stevesleftfoot

After being in plaster for three weeks I’ve now been in a boot for two.  The boot is miles better, the plaster was bloody painful at times, not at the injury itself, but where my foot and ankle bones pressed on the plaster.  Also, sometimes my leg would swell up a bit and that was a bit painful.  No problem with the boot as it is softer and you can adjust it, take it off, play with the widgets etc.  Also I can walk - sort of. Big advantage.  I asked the consultant if I could damage anything by putting my full weight on the boot.  He said do anything that feels comfortable but don’t try walking without the boot yet. 

Good luck to everyone with an ATR, especially those in the early stages, I found the first week to be the most difficult by far. I think this is due to a forced lifestyle change with no warning whatsoever.    A lot of my plans had to change.  At firstt was really difficult to get around and the crutches were really hard work.  However I got used to things pretty quickly and it wasn’t so bad.  My advice to anyone using crutches is to make an effort at first even if it seems really hard.  You do get used to them and although it is never easy you can at least get around and go out.  I carried on working; I’m fortunate to work from home so it was fine.

Best Wishes at Christmas to everyone.

After being in plaster for three weeks, I went to see a foot and ankle specialist.  The result was I’m now on a completely different treatment protocol.  The orthopaedic surgeon I saw three weeks ago decided I should be in plaster cast for two months! 

The chap I saw most recently said this was not the optimum treatment and I would be better off in a big black boot.  Said early mobilisation was likely to give better results, and less likely to give deep vein thrombosis.  So I’ve now got a big black boot with a mechanical dial on the ankle.  You set the limit of ankle mobility on the dial.  It is currently set at a small range of motion that can be increased each week. 

I can put weight on my leg as the boot takes the strain.  This is much much better than the plaster cast.  Best thing is, I can take the boot off to have a bath etc, although I must be careful not to put any weight on the unsupported foot.

There seem to be several way of treating an ATR and I suspect that the treatment we receive is partly down to cost and the availability of resources.  My appointment with the orthopaedic consultant was for well over one hour.  My original appointment three weeks ago was for a total of five minutes. What is the difference? Well the five minute appointment was with the NHS and the one hour plus was a private appointment.  I’m not in any way being critical of the NHS as it can only make best use of the resources it has.  The treatment I was given by the NHS at the time of the rupture was excellent, no waiting and very efficient.

Now two weeks for me, I feel very frustrated at my immobility.  I can’t do a lot of the things I did on a daily basis. Going to the gym, walking, sailing, driving, and standing on both feet. Wearing a pair of shoes. Carrying things around the house like a book or a laptop is difficult on crutches. Am I paranoid or do people look at you in a different way when you are hobbling round on crutches? I’m sure I’ve detected a different attitude towards me when I’m out and about.

However, on a much more positive note.  I haven’t taken any time off work.   (I work as a project manager) My other leg has got noticeably stronger. So have my arms. This is just through going out each day on the crutches, either to the shops or visiting friends.  Climbing the stairs becomes a workout. I’m still working on the best and quickest techniques of getting up and down stairs.  Going to the bathroom is difficult, but you get used to having a shower standing on one leg.  Each time you use the crutches you get a bit stronger. I am amazed at how much longer I can stand on one leg. Partly because my balance seems to have improved and partly because my leg has got stronger.  This is not a bad thing for the over fifties like me.  I’ve fallen over a couple of time but not hurt myself, so far.  When I get to the recovery phase I want to build up my injured leg without loosing the new strength of the good leg.  That way I’ll be stronger than before.  Well that’s the theory, may not work but worth a try.