15 weeks post-op, properly 2-shoes?
Another busy week, particularly so as husband has been away in the States with work so I’ve had all the household/family stuff to do as well as work, physio and Uni…early night tonight I think!
Anyway my physiotherapist was very pleased with me on Wednesday and has said I can ditch the crutches when walking slowly anywhere as well as indoors now. She has recommended I still use them for speed and stability for the train rides to work and Uni, so do I count as 2-shoes proper now or not?
Walking is still slow and I don’t have a very big stride, but not much limp either until I get tired. Still getting some heel/plantar fascia pain after an hour or so of standing. Going upstairs is more or less normal, but still doing a step at a time going down ‘cos of the further stretch.
Physio had a good massage of my injured tendon whilst in a calf stretch and manipulated/massaged the tendon on my uninjured side as it’s still been a bit sore - not just the extra weight but the slight limp/sideways movement I’d had previously.
Have more stretches to do as well as the heel raises, standing on one leg and some exercises to put more weight through to build up the muscle, including the one standing on the step with heels hanging off and going up and down slowly.
Discussed driving with physio again - have tried sitting in the car and going up and down a straight bit which was fine. When husband is back will try a proper drive, just concerned about hill starts and emergency stops, but physio thought I shouldn’t have a problem with control, more likely to get a tired ankle.
I’m pleased that I can put my barefoot flat on the floor almost straight after getting up in the mornings now - just a few little stretches to prepare first.
I’m still wearing my running shoes nearly all the time (apart from short periods barefoot or in Crocs) and, although they’re quite comfortable, I’m getting a bit fed up with them, but have found some flattish boots in my wardrobe that fit ok - will have to wear them for a few hours to check for sure.
Have a good weeked everyone,
October 16th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Good to hear you are driving soon and go about without crutches!
I agree regarding the running shoes, I am really tired of the look, but nothing feels as comfortable unfortunately.
Have a nice relaxing week-end!
October 17th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
hey sam good to see you getting better.. i interpret 2 shoes as you being able to wear 2 normal shoes without any other support eg crutches, heel lifts
i just started driving.. 8 weeks post op when my injured foot right one was strong enough to step on accelerator.. and I use my left foot to brake.. I try to be extra careful though and only do short distances, enough to go to local shops.. it is a bit dangerous because you can get confused when it comes to breaking, I have my left hand on the park break as an extra precaution.
October 17th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Dear Sam,
Slow and steady really is your motto isn’t it! I’m finding your progress so encouraging, especially as you seem to be on such a nice straight trajectory rather than the rollercoaster ride some people are experiencing. I’ve been wondering how long before I will be driving again - now I know it will be at least another couple of months. Our car has a really heavy clutch (it’s a leg workout in itself in traffic!) so that doesn’t help. Hubby is considering getting a me little automatic for a while (to resell when I’m strong enough because we can’t really afford it), but we’ll see. I completely understand the sentiment towards the trainers. I have developed a dreadful shoe fetish now I am denied them! Hope your man brings you back something nice from his trip! Have a good weekend,
Smoley
October 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
tedb - I’m not sure that the phrase “it is a bit dangerous because you can get confused when it comes to braking” is particularly confidence inspiring!?! And I am pretty certain you will be invalidating your insurance driving in such an unorthodox way. I know life is much harder when you can’t drive, but this could go so horribly wrong. Smoley
October 17th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Thanks everyone. Would like things to be going a bit faster, but if slow and steady works, then that’s fine. Physio said my repair was quite tight and my foot had been quite squashed in the cast, which was making it a bit harder and slower for me, but better than having the tendon heal too long it seems.
So don’t think I can call myself properly 2-shoes yet - no heel lifts, but still using the crutches outside in busy situations. Some of it is confidence I guess and depends how long I’m planning to be out - do get more tired having to concentrate on walking properly and keeping weight evenly distributed!
Think I’d find it too confusing to have driven left-footed where I live - quite busy and rather difficult to fit the cast in by the cardoor I think! An automatic would’ve been a good option if I had injured my left leg, but as it’s my right…..
October 18th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hi Sam
Sounds like you are making steady progress - I am sure you will be driving soon.
I too now hate my trainers and moved into flat boots last week - another first! Swelling this week (now at 14 1/2 weeks) has noticably improved. Physio must be working! I still have quite a limp and am hoping this will improve in time.
Anna
October 18th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hi Anna,
Glad things are still progressing for you. I’ll have to go shopping for more suitable flat shoes to choose from!
Think I should qualify my statement from my blog that I only don’t have much of a limp when walking VERY slowly in my trainers and concentrating. Walking barefoot or trying to go faster without the crutches displays quite a limp still.
Take care,
Sam
October 19th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Hi Sam,
Great to hear your progress continues steadily.
Let me know what kind of shoe you fancy & I will check my wife’s wardrobe - she has 82 pairs of shoes, so she wouldn’t miss one!
I really am missing the ability to drive, but like you I will be cautious before getting behind the wheel again.
How you coped with the household chores & the kids with Hubby away I will never know.
All the best
Chris
October 19th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Hi Chris,
Think you’d find she would notice actually!
Was pretty knackered by the weekend I can tell you, but kids were quite helpful (well, when they weren’t bickering!).
Hope all going well with you,
Sam