Seems like it should be some sort of landmark, but recovery is mostly a continuum.
Reduced Activity
Following the PA’s advice from yesterday’s visit (and seroma fluid drainage), I scaled back my activities. Waaay back. And that was a problem. Firstly, the seroma came back, so it didn’t seem to make any difference. Secondly, everything felt weak and stiff. More so than in the past.
Perhaps I cut back too far, but the fact the seroma has returned suggests it doesn’t matter.
My feeling is that I’d rather exercise the musculature and live with the seroma. I’ll have to contact the PA and see what the next course of action is.
Visit to Podiatrist
I’ve been very anxious to see the podiatrist for him to evaluate my foot — both the sprain, the morning “fire”, and the sore at the back of the heel.
This visit, I brought a disk with my foot x-rays. First issue was they couldn’t read them. Huh? The disk has an executable bundled with it, but when they tried to bring it up, the machine complained with a ‘Can’t find VS…dll’ and wouldn’t run. Some deficiency in the OS installation.
So, we couldn’t view them.
At any rate, I related everything I could think of regarding my foot trauma, the orthopaedists observations, and the excruciating pain I was having, especially in the mornings — all of which registered an, “Uh, huh.”
“Well,” he said, non-plussed. “We won’t really see anything about the sprain on x-rays, anyway, so there’s no point taking them. If the orthopaedist said there weren’t any fractures, I’m good with that.”
And then he gave me a chart of exercises, all of which I was doing already, except one.
“Try writing the alphabet with your big toe in the air,” he recommended.
Cute. A bit more varied movement than the circles I was doing and it’s a prescribed period of time, since you have to do 26 of them. I can do that.
“Ok,” I said, and went into acceptance mode. The bottom line is I’m just going to have to bear the morning ouchies for who-knows-how-long. But he specializes in foot conditions, so if that’s his pronouncement, I’m good with it.
The other good news was that the sore on the back of my right heel had healed up almost completely. He stripped the bandaid and looked. “You can barely tell it was there,” was the pronouncement.
Great. Check off another worry.
More entries in this series:
Latest visit with osteo surgeon indicates hips are deteriorating more rapidly. I get steroid injections into the hip joints to alleviate the pain until surgery.
The steroid injections are successful - vast improvement. Diabetes issues with the steroid, though.
After months of waiting, the day finally approaches.
The day is approaching, I'm starting to get things ready for the surgery and the convalescence at home. A hiccup from the hospital.
And, we're here. Today is the day. I perform some required prep, starve for the day, and reflect on the risk of infection.
Surgery done, I've been in the hospital for two days. Some convalescence, but overall not too bad. I have a couple of nice scars on my thighs.
I can't believe it's only been four days. Feels more like a month. Update, medication, exercise, etc.
Five days out and the pain has increased stupendously. Didn't think it would be like this...
Sixth day, trying the Hydrocodone. Lots less pain, but it messes with my digestive tract. Dropping it.
And here we are at 7 days/1 week out. The pain is reducing somewhat, and I'm doing ok on the Tylenol. More 'monkey walks'.
This morning seemed tougher than usual, a sore on my right heel needs attention, PT visit.
Morning stiffness, knee involvement(!), Vrooming about mid-day.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
When I came out of surgery, I had an open sore on the back of my right heel. That and the fact that the foot is slightly swollen and painful is an interesting side note.
Visit with PA, today. Staples out, X-rays of hips and foot. No breaks in the foot or the ankle - we're calling it a sprain. Not untypical, apparently.
Getting more confident in walks. I went outside today with a pair of hiking sticks and walked about 100 feet or so. Feels better walking than not walking. Fluid build-up in my right hip, again.
Really starting to feel better, walk better. Feet still hurt like hell in the mornings, but quickly subside. More fluid buildup.
Day 21: Week 3 of recovery. Visit to Podiatrist, Seroma Returning —> (This entry)
Week 3 has come, seems like it should be some sort of landmark. The seroma (fluid under the right incision) is returning. I've scaled back my activities to try to not aggravate it, but that has its own consequences.
Mornings are still a bear, but I'm walking more and better. Reducing the Tylenol a bit - giving my liver a break. The Seroma (fluid buildup under the right incision) is still with me. Best to leave it alone, according to the PA.
Just passed the four week mark, doing reasonably well but still a ways to go.
Just past six weeks and I'm confident enough to ride the scooter. Can mainly dress myself except for socks...
One day shy of seven weeks. Visiting with the surgeon, new X-Rays. Essentially all well, but still recovering.
12 week mark - I'm on the slow part of the healing curve, now. Still issues, especially with my right hip. Left hip is (mostly) great.
After 12 weeks, I feel like I can synopsize the experience
