I'm 7 weeks post-up today. At 6 weeks, the doctor told me to start weaning myself off crutches. The first few days of partial weightbearing, or using just one crutch, my foot swelled up pretty badly. I'm now walking around with just one crutch, or none at all, and here's what I found: though it's swelling less, it's still swelling when I walk around on it. If I sit for 1 hour, then try to walk on it without crutches, it hurts - but the pain subsides once I walk around some more. Yesterday was my first day 90% crutch free - my foot did hurt at night, but it was fine this morning. All in all, I'm seeing improvement, and every day seems a bit better in terms of swelling, pain, etc. I've been riding a bike at the gym, and I also swam a couple of times (with an ace bandage wrapped thightly), which helped tremendously. I have not started phys. therapy yet, but for anyone who has a chance to swim, I highly recommend it - it's made my foot feel better than anything else. As for screw removal - Sophie, I think maybe it's a personal choice, as well. I know that for the amount of strain I put on my foot waterskiing, biking, etc., I'd rather have mine out.
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Wtrskid - What kind of things are you doing at the pool to aid in the recovery of your foot?
I just remembered an old treatment that I had for a sprained ankle - they had me put my foot in an ICE bath until it was numb (the physiotherapist filled a bucket with cold water, added ice, then stirred and placed it beside a hot tub), then she told me to switch it to the hot tub until it was numb and go back to the ice bath for about 10 minutes. This was used to increase the circulation and break down the scar tissue in my ankle injury. I had injured my ankle two years previously and it seemed to work then. I'm going to try it for my foot - I'm going to fill 2 buckets with the different temperatures of water. I wouldn't do this for a recent injury - I did mine on February 20 so I believe enough time has passed and its worth a try.
I'll give you guys an update in a couple of weeks.
As for the weight-bearing x-rays, another question came to mine. Did the doctors see a difference in the diagnosis when they were done or would they have come to the same conclusion without having them taken. Thanks for your feedback everyone.
Cheers, Kelly
I just remembered an old treatment that I had for a sprained ankle - they had me put my foot in an ICE bath until it was numb (the physiotherapist filled a bucket with cold water, added ice, then stirred and placed it beside a hot tub), then she told me to switch it to the hot tub until it was numb and go back to the ice bath for about 10 minutes. This was used to increase the circulation and break down the scar tissue in my ankle injury. I had injured my ankle two years previously and it seemed to work then. I'm going to try it for my foot - I'm going to fill 2 buckets with the different temperatures of water. I wouldn't do this for a recent injury - I did mine on February 20 so I believe enough time has passed and its worth a try.
I'll give you guys an update in a couple of weeks.
As for the weight-bearing x-rays, another question came to mine. Did the doctors see a difference in the diagnosis when they were done or would they have come to the same conclusion without having them taken. Thanks for your feedback everyone.
Cheers, Kelly
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Kelly - My Dr. did weight bearing X-Rays because he had suspected a Lisfranc, but he didn't make any diagnosis until I got a CT Scan of my foot. I guess you cannot get a true reading of how many mm your separation is if you do not get some sort of scan done.
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Hmmm.... thanks Timmy
The reason I keep on about this is I'm not that confident about my current treatment because the diagnosis went from 0 to 3 broken bones over a 6-week period with a CT scan done at about the 3 week mark and the diagnosis of 3 broken bones at the 6 week mark. The surgeon I saw isn't the most talkitive so its hard to understand if this is the best course for my situation. And, I never had weight-bearing x-rays.
Anyhow, on a more positive note, my foot is getting better. I notice it in the pace of my walk so something must be going right. Still hurts a lot though - although not as bad as when I did it!
Cheers, Kelly
The reason I keep on about this is I'm not that confident about my current treatment because the diagnosis went from 0 to 3 broken bones over a 6-week period with a CT scan done at about the 3 week mark and the diagnosis of 3 broken bones at the 6 week mark. The surgeon I saw isn't the most talkitive so its hard to understand if this is the best course for my situation. And, I never had weight-bearing x-rays.
Anyhow, on a more positive note, my foot is getting better. I notice it in the pace of my walk so something must be going right. Still hurts a lot though - although not as bad as when I did it!
Cheers, Kelly
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Kelly, when I broke my foot, the first doctor I saw after my ER visit, and later, my surgeon (the third doctor I saw, since I could not believe it couldn't be fixed without surgery, as the displacement seemed relatively small), both did weight-bearing x-rays. However, they both said the CT scan is the "last word" in lisfranc injuries.
As for the pool, I swam really slowly, backstroke, breast stroke (I did not kick very hard), and walked on the bottom of the pool in water up to my shoulders. Last Sunday, I even dipped in my waterski lake for a quick swim, though NY is getting way too chilly at night for recreational outdoors swimming - our lake was barely 70 deg. by the afternoon! I should be trying to flex and rotate it in water, but I'm just starting to trust my foot again, so I don't want to do too much - and I have more fun swimming. :-) I heard of the ice/heat approach before, though I've never tried it. Let me know if it works!
As for the pool, I swam really slowly, backstroke, breast stroke (I did not kick very hard), and walked on the bottom of the pool in water up to my shoulders. Last Sunday, I even dipped in my waterski lake for a quick swim, though NY is getting way too chilly at night for recreational outdoors swimming - our lake was barely 70 deg. by the afternoon! I should be trying to flex and rotate it in water, but I'm just starting to trust my foot again, so I don't want to do too much - and I have more fun swimming. :-) I heard of the ice/heat approach before, though I've never tried it. Let me know if it works!
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I injured my foot in May and the diagnosis of Lisfranc injury did not come until 3 weeks later. By the way, I'm 53 years old, female. (I initially thought it was a bad sprain and did not return to the doctor until I realized it was not getting any better after 2 weeks.) Family doctor referred me to a podiatrist who ordered MRI and when Lisfranc injury was confirmed requested immediate surgery.
Surgery was one month after injury. After 3 days, I got a hard cast. Two weeks later went into a walking boot. Two weeks after that the doctor gave me a ankle support brace, told me to wear it with athletic shoes. Two weeks later he said to get off the crutches as soon as I could. I never used the crutches again. I asked the doc if there was any physical therapy I could do myself to enhance my recovery. He told me to imagine my big toe was a marker and to write the alphabet with my foot 3 or 4 times each day. This was difficult at first but gets easier all the time and really gets the foot limbered up after being still and stiff for many weeks. Regarding the screws, I had two screws put in and they are a type that dissolves over about 4 months, so you don't have to have a second surgery to have them removed. At about ten weeks post surgery the doc released me from post-operative care, instructed to continue using the ankle brace as long as I need it, to try anything I wanted, gently. Said I could return to the gym, use the stationary bikes, etc, but discouraged distance walking on a hard surface for a while. He said to expect it would take about one year for recovery from this injury.
If I walk slowly I can avoid limping, and so I do try to go slow so that the limp isn't just a habit I've gotten into. I also have to remind myself to stay up straight after using crutches and being kind of crooked over. I still get shooting pains through the lisfranc area in a random manner. The plantar fascii doesn't feel normal yet either. I don't know what percent of "normal" I expect to reach by the end of one year, but what I'm hoping for is to be able to walk at least four miles and do my usual routine at the gym. Right now I can walk about 1/2 mile at a time without pain and ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes, which I have built up to over four visits. I also hope to avoid any disabling arthritis, but time will tell.
Surgery was one month after injury. After 3 days, I got a hard cast. Two weeks later went into a walking boot. Two weeks after that the doctor gave me a ankle support brace, told me to wear it with athletic shoes. Two weeks later he said to get off the crutches as soon as I could. I never used the crutches again. I asked the doc if there was any physical therapy I could do myself to enhance my recovery. He told me to imagine my big toe was a marker and to write the alphabet with my foot 3 or 4 times each day. This was difficult at first but gets easier all the time and really gets the foot limbered up after being still and stiff for many weeks. Regarding the screws, I had two screws put in and they are a type that dissolves over about 4 months, so you don't have to have a second surgery to have them removed. At about ten weeks post surgery the doc released me from post-operative care, instructed to continue using the ankle brace as long as I need it, to try anything I wanted, gently. Said I could return to the gym, use the stationary bikes, etc, but discouraged distance walking on a hard surface for a while. He said to expect it would take about one year for recovery from this injury.
If I walk slowly I can avoid limping, and so I do try to go slow so that the limp isn't just a habit I've gotten into. I also have to remind myself to stay up straight after using crutches and being kind of crooked over. I still get shooting pains through the lisfranc area in a random manner. The plantar fascii doesn't feel normal yet either. I don't know what percent of "normal" I expect to reach by the end of one year, but what I'm hoping for is to be able to walk at least four miles and do my usual routine at the gym. Right now I can walk about 1/2 mile at a time without pain and ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes, which I have built up to over four visits. I also hope to avoid any disabling arthritis, but time will tell.
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I woke up this morning and experienced something new. My foot is still sore, as always, but now I have quite a bit of tingling when I walk. Has anyone had this happen? I did more walking last night than usual, a night at a theme park, think I might of overdid it?
Just wondering if this is normal?
Just wondering if this is normal?
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SKH - Tingling is probably from increased swelling. I've been told to keep foot up more.
Marj - Welcome to our club! Try my ballet exercises for the plantar fascii - they're on an earlier post.
Timmy - One question that came to mind. Do they use the weight bearing x-ray to determine the amount of movement in the joint or is it done with a CT scan as I don't see how it can be done with a CT scan - just sitting on a bed while they do the scan?
Everyone - I found some more websites about feet and the first one with exercises. Still haven't tried the hot and cold treatment yet but getting ready. Anyhow, here you go:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/view_exercise.cfm?Thread_ID=14&topcategory=Foot
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/footinjuriesanddisorders.html
Cheers, Kelly
Marj - Welcome to our club! Try my ballet exercises for the plantar fascii - they're on an earlier post.
Timmy - One question that came to mind. Do they use the weight bearing x-ray to determine the amount of movement in the joint or is it done with a CT scan as I don't see how it can be done with a CT scan - just sitting on a bed while they do the scan?
Everyone - I found some more websites about feet and the first one with exercises. Still haven't tried the hot and cold treatment yet but getting ready. Anyhow, here you go:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/view_exercise.cfm?Thread_ID=14&topcategory=Foot
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/footinjuriesanddisorders.html
Cheers, Kelly
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Hi all
My names Paul, Im 31 and from Canberra, Australia. Ive been reading the posts for the past few weeks and thought it time to register, say hi, and tell my story.
I was riding my mountain bike at Stromlo on 27th August 06 and crashed hard, completely blew the landing of a 6ft jump. I hit the deck and instantly could feel a very strange popping sensation in my left foot. I tried to stand and was shocked at just how painful my foot was. Sitting on the ground with my mate for a few minutes was complete agony, but my first thoughts were no problems, its just a nasty sprained ankle or some pulled muscles. Few minutes rest and I thought Id be riding back downhill to the car...
10 minutes later I was starting to really worry. The popping in my foot continued and I couldnt stand at all. I sat on the bike and coasted to the bottom of the trail and sat in the car while my buds packed the bikes - all this time the pain is getting stronger and stronger, and I was almost starting to hope its just a damn twist, sprain, whatever.
Went home, had a cup of tea and put the good old bag of frozen peas on the foot. 20 minutes later my foots swelled up and is all purple...and the pain. Im not one to whinge or moan, but I was almost in tears. First time Ive ever said it - please take me to emergency.
Drove to the hospital, went into emergency and explained the situation. Cool thing about nurses is they have a sixth sense for when somethings wrong. Thankfully, they grabbed me a wheel chair, fixed me some painkillers, and whipped me straight down to x-ray. 15 minutes of xrays and the radiographer came out - "mate, its not my place to tell you what youve done, but youve made a hell of a mess of your foot". At this point Im starting to worry.
10 minutes later the doctor asks me into a room, shows me the xrays and immediately tells me that I have a bad Lisfranc fracture, its a mess, and without doubt Im going to have to be admitted immediately for surgery. My brain is spinning - 1 hour earlier I was hooting about in the mountain air with my friends. As you could imagine, Im feeling pretty c**p at this point.
Sorry, Im rambling on.....
Anyways, got doped up nice and comfortable (god bless the nurses at Calvary Hospital), had a quick cast put on, and advised that they are transferring me via ambulance for surgery as soon as the swelling is down - they expected this would take two weeks and I would be completely layed out with zero weight bearing. Dammit.
The doctor decided surgery was good to go after 1 week, and in I went. Came out 3 hours later in a pain I couldnt even begin to describe, its was pure white pain, a mix of burning and like being put in a vice. I was on a morphine PCA for the next 4 days and was let out of hospital on the 7th September 06 with 5 pins holding my foot together.
To bring this whole saga up to date, Ive had the permanent cast on since the 13th September, and not one day has gone by without immense pain. Only in the last 2-3 days have I noticed the swelling has gone down and the pain is becoming manageable. My surgeon tells me Im still zero weight bearing for the next 5 weeks, and then hopefully back into surgery to remove these pins. He tells me to expect lots of physio, and to get ready for long term arthritic pain.
So, at the moment Im in pain with a cast up to my knee and 5 screws in my foot. Im not expected to walk within the next month and a half, and Im completely dependent on friends and family for everything. This break has been a complete nightmare that has turned my world upside down.
Anyways, just wanted to share the story, and thank everyone for the great posts re diagnosis, treatment and recovery issues. Ill be sure to keep reading and keep you all posted on my progress. Its been mentioned earler, but it sure is nice to know Im not alone with this bloody Lisfranc fracture.
Not sure if this site has been shown before, but it gave me a good picture of the damage Id done - http://mskcases.com/index.php?module=article&view=7 - certainly helped me explain the fracture to work!!!!
Cheers, Paul
My names Paul, Im 31 and from Canberra, Australia. Ive been reading the posts for the past few weeks and thought it time to register, say hi, and tell my story.
I was riding my mountain bike at Stromlo on 27th August 06 and crashed hard, completely blew the landing of a 6ft jump. I hit the deck and instantly could feel a very strange popping sensation in my left foot. I tried to stand and was shocked at just how painful my foot was. Sitting on the ground with my mate for a few minutes was complete agony, but my first thoughts were no problems, its just a nasty sprained ankle or some pulled muscles. Few minutes rest and I thought Id be riding back downhill to the car...
10 minutes later I was starting to really worry. The popping in my foot continued and I couldnt stand at all. I sat on the bike and coasted to the bottom of the trail and sat in the car while my buds packed the bikes - all this time the pain is getting stronger and stronger, and I was almost starting to hope its just a damn twist, sprain, whatever.
Went home, had a cup of tea and put the good old bag of frozen peas on the foot. 20 minutes later my foots swelled up and is all purple...and the pain. Im not one to whinge or moan, but I was almost in tears. First time Ive ever said it - please take me to emergency.
Drove to the hospital, went into emergency and explained the situation. Cool thing about nurses is they have a sixth sense for when somethings wrong. Thankfully, they grabbed me a wheel chair, fixed me some painkillers, and whipped me straight down to x-ray. 15 minutes of xrays and the radiographer came out - "mate, its not my place to tell you what youve done, but youve made a hell of a mess of your foot". At this point Im starting to worry.
10 minutes later the doctor asks me into a room, shows me the xrays and immediately tells me that I have a bad Lisfranc fracture, its a mess, and without doubt Im going to have to be admitted immediately for surgery. My brain is spinning - 1 hour earlier I was hooting about in the mountain air with my friends. As you could imagine, Im feeling pretty c**p at this point.
Sorry, Im rambling on.....
Anyways, got doped up nice and comfortable (god bless the nurses at Calvary Hospital), had a quick cast put on, and advised that they are transferring me via ambulance for surgery as soon as the swelling is down - they expected this would take two weeks and I would be completely layed out with zero weight bearing. Dammit.
The doctor decided surgery was good to go after 1 week, and in I went. Came out 3 hours later in a pain I couldnt even begin to describe, its was pure white pain, a mix of burning and like being put in a vice. I was on a morphine PCA for the next 4 days and was let out of hospital on the 7th September 06 with 5 pins holding my foot together.
To bring this whole saga up to date, Ive had the permanent cast on since the 13th September, and not one day has gone by without immense pain. Only in the last 2-3 days have I noticed the swelling has gone down and the pain is becoming manageable. My surgeon tells me Im still zero weight bearing for the next 5 weeks, and then hopefully back into surgery to remove these pins. He tells me to expect lots of physio, and to get ready for long term arthritic pain.
So, at the moment Im in pain with a cast up to my knee and 5 screws in my foot. Im not expected to walk within the next month and a half, and Im completely dependent on friends and family for everything. This break has been a complete nightmare that has turned my world upside down.
Anyways, just wanted to share the story, and thank everyone for the great posts re diagnosis, treatment and recovery issues. Ill be sure to keep reading and keep you all posted on my progress. Its been mentioned earler, but it sure is nice to know Im not alone with this bloody Lisfranc fracture.
Not sure if this site has been shown before, but it gave me a good picture of the damage Id done - http://mskcases.com/index.php?module=article&view=7 - certainly helped me explain the fracture to work!!!!
Cheers, Paul
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Hey Emperorminge, just read your story, and it sounds familiar. Hang in there - the white hot pain is quite normal for about 3 days after surgery. I wasn't a happy camper and didn't get much sleep for about three days either, but after that it was manageable - esp. with the aid of some vicodin (I prefer vicodin to percosset, b/c I find percosset makes me depressed - and lisfranc is depressing enough!). Whatever you do, ELEVATE your foot and ice it - it really helps. You're in a hard cast, so you can't really loosen it - I had a splint, and loosening the bandage helped. Maybe you can ask your doctor to switch you to a splint. You can expect to be non-weight bearing anywhere for 6-10 weeks, from what I understand. I was allowed to wean myself off crutches at 6 weeks. I switched to a sneaker at almost 8 weeks, and it feels better than a walking boot for me. The thing to keep in mind is that everyone heels differently, and that your body, given your athletic hobbies, may have the ability to deal with injuries better - or at least I kept telling myself that! As for feeling totally helpless, here's a few things that helped me around my apt.:
1 - get a deks chair with wheels - lean your knee on it when standing in the kitchen, in front of your closet, etc.; you can also use it to transport a tray, etc.;
2 - clip your cell on your cruthches;
3 - coffee hot mugs with an open handle attach nicely to crutches;
Feel better soon (you will) and keep us posted!
Wtrskid
1 - get a deks chair with wheels - lean your knee on it when standing in the kitchen, in front of your closet, etc.; you can also use it to transport a tray, etc.;
2 - clip your cell on your cruthches;
3 - coffee hot mugs with an open handle attach nicely to crutches;
Feel better soon (you will) and keep us posted!
Wtrskid
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Hey all - In terms of my screws coming out, my surgeon indicated that it would be the best route to go for my injury, age, and activity level (37 yrs /New Yorker - so LOTS of walking/ desire to continue to bike, swim, run, etc.). I'm a little concerned that the approval for this second surgery hasn't come through from worker's comp yet - especially since there seem to be differing opinions - but I'm hopeful that all will come through and I'll be unscrewed and on track by the end of the week. Although I agree that a rolling chair during recovery is a good idea, I do think that the constant crutch activity has forced me to get minor amounts of exercise, so I've been able to avoid gaining weight these three months off my feet. Do be very careful never to "rest" on your crutches while doing something else. That pressure in the armpits has caused me some (hopefully temporary) nerve palsy in my hands. My circulation issues were worst from 4-8 weeks. When I was freaking out about the blood pooling in my foot every time I stood, a friend's dad who is an orthopedic surgeon gave me an explanation that made a lot of sense: blood can get from the heart to the foot with little effort, because of the strength of that heart muscle - but as your leg and foot muscles continue to atrophy over this immobilization period, these muscles can't help return the blood to the heart... so you HAVE to keep that foot up above your heart as much as you can. Although my PT is minimal at this stage, the muscles in my foot are getting stronger and the circulation is improving. I try to get outside and crutch a good ways every day (as good for sanity as for cardio), then elevate and ice. I do wish I had found this site sooner - It's been a long haul. Thanks for all your postings.
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Hi all, I've started a new thread on Lisfranc Foot Fractures as this one is getting a bit unruly. Please follow the link below to get there.
https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/lisfranc-foot-fracture-thread-part-ii#378110
Cheers, Kelly :-D
https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/lisfranc-foot-fracture-thread-part-ii#378110
Cheers, Kelly :-D
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Dear New Yorker guest,
Where are you getting your p.t. done ? I'm looking for good places around the Union Sq. area. I know the Beth Israel ambulatory center has a p.t. unit, but I'll take any recommendations.
Where are you getting your p.t. done ? I'm looking for good places around the Union Sq. area. I know the Beth Israel ambulatory center has a p.t. unit, but I'll take any recommendations.
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gday all.
thanks for your support and ideas watrskid... its very strange just how consistent this injury is around pain, mobility and recovery techniques for different folks. certainly is heartening to hear life will return to normal at some point. how long ago were you injured? where are you at currently with weight bearing, physio, work, sport etc?
i was really interested to hear from new yorker guest about your concerns around blood pooling in your foot - its something thats been troubling me also. i felt my cast was way too tight, to the extent that i went and visited the emergency room yesterday. the triage nurses agreed and put a cut all the way up the side of the cast - almost immediate relief painwise, but the scary purple foot still happens when not elevated. how long do you folks think this issue will last? is it dangerous or just uncomfortable? watrskid, do you still get funky blood movement in your damaged foot?
good tip with the crutches though.... certainly dont want more long term damage!!
thanks again for your help and comments folks, i really appreciate it.
cheers, paul
PS. Ill also post this in the new thread at https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/lisfranc-foot-fracture-thread-part-ii#378110
thanks for your support and ideas watrskid... its very strange just how consistent this injury is around pain, mobility and recovery techniques for different folks. certainly is heartening to hear life will return to normal at some point. how long ago were you injured? where are you at currently with weight bearing, physio, work, sport etc?
i was really interested to hear from new yorker guest about your concerns around blood pooling in your foot - its something thats been troubling me also. i felt my cast was way too tight, to the extent that i went and visited the emergency room yesterday. the triage nurses agreed and put a cut all the way up the side of the cast - almost immediate relief painwise, but the scary purple foot still happens when not elevated. how long do you folks think this issue will last? is it dangerous or just uncomfortable? watrskid, do you still get funky blood movement in your damaged foot?
good tip with the crutches though.... certainly dont want more long term damage!!
thanks again for your help and comments folks, i really appreciate it.
cheers, paul
PS. Ill also post this in the new thread at https://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/lisfranc-foot-fracture-thread-part-ii#378110
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Hey Emperorminge, glad you're feeling better! The scary purple foot is normal - mine is still a few shades darker than my "normal" foot. I got injured on July 15th, had surgery on July 24th, and was told not to weight bear for 6 weeks. Initially I was in a splint, but about 2 weeks after surgery, I put my foot in a walking boot that I was initially given - no weight-bearing, of course - which felt the same. The doctor said it was fine. I started going to the gym around 3 weeks after surgery, on crutches (the doctor told me NOT to do anything for 6 weeks, but I was going atir-crazy). I'm short, so if I laid my knee on a work-out bench, I pretty much evened out my standing stance, so I could lift weights, etc. At almost 5 weeks, I started riding an exercise bike slowly, 5 min. at first, then built up. The boot has ridges on the bottom, which made it fit nicely on top of the pedals - and I kept my weight toward the heel. At 6 weeks the doctor said to start losing the crutches. At 7 weeks, I put myself in a sneaker, since the boot was hurting my ankle, which still swells up -don't know if there's an injury, or it's just from weakness/lack of use. I believe I'm going to have my screw removed at 10-11 weeks, depending on room in the OR. After that, the doctor said I will start p.t.
I'm probably not a good example b/c I pushed it a bit, but here's where I am: I can walk with a limp; I don't plant my whole foot down because if I do, my big toe hurts. I tried biking shoes (road, not mountain) two days ago, and though they fit like a sneaker, they made me use the tip of my foot more than I should - my foot still feels sore. I can, however, bike for 45 minutes a a time on a stationary bike in sneakers, which I put in regular bike cages. My foot swells less in a sneaker than in the boot, which is normal. I can swim with an ace bandange on. I can walk barefoot on the outside of my foot - I try to keep this to a minimum and still use one crutch in the mornings.
So, for now, hang in there - it's only been a few days. I know you're probably dying to get back on a bike, but wait at least 6 weeks (I understand you have two more screws than me) - they'll pass faster than you think. You'll notice little improvements, like the swelling will be less and less in the mornings, the pain will subside (tingling may set in when you put your foot down), and they're small things - but they're all signs of improvement.
Lastly, you could check out comfrey on the internet. It's a herb that's rumored to help bone healing, but it's highly controversial since it can cause liver damage if taken over a long time. I took it for three weeks after surgery (my first experience with herbs of ANY kind), but I can't advocate it, given the side effects.
Wtrskid
I'm probably not a good example b/c I pushed it a bit, but here's where I am: I can walk with a limp; I don't plant my whole foot down because if I do, my big toe hurts. I tried biking shoes (road, not mountain) two days ago, and though they fit like a sneaker, they made me use the tip of my foot more than I should - my foot still feels sore. I can, however, bike for 45 minutes a a time on a stationary bike in sneakers, which I put in regular bike cages. My foot swells less in a sneaker than in the boot, which is normal. I can swim with an ace bandange on. I can walk barefoot on the outside of my foot - I try to keep this to a minimum and still use one crutch in the mornings.
So, for now, hang in there - it's only been a few days. I know you're probably dying to get back on a bike, but wait at least 6 weeks (I understand you have two more screws than me) - they'll pass faster than you think. You'll notice little improvements, like the swelling will be less and less in the mornings, the pain will subside (tingling may set in when you put your foot down), and they're small things - but they're all signs of improvement.
Lastly, you could check out comfrey on the internet. It's a herb that's rumored to help bone healing, but it's highly controversial since it can cause liver damage if taken over a long time. I took it for three weeks after surgery (my first experience with herbs of ANY kind), but I can't advocate it, given the side effects.
Wtrskid
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