I wanted this to be my next post, so unfortunately it has been awhile since I have posted!
I broke my fibula on the 22nd of May. I went to my orthopedic doctor this week, had x-rays, and found out that I am completely healed. He said that he likes the way everything healed and didn’t see any signs of arthritis in my ankle. I was using the ASO ankle brace and found that it was causing some bruising on my foot. After telling the orthopedic doctor this, he gave me an ankle compression sleeve with gel padding on both sides of the ankle for support. This has made such a huge difference in the way my ankle feels. It also makes my shoes fit better.
The shoes I was recommended were the New Balance 1540v2. Thank goodness we were able to use our insurance to pay for these because they were expensive, especially for shoes I will only be wearing for six months. I picked up the shoes in ‘Basin with UV Blue’ color. The 1540v2 has a roll-bar built into the heels of the shoe to reduce rear foot movement. Since I am still wobbly — my PT calls me Gumby — and learning to walk, they thought that this shoe specifically would help me stay, and feel, more secure when walking. My family and I call them my old man shoes. I don’t find them to be the most comfortable shoe in the world if I am out and about all day, but they do their job.
Just because I am healed, doesn’t mean I am back to normal. I still have to continue with Physical Therapy, but now on my terms — and the advice of my Physical Therapist, Ruth. I am still learning to walk and I don’t have full range of motion in my ankle. I also don’t have a lot of strength on the right side of my body. I have muscle atrophy on my right leg. The atrophy is more noticeable in my calf than in my thigh. In case you were unaware, muscle atrophy is when muscles waste away because of lack of physical activity. I spent weeks in a cast and was encouraged to have my leg up most of the time. It wasn’t a walking cast, and I am not particularly good with crutches so I didn’t do much moving around.
For my workouts at Physical Therapy, I have been using a stationary bicycle, walking bars, and a total gym — we also use a ton of different colored bands and different body weight leg exercises. I wanted to get something for the house, so I could work out more at home and continue exercises that strengthen my ankle when I am done with Physical Therapy. So, we ordered the Total Gym Fusion from QVC. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of QVC for big purchases in the past, especially since they offer a payment plan! I cannot wait until it arrives! I haven’t been this excited about working out in a very long time.
I have broken bones before. When I was 17 I broke 3 metatarsals in my left foot. I wasn’t casted, and instead was given a velcro shoe and crutches. I don’t remember much about that break, except I still had to go to school. This break has been a completely different experience. I spent weeks in a cast, and if I did go anywhere it was in a wheelchair. It made me more aware of how people treat others that are disabled in some way. I was stared at constantly. People walked in front of me expecting me to just stop. People stood in the middle of store aisles and wouldn’t move. I was honestly shocked at how rude people were and it has given me a new outlook. My situation was temporary, but for many others it isn’t.
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