Sunday, May 1, 2016

Big Toe Boogie & First Pedicure: Day 29 after Cheilectomy

Big Toe Wanna Dance!!

As I mentioned before, I'm hoping to return to my ballroom dance team as soon as possible. I've gained a lot of range of motion since my April 1st surgery, but my right toe is far behind my normal left toe. I need a lot more range of motion, and I also need to be able to load that joint. My new PT exercises seem to focus on this: applying weight appropriately as I roll forward from the ball of the foot to the big toe and actively push into the floor. Oh, how we take these simple movements for granted when everything just works.

Here I am in the passenger seat where I caught my big toe doing a boogie on the dashboard, flexing and extending like a champ. Of course, I still can't bend it up very far. I'm only four weeks into the recovery period, so I guess it's early still.

So here's my first ever dancing toe video: 15 seconds of cuteness. Yeah, I know, my toe has grown very narcissistic! Still, I thought folks out there considering this surgery--- or recovering from it--- would like to actually see another kindred toe in movement. Best wishes to you and your dancing toes!


First Pedicure  


Hot water, massage. a little pampering... What's not to love? Actually, not much. None of the foot scrubbing, massage, and manipulation was painful except at an area removed from the actual incision line. The painful area had been visibly bruised in the weeks following surgery, but the bruises are long gone. However, a tender area remains. It's evident that this foot underwent some serious trauma, and it's going to take a while to bounce back.

By the way, shown here is now my favorite sandal to wear. Comfy Birkenstocks protect the joint but also allow more motion than my other pair. Movement may not feel fantastic, but it's what the joint needs for recovery. Actually, at this point in time, my stride feels pretty good, as long as I don't race around. A slow to normal walk feels pretty dang normal. Nice! Now, the PT exercises are another story... Not nice.  Not.  Not nice... but necessary.





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