1-year-post-surgery-left-foot

It’s been one year since I could walk again after my partial release plantar fasciotomy. There have been many times that I regretted having the surgery and wondered if I did the right thing. The last year has been a roller coaster of emotions!

I am glad that I had the surgery. It was the right thing for me to do. I can do much more than I could a year and a half ago. Am I pain free? Not at all. Can I walk better? Yep.

I have days where it’s bad. I’ll have sharp pains and will begin walking with a limp. I try not to walk much when that happens.

There are good times too. I was able to stand almost an hour on hard cement floor on Wednesday evening and I did okay. Did my feet hurt later? Yep, but not like they have before.

What I’ve learned is that foot stretches and exercises continue to be an important part of recovery – even a year later. It seems they’ll be a part of my life forever.

I’ve been faithful in doing the stretches morning and night. It doesn’t take too long, but not only are the foot stretches important, but stretching the calf and achilles as well.

I’ve also started going to the chiropractor. I still have pain in my back from the years of walking incorrectly due to the foot pain. The chiropractor won’t be able to whip me into as good as shape as he could someone without my continued foot pain, but he can and has helped me feel better.

On Tuesday I went for a walk at 8am at a local park. Because I’ve been doing my stretches I was able to walk two miles! When I got home I did my stretches. Earlier this summer I walked at Muir Woods and went two miles. At the end of it I could not wait to get off of my feet. This time my foot pain was much less than that!

One thing I can work on now is strengthening my entire body. My muscles have lost a lot of strength from not being able to walk much, especially my legs. A few months ago I went to a music festival – for one day. I wanted to cut my legs off the pain was so bad. My hips and joints really hurt. Everything is weak. My goal is to go for at least a 25 minute walk twice a week. I did it this week and have my days picked for next week. Gotta regain my strength.

I’m glad I had the surgery. I’m learning to be patient with the recovery. It’s still ongoing. At least I hope it is! LOL