Hi, everyone. I've managed very little pc time this last week, so just got caught up on my reading yesterday. Even when I'm not my usual chatty self, I think of my fellows here, and pray for you all.
I am doing well with the pwb, blessedly report NO PAIN,:bouncing: and am also glad to report I finally am able to get some slight side-to-side motion!! Whoo-hoo!!!! However, I am frustrated with my inability to balance without the crutches. I really, really want to go to my appt unsupported. With both crutches, my gait is smooth and easy. When I try to do it with one crutch, a cane, a railing, or a countertop, I wobble and SLAM my left foot down, and only a few steps like this are needed for it to burn and me to stop. I argued again with Dad, who grabs my crutches, and prances around showing me how easy it is:mad: ... Grrr. So I told him to put the bloody boot on and show me how easy it was. He did, and his gait was very smooth, with his return to his left foot being only slightly harder than normal. So it IS me, not the boot, and I have 2 weeks to figure out my problem and solve it! Help???:eek: I don't know if it is my brain, (I've always had a mild vertigo or syncope, and nowadays, my bp meds cause sudden drops, leaving me very sensitive to motion), my boot, (rounded to compensate for the lack of ankle motion), weakness in my leg/foot, or what. I practise daily, but stop qoon, because I don't want to trash my left foot... Any suggestions??? Kim

Hi Kim!
Well, I am glad that you are not having much if any pain and congrats on the side to side motion! I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems balancing....that boot is kind of a pain with that...it is so heavy as well that it can be hard to lift and move. I can't really remember what procedure you had done, could you refresh my memory?

Keep trying Kim and I am praying that everything gets easier for you.

:wave:
Liz

Aww, Kim I am so sorry you are having so much trouble with getting around. I am also sorry that I don't have any suggestions on how to help. All I can say is no two people are exactly alike, which is probably why your Dad can move around withe crutches/boot with no problem. Over the last 6 weeks I have gotten really good with balancing myself on (level terrain) just one leg. I give all the credit of being able to balance to my years of karate, where for discipline we had to balance a cup of water on one raised knee while standing on just one leg.
Fortunately, for me my house is not big at all and there is always something to grab on to if I lose my balance. Yesterday I made Salsa and didn't use my crutches once as I hopped back and forth in my kitchen getting the stuff I need. When it comes to unlevel surfaces (ie. the bathroom floor, the back deck) though, I have def. had my fair share of falls trying to balance myself. After so many falls I just learned when I really need to stop trying to get around without the crutches and just use them. I am on crutches 90% of the day now. :) But only for about 4 more days!!

Well enough of my blabbing.. I really hope that you can come to terms with getting around soon, and I hope you don't injure yourself in the process. Best of Luck getting better!! :wave: and it was nice to see you on here again (I really was wondering where you had been)!

-Britt

P.S. A good thing I learned from my falls.. when you feel like you are losing balance kick the bad foot out in front of you and catch yourself with your hands instead of your foot, that way you can prevent it from crashing into the floor and possibly prevent re-inuring yourself.

Liz!:wave:
I had a distal fibula osteotomy, fixation with plate and screws. Yep. A badly healed fibula fx left me missing about 3/4 cm of length, or maybe it was 3/4 inch, I don't know. Ankle was sloppy. He attached a plate. Short leg cast for almost 3 months, nwb. CAM now, pwb. I'm sure the leg is weak, but don't think he would have said, "Begin pwb, increasing as tolerated, and wean off the crutches", if it wasn't possible and/or desirable. The boot does keep it rigid, so the op shouldn't matter much. Have you done this successfully on a previous op?
And... it has been hit and miss recently, but I haven't noted any posts from you. How are you doing now? Have you started your pwb? Any recent visits/xrays showing bone growth? Let me know. I keep you in prayer. Kim

Hi again Kim!
My 6 1/2 week appt. went really well. The x-rays showed quite a bit of growth and my os thinks it is pretty much solid; however, we are still taking it slow. He has wanted me to be pwb since the 2nd week, but I have kind of put it off, in hopes that I would be helping my foot heal better. I have starting pwb a little bit. I really dont do much right now, so I am only walking for like 10-20 minutes per day, but I figure some is better than none. My next appt. is August 23rd, which is during my last week :)
I have been posting, but it has been under fusion buddies.
Wow! That is an extremely long recovery time. I thought 12 weeks was bad, but you have so much more time! I am sure you will be able to begin walking, but it may take some time. With my 1st mtp fusion surgery, I was told I could pwb but it took me like 2 weeks to be able to really get a hang of it. I know how frustrating it can be, but it will become easier in time. Just hang in there and take it one day at a time. I know thats easier for me to say because I am not in your situation, but it will get better.
I will keep you in my prayers and good luck with everything.

:wave:
Liz