First follow up — 1 week post-op
My first follow up appointment was a week and a day after the surgery. I had thought the doctor mentioned I’d be in the splint for another week, but I wasn’t sure so I brought the boot with me just in case.
When I got in the room, the nurse cut off the splint. It felt so good to get some air on my leg! It was also funny to see the word “yes” still on my leg. Then the doctor came in, looked at the stitches, and said it all looked good and that I should schedule an appointment the following Friday to get my stitches removed.
Surprisingly, he did put me in the boot right away, at 15 degrees. At first, I couldn’t get my heel down in the boot and the stretch of the tendon was pretty uncomfortable. But by the next morning I was fully in the boot.
I was given stuff to change the bandage every 2-3 days and told to take the boot off every hour and do 10 ankle pumps. I’ve been pretty good about that and am surprised at the range of motion I have. Sometimes, I feel like it could bear some weight but I’m not doing anything until the doctor gives me the OK. I do not want to make a mistake! If I understood the doctor correctly, I have another week of NWB left.
I get my stitches out tomorrow. I feel pretty good. My toes get pretty swollen after a day at school, so I make sure to elevate my leg as much as possible. Sleeping in the boot is getting a little bit better, but it’s still not very comfortable. My doctor said I could take it off at night if I wanted, although he didn’t recommend it. Therefore, I”m not doing it.
So that’s where I am now. Friday will be one month since my injury. Time goes by fast, and hopefully that continues.
on July 22nd, 2011 at 1:01 am
Hey! it’s my very first comment on your site. Your post is really a good one. Thanks for sharing information related to surgery.your blog information is really nice and effective.
on July 22nd, 2011 at 7:29 am
Hi anne
It will be interesting to follow your blog. As our ATR is around the same time. You seem to be on a very aggresive protocol. Im 3 weeks plus into my injury and my doctor still forbids any movement or WB apart from my toes. Im seeing him this monday and will be in an aircast boot and I think I will can be PWB, I hope.
on July 22nd, 2011 at 11:00 am
I can’t do any weight bearing other than toes either yet. But it feels really good to move the ankle around, if for no other reason than an excuse to take the boot off. I just saw the doctor today and still no WB for two more weeks. I was hoping for sooner, but he likes to keep weight off for 4 weeks.