Return to normal walking?

[ny biker]

What does your doctor say?

When I had ankle tendon surgery many years ago, the recovery was very slow and gradual, with stiffness and pain lingering for months. Most of my "friends" thought I was faking it, but my doctor and others at his office assured me that everything was normal. About a year after the surgery, I realized that I hadn't felt any felt any pain during everyday activities in a while. But I still needed to be wear shoes with really good arch support for years after that to avoid pain when I was doing lots of walking.

Somewhat similarly, I know someone who just had shoulder surgery, and she expects full recovery to take a long time. I don't recall exactly what she told me, but it was at least 6 months, possibly more.

In a way this can be overwhelming, because it's hard to be patient while things heal. But it's also reason to be hopeful, because you haven't necessarily reached the point where it won't get better anymore.

[Catrin]

Good point NY Biker, I saw my Ortho a couple weeks ago and he didn't seem all that interested in hearing about it. Maybe because there is little that can be done right now outside of time. I've another appointment with him in 2 weeks and I suspect he will release me at that time. Workman's Comp doesn't care so much about athletic performance...

Sorry about your ankle surgery, I had major ankle/foot surgery in 2004 and it took close to 3 years before I could walk without thinking about it...I guess I AM expecting a bit too much to be recovered after only 3 months and one week

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry about your ankle surgery, I had major ankle/foot surgery in 2004 and it took close to 3 years before I could walk without thinking about it...I guess I AM expecting a bit too much to be recovered after only 3 months and one week

Definitely. And since you mention that you haven't even been released from your ortho yet as well. When I was 3 months out from my surgery I had just stopped using crutches and had a big limp. I continued going to PT for strengthening and gait work for awhile after that, and then the rest of it, I was on my own. You certainly need to give it more time and stay positive!

[Catrin]

He wanted to release me a month ago but I keep complaining about my gait :-) I've been on my own for PT for 6 weeks now. I'm starting to wonder if I am going to need to get extra PT for my gait, but it doesn't fit into my budget I'm afraid, so I just walk as much as I can.

Definitely. And since you mention that you haven't even been released from your ortho yet as well. When I was 3 months out from my surgery I had just stopped using crutches and had a big limp. I continued going to PT for strengthening and gait work for awhile after that, and then the rest of it, I was on my own. You certainly need to give it more time and stay positive!

[Blueberry]

He wanted to release me a month ago but I keep complaining about my gait :-) I've been on my own for PT for 6 weeks now. I'm starting to wonder if I am going to need to get extra PT for my gait, but it doesn't fit into my budget I'm afraid, so I just walk as much as I can.

Talk to your ortho and see if he'll try to get workers' comp to authorize more PT. Gait issues can cause all kinds of issues later - (hip, back) so better to try to deal with it if you can! Lots of orthos in this area will be somewhat of an advocate for you with workers' comp - can't hurt to ask!