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Calcaneus fracture/PT

(6 discussions)

Hello, I broke my calcaneus 3 months ago in a car accident. The medical bills have really piled up and my insurance is not helping me on the PT costs… I would end up paying an extra $400-$500/month which I do not have!! I have about 10 screws and a plate in my heel now. I take neurontin for the nerve pain (if that helps at all).Anyhow, I am looking for exercises I can do to get my foot back to normal. I have not really walked for 3 months and I need help. My calf shrank 5cm while my ankle/foot has swelled up 5cm. I just want to walk and exercise (speedskate) like this injury never happened. I am doing basic exercises like pushing my foot forward and pulling backwards -without any assistance and sometimes I will assist by pulling my foot backwards further than my muscles allow. I do “crunches” with my toes and I do sitting calf and heel raises as well as towel pulls (pull the towel with both arms, then with my left arm, then my right arm to work different sides of my heel/ankle). What else can I do to get back to 100%??? Thank you so much for any advice!

6 comments

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    9 10

    You need to do basic exercises every morning before you get out of bed to help get your muscles warmed up before you get up. Like ankle pumps (like tapping your foot to music, moving foot side to side to end of range without pain, flexion & extension of all toes. To start strenghtening your foot and ankle again. You can do heel raises, stand on pillow and scrunch toes up like trying to hold pillow, place cotton balls on floor and pick up with your toes. Stretching is always important – a few are corner stretch, heel cord stretch while sitting(with towel). Remember to always do all of these in a pain free range and you will progress to where you can go further. Remember to always ice with edema and keep elevated. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

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    9 10

    I broke my calcaneus in September in 3 places. I started p.t two months after my injury. I was given gentle R.O.M for approx. 2 weeks and then started leg lifts and some weight bearing. I have pain every day. I had ultra sound and soft tissue rubs. I use the hot tub to soak my foot after long days at work. Placing my foot on the floor on a towel and moving the towel to the right and to the left, have help. Also crunching the towel with my toes has helped. Placing weight has been the difficult. I have pain that feels like electric shocks. I continue to try and place weight on my foot. Do you wear a boot?

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    9 10

    Hello, I fell 15 feet landing on my left foot. 3 weeks after injury OR/IF surgery was done. I am now 7 weeks post op and have 5 weeks to go before weight bearing. I am taking neurontin 300mg x3 a day for nerve pain. I have not started P.T. but am working on range of motion(limited). Any info and exchange of ideas on improvement & progress would be helpful. Thanks,Dan

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    9 10

    Hello All; I overcame this injury, and you can too. It has been a long road, that I will have to continue down, but that is what we face. Whenever seated, keep moving your foot side to side. This is the inversion/eversion motion, and it becomes limited after our injury. Try to keep it loose. A stationary bike works great to loosen and warm up. Build strength using an elastic cord. Tie one end into a loop, and work on flexing your foot; contracting, and side to side. A slanted board is good to stretch it, and do heel ups on. Step ups onto and raised platform will stregthen also. Well cushioned shoes are very important! Get a good pair of sneakers, or even extra inserts to cushion your heel. I have been aggresive, and tried to push myself through the pain to reach for more flexability and strength. GO FOR IT!!!

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      9 10

      Hello, I had surgery, 9 screws and one plate, about 2 weeks ago. I have been very fortunate so far, in that, after about 3 days, the pain level has plunged down to a 0 to 1, typically cast irritation. I have a bowflex, in the next room, and about 600 lbs of free weights in the garage. I am really looking forward to working calf raises through the full walking range of motion, starting at 5 lbs and working up to body weight and beyond. My Surgeon has indicated that I will be casted for 8 – 12 weeks. Glad to hear you have overcome this injury. Any advice/information you all may have will be greatly appreciated.Looking forward to rehab! Oh Yeah!!!John

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    9 10

    sir, my left foot have been from the 6 months ago in a bike accident. with this accident my calcaneous bone have been fractured and a small there were very small pieces left on my foot. on that time the doctor has adviced me for operation by using the plates on my foot. but I did not operated. sir my present condition I feel a little bit pain on my foot and my leg had become weak. sir can u help me for giving the tips of the execrcises by which the pain would have been reduced. Thanks

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