20 Weeks post lisfranc surgery

20 weeks post lisfranc surgery

After my setback last week it feels incredible to arrive at 20 weeks post lisfranc surgery with very little ongoing pain.

This week my physical therapist had me try walking backward on the treadmill!!!  I was apprehensive, wondering if walking backward was something I also had to re-learn.  He assured me that my muscle memory would take over and I would do just fine.  So at .8 MPH and while holding on to the treadmill side handles, I walked backward for 2 whole minutes.  I have to admit, I was super proud of my accomplishment.  My therapist even shouted out, "that's my girl!"  

20 weeks post lisfranc surgery scar

With that success under my belt,  my physical therapist then had me try walking sideways.  I couldn't believe my foot was ready for new adventures in walking, but it was!  Walking sideways was a little tender and my foot felt a little tight, but it was not painful.

20 Weeks post lisfranc surgery

I have also experimented with leaving my treasured cane in my car during activities that don't require a lot of walking.  (like short errands, dining at restaurants etc.)   I thought leaving my cane behind would be hard because my foot may start to hurt and I wouldn't have anything to lean on.  But that has not been the case.  I have been able to walk reasonably pain free as long as I walk slowly and carefully.

But, being cane free has led me to discover something quite unexpected.  Walking slowly causes people around me to become impatient, even though I am carefully trying to stay out of everyone's way. I have even had a few people bump into me!  For 20 weeks I have been used to people giving me a wide birth and without my cane announcing that there is something going on with my mobility, people naturally assume all is well.  No one suspects that even a little shove can throw me off balance, causing sharp pain while I regain my footing.

20 weeks post lisfranc surgery

I have been longing for the next step of my recovery, which would be to get rid of the cane. But, after a few attempts being in public without any signal to the world that I am recovering from a foot injury, I am no longer in a hurry to give up my cherished cane.....at least not quite yet.