Mar 28 2014
2nd Post Op - 5 weeks
Just had my 2nd post op yesterday. Overall things are going well and I’ve been essentially FWB in my boot for the last week. I still use a crutch to get around for longer excursions, but walk with just my boot in the house and office. I moved to 0 degrees in the boot last night, which is definitely a little uncomfortable today (some stretching/burning feeling).
My Doc was a little conservative and said he wanted me to do two to three more weeks at 0 degrees in the boot before weaning to shoes. His original protocol was to start weaning in a week. He claimed it would have little impact in my recovery as the strengthening work won’t start in full until week 12. Oh well. I know I’m entering the prime danger zone for a re-rupture so I’m fine with playing it a little safe!
One question I have for all the folks on here is that my tendon has been a little sore this past week as I’ve gone from PWB to FWB with my boot on. Part of it is from lowering the angle from 10 to 5 to now 0 at the same time. But I feel a little burning/stretch feeling everytime I take a step at the end of the step. It goes away immediately. I’m using a hinged Vacocast by the way.
Is this typical or should I be concerned? I’m also worried it might be tendonitis, which I’ve had in this achilles before.
There are many steps in ATR Rehab that I think could be labeled “As Tolerated”, and the moves to change ankle angle are chief among them. My protocol (bit.ly/UWOProtocol) called for a sudden “cold turkey” jump from 2cm of heel lift (maybe 20 degrees) to neutral at 6 weeks. But my leg didn’t love the stretch, so I spread it out over 2 or 3 days. It still makes sense to me.
I had all kinds of pains when transitioning to WB. My rule was, if it went away with a short rest, it was fine. If it still hurt after rest, I cut back on activity. For the most part, a short rest did the trick.
Thanks for sharing your story, Smick. I think you’ve inspired me to get a road bike.
Would you leave your Vaco cast hinged all day, or just during PT? If you were walking around in it, when did you start, and how much plantar flexion did you allow?