went to fracture clinic to have stitches out and cast no.4 put on. stitches out x5 weren’t too bad. orthopaedic surgeon seemed pleased with his handiwork and suggested we aim to reach a 90° neutral position within four weeks. this requires a cast a week, with repositioning each time to reduce foot’s angle. it feels safer being in a fully wrap-around cast and not the previous splint-casts which didn’t inspire much confidence. i was sure had i fallen onto my gimpy foot, my heel would have been forced through the light bandage, and i would be back to square one. now i’ll just guillotine my toes off.

i’ve posted pics of the incision on a new page (2 wk pics) it seemed ok and had closed neatly, but i nearly emptied my bowels in fear when they moved foot to the new position. wasn’t ready for that feeling.

four more weeks of casts. deep breath………..and relax.  

do:

1. be patient (and thankful that this is temporary)

2. keep leg up & wiggle those toes (reduce swelling, help circulation)

3. use time constructively (and do something you enjoy)

4. buy cycling gloves with padded palms (for crutches / wheelchair)

5. keep blogging, supporting and learning from one another

don’t:

1. throw crutches across the room screaming ‘FUGGNCHFFNARGHH!’

2. hop for 8 weeks (it’s not big and it’s not clever)

3. drop your plaster cast in the bath water

4. wear flip-flops / mules / slip-ons etc (good foot must be secure) 

5. get blue, get even.

let us know your 5 do’s 5 don’ts.

hi all, day 5 post-op and before me lies an ocean of days in similar positions. on sofa, leg up, laptop dug into lower ribs (aids typing). what would i do without the internet? “err offdibb, you could study something, read more, meditate, increase your knowledge”, comes the reply, not vegetate watching videos on youtube through splayed fingers of ATR accidents, and dogs that talk. hopefully this obsessive phase of all things ATR (and talking dogs) will pass, and i won’t spend every waking second replaying how i did it?, why it happened to me?, is my wound & tendon healing? did that dog really say ‘i want my mama’? and just how fat and lardy is it possible to get on yer back?

i think of you all out there, and wish you speedy but safe recoveries.

offdibb.

just wondered if anyone else’s wound bled through their cast bandage. don’t panic.. it stopped on day 1, but it now means that the wound has stuck to dressing. i want to unwind bandage to check on healing but know this ain’t very clever. mind is full of so many ‘what ifs?’

also was hygiene of foot an issue with anyone? or did you all just stick leg in air and ignore the flies. LOL 

good luck with 1st cast removal marianne.

tim

good to hear from others and so quickly too, so thanks, i appreciate it. i’ll answer questions here as still getting used to using this site correctly.

i work with the elderly and disabled as an activities instructor, so that’s out the window for a while. i’ve got myself a wheelchair which is a godsend. i was goofing about with my dog in the park (150 miles from my home) when i ruptured my AT. i was also house & cat-sitting for my parents (out of the country) so alone. i was also was their taxi to and from the airport (90 miles away) so I really timed it well. LOL Looks like i’ll be with parents for a while now, bet they’ll be chuffed when they return!

i’ll look into any possible benefits i can claim but i’m not holding my breath. i’m eager to see that my wound is healing but gotta wait the two weeks before cast change. i think the mental part of this experience might be even more of a challenge than the physical healing/therapy. have finally registered what i have done to myself, i think i was in denial up to now. got very frustrated earlier with crutches, so sticking with wheelchair for a few days. so great to be in contact with people who have been there.

cheers tim

hi all,

came across this site whilst researching what appears to be a very costly slip-up in the park when walking the dog. the information and reassurance i am gaining from it is very welcome. my accident was on 06.06.08 and surgery was 12.06.08. i had fully ruptured AT but managed to walk home, just. i am now unable to earn as self-employed, so need a plan B very quickly.

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