Bring it On!

After my cast was removed, I noticed something rather strange about my foot (there were actually many strange things, but this was the strangest). My foot turns in, so that if I were to walk on it, I would be walking on the outside of my foot. The PA who saw me didn't seem too concerned about it, and sent me on my way.

After trying for a week to walk in the boot, I was starting to get shooting pains across the top of the foot, up the outside of my calf and into my knee. I went back to using my scooter, because I was in so much pain. I called the therapist that had helped me work through my plantar fasciitis last year, and after hearing what I was describing, she got the doctor to write a referral so that I could come in and see her again.

Here's my foot before today:

Don't mind the blue color--that's normal and will probably continue for another year. I just elevate it, and it goes away. See how it's pronated in versus the healthy foot? It chronically turns that way due to a poor job of casting the foot. Try as I might, I can't get my foot to rest flat on the floor.

So, I showed up today, not knowing what to expect. My therapist concurred that something needed to be done, especially before I get my next surgery. She spent an hour stretching my foot in all directions. No joke, there were times I thought I was going to be sick. My mouth was dry, and I had to lay down. When she was done, I figured we were done too. Oh no, next came the exercises on the floor that I must do myself three times a day. Have you ever gotten up from the dentist's chair only to find that your entire body has been clenched the entire time? That's what it felt like after I finished those exercises.

Next came the cryobath and electric stimulation. I had a huge boot of fabric around my foot which was filled with ice water. It reminded me of the first (and only) Lamaze class I took where to simulate pain, John and I would grab fistfuls of ice and learn to breathe slowly. Well, it didn't work this time either. I just gritted my teeth and read the same sentence in my magazine over and over for 20 minutes.

And to think that I get to do this three times a week!

I must admit though that it worked. Afterwards, walking in my boot presented no pain, and I can actually feel my big toe resting on the floor of the boot when I walk. Woot! The only down side? I came home from therapy and was sick. I think it was quite a shock to my poor body.

Here's an "after" photo:



If I can see this much change after two hours, bring on the therapy, BABY!