2 weeks in 2 shoes and something strange for swelling….
Hi, the time is plodding along literally and it has been 2 weeks since I have been going around in 2 shoes. No huge leaps in improvement just slightly more movement everyday.
Had another session at the physio and she is encouraging me to stretch it more and start a bit of strengthening, she also gave me a lovely massage and it all felt a lot looser but was not good at the end of that day. Am still walking with a limp unless I really concentrate on getting the heel toe movement, which is becoming easier.
Had a bit of a treat at the weekend as a friend kindly offered to stay with the children while I went with my husband to a nice hotel in Wellington overnight. It had a swimming pool so I went swimming for the first time since the injury. It was good but I certainly felt that I had lost quite a bit of fitness, not that I was super-fit to start with. Did quite a bit of walking as well and apart from not being very fast and being in trainers all the time it was starting to all feel a bit more normal again.
As I was swelling quite a bit some days I was given this suggestion for swelling, I haven’t tried it yet but I have bought some washing soda - if anyone tried is it would be good to hear how it goes!
Get hold of some washing soda (sodium carbonate), if it is crystal form, blend to coarse salt. Get a piece of cotton fabic (old cloth nappy is good) about 6×10inches, masking tape, towel, plastic rubbish bag. Just before bed make a sandpile of washing soda in the middle of the cloth about 1/2-3/4 inch deep. Fold the long ends of the cloth over it in thirds. Place over affected area and tape it on with masking tape. wrap a towel over it and stick it down if necessary. lay the plastic bag under leg on bed and go to sleep! Remove and wash in the morning.
I would be very interested to hear if anyone tries it - I am just starting to enjoy my sleep again and don’t want anything extra on my leg at the moment - but I might well try it later in the week if it starts swelling again.
Anyway, good luck to everyone, hope the healing is progressing.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Hi Sharon,
I understand your frustration… it took me a long time to start to get back to the heel to toe movement after getting used to walking in the stiff boot. Actually, I never had a good push off before re-rupturing.
Try to take breaks to sit and rest your foot between activities to reduce swelling.
My PT told me to massage it with a homeopathic cream for inflammation.
It is interesting, my PT wants me to go 3 times a week. It feels good, but getting expensive, as I ran out of insurance coverage. The exercises I can do at home, and I wonder how much ultrasound treatment I really need? She said she will give it as long as I come?? The massage to break up the scar tissue is useful I guess, but for how long?
Did you get any electrical muscle stimulation?
Are you doing heel raises yet?
First time around I started them a week after getting out of the boot, and were very painful, I am questioning the wisdom of not going gradually with those.
Now I started heel raises while sitting in a chair. Those feel good. Maybe I will put weights on them later. Also doing heel raises in the pool would be a good idea.
How I envy you for going swimming! Did you try walking in the pool? My PT suggested that, it is actually harder than swimming!
Your soda treatment for swelling sounds very interesting, but I never heard of it. I would not be looking forward to sleeping with my foot in a plastic bag though. I am afraid it would feel hot, I prefer cool when my leg is swollen.
So do not over do it, put your foot up several times a day. Cheers!
September 14th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Rainbow - Haven’t heard of washing soda for swelling, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t work. It sounds a bit messy and cumbersome. I would think a compression sock would be a lot less of a fuss and I know those work.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Should’ve asked my physio about the washing soda…
Feeling a bit beaten up from physio myself at the moment but know it’s for the long-term good.
As you say slight daily improvements, sometimes so small you hardly notice.
Glad you enjoyed your weekend treat - we probably need pampering even more now whilst fighting to get back to normal!
Sam
September 16th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Hi 2ndTimer,
Thanks for your response. I am trying much harder to take breaks and put my feet up which definitely helps but is not always easy!
My PT does really want to see me much at all! She expectgs me to do the exercises and although offered the electrical stuff she was rather sceptical about its effectiveness and as I didn’t really want it anyway decided to just stick with the exercises and massage.
I am doing heel raises sitting down with just pushing weight as feels OK and also gradually trying to go up on my toes putting more weight on the bad foot. I am more nervous about these but they are not painful.
I have not tried walkingin the pool yet but perhaps next week, there is only an outdoor pool near me and I am not really supposed to drive yet.
I think I might just use the washing soda for my washing!
Take care,
Sharon
October 4th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hi Sharon,
Just wondering how things are going with you? We’re about the same time post-op tho’ I had longer in the cast and no boot.
Hope you’re so busy enjoying life again that you just haven’t had the time to blog.
Sam