Jan 15 2009
32 week update/pics and “gift” from doc :)
Just updating my fellow ATR’s at this point in my recovery. I last posted 5 weeks ago, and on Tuesday saw ortho doc for, hopefully, last time. He released me saying that things looked good. I am just slightly past neutral in my range of motion, which keeps me moving slowly, but speed has improved in the past month-Yay!! Still limping, but have ditched the cane around the house, which is also an improvement. I explained to doc that I not only have stiffness and tightness around achilles, but my whole foot gets numb/tingly if I’m on it for long periods of time….the ball of my foot gets tired quickly as well….wierd. But, those things may go away with time since he says my circulation looks good. He also re-measured my calf: good calf is 14 1/2 inches and achilles calf is 13 1/2 inches–gained a half inch since last visit. My doc asked me, “so how is the physical therapy helping you?” at which point I replied, “you told me to discontinue therapy after 3 months, as I had ‘plateaued’ out at that point”….He said he could authorize more if I wanted to go back, adding that it can get expensive though….my thoughts exactly!! I think I will stick with what I have been doing at home since I am not a “sportsy” person….just a person that wants to eventually be walking normally again.
At the end of the visit, out of the blue, my husband mentioned that my temporary disability parking placard had expired in Dec. and if we could get me another temporary card for parking….this is the “gift” part :) Doc replied, “oh heck, let’s just make it permanent…it’s the least I can do for all she’s been through”….oh boy, I am not going to take advantage of it though….only when necessary.
Well, hope this year brings all of us happy, healthy ATRs, and lots less drama. Thanks to all and to Dennis for this awesome site…I still appreciate it soooooo much!!!
Thanks screwdriver for asking about my progress….hope yours is also going well.
marianne - glad that your last ortho visit went well. keep up the rehab even if you just do it at home, and looking forward to your updates!
Boy have you come a long way.
Don’t get complacent. Do your home exercises, massage, etc. It really does take a year to fully recover.
Doc Ross
marianne-
nice to know everything is heading the right direction . keep up the good work ( exercises ).
knowing you can walk alot better now just makes me glad . if you dont get the range of motion and strenght back - the limp will always be there.
but theres much more in life than walking normally and perfect range of motion . take advantage of the things that you can do and enjoy life - it is sweet……..
Hi Marianne! Glad you hear you are in the clear-for the most part!
I was in the clear, but have developed tendonitis in my ankle, apparently not uncommon? My ortho gave me a cortisone shot, but my trainer recommended seeing a specialist in “myofascial release”.
I guess its a massage/sports therapy technique. Anyhow, another one of his clients (female) had ATR’d about a year 1/2 ago, and developed tendonitits like I have. I guess she saw this specialist for 2 months and has since run a marathon and is planning on doing the “Trek” in Patagonia. Lets hop it works!
Also, the foot thing. I experienced a little bit of that. The muscles in your feet end up so weak. Muscles in your feet….not something most of us think about!
Dani
Thanks Doc and Dennis for your support!!
Thanks screwdriver for your words of encouragement and wisdom.
Damacar- sorry to hear about your tendonitis….what does that feel like after a repair? The massage technique sounds good…let me know how it goes if you you decide to try it. My foot “muscles” are bothering me enough that it is very difficult and painful for me to walk barefoot, so I always keep a shoe on for support. Continued healing to you
Hi Marianne,
When you finally got into 2 shoes, did you or anyone have heel lifts in both shoes to avoid future hip/back pain or altering the normal gait?
Hi Tron.
I got the following heel lifts from ebay (UK).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEIGHT-INCREASE-insoles-heel-lifts-shoe-insert-TALLER-c_W0QQitemZ290209396785QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Clothing_Menswear_MensShoes_GL?hash=item290209396785&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1685|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
I bought a cheap pair of trainers 2 sizes bigger than normal and they were great with the heel lifts in.
hopefully I will be able to through them away soon and start wearing my new pair of asics without lifts,which are really comfy around the achilles.