So it was finally time for another cast change. I was taken to the cast room per usual and was greeted by my cast tech. Honestly I love this girl, she is so nice and encouraging. Full of information. I must remember to send her a Christmas gift/card! Back on track, naturally my mother accompanied me to this appointment. The cast tech began to saw off my cast and I was afraid my mom was going to pass out. Seriously? It just tickled! I laughed ridiculously, she removed the cast and I stared at my leg. It was amazing to see how much my leg had atrophied (lost muscle). My leg was considerably smaller and considerably hairy. They still wont let me shave and told me to get over it. The surgical site looks great! I wasn’t able to see the doctor since his wife had a baby during the night! Congrats to him lol. The PA who saw me was worthless, she couldn’t answer my questions and said to wait to see the doctor. Whatever! My main question was whether or not the first week post op counted as part of my 6 weeks in a cast, and the cast tech said of course! Thank god!
It means that I will be put in the neutral position for 1 week before placed in a boot and PT is started. I can do this! The interesting thing was that my cast tech warned me that the change in position was going to be extremely painful and that I would most likely cry. She warned me at the last appointment to take pain meds before coming. I forgot of course and took one in the cast room. SURPRISINGLY I didn’t feel any pain!!! It was amazing! She said this was a great sign! If I continue to progress this way she said definitely the cast would come off at the week 6 mark. But there is always a risk of the cast not coming off then if its not ready. Honestly I hate reading others’ blogs and seeing people in a boot and weight bearing so quickly! It’s not fair that my surgeon is so damn conservative!
This is my new red cast
4 responses so far ↓
kkirk // Nov 5th 2012 at 2:51 pm
Welcome to achillesblog. Sounds like for the most part your appointment went great. I hope I can start PT in a few weeks. I’m getting bored around here. Happy healing rupturednurse
Nick M. // Nov 6th 2012 at 1:52 am
Why didn’t you ask for stripes on your cast??!?!
carolyn // Nov 6th 2012 at 7:40 am
Hi and welcome to achilles blog I’m in Ireland and they have used an extremley conservative approach, I was 8 wks in a cast and then three in an air cast / walking boot I am now 15 weeks post ATR and driving, walking with a slight limp, cycling and crutches are in the bin I have learned on this sight we all kind of end up at around the same spot at nearly week 16 the worst part is the casts and the very start of PT but you will get there I promise and that’s from the heart cause if anything we all know what you are going through xxx
carolyn
rupturednurse // Nov 6th 2012 at 6:09 pm
Carolyn, thank you! I really hope I’m back on my feet pretty much to normal by the end of 12 week, I’m dying to get back to work. Honestly I’m just dying to walk again. Not sure what to expect when they take off the cast.
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