Six (Plus) Weeks Post Op (Appt. #3)

Physical therapy has continued over the past couple of weeks. The focus has been upon stretching my foot and getting muscles, tendons and ligaments moving as they haven’t been for some time. It started with “up and down” movements of the foot and only recently moved to a side to side (windshield wiper) motion; the latter of which engages the peroneal tendon. We’ve also used some weight machines, primarily the leg press and abduction machine. It has been one-on-one with a therapist with great individualized attention.

 

The pain level has gradually lessened; particularly during the day. My physical therapist says it best: it isn’t pain as much as soreness and fatigue. The only time that pain does exist is at bedtime. I continue to take a pain pill at that time to help me get to sleep. Efforts to do otherwise have resulted in no sleep. During the day, though, I get by just fine on Tylenol and Meloxicam.

 

After the first week of physical therapy, the crutches were ditched. I have bene able to get around fairly easily in the boot, increasing my steps each day to the point I’m almost at 6,000 now. I started by using a single crutch as a cane but that didn’t last long. I’ve taken some exploratory steps without the boot and it is much different. The stability muscles really engage at that point and they are very weak. Boot walking is still walking, though, even allowing me to take the dog out when the temps are nice enough.

 


Today I returned to the doctor for post-op appointment #3. The doctor was happy to see the progress of the scar and with the flexibility in the foot. He said he wanted to move me from the boot to an ankle brace; at least for half the day. We discussed my pain medication use and he said a good plan would be to move me to a less potent version for bedtime. He said to keep taking/refilling the anti-inflammatories and to use petroleum jelly on the scar. He also said to use a neoprene sleeve between the brace and the leg/scar.

A man then came in to give me the sleeve and brace, but he said they are cheaper on Amazon. He then helped show me what to buy and I placed an order for next-day delivery via Prime. How nice!

 

We’ll see how the bracing goes!

 

GLAD I HAD THIS BEFOREHAND...

 

Ossur Cold Rush Compact System

 

Ice is your friend when you’re doing PT. Ice packs can get to be a pain, so the Ossur Cold Rush, along with frozen water bottles, can delivery you a great supply of continued ice treatment. I’ve had this since the first surgery and it has come in very, very handy.


 https://www.amazon.com/Ossur-Cold-Rush-Compact-System/dp/B006VWSVW0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2LW3V2E6T7JYJ&dchild=1&keywords=ossur+cold+rush+cold+therapy+system&qid=1611626866&sprefix=ossur+%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-6

 


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