The Updates Just Keep Comin'!

Well, more progress from PT yesterday!

I'm already getting more ROM (Range of Motion) back in my right ankle so I got the go-ahead to trim my brace some more. Yes, I still have some aches, a few pains, some swelling, and endurance and functional issues, but we're making progress!

We also figured out that my brace may have been causing some of my high heel pain. So yesterday afternoon we went and saw Gus and had him cut a chunk out of the back of the brace. That not only relieved that pressure point, but it opened up my ankle for even more movement! It turns out the brace was keeping my Achilles tendon from being able to flex as it should and cutting that small piece out let it move like it needed to!

Scott also added a coupe more exercises back into my routine and I do them WITHOUT the brace! Pretty soon he's going to have me start weaning out of the brace at home also. Just an hour or two per day at first, but we'll build on that.

Finally, I'm very seldom using my cane at home. I use it out in "the world" to help with balancing on uneven terrain and endurance and so on. Well, pretty soon Scott is going to start working on getting me to be able to drop the need for it as well.

Looks like all your good thinks and prayers are comin' through for me! Thanks, everyone! I'll keep workin' hard and I'll try not to let you down! Besides, I want to get back to driving and bushwhackin' some time in the not-too-distant future!

Another Quickie

We made some progress at PT today. It seems my right ankle is loosening up a bit. Accordingly, I got the OK to trim back my brace a bit. We also added a couple of exercises in and upped the leg weights a bit (we had restarted at only 5 lbs.). We are going to start slowly weaning me out of the brace at PT and doing more exercises as conditions allow.

With any luck we're getting back on track...again.

Just a quickie...

I just wanted to give you all a quick update.

As you know, I am back in my ankle brace. With it in place, and even with the lingering swelling from the surgery, I am walking around pretty well again.

The major portion of the heel pain that was nagging me is gone (no wonder after getting those huge lag bolts outta there!) and I've been trucking around pretty well, not even using my cane around the house for the most part.

I'm still a ways away from talking long strolls in the park, but I'll take all I can get!

We got good news, and not-so-good news.

Yesterday J called Doc D to see if they had an opening to get me in and get my staples out instead of waiting 'til Thursday since they were causing me quite a bit of discomfort. They did, so off we went.

In no time they got to removing the staples. I darn sure wish THIS "staples" had an "easy button!" Removing them was sheer and utter torture! It was far worse than removing the sutures from the original surgery and was definitely worse than this surgery. As they removed the staples they put some kind of adhesive strips across the incision to help keep everything in place until everything was healed a little better. They did that before also. If they don't come off on their own over the next week or so, I get to pull them off.

Anyway, after 10-15 minutes the removal pain went away and a little after that Doc D came in. He said everything was looking good, but he had another trick up his sleeve. Then he started showing us some 3D pictures of that foot. On it, he showed us a place in the heel area where some soft tissue has calcified into a rather prominent and pointy bone spur. He said if it starts causing problems he can go in and remove it. However, it is in a spot where there is a LOT going on. Nerves, muscle, ligaments, etc. So it's not just a simple go in and cut it off deal. He didn't elaborate cuz we aren't gonna even think about it unless that spot becomes an issue.

Then we asked about the left foot and he said he doesn't want to do ANYTHING with it unless absolutely necessary until all the problems with the right on are settled.

Anywho, I'm now back in compression socks and my brace (which we had t have adjusted again cuz my tendon is acting up a bit again) and getting back to walking again.

Overall, a lot of my pain issues with walking are gone or significantly reduced. There's still some discomfort in other areas, some minor residual pain from the latest surgery, and walking is still kinda of a pain, but it's all a little better and getting better by the day.

As for the other potential surgery, we just can't worry about it now. I start PT again next week and as that progresses we'll know more and deal with it then, if necessary. I guess I've lost about 4-6 weeks of progress on the tendon and some other stuff, but in no time I should be making some good gains and getting all that and more back.

Be well, everyone!