Advice on evening up non-op leg
Hi there, I hope this finds everyone doing well or the best possible under the circumstances. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to deal with the uneven leg when in a boot. I have tried the Even-up, however, it is still not high enough. My right hip (non-op) side becomes very painful after just a few minutes. I haven’t actually started PWB yet but even when using the crutches and just toe touching causes my hip to hurt. I can’t imagine what this does to the back, and in turn, the rest of the body. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
April 21st, 2015 at 8:44 pm
I looked back and maybe I missed it, but are you using wedges in the boot? I ask because when you get rid of that first wedge you will most likely be even with your even up.
April 21st, 2015 at 11:13 pm
Donna, yes I have a wedge. I figured once it’s out I will be even, however, any advise while in the PWB phase?
April 22nd, 2015 at 7:06 am
I know when I was walking PWB inside, I wore house shoes with an insole inside and this seemed to help me some. When walking outside, I made sure to wear shoes that had a thick sole/heel to offset the imbalance. Both of these helped to an extent but I still had some issues with hip pain in the PWB and beginning of the FWB stage. Good luck and hang in there!
April 22nd, 2015 at 9:22 am
Cj’s advise sounds good, I never did PWB so I’m not much help there I’m afraid. What I can suggest regarding the hip pain is start to stretch and strengthen the hip now. PT seems about the tendon and calf rehab but it’s really about strength in the whole lower body. Laying down leg lifts will help with overall strength and are safe for the tendon and if you google image hip stretches I am sure you can find some to do while laying down. Did you mention when you’ll start PT?
April 22nd, 2015 at 10:18 pm
Donna, I have an OS appointment tomorrow. I am hoping to get the remainder of the stitches removed. I have a feeling I am in for at least another week of NWB. I say this because the incision feels like it isn’t healed. I will let you know the outcome tomorrow.
April 22nd, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Cj, Thanks for the suggestion. I will give it a try.
April 23rd, 2015 at 8:46 am
Here’s hoping for a nicely healed incision today!
April 23rd, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Thanks Donna. I had my appointment this afternoon and the incision is still not totally healed. The OS took me out of the boot and put me in a splint that covers only the back of my leg and straps around the front. It is lined with a sheepskin-type of lining. It is much more comfortable than the boot but offers absolutely no support. I have to be extra careful for the next 10 days when I have another follow-up appt. I will be 7 weeks post-op by then and hopefully ready for PT and some sort of weight bearing. I was almost completely pain free until after my appt today. Now I have a weird pain in my outer side of my ankle. I hope I didn’t do something to it because the splint does not offer any support whatsoever.
April 24th, 2015 at 6:48 am
I’m sorry to hear your incision needs a little extra TLC time to heal. You’re OS sounds good, and despite having no support being in the boot is not the best place for it to heal from all that rubbing irritation you had while in the cast. The splint is a much cleaner environment to manage and should not rub on the wound. To ensure being extra careful maybe you can stay put as best you can? I know it’s not easy but the less movement the less chance of accident. At 7 weeks you tendon will be ready for weight bearing, I wouldn’t be surprised once the wound heels, if you are FWB within a few days of being back in the boot. You could be in two shoes a week or two after that……and PT is fun if you approach it that way. YAY…think of all you have to look forward to. Don’t worry about the weird pains here and there, keep an eye on them to see if they become consistent or increase in magnitude, if so then report them to your OS…otherwise odd pains, zips, zaps, zings, pulsing, throbbing, aching…are all part of this injury…especially so early on as you are. My very best to you!
April 24th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Donna, I am SO thankful for you and your quick responses. I have a call into the OS and am hoping to hear back before the end of the day but would appreciate your opinion on something. I wore the new splint overnight and all day today. The splint is soft on the inside, however it still moves around just enough to irritate the incision. Do you think it would be ok to take off the splint and wrap my foot and calf with a few ace bandages to support and protect it. The ace bandage shouldn’t rub and won’t move around pulling on my Heel. I have kept myself pretty much restricted to the upper level of our house as this is where our bedrooms and bathrooms are. I have pretty much been laying with my leg elevated all day long every day. I only go down stairs if I have to leave for a doctors appt. I don’t think I would bang or otherwise hurt the foot but I am not sure if the ace bandages are ok. The OS said I can remove the splint while elevating.
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April 24th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Gosh I’m really sorry the splint isn’t working out. I did sleep for 8 hours a day in an ace bandage weeks 3 till 12 but during the day I was mostly in the boot for three reasons, one was to keep it at the right angle and to give it that slow stretch week by week as I removed heel wedges, two to keep it rested and not moving in general, and three to keep it protected. You know I really don’t know about the ace bandage being OK 24/7, wish I did. Let me know what your OS says.
April 24th, 2015 at 6:00 pm
I will. It is after hours now and no return phone call. That really irritates me being today is Friday. I am unsure what to do. I tried the ace bandage in the splint and there isn’t any moving as the ace bandage tightens it. What are your thoughts on this?
April 24th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Sorry they didn’t get back to you, I can imagine that’s frustrating. I think your idea is BRILLIANT! If it tightens it so there is no rubbing on the wound, yet you still have some protection and it’s being held still then that solves the problem, at least for this weekend! YAY you!
April 24th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
Ok, I will keep it like that until I can speak to someone on Monday. I think it will be alright because there are no wedges in the splint and I bandaged my leg the same as it was in the boot. Hopefully my tendon will continue to slowly stretch. I can’t imagine any damage will be done by Monday. At least I hope not. I sure hope that you are correct about me moving on quickly once the incision heels. Thanks again for allowing me to pick your brain. Have a nice weekend. We are expecting rain up here in Denver. Here’s hoping it doesn’t turn to snow!
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