24 hours later - Goodbye “Ironside”, Hello “House”!!
Dear all,
Thank you so much for all the messages, really encouraging, so thank you all.
Am feeling just a little bit proud of myself so at the risk of tempting fate, here’s an update 24 hours (ish) after the cast came off. Things are better than I had hoped so here’s hoping this encourages some of you still chalking off the days in cast.
I can (very slowly and carefully) walk in my trainers (with heel cushions) with no crutches and I can pretty much transfer all my weight onto the injured side. But this sort of walking is very stiff and with a very flat foot. If I use both crutches I can get more movement through the foot and ankle because, obviously, it’s not coping with weight. One crutch is somewhere between the two. So at home I’ve more or less dumped the wheely office chair I’ve been sliding around on and I am mostly using one crutch. Hence my new matrimonial nickname - House. Hopefully I won’t develop a pain killer addiction or a strange transatlantic accent .
Had a fantastic sleep last night without the cast. You could have grated parmasan on that thing, so I needed to have a pillow between my ankles and that meant reorganising myself every time I rolled over, I’m sure you all know what I mean.
And this morning I had a shower for the first time (albeit sitting down) which was lovely. Up to now I’d opted for the ‘bath with one leg hanging out’ route to cleanliness.
Job for this afternoon is to find a physio, preferably one with ATR experience and preferably one I can walk to in our little town. Not sure which criteria should take priority. I think I have learnt enough from all you guys who are further along the path than me as to what I should be looking for. I feel I know the exercises, but I could do with a bit of massage etc to boost the ROM which is still limited.
Onwards and upwards, ey chaps!
Smoley
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Oh the joy of walking again! You are progressing fantastically and to go straight into 2 shoes from a cast is brilliant. Enjoy your new found freedom (getting out and about under your own steam is great!).
Keep us all posted.
Highflyer - thanks! But the spectre of re-rupture is ever present, hovering like a malevolent spirit. So I’m being ever so careful, because one stumble and it could be curtains. And if that happened I think I’d go ever so slightly bananas!
Smoley
Happy Days ,
Isn’t walking great
Annie
Smoley
I am so glad you are on your feet, and doing so well. I cant believe how quickly you got into your trainers. Why don’t you ring your PT department at your hospital, they may be able to give you an appointment over the phone. I make most of my appointments on the phone with my PT. Sam66 was going twice a week in the early days, you could do the same. Its might be counter productive, trying to work two sets of treatment, at the same time. Its hard enough with just one, and you could overcook your AT and get ATR all over again. well done you. Lee
Lee - actually the NHS have come up trumps and I’m in with a physio on Monday which I thought was pretty impressive. I’ll take a decision once I have met him/her. I’d really like someone who has experience of treating ATR. Someone suggested I phone the physio department at Colchester United, our local club, which could be a good idea. I’m so stiff and tight, I can walk but it’s very hobbly. How are you getting on now?
Smoley
Hi Smoley,
Good to be out of the cast! I am glad you got an appointment with the physio so fast. It is a very important stage. I was going 3 times a week at the beginning, and it was worth it. They constantly correct me the way I do exercises, and the massage to dissolve the scar tissue and the ultrasound is supposed to be helpful. (and feels good) They also manually stretch and move my ankle etc. And someone with experience would be important - this is a rather rare and serious injury. Have fun!