My final post-op came at 8 weeks, after 2 weeks of walking in two-shoes, heel lifts and crutches. My doctor felt that I could be released to slowly walk properly on my own, that I could be trusted to be careful in the following four final weeks, to simply walk around for recuperating the ankle and calf. I am still supposed to be flat-footed, with no push off on the right tendon. No PT necessary, in his view; I am at 10 Degrees of dorsiflexion. I was elated while there, but then, back at home, the worries begin: when will I know that I can walk properly with push-off, or to remove the inserts?
He also made very clear that he considered driving for the next four weeks a very risky, maybe-rupture thing to do. Only exception: drive an automatic, use left foot for breaking, but even that could be risky. Furthermore, I have no automatic, and love my Toyota Celica convertible stick.
If I felt I wanted to come back in six weeks for any reassurance, I could call and do so, but he thought it unnecessary. The scar is pink and straight, not painful.
I remain happy at this progress yet frightened of any potential problems.
Finally, I have to admit it to people who know the fear: my other AT is hurting now since July 10th, not everyday, but quite unmistakeably. WHen I told the doc, he said he hoped it was only because more pressure had been put on that leg these weeks; but otherwise, nothing to be done, it’s also just wear and tear and aging.
hey Sanfran,
Glad your final post op went well. Be careful out there.
Jon
August 22, 2008 @ 2:29 amHi Mary,
So pleased for you it is great when you finally get signed-off… I have my last visit to surgeon on 16 September hopefully by then I will walk in completely unaided.
Has he suggested when you can go back to work, if he thinks driving is a concern for another 4 weeks, how long before you can go back to your tours?
I also am a bit frightened about walking without crutch, I go to the mail to the post box near my office but I have to cross a narrow road, I get ultra cautious, checking several times that no cars are likely to come quickly around the corner cannot image what I would do if one did, I would probably freeze.
Anyway, so please for you
August 22, 2008 @ 3:33 amAnnie
Congrats! Please keep us posted as you go along.
I, too, have been feeling my other tendon during this process. I have resigned myself to the chance that this may happen to the ‘good” tendon once I resume tennis. however, during my PT and prior to playing hard, I will work on strengthening, conditioning, and stretching my good one in the hopes that it may reduce the risk. I can’t do much about the age or prior injuries, but maybe it will help.
I think the PT could be done on your own, but maybe you could consult for one visit with one to find out what specifically you should do to get back to “normal”. When I went in Monday for my 10 wk followup (6 wks after he grudgingly gave me the boot and told me I was on my own since it wasn’t his protocol) he told me I was doing exceptionally well and asked if I had started PT. I have been doing a lot of work on my own (no strength building yet, other than walking on it). I think PT also helps those of us less likely to do work on it by keeping a scheduled apointment to focus on recovery.
August 22, 2008 @ 8:39 amCongrats!
I do agree with Shelia that you may want to seek out 1-2 PT appts on your own. I found it to be very rewarding physically AND mentally. It was good to get a PTs professional opinion on my status (in fact he took out all my wedges in the boot immediately - the surgeon wanted me to keep them in for FOUR more weeks.) He seemed to think I could do more than the surgeon did. But I learned a lot in terms of massage and stretches.
Regardless - I hope you can get back to your job and what you love soon! Great job.
August 22, 2008 @ 8:50 am