For the past few weeks I have been struggling with getting rid of my second crutch. I was using only one crutch at home but then would automatically switch to two crutches if I had to leave the house. This week I've finally done it. I feel comfortable enough and strong enough to kick the second crutch for good. YAY!
Today I had physical therapy and was able to lift 4lb ankle weight during my exercises, woot! That is such a huge accomplishment for me especially since the first week where I could barely lift 1lb.
As for problems, most of them now come from aching at my ankle and screws at the ankle area. I notice this mostly if I've been walking a lot like if I'm out with my fiancee grocery shopping. I'm hoping over time it won't be so achy. My second problem stems from having my knee bent for too long. I noticed that if I didn't straighten my leg every ten minutes that my knee would become very tight and is then painful to straighten. UGH. My last problem are the scars from surgery. Sometimes I have this deep itchy/ stinging sensation that nothing can remedy. After some Googling I learned that the feeling comes from nerves trying to repair themselves and you aren't suppose to scratch yourself. IT IS SO HARD! The only thing that stops me from scratching them is that they are so sensitive that even touching them makes me squirm. So I lotion, ice and try to ignore the itch.
This coming Monday, Jan 27, is my next doctor appointment. Hopefully he has some solutions for the itch and I get good news from him once I get another round of x-rays done too. Can't wait!
9 Weeks Down!
Hey Kat, how did Dr. visit go? Mine is tomorrow, wish me luck. Rich
ReplyDeleteHey Rich,
DeleteDr. went well. There wasn't much change just an increase in calcification of callous. I did get cleared to get rid of my crutch within the next few weeks and to get rid of my boot. So I'm going to start working on that. My Dr. said he wants me "walking into the office" the next time he sees me.
Good luck tomorrow and keep me posted!
Didn't go as well as I hoped. I'm at 8 weeks and Dr couldn't see any healing but he said it could be there but the Xrays were tough to read. I'm still at one crutch for next month and he said if no visible healing then he will have to remove top 2 screws so bones will come together better. I'm not that bummed because if screws come out I will be full weight bearing in march. He said the screws come out in about 10 minutes of surgery with local anesthesia. Looking forward to your progress because I'll be a few weeks behind you. Rich.
ReplyDeleteHi Rich,
DeleteSorry to hear it didn't go as well as you wanted. My Dr. told me that bone growth isn't usually visible until month three so you may just be on the usual timeline for growth. Did you see any calcification of your callous? It looks like a fluffy cloud is around your fracture site.
But either way FWB by march is awesome and luckily the surgery is a lot easier then the IM rod surgery. =)
Thanks Kat, I have to remind myself that it's only been 2 months. Do you take any supplements to help bone growth? I might give it a try, calcium and vitamin D. BTW, I stopped using my boot 3 weeks ago. I walk a lot between buildings at work and the boot made my toes cold and the fact that the ankle was restricted made me do away with it. I think that having a shoe on will make you walk much better and get the ankle moving which will be a big help. Do you have knee pain? I had bad knee pain when going to one crutch but after a week the pain just went away. I sometimes cheat and walk with no crutch and no knee pain. I do have on/off bone pain but it seems to be getting better. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI do take a supplement, 500mg of calcium with vitamin D and vitamin K, one in the morning and one at night with a meal. After research I learned that your body can process 500mg of calcium at a time so taking any more than that isn't worth it, just a waste of money.
DeleteSince I got cleared to kick the boot I think I'm going to favor being without it, I definitely feel more comfortable without it, except when there's ice out.
As for knee pain I do find that I do have some. Not so much anymore now that I've been on one crutch for a few weeks now. I did notice some pain at my fracture site when I put more weight on my bad leg than I was used to. I actually sneaked in a few steps without my crutch today and it didn't hurt at all but I only took tiny tiny steps.
I definitely still have on and off pain like you do especially if I keep my knee bent for too long and my fracture site is still super tender.
Thanks for supplement info, I'm going to start tomorrow. Please keep me in the loop on your progress. I have a calender at my desk at work and I cross off the days first thing in the morning. Little things like this help get to my ultimate goal.
ReplyDeleteHey Kat, how have you been? Have you been in much pain since getting off crutches? I go to dr. in a week and hope to see some good xrays.
ReplyDeleteHey Rich,
DeleteMan my ankle has been giving me hell since I've gotten off of my crutches. Sometimes when I walk I feel a sharp pain at my fracture site, but it doesn't seem alarming, I will be bringing it up with my OS next week just in case though.
Even though I have been working hard at PT I am having a lot of problems with my ankle and feet. Because I have flat feet my ankles turn in a little and after my injury it has gotten worse! I think it is the cause of most of my ankle pain. Hopefully my OS has a solution.
How have you been?
I have same problem. I have good ankle range of motion but when I walk, If I over stretch it (toes towards my shin) it will cause severe ankle pain. I walk with one crutch at least a half a mile a day and sometimes it's great and sometimes it's like knives jabbing my ankle. Today was a good day been walking around the house with a cane. I'm just taking Aleve twice a day.
DeleteI don't have a cane but part of me wants one, it seems helpful. I don't take anything except for tylenol when it hurts badly.
DeleteI picked a cane up at CVS. Like $25. This new england weather is for the birds. Spring can't come soon enough. Whens next DR. appt? Mines next tuesday.
ReplyDeleteMy next appointment is this coming Monday, Feb 24. I will also have another round of x-rays and I'm hoping that I get to see some bridging.
Delete