post op day 84 - in the saddle

Energy level: Great!
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
               3 for 40% weight bearing

Big yellow taxi: You are on notice!

Advertising that you pick up in 10 to 15 minutes and then making me wait over an hour is not acceptable! Not to me and not to my doctor! Why is today any different that the other 10 times you have made good on your promise in the past three months?

Fortunately, after arriving an hour late and waiting yet another hour, my physical therapist was kind enough to squeeze me in just before his lunch break.

On the plus side, I take the extra hour to practice walking up and down the block.

As I walk with two crutches I feel that my left foot is not sinking into my soft sole shoes as much as the right foot. It is now comfortable to walk with 20% weight bearing on the recovering foot. I can push it to 30%, but the foot sends some very strong signals at about 40%.

It has been 12 days since the sprain and I am back to the level just prior to the sprain. I was able to do 10 minutes full speed (no resistance) on the stationary bike physical therapy session before the sprain and today I’m full steam ahead again! I even try level 1 resistance in the last two minutes on the bike.

I’m so close to walking with one crutch. Close, but no cigar. I lack the coordination and the ability to put 50% of my weight on the foot and the other 50% on the opposite crutch to make this technique work.

The physical therapist is convinced that I have plantar fasciitis. He shows me a diagram of soft connective tissue that runs along back of the calf and under the bottom of the foot. It is strange because the pain has nothing to do with the sport where surgeon accessed my heel bone.  The pain is on the underside of the foot and the only explanation is: weakness by months of non-use.
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"Plantar fasciitis is often caused by poor foot mechanics. If your foot flattens too much, the fascia may overstretch and swell. If your foot flattens too little, the fascia may ache from being pulled too tight."

I think I'm in the second camp and the ache is due to pulling these fibers that haven't been pulled on in months.

The best weapon to combat plantar fasciitis is stretching! He also recommends that I get a special splint to gently stretch my foot as I sleep.

More upsetting news… it can take up to 9 months to recover from plantar fasciitis.

Let’s hope this isn’t a permanent condition. I’ve already purchased next year’s season pass for Squaw with plans to go skiing every weekend.

post op day 83 - h2o aerobics

Energy level: Great!

Pain level:  0 for non weight bearing 

                 3 for 30% weight bearing

The leap in progress from the last water aerobics class propels me though my second class.

Today’s class is focused on the deep end and treading water.  This is great opportunity to equally exercise for both legs.  I manage to keep fairly steady although my left calf and left butt cheek are still significantly smaller that my right.

Going up and down three flights of stairs ever day has increased the muscle tone on my 100% weight bearing right side. 

I wonder how much longer I will be lopsided.

post op day 82 - lunge!

Energy level: ok
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                3 for 30% weight bearing

Wow! Water aerobics certainly has brought me to the next level! I’m able to put significantly more pressure on my foot today. Woo hoo! Flexing is also better. I try a “lunge” and while I’m still wobbly braced against the wall I’m able to get my foot one inch further from the wall. I should mention that at this point a “lunge” for me means that my right foot is a few inches from the wall and my left (recovering) foot is only 18 inches from the wall.

Lunges should be measured in feet, not inches!

Post Op Day 81 – h2o aerobics

Energy level: Great!
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                3 for 10% weight bearing

As luck would have it, there is a water aerobics class that I can jump right into! 

I’ve shied away from aerobics in the past due to my lack of arm and leg coordination.  But…  I’m a strong swimmer and desperate to get back into some kind of exercise routine, so I figure that I should give this a shot.

I arrive a bit early to do a few laps.  The first thing that I notice is that I am buoyant – more buoyant than ever.  I effortlessly float on my back like never before.  I’ve gained 10 pounds in the past three months of impaired mobility and it is now the difference in my fat to muscle ratio is clearly apparent as I float in a pool.

The second thing I notice is that my recovering foot is floppy. It’s a weird sensation.  My good foot propels me through the water, but the recovering foot just gets whipped around as my leg goes though the motions.

Water gives a wonderful sense of freedom.  I do a lunge!   I can stand on one foot!  I can walk with two legs without crutches!  I share Jake Sully’s experience when he ran with avatar legs for the first time.  It’s a dream come true.  This is so liberating!

Next come the “dumbbells” and like a dummy, I thought they would be heavy and ask for the smallest pair.  Well, now I know why they are made out of foam.  Instead of lifting deadweight - this all about resistance.  I immediately feel the burn on the elusive underside arm muscles as I extend and force the “dumbbells” under water. I never found free weights to be particularly exciting, but this feels like opposite-land and therefore is actually kind of fun. 

Running in water makes it easier for me to channel Jaime Sommers (insert sound effects here) and makes up for the fact that I have to crawl out the pool on hands and knees to get to my less than 6 million dollar crutches.

post op day 80 - silipos

Energy level: good
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing 
                3 for 10% weight bearing.

My thin socks are in the wash and my foot is still slightly swollen from the sprain so I have to decide between the silipos Achilles heel pad or socks because the pad and a sock won't fit in my shoes that are already 1/2 a size bigger than normal.  I opt for the socks  which seem fine all day I wonder why I bother with the silly silipos. 

Well, at the end of the day I slip on the silipos and I tell you, that gel stuff brings a level 2 heat down to a level 1.  Ahh, cool relief.  

Even better will be a contrast bath before bed.  Nothing like a dunk in ice water to really sooth the swelling.

I'm developing a masochistic streak with those contrasts baths. Well, it helps that dunking my feet in alternating hot and cold water doesn't sting so much anymore.  Progress!

Post Op Day 79 – sprain away

Energy level: ok
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                3 for 10% weight bearing.

It’s been one week since the sprain and finally my foot fits in my shoe. It’s almost comical that I managed 37 years without a sprain. I must be making up for lost time.

I brave the bike trainer again and gingerly do 5 minutes. I’m able to do the full set of physical therapy stretches, but at with only a fraction of the flexibility I had prior to the sprain.

The question that still plagues me this week – When I attempt to be weight bearing on the injured foot - how much of the pain on the bottom of the foot related to the sprain? Since I have no experience with prior sprains, only time can tell.

post op day 78 - go chelsea!

Energy level: good
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                3 for 10% weight bearing.
 
I have something in common with Chelsea Clinton:  
 

She has a broken heel and doesn't know how it happened....

....and I have a broken heel and don't know how it happened.

Chelsea, I feel your pain! 

You are also my hero for wearing that horrible boot on the red carpet and making it look good!

That dreadful boot really puts a gal's fashion sense in a spin.

WEEK 12 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Good
Pain level: 0 - 2
Epiphany: "Riding" a stationary bike always reminds me of The Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere"
Milestone: Recovered from sprain and able to commit to a regular exercise class: Water Aerobics twice a week.

post op day 77 - speed shopper

Energy level: Great!
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing

It's fascinating how little I can do this at physical therapy today compared to my session before the sprain. The physical therapist is encouraging and states that at least,  I'm "not back at square one".

I hovering around square two.  Square three is where I jump back on the bike an peddle like mad. Square one didn't even involve the bike. 

Pedaling is more painful than the first time I tried the bike just two weeks ago, so I go slow.  Painfully slow.  There is zero resistance and even the motion of pedaling causes pain to the sprain. The swelling is almost gone but pedaling action reminds me that I'm not going to be walking anytime soon.

On the plus side, I feel my energy is back and we so a little grocery shopping after work. 

I don't know if it is because it is a Friday night or the clientele of Whole Foods - but I feel like everyone here is on speed.  I'm driving around the store in the little cart and everyone tries to run IN FRONT of me.  At Trader Joe's people see me coming and step aside - but here - folks see me coming and walk faster to overtake me.  Is this fear that *gasp* I might block an aisle with my fat ass cart?  Good grief!   A race for the organics?!!

post op day 76 - step back

Energy level: good
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing

Time to take a step back and gain some perspective before I take a step forward. 

I'm happy that my bone is fully healed and today I at least make the effort to go though the motion of putting my foot to the ground heal to toe - I'm not ready to try even 10% just yet.  Better luck tomorrow. 

This chart gives a little "bone" perspective. 

Bone Broken Time for it to Heal
Collar bone (clavicle).................3-8 weeks
Shoulder blade (scapula)...........6 weeks
Ribs........................................4 weeks
Upper arm (humerus)................4-10 weeks
Lower arm (radius,ulna).............6 weeks
Wrist ......................................4-12 weeks
Fingers....................................4-6 weeks
Pelvis .....................................4 - 6 weeks
Upper leg (femur).....................12 weeks
Knee (patella) ..........................4-6 weeks
Lower leg (tibia,fibula)...............10-24 weeks
Ankle.......................................6 weeks
Foot.........................................3 - 12 weeks
Toes........................................3 weeks

A nice track record - evidence of recovery for those who feel like this will never end!

hum... it's funny how it's hard to find information about the "heel bone".

At least I'm in the normal range for the bone recovery.  A little information from about.com makes me feel better about my calcaneus (heel bone) injury.

"Patients will be required to keep weight off of the foot for as long as three months!" 

It's less than three months since injury #1 and 4 days since injury #2.  The swelling is gone but the pain remains.

Time to take a step forward.

post op day 75 - set back

Energy level: good
Pain level: 0 for non-weight bearing

I get yet another x-ray today and I must say the thrill of getting x-rays has worn off. I know that I didn't break anything because if something was broken, I would feel it.

Today, pain starts with the very slightest attempt to be weight bearing. I curse that fall! I feel like the rewind button was pushed and I'm back to week 7 when I started physical therapy for the first time. My foot will not comply with even the most basic rotations.

Today's x-ray looks just fine and my Achilles tendon is also showing normal response. Dr. D says that people get sprains all the time. I ask if I should be concerned about ligaments and he said that there isn't really anything to be done if I tore a ligament. He gives me the green light to be weight bearing up to my pain tolerance.

My brain says that if something hurts then don't do it. Dr. D says that I can't do anymore damage to my foot and this is just a small set back.

He stresses that there was massive soft tissue damage from the impact of the accident and that everything is just highly sensitive down there. X-rays don't show soft tissue or ligaments so it's hard to know if I'm overreacting or my foot is overreacting.

Perhaps I’m just a sensitive gal?

post op day 74 - strain?

Energy level: ok
Pain level: 2

The swelling is going down, but I decide to wear the splint to work and be completely non-weight bearing for the day and have a few ice sessions at my desk.

Both the outside and inside arch of the foot hurt. Weird... after all, I only fell on the outer edge of the foot.

I guess everything is connected! Life, the universe and everything!

post op day 73 - fallout

Energy level: good
Pain level: 3 – 4

Oh boy, what did I do to myself? I think that when the doctor said to “be careful” I took that as a personal challenge. Perhaps I wasn’t ready for the “Look Ma, no hands!” …not even on a stationary bike. Or perhaps the universe isn’t finished teaching me the lessons of patience?

I don’t think that anything is broken…. but yesterday’s fall is certainly evident today.


There is quite a bit of swelling and the side of the foot is warm to the touch. Fortunately I’m well stocked with ace bandages and ice packs and with all the experience over the past few months, I’m a pro at keeping the foot elevated.  Woo hoo!

The doctor isn’t overly concerned as long as am zero weight bearing and I will go in for an X-ray on Wednesday.

Pain is a fascinating thing because you can’t recall the sensation. And that’s a good thing! I do remember that after my initial break that I needed something stronger than Vicodin. Today, two extra strength Tylenol keep the pain in check and I make it through an entire day at work. Keeping the mind’s focus away from the pain is another trick. Calling clients helps, but left to read e-mail leads down the path of self awareness. I actually look forward to cold calls today!

At night, I dig up the old splint and take some Vicodin to go to sleep.

Sweet dreams are made of these.

post op day 72 - sprain?

Energy level: good
Pain level:  0 …. 8 …. 4

Today started off great with no pain -hooray! ….and then I fell off the bike (that was an 8) and then a throbbing 4 for the rest of the day -boo!

A bike trainer - so easy that even a cat can use it.... right? 

My klutziness knows no limits.


After yesterday’s exhausting 20 minutes on the bike I decided to experiment with a measly five minutes ever hour for four hours. 

The first two rounds go fine.  I have a pleasant rest for an hour after my mini aerobic session and I feel my energy building throughout the day!  Great!  This is working.  I hop on for a third session.  My butt is a tad sore and I need some extra cushioning – which is just out of reach.

Somehow I manage to get tangled getting off the bike.  I do a half spin and land on the other edge of my injured foot.  I heard a feel a small “pop”.

OW!!!!

Pain surges through my foot.  I scream out in pain!  I only remember screaming once, but JP says that I screamed nonstop for a full minute.

I haven’t felt this much pain since post surgery and I curl up in a little ball.  I swear to JP that it’s is just a sprain to stop him from calling 911.  He brings me some ice and I practice deep breathing. 

It’s back to r.i.c.e – rest, ice, compression and elevation for the rest of the day.

Learn from my fail - a bike trainer is not the same as a stationary bike.

post op day 71 - bike trainer

Energy level: good – extreme fatigue
Pain level:  0 - 2

My bike has a trainer.

Why does my bike need a trainer?  Well, it’s not so the bike can get in shape; it is so I can get back in shape!

Turns out that you can get an over priced piece of metal and a flywheel and turn any bike into a stationary bike.

Why they call it a “bike trainer” is beyond me.

JP sets up the bike trainer and before you know it, I’m going nowhere fast next to the rosebush.

I love feeling the sun on my skin and the fragrant flowers in the air.  I’m plugged into my tunes and ready to roll.

The first 30 seconds go pretty smooth before I realize the difference between a true stationary bike and bike riding. 

The stationary bike at the doctor’s office has a reclining seat the supports the full weight of my body so that the focus is on leg movement.

A real bike’s seat is designed for monetary rests as the pedals support most of the body weight.

I’m not ready to support my body weight equally with both legs and that bike seat is really uncomfortable.  This comes as a shock because in the 10 years that I’ve had this bike I’ve never thought that the seat was particularly uncomfortable.  I borrow one of the many throw pillows from the couch to cushion the “ride”.  It’s better, but not as pleasant as the stationary bike at the doctor’s office.

I do 10 minutes and then need a 20 minute rest.  I’m feeling like a wimp because as I reminisce about leisurely two hour bike rides I used to take around the local lake.

After a second 10 minute ride I take another 20 minute cat nap in the sun.  Already, I’m a tiny bit achy.  I decide that a warm bath will help relax the muscles.

This helps a little…

I spend the rest of the day in bed exhausted from this “ride”.  Two Tylenol are also necessary.

Wow!  This is not what I had expected.  Perhaps my expectations were too high?  Was it was the dream last night where I just threw off the crutches and started walking and thought to myself “This isn’t hard, why was I making such a big deal out of nothing?”

Well, it is hard.  Much harder than I ever dreamed. 

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."   

Thank you Nietzsche, but, it sure does make me tired!

WEEK 11 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Good to low
Pain level: 0 - 3 (the harder I push myself, the more aches)
Epiphany: No pain, no gain
Milestone: Week 11 starts off with strength and energy to attempt more exertion on a “stationary bike”. However, a trip while getting off the bike results in a sever sprain. Week 11 is a bit of a setback.

Learn from my fail: A bike trainer does NOT turn a bike into a stationary bike suitable for physical therapy.

post op day 70 - t g i f

Energy level: I feel Grrrrreat!
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                1 for 20% weight bearing

What a beautiful day.  I'm just whizzing through my physical therapy exercises now in just about 20 minutes.  I can't believe that just two weeks ago it took me nearly 3 hours to get though the same stretches.  It seems ridiculous that back then I had to take a mini nap after the slightest exertion.  Stretch, nap, stretch, nap... the life of a cat.

My magic shoes really make a difference.  According to the Wii Fit, my balance is 40/60 - which I can do when wearing the super cushy shoes.  Barefoot is still another matter and I *think* that 30% is where it feels like I am standing on tacks.  Unfortunately, I can't get the Wii Fit to register me unless I can get at least 30% of my weight on the recovering leg.  Fascinating!  Who would have thunk that a video game could help with the recovery process by giving objective data?

post op day 69 - conspiracy

Energy level: Low, low
Pain level: 1 for 0% weight bearing - general stiff, achy ankle
                2 for 20% weight bearing - stabbing pain on the bottom of the foot.  My foot feels like one giant funny bone.  Not funny at all.  Okay, it's a little bit funny, but in an odd kind of way.

Six months ago I made a dentist appointment for May 10th.  Two months ago Dr. D set my anticipated date of recovery and May 10. And now...  I just received a jury summons for May 10th. Coincidence? …. or conspiracy?

Remind me to buy a lottery ticket on 5 / 10 / 2010.

post op day 68 - stand up!

Post Op Day 68 – Wednesday, April  14 – stand!
Energy level: good
Pain level: 1 for 0% weight bearing - general stiff, achy ankle
                2 for 20% weight bearing when wearing the super squishy
                                Shape Ups shoes


I can stand on two feet!  Woo hoo! I stand in the middle of the living room and drop both crutches! 

JP is not impressed with my ability to free stand.    He dryly says is:

“Okay, now walk.”

I am not amused.

post op day 67 - new shoe

Energy level: Good
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                3 for 30% weight bearing

Warning:  This post contains a Product Endorsement!

I tried the “heel cup” my doctor said I should get – and well that was a joke.  My swollen foot barely fits inside of my roomiest shoe.  It most  certainly does not fit in the shoe with an added layer of silicon. 

This means that I have to buy a larger size shoe just to accommodate the bloody cushion.  Normally I look forward to shoe shopping (what gal doesn’t?) but the idea of looking at hundreds of shoes, boots and heels that I have no hope of wearing anytime soon seems a tad torturous. 

Out of desperation I brave the sea of unwearable shoes when the clouds part as the ray from a spot light shines on my love at first sight: Sketchers’ Shape Ups. 

The first thing that attracts me to these shoes is the inch high super squishy sole.  I try one on my good foot and I get a strange desire to hop.  I have to be careful because these shoes are designed to keep one off balance in order to “engage more muscles”.  This is extremely dangerous for a klutz like me.  I am strangely drawn to these shoes … or is it that I’m draw to the attached warning tag that instructs that they shouldn’t be worn for than 45 minutes at a time for the first few tries.  I’ll take any warning tag as a personal challenge.

Then… I put it on my recovering foot and a few amazing thing happens:

_My swollen ankle fits!
_The design redirects pressure from the heel to the front of the foot.
_I can put more pressure on my foot!  In fact 30% weight bearing is down to a measly pain level of 1.
_My chest swells with the hope of speeding up the recovery process!

I figure the $100 price tag is a worthwhile investment.  The only thing to dampen my spirits is the sales clerk aggressive persistence that I join their shoe club.  She doesn’t know that every minute standing at the checkout counter is another minute of fluids swelling my foot.  After three bloody promises that “it will only take a minute” I have to say “look lady, I’m in pain and I need to go home”.

Dear General Public:  Just because I’m out and about doesn’t mean that I’m pain free.

post op day 66 - tissue trauma

Energy level: good
Pain level: 0 for non weight bearing
                4 for 30% weight bearing

My soft tissue has been traumatized.


This is the explanation that Dr. D gives for my lack of progress.

I was “supposed” to be walking on one crutch by now, but it is just too painful for me.

This might be a good place to emphasize that the “progress rate” is my schedule – not the doctor’s. He’s been very evasive about the whole time line because there isn’t one for soft tissue recovery. I want to be top in my class in this recovery competition! It is difficult to measure where I should be in this whole process when there are no concrete expectations.

He uses a bomb analogy (complete with outstretched arm gestures) to describe the shock waves that destroyed far beyond ground zero – the bone fracture is only the tip of the iceberg. Ground zero has completely recovered; the issue at hand is the fallout from the massive shock wave that impacted the surrounding bone and soft tissue.

More discouraging news: there is no time line for soft tissue recovery. Bone has a tried and true track record for recovery. Soft tissue is another matter. Furthermore, pain is subjective. He cannot tell me much I should grit my teeth to get though certain weight bearing exercises. It is up to me to determine the threshold.

On the plus side, even the maximum pressure I can muster can’t do any more damage.


The best comfort he can offer is to say that 66 days is still early in the overall recovery time frame. Maximum medical recovery – or “as good as it gets” – is typically 9 – 12 months.


The “shock wave” explanation calls into question my original theory about the accident. The best I’ve been able to contrive for a pulled apart bone and an intact Achilles tendon is: too much tension at high speed; G-forces pulled on the Achilles tendon and instead of detaching, the tendon pulled the bone apart.

Now, the only hypothesis that can absorb the shock waves is that I hit something hard at high speeds – the speed equivalent of falling a few stories and landing on my heel. Granted I was skiing like a madwoman that morning, but I had just finished 10 smooth laps on that circuit and I don’t recall any bumps that I had previously swerved to avoid.

This is one mystery that may never be solved.

post op day 65 - get physical

Energy level: low
Pain level: 0 -1

I wake up with a slight tingling sensation on the inside of the ankle.  Odd.  It dissipates by mid morning.

Yesterday's outing is taking it's toll and I don't feel like going outside today.  Besides, it's raining - the perfect day to curl up with a good book.  The only item on my to do list today is physical therapy.

Let's get physical! 

Time for plantar flexion!  Point! Flex! Repeat!

post op day 64 - happy days

Energy level: excellent!
Pain level: 0

Oh happy day! This is the first weekend that I’ve had enough energy to leave the house since I’ve been back to work. Up to now, I’ve needed two full days to recover from an exhausting week at work to build up enough energy to make it though another work week.

My Silipos® Achilles Heel Pads arrived in the mail. Yippee! What a great opportunity to try them out!

I was skeptical, so I got two heel pads so that I could compare and contrast them good foot vs. recovering foot. They have virtually no effect on my good foot. Interesting. A cool relief settles over my slightly swollen Achilles tendon area. The purpose of these pads is to reduce friction from the back of a shoe. There is very little friction from the boot, so the benefits I’m getting are from a mild compression and a cooling gel. The pad plus this morning’s invigorating contrast bath make for a very exhilarating day! Hooray!

Chef JP wants new pots and pans so we off to Williams Sonoma for a set. My limit for standing is about 15 minutes. After hemming and hawing I sit at their display dining table to debate pots, pans and plates. I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a wonderful man - the great chef part is the cherry on the icing on the cake!  (JP doesn't like the expression of "iciing on the cake" because a cake isn't a cake without icing in the first place!  duh! - did I mention how lucky I am to be married to a man who can't image cake without icing?)

Next is a grocery store safari! I actually breakdown and use the motorized cart to follow JP around the store. Driving in the grocery store is fun! But, I feel like a bull in a china shop and constantly get in everyone’s way.

Lastly, we stop by a friend’s house to say “hi”. It’s good to be out and about visiting friends.

Life is good.

WEEK 10 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Low to OK
Pain level: 0 - 1
Epiphany: Physical therapy easy as ABC, 123!
Milestone: Begin minimal weight bearing

post op day 63 - good ol' shoe

Energy level: good!
Pain level: 0-1
(occasional mild stabbing pain in the Achilles tendon area)

I got to put a shoe on my left foot today! Hooray!!!

Incidentally, it is the very same shoe last put on that foot on the morning of the injury, January 31st. Ironically, a Salomon Snow Clog is the ideal shoe to recover from my ski accident. The shoe is so ideal that I wish I had a second pair, but the original Snow Clog has been discontinued. (Perhaps because “clogs” is a misnomer? - The backs of the heels in these “clogs” are fully covered.)

Here’s what makes them especially well suited for the job:

_rounded heel and toe promotes heel to toe walking that I am practicing with the crutches
_amazing arch and heel support which distributes the pressure away from the heel – ahhh!
_pull tab on the back of the shoe helps with getting the shoe on my swollen heel
_no tongue or material to hinder forward flexing – forward flexing is extremely difficult for me right now and is one of the key points preventing me from walking.
_the best feature of all: wet suit material around the base of the ankle gives just the right amount of snugness to keep my ankle in place without grinding against my heel as most stiff backed shoes would.

The size difference in the two feet is immediately evident. The shoe just barely slides over the nylon knee high on my left foot while the right foot still has some wiggle room in a big bulky wool sock.

It feels like I am standing in heaven and I am ready to burn the boot! This is much better than bare feet -which puts too much pressure on the heel and side of the foot and immensely better than the evil boot that throws off the alignment of my entire body.

But then… the good doctor bursts my bubble… the shoe is only for home use. I have to use the boot anytime I go outside. In the event of a slip or fall, the iron guards that run up the length of the boot will prevent the ankle from twisting and further injury. An iron cage for my own good.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: This boot was NOT made for walking.

post op day 62 - wii challenge

Energy level: ok
Pain level: 1

Walking is a challenge – and that is with crutches! My goal is to walk with one crutch – how hard can that be?

This sparks the idea to try out the Wii Fit to really test my balance.

I quickly discover that the Wii Fit was not made for one legged folk. It takes many tries just to get the darn thing to register me. It accuses me of “fidgeting!” It also berates me for my hiatus. How’s that for a “welcome back”?

After a few tries I figure out the trick is to trick the board into thinking that I have equal weight on both legs. This means leaning heavily on my left crutch and trying to ensure that the board feels equal pounds of pressure from each foot. Once it recognizes that I’m on the board I try to put a little pressure on the crutches so that it can measure my “balance”.

The results are fascinating! Although I am standing on two feet, I’m only putting 25% of my weight on my left foot and my right foot is supporting a whopping 75% of my weight!

Wow!

It “feels” like I’m even 50/50 but the measuring device says otherwise. I speculate that the swelling of all the soft tissue makes 25% of my weight squeeze down on everything the same as 50% of my weight.

Wow!

Thank you Wii Fit! This information is most helpful!

I’ve come a long way baby, but I’ve got a lot more to go!


Wow!

Thank you Wii Fit! This information is most helpful!

I’ve come a long way baby, but I’ve got a lot more to go!

post op day 61 - plantar fascia

Energy level: good
Pain level: 1

Overall feeling pretty good -except one tiny spot on the bottom of the foot in the center of the heel which feels like I'm walking on a thumbtack.

 Physical therapy is coming along. I wake up with general aches, but the most unusual sensation is when I try to walk. I have a numb pain on the outer part of the sole of the foot. The physical therapist tells me that is might be "plantar fasciitis". He performed some ultrasound therapy on the bottom of the foot to get the cells stimulated.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia which is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the toes. I really need to work on that dorsiflexion! (flexing the toes toward the ankle)

Contrast baths may also help bring oxygen back into the foot and stimulate nerve growth. My left foot is still an unsightly shade of blue every morning.

Doing the dorsiflexion: point toes to the ceiling and flex foot towards shin.

post op day 60 - scar tissue

Energy level: Ok
Pain level: 0

A scar is born!

The contrast baths are keeping my feet smooth as a baby's bottom.

post op day 59 - fatigue

Energy level: ok in the am - fatigue by evening
Pain level: 0

No pain today! At all! Hooray!

I get so enthralled with work that I forget to take a lunch break. At home in the evening I lay down to sneak in a quick cat nap ... but then wake up the next morning feeling a bit of guilty for missing my evening physical therapy routine. Oops.

My left foot is still a ghastly shade of purple.

post op day 58 - hoppy easter!

Energy level: low - good
Pain level: 0 for physical pain - 1 for headaches

Just too tired to leave the house today.  I have to muster up all my energy just to do the basic physical therapy exercises even though I have a mild headache in the left temple all day.  Tylenol and long naps are the only Easter eggs for me today.

post op day 57 - pt abc's

Energy level:  low - tired after full week of work at the office

Pain level:  0 for physical pain
                 3 for headaches

Inversion, Eversion, Plantar Flexion, Dorsiflexion and Gastroc Stretches, oh my!

Thanks to the skilled hands of the physical therapist I feel free of the scar tissue that was sticking to the screws and I can really progress with my exercises.  The physical therapy prescribed to me really feels like my restorative yoga class so all the motions feel familiar and I'm looking forward to getting back into an exercise rhythm. However, the truth is, I have one of those minds that wanders. The reason I love going to a class is so that the instructor can lead the exercises which enables me to focus on meditation.

I find the most difficult task with physical therapy is keeping track of the reps and sets. JP comes up with an ingenious idea! For set one, I count 1 - 7, for set two, I count 21 - 27, set three 31- 37 and final set four is 41 - 47.  Works like a charm!

The ankle rotations and pretty standard, but the most surprising exercise is tracing the alphabet with my feet. At first I groan with boredom, but wait... what is that new release I feel after the letter "K" and "R"??? and "Q" ? That's a delight too! This alphabet exercise has the most immediate reward - totally unexpected.

Today was brought to you by the letter "O" and ankle rotations!

WEEK 9 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Low
Pain level: 0        Woo hoo!
Epiphany: Spring is in the air!  But so is rain.  A hooded rain jacket is a good thing ~ don't leave home without it!
Milestone: Begin full regimented physical therapy. Current focus is stretching.

post op day 56 - racing stripes

Energy level: Good
Pain level: 1

The only pain for today is that “sand in my shoe” annoyance of the screw head rubbing against my Achilles tendon. 2 Tylenol in the late morning

Hooray! It’s my first day of real physical therapy! The therapist is impressed with my overall flexibility which I contribute to a regular yoga practice. He puts me though a variety of moves which determines that indeed the ankle and calf are stiff and weak. He also comments that the low swelling is evidence of a well done surgery.

He asks if I am in any pain and I explain the biggest issue I have is the sensation of the Achilles tendon rubbing against the screw head.He starts work on the scar tissue and like magic, his massaging fingers free the hardened tissue. Ahhhh relief! As a bonus, I get bring pink tape on the back of my leg. I don’t quite understand the benefit, but the relief lasts all day!

JP has been extremely patient watching the physical therapist manipulate my foot all morning. I am every so grateful for his support and tender care throughout this ordeal.  He is certainly deserving of sainthood and a gold medal for patience.  I ask if he found the session to be interesting and it turns out that his favorite part was watching the therapist manhandle the scar tissue to release the fibers. It seems like only yesterday that I was screaming out in pain as JP ever so gently dabbed my wound with a cotton ball. I may have even accused his gaze to have been too heavy upon my foot just a mere month ago. We are both glad to be beyond that phase.

post op day 55 - headaches

Energy level: low
Pain level: 1 - wake up achy and with a slight headache which lasts all day requiring 2 Tylenol in the morning + 2 more in the afternoon