8 weeks, 4 days
Well, it hasn’t been a full week since my last post but a lot has happened since. Apparently, I’m on the “no protocol” protocol.
On Monday (8 weeks) my physical therapist said if the doctor gave the ok I could start strength exercises. I called my doctor’s office and she shouted “You’re at 8 weeks? You can do anything you want.” Anything? Ok.
In all fairness, she did tell me at the 6 week visit that in a couple of weeks I could get a high top sneaker with heel pads and would be able to drive shortly afterwards. Apparently, the boot is what hinders driving. I immediately ran to the shoe store and got my Air Jordan’s (or the cheaper, “youth” sized version since they don’t seem to have many girl’s basketball shoes). Walking was significantly slower but much more even and balanced. I brought a crutch with me everywhere I went at first but realized I was just dragging it with me after a while.
On Tuesday, at PT, we began exercises with Dynobands, a small leg weight and some machine where there are 4 weights around it and you move front to back, side to side and then all around. I’ll get the name.
Tuesday night I realized I had no ride to PT and risked getting scolded by my therapist and left a message asking if it would be ok for me to drive 1.5 miles. Imagine my surprise, and joy, when he said yes. 
On Wednesday, we added more weight and added an ankle board. This is where I hit a wall for the first time. We read and talk a lot about dorsiflexation and plantarflexation. Apparently there’s another movement which is side to side. I couldn’t even move the board an inch sideways in either direction! We tried it with me sitting down and even that was tough. He gave me some Dynobands to go and I took the long way home! Yay freedom. (I think I’m prepared for the inevitable plateau and setback but feel pretty good right now)
Have you talked to your PT about your protocol? They might have you own their own. My PT follows there own personal protocol within the parameters of my doctor’s orders and I try to add a little spice by included info from Achillesblog (ie: UWO). Its a good feeling and don’t worry about the plateau, just start looking at progress at greater intervals. Happy Healing Lisa
Comment by kkirk — January 3, 2013 @ 12:33 pm
Your doc office sounds like mine. He basically said I could do whatever my PT says. Of course my PT was expecting a protocol from the doctor. So I am providing info from the blog.
Comment by darryn — January 3, 2013 @ 4:45 pm
Yes, Darryn! My PT and my doctor have never spoken so I’ve been relaying information back and forth and giving my own input (taken from here) whenever I can
Comment by Lisa — January 4, 2013 @ 3:47 am