I’ve been wearing the boot for my fractured fibula since June 11. I went back to the orthopedist this morning to see how things are going.
My impressions first, then hers.
There’s a whole lot less pain overall and no pain at all when I’m in the boot. I walked all over Midtown Manhattan last Saturday with no problems… until I got home. Even then it was just a little sore, and that passed.
Tuesday at work, as I was walking onto our elevated anchor desk when I caught my foot on something and felt a twinge. Since then, without the boot there is some minor sensitivity, especially if I turn the leg to an uncomfortable position.
Today’s appointment was for 11:30 AM and they took me right on time. A technician took me to the x-ray table¹, snapping off three shots. They’re still old school at this office with actual film negatives that get chemically processed.
My doctor took a look and was pleased with my results. She pointed to an area which was a darker shade of gray than the surrounding bone. It was where the healing is taking place.
My first x-ray (before I visited her) showed nothing. My next x-ray showed a small off-shade area. This time, the area has grown.
“So, the worse it looks, the better it is,” I asked? Bingo!
She said I was healing quickly, something I was pleased to hear. As you get older… ugh, must I say this… As you got older, nothing works as well as it did when you were young. That includes your recuperative powers.
She said I have no restrictions on walking, as long as the boot is on. That’s good, because my folks are coming in in a few weeks and I need to keep up! We have lots of plans, much of which includes walking.
This stress fracture happened as I was running, trying to get into shape. I’m not anxious to repeat that, but I still want to work on getting fit. Once I’m boot free, I plan on lots of bike riding.
Finally, I don’t know who it was who invented my Velcro encrusted boot, but I am grateful. My leg would be in a cast without this technology. I can remove the boot to shower and sleep. That makes the whole adventure much more palatable.
It’s still a pain, but I haven’t let it change my life.
I will wear the boot another three weeks, until all pain is gone.
¹ – I still find it comical they throw a washcloth sized lead shield over my mid-section as the x-rays fire through my leg.