Amazing leap forward at 26 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Today marks another milestone in my lisfranc recovery journey!  While shopping at the grocery store, perusing isle after isle of items, I suddenly became aware that I hadn't thought about my foot since I walked into the store!  The realization hit me after walking halfway through the entire store without one ounce of pain or stiffness.

26 weeks post lisfranc surgery scar

 I couldn't stop smiling at feeling so "normal" and greeted everyone I saw with a huge grin.  I did resist the urge to tell complete strangers to notice that I was just a normal walking shopper, once again.

  After checking out, another shopper bumped into me and I didn't fall apart in a panic worrying she would step on my recovering foot.  In fact, my first reflex was no longer to pick up my right foot and hide it behind my left for protection.  Instead I managed to smile and say, "hello."  WOW!!!!!

I am now able to walk about 3/4 the speed of other people and I can keep that gait without a limp!

26 weeks post lisfranc surgery wardrobe

I still am much more comfortable in sneakers and decided to buy matching jackets.  I girl needs choices of what to wear in  the cold Minnesota fall weather!!!

The best parts of Lisfranc Physical Therapy

At 18 weeks following lisfranc surgery, my favorite part of physical therapy is when my therapist manipulates and massages my foot.  This is no longer the painful experience it once was and I can actually move my foot better when he is finished.  I do think his hands have magical healing powers!

lisfranc physical therapy massage and manipulation

lisfranc physical therapy

The next best thing to my therapists medicinal hands is the ice machine at the end of my therapy session.  This machine works very similar to how we breathe.  It fills the boot with air and after a few seconds, lets the air out  while keeping my foot at a nice icy temperature.  15 minutes of painless ecstasy!

Icing after lisfranc physical therapy

17 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Looking back on my 17 weeks of lisfranc surgery recovery has been like watching an infant grow.  You don't really take note of all the day to day minuscule changes, but after 4 months, you realize HUGE changes have occurred!

This is what happened to me this week when I arrived at 17 post lisfranc surgery.  My physical therapist gave me permission to walk on the treadmill!!!!!!!

treadmill at 17 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Okay, so I don't get to walk more than 1.5 miles per hour with no incline and have been instructed to walk no more than 5 minutes a couple of times a week, but still.....I am back on my treadmill!!!  

By the way walking 5 minutes at 1.5 miles an hour means I can now walk .13 of a mile without stopping and limited discomfort....not completely pain free, but no more than a 1-2 pain level!!!!!!!!!!

Dusting off my treadmill at 17 weeks post lisfranc surgery

I have been instructed to still "listen to my foot" and quit if it becomes painful and I start to limp.  5 minutes is just the right amount of time to practice correct "heel, toe, follow through" at a slow pace.  Now that I have learned to walk again, the treadmill is letting me practice all of the correct walking motions that I have been taught!

17 weeks post lisfranc surgery image

17 weeks post lisfranc surgery scar

Left side view 17 weeks post lisfranc surgery image

By the way, my foot envy broadened today with the official start of the NFL season.  I spent most of game time today watching the Vikings player's feet with complete fascination and awe!!!!!!

Right side view 17 weeks post lisfranc surgery

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Stairs at last!!!!

At 15 weeks post lisfranc surgery, I can go downstairs without any banister support, if I take it slowly and carefully.  My physical therapist has had me practicing with different step heights during my PT sessions and it has paid off!

(note how hard my recovering foot's toes have to work in order to maintain balance.  I guess there was a reason to the marble exercises after all!!  ;0)

My Physical therapist told me most of a person's balance is through the big toe which is the last thing to heal after lisfranc surgery repair.

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery going down stairs!

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery image left side view

Below shows a fairly good view of what my lisfranc surgery scar looks like 15 weeks after surgery.
The scar still itches often and the whole top of my foot is tender to the touch. The good news it the top of my foot has stopped having the constant tingling sensation that had become very annoying, especially at night.

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery image right side view

I still do not have full sensation in my big toe but I can feel tingling and sharp twinges of pain as the nerves continue to heal. My big toe is very sore to the touch.

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery

15 weeks post lisfranc surgery scar image

I keep hoping the scar will continue to fade, but that has become far less important to me as the days roll by.