Getting Mobile

Of course they sent me home with a set of crutches. After all, I was not to put any weight at all on my foot. It was weird using them. I would go a couple of "steps" okay, then I would feel unstable for a couple more steps. It was hard to hold up the painful leg with that heavy splint on it too. And there was a learning curve, such as, when using crutches on a gravel driveway, such as ours, be sure to plant them firmly before trying to swing forward, or you will fall, which I did. And negotiating steps is a real challenge, especially going downstairs. You're standing there at the top teetering on two small crutch stubs with your leg + splint suspended in air and you have to go down a step without falling. Scary! Of course there are methods, such as use the handrail and one crutch, make sure the bad foot goes down first, using your crutch with the bad foot, or you can scoot down the stairs on your butt. Also, if you wear a robe, be sure not to get the crutches tangled under your armpits! I pretty much decided the crutches were a pain and there was too much room for disaster, so I started using a wheelchair around the house to get around.

I had also seen the Roll-a-bout scooter like device for lower extremity injuries, and decided right off that was what I wanted to use. I got a prescription for it, and while I was waiting for it to be sent, I used a footstool with wheels which I happened to have quite a few of around the house. For me, I felt more stable to be able to plant my knee on the footstool and use my good leg and the knee to "walk". Plus, I could have my hands free.

I really thought I would be able to do anything and go anywhere with the freedom of the Roll-a-bout. But it really wasn't like that. In the first place, I really wanted my foot elevated as much as possible to be sure to keep the swelling down, so I had to spend more time lying around. Also my knee really started to hurt when using it on the scooter. I bought a construction grade knee pad, which helped tremendously, but still, you're just not going to go for long distances on it.

After I recovered a little from the initial surgery and casting, I attempted to drive. Of course, I could not use my right foot. Non-weight bearing means not even for driving, and anyway, I didn't have an ounce of strength, not even in the toes. So I used my left foot to drive, and it really isn't that difficult, it takes all of five minutes to get used to it. I thought I would drape my right leg over the middle console into the passenger side, but I ended up just tucking my right leg under my left while I drove.

It is such a long time to be not walking. I thought I would never be able to walk again.