Abandoned?
Although I can walk and do some really short jogging (like .1 mile 3 times in a 2 mile walk for example) I am coming to the conclusion that I was abandoned…by the Mayo clinic in Rochester, supposedly the best of the best, they fly in patients from all over the world, presidents and famous people like every time Jack Roush crashes another one of his experimental planes. Maybe I am just looking to blame someone other than myself for my injury, maybe.
But I went to the Mayo (a 140 mile each way trip, so not really local), saw a doctor who thankfully squeezed me into his busy schedule, had a couple of X-rays and a 20 minute boot fitting, telling me to wear the boot for 6 to 8 weeks. Then a scheduled MRI a few days later, and a quick call from the doc to say the tearing had stopped and that he would send me some rehab information. Well after 6 weeks and no information (was it supposed to come after the 6 to 8 weeks???) I went to the Mayo and asked at the desk if I missed something…apparently the doc did, then I’m told he quit and telling them I was told I was to receive rehab info I was handed a generic “at week 1″ do this….etc…
Well how does that work for … now its week6 and I immobilized my leg and lost inches off my calf?
Maybe its just me, but when I get a bill for over $3000 and I feel that I got the initial immobilization and the MRI to check the condition of what was left of the AT, but I dont feel that I got the recovery phase at all….hmmmmm
Filed under: Uncategorized and
Sounds like you got abandoned by the doctor who quit- it was probably his responsibility to hand you off to someone as he left. But, I think the clinic bears some responsibility too; they should have taken steps to ensure all of his patients were followed up with.
That said, it’s water under the bridge now. Your choices seem to be to either find a new doctor you trust and can work with. Or, just take matters into your own hands: Get a copy of a modern protocol (something like the UWO) and figure out how to get back on track. The good news is, after 6 weeks of immobilization, you’re not too far down the road; and probably haven’t diverged that far from an optimal path. You’ve probably missed out on some of the early joint mobilization, and my recommendation would be to gradually transition; working your way back towards a protocol you like. Many many people have been completely immobilized for this long, and have had good recoveries. It’s still the norm for many docs. Calf atrophy is normal and expected at this point.
I would say that finding a good physical therapist is even more important than a new doctor now.
Good luck-
I agree with Ryan - find a good PT who has worked with alot of these injuries. My experience has been that the docs are generally great at what they do - which is repair… but the physical therapists are the ones who know more about and have more experience with recovery. I also agree that you’re not too far off the mark - my first 6 weeks, I wasn’t instructed to do much of anything either - my PT explained it as the tendon needing the time to knit… as for your calf - from what I’ve read you were going to lose it no matter what. At 14 weeks, I’ve got about 90% of my ROM back and I’d say about 30% of calf strength back… rebuilding the calf is a slow road.
Good luck - & get onto a program quick - gonna feel great to be doing something!
Phil, let me heartily endorse the above advice. As for the calf, I have a lot of atrophy — that’s going to take some time. Range of motion, well, seems to be going slower for me than Pablo comparatively, but I’m getting some back.
This is a long haul, buddy. First few weeks seem to fly by, but as soon as therapy does start, the gains can be incremental, barely noticeable from week to week. Cummulatively, I’m definitely doing better — but feeling that way. Well, it’s not as easy.
All best w/ it, and please find a good therapist for yourself soon.