Surgeon’s 18-week check-up
Well, saw my surgeon yesterday for a sort-of signing off check-up. He was very happy with his work. Said the tendon felt good, it was hardly any thicker than the other tendon except for the repair area, and there were no internal adhesions. He watched me walk up and down in shoes and barefoot, and go up on my toes.
My physio had written him a note re my progress and the plantar fascia pain, so I specifically asked him about that. He said the pain was because it was being overstretched (?) to compensate for the tendon not being stretched enough yet. So I haven’t been working the tendon enough to stretch it, hence the slight limp. He said I should do more of the calf stretches pushing against the wall but also bending the knee while I do it ito get it to go over the knee. First of all he said I should really feel some pain or it wouldn’t be doing much, then qualified that to say there should be some discomfort. Cleared to do anything like cycling, swimming, cross-trainer, rowing…but no running yet.
So basically his job is well done, but I could do better! Hmph. Disgruntled of Kenley. 
November 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Sam66 - Well I hope you gave him a good slap! Cheeky sod! Has he ever had to recover from an ATR? No? Didn’t think so. Well he can just go and boil his head. I think you are doing brilliantly. I reckon you have been going about this just right - steady progress, bit by bit, but being really confident with each level of progress before moving onto the next. You’ve been my guide through all this, so if I ever meet your surgeon I’ll give him that slap for you!
By the way, I was chatting on the phone to a physio yesterday with a view to booking some sessions with him if the NHS ones aren’t sufficient. He mentioned that he has been treating a lady recently who did her ATR doing - you guessed it - the parents race at sports day! He sounded really good actually, he’s a very chatty Aussie. Is it me, or do a vastly disproportionate number of Aussies grow up to be physios?
You keep going just as you are.
Smoley
November 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Hi Sam,
I hope I am as well advanced as you when I get to 18 weeks.
With a bit more effort you could win that Sports Day race next year!
Chris
November 7th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Thanks for fighting my corner Smoley! I really felt like a schoolgirl who hadn’t done her homework properly. Hope all is going well with you.
Thanks Chris- they don’t have parents’ races in the Juniors at my children’s school, so certainly went out with a bang. Hope things are getting easier for you.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Unfortunately, your doc is correct. If there isn’t some discomfort when doing the exercises, you aren’t stressing it enough. It really isn’t much different from athletic training. A couple of times a week you have to push yourself into the discomfort/pain zone in your training and then recover in order to get faster/stronger. I finally have the stitches out from my third surgery and am pushing myself as hard as I can bear with the exercises, in fact even pushing beyond what the therapist has told me to do. I’m supposed to be at FWB in a week, but I am walking around the house now without crutches or the boot. I will be in two shoes as soon as I can get a shoe or hiking boot on my left foot.
On the other hand, if you’re personally satisfied with your progress that’s fine. It all depends on your priorities and what your goals are. Everyone has different goals and priorities.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hi GerryR,
That’s the thing - I am feeling a lot of discomfort and pulling when I stretch and hold, and when doing certain exercises; not sure how much actual pain I should allow. I am a woman who’s endured natural childbirth twice (yes, that old chestnut!) so do have a relatively high pain threshold.
Physio has previously said it is a very tight repair, not helped by a full 9 weeks in cast. Now I’m more confident with being FWB and 2-shoes outside as well as in the home, I will be trying to push it more. Think my main problem is now life (work/study/family etc) encroaching on the time I can actually spend doing the exercises.
Good luck with your continued recovery.
Sam
November 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Sam - although I am quite a way behind you and your exercises are a lot more advanced than mine (because they couldn’t be more basic frankly) I find the way to get them done is to do them while doing something else. So when I’m cleaning my teeth I have a stretch, when I’m watching TV I’ll practise pulling my toes up, when I’m talking to my mum on the phone I do push ups against the wall (and then I’m in situ for the inevitable silent banging of my head against said wall too!).
My AT feels so tight I wonder if he sutured it or just got hold of the two ends and knotted them together!
First session with the physioterrorists tomorrow. Planning to take something to bite on!
Smoley