swim22
11-06-2008, 05:06 PM
I'm going on 7 weeks post-op, had the cast removed Monday (Wheeeee.... that was great) and am now digesting the instructions from the Dr that when I start PT on Monday I will be moving away from the knee wheelie (my best friend since surgery) and using the crutches as I begin to put a little weight on my foot. I am terrible on crutches - can only move about 6 inches at a time due to the knee on my "good leg" being painful with arthritis. The wheelie, on the other hand, permits me to roll about at will (and my office has very long halls). I've tried the crutches at home and have a rough time with them. Sometimes I sway to the back, sometimes I sway to the front. I never feel balanced. I'm wondering if I should just keep using the wheels at work and transfer to the crutches at home.
Has anyone else had this problem with crutches?
Has anyone else had this problem with crutches?
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Klavender928
11-06-2008, 06:30 PM
How much have you tried the crutches? I am on day 12 NWB and I thought I was going to break another bone for the few days. Now I am better, still unsteady at times especially when I am tired. I would keep trying the crutches. Remember to keep your head up and don't look at your feet, make sure they are adjusted correctly and I do worse when I am moving very slow. If I will keep moving at a little faster pace I tend to balance better (not talking marathon speeds but a steady pace). I would think you will progress to full WB better if you do as the MD recommends.
swim22
11-06-2008, 06:36 PM
I've only tried a little at home. Feel very awkward. I plan to take them with me to PT on Monday - maybe they need to be adjusted. No-one showed me how to use them - they just got me up after surgery, gave me the crutches and said "so-long". I really want to rehab - just scared of the dang things.
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
Janesfoot
11-06-2008, 06:39 PM
I swallowed my pride and used a walker after pre-surgery crutch training showed me that I was a disaster on crutches. The walker with wheels the in front offered me much more stability than crutches. Feeling safe was the most important thing. Good luck.
sunny77
11-06-2008, 09:09 PM
When you're progressing to being PWB and then FWB and have been using the knee scooter, it is hard to adjust to how cumbersome it is to get around. I had both my feet/ankles fixed for PTTD and was 6 wks NWB both times and used the scooter 99% of the time, crutches only in situations where there were steps or other obstacles. For the first week, when I had to go long distances, I used my scooter...but only for short periods. It's important to stop relying on the scooter and move on to bearing weight so you can move forward with rehab and recovery. It is different, as it's slower, probably more sore/painful and there's a limp. But, it gets better as you do it and get used to it. You might want to talk with your PT about using crutches more effectively so you don't lose your balance and maybe can make it easier on your knee. Ask his/her opinion of using the scooter...but it's more likely to be time to start weaning off the scooter so you can get to where you need to be. Good luck with everything! It's exciting to be done with the NWB part and being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
emmie54
11-06-2008, 09:34 PM
Swim, you'll be surprised how much more stable the crutches are if you can put your operated foot down. It's amazing the difference in that and having to keep the foot off the ground and "swinging it along". I think you'll do much better with the PWB as just a little bit of weight really helps your center of gravity. Good luck!
emmie
emmie
Klavender928
11-07-2008, 11:51 AM
I've only tried a little at home. Feel very awkward. I plan to take them with me to PT on Monday - maybe they need to be adjusted. No-one showed me how to use them - they just got me up after surgery, gave me the crutches and said "so-long". I really want to rehab - just scared of the dang things.
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
That's how it was in the ER for me. Just handed the crutches to me and shoved me out the door. Lucky for me I am in healthcare and I broke my foot at a co-workers house who happens to be a physical therapist. The proper way to check adjustment is to stand up straight and place the crutches under your arms with your arms hanging down(not with your hands on the handgrips) There should be 2-3 inches between the top of the crutches and your arm pits and the hand grips should be at the wrist level. So that your arms are bent when you put your hand on the hand grips. There shuold only be enough room between the crutches for your body to pass through. Your weight is supported with your hands and arms not your arm pits. Hanging on the crutches with your arm pits can cause nerve damage and then you have a whole other problem! There are two methods for using the crutches the "swing to" and the "swing through" and the are just like they sound. With the "swing to" place the crutches in front of you and swing your body even with the crutches. This is best when you are just starting to learn how to use them or when you are on uneven ground. I tend to do this when I am tired or first thing in the am when I am still groggy. As you build your strength and confidence you can move to the "swing through" which is were you swing your body though the crutches. Curbs and steps take a little thought to conquer. This is where I have the most trouble. I almost fell twice on the steps into my house and have lost my confidence. Just remember to keep the crutches lower than your are. If you are going up swing your body up to the next step and then move the crutches to the step you are on and repeat. If you are going down, place the crutches down on the next step and hop down to the crutches. Like I said in my first post keep your head up and don't look down at your feet and I do better when I am moving a little faster than when I am slow. It took me a couple of days to feel confident even on straight, flat ground and to build my strength. There are still times when I think I am gonna fall and days when I am more off balance than others. Keep at it and you will do fine!
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
That's how it was in the ER for me. Just handed the crutches to me and shoved me out the door. Lucky for me I am in healthcare and I broke my foot at a co-workers house who happens to be a physical therapist. The proper way to check adjustment is to stand up straight and place the crutches under your arms with your arms hanging down(not with your hands on the handgrips) There should be 2-3 inches between the top of the crutches and your arm pits and the hand grips should be at the wrist level. So that your arms are bent when you put your hand on the hand grips. There shuold only be enough room between the crutches for your body to pass through. Your weight is supported with your hands and arms not your arm pits. Hanging on the crutches with your arm pits can cause nerve damage and then you have a whole other problem! There are two methods for using the crutches the "swing to" and the "swing through" and the are just like they sound. With the "swing to" place the crutches in front of you and swing your body even with the crutches. This is best when you are just starting to learn how to use them or when you are on uneven ground. I tend to do this when I am tired or first thing in the am when I am still groggy. As you build your strength and confidence you can move to the "swing through" which is were you swing your body though the crutches. Curbs and steps take a little thought to conquer. This is where I have the most trouble. I almost fell twice on the steps into my house and have lost my confidence. Just remember to keep the crutches lower than your are. If you are going up swing your body up to the next step and then move the crutches to the step you are on and repeat. If you are going down, place the crutches down on the next step and hop down to the crutches. Like I said in my first post keep your head up and don't look down at your feet and I do better when I am moving a little faster than when I am slow. It took me a couple of days to feel confident even on straight, flat ground and to build my strength. There are still times when I think I am gonna fall and days when I am more off balance than others. Keep at it and you will do fine!
swim22
11-07-2008, 02:36 PM
Your support is just GREAT!! I don't know why this is bugging me so much...everything else about this surgery I have taken in stride. The crutches just seem to conquer me. I called the PT clinic and they told me they have crutches there that I can practice with. That takes a big load off. I work in DC and go to Drs and PT near work. I have to park in a public garage and then "wheel" myself down the sidewalk to the medical building and PT clinic. I was trying to picture wheeling and dragging the crutches - or worse, crutching in there going three inches at a time. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now but it seems like I'm getting hung on the little things more. I would love to be free-standing at least part of the time by Thanksgiving.
Klavender - Your details on crutching are super - I will practice this weekend at home and get some tips from PT next week.
Sunny - nice to hear from someone who went from scooter to crutching. I really love my scooter - even learned to go up and down the two steps into my house with it.
Hopefully after practice I will be on my way. It is great to have my foot free from the cast now. At least that's the first step in the right direction.
Klavender - Your details on crutching are super - I will practice this weekend at home and get some tips from PT next week.
Sunny - nice to hear from someone who went from scooter to crutching. I really love my scooter - even learned to go up and down the two steps into my house with it.
Hopefully after practice I will be on my way. It is great to have my foot free from the cast now. At least that's the first step in the right direction.
patw27
11-08-2008, 08:19 AM
I've only tried a little at home. Feel very awkward. I plan to take them with me to PT on Monday - maybe they need to be adjusted. No-one showed me how to use them - they just got me up after surgery, gave me the crutches and said "so-long". I really want to rehab - just scared of the dang things.
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
Hi Swim22,
What type of crutches are you using?.I also was no good at crutches and used a walker while NWB and for about the first month PWB but then decided to bite the bullet and try crutches.I cannot use the ones that fit under the arms but the elbow crutches were great, the PT's showed me how to use them correctly and once you are PWB so that you can put both feet on the floor for balance no problem. I still went out with my husband for a while in a wheelchair and practiced critches indoors until confident with them, don't let anyone force you until you gain confidence but you will be surprised at how soon you adapt.
I have only just gone from 1 crutch to cane yesterday and went to the nearest shop with the cane, I will try further tomorrow. Each change, even though we may be afraid to do it, gets us further to recovery.
Good luck, take your time, but give it a go
Pat
Thanks for your suggestions - it helps to know someone else felt pretty off-balance at first too.
Hi Swim22,
What type of crutches are you using?.I also was no good at crutches and used a walker while NWB and for about the first month PWB but then decided to bite the bullet and try crutches.I cannot use the ones that fit under the arms but the elbow crutches were great, the PT's showed me how to use them correctly and once you are PWB so that you can put both feet on the floor for balance no problem. I still went out with my husband for a while in a wheelchair and practiced critches indoors until confident with them, don't let anyone force you until you gain confidence but you will be surprised at how soon you adapt.
I have only just gone from 1 crutch to cane yesterday and went to the nearest shop with the cane, I will try further tomorrow. Each change, even though we may be afraid to do it, gets us further to recovery.
Good luck, take your time, but give it a go
Pat