The safest way to rest your foot on the floor is by having your heel touch the floor while your toes point upwards, at an approximately 45 degree angle to the floor. This way you minimize the contact area. I would not advice to lay your foot flat on the floor, as this tends to increase the contact area and makes the weight of your leg press against the bottom of your foot (technically, weight bearing).
Most likely, you will be required to be NWB for a period between 3 to 10 weeks, depending of the nature of your injury and how aggressive the rehabilitation protocol used by your doctor is.
During the NWB period, It is very unlikely that you will not face at least a minor incident that may cause you to involuntarily put some weight on the injured leg. In my case, there were three of those instances:
The first one occurred 2 weeks post-op, getting out of my car. I had stepped down and had put my hand over the back door, which was open, to keep my balance. My wife closed the door without noticing that my hand was there, so instinctively I removed my hand, lost my balance and stepped on my bad foot. Fortunately, nothing happened.
The second incident occurred at 4 weeks post op. It was raining and my right crutch slipped, making me step hard on the floor with my right foot to prevent falling. Other than a tingling feeling, like needles sticking in my lower leg (probably a reaction of the dormant muscles to the sudden pressure) nothing bad happened.
The third time, it happened at 6 weeks post op. My crutch got stuck while I was stepping out of a train and I had to step really, really hard with my bad foot to avoid falling flat on my face. The pain was severe, like needles again, but lasted only a few seconds. Back home I removed my CAM walker (boot) to check the tendon, and it was working normally.
My conclusion is that even though you may take every precaution not to step on your bad foot, there will always be one or two instances in which something will happen that will make you bear some weight. However, the good news is that the boot though (and certainly a cast too) keeps your foot in a position that doesn’t allow putting undue stress on the tendon, so as long as you are wearing it you should be well protected against any such minor incident.
8 comments:
Very interesting...so you had to take a train? Was this a daily thing? I usually take a train to work and back every day but am working from home now. I'm fairly concerned that taking the train will be difficult and frightening. Any thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated! :)
I'm two weeks post-surgery and returned to work this week. I am using local transit (SF Bay Area BART) to travel using a turning leg caddy http://www.eastsidelegup.com/ that I rented from a medical supply place for $80 a month. Its working out ok and I'm happy to be making progress, getting out, and interacting with lots of "interested" people who want to chat with me about the process and scooter. :)
I am going on two weeks post op, I bought a wheelchair, use the crutches to get up and wheelchair to get around..
I used a wheelchair for the first 4 weeks which was very necessary. Once my cast was removed, I was placed with a walking cast which I could take on and off. It took a bit to get used too. I had shocks in my heel and some pain in the surgery area, felt hot but when I got tired I took it off and applied a gel ice pack with cloth and rested. The 1st day with walking boot I left the hospital with it and told my husband to take me to the mall shopping. I had great intentions but one hour later had to get home to rest...felt pretty dizzy! At 7 wks all my wedges are removed and I'm walking with crutches in bare feet or with my shoe. I can't go too far without my crutches and I do get swelling but the pain in my heel is gone, I don't get the electric shocks that I used to get which is great! Once the surgery scar heals and your doctor ok's it, don't be afraid to apply vit e and rub the area firmly to loosen up the tendon..it's a bit uncomfortable at first but then it feels better. I'm even thinking of taking a rolling pin and moving it up and down that area but only light pressure now and gradually put more pressure to massage the area. My first day standing by myself with no crutches was an amazing day...I felt so liberated! All I did was stand but with more confidence I took my first step and there's no stopping now..next week it will be 8 wks since surgery of a complete rupture!
I too had three falls, none of them did I put as much pressure on my leg as you did. I am glad to hear others do the same, I think it is inevitable. I recommend the Turning Leg caddy, as opposed to crutches. Much easier to use in my opinion, even just going to the bathroom in the middle of the night is much easier. I am going on week week 7, my Doc let me start walking only in "the boot" at week 5, after a week I am feeling pretty good, almost don't need the scooter at all.
Great site. I am 41, a guy who ran 20 miles/week and lifted weights 3 days a week before the "DAY". On 2/21/09, I ruptured my tendon doing - what else? - basketball at the local YMCA, despite knowing the risks to aging athletes young in mind and old in tendon....
Had surgey on the 27th in Orlando FL. In a cast. My DR seems young, and hence conservative (NWB for 4 weeks, cast for 4, followed by boot). My brother in law, a DR, is very experienced with this injury (but living in VA and hence not a real choice)and more aggressive, but told me to follow my doc's protocols, which I will do.
My issue: I don't want to rot until I get the cast off. When can I work out the other parts of my body? What did your Drs let you do??? I'm kinda like a race horse - if I can't go to the gym and move, I should be put down and
euthanized.
hi, I need info fast. My Dad is due for surgery on Friday 3-6-09. I am trying to get him in a rehab. he is 82, can't do general anithesia and not they are saying no spinal either. Will find out tomorrow if they will do the surgery. I work, he is 82 with COPD and uses a walker, not too stable. I need help and info fast. I thought not to do the surgery at his age and with diabetes. help please kathyhanley@bellsouth.net
I am an anesthesiologist. As far as non-general anesthesia options for this surgery: 1) spinal 2) nerve block(s) 3) combo of the two.
1) The spinal causes the most complete anesthesia, but it paralyzes you (and your bladder) from the rib cage down. Not a bad choice, but be wary of the urination issue.
2) nerve block(s) with a popliteal or sciatic block and some local anesthesia, the surgery should be manageable, but break through pain is likely. With a sciatic or popliteal block and a femoral block, the pain of the surgery is nonexistent - but a tourniquet may be used and that gets uncomfortable after a while. Sedation is usually needed.
3) a light spinal with a sciatic or popliteal block may be the best combo.
remember this is usually done with the patient n his/her belly and any issues with this position need to be discussed.
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