It had to happen eventually... back to the salt mine. I really can't complain: two weeks of medical leave followed by one week of vacation, half of which I spent in Hawaii. I'm a teacher. In my own classroom with my fabulous 5th graders, most of the time I'm able to stand, sit, walk, wiggle, fidget, shift, sashay, and elevate my leg as necessary. I did have to forgo my customary speed walking, and I tried to reduce the number of trips to the workroom.
The only real stress on my foot occurred during those relatively quick conversations while standing with other staff in the hallway or workroom, before or after school and during recess. Two or three minutes of standing is all it takes. My attention would be drawn to the blood pooling in my foot and the whisper of a throb developing, at which time I would "jog" in place or hoist my right leg up on the nearest desk or table. Ahhhh... Flexibility is a plus. I wore the Birkenstock sandals, shown in a previous post, that provide such wonderful support for my entire foot and also protect my toe joint from excessive motion and sudden pain.
I managed to do some toe PT twice during the day: once during lunch, and once during afternoon recess. This basically consists of rocking the big toe joint gently from front to back and from side to side. Next, I apply pressure outward on my toe, pull it down and hold, followed by pressure outward, pull up and hold. Ouch. Finally, I try to manipulate the sesamoid bones that continue to be uncooperative. After each torture session I strapped on one of my favorite ice packs for a little while.
Everyone is surprised at how good my foot looks, me included. Visually, the healing is remarkable. As for regaining normal range of motion, time will tell...
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