More Crutches (Both) - Days 32 - 36 Post Op (Work Week)
Back to work Monday, with the goal of a full week this week.
I took one of the old ice bags to work Monday to try and focus upon icing more (can't take Mr. Ice Machine there). It is tough to do in that environment! I did more than the past, anyway.
Moving at work was an increase from the weekend. The foot was a little more yelpy in the evening so the ice machine went to work. I gave the foot a little inspection halfway through the evening and noticed an obvious increase in swelling from the weekend. Just another reminder that the pace is going to be slow.
Your mind plays tricks on you when you read about things like this. I remember reading posts on Achillesblog prior to surgery that hinted about being up and running in three months or similar time periods. I went back last night and re-read those, and found that they were people who were "guessing" or thinking that they'd be doing that; not many who actually did. In fact, most that you read about with recovery to "normal" fall within 6 months to 1 year. Keeping in mind the surgeries are all a little different (Achilles detachment, Haglund's, spurs, Achilles rupture, etc.). But when it comes to recovery, folks, I don't think there is a ton of difference. We're in for the long haul.
Some of the realistic posts on a Runner's World blog. Again, a variety of procedures, but some real world tales of slow progress and setbacks:
http://community.runnersworld.com/topic/insertional-achilles-tendonitis-surgery?reply=175683549792147739#175683549792147739
Where is my irritation/pain du jour? Right where the Achilles attaches into the back of the heel, which makes complete sense. When partial weight bearing, the bottom of the heel is most hesitant, along with the arch.
I AM still progressing, mind you.
By Wednesday, I'm thinking the pain is lower and it is time to head back toward walking again. My day at work is not a long one, so I have a full evening to try a little more. I try the one crutch method and I'm getting around okay. It still looks pretty pathetic but I can move. It is less painful now; more of a feeling of instability. I'm not saying it isn't uncomfortable; it certainly is. But I don't get the feeling that I'm doing damage by pushing forward. It does feel shaky, though, particularly laterally. I've just lost the muscle to propel forward, but that will come back.
My surgery was minimally invasive, leaving what I call a "hole" on the side of my foot. It has looked pretty gnarly ever since surgery, but just today I've noticed it is finally looking better. It looks like a decent scab now. Swelling tends to crop up in this area still.
Late Wednesday evening, my right (good side) leg and foot decides to bark at me. Perhaps it is tired of carrying the load. I get a wicked calf cramp, and then later pain in (gasp) the lower right heel. I chalk it up to sympathy pain, but I ice it a bit, too.
Thursday was a long work day, but managed a couple of breaks. By the end of the day, though, the foot and ankle didn't feel all that bad. Another sign of some decent progress.
I had a long meeting on Friday that required me to sit for a long period of time. I had the boot on for several hours while sitting there. This was actually another sign of progress. The boot used to annoy me to the point that I couldn't take it for much longer than 30 minutes whether driving, sitting at a meeting, or otherwise. It was about 4 hours before I became super annoyed at it on Friday, though.
An early day (to make up for the late Thursday), so I went home and tried some non-crutch (but booted) walking. I can do it. It is clumsy, for sure. Stunted, limping walk. I come down heavy on my poor right foot, but it is something a little better than shuffling. One crutch walking looks better, too. Some progress! I think the end of the crutches isn't far off (knock on wood). Capitalizing on the entry into the weekend and some couch time, I continued to alternate icing, resting, and attempts at walking without support (except for the boot...not ready for that).
I took one of the old ice bags to work Monday to try and focus upon icing more (can't take Mr. Ice Machine there). It is tough to do in that environment! I did more than the past, anyway.
Moving at work was an increase from the weekend. The foot was a little more yelpy in the evening so the ice machine went to work. I gave the foot a little inspection halfway through the evening and noticed an obvious increase in swelling from the weekend. Just another reminder that the pace is going to be slow.
Your mind plays tricks on you when you read about things like this. I remember reading posts on Achillesblog prior to surgery that hinted about being up and running in three months or similar time periods. I went back last night and re-read those, and found that they were people who were "guessing" or thinking that they'd be doing that; not many who actually did. In fact, most that you read about with recovery to "normal" fall within 6 months to 1 year. Keeping in mind the surgeries are all a little different (Achilles detachment, Haglund's, spurs, Achilles rupture, etc.). But when it comes to recovery, folks, I don't think there is a ton of difference. We're in for the long haul.
Some of the realistic posts on a Runner's World blog. Again, a variety of procedures, but some real world tales of slow progress and setbacks:
http://community.runnersworld.com/topic/insertional-achilles-tendonitis-surgery?reply=175683549792147739#175683549792147739
Where is my irritation/pain du jour? Right where the Achilles attaches into the back of the heel, which makes complete sense. When partial weight bearing, the bottom of the heel is most hesitant, along with the arch.
I AM still progressing, mind you.
By Wednesday, I'm thinking the pain is lower and it is time to head back toward walking again. My day at work is not a long one, so I have a full evening to try a little more. I try the one crutch method and I'm getting around okay. It still looks pretty pathetic but I can move. It is less painful now; more of a feeling of instability. I'm not saying it isn't uncomfortable; it certainly is. But I don't get the feeling that I'm doing damage by pushing forward. It does feel shaky, though, particularly laterally. I've just lost the muscle to propel forward, but that will come back.
My surgery was minimally invasive, leaving what I call a "hole" on the side of my foot. It has looked pretty gnarly ever since surgery, but just today I've noticed it is finally looking better. It looks like a decent scab now. Swelling tends to crop up in this area still.
Late Wednesday evening, my right (good side) leg and foot decides to bark at me. Perhaps it is tired of carrying the load. I get a wicked calf cramp, and then later pain in (gasp) the lower right heel. I chalk it up to sympathy pain, but I ice it a bit, too.
Thursday was a long work day, but managed a couple of breaks. By the end of the day, though, the foot and ankle didn't feel all that bad. Another sign of some decent progress.
I had a long meeting on Friday that required me to sit for a long period of time. I had the boot on for several hours while sitting there. This was actually another sign of progress. The boot used to annoy me to the point that I couldn't take it for much longer than 30 minutes whether driving, sitting at a meeting, or otherwise. It was about 4 hours before I became super annoyed at it on Friday, though.
An early day (to make up for the late Thursday), so I went home and tried some non-crutch (but booted) walking. I can do it. It is clumsy, for sure. Stunted, limping walk. I come down heavy on my poor right foot, but it is something a little better than shuffling. One crutch walking looks better, too. Some progress! I think the end of the crutches isn't far off (knock on wood). Capitalizing on the entry into the weekend and some couch time, I continued to alternate icing, resting, and attempts at walking without support (except for the boot...not ready for that).
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