superjewgrl’s AchillesBlog

Lol! You are the polar opposite of a kellygirl then! Sounds like you have everything it takes to get through this with flying colors. Good luck on Friday!

SJG re your query about angles and wedges; I posted to the same blog with a lengthy response. Gave you some plug in math links for fun. Saw the posting briefly on the blog and then it disappeared. Maybe it’s just waiting to get approved.

Did you post it to another blog or mine? Somehow Bionic I deleted my blog. Not sure how I did this. I am in 30 - 20 and I have to be in my boot 5 weeks. I go down 10 degrees a week. Thanks for your info on the boot. Between your comments and a few others, I bought the vacocast.

I hope all is well with you.

YAY - These boots were made for walking….. well boot.

BE GOOD!!!!

SJG I posted it to the same blog on which you made the query about wedge angles. I think it was Wilfus3. Unless I’m seeing things, I am pretty sure I saw it on the blog and then disappear. I think it may just be awaiting approval. Someone posted on my blog in the past and sometimes I had to approve for some reason.

Looks like you got things figured out with the boot. As others have said remember to even up with the good shoe. Easier to do for women, but I probably wouldn’t recommend a spike heel for your only good foot at the moment.

As you start to weight bear and lose crutches, consider a cane. I found it was a great transition and permitted a proper stride with much less hassle. Of course you may just quite quickly get to FWB no crutches, no cane.

SJG,
I wanted to ask you a question about the vacocast. My mom just had surgery for a torn tibialis anterior (which is the tendon on top of your foot/ankle) and the doc also lengthened her achilles and used fhl. She tore it just stretching in bed! But she has diabetes and while rare, I guess tears in that tendon can be associated with diabetes. Anyway, that was just some background for you. She will have to be in a boot like most of us for a considerable time and I’m wondering if the vacocast is worth it to get for her. Specifically, she is already very weak and finds the regular black boot heavy and hard to get on and off. Do you find the vacocast to be any less heavy and/or easier to get on/off than the traditional boot? If not I might just have her stick with the black boot from the doc, but if you or anyone else that has experience thought it would be better I would get her the vaco, with her dr’s approval, of course. Thanks!!

Hi…. Sorry to hear about your mom. I also had a lengthening procedure. I’ve been in the vacocast a few days now and can’t say enough good things about it. It is pretty sophisticated and has accounted for any nuance to assist with this injury resulting in greater mobility and fit. I am 5′0 so this almost comes up to my knee. I don’t find it heavy because it molds to your leg, but I wouldn’t call it easy to get on and off. It could be because of my size. I watched their video on proper fit several times over. Also, if its hinged at more than 10degrees plantar flexion, the larger sole goes on (3 inches) so I purchased the even up. There is no need for wedges with this boot, which I like a lot. It allows for a lot of adjustments for fit. (foot size, calf size)

I didn’t have the black boot, but I had the aircast and I can’t fathom going back to that. The good thing is the vacocast is waterproof so it can be worn in the shower. I have to sleep in my boot, and I’m in it for 5 weeks, so I’m glad I made the investment. Initially it takes some getting used to on putting it on, but I definitely think this will aid in my recovery. They have a good instructional video on their websight and on youtube. That will give you an idea of the routine.

Good luck! I hope you both have a speedy recovery.

Thank you so much for the response. I will probably go ahead and get it for her! Showering with it is an added bonus I wasn’t aware of!

I wear a compression sock underneath. Not a fancy one, but I wanted a barrier between my leg and the liner. The liner is very soft btw. Good luck with everything. Let me know how it goes..

Take Care.

Great to hear that you’ve moved into the boot, SJG! After all you’ve been through, it must feel great. Are you in PT too?

Hiya Kiki!

Thanks for your note. I start PT on Tuesday and I’m hoping to get on the AlterG. I’m pretty excited. This is the first time I’ve ever done PT so between your blog and a few others, I’m taking notes so I go in prepared. I hope your doing well.