Feb 05 2009
HALLELUJAH–I’m walking!
Two months and two days ago I had my surgery. Today I got out of my boot and into two shoes. I was afraid that there might be some fear of walking and maybe a little pain since there would be no protection without the boot but NO. There was no pain, no fear, only joy. The joy of being free and the joy of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Besides walking they let me get on a bicycle today as well. That felt fantastic. For right now the therapists only want me to bicycle under their close supervision (they are afraid I think that I will take off at warp speed) but they said within a week or so I can get on my own bicycle set up on a trainer. I have set myself a goal to be ready to ride RAGBRAI in July and the PT says that should be no problem. (RAGBRAI is a bicycle ride across the state of Iowa–this year that will be 442miles)
The therapists have said that I am to wear my shoes with a heel lift when I am walking inside and on level ground. If I am outside on uneven ground or if I will be walking long distances I am still supposed to use the boot, or if it becomes painful in anyway. The doctors order stated I should “wean” myself out of the boot. Does a chick go back into the egg once it is out? I don’t think so!
I wondered if I would have a limp once I got out of the boot and into shoes, but no limp whatsoever! I am being very mindful of the mechanics of walking. The PT says to make sure I point my foot forward. I know how important that is as 25 years ago I had knee surgery and didn’t have any therapy afterward and that foot points out like a duck. Paying so much attention to walking correctly does help me to go slow.
To those of your waiting for your day to go into shoes, take heart. That day will come and it will be just as wonderful as you are thinking it will be!
2 responses so far
Hi Wild dog,
I think my eye opener on my walking gate was going into the fitness studio in the gym to do my warm up and stretches and I watched myself walking up and down in the full length mirror I realised that my gait had changed for the worse. Just keep on top of it as I got a bit lazy and it reverted back.
Jon
Great to hear that you are in 2 shoes wilddog! I just got into 2 shoes on 2/3/09 at my 9 week post-op appointment. I am limping quite a bit as my ankle muscles and achilles are both quite tight. I am trying to stretch often while sitting on a chair with both feet flat on the ground. From that position I am trying to push my leg forward to get beyond 90 degrees with my foot and leg. It is really tight right as I approach 90 degrees and I can’t seem to get beyond that point. I feel if I could loosen everything up enough and get beyond 90 degrees it would fix my limp as I walk.
I have returned my AchilloTrain after the comments casted some doubt onto its effectiveness. It would have been a bit tight anyway as my circumference above my ankle increased as my tendon is quite a bit bigger than it used to be at that point.
My doctor hasn’t prescribed any type of PT. He suggests just walking with my shoe fitted with a heel lift and non-resistant ROM stretches.
I hope you can make it on your biking expedition.
My boss (the one climbing Mt. Washington next week) founded the biking club in our city. He has done some major rides the past couple years of 1000 + miles averaging around 100mi/day. You and him seem to have a lot in common. I wish you continued success on your recovery!