Well, slowly. I got an aircast 4/1 and I've been very busy with school so I haven't been able to really report. I'm PWB now and I think after having my leg be so sensitive, fragile, and protected the last couple of weeks I'm a bit nervous I'd screw it up. My worries were melted away when I finally had PT yesterday. I really like it and I now go 2 times a week.
I wanted to hear about other people's PT experiences and tips for PWB. I feel like I've been dared to take a step forward...Well try. I see my doctor next week to make sure I'm doing ok. Two questions though, should I worry that my leg has red itchy dots after I finally shaved it and a weird red area? Also, I use Vitamin E, Neosporin, and mederma on my scars. How has that gone for other people?
Also anyone ever imagine yourself standing FWB on accident and just dropping to the ground? I do. I wonder if that's me keeping me in check.
WorldWalker,
PT saved me...it kind of made me sane again and is the one thing that has kept me going through the surgeries I've had. My PT was/is the most understanding amazing person and she just always made me feel like things were going to be ok and made me see the positive side in anything. I can't imagine going through everything without being able to go in there a couple times a week; the people there were the only ones that appreciated and applauded the little accomplishments/ gains and made me see them as well. I think going there is REALLY going to help you.
As for partial wait bearing they should be able to help you in PT with it and guide you as to how fast to move to FWB. I know for me there was just a point when I had to just do it...I wasn't sure if I was completely ready or not and I was a little scared so I understand how you feel but you have to walk at some point. I know what I had to do was start with a little bit of weight and stay with that weight until the pain that came with it went down and then move to a little bit more and do the same thing until the point when I just lost the crutches...
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
I don't have any tips for you (yet!!) Worldwalker---but I just wanted to say good for you!!!! YOu are making progress and "moving" on!!! So glad to hear it. Hope you continue to do well!!!! Let us know how your P/T is working out for you!!!
Worldwalker you have really progressed. I was wondering since you are a little of ahead of me in recovery did you get a feeling like razor blades anywhere on your foot that just don't go away? Mine is in the heel bone alot. Or how the sock inside the cast is rubbing the daylight out of you?
Your poor skin hasn't had daylight or air for weeks. Its dry and sensative. Vitamin E is great, try to use only lotions that don't contain alochol as the will dry your skin out more. What is a heel donut? Did your Doctor recommend water (heated pool) therapy? I can't wait to get back to the pool to walk, float, kick & just stand. It was a godsend last year for recovery from foot surgery. You can walk without putting full weight and it build the muscles faster.
Happy Easter!!
Hey WorldWalker,
My leg was REALLY itchy after I got out of my casts too...part of it is that your skin is so dry from being cooped up in a cast/boot for so long and I know part of it for me was that I had bad circulation for a little while so when I started to put weight down the shift of my leg from one position to another woud make my whole leg turn funny colors and then when it was getting blood again it would get really itchy. If this is happening to you then PT will really help you and your leg just getting used to being in the positions and returning blood correctly will slowly come back and it will go away.
I was wondering what exactly the heel doughnut is as well. My PT talked about making me one to take pressure of a screw but I don't really know what it is.
So from the looks of my leg, I have weird bumps near my now red scar. I was in Urgent care to get on antibiotics and the rash is supposedly unrelated and the itching is driving me mad and freaks me out because it's gotten darker. Lame. I'd like to bang my head against a wall now please...
Anywho, the heel doughnut is a sort of cushion to prevent my heel from rubbing against anything to let it heal.
