When your injury occurred, you knew there would be many different steps to the recovery process. First, you had to keep all your weight off your injured leg. In order to do so, you might have used crutches. Once you completed the right amount of time with no weight on your injury, your doctor might recommend that you increase your activities and start to put a little pressure on your leg. But you might be left wondering how you make the transition. Here are some hints.
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Hint #1: Listen To Your Body
When you are injured, the best thing you can do is stay in tune with your physical self. Only you know when you have had too much and when you can do more. Make sure you understand yourself and know when to stop. If you put a little weight on your leg and it feels uncomfortable, do not push yourself. The process will be gradual.
Hint #2: Follow Your Instructions
Your doctor might tell you that it is okay to bear a little weight on your injured leg and you might even get specific instructions on how much will be okay. You might be able to put a little pressure on it by pushing down on your toes, for example. After a day or two of that, you might be able to take one step. You can then start to limp around. If your doctor does not give you specifics, ask for them. It is always best to have professional advice from someone who has seen your type of injury before.
Hint #3: Use Mobility Devices For Help
When you are allowed to bear weight on your injury, you will not want to do so all of the time. Once you can walk a little, do so in spurts and use your mobility device for the rest of the day. You will find that you tire more easily than you did in the past and you do not want to injure yourself in the same spot again. Your doctor might tell you to walk on your injured foot a certain amount of time a day. Once you have reached that limit, then the best crutches are a must-have for you. It will be hard to go back and forth, but you will see the progress, and it will be worth it.
Hint #4: Be Patient
No one stays off their foot for weeks or months only to put that foot back on the ground and start running full speed again. Your recovery process is just that…a process. You will have to work your way back up to the strength you were used to having. Have patience and understand that every little step you take is a step towards having your foot back in full working order.
Hint#5: Eat Well
When you are transitioning to putting weight on your injury once more, it is important that you adhere to the proper nutrition guidelines. You should eat well during your whole recovery, but when you are starting to really get better, you want to make sure you have the energy to get yourself through to the very end. Your body is trying to heal itself, and you will be much better off with vitamins and minerals running through your body.
Transitioning from your mobility device back to your leg can be rough, but with the right amount of time and a little work, you will complete your recovery.
Tips for a Pain Free on your Crutches in Summer
How long do stitches stay in after foot surgery?
Usually, stitches are removed approx. 14 days after surgery. You will need to go to a hospital or a clinic for your stitches to be removed.
What percentage is partial weight bearing?
Some researchers have used the percentage of patient body weight, with a standard definition of touch down weight-bearing defined as 0% to 20% of body weight. Partial weight-bearing is set as 20 to 50 percent of body weight.
What is meant by partial weight bearing?
Non-Weight-Bearing. Non-weight bearing means that no weight can be put on the operated leg. That is the most restrictive of the weight-bearing limitations. Considering you can not bear any weight on the leg, an assistive device, such as a walker or crutch.