Walking with one crutch
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi, so after weight bearing with two crutches since the first time I saw my physical therapist on January 8th, PT had me try to walk using only one crutch today.
This was extremely hard to do and they had to stretch my Achilles tendon quite a bit. I have been trying to practice at home but just like the first time ever weight bearing, my brain freezes when I try to move the good foot to meet the bad. How long will this take to work through? I know its a fear that im trying to conquer. Thanks for any help you can give.
0 likes, 9 replies
sandra91776 ashley03867
Posted
Sounds to me like you are tightening up your muscles and possibly that is what is holding you back
Trust me, Im super cautious with my ankle since my fracture but once I began PT I knew my bones had healed and I just pushed through PT and did as much as I could
Be sure you Are stretching that foot/achilles out at home as well!
You will get there
ashley03867 sandra91776
Posted
I am definitely tensing my muscles. I try to walk as naturally as possible but it can be a challenge. I do make sure to do plenty of stretching and rotating of the ankle to keep it from getting stiff. It definitely hurts when i try to put 75% weight on the foot. Should i just continue to push through this? My next PT visit us not until next Tuesday so ive got plenty of time to try and get this down.
sandra91776 ashley03867
Posted
Yeah its very frustrating
I know at 8!weeks when I was told I could FWB I was so w excited to begin and become independent again
It took more like 12 weeks before I could walk without boot or crutches
My PT therapist was great very encouraging
But bottom line I had to do the hard work and some days it hurt like heck
Ill always be super cautious now
And unless you have gone through a broken ankle/surgery/isolation/depression/recovery folks just dont understand
They think you are healed so just start walking!!!
All my best, keep me posted on your progress!
ashley03867 sandra91776
Posted
ive been trying to walk with one crutch, but i cant seem to get my good left foot up off the ground. i know this is a mental block. i kind of slide my left foot instead of picking it up. any suggestions?
sandra91776 ashley03867
Posted
When I first started walking I scuffed along
Then my PT told me to keep repeating "heel toe, heel toe"
It really helped!
ashley03867 sandra91776
Posted
Thanks for getting back to me
ashley03867 sandra91776
Posted
Just an update, I went to PT this morning, they worked the f**k out of the Achilles tendon. Then they had me try to walk with one crutch. It was a little easier to get my foot off the ground but i was still shuffling along. They want me to continue weight shifting and stretching everything out. How long will this take to work itself out? They mentioned that my foot is not in the neutral position. im not sure what this means, but i will now go to PT three times a week instead of two. When I try to put 75% weight on the ankle, it hurts. when will this go away? I try to make myself push through casue walking does loosen things up. Thanks again
sandra91776 ashley03867
Posted
I dont remember how many weeks you are into your injury but Im over 6 months and some days my ankle hurts
Then some days its just fine
I just think its a long process
ashley03867 sandra91776
Posted
My PT started on January 8th but ive only been about five times due to scheduling issues on their end. Now im finally on track. my injury and surgery happened in mid November. I am hoping to be back at work in May.