Week 12: Walking, PT
November 18, 2008 by shelley
PT seems to be going well. Every week I am able to do new things, so I see that as being on the right track.
I am doing lots of balance exercises, like balancing with one foot on the bosu ball, on the trampoline and the wobble board on 2 feet. I can balance without “being an airplane” (as my physiotherapist calls it) so now I’m working on doing the exercises with eyes closed.
Strength exercises: Doing 2-legged calf raises now. I can get just as high with both feet, however I am working on putting more and more weight on the ATR foot. Not really much pain, just very weak. Also doing some 1-legged bouncing on the mini-trampoline… trying to work the calf.
Getting ultrasound and massage on the scar tissue, soleus and gastroc, which is “good pain”. I am doing a lot of friction massaging on my own as well.
New pain: the tendons on top of my foot (extensors) are really painful when I walk. Has anyone had this? It is frustrating because this is preventing me from doing as much walking as I would like to be doing. It is SO painful. I don’t know if I should be working through this, or if it sort of tendonitis and I should be taking it easy… It’s frustrating because my Achilles actually feels really good, it’s my foot that’s holding me back. But I guess it’s from being immobilized for so long, or maybe my new gait. ???
I have been doing my physio exercises every day. Now I need to start to concentrate on my fitness, which I have totally let slide during these past 3 months.
Today I took my 2 girls to visit my brother’s new baby boy (YAY). I was walking down the hall at the hospital carrying our diaper bag, my 10-month old, winter coats & holding my 2-year old’s hand. My 2-year old said “mommy’s broken foot is better so she can drive now” and my brother said “oh I forgot about your foot… you are getting around so well now”. HURRAY for looking somewhat normal again. HA HA.
Patience and hard work… we will all get better!
Hi Shelley, Glad to hear of your progress. I too am 12 weeks post-op and am enjoying being able to get around easily and function normally again. I have 3 young daughters and I am also an elementary gym teacher, so it feels great to not have to “modify” my life anymore. I am going to start jogging next week. I can now jog slow without any pain so I plan to start with a jog for 1 min. walk for 3 min. for about 20 or 30 minutes. I predict that I will have issues with my shins or the top of my foot like what you described because those areas are so darn weak. Ice is essential after any workout where we are increasing intensity, duration or frequency. Stay in touch and good luck with your recovery. Melissa
Kids do make the injury more fun (if a little challenging). My four year old is always hopping around the house on one foot to be just like his daddy.
Shelley-
Congratulations on your outstanding progress. You and I are both in the same post surgery time frame, and I’m having areas of discomfort outside the Achilles area as well. The lower part of my foot hurts pretty regularly, and I’m still swelling up around the Achilles from time to time. I find that if I let the swelling get too much by overdoing it or not wearing the compression sock, it starts to hurt a little more.
The most difficult thing right now is that the progress, which came so fast and easy for so long, is now slowing down. I guess I should put it in perpective and realize its only been 3 1/2 months since this whole ordeal started, and try to not to get overly impatient.
I’ve run into several guys at work since I’ve been back that had ATRs (most of whom I never knew had them until I came back and they told me). The advice that I get from each one is to take it slow and easy. All of them say we will get back to where we were before the injury but it takes quite a long time. So, as the anti spam word I just had to write indicates, “patience” is the key.
Keep on healing.
Steve