So today the hard cast came off. My doctor wants me to start walking around on it without crutches, which seems crazy. It doesn’t hurt, but it feels very tight and mechanical. When I move, it feels like a rubber band tightening, but the nerves feel raw and buzzy, particularly on the inside of the heel. Anyone else experience this? And does it go away? I guess I’m just nervous that there might be some permanently damaged nerves.
On an up note, it is wild feeling the air on my skin! I washed away the yucky skin that was under the cast and applied some aloe vera with comfrey and camomile. Massaging it in felt amazing! When I crutched around for the first time with nothing on my calf or ankle, it was actually exhilarating. We don’t realize how much information our nerves ignore. It was like I could feel the air rushing past every cell. So cool!
As for bearing weight on this leg, I am nervous. I’m starting really slowly. Anyone have any good advice for building up to being fully weight bearing in the aircast? I don’t want to rush it, but I also don’t want to baby it too much…Wish me luck!
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March 1st, 2013 at 4:13 am
normofthenorth
Although it’s fun to sleep barefooted, if your AT & calf are tightening overnight, you may be better in the boot. Esp when you remove a wedge, the “nicest” way is to remove it at bedtime and sleep in the boot. That way your leg can get used to the new stretch without being loaded with your weight. Safer and morfe comfy, too, IMO.
I had no problems boot-walking. RyanB has posted some
suggestions. Land in the heel the use the round sole to roll forward to the toe. Let the rigidity of the boot support your weight, transferring the AT’s normal load to your shin. You should be able to walk fast, with a long stride, once you get the hang of it and once your foot is comfy with FWB.
March 1st, 2013 at 4:16 am
normofthenorth
That was SUPPOSED to be a response to your latest page,
About ankle pain. I have no idea how it got here…
March 1st, 2013 at 3:16 pm
normofthenorth
“Land in the heel the use the round sole to roll forward to the toe.” –>
“Land on the heel then use the round sole to roll forward to the toe.”
If you turn on editing in your dashboard/options, some of us will fix some of our own typos.
March 1st, 2013 at 3:19 pm
normofthenorth
Dennis, why are my comments showing up on two different pages here?!?
March 4th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
kkirk
The best advice I could give as far as walking is don’t rush it, and if you have to, use the crutches to assist and keep your gait as correct as possible. With your boot on put your weight on your heel and push/roll forward to your toes. I hope you have found success since your posted. Good luck.