Just Another Not So Ordinary Day…..

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

Tomorrow will be 12 weeks post op for me– right foot…..in two shoes, but still using 2 crutches and have 4 more PT sessions until my 12 authorized sessions are up.  Got brave last night and crutched out to car (with husband in passenger seat) to see if the old leg could manage driving.  Plan was to use bad foot on accelerator and good foot on brake.  Drove a couple couple miles around the neighborhood and felt okay, other than my bad leg was very sore at the hip and thigh — need to work on using/exercising the area more I guess.  Braking with left foot takes a little getting used to, but don’t think I had enough strenth in right leg to do both braking and accelerating  with it…..at first, some rough stops, but got smoother and more natural feeling as we moved along.  Got home with very tired right leg……my wonderful hubby immediately got online to shop for a stationary bike for me to use at home to strengthen my legs……Felt awesome to know I can drive ….will practice some more this week and next week attempt to drive my daughter to school and pick her up…..she is counting the days, as she hates taking the bus….

Was wondering something about stationary bikes…….at PT I ride a standard bike, but we were looking into more of a recumbent style, with a seat that has a back.  I am wondering whether the recumbent bike would be putting more pressure on the achilles tendon because your legs are out in front of you instead of vertical to the ground.  I don’t want to get a bike that would reinjure the achilles, obviously.  Any thoughts on whether it matters what type of bike to get???????? I was planning on going to Sears with my husband to try out some different ones….I wear shoes when I ride the bike. 

Well, thanks in advance for any input……..

Happy healing …… we WILL all get there!!!!

Marianne

Yesterday, had my fifth PT session, 10 weeks post-op….I’m in two shoes with crutches, but still can’t get my foot to 90 degrees without alot of pushing.  Yesterday’s session, they added a new exercise to the towell scrunch, marble pick-up, rocker, “blue shoe stretch”, bike , and massage.  I had to stand with both feet flat on the floor and shift my weight from good foot to bad foot holding onto a table.  They had to put a foam wedge under my bad foot since I can’t get it flat on the floor.  Well, that worked out ok, but then they wanted me to lift my good leg off the ground and while still holding onto the table put all my weight onto my bad leg.  I said, “Are you kidding?”  And one of the therapists said, “No, is there something wrong with your knee?”  — not funny.  Well, after much protesting on my part, I attempted to lift my good leg off the floor.  …….couldn’t do it for either mental or physical reasons…….. but I did work up a good sweat while trying.  I was asked to crutch over to the scales to see how much weight I could actually put on the bad leg and after four tries got to 100 lbs.  So, I guess I really can put more weight on the leg than I thought I could, although I had to work through the pain to get there.   Then onto my least favorite activity– the massage and boy was it a killer yesterday.  Lay around with ice on foot much of today…..usually, the day after PT I feel great, but not today.   Well, enough of the woe-is-me- for today……just needed to vent my frustration at the slow pace of my life.  My daughter starts high school, as a freshman, on Monday and I won’t be able to drive her on her first day—–just had to throw that in.

Happy healing to all and have a great weekend !! 

Many of you may already have been aware of the articles out there regarding cortisone shots causing weaking of the ATR and ruptures, but thought I would post for those not familiar Prolotherapy - Achilles Tendon: The Weak Link for Many Ahttp://www.prolotherapy.org/article.asp?

Well, I am off to my third PT session today and have religiously been doing my at-home exercises over the weekend twice a day.  I was wondering what you all do on your PT appt. days…..skip at-home exercises, or do the one set at home and the PT session counts as the second set?  I am still at the towell scrunching, marble-toe, blue band flexing, circles and alphabet stage (at home)  I also warm the ankle for 10 min. before exercises and ice for 10 min. after.  So, to skip at-home exercises on PT days or not-  that is the question…….. 

Thanks everyone for the input…..been reading all posts daily and wish you all happy healing

Well, it will be 9 weeks Wednesday post-op and I got the call this morning that my first PT appt. will be Wednesday!  Happy 9 week anniversary to me :)  Something I’ve been wondering about is  I’ve been walking around the house in two shoes (doc said ok) with crutches; he actually said I should be ditching the crutches, but can’t seem to manage that yet– still am super tight and” fear factor” alive and well.  I had been switching off shoe/boot when the shoe bothered me, but the boot really is still irritating the incision, so I stay in the shoe mostly.  Feel alot more stretch in the calf in shoes though….  I don’t leave the house much since I’m not working, but back to question….should I bring/wear boot to PT or just walk in with two shoes and crutches?  Or does it even matter….do they want to see how you are walking or are they mainly interested just in the ROM and flexing etc.?  I am still not able to stand with two feet flat on the floor either.  Any advice?     I know, I know I probably am taking the “slow and steady” to a new level…”super slow and steady”….  Thanks you guys for listening

Okay, yesterday I went out and bought a pair of shoes with great support around the ankle area.  Now I am experiencing pain at the top of the back of the shoe…..is this just something that I have to deal with or does anyone have any suggestions to relieve the burning.  I am still wearing a soccer compression sock with the shoe.  I did consider wearing a lower cut shoe, but opted for the shoe with more support around the ankle.  Any sock ideas, etc.?

You guys are awesome and I so appreciate all of your advice.!!!    And the healing goes on…….

Wondering how to know when it’s okay to drive with ATR right foot…..I understand that the doc has to release you, but does the PT have a say as to letting you know that it’s time to talk to your doc about being able to drive?  I am waiting for authorization to start PT and am at 8 weeks post-op.  Next doc appt. in 6 weeks…do I just wait until week 14 when I see doc and talk to him then about driving?  Or does the PT have a say as to whether I am ready to push the pedal to the metal?  Would the PT suggest that I talk to the doc, if things are moving along before my 14 week appt.?  What is the average time people start driving, with doc’s release?

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance!!!!  Really appreciate it!