4 months postop!
It has now begun to feel a long time since I could do all my pre-injury activities, and it seems to be quite slow progress still, but at least it is progress. Keep reminding myself I haven’t been out of the cast for as long as I was in it yet, so will be patient for a while longer!
I’ve officially ditched the crutches even for my weekly trip into London for Uni - consequently don’t always get a seat on the train anymore 
The rush hour commute took a bit of building up the confidence to try, with so many people charging around, but I usually meet a friend en route who will offer me an arm if I look a bit wobbly.
So where am I otherwise? Well, still walking with a limp if I try to go too fast or am tired, but the length of time I can stand up for without feeling the heel pain is increasing. Still get heel pain after a while, physio says the plantar fascia is still very tight. I have my checkup with the surgeon on Friday so she will put that in the report to him - said they can offer an injection to relax it, but I really don’t fancy that idea at all!
I’m more conscious of my posture and walking properly which is a good thing, and in less of a rush generally to go places - ‘cos I can’t. Have yet to try driving any distance, more from lack of time to have a proper go than any other reason.
Working particularly on getting my knee further over my toes to enable my walking to improve and to be able to go downstairs properly, and also some weight-bearing exercises to strengthen the calf.
Not a particularly exciting post, just slow steady progress again, but wanted to note the date. Aiming to be walking “normally” by Christmas. 
Best wishes to everyone out there.
4 months postop
4 months postop
November 4th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Great to hear from you again Sam.
Glad that your progress continues unabated and that stamina is coming back.
I think you are wise to be wary of an injection. How long did it take to get your first PT appointment? - Portsmouth NHS Trust has just told me they can fit me in on December 21st for my first PT session, after I stamped my feet (not literally!) they are going to fit me in 16th Nov (this will be just over 14 weeks from injury).
Take care
Chris
November 4th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Hi Sam, What is your AT/Ankle flexibility like now on your bad leg compared to good? I have same problems with knee not being able to bend since AT still not stretched enough yet.. good to see you working on good walking posture..
November 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hi Chris - The NHS misdiagnosed me so I used my husband’s private health cover from work and got physio the same day I got out of the cast. I’ve heard other people having to wait a long time for physio on the NHS, if you didn’t have one in a few weeks I would have suggested stumping up the cash for a couple of private sessions to make sure you’re doing the right things. The massage and manipulation is great (if a little painful sometimes!) and always good to have professional advice on how far to push things. Good luck.
Hi tedb - the flexibility is still not quite as good in my injured leg as the good one, but getting pretty close. Feels to me it’s more the front of the ankle that is restricting me rather than the tendon, although that gets tight when I do a good stretch. Seeing the surgeon on Friday so will try to ask more about that then. Physio today said there is some tone returning to my calf (not quite sure where?!) and thought it was a combination of the tendon and the tight plantar fascia restricting my flexibility. She also thinks the cast may have been a bit tight around the ankle, so will take some time to regain full flexibility.
Happy recoveries,
Sam
November 5th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Sam, good to hear you are progressing. I am just starting my 4th month post op (2nd time) I think the picture look pretty good. Keep up the effort, it will pay off.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Thanks dalezink - have just found your blog and posted there.
Sam
November 6th, 2009 at 2:09 am
hey sam have u tried heel stretches to relieve pain? found some stretches here.. http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/a/footstretch.htm
November 6th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Hi Sam, I am glad to hear things are going well for you, too.
Maybe you need a pretty cane and then you could get a seat on the train! Still it was pretty brave of you to venture out on public transit. Us North-Americans live in our cars…
Happy healing!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Thanks tdb, I have been doing some of them, but not the last one, will try that as well - difficult to fit all the exercies in life has gone back to “normal” in every other way (work, study, family, house……).
Hi 2ndtimer, hope all is continuing well for you. I’ve always heard that about North-Americans…but wasn’t sure it was really true! I have got a folding walking stick but find it more difficult to walk properly with it than without it.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
In defense of North Americans: we do not really have a choice: our suburbs are planned around the automobile - and in a world where everybody is pressed by time we can not afford the wait for the curious bus that comes by every 30 minutes and then for transfer that will connect another 20 minutes later. It would take me an hour to get to the YMCA, and it is only 5 kms away. I know, I could walk it. But who can spare 2 hours for just that? By car it takes a few minutes…
November 7th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi 2ndtimer - it can be like that in some more rural areas of the UK too. Quite lucky to have good bus/rail connections here in Greater London, although we all complain about it at times!