Day 13

Having read other blogs I was prepared for lots of pain and mega swelling. I seem to have been really lucky. Pain has been manageable and I have had zero swelling. I was rattling around inside my plaster cast because room had been left for swelling. It's nice to be in a firmer cast now. I was putting a bit of pressure on the ankle when I used my iwalk 2.0 if I didn't pad the top of the cast.

When I was having my cast removed and I told the nurse that the tape on top was because it was oozing and they wanted to cover it up she was not impressed. She said "they should not have done that. They should have replaced the cast." Shows the difference between being on an Ortho ward and an elective surgery ward I guess.

If it has been good management reducing the swelling I thought I'd list what I've done.

* Kept the foot elevated on three pillows night and day.

* Propped the foot up whenever possible - on a stool by the toilet and shower, on seats at cafés and on the sofa.

* Wiggled my toes regularly to help improve circulation.

* Used the iWalk 2.0 rather than crutches whenever possible because the leg is supported rather than hanging down which is a sure cause for fluid pooling.

* Drank lots of water to help flush the fluids through my system.

I think elevation and wiggling are the tops. I also took a couple of NSAIDs when the tramadol was just hammering me and they also reduce inflammation. Best to check with your ortho if they haven't been prescribed or ask at your preop appointment.

One other thing that I've found helpful, although a bit bad, is a long handled shoe horn. It is smooth and fits easily inside your cast. You're not meant to put anything into your cast but when you're being driven insane by itchy it's hard to stop. This has to be better than a knitting needle.