11th Week — Post-Op Summary

I start work next week from home. My boss was a sweetheart and got me a laptop so I can work in a reclined position with my leg propped up. It will be nice to be busy again— I think.

So, one more week and I take my first steps. Wow. It feels like forever. The last time I put weight on this foot was Feb 18th!

Let's get to the summary... 

THERAPY

When I'm doing my toe exercises, it's uncomfortable because in this area of my toe.. it feels bony.

The bone here doesn't seem to have the meat around it that my other toes do. So when I push the toe forward with my finger it's uncomfortable.

Remember, this toe is stiff like a rod. I'm pushing against a toe that gives back resistance.

Also, when I asked my surgeon what exercises I should be doing, (to see if they were any different then my post-op doctor), he said: "You can start gently bending the fourth toe up. But holding it as far to the base of the toe as possible."

CONGESTION

I have less atrophy in my left leg than someone who would normally have had a cast on this whole time. But I still have some. 

The leg also appears darker due to congestion when the leg is not raised up (resting). With this blood flow issue comes discomfort, and it turns to pain the more time the leg is lowered.

I'm praying this will go away soon.

FLEXIBILITY

Pointing my toes looks like this when comparing both feet. It's difficult to allow the weight of my left leg to rest on the heel. It hurts. But I did it for this shot, it's not raised off the floor at all.

The heel surgery greatly affects your ankle and tendons.

Flexing my feet forward all the way looks like this.

and this. It will take some time for my left foot to catch back up to my right.

Note how the 4th toes does not move forward like the first three toes.

That's pretty much for this week. I have a sort of pain that goes through my hamstring, up into my buttock muscle. I hate it and wish it would go away. I put an inquiry into my surgeon about this (Dr. West). 

So far his reply is that perhaps I should stretch my leg out every 3 hours or so to get the blood flowing. (not much help)

PROGRESS 
I'm pretty happy with the improvement in appearance.(left)

Well, the fear of my 4th toe never being able to grip has been settled I think.

You can see that here. As I grip my toes into the carpet, the tip of that toe is able to grip a bit, turning the tip of it yellow like the other toes. Pretty cool. ;o)