As detailed in this thread and mentioned ad nauseam since, I was hit by a car while walking to work and broke my left leg in three places on November 3rd of last year. I was in the hospital for a little over five days, one of which was spent in ICU, and have a rod and three screws in my leg as a result. Originally, I was told that I’d be able to walk somewhat six to eight weeks after the accident but I was doubtful when given the prognosis and wound up being correct… Christmas and New Year’s Day came and went with me still in a wheelchair but I have evidently been getting healthier and stronger with each passing day because today, when I stood up to get something, I accidentally shifted too much weight to my injured leg and only had a momentary wince of pain.
Taking that as an omen, I thought I’d test it out and then grabbed my keys and the bag of garbage waiting to be taken out and then walked outside, first to the dumpster about thirty yards from my doorway, then to the mailbox another twenty yards further, and finally back to my apartment, all without a wheelchair, walker, or any other stabilizing element except the occasional outstretched hand.
It was pretty easy and my leg doesn’t hurt at all afterwards but it did tire me out. I’ve been mostly immobile with only my arms getting any appreciable amount of exercise for the past three months so I’m obviously (even more) out of shape so I’m going to have to take these little walks slowly and spaced out over hours or even days but it feels great to even be able to do this at all.
Congratulations! I understand how you feel. I was hit by a car in October '03, resulting in a “greenstick fracture” (split tibia? my PeeChee with all that crap is away from its usual spot, so I can’t confirm the bone) and a torn MCL. I was only laid up for about a month; once I started physical therapy and was able to bend my knee enough, driving (first and foremost!) came easily enough. Getting over the anxiety to walk without crutches took a few days, but once it did I was ecstatic. (Mostly because you get a lot of sympathetic door holders when you’re limping along at .5 mile per hour. ;))*
*I’m not trying to steal your thunder. Just trying to show that I’m being sincere. Yeah, I’m insecure… why do you ask?
Nope. I finally got clearance from my doctor to put more than 10% weight on my leg right before New Year’s and I had my very last visit from my physical therapist about three days after the first, telling me that the other guy’s insurance could no longer pay her.
By the way, when I checked my mail, my birthday present from you was waiting on me. Both it and the card were very appropiate.
Not at all. This thread is obviously a little conceited but not to the point where I’m going to chase you down in my wheelchair for relating your own setbacks. If anything, it jars me back to reality and makes me realize other people have been through similar ordeals and that I shouldn’t pity myself so much.
Since I know nothing about where you live, is there a public swimming pool nearby, like maybe a Y or a school? Swimming is an excellent way to exercise a bad leg without strain, assuming you have no exterior hardware…
There’s an aquatic center about a mile north of here but I have no way to get there or to afford its exorbitant fees.
Plus, I don’t know how to swim and even if I did, the intersection I’d have to cross to get there is the one I broke my leg while walking across at normal speed. Imagine what would happen if I tried limping across or getting there in a wheelchair or walker.
You don’t have to swim to exercise the leg in a pool. I have arthritis and walk laps in a pool. It works the muscles without as much weight on the joints. Some places have water aerobic classes, too. ]
I know that money and travel to get to a pool can be tricky. Do you know anyone with a pool at their apartment? Maybe the pt nurse knows somewhere with a pool.
I’d been wondering about your mobility. Were you ever able to get any p.t.?