Wednesday, January 19th, was sixteen weeks post-surgery. The soreness I had been feeling lasted into Thursday, and it seemed my foot was more numb and tingly than usual. At times there were sharp, stabbing pains in the toes, heel and along the bottom. The worst part was not being able to massage the areas because they were numb. The same thing happend if I had an itch; scratching was useless.
My therapist thought I could be having a spasm, he sad this was normal and it was also normal to have set-backs. The weather was also bitterly cold and this could be affecting my muscles.
On Friday I canceled my physical therapy appointment; the soreness was just too much and I didn't want to make it worse. Over the weekend the soreness continued but it seemed to be getting a little better; I tried to stay off my feet as much as possible. I started to wonder if I should be pushing myself... maybe the muscles were getting stiff and needed to be used more.
I started to feel upset about the numbness, tingling and soreness. I worried that this was going to be permanent and that everything I'd gone through was for nothing. Overall the discomfort was still better than what I had experienced before the surgery. I suppose I just wanted to be "normal" again; the recovery was going well but it seemed to be taking so long! I reminded myself that my therapist said setbacks were normal and knew I should contact my doctor if the discomfort persisted.
Over the weekend I became sick and was told by the doctor that I had bronchitis.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Week Fifteen
Wednesday, January 12th, was fifteen weeks post-surgery. When I went to physical therapy on Thursday I told my therapist that my ankle had felt sore the past couple of days. He felt it could be the weather; we had had a snowstorm and he said when the pressure drops it might affect my ankle. This may or may not be a permanent thing... only time would tell.
This was a little disappointing to me but I had to remind myself that the pain I was feeling now was still so much less than the pain I was experiencing before the surgery. The soreness was tolerable and didn't affect me half as much as the arthritis pain did.
Over the next few days I worked on rolling my left foot completely through each step, trying to push myself forward while walking. It was uncomfortable but tolerable and I knew it would pay off in the long run. I showed my therapist what I was doing on Monday and he said I was doing much better and to keep working on it!
The next day there was rain and I noticed my foot was stiff and sore once again. Working on my walking was difficult and more painful. I didn't do my home exercises either, because of the soreness. I hoped it would pass soon.
This was a little disappointing to me but I had to remind myself that the pain I was feeling now was still so much less than the pain I was experiencing before the surgery. The soreness was tolerable and didn't affect me half as much as the arthritis pain did.
Over the next few days I worked on rolling my left foot completely through each step, trying to push myself forward while walking. It was uncomfortable but tolerable and I knew it would pay off in the long run. I showed my therapist what I was doing on Monday and he said I was doing much better and to keep working on it!
The next day there was rain and I noticed my foot was stiff and sore once again. Working on my walking was difficult and more painful. I didn't do my home exercises either, because of the soreness. I hoped it would pass soon.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Week Fourteen
Wednesday, January 5th, was fourteen weeks post-surgery. Full-time days at work that week with physical therapy afterward were draining me but my ankle was holding up very well.
My ankle was definitely getting stronger but the pai in my Achilles tendon was very intense when the therapist massaged it! That was the one part of physical therapy that I dreaded... the massage of the tendon. At home I continued my stretching exercises knowing eventually the pain would go away, and I worked on my balance exercises to help get my strength up. The Achilles tendon pain and getting the strength back were two hurdles I definitely couldn't wait to overcome! Each night and each morning I also massaged my scars with cocoa butter to help the healing process; they were healing well but were still painful to the touch.
On Saturday I returned to the shelter after three months of being away... it felt great to be back! Before the surgery I would be at the shelter for 2-2.5 hours in the morning and then my ankle was done for the rest of the day. It would be sore, I would be limping, I was pretty much useless! This day was different; when I returned home my ankle was sore but nothing like the soreness I had experienced before the surgery. That afternoon I was able to run errands and take care of household chores... all without any discomfort.
By Monday I noticed that my Achilles tendon did not hurt as much when I was walking; the extra stretching exercises I was doing were definitely helping. At this point the hardest part of the recovery period was working full-time, going to physical therapy, and attending to all the little details of my every day life. I found myself pretty tired at the end of each day!
My ankle was definitely getting stronger but the pai in my Achilles tendon was very intense when the therapist massaged it! That was the one part of physical therapy that I dreaded... the massage of the tendon. At home I continued my stretching exercises knowing eventually the pain would go away, and I worked on my balance exercises to help get my strength up. The Achilles tendon pain and getting the strength back were two hurdles I definitely couldn't wait to overcome! Each night and each morning I also massaged my scars with cocoa butter to help the healing process; they were healing well but were still painful to the touch.
On Saturday I returned to the shelter after three months of being away... it felt great to be back! Before the surgery I would be at the shelter for 2-2.5 hours in the morning and then my ankle was done for the rest of the day. It would be sore, I would be limping, I was pretty much useless! This day was different; when I returned home my ankle was sore but nothing like the soreness I had experienced before the surgery. That afternoon I was able to run errands and take care of household chores... all without any discomfort.
By Monday I noticed that my Achilles tendon did not hurt as much when I was walking; the extra stretching exercises I was doing were definitely helping. At this point the hardest part of the recovery period was working full-time, going to physical therapy, and attending to all the little details of my every day life. I found myself pretty tired at the end of each day!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Week Thirteen
Wednesday, December 29th, was thirteen weeks post-surgery. My ankle was feeling good that day... the past couple of days it had been sore, probably due to the weather. Physical therapy was going well and I started using the treadmill, walking backwards, for two minutes. The object was to put more pressure on the toes and ball of the foot, and the exercise was easier for me than I thought it would be.
I hadn't been at the shelter in three months and was anxious to get back. My physical therapist thought I was ready, and although he didn't feel I would need the air cast, he suggested I bring it along just in case. I knew there things I could do that wouldn't require too much lifting on my part, and my son usually volunteered with me so he would be able to help me out.
Over the weekend we drove out to the beach for a little day trip. I did more walking on the beach than I had in a long time, and when we came home I cleaned the house a little, and my ankle was feeling just fine! I was so happy... before the surgery I wouldn't have been able to walk as far on the beach as I did that day, and even after the little bit of walking I could do my ankle would have been done for the rest of the day. It was sore but tolerable, and the soreness was expected. The best thing to do would be to ice it up and elevate it. I was feeling good and knew that I was well on my way to getting my life back.
On Monday I returned to work full-time and then went to physical therapy afterward. Needless to say, I was pretty exhausted that evening!
I hadn't been at the shelter in three months and was anxious to get back. My physical therapist thought I was ready, and although he didn't feel I would need the air cast, he suggested I bring it along just in case. I knew there things I could do that wouldn't require too much lifting on my part, and my son usually volunteered with me so he would be able to help me out.
Over the weekend we drove out to the beach for a little day trip. I did more walking on the beach than I had in a long time, and when we came home I cleaned the house a little, and my ankle was feeling just fine! I was so happy... before the surgery I wouldn't have been able to walk as far on the beach as I did that day, and even after the little bit of walking I could do my ankle would have been done for the rest of the day. It was sore but tolerable, and the soreness was expected. The best thing to do would be to ice it up and elevate it. I was feeling good and knew that I was well on my way to getting my life back.
On Monday I returned to work full-time and then went to physical therapy afterward. Needless to say, I was pretty exhausted that evening!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Week Twelve
Wednesday, December 22nd, was twelve weeks post-surgery. That afternoon I came home from work and spent some time sitting at the computer, and noticed my ankle was a little stiff when I finally stood up. Immediately I thought of my arthritis days, and the stiffness was familiar. But... there was no more arthritis so I wasn't sure what the stiffness was from. When I asked my physical therapist about it on Thursday, he said the muscles were sore and stiff, not the joint, and that sensation was perfectly normal after surgery.
On Friday morning I woke up not feeling so well but went to physical therapy anyway. The two hours there exhausted me and when I got home I spent most of the day resting and sleeping. My husband had been sick and I knew I was fighting off a sinus infection of my own.
The next day I woke up still not feeling 100% but feeling a little better, and I was having company over so I had to push myself through the day. My ankle was sore but amazingly I did well, standing up and walking around, cooking and cleaning and hosting. The year before there was no way I would have been able to do all that. The pain I was experiencing was not anywhere near as bad as it had been in before the surgery. I was happy to be able to enjoy my holiday!
Over the weekend we had a huge snowstorm and I did not go into work or to physical therapy. The snow was just too deep and there was no way I'd be able to navigate through it. Could have been just as well, since I still was fighting a sinus infection and not feeling 100%. I would have to make sure I did my exercises that day, but not push myself too hard.
On Tuesday I saw my doctor for a follow-up exam and he was very happy with my progress. The incisions were healing well, there was no swelling, and he could see that my ankle was getting stronger. He felt I was progressing better than average; I thought maybe it was because I was younger than average replacement patients and he said that was only part of it. He said he chooses his patients very carefully; he only chooses patients who are motivated, and that I was! Although my full range of motion would never return, it would get better and I was determined to live a "normal" life again. Just being able to do things I hadn't been able to do in over a year were very inspiring to me.
That day I hadn't been using my air cast at work, I used a cane instead. I had been worried about walking longer distances but I seemed to be doing fine. My doctor wanted me to push myself more and use the cane less, if at all. He felt my ankle was strong enough to handle more walking without assistance. He also wanted me to continue working on my stretching exercises to help loosen up my Achilles tendon, which he had stretched during the surgery.
I asked my doctor what I should do if I twisted my ankle. Of course I wasn't planning on doing this, but the thought did occur to me, especially with all the snow and ice outside. Plus I knew once I was ready, I'd be hiking again. My doctor told me to see him immediately if I should twist my ankle; he would take x-rays and make sure everything was okay.
At the end of the follow-up I received clearance to go back to work full-time. I was ready, although I knew I would be tired at the end of the day!
On Friday morning I woke up not feeling so well but went to physical therapy anyway. The two hours there exhausted me and when I got home I spent most of the day resting and sleeping. My husband had been sick and I knew I was fighting off a sinus infection of my own.
The next day I woke up still not feeling 100% but feeling a little better, and I was having company over so I had to push myself through the day. My ankle was sore but amazingly I did well, standing up and walking around, cooking and cleaning and hosting. The year before there was no way I would have been able to do all that. The pain I was experiencing was not anywhere near as bad as it had been in before the surgery. I was happy to be able to enjoy my holiday!
Over the weekend we had a huge snowstorm and I did not go into work or to physical therapy. The snow was just too deep and there was no way I'd be able to navigate through it. Could have been just as well, since I still was fighting a sinus infection and not feeling 100%. I would have to make sure I did my exercises that day, but not push myself too hard.
On Tuesday I saw my doctor for a follow-up exam and he was very happy with my progress. The incisions were healing well, there was no swelling, and he could see that my ankle was getting stronger. He felt I was progressing better than average; I thought maybe it was because I was younger than average replacement patients and he said that was only part of it. He said he chooses his patients very carefully; he only chooses patients who are motivated, and that I was! Although my full range of motion would never return, it would get better and I was determined to live a "normal" life again. Just being able to do things I hadn't been able to do in over a year were very inspiring to me.
That day I hadn't been using my air cast at work, I used a cane instead. I had been worried about walking longer distances but I seemed to be doing fine. My doctor wanted me to push myself more and use the cane less, if at all. He felt my ankle was strong enough to handle more walking without assistance. He also wanted me to continue working on my stretching exercises to help loosen up my Achilles tendon, which he had stretched during the surgery.
I asked my doctor what I should do if I twisted my ankle. Of course I wasn't planning on doing this, but the thought did occur to me, especially with all the snow and ice outside. Plus I knew once I was ready, I'd be hiking again. My doctor told me to see him immediately if I should twist my ankle; he would take x-rays and make sure everything was okay.
At the end of the follow-up I received clearance to go back to work full-time. I was ready, although I knew I would be tired at the end of the day!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Week Eleven
Wednesday, December 15th, was eleven weeks post-surgery. Physical therapy was still going well and I could feel my ankle getting stronger and stronger.
On Saturday I went to the library and did not wear my air cast. I knew I wouldn't be walking too far or standing very long. My ankle did well, it was sore but I noticed that I was trying to walk a little faster than I really was able to. Sneakers with a bit of a heel were more comfortable and helped me walk a little easier, as opposed to sneakers with a flatter bottom.
That day I also used the vertical leg press machine at physical therapy, and did a calf-raise with my left foot using the lowest weight on the machine. Just a few weeks earlier I had not been able to do that!
Sunday I spent most of the day cleaning the house, this time not wearing my air cast. I took small breaks now and then and my ankle felt relatively good. It was sore but tolerable, and icing it helped.
On Monday I did a few new exercises and my legs were very sore afterward. Those muscles got a good workout! It felt good to be able to move on to new things at physical therapy... and I knew that having that "beat-up" feeling afterward was a good sign that I was becoming stronger and stronger.
I hadn't been wearing the air cast at home for a few weeks now, and was walking very well in my "indoor shoes." I noticed that sneakers like Skechers helped more because they had a bit of a heel, which helped my foot push up while walking. Walking barefoot was a bit easier as well, but the shoes helped much more and I realized I was able to walk with less of a limp.
By Tuesday I was feeling ready to take off my air cast when I went to work, but I decided not to just yet. Although I spent my days at work primarily sitting, I was concerned about walking from my car into the building to my office. My ankle strength was definitely improving but I didn't want to push myself too far just yet.
On Saturday I went to the library and did not wear my air cast. I knew I wouldn't be walking too far or standing very long. My ankle did well, it was sore but I noticed that I was trying to walk a little faster than I really was able to. Sneakers with a bit of a heel were more comfortable and helped me walk a little easier, as opposed to sneakers with a flatter bottom.
That day I also used the vertical leg press machine at physical therapy, and did a calf-raise with my left foot using the lowest weight on the machine. Just a few weeks earlier I had not been able to do that!
Sunday I spent most of the day cleaning the house, this time not wearing my air cast. I took small breaks now and then and my ankle felt relatively good. It was sore but tolerable, and icing it helped.
On Monday I did a few new exercises and my legs were very sore afterward. Those muscles got a good workout! It felt good to be able to move on to new things at physical therapy... and I knew that having that "beat-up" feeling afterward was a good sign that I was becoming stronger and stronger.
I hadn't been wearing the air cast at home for a few weeks now, and was walking very well in my "indoor shoes." I noticed that sneakers like Skechers helped more because they had a bit of a heel, which helped my foot push up while walking. Walking barefoot was a bit easier as well, but the shoes helped much more and I realized I was able to walk with less of a limp.
By Tuesday I was feeling ready to take off my air cast when I went to work, but I decided not to just yet. Although I spent my days at work primarily sitting, I was concerned about walking from my car into the building to my office. My ankle strength was definitely improving but I didn't want to push myself too far just yet.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Week Ten
Wednesday, December 8th, was ten weeks post-surgery. I had been back at work, part-time, for a full week and things were going well. That night I used my Wii Fit for the first time in over a year! I did some balance games and although I had to drop myself back down to the "beginner level" on each one, I was very happy with how well I did. I also used my elliptical machine for the first time in over a year, for five minutes.
Over the next few days I continued my home exercises and used the Wii Fit and elliptical, and by Saturday morning my therapist said I was making excellent progress. My ankle was definitely getting stronger and I was still unsure about going swimming at my local YMCA. My therapist thought I was walking well enough to make it from the locker room to the pool; he said walking in the pool would be good for me and of course the swimming would be great exercise as well. I still wasn't sure about my foot holding out so I decided to wait a little while longer and begin swimming again after the holidays. In the meantime, I also considered going for short walks in my neighborhood, just as far as I could manage. That particular Saturday I didn't go because I'd had physical therapy in the morning and didn't want to push my ankle, which was already sore.
Sunday was a cold, rainy day so I spent the day inside, putting out holiday decorations, helping with laundry and cleaning the house. It had been a very long time since I was able to clean the entire house in one afternoon and afterward my ankle was not sore at all. I had worn my air cast to help with support, and I noticed that my heel was hurting. This was because most of my weight was on my heel whenever I wore the air cast; that's the way it was designed. That was fine by me because I was so happy that the ankle itself didn't hurt! Before the surgery I would not have lasted that long cleaning and being on my feet. That evening I used my elliptical and played my favorite balance game on the Wii Fit, and then did my regular strengthening exercises. After all that my ankle was sore but it was a good sore. As I sat with ice I felt so good... it was the first truly productive day I'd had in a long time. The benefits of having had this surgery were definitely (and gradually) becoming clearer.
On Monday I used the elliptical machine for 10 minutes at physical therapy. My ankle was becoming stronger and more flexible. I realized that the more progress I made, the more determined I was to go further, to push myself to the next level. Every week there seemed to be a new achievement and I was feeling very good!
Over the next few days I continued my home exercises and used the Wii Fit and elliptical, and by Saturday morning my therapist said I was making excellent progress. My ankle was definitely getting stronger and I was still unsure about going swimming at my local YMCA. My therapist thought I was walking well enough to make it from the locker room to the pool; he said walking in the pool would be good for me and of course the swimming would be great exercise as well. I still wasn't sure about my foot holding out so I decided to wait a little while longer and begin swimming again after the holidays. In the meantime, I also considered going for short walks in my neighborhood, just as far as I could manage. That particular Saturday I didn't go because I'd had physical therapy in the morning and didn't want to push my ankle, which was already sore.
Sunday was a cold, rainy day so I spent the day inside, putting out holiday decorations, helping with laundry and cleaning the house. It had been a very long time since I was able to clean the entire house in one afternoon and afterward my ankle was not sore at all. I had worn my air cast to help with support, and I noticed that my heel was hurting. This was because most of my weight was on my heel whenever I wore the air cast; that's the way it was designed. That was fine by me because I was so happy that the ankle itself didn't hurt! Before the surgery I would not have lasted that long cleaning and being on my feet. That evening I used my elliptical and played my favorite balance game on the Wii Fit, and then did my regular strengthening exercises. After all that my ankle was sore but it was a good sore. As I sat with ice I felt so good... it was the first truly productive day I'd had in a long time. The benefits of having had this surgery were definitely (and gradually) becoming clearer.
On Monday I used the elliptical machine for 10 minutes at physical therapy. My ankle was becoming stronger and more flexible. I realized that the more progress I made, the more determined I was to go further, to push myself to the next level. Every week there seemed to be a new achievement and I was feeling very good!
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