Week Six: No More Crutches!
Six weeks post-op and I’m ready to ditch the crutches! Although me and “Mr. Boot” will remain buddies for about three more weeks. As of today, I’ve been able to walk decently (as well as go up and down stairs) without the assistance of my crutches. I should also mention that all the scabbing from the incision has sloughed off leaving a nasty looking, but very smooth, scar behind my ankle. So that’s progress.
I started my physical therapy sessions last Wednesday and will continue with the PT sessions twice a week for at least the next eight weeks. OMG, I thought I was going to die after my PT session yesterday. My therapist really gave my AT quite a workout with all of the ROM exercises and manipulation. She also rubbed my AT along the scar line and I just about jumped out of my skin! Not only did the rubbing hurt but it felt like she was about to rip apart the incision. But fear not, my ortho surgeon assured me that would not happen…whew! She also had me practice the first motion of walking using a cable behind my AT and about 15 lbs of weight along with a wedge that she placed underneath my heel. This exercise was a bit painful, too. Why can’t the PT massage feel like a nice soothing deep tissue or Swedish massage? No pain, no gain, I guess. But I must admit that the PT sessions are very effective and have advanced my rehab progress tremendously. My long term goals with PT is to be completely full weight bearing over the next 8 weeks and to return to recreational activities in 6-9 months.
Today I had a follow up appointment with my ortho surgeon. He said everything is looking great and that I appear to be ahead of schedule. His goal for me over the next three weeks is for my affected AT to have full flexibility similar to my non-affected AT. If I can accomplish that then I’ll be able to get rid of Mr. Boot for good…or at least I’ll begin transitioning to wearing two shoes. My ortho surgeon also prescribed compression socks for me to wear (replacing the ace bandage that I’ve been wearing since the surgery). The compression socks will help keep the swelling down.
GO Wayne, Go Wayne, Go Wayne! That’s fantastic news, and it’s always interesting to hear about how PT goes. Sounds like you’re kicking butt. Keep it up! I start PT next week.
Comment by swill — June 24, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
*cat call whistle* Nice legs, Wayne! How’d you get so lucky not to have too much atrophy?
Mucho grats on the progress.
Comment by trisportgirl — June 24, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
Ha ha, thank for the complement! Actually, I have quite a bit of atrophy. Its hard to see in the pics but I lost a ton of muscle tone on my affected leg. Walking in my boot is sorta affecting my knees. Every so often I’ll feel a little twitch of pain in my left knee from the weight of the boot.
Comment by wayne — June 24, 2009 @ 7:50 pm