week 4 Unsure-1st lift off(well, out)
June 27, 2014 by nosport45
Well it’s week 4 since AT snap and this site has been great! Like with many of you it has become part of my daily routine and everyday I find someone with words of wisdom to help keep me on track.
Yesterday it was time for the first heel lift to come out. I was so nervous, especially as it was so painful when my foot first went from cast to boot. I had visions of experiencing the pain. I have been told to keep the boot on 24/7 so have only had it out of the boot a couple of times for washing, which added to the apprehension. My son came down stairs and asked if I needed a hand ( he’s a first year medical student and I think he’s practising his bedside manner on me) so I decided that was the time to just bite the bullet and do it!
After the initial shock of seeing that it was still swollen ( and some funny shaped swelling that followed the pattern of padding in my boot) I gave my foot a warm soak while my son removed the bottom lift. I tried moving my foot from side to side in the water and did alphabet movements without lifting toes towards me. Not full ROM but some. Once dry and with the new liner in place it was time for the newly positioned boot to go on. I braced myself…… eased my foot slowly in…. and….no pain.. it was ok! Not what I was expecting at all. Such a relief. I sat with it elevated for a while and it did ache later that day after moving around a bit but nothing like what I was expecting. I’m wondering if I am wearing my boot too tight or whether it has too much air in or whether it’s normal to get swelling at the sides as well as back of calf and just below.??. Maybe some of you guys will know.
Patience is my mantra and I keep telling myself- It could be worse and it’s not for ever!
I had an AirCast boot and I recall the odd swelling around the side and back of my ankle that puzzled me–until I discovered it was the pattern of the air bladder inside the boot. I also remember fooling around with the air bladders a lot at first, but finally got them comfortable and then let them be. I found taking the boot off and evening-up the air bladders is what finally worked for me. Also, I found that loosening-up the straps at night (and placing my booted foot on a pillow from the knee down) made sleeping much more comfortable. Then, in the morning, I would tighten the straps down for the rigors of the day. Good luck! -David
Luckily I didn’t have much swelling with the boot. I agree with everything David said. Have you put some ice on it? I tried to I’ve a couple times a day.
Thanks guys. Advice invaluable! Haven’t actually done the ice thing. Some people are doing that a quite a lot I see. I have played with air bladders but will def try taking it off to even it up. Joey, after reading your one crutch bit earlier have just tried using opposite crutch- still feels weird, much easier using same side as injury. I actually just hoovered for about three minutes using one though. Doesn’t sound much but quite proud ( decided not to let the kids know - they’ve been doing that job for me
I stopped inflating the bladders in my Aircast , mostly because I hated the plastic that close to my skin, even with a sock.
I recommend removing a wedge at bedtime andsleeping on it before loading it up.
Any boot that doesn’t perfectly match your profile will cause deformations,and how tight the boot should be is always a judgment call. Looser at night makes sense. FWB walking needs a snug boot, especially at first.
As others have said, I always deflated the bladders and loosened the straps in my AirCast before sleep. After a week or so of being in the boot I was able to sleep normally.
Yes. I can’t figure out the 1 crutch on opposite side either. I’m also more comfy with it on the same side.