Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011...12:36 am
4 weeks Post Op - Reinforcements are key!
Wow, time flies! It has already been a month since ATR surgery. So far I feel that things are moving along very smoothly. My ROM is getting better each day, although I still can’t naturally bring my foot to the neutral position. I did adjust the boot to 15 degrees now and my achilles has accepted it quite well. The only discouragement I have is that the atrophy in the injured calf and thigh is so noticeable now. I plan on working very hard to get that back, as well as an achilles that is as near to to 100% as possible. I know it will take a ton of hard work. I also need to mention that I ordered a Vaco Cast! I have heard a lot of positive feedback about that particular boot, so I am looking forward to giving it a shot! I am hoping that it helps make the transition to weight bearing and walking much easier. I also plan on getting into the pool, which is fine with that particular boot because it is waterproof! My insurance covers it so that is a bonus!
There have been some major changes in the workload around our household! I’d like to say I am doing my part now, but not yet! Our niece came to stay with us. (Mackenzie, 10 yrs old) She has been great in helping with dog duty, getting me what I need, and just being available. Thank you Mackenzie! We also have recruited some neighbor boys to help out with yard stuff…watering plants/grass, mowing and stuff like that. I am trying to take the burden off of my wife. Even though we have the summers off, she still has her own business (hence, the free Mustang Convertable mentioned in an earlier post). I thank the boys for their help so much!
The next few weeks should be very interesting.
Week 5 - meet with surgeon and 1st physical therapy appt.!
Week 6 - beginning weight bearing?/trip to Antigua!
Week 7-8 working on ditching the crutches?
I will take it one week at a time and hopefully things keep progressing smoothly!
Thanks for all the great information you are all putting out there…
7 Comments
August 3rd, 2011 at 11:41 am
Sounds like you’re doing great unclebuck. Don’t worry about the atrophy too much — my thigh came back with weight-bearing in the boot, and my sad, shrivelled little calf muscle is already making a fine recovery after just a few weeks in two shoes. I have read that dedicated one-legged calf exercises will be needed to get it equal to my good leg, but the difference is already far less noticeable just from walking around. And yes, do go swimming on your holiday! I went swimming on holiday at four weeks post-op, very carefully, with clear surgical tape covering my incision, and it felt terrific. I didn’t put my foot down in the pool, I kept an eye out for hazards (small, kicking children), and I was fine. Enjoy!
August 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
It has definitely been frustrating for me not being able to do much of anything. I can fold the laundry after my husband brings it to me, and he refuses to clean my cat’s litter box so he brings that to me as well. But that’s about it as far as helping out around the house goes. It was kind of nice at first, but now I’m really sick of being so helpless and useless.
I just had my 4-week follow up and am moving to PWB now. I should be FWB in the boot in a couple of weeks, and then at least I will be able to do more.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Hi, the holiday sounds tough!
You made it. You haven’t mentioned the travelling so presuming it went ok. The water sounds healing on the AT. Have a fab time.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Hello all! I will have to update my blog soon here. Just got home from a nice long vacation/holiday in Antigua and it was great! I swam a bunch and even walked a bit in chest deep water! I definitely took it easy. Question for Stuart specifically, or anybody who’d like to answer. I have had two PT appt’s. My therapist is not even using his own protocol (he found it online, albeit it seems to be a good protocol). Is this normal? Also..since I can do these exercises at home, he told me to come back in 4 weeks. I am at the 8 week mark and did actually bear full weight while walking in Vacocast today. My question is this: shouldn’t the protocol include deep tissue massage if some sort? If so, when? I will start strengthening at week 12 apparently. Help if u can! Otherwise, things feel great!!!!
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Whew bit worried there unclebuck, I miss read ’swam whole bunch’ and read ‘ran whole bunch’ ok now Ive calmed down….personally I wouldn’t worry if your PT got a regime off the internet. As long as the regime is evidence based as far as possible and suits your needs, there is no point in ‘re inventing the wheel’. I had massage at around 8 weeks, I sought out a private physio (Im in the UK) and I found it helpful.
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:18 pm
So…is massage an important part of rehab then? Should I pursue another physio who can do this? Could I have somebody else do it??? (wife) I would think there is a certain technique that needs to b followed.
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Unclebuck - the massage may not be listed in the protocol but you may still get it. Protocols usually focus on the exercises. Talk to your physio about it to confirm. You can have someone else do it for you like your wife or you can do it yourself as I do. It is not hard to do. I think I spoke to you about this some time ago. Again, ask your physio to show you but you can start with your finger and thumb either side of the tendon and rub up and down using a vit E cream. Long strokes reaching up to your muscles. You can also rub across the tendon. Don’t forget to rub into the joints around the entire ankle. You don’t have to cause pain so don’t push too hard. Do it as tolerated. I think there may be some video somewhere on the net if you want to search.
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