Almost 12 Weeks, phew!
1. Where I am up to?
12 weeks really does feel like a milestone in many ways. Although I still have a bad limp, I have now recovered my lost independence. I am in 2 shoes, driving a car with a clutch and slowly stretching and moving to double heel lifts and a static bike. I was back at work 3 weeks ago and feel ok. In those dark NWB days, 12 weeks seemed such a long way. I appeared to specialise in self pity and kept staring at peoples intact achilles with envy. I feel a bit embarrassed by it now.
2. What did I want to know from you all and what actually happened?
All the stories here were very helpful to be able to gauge some of these milestones. I know we all heal and rehab at different rates but it was really helpful to get a feel for things like: taking off the boot at night at 5 weeks, back to work at 9 weeks, driving at 11. I am still hopeful that I will be able to ski next year but I know that is something I may have to wait and see.
3. What all the orthopods thought?
As I work in the medical sector I am lucky to have access to corridor conversations with orthopaedic surgeons. Some are pro surgery, most are equivocal but all were keen on the importance of physio and encouragement to get the scar tissue to act as a new tendon as soon as it is safe. That is, gentle plantar flexion, but remember, it is a bit like glue, you do need to wait until it’s dry before you pull the ends apart. So early mobilisation without going crazy.
We all heal at different rates. Healing depends on blood supply (it is terrible at the back of the heel, compared to other parts of the body) but also tension of the tissues and many other things like smoking, diabetes, and things we don’t know about.
4. Why does the website work?
Like so many other people who use this website, I have found it invaluable. I feel like I have collected a new set of friends that I will never meet. I have been encouraged by many kind words and kellygirls photo’s. I think it works for many reasons. Being NWB sucks and the rehab is so long. Many of us are similar as we are all seeking information and support by looking for the site. Also many of us are at that time of life where loosing 6 months is incomprehensible: work, children etc. But also, I think the information here is really excellent. We are all lucky to have norm, whose information gathering and interpretation is fantastic. Sites like this can be subject to misinformation and misinterpretation but I have yet to come across that here. Dennis, you must be very proud.
Finally, I hope I will never have to cook another meal on my knees! ( fingers crossed)
