Making progress

What a week! As of Tuesday, five and a half weeks since surgery, I am cast free again. Another big milestone passed.

Knee scooter on snow

I had to take the scooter to the neighbour's driveway and back to test the snow handling. The tires don't like the cold or snow because I skidded instead of turning. I didn't hurt myself though so it could have been worse. It seems, I have to remember to pace myself every time a milestone is passed. Krista put the camera down as I started to skid, so she wouldn't have gotten the action shot anyway.

I had survived two meals at the kitchen table over Easter weekend, with my leg only partially raised for an hour each time. Since that went well, I decided to ride in the front of the car to the hospital, instead of in the back with my leg sprawled on the seat on top of a pillow. 

 I'll leave out some of the mundane details, like how everybody oohs and aahs over the scooter. I guess I could mention that two people wanted my email address so they could contact me in case they wanted to buy it when I don't need it anymore.

Before surgery

After surgery

Anyway, to help explain what was done on the left foot, consider the before and after x-ray images.

When the small bones beneath the ankle gave out decades ago, I started pronating forcing the bones in the forefoot to roll over. This caused the bunion - it wasn't a growth. You can see how dramatic the bone shift was in the big toe. Note also the second toe stepping on the third toe.

You can see how normal the bone positions are after surgery.

Don't let the four pins freak you out too much, they have been removed.

The hardware that is staying in the foot is the same as it was for the right foot.

Before surgery

I didn't have before surgery x-ray photos last time, but the left foot had more dramatic or at least more visible work done, so I had to include them this time.

I don't know what to point out in the before image other than that the toes look a little weird.

You can actually see the swelling in the foot. It's not bad but kinda cool that you can see it in an x-ray.

After surgery

I didn't see the x-ray images until after the four pins were removed, so I was plenty nervous when the surgeon came at me with pliers and told me to expect some pain. It doesn't help that his personality is a little like a Batman villain.

The first pin to go was the one in the toe and I didn't feel any discomfort at all. I started to relax. The next two pins were more difficult and stung like a ... well they hurt and bled.

Count the pins - where's Waldo?

Three separate incisions on this side

The last pin had submerged under the skin so it had to be dug out before the surgeon could get the pliers on it. And it really hurt for a few minutes.

Dr Stevens told me that within 24 hours the holes would be completely filled in, and he seems to have been right.

A pin on the way out

Very clean incision

So, I'm supposed to gradually start to put weight on the heel and build up from there. I am using the same air cast boot as before. In the house I'm going barefoot and continuing to drive the scooter for at least another week. I pushed too hard last time.

One incision on the heel

Anyway, I'm doing quite well at this stage of the recovery. I'm much more comfortable at night and am resting a lot better. This chapter of my life is nearing a close. I'm looking forward to the next.

(It's hard making a post with this many photos flow well)





I had intended to write something earlier in the week but I've been burning the midnight oil for quite a few days getting some urgent work done.