I've been out of the boot for two weeks now, and walking without a cane since yesterday. I'm still combating severe swelling of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. My 1st day of Physical Therapy was Monday, 06/08/09 - I'll be going twice a week for six weeks.
Required regimen: flexibility exercises, elevation of the leg as much as possible, and ice packs 15 minutes at a time twice per day.
Starting this Friday, 06/12/09, I'll be doing a stationary bicycle at PT sessions to improve flexibility in the ankle.
My surgeon is also considering the possibility of removing the two largest screws in my ankle at this point, which are on the inside of the leg.
I have a long, narrow metal plate and seven short screws on the outside of the leg, and a six-inch partially healed incision to go with it. On the inside of the leg, there are two large screws and a two-inch incision.
All the hardware is stainless steel per my surgeon, and NOT the titanium I had originally believed was installed. (It feels weird speaking of something as being "installed" when discussing your own body.)
At any rate, I'm making steady progress. There is still pain most of the time, but I am starting to experience some pain-free moments. Pain levels range from a two to a six on a scale of ten. I'm not taking anything for it, I prefer to know what's going on so that I don't do any additional damage.
Additionally, I do NOT at this point have full range of motion in the ankle. I've lost about a third of range in the up/down direction, and about half in the movement to either side. Much of it is the swelling I'm fighting.
(Tip: ace bandages help keep the swelling down a bit, start with them as soon as possible if your doctor allows)
Sayonara,
Dan
