Still Recovering After Foot Surgery

I have been doing my physio exercises more regularly and am beginning to see benefits. My foot is able to move better and further before it hurts and some flexibility is returning. I am still on Ibruprofen in the morning and try not to do too much. Following the advice of the physio, I am trying to keep my foot up more and rest if not due to do something in the following half an hour.

It's difficult to see how far this recovery will go at the moment. I am able to walk, but still prefer to use a stick if a short journey or crutches for longer walking or uneven ground. I know that it can take a long time to heal - many people have told me at least six months and at the moment it has been around 16 weeks. My foot is still prone to swelling if used too much and it can still be painful to walk, but I do feel that it is better than it was before the surgery.

Time will tell if this will improve at all.

Week 10 Going on Holiday After Foot Surgery

The Friday following the consultant appointment where I was told I no longer needed my boot, I went on holiday to Norfolk in the UK.

Perhaps not the most sensible move, but I wanted to get away and we found a great cottage on the Norfolk broads overlooking the marina at Wroxham.

There was a lack of seating, so in order for me to put my foot up someone lost a seat. I hogged the best one unfortunately.

It was a great holiday and DH was great at cooking and taking the kids for walks to the shops etc but I still overdid it on occasion and, even more terribly: I DIDN'T DO MY EXERCISES!

My foot still swells up when I have been on it for a bit and this makes it almost impossible to work my foot.

I got back this week and saw the physio. I do need to keep stretching out my foot, so this means a more concerted effort this week, although I am away again at my parents' house.

Week 9 Adjusting to Walking Without the Boot

Today I went to see the consultant. I'll admit it - I was confident. I've been able to stand for short periods without the Boot. I was happy with my progress: wounds have healed and are gradually desensitising and feeling is beginning to return to the side of my foot.

I was checked over and referred to the Physio. I have seen her before. She checked my ability to mobilise my foot. It wasn't good because I had been in the Boot for over an hour. It always stiffens up after that. She gave me some exercises to do and agreed to see me in two weeks. I have a holiday coming up soon.

I was told that I no longer had to wear the Boot. I asked about the kind of shoes I could wear and was advised that high-top trainers would be best. I knew the type - I had lived in them for ages before the op. I had it in mind to go shopping for some new shoes and asked about sandals. Sadly gladiator-type sandals were out. I would need something very supportive to wear for my ankle in the short term.

So I went to town. I found an expensive pair of Ecco sandals (men's) which were very shaped and comfortable in the local Clark's shop.

Could I find a new pair of trainers? Not at all! It's the end of the season and many sizes are out of stock, so it was back to my old pair for the time being.

However it hurts! I overdid it in town today. It's not the first time I've been to town, but it's the most walking I have done and by the end of it, I was aching!

Planning to take it easier for the rest of this week!

Week 7 Walking More Easily After Foot Surgery

Week 7

This is starting to really speed up now! My Leg Caddy went back last week as I was getting about so well on crutches. It had to be packed back up into its box and sent back via courier which was paid for when I ordered it. The company, Wheelchairs r Us have been really great: ringing regularly to keep in touch and check that everything was all right.

I'm really motoring now. I've been out to two kids' sports days (with a companion each time and a fold-up chair) and coped reasonably well with rough terrain. I am comfortable walking for short periods round shops with one crutch and I am happy driving. My leg can get a bit stiff if it is in the boot for a while, but it soon eases once I am resting again.

It's nice to be more up and about, but I am trying not to overdo it. I have two more weeks until I see my Consultant again.

I reckon it's speeding up so fast because it's nearly the school holidays! Woohoo!

Week 6 Driving Again!

This week, I have got up the courage to drive!

I asked my consultant when they took the cast off when I could drive. I had already changed my car to an automatic and he agreed that I was fine as long as my insurance company said it was ok.

My insurance company said, well as long as the consultant says it's ok...!

I left it to this week. My daughter had a performance on Saturday and I really wanted to be driving by then! Then it was difficult for my friend to pick her up from a last rehearsal. So I took the car round the block. Then I went down the highway. It was as though I had never been away! My daughter has lost some of her legroom, however, as I need extra space to get in and out.

Great to be on the move at last! Now I just need to be able to get around safely when I get there!

Weeks 4-5 After the Cast

It was a very strange feeling to have my cast off and I have been very cautious about my leg. The surgery wounds were still scabbed over and my leg was covered in flaky skin! Ew!

Now I can have regular showers, things are improving. I have been able to soak my foot in the bath while sitting on the shower stool and this has helped to heal it nicely.

I have still been using my leg caddy to get to the door or the phone quickly. Strapping on a big boot takes time. My leg feels secure in the boot and it is comfortable to use. I feel that I am gradually getting back to normal.

Removal of Cast After Foot Surgery

D-Day. Today I had my red cast removed. I had to be squeezed into the schedules as I was only in my cast for two weeks. If I had had more done, then it might have been longer.

First I was sent for an x-ray which was unusual because I still had my cast on. Then I saw my consultant who was amazed that I still had my cast on! Things seemed to be ok, so I was sent to have it taken off. This involved a tiny vibrating circular saw and a very loud noise! It didn't hurt.

There was some discussion as to what I needed next, but I was fitted with a supportive boot which comes up my leg to a similar place to my cast. It is very padded and expandable. I have been told to wear it and I can put weight on my foot. I can drive my automatic car with permission from my insurance company and use my crutches to support myself.

I have decided to retain my leg caddy for now and the first thing I did was to go home and take a full shower!!