Been a little while since I updated - hi to all!
Well I am 15 weeks post-op now, and really can’t complain about anything. When I first ruptured and was told 12 months recovery time, I imagined the worst. But less than 4 months through it, the injury is not impacting upon my life in any really major way, apart from that I am not back to dance classes yet.
I am still having physio twice per week, he also uses acupuncture needles to release tension in the muscles and fascia - which is quite unpleasant actually! It causes spasming which really hurts at the time, afterwards however, it feels fantastic and my range increases quite dramatically.
So, I am keeping up with the pilates and the spin classes and have added in Yoga now, which is interesting, particularly through the balance phases!! But I am improving gradually. I can also perform a fairly awkward looking jog - I have never been a runner and have always been pretty awkward at it but doing a little bit just to focus on getting the gait right and pushing off the ball of my foot…in preparation for my hip hop moves!!
Double calf raises feel fine except that I still get a ‘bunched up’ feeling at the top of my tendon when I am up on my toes…my sister who is a physio explained to me that this is most likely caused by the tendon sheath having become too tightly attached to the tendon (at least I think that’s what she said!) and that massage will help. So I have my wonderful partner diligently employed each night doing some good firm tendon massage. This has definitely assisted with softening and mobilising the scar tissue, the tendon feels more and more like the unruptured one all the time.
My range is ok, I can get my knee to the wall with my toes about 7 cm out, the other leg is about 11 so I guess I am getting there! My limp comes out to play sporadically, depending on the sort of day I have had, and I still have to elevate and apply heat if I have been on my feet a lot, to bring the swelling down.
All that said, it’s amazing just how little attention I actually give the thing now. Going to pilates is no longer really about rehab, it’s about going because I love it. Of course the injury is still in my mind and I am naturally more cautious and it still affects me in a myriad of ways….but not nearly so badly as I expected when first it occurred. I am really pleased to say that life is good and I am just getting on with it.
Sounds like lots of you are doing great stuff as well, thanks as always for the positive and motivating posts.
Best wishes to all with your recoveries…will check in again soon!
Ruth
Exactly how heat helps you to bring the swelling down?? At the end of the day, I usually take a hot shower and my foot becomes larger! I then sit on my beloved couch with my foot elevated and soon as my temperature becomes normal, I apply ice.
February 25, 2010 @ 6:18 amNice to see you’re doing good, I’m expecting to go to the gym on Saturday for the first time since my injury and work out my lower body
I too get that bunched up feeling when I am on my toes too. It is good to know there is a simple reason for this and that I can work on it. It sounds like you are have a great recovery, I hope it continues.
February 25, 2010 @ 7:18 amMarina, to be honest its probably more the elevating that helps with the swelling, but the heat is really excellent for relaxing and loosening up the tissue, which is proving really important in my case. I also use heat prior to exercise, and ice afterwards.
Josher - lots of heat and massage!! The bunching sensation is slowly improving for me but it does take some effort.
Cheers guys
February 25, 2010 @ 5:34 pmYou sound like you’re doing a lot more activity than I am, so I’m jealous.
My feet hurt in the arch area of my feet, both feet when I have done calf raises and leg presses. Plantars Fasciitis is what they feel I have due to my running shows with hard arch support, so I’m now wearing my Crocs every where I go except during PT working out.
I’ve been told that massage can help and wearing shoes that flex with my feet right now. I’m planning on making an appointment next week for a knees down massage for both feet. I found someone who does a $25 dollar for a half hour massage.
I don’t know about acupuncture. I like workout pain, but not just pain.
Thanks for posting.
March 4, 2010 @ 8:59 am