Can't walk on my heel!! - Foot Problems Message Board

KatieArrigo · 03-21-2007, 10:53 AM

Okay...just got back from my first post-op.

I had 23 staples removed...OUCH!!!! Oh my, that hurt.
I had one of my pins removed (the one sticking out of the side of my foot)...didn't hurt a bit. Now I just have the one sticking out of my second toe (will stay in for another 3 weeks).

Doc said everything looks good, and I was told I could start walking on my heel...then he and the nurse blew out of the room and that was it.....

Well, after having my foot wrapped and completely unused for two weeks, walking on a heel is easier said than done...I can't seem to bend my ankle so that my heel is the first part to make contact with the ground. (I can bend the ankle with assistance, i.e. if rest it on an ottaman and flex my leg....but I can't do it without support.)

Any advice on stretching or anything? I would love to hear from anyone who's had a similar issue!!!! I'm hoping that its due to me not bending it for 2 weeks, and that if I work on it for a couple days it will become eaiser.

myjo · 03-21-2007, 04:02 PM

Hi...glad to hear you're healing well. I don't quite understand...is it that your heel hurts when you put weight on it or is it that you can't flex your foot?
I've found it painful to walk on my heel as it pulls around the incision site. So, I've been walking on the side of my foot as best I can.
I see the doctor tonight and I'm hoping he'll say I can start using the cam boot.
This boot takes the pressure off the front of the foot and forces you to use the heel. Perhaps you can ask your doctor about this. J.

KatieArrigo · 03-21-2007, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the reply!

No pain...that I know of yet, haven't actually gotten any weight on it...I can't flex my foot/ankle.

My friend (a PT) is emailing me some stretches I can do alone, and others that my boyfriend can help me with. She said to take it slow, don't push myself, and to just try small movements....

I would LOVE a cam boot or something to help with getting my weight on my heel. I'm just taped up and in the blue velcro surgical boot...the flat bottom doesn't help with flexing my heel at all!!! :-)

Oh well, just the next step in my journey I suppose. Back to work tomorrow!!!! EEEEEEE....I'm nervous!

myjo · 03-21-2007, 08:22 PM

Good luck at work. I hope you'll be able to keep your foot up.
See if your PT friend can get you one of those rubber stretch bands. The torsion varies depending on their color. I was using this after my first surgery for ankle strengthening.

J.