen the calf. It’s where you stand with the front of your feet on a step and the back half of your feet over the edge of the step. Lower your feet down only keeping 50% of your body weight on the bad foot. Use your good foot only to bring you back up. This may be difficult for you until you’re able to get a little more range of motion, but don’t worry, it’s coming.
Keep up the hard work. And remember what I said about USC several months ago. If we win, I’ll publically embarass myself in some way, shape or form to please the football gods.
M…….
Yahoo…..Great…..Fantastic…..
But no time to sit around….get moving.
Talk with the Chiropractor about exercising as well as if he/she knows of a personal trainer that can teach you how to strengthen properly.
Start walking, head to the pool, etc. Although the ROM has improved the strength will take a LLLoooonnnnnngggggg time to increase so don’t get frustrated.
Good Luck and get going.
Doc Ross
stevew,
I love “the invisible barrier” image you used to express my relief…you are so right on with the way I am now feeling– that I am going to get better. I will also take your advice, and try working on the eccentric motion exercise you suggested, as well as concentrating on my stride!! I continue my stretching exercises diligently
Thanks for reminding me about your USC “embarrassing moment” if Cal wins lol!!!! I had forgotten, having been living in 5 months of brain fog…..but you got me remembering our “scooter” stories which seems to me like such a long time ago….ahhhhh, the time flys when you’re having “fun”;) or when you’re working your butt off trying to walk normally again…..
I hope we see a good game!!
Go Bears!
Doc Ross,
Thanks for your encouragement!!! I asked my chiropractor today about leg/calf strengthening exercises and he gave me 3 to work on…thanks for the advice..and for the realization that the stength part of recovery will continue to be long. I apppreciate knowing that it’s normal to have to really work at this recovery.
Marianne,
I was so happy to read your post!! Reminds me of when I take care of a patient who hasn’t voided and you go back in with the catheter, and they say PLEASE NO! Then when you return an hour later….success and glad you didn’t open the package! It doesn’t always happen that way, especially if seeing no output in a long time
The motivation you have had to get up, and get moving (really seriously now) is a lesson for us all!
Keep us posted….think of all you are preventing….further cast…further surgery?
Every situation is so individual and I am glad when I see the number now to 240 bloggers! Someone is bound to share your story of getting to 90 degrees in the 22nd week…you took longer, but you did it!!
Hi Marianne, long time no hear. I am glad you are progressing as well as you have and you have a great husband there to help you. I have been riding on a spin bike to get my calf strenth back. You can adjust the resistance and you dont have your body weight on your leg. So you get to burn calories, get a good cardio excercise in, strengthen your calf and thigh all at the same time. I have been doing a lot of excercises (that my doctor does not know about) to get myself back together. I think even when I am in 2 shoes and “normal” again, I will still have a mental fear of getting up and doing my regular sport routine. I dont fear the pain, because I had none, but I fear being in that cast again so I know why you were so hesitant. Determination and effort have alway beat out fear, remember that.