Sylveeuh’s AchillesBlog

So yesterday I went for my 11 week post op, 6 weeks in a boot visit with my doc. What a frustrating yet exciting visit I had. I somehow am no longer seeing the physician but the PA. Not too thrilled about this. So I hand her my information given to me by my PT. According to my PT, my ROM degrees are quite impressive. Near perfect on my plantar and dorsi flexion, perfect on inversion/eversion. My PA asked me how I was feeling. I explained that it’s been pretty great, no pain, minimal swelling, great ROM. I asked her all my questions I’ve been saving up, and finally got my answers. I got a prescription for adding stretching and strengthening to my PT. I asked her about ditching the boot (as I thought was the plan) and she seemed reluctant!!! She questioned how I was feeling etc and I explained I felt great and felt ready. I promised I wouldn’t over do it and attempt to run a marathon so she finally agreed. How ridiculous! I then ask about returning to work. I acknowledged that I didn’t feel it would be in the next couple weeks, but as I was told at my last visit, I could be released when I felt ready after 12 weeks post op. This PA disagrees (WITH THE PHYSICIAN WHO SAID THIS TO ME) and said we can discuss it at our next appointment (18 weeks post op). UGH!!!

Granted, this is putting me back to work about 2-3 weeks later than I anticipated. I’m so frustrated. This is not at all based on my response to PT but based on some random amount of time that she feels needs to pass. If the case was that I wasn’t progressing and my fuction was limited I think I would be more understanding. But the fact is they have this number in there head of weeks they want to pass, but why didn’t they ever say this in the beginning?! So ridiculous. Any way, I am finally at terms with this, but truth is, at my next appointment if they try to pull some crap and say I need to wait (provided I feel ready) I’m going to blow a gasket.

So more about being out of the boot. Umm, it’s amazing. Wore 2 shoes for the first time in 3 months! It’s a bit ironic that I chose the same nikes I got injured in, but they’re practically brand new! I am now on day 2 walking and it’s going quite well. I was at first walking like what I call, peg legged. I was using my bad leg more as an anchor and not properly heel toe walking. With some assistance of my PT I have to remember to walk the right way. I have a tiny limp, noticeable when I attempt to walk “briskly” (briskly in my opinion was probably my natural pace). I have no pain, and minimal swelling. It’s funny because I had more pain in the stupid boot than I do on my own.

Well, I did ask to increase my PT to 3x/wk. I like it that way, I do other exercises and it makes me feel like I have a routine. I started with some very light resistance bands (yellow) and my PT says she wants to see how I tolerate and we will increase the resistance if I feel up to it tomorrow. I feel up to it! Yay! All in all, it’s great to feel more normal. On a side note, I do need to find all my left shoes now. haha… Merry christmas everyone!

Sylvia