4th Week — First Cast Removed

This saw-like tool is specifically for casts.
The blade does not turn, it gyrates.
As it cuts the fiberglass you feel the
blades pressure against the cotton bandages
inside BUT it doesn't cut the bandages
or your skin! ;o)

It's been 4 weeks since my surgery. First 2 weeks was with a splint and ace bandages. Then a cast was put on for 2 more weeks.

I went to see Dr. Yes today. The cast was temporarily removed and xrays taken. They look good. The bones are healing just fine. BUT I expressed my desire for an alternative to the cast. I told him I was MISERABLE. Dr. Yes and I struck a deal. It's top secret but I'll share it with you. ;o)

He said he wouldn't mind giving me one of those huge protective boots BUT that I had to promise him I would not put any weight on my foot. And to wear it while sleeping. He said he's basically covering for my surgeon out West so he doesn't want trouble from another doctor for not following procedures for the post-op care.

I promised him that I would wear the boot like a cast and not put any weight on my foot. YAY! I'm sooo happy!!! The boot is heavier, bulkier and much snugger (A cast seems to expand after time, usually it does settle a bit but gets loose because your limb is shrinking.) I will now be able to keep my skin clean and moisturized. And I can flex my ankle a little here and there when I take off the boot to watch TV. This will mean my ankle will be less stiff and weak at 12 weeks. ;o) And this flexing will help stop the atrophy of my calf muscle.

When I got home I CAREFULLY washed. I dry-scrubbed my leg to remove the dry skin.

I washed with a wet terry cloth— very gently. I did not go over the actual incisions. (I don't feel that is wise to do. I think moistening two pieces of skin that haven't bonded together well yet is asking for trouble.) I also shaved. ;o)

I then used alcohol to remove dry blood in non-incision areas. (I had a ton of dry blood underneath my foot.)

I then applied Vitamin E oil from knee down. Additionally, I used Eucerin lotion on my leg.

You can see the atrophy on my left leg.

(Guess what? I just put the boot on my right leg and discovered that it doesn't feel snug at all. This means it only feels snug on my left leg because of the surgery. Weird.)

I applied Neosporin liberally on my incisions.
Then I put gauze on, then wrapped  with
two ace bandages.

One of THEE best things about having the boot in place of the cast is that, if you recall, my toes were exposed past the edge of the cast. This did not allow me to even place my toes on the floor to REST my leg! Instead I had to pick the cast up making the tendons behind my knee work overtime!

But now I can! The front of the boot sticks out way past my toes. This allows me to give my quad muscle and tendons a bit of a break by resting my leg (not put weight on foot). This helps greatly with balance when I'm standing with my crutches as well! ;o) (But it's still painful to have my leg down. The blood rushes, etc.)

BUT STILL, AWESOME! Feels good to be able to rest it on the floor!! With the cast I thought I was loosing my mind. Praise God! 

To celebrate I had pancakes today!!!! Haven't had those in a while. YUM!!!!