Week 4: Great news… PWB/FWB
September 20, 2008 by shelley
I saw the doctor this week for my 4-week post-op appointment. They told me to take some pain-killers before coming because they were going to push my foot to 90 degrees and re-cast. I didn’t take anything before going in because I am still nursing my baby girl and I can’t take medicatioin, but I was confident I could handle whatever pain would ensue because it would just be a short duration.
Turns out I could flex my foot to 90 degrees on my own, with very little pain whatsoever. I was so glad. Incision looks good and everything seems to be healing well.
The doctor told me to start partial weight bearing as tolerated. I thought I was going to have to wait for 6 weeks before PWB, so I was so excited to hear this news. I asked how much weight to put on, and how slowly to go, and he said just let pain be your guide. If it hurts, it’s too much. See ya in 5 more weeks when he wants me FWB.
So, I tried a little pressure at a time. Felt some tingling shooting up my calf the first few times, then turns out to be not much pain at all. First day took my time with it. Didn’t want to overdo it and be in pain in the evening.
Second day PWB, down to one crutch, can put a fair bit of weight on my foot. Not much pain, but still didn’t want to push it.
Third day, got rid of the crutches!!! Using a cane most of the time, but can walk without it to get around the main floor of the house. I am thrilled to be able to get around no crutches. Makes life tremendously easier for me already.
I don’t feel like I am pushing too hard because the doc said let pain be your guide and I don’t really have much pain at all. Feeling very grateful for that. I am a little concerned that I may be going too fast just because this is happening so quickly and I don’t want to hurt my achilles. But from what I got from my doc, I don’t think I can damage the AT in a cast, and the weight bearing doesn’t seem to cause me problems. Any thoughts on this?
At what week did most of you guys start PWB/FWB?
Other good news: initially I was told that I would have to wait until 12 weeks to get out of the cast, then 4 weeks in the boot. I asked if I could get into the boot earlier than that, to get a head start therapy. He said he was worried about re-rupture if I get out of the cast too early. But said as long as I wear the boot, I will be protected, so said at 10 weeks I could go into the boot. Then immediately said “OK 9 weeks if you’re good”. LOL
So I promise and pinky swear to wear the boot as long as he tells me to. But I think it will help me in the long run to start massage & therapy at 9 weeks instead of at 12 weeks.
Anyway, I’m feeling pretty good about all this news. And I truly believe that being positive helps healing. So positive thoughts to all of you out there.
Hi Shelley, I started PWB with our doctor at 6 weeks and was full weight bearing by 8. Out of the cast at 10 weeks and in 2 shoes at 12 weeks. I started PT at 10. I think the last week in the cast was only because Doc R. was on summer holidays for the 2 weeks previous and wasn’t available. If you can start PT at 9 weeks, go for it. I now have considerable osteopenia throughout my foot from being immobile too long, and have wicked calf atrophy. The rebuilding of the muscle is fairly slow, time consuming and tiresome. It doesn’t help that I have no patience and just want this over with. While in my cast I did a lot of toe wiggling which i found really helped with swelling. I have an appointment on Oct. 2, will you be there that day as well?
You sound very positive and optimistic about the future! Shelley you truly are a strong woman and this is just another opportunity to show your strength. I know you will have no problem bouncing back from this freak injury.