tchair

Pat,

Yes it’s the normal progression. You've been mostly off that foot for four months, that alone will make it uncooperative when you try to use it. Even without an injury, joints get tight, tendons shrink, muscles wither and circulation diminishes. And as they say on TV: "But wait, there's more!" Your motor nerves are out of practice and sensory nerves are accustomed to very little stimulus. The recovery curve is very steep at first. The usual progression is to have large and frequent setbacks at first, then less so as the weeks go by. But setbacks are a sign that you are doing what's needed to make progress. You do want to stick with it, like climbing a mountain you take a breather then keep going.

There's nothing better than hydrotherapy. You don't need to be actually walking to gain back your physical capacities. Many use therabands your joint motion, do leg lifts for muscle tone and circulation and aerobics for stamina. The happy medium would be to some work while weight bearing and supplement that with NWB exercises.

I have never seen a Heelie incur further injury by over doing it. It seems to be self limiting. The only thing even close that I've heard of (and it is quite common) is like Caroline, being in a hurry, favoring the foot to go fast then making the leg muscles and joints ache. In that case it is time to slow down and remember to keep working on the foot.

There are two suggestions I'd make: Stay ahead of the pain. If you know you'll need the meds take them a little in advance rather than trying to play catch-up. Also, take actual notes of your progress. It will help you appreciate advances that you make and serve as a reminder and record of any issues that you discuss with your doctor. While the pain in your heel (and yes ankle) sound like the usual you will want to keep your doc apprised at your next follow up, and with an injury like this don't hesitate to call rather than ignoring a problem or worrying needlessly.

I've read that this injury is most common in males aged 45 to 50 years and that older people have a harder time recovering. My personal observations have been that an equal number of women are joining the club (probably indicative of who actually really does all the work), 20 year olds are quickly joining, admitting alcohol as a factor, but most importantly that those over 60 are fairing as well or better than the others.

TC