One Year Post Op- Severed EHL Tendon

One year post op.  I've measured all my milestones and always had a sense that the future is far enough away and that all would be well. I’m still waiting for it to be -- as it was. Pipe dream of course.
 It’s November 2012, I’ve whittled down my Physiotherapy to once a month; barely. I’ve been running for about 6 months now. I’m doing 5k without a hitch. Well, there is one hitch – pain.

Not sure how or why, but a new slew of problems have crept up because of this whole severed EHL fiasco. The Iliacus muscle in my right hip, most famously known as the hip flexor has been severely aggravated and shortened. It’s an oxymoron, because I require extensive stretching of that whole muscle area, which is still quite challenging. I had discovered a few months ago that I was pronating only on my right foot. As a result, when I run I’m extremely conscious of my step in. I mentally correct it with each stride. It tends to work if I really concentrate. Yesterday I went out for a run. It wasn’t particularly cold, the conditions were not out of the ordinary, I had a stressful day at work and thus mentally let my guard down on my run, put the pedal to the metal (so to speak),  but by the time I was rounding the 3^rd km, I was in severe pain. Every step was gruelling.
I recall early in my physiotherapy, I was told to refrain from limping or favoring the injured side at all costs. It would come back to haunt me. All those months I spent afraid to twitch or stretch the EHL in the wrong way have had a severe downstream impact on the whole right side of my body.
My ankle is another nightmare. There is no such thing as walking softly. As I walk there is a soft and annoying click that comes from my ankle. This is from the 2^nd casting process being off by a few degrees. What a piece of work.
The EHL has stretched out ever so minimally over the past year, it’s nowhere near normal. My toe still dorsiflexes upwards. If I point my toes downwards, the big toe still faces up! I continue to do my stretching exercises. It still burns even after all this time.

I can do pretty much everything that I used to, as long as I modify. For example to do a cat stretch in yoga, I require a soft mini pillow to support the top of my foot as I’m down on all fours. My big toe does not flatten and is not in line with the others. It’s not stretched out yet. If I can cradle it during certain positions it would be fine. I also modify by resting it on the other foot for certain positions.
I tried playing soccer (really just kicking the ball back and forth), the top of my foot swelled and I had to ice it for hours. There are a lot of sensitive nerve endings and tissue that still require healing.
Swimming is hilarious; it’s like having a broken flipper. I had to modify that too. I tend to stay in shallow water just to be safe from cramping.

Occasionally I have the most severe cramps underneath my foot. It’s quite painful, but kind of hilarious. My toes have a life of their own in those moments, involuntarily contorting and twitching until the cramping passes. I basically hit the deck when it happens; I shut the world out and breathe through it. I had the misfortune of having this “attack” on Halloween night at one of my daughter’s friend’s parents’ house. As they graciously invited me in for wine and cheese, I had to hi-jack their living room while I went through the motions and wriggled on the floor going through these ridiculous foot spasms! Nice introduction.

I’ve changed a lot of things in my life and raised the bar on cynicism – too cheeky even for myself sometimes.  I laugh at the fact that my children still consider mom as handicapped. I wonder if I’ve had the worst case of severed EHL Tendon ever!!!

 This has been quite the Shit Show..

Peace.

 JZ

EHL Tendon 2012

I've gotten a bit of hell for not posting lately. Many apologies. I am still deep in Physio and will blog soon on a certain type of foot fetish that has taken presidence in my household...

Movie titles would be:

• Beware the Achilles
• The Ankle Snapper
• Hellux Raiser
• The Stifferson

Working harder than ever...


regards,
Zipperfoot.

Severed EHL Tendon- Goodbye 2011!

On the road to recovery?

It's almost the end of the Year 2011. What have I done?

I'd say as an adult this has been; bar none one of the most challenging years in my life. From the get go on January 1st, 2011 it's been challenge after challenge. Each day, week and month had a new set of horrors present itself over and over to me, testing my abilities emotionally, mentally and physically. Yes severing my EHL Tendon was a big slap in the face. It shook me into a different dimension. It pinned me down and held me there until just the right time, and then it released me. I am different now. Everything tastes, smells and looks different. I want to say I have served my time. I want to say that one person can only take so much. Really though in the grand scheme of things I continue to give thanks that I am surrounded by beautiful and loving friends and family. That no matter how the going gets tough, the tough will still get going.

I've rekindled an all but dead relationship with my parents, I have accepted that although we won't always see eye to eye, they are good people with good intentions. Age doesn't always bring wisdom, experience does. Family and firm true friendships are the keys to happiness. It always was and always will be. No one is perfect, we all have to work at our relationships, and we are all dynamic and different. We’re not meant to be the same. Our injuries may be similar, but how we deal with the experiences can be worlds apart.

As I reflect on my ever present gregarious nature, I'm stricken silly that my injuries have brought out some of the best attributes in my friendships and relationships with people. I definitely know who will be in my corner for the long haul. I have connected on a different level with certain people; my eyes are wide open now more than ever before.

So all I’m asking for in the Year 2012 is to keep on this new journey--the one that opens the doors to all the magnificent new friendships and that still has a stronghold on the old ones. Oh yeah and that Zipperfoot has inadvertently set a new cornerstone in my life.

Happy Holidays to all. May you find love and joy in even the smallest things.

EHL Severed Tendon and Acupuncture.

Acupuncture was the next venture into my rehabilitation campaign. I didn't have a shred of knowledge on the subject of acupuncture. No one in my inner circle had ever required that type of alternative medicine.  I knew it had something to do with really fine needles being inserted into specific pressure points of the body. The thought gave me anxiety.. I mean all those needles pushed into my body. Unthinkable.

I wanted to go in blind; I didn't want to know about side effects or risks. I was going to take a chance, go out on a limb, and go all the way with no reservations. I was introduced to the Acupuncturist, Keith who has a gentle nature and is well educated as a Physiotherapist. He prefers the holistic alternative like acupuncture as a means to rehabilitate. A belief that the points of energy reached during the process acts both as a pain reliever and stimulator of joint and tissue.

The way Acupuncture works: It’s an understanding that the neurophysiologic pain relief mechanisms (eg. Endorphins) are stimulated and will assist the body in strengthening the immune system; it decreases muscle and tissue tightness and can increase joint flexibility. Originating in the Orient (however there is a dispute that it actually originated in Central Europe) the traditional understanding is that the body is divided into 12 energy channels (or meridians) that run vertically within the body. If any of these channels are affected by illness or injury the energy flow is interrupted, the belief that acupuncture (shallow needling or deep needling) into the specific channel will stimulate energy flow and healing back into the body.

As the small hair like needles pierced my skin (they are in a fine sterile tube which is slightly shorter than the needles themselves- they are positioned over the desired area and tapped into place- shallow needling in my case), there was a slight prickly sensation. He put them in various points of my foot and calf. We started with about 6 needles in our first session. I tried shifting my leg while the needles were inserted. Those little suckers were wielding quite a power beneath the surface and were almost paralyzing upon any movement. I felt an awkward pain in each of the points where the needles lay. Keith advised that being still would enhance their healing effects. Best not to move around or it will hurt!  I was left to relax on my own (more like a Zen type of relaxation) for about 15 mins.

Removing them was effortless (a few spots of blood from the top of my foot area). There was some slight bruising the next day, and a bit of soreness in the areas punctured, which I’m told is normal.

I’ve done quite a few sessions now, tackling different areas of my foot to stimulate the tissue around the scar. I have to say that I am a believer. The numbness at the top of my foot has subsided and I am actually feeling a bit of sensation now.

By no means is my Zipperfoot fully mobile at this point, but we’re still working on it one day at a time.

 

Acu: Week 1


Acu: Week 2





Acupuncture

The tendon is still tight along the Hallux to the ankle.

EHL Tendon Rehab

Trying to always be optimistic.

The Orthopaedic Specialist said I still have a good 3 months until I can consider calling my Zipperfoot normal.  I've made tremendous progress, however as I sit here 2 months into my physiotherapy (which I'm still scheduled for at least 3 times a week), I suddenly have a terrible sinking feeling that my tendon is not stretching out as originally intended. I see it on Jake’s (Physio guy)face. He pleasantly consoles me and reminds me that this will be a bit of a long haul. It’s such a rare injury---to compare it to any other rehab is just not feasible. I understand there is much more progress to be made; I just can't help but feel a small sense of loss every time I look down at my foot.
It has been almost 4 months since my surgery.

A quick pep talk from my physiotherapist and we’re planning to change direction. Acupuncture is next on the list. We’re hoping this will help stretch out and stimulate the EHL Tendon a little more.

It’s so overwhelming to come this far, just to find out that the journey is far from over.
I want to wake up in the morning and walk to the throne effortlessly without having to massage my leg awake, do a warm up or use the walls to guide me upright.

I'm tired of being at physio working on the same gruesome and painful stretches that leave me slightly debilitated every time.

I'm tired of having to explain over and over why I'm still slightly limping and how it happened.

I'm tired of refusing party invites; for fear of some drunken jackass stepping onto my Zipperfoot.

I'm tired of trying to explain to my employer that trekking out to work into the downtown core in prime Christmas shopping season is not at the top of my list to do.

My drama queen is definitely coming out in full force.

I went shoe shopping last week. I wanted to purchase a pair of shoes that I can wear in a versatile manner, more than my Nike’s or Converse sneakers. I purchased a buttery leather pair of (cow hide) loafers that are soft, yet supportive. It’s like they came down from cow heaven just for me.  I’m grateful that I can wear these with just about any attire. They are by no means the saucy tall heels I would be accustomed to, but definitely a sweet alternative.

I also toyed with a few pair of winter boots from my collection. The snow will be here shortly, I want to be prepared. Canadian Winters can be mean spirited (no offense to Mother Nature). Wearing my running shoes to traipse around in the snow and ice for my glamo trips to physio or the occasional family outing is not going to cut it.

I’ll just grin and bear it. Movin’ on…

Severed EHL Tendon-3 months Post-Op

I put a shoe on my right foot for the first time yesterday. It was painful and extremely uncomfortable; however I wanted to advance into the next stage- wearing a left and a right shoe. I will still wear my Aircast when necessary. It’s my go to accessory now, my comfort, my protector; I don’t feel right without it.

As I venture out a bit more these days into the big wild world, I fear that someone will inadvertently step onto my foot. It’s blind now you see; it will be forever infracted and offended no matter where it goes or what it is doing. For example, I’m already experiencing the delights of household folly-- dropping things like lotion bottles, spoons, books, cellphones, remotes etc. pretty close to Zipperfoot. It’s bound to make contact; I have to be ready for it. Fate, just please- give me a bit more time. I shudder to think what the impact would be; nothing life threatening (what a drama queen!) I suppose.  I’m sure as long as there is no blade at the end of the handle; I’ll be fine…ahem.

As far as physiotherapy goes, still neck deep in it. It’s been 7 weeks , 3 times a week. We have been faithfully working on stretching out that stubborn tendon. I had asked the Specialist last week if he had tightened it a bit too much. I noticed today that the top of my foot is quite bruised, mostly likely the combination of wearing a shoe and the aggressive work on the tendon yesterday.

I can press my toe into the floor with a bit more strength now; it still won’t voluntarily wiggle unless I give it a bit of a boost.  My gait has improved and I’m really working on trying to reduce the limp, which subsequently is more evident because of the fear of bending my toe.

My Nike running shoe seems to keep my foot snuggly in place. It’s very tight to get on and off, but it’s nice to finally wear a matching set of shoes.  My physiotherapist asked me how I felt about wearing Orthopaedic shoes, I found this truly funny… really.

Remembrance

If you have the opportunity, thank a veteran for his courage. Not just today but every day.

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." -G.K. Chesterton

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." -Jose Narosky

There is but one veteran left alive in my family at home in the Mediterranean, thanks Uncle Manuel for holding the fort.

Peace

2 pics from Malta's history. The Mosta Church's undetonated bomb that pierced the roof while 300+ worshippers were inside.



Mosta Church's Dome Ceiling



The Bomb Squad