So I've finished a week of physical therapy, and a week back at work. Physical therapy has been okay so far. Since I can't put any weight on my ankle, it's mostly been stretching and core exercises (working glutes, quads, hip flexors, abs, etc.) so that I'll have the strength to walk once I reach that point.
I, of course, have home exercises to do, and I've been doing about twice as many as suggested. Any lack of recovery won't be from lack of trying on my part!
The only item of concern so far is that my Achilles has been extremely swollen (two to three times as wide as normal). My physio was able to get some of the swelling down with ultrasound and massage, and that allowed us to see and feel a knot right at the junction of my calf muscles and my Achilles. Looks like I must have injured it at some point. I just hope it isn't injured too badly!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 51: Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go...
Off to work tomorrow. I'll be working 5 hours shifts for the next couple weeks. And obviously I'll have to keep my right foot elevated all day every day. But finally back to work!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 46 - One Cast Down, or Out of the Cast and Into the Boot
So I had an appointment with my doc yesterday, and my left ankle is now out of a cast! Instead, it's all immobilized in this big black boot/splint. It's still not supposed to be weight bearing, but least now I can wash my leg and stretch my ankle. I will hopefully start physical therapy this week.
My right ankle is in a new RED cast (Go State!) and will be for another two weeks.
I didn't have new x-rays taken, but my doc pushed and poked and prodded my ankles pretty thoroughly and we didn't find any pain. This apparently indicates that the bones are healing well.
I expect my left ankle will remain in the boot for two to four weeks, and then move to a splint. My right ankle will remain in its cast for another two weeks and then be put into a boot where it will remain for two to four weeks.
Blood flow out of my right ankle remains an issue. Every time I hobble around on my walker, I look down to see purple toes. But it's improving, and I hope to be returning to work before too long.
The new boot is this heavy plastic footbed, with aluminum stays up the side, and a big neoprene wrap and six straps to keep my foot and ankle in place. I was trying to describe it to somebody and said: "it's sorta like Darth Vader meets neoprene." Now I'm jokingly referring to it as my "Darth boot". (You'll notice that I put in an orange Superfeet footbed, which looks a little silly but makes the boot much more comfortable.)
My right ankle is in a new RED cast (Go State!) and will be for another two weeks.
I didn't have new x-rays taken, but my doc pushed and poked and prodded my ankles pretty thoroughly and we didn't find any pain. This apparently indicates that the bones are healing well.
I expect my left ankle will remain in the boot for two to four weeks, and then move to a splint. My right ankle will remain in its cast for another two weeks and then be put into a boot where it will remain for two to four weeks.
Blood flow out of my right ankle remains an issue. Every time I hobble around on my walker, I look down to see purple toes. But it's improving, and I hope to be returning to work before too long.
The new boot is this heavy plastic footbed, with aluminum stays up the side, and a big neoprene wrap and six straps to keep my foot and ankle in place. I was trying to describe it to somebody and said: "it's sorta like Darth Vader meets neoprene." Now I'm jokingly referring to it as my "Darth boot". (You'll notice that I put in an orange Superfeet footbed, which looks a little silly but makes the boot much more comfortable.)
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