I also got a small stool from a medical supply store to be able to take showers sitting down. This chair is very stable and simple: it has a wide sitting area with two handles on both ends so that you can lift yourself easily.
Transferring myself from the sink area to the bath tub was a two step process. First, I sat on the border of the bath tub (make sure you place a towel, just in case the bath tub is wet. You don’t want to trip at this point). Once safely sat facing outside the bath tub, I then grabbed the stool by the handles with both hands and slowly lifted myself while keeping the good foot on the floor until I was safely sitting on the stool. Next, carefully I carefully moved my good leg inside the bath tub, leaving the bottom half of my injured leg outside. Finally, I closed the shower curtain over the top half of my injured leg. At this point, positioned at a 90 degree angle to the shower head and facing the shower curtain I was ready to take a shower.
For extra precaution, just in case water leaked out of the shower, I wrapped a dry towel around the boot. Once I had taken the shower, I reversed the procedure to get out. It is kind of uncomfortable at the beginning, but after a couple of weeks you should get the hang of it.
There are all sorts of stools and bath tub aids out there, including something called a “transfer station” (basically a long, bench-like stool that rests partially outside the bath tub so you can sort of slide your way inside the bath tube). However, the simple stool I used did the trick for me and I didn’t need more sophisticated equipment.
9 comments:
Thanks for these very practical solutions! They are working out for me as well. Reading your blog-pre-surgery, helped me prepare for the NWB period of time.
Since I have to keep my foot elevated 24/7, I also placed a smalll hassock with a pillow on top in my bathroom. So when I am in there I can keep my foot up!
Also, before the rupture I was in and out of a walking cast (moon boot) for over a year -- and at times was not allowed to take it off even to sleep or shower. I would use tall plastic garbage bags (the kind with a drawstring)-- cover the boot and then use masking tape to make sure the seal was tight. I found that worked very well. My doctor also sold a special plastic cover -- but I didn't find that it worked well.
And another idea. For the first couple of weeks it can be hard to shower/bathe when you are still in the NWB stage. (Prior to rupturing my Achilles tendon I've had four foot surgeries.) At any medical pharmacy you can purchase no rinse shampoo, no rinse body wash and disposable wash cloths. While I much prefer a shower, these items work very well (they are used by NASA). I still try to wash my hair in the kitchen sink with my knee on a chair to keep my leg up. But these no rinse items can be very helpful in the early, more difficult stages of recovery.
hi you can also use a waterproof cast sock which can be bought of ebay very useful when having a shower and work very well indeed especially the one made from dry suit material, happy hopping .
I purchased a shower bench last night. Changed my life, literally. This is easily the best $40 I have spent in some time. I strongly recommend some sort of shower seat.
The better clear wraps (Saran Wrap, Reynolds, etc.) that sticks to itself does a wonderful job keeping your cast dry during the first few weeks. It is easier and better than using a garbage bag and tape.
If you need to keep a cast dry, a great bit of kit which I use is called a XeroSox (see www.xerosox.com). The heavy duty rubber boot fits over the cast and you then pump the air out with the supplied pump. It forms a great air/water tight seal around your leg.
Iain
Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who tore their left achilles (in terms of positioning in the shower)?
Use a bath?
I have a small walk-in shower and used a fold-up camping chair (the kind with the hole in the arm for drinks), which filled up the whole of the width, making it feel secure and unlikely to topple over as a small stool might. I kept the shower door open and kept my my bad foot elevated on a small, lightweight camping tripod stool in front of the shower. To keep the leg dry whilst I was wearing a cast (for the first fortnight), I used a plastic carrier bag that I had sut the bootom of, inserted my leg into it and tucked it into the top of the cast. I then wrapped the rest of the leg in a bathtowel. It kept it perfectly dry (which is important, to avoid fungal infection) every time. During week 6 I was able to stand (*very carefully*_ in the shower. I'm now in week 8. I opted not to have surgery. My Achilles Tendon Rupture Conservative blog is reporting my progress.
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