After the boot : Update
Posted , 2 users are following.
Ok,'I've been out of the boot for a week and a half. When you're finally out of the boot you're like "Hooray-I'm free". After a couple of days, reality sets in. Your ankle is now taking a full load. Even if your dr puts you in a stirrup or similar to keep you from rolling your ankle while you're strengthening it, THIS STAGE IS HARD. Your foot/ankle are not used to full load and things are going to happen.
?1. You will have swelling. After a few hours on that ankle, you will swell. For me, the swelling appears around and above where the stirrup is. Dr says its normal and will occur for a month or more, should get better with time. The remedy is :ELEVATE,ICE. Don't overdo (like I did) for the first few days without the boot. Let your ankle get used to the full load burden gradually. Massage deeply from the heel up through the calf on both sides with lotion after being up-that will help the lymphatic system flush out the fluid swelling.
2. You will have some pain. Its more like just discomfort, and truly most of it is from the pressure of the fluid buildup causing the swelling. Again, ice and elevation, anti-inflammatories are ok now because your bones have healed.
?3. Do your exercises given to you by the physical therapist and see the pt regularly during this period. Yes your bones have healed but your ligaments and tendons are tight and you need to get your range of motion and flexibility/strength back as much as possible. The window for doing this is closing so the work has to be done.
?It's awesome walking-I'm not gonna lie. But you have to concentrate on good form-heel to toe, moving through the hip and bending that knee. Don't get discouraged if it's not all roses at first, this is all hard work but I'm happy with my results so far.
?The loudest message I want to send is :DO IT GRADUALLY. DON'T OVERDO AT FIRST. Its easy to add a little more every day, harder to undo a setback from overdoing. We all want to get back to normal life. Pace yourself.
1 like, 3 replies
tricia09818
Posted
Forgot one thing. If you're coming out of the boot soon, ask your ortho doc for Ultra CTS ankle brace. Its a great brace that gradually loads onto the ankle after a boot. It comes apart in stages and gives full comfortable support in all the stages. Wish I had known about it when I came out of the boot. You can google it and ask questions on the site, he will get right back to you.
cheeseheadinga tricia09818
Posted
This is great information! I'm coming out of the boot in about 2.5 weeks. I had quite a shock going from NWB in hard cast for 7 weeks to the boot...for some reason I thought everything would be easy-peasy after that. NOT!
Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you!
tricia09818 cheeseheadinga
Posted
Good luck to you too. Plan ahead to not overdo it. It feels weird and good when you're out of the boot but by the time you're feeling the fatigue and pain, its too late. Do everything gradually and you will do great!