Just a pity whiny post...need to vent! I will be 8 weeks post PTTD surgery on Tuesday. I went into the boot and started PWB last Friday. He said I can put as much weight on it in the boot as I'm comfortable with, and get back to FWB as soon as I can do it (in the boot). I know it's only been a week but I was hoping to be able to do more by now. I am doing fine PWB, little to no pain, but if I try to lose the crutches, I can't do much. I did manage to walk around my kitchen enough to make dinner without the crutches the other night, but that was all I could do. The PT said I still have very little ROM in my ankle and I know until I get that back walking will be slow going. I'm stretching as often as I can, and I can already see some improvement.
I'm just not a patient person and I know it will take time but I'm READY to lose the crutches. It's hard to imagine in 5 weeks I'm supposed to out of the boot...I can't even imagine that right now. Of course, 5 weeks ago I couldn't have imagined putting any weight on that foot at all!
I swear this is the most frustarating part of the whole process for me.
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: NCgirl96 ginger62 (01-27-2013), ohitscourtney (01-27-2013)
Hi Ncgirl... I hit that feeling at almost the same time as you! I think someone even replied that it's a typical frustration point. I'm at nearly 10 weeks and still not FWB. Yesterday and today I had to back off because I overdid it Friday using a cane... Sigh. It's a roller-coaster ride that's for sure.
Vent away. It's so stinking hard!
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
I was shopping with my kids today and did a TON of walking. I realized I was using my crutches very little and bearing most of the weight on my foot. I also realized I am pretty comfortable on one crutch. A week ago I was scared to even put that foot on the ground. I need to pay more attention to those types of things and realize I'm making more progress than I realize.
You ladies are inspiring me! I'm almost 7 weeks post op and PWB as tolerated. I made lunch for us today, without crutches! I leaned on the counters and only took a few steps without the crutches. I stood at the stove, counter and sink, and it felt so good to do something for my husband and I! I have dr appt Tues and hope I get OK for FWB.
NCGirl, you're doing an awesome job with your recovery!! You're doing so much and you have kids! It's just hubby and I, although we do babysit our 20 month old grandson on Thurs and Fri each week. I love hearing well everyone is doing.
Snow, you're doing so well, too! Way to go ladies! Hopefully, I'll be joining the FWB world soon! Happy healing to everyone!
The following user gives a hug of support to Btrfli1: ginger62 (01-27-2013)
You guys are doing so well and you just don't know it! None of you seem to have the mental "scaredy cat" problem that I had, you're just raring to go. The point you're at now is where it hurts but it's kind of exciting because you get better and better every day. There will be some off days, but seeing yourself progress is the best feeling.
Pity parties are definitely allowed. This whole surgery and recovery is HARD. Y'all are doing great.
Big hugs!
Ginger
I love the help I find here. I backed off all weekend and have been icing a ton. I noticed today I'm not on any meds at the moment and have taken any since ibuprofen last night... Two days ago I was hurting so I took percocet. I pushed a bit tonight to get some laundry done and feel fine. Just iced!
Thanks for the inspiration all.
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
You are doing better than I am! :-( I am at 13 weeks and about the same stage of recovery as you. My balances is terrible....I can't even really walk holding on to things w/o crutches....I feel so awkward!
I am staying at a hotel for a few days with a friend....tonight I lifted weights with my legs & rode 5 miles on a recombent bike....the biking went really well!! I will definately be getting my old exercise bike out of storage!! I also got to work out in the pool, which felt great! Wish I could use the pool every day!!
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FDL to PTT transfer, calcaneal osteotomy with medial slide & lateral column lengthening, gastrocnemius recession, first TMT arthrodesis, bone graft from calcaneus to first TMT joint.....Oofda!
I think that you are all doing remarkably well after everything you have all been through!!! I love your honesty, your determination, your sense of humour and the support you give each other and everyone else!
May you all have a great recovery - at your own pace.
I totally understand about getting excited about what others see as something minor but you know is awesome!!
Keep up the great work, have 'down time' when you need it and keep the determination going - the frustration will lessen over time
__________________ Julie
6 Oct '12: OCD talar, lat menis lesion, decomp ant ankle, osteotomy post proc talus, synovec post ankle, modified Brostrom-Gould, release PTT
You know what it is???? For those of us who are recovering from surgery, it means we're feeling better!! The foot/ankle is healing really well, pain has subsided for the most part, and we're ready to get on with our lives. Only drawback is..........foot/ankle is not strong enough to do everything we want to do. For me, that's where the frustration comes in. We've all gone through lots of pain prior to surgery, the pain following surgery, the weeks of immobility and loss of independence. Sooooooo,right about now, we're just plain over it!! It's good to know we're here for one another, that we're not alone, and we can provide support for each other. The worst is behind us and it's all uphill from here! For those who have upcoming surgery, best wishes and we'll be here for you, as well.
Recovery from surgery of any weight bearing part of your body is (in my opinion) 50% physical and 50% mental! When I look back, PWB for me was the biggest TEASE beause while they let you do a little, you are still really in the same boat as you were in NWB.
You know what it is???? For those of us who are recovering from surgery, it means we're feeling better!! The foot/ankle is healing really well, pain has subsided for the most part, and we're ready to get on with our lives. Only drawback is..........foot/ankle is not strong enough to do everything we want to do. For me, that's where the frustration comes in. We've all gone through lots of pain prior to surgery, the pain following surgery, the weeks of immobility and loss of independence. Sooooooo,right about now, we're just plain over it!! It's good to know we're here for one another, that we're not alone, and we can provide support for each other. The worst is behind us and it's all uphill from here! For those who have upcoming surgery, best wishes and we'll be here for you, as well.
This is EXACTLY it! Mentally I am totally there - so ready to ditch the crutches, and knowing I can. Physically, my foot/ankle just won't do it yet. I just need to pay attention to the progress I am making and realize its not going to happen overnight. I can already see ROM back that I didn't have a week ago, and I know I am relying on the crutches much less than I was.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement. Family and friends who haven't been through it are sympathetic but just really don't get the frustration!
Can I hear an AMEN??? LOL. Family and friends see you trying to be PWB to FWB, know it's been weeks since surgery, and think you can just get up and go!! Unless you've "been there", you just don't realize that it's not a matter of wanting to do it, you physically can't. The ankle has to relearn how to move. We all have new physicality in ROM and PT will teach the body how to adapt. Hard part is to be patient. Don't just overdo cause everyone else thinks you should be done with recovery. Listen to your body, and do at your own pace. With that said, we all know, there's gonna be some pain as we work thru PT. Looking forward to getting better with you all!!
I hear you!! I can walk with 1 crutch so that is a plus. Keep your head up it will get there.
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~Erin~
Surgery on November 9th,2012. I had extra bone removed, bone spur shaved down, calf muscle lengthened and a titanium wedge put in.
Can I hear an AMEN??? LOL. Family and friends see you trying to be PWB to FWB, know it's been weeks since surgery, and think you can just get up and go!! Unless you've "been there", you just don't realize that it's not a matter of wanting to do it, you physically can't. The ankle has to relearn how to move. We all have new physicality in ROM and PT will teach the body how to adapt. Hard part is to be patient. Don't just overdo cause everyone else thinks you should be done with recovery. Listen to your body, and do at your own pace. With that said, we all know, there's gonna be some pain as we work thru PT. Looking forward to getting better with you all!!
Oh - I was headed to my first day of PT, 6 days after I got the cast off and started PWB. My husband says as I'm headed out the door, don't ya think they're going to tell you it's time to suck it up and ditch the crutches. He was joking, but I was ready to spit fire. NOT a funny joke!
It sucks when we are in this stage of recovery! We get frustrated because we want to be back to normal and our family, even if they are joking, wants us back to normal. Yet it's not something that occurs overnight! I can see great progress already only being out of the cast for less than 5 days, and it's exciting! But my dad last night (I don't think HE was joking) said shouldn't you be off those already and get back to work? Don't you think I want those same things!?
At least there are quite a few of us working on this journey of walking together and we have to keep reminding each other, "you go girl" your doing wonderful with trying to get back to walking!"
Keep venting when your having a struggle day with it, and know we all understand!
__________________ 10/2001 Left kneecap tightened and LR
06/2003 Modified Brostrom on right ankle
10/2012 Biopsies under general
12/2012 Arthroscopy, impingement removed with Brostrom-Evans procedure
I will definately be getting my old exercise bike out of storage!! I also got to work out in the pool, which felt great! Wish I could use the pool every day!!
I have found that biking is something I can do fairly well. So far I am up to 6.5 miles. Granted I'm pretty much couch bound after that but still I'm thrilled with my progress.
Swimming is a WONDERFUL exercise for people like us. I went on vacation the second week I was FWB and did a lot of swimming which I believe helped my progress greatly. Being at an all inclusive resort where all you had to do was ask and a cocktail was on it's way probably didn't hurt either.
See if your local YMCA has a pool. It will help your recovery. Or at least it helped mine that week.
Can I hear an AMEN??? LOL. Family and friends see you trying to be PWB to FWB, know it's been weeks since surgery, and think you can just get up and go!! Unless you've "been there", you just don't realize that it's not a matter of wanting to do it, you physically can't.
Ha! I had someone say to me the other day "why are you still limping?" I snapped back that three months ago I wasn't even walking so let's give me a hand for progress please.
I fully and completely agree that unless you have been there you just don't know. Right now I'm trying to get back in to dress shoes (or as my boss has taken to telling people who ask about my progress "Denise is wearing her big girl shoes today") and it is not easy at all. I seem to be doing the three steps forward and one step back dance right now. It is so frustrating.
The worst part is that I know that people are doubting me when I say "sorry, I can't do that, go there, carry this, whatever". It's like I should be healed and ready to run so what's wrong with me. Some people think that I'm just milking it so that I won't have to do things I don't want to do. Um, sorry but no that's not the case. I would love, love, LOVE to be able to do whatever it is you are asking for but I just can't.
I keep telling myself baby steps, keep taking baby steps. But then I usually tell myself to shut up, I'm sick of hearing that I need to take baby steps.
I can't wait to start exercising again, I feel like such a slug. I'd love to be able to swim but don't have an indoor pool nearby...only a few more months til it warms up enough! Running used to be my go-to cardio workout (and stress reliever) so I know I'm going to have to change up how I work out.
Had a great day today. Today is the first day I can walk around my house (with the boot on) without crutches. Before today I've only been able to do it here and there. Went to my 2nd PT appt today and was amazed at how much more ROM I had than just last week. She said if I continue to progress as well as I am that in two weeks we'll start some work without the boot on so I can get used to walking again without the boot.
Hope to have many more days like today ahead of me, but I know they won't all be!
So glad you had such a good day. Keep walking more each day without the crutches. You'll be surprised how quickly you can ditch them! Sounds like your PT has plans to help you push thru to where you want to be. You're doing great!!!! You'll have as many good days as you want.
I love this thread. The hardest part for me right now is that I have to be so careful since this is repeat surgery and I do not want to do it again. I'm definitely making progress. Wow I am. But it is way slower than I'd hoped or planned...
And I have previous healing to compare it to. Last time, at 9 weeks I was FWB in a shoe. Now I'm 10 weeks and still PWB in a boot. Occasionally NWB and sometimes FWB. So it's hard...
Today I used the cane a bunch. I'm sore, but am hoping it won't linger. My doc did say to take it slow and easy but this just seems like it's going to slow. I worry that it's mental - but I'm a pretty strong person. Or maybe it's not healing right...
And yup... It is hard when others don't understand. Sigh...
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
