It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted. No really big news to report. My toes are definitely bending down much better and without pain but moving them up (the direction that was originally the issue) continues to be an up and down process. I really haven't seen much change in that this last two weeks. Have been walking 3 miles almost every day. I can walk fine and my pace is almost back to where it was before but it's consistently uncomfortable. Sometimes it just feels stiff, other times achy, other times like I have a 220 volt line attached to the bottom of my foot. And yes, there are times where I barely notice it. This really is the tough part because I'm not really noticing progress like I did the first 6 weeks after surgery. I continue to religiously do two rounds of my toe exercises every day. Sometimes both rounds are in the evening only a few hours apart but I do get them in. I've been trying to push myself through the discomfort when I walk.
I've been trying to get up on my toes with the full weight of my body at least 5 times a day. Sometime more luck with that than others. Trying to hold that for 10 seconds is tough. So I'm still a ways off from downward dog in yoga.
Off on vacation tomorrow. Will be doing some hiking. First test of my toes on hillier territory.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
End of week 7 post surgery
First plane trip post surgery. No big issues. A little stiff after the 4 hour flight but walking slowly and deliberately rolling my foot to bend my toes loosened it up fairly quickly.
The other piece of progress is that the top of my foot no longer hurts or pulls when I push my toe down. It still feels a little stiff when I try to curl my toes but I can do so without using my hands. The incision is also noticeably less tender.
Was still getting sporadic pulling and the electrical charge sensation on the bottom of the joint both while walking and pushing toe upward. Sometimes it just comes out of nowhere.
Can get in most shoes at this point.
Although was diligent about the toe exercises, I didn't get nearly as much walking in as when I'm at home.
So all in all, it's coming along. I feel I can easily handle the hiking that will be coming up on the trip in two weeks.
If there is a disappointment it's that my toe isn't bending much more than it did right after surgery no matter how hard I push on it. But the doctor did say full return of motion could take a year. It just seems like I should be seeing more change.
.
The other piece of progress is that the top of my foot no longer hurts or pulls when I push my toe down. It still feels a little stiff when I try to curl my toes but I can do so without using my hands. The incision is also noticeably less tender.
Was still getting sporadic pulling and the electrical charge sensation on the bottom of the joint both while walking and pushing toe upward. Sometimes it just comes out of nowhere.
Can get in most shoes at this point.
Although was diligent about the toe exercises, I didn't get nearly as much walking in as when I'm at home.
So all in all, it's coming along. I feel I can easily handle the hiking that will be coming up on the trip in two weeks.
If there is a disappointment it's that my toe isn't bending much more than it did right after surgery no matter how hard I push on it. But the doctor did say full return of motion could take a year. It just seems like I should be seeing more change.
.
Friday, October 2, 2015
End of week 6 post surgery
More progress this week. I'm pretty much now able to wear all the shoes I was wearing pre-surgery. Can't say I could walk distances in all of them but they do comfortably go on my feet which is an improvement from last week.
Continuing with my 3 mile daily walks. I'm usually a little stiff when I start and sometimes get the little "electrical jolt jab" on the bottom of the joint but both generally go away after about 20 minutes of mindful walking making sure I roll my foot straight through the step.
I've also had hours where I've been moving around or walking where I don't even think about my foot. So that makes me optimistic.
Have been religiously doing the toe exercises twice a day (sometimes only a few hours apart in the evening but I'm determined to get both sets in.) Have been using a first aide cream with comfrey in it as well as a comfrey oil that my yoga teacher mixed up and who everyone in class raves about. She says comfrey promotes healing. I figure it can't hurt.
The scar occasionally looks a little puffy and red. Not sure what that's all about. It doesn't really present a problem but just looks more visible at times.
Have not yet tried downward dog in yoga although have been doing some things that require getting up on my toes a bit. Have been practicing getting up on my toes while holding on to a chair. When I feel I can do that without noticeable pain, will try downward dog again. (I probably could do it, just a little scared to try.)
At 6 weeks out, I'd say I'm back to 97% function with a little discomfort. I definitely have more toe movement and haven't noticed the burning sensation I used to get when I'd walk. My toe doesn't bend 90 degrees but it's pretty close to my right toe which I've never had a problem with. Very satisfied with how things are progressing.
Continuing with my 3 mile daily walks. I'm usually a little stiff when I start and sometimes get the little "electrical jolt jab" on the bottom of the joint but both generally go away after about 20 minutes of mindful walking making sure I roll my foot straight through the step.
I've also had hours where I've been moving around or walking where I don't even think about my foot. So that makes me optimistic.
Have been religiously doing the toe exercises twice a day (sometimes only a few hours apart in the evening but I'm determined to get both sets in.) Have been using a first aide cream with comfrey in it as well as a comfrey oil that my yoga teacher mixed up and who everyone in class raves about. She says comfrey promotes healing. I figure it can't hurt.
The scar occasionally looks a little puffy and red. Not sure what that's all about. It doesn't really present a problem but just looks more visible at times.
Have not yet tried downward dog in yoga although have been doing some things that require getting up on my toes a bit. Have been practicing getting up on my toes while holding on to a chair. When I feel I can do that without noticeable pain, will try downward dog again. (I probably could do it, just a little scared to try.)
At 6 weeks out, I'd say I'm back to 97% function with a little discomfort. I definitely have more toe movement and haven't noticed the burning sensation I used to get when I'd walk. My toe doesn't bend 90 degrees but it's pretty close to my right toe which I've never had a problem with. Very satisfied with how things are progressing.
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