Hurray, finally I am able to sleep without the boot. I am expected to be completely free of it next week and I can definitely say that there is marked improvement this week. After reading several posts on this site I decided to start little exercise program on my own. Just moving the ankle joint up and down and gentle scranching of my toes. Amazingly, after initial upset, the pain has settled to much lower levels. I need to stress that everything I have done is very gentle and only few repetitions twice a day, I am taking a little risk here so sharing this is not an advise for anyone to follow. It needs to be your own decision and you may feel that it needs to be supported by your specialist's advise. My decision was based on my previous expereince and it did not involve much risk as none of my little exercises involve weight bearing or significant pain. I do personally believe that gentle exercise at the right time does speed up recovery and if done sensibly can save money and time of going to see physiotherapists. Having said that, my foot is less painful but still quite swallen so the shoes next week will be a major challenge.
Has anyone started exercising before weight bearing, with or without physio advise????
Hi Mishe. My OP was 4 weeks yesterday. I'm not weight bearing but like yourself I have been doing gentle massage with E45 cream or lavender, and then also gentle moving up and down of ankle and toes. Although you know my story so there's much excercising going on, up and down the stairs and around the house.. lol..
I used a 'closed toe' boot today to go out to the shops because the weather was cold, wet and windy. I've been usuing the open toe sandal up to now. Tonight the pain is quite acute on the upper and side, but I don't think it's the boot.. I think it was the extra bit of walking today, on top of the 'bed' on it the other night!!
I'm happy for you that you are not needing the boot now, I sometimes even put my foot out of bed and raise it on a chair next to the bed because some night I can't even tolerate the duvet on it.
Have you had any xrays yet? I think that my xray appointment is in 2 weeks time.
You are much more busy than I am. I have been keeping my foot up most of the time and most of the time out of the boot. We hired a wheel chair for the first two weeks and I used it in and out of the house as well as croutches. On occasion I asked my husband to take me out and that would involve some walking but only as much as I could manage. I am very lucky not to have to do any work at home so it may be that my recovery is smoother. I admire all those brave people who are doing it under so much harder circumstances.
I am also lucky as it is Summer in Australia so sleeping without covers on my foot is not an issue. I do count my blessings every day.
The X-rays are next week and the boot comes off next week too (hopefully).
I use Vit E oil on the wounds (I have 7 little cuts (5 along my big toe and 3 on my forefoot) instead of two big ones - this is apparently the newest way to do this kind of surgery. It posses much less risk of infection. They apparently use the miniature tools which are normally used in facial surgeries - the technology leaves me speechless)
I also use the old tooth brush on the skin to deal with over sensitivity of tne newly grown nerves. That is a little trick I was taught by the specialist with my previous surgeries and it really works. Just a gentle rubbing/scratching twice a day and obviously only after the wounds are closed - but scabs are ok as long as one is gentle. The new nerves learn that touch is ok.
Aww thanks for the tip with the tooth brush, that sounds like a good idea. I should have realised that because I use a special brush for my daughter that she rubs over her skin with the sensory processing disorder. It's quite gentle and kind of rubbery and very theraputic for her. So your tooth brush idea makes so much sense. It's 22.42 here and quite rainy and very windy. My youngest is asleep but talking in her sleep, she has many nightmares bless her. My other daughter will be home from work at 12 midnight. So I am going to bed now but I will stay awake until she is home safe. Ni night x