I'm almost 5 weeks post-op, and today, I was taken out of the cast and put into the boot! FWB and everything ! It's super exciting! I no longer have to hop around my apartment or try to cook on 1 foot...
I can go back to work, without my knee scooter right now, just in 4 hour shifts for now as to not strain my ankle too much -- my manager isn't happy that he can't schedule me for over 20 hours, he would like me to be working over 30 hours...but oh well. I would like me to be working over 30 hours as well!! But I'm not going to risk anything and want to heal properly.
It feels strange to walk. It doesn't hurt per say, it just feels weird. I'm starting PT on Monday, so that's in motion, and I go back to my doctor in 3 weeks.
And it's so weird, it seems that this boot is lighter than the last boot I had, even though they're both Aircast boots, and I'm sure the same style -- but the construction is a little different, so maybe it's just updated. No complaints here! I also might just be crazy lol.
Anyone have tips on how to get rid of all the dead skin from the cast? Also, on how to approach sleeping "naked" (sans cast, boot or brace).
I had a boot for a different reason. I had my toes removed due to an infection and gangrene.
My doctor suggested that I use a moisturizing cream because my leg looked like cracked wood.
I saw also told to elevate my leg at night or whenever possible during the day but if you are working that may not be possible.
Be sure you go to therapy. Withour doing the exercises daily, your leg may become stiff because it is so used to being. in a boot. The physical therapy may be hard but if you want a normal leg, try to do them as often as you can.
I was in another boot that covered my knee due to a quad tendon tear and even with the exercises my leg never recovered back to normal. I got arthrofibrosis.
Good luck
I'm really pleased for you lil. Did you have a TAR? You'll be running around in no time!
Awesome! You are wise not to heed your manager's +30 hours a week. Good luck!
I had a Brostrom. About 2 months before I can run.
My manager is crazy,and a jerk. He'll schedule me full time hours for a few weeks, but not make me full time, and then give me less for a week. I hope he slips up and schedules me FT hours for 6 weeks straight, then he HAS to, by law, make me full time.
That'sounds horrible! Hang in there.
I've been moisturizing like crazy!! I mean, using as much cream for just my calf as I do on my entire good leg!
As for elevation, I try, but it doesn't really work because my body just naturally goes into my normal sleeping position. Elevation only worked when I was still super swollen in my cast. When the swelling went down I started to move towards a natural sleeping position.
Congratulations! I get my cast off Tuesday and I was wondering the same things. My leg looked terrible when I had a cast change 2 weeks ago. I bought one of those nylon bath scrubber things to try, but I don't know if it will work. I thought about a sugar scrub also.
I've been sleeping in the recliner with my cast on an elevation pillow all this time because I can sleep on my back that way but, like you, when I get to bed I keep trying to roll onto my side. The doctor said that I don't have to sleep with my foot elevated but it seems to help so I do. I'm hoping to be able to sleep in bed after the cast comes off.
I'm going to return to my office Thursday but I don't know how long I'll be able to stay. Fortunately, most of my job involves computer work so I've been working from home all this time. I think I would have gone crazy otherwise.
It's good to know that you're not in too much pain. I was a little worried because two nights ago I heard my 2 year old grandson fall out of bed and start crying. Without even thinking (obviously) I started to run toward his room but as soon as I put weight on my cast I realized I couldn't move any further. Fortunately, he was angry but not hurt and I was stupid but not hurt. 
Keep us updated on your progress!
Thanks!
Ultra moisturizing seems to be working to deal with the skin, so I'm just gonna keep doing that.
I've been sleeping on the couch because I could stack pillows up against/on the armrest to elevate, but eventually that started to fail. My ankle was super swollen last night so I wanted to be able to sleep with it elevated, and it didn't really work lol
If you work in an office, you should be fine. I work in retail and I just completed my second 4 hour shift (first was yesterday, the day after cast removal). Yes, I did sit a decent amount of the time, but I also got in about 3500 steps for the day which is a good amount of walking.
I'm hoping that by the end of my boot time I can work my regular 6-8 hour shifts, 5 days a week. I need the money big time since I was out for a month! Thankfully I've got super supportive parents!
Even now, progress is good. My limp without the boot is better than it was yesterday. Lesser and less painful. It makes me confident that in 3 weeks when I get out of the boot I'll be able to walk normally, especially since I start PT tomorrow.
Yay! PT cleared me to walk in my apartment w/o the boot, unless I'm gonna be up doing things for awhile (cooking, dishes, cleaning etc). But if I'm on the couch watching TV and want to go to the bathroom or grab a drink, that's all fine and good. She was also impressed with my ROM, not so impressed with my hip strength though lol. I tried to keep that at least halfway decent, but it's really hard when you're NWB in a cast.
Also, there's pretty much no swelling...less than a cm of difference between my two ankles! All of this makes me more confident in everything.
Yay for you! I hope that I do as well as you. Of course, I'm old enough to be your mother so I could be a little slower, but I'm going to try hard.
Lol. I'm sure you'll do great!
Yeay! Good luck and take care of yourself.
I got out of my cast yesterday. After a bath with a lot of scrubbing, I massaged BioOil into my leg and foot and then I did it again last night. The dead skin is 95% gone. You may already be cleared up by now, but if not you might want to give BioOil a try.
Hi. I'm 5 weeks post op trimalleor fracture. I can sleep on either side with two pillows between my legs. It's pretty comfortable. I don't wear my boot when I'm in bed. Does anyone have issues with numb toes?
Are you doing any exercises? I've been doing Pilates and some upper body exercises, just modifying for my ankle. Curious what others are doing. I'm also curious what is involved in your PT when you go.
I have dreams that I get up and walk on my foot but have not actually done it yet.
I only had a cast on for two weeks. How long was yours on? I was told to wear the boot but could take it off to sleep and shower. I find I only wear the boot about half the time because I'm usually just sitting around. I'm 59 and I'm five weeks post-op.