You will need to push your body up with your arms NOT your feet!
1. Buy a raised toilet seat "with arms" (at any medical supply store) OR Toilet Safety Rails. Safety rails can be purchased at http://www.shopgetorganized.com/
2. Only sit in a sturdy arm chair like a dining room chair (No cushy chairs as your body sinks down and it is harder to push your body up with your arms from a lower position).
3. When getting out of bed push off from the footboard (if you have one) at the bottom of the bed or push on your night stand to raise your body.
4. For The First 2 Weeks After Surgery stay in bed with your injured foot "raised above your heart". (Stack pillows under your foot) Keep ice on your cast or bandage. Only get up to go to the bathroom or to eat. The Turning Leg Caddy should be used to get you to both of these activities immediately upon arriving home. If you stay overnight in a hospital bring it to the hospital for the Physical Therapists to work with you in the hospital. There is NO need for Crutches, Walker or a Wheelchair.
5. When your doctor tells you you are able to put "a little weight" on your foot over a period of several weeks (25 pounds first week, 50 pounds second week, 100 pounds 3rd week to then be full weight bearing), there is no need to hassel with crutches. Just turn the platform around to line up with the other side, put your good knee on the platform and graduated weights on the healing foot to push the caddy. It is so much easier than crutches and with the caddy nothing slows you down!
6. All of us at On The Move Mobility have had ankle surgery and have used the Turning Leg Caddy for recovery. Call us at 877-97-STEER (877-977-8337) for more tips!
Additional Products I Used for Recovery
DryCast, Cast Blast & Cast Sock: http://www.drycast.com/ DryCast- waterproof cast cover for shower or bath. Cast Blast- relief of itch, odor or moisture in your cast. Cast Sock - Cover your exposed toes in summer and winter. Pedor Shoes: http://www.pedors.com/ When you are ready to walk again your foot may still be swollen, these shoes are made of neoprene so they stretch and conform to your foot. Light weight, machine washable, and you can insert custom orthotics. They are even sold as "single" shoes for a perfect fit on both feet. My favorites are Sneakers, Euro Clogs and Mary Janes. My husband loves the Oxford Lace Ups.
Nutrition & Weight Management
Losing weight before or after surgery can be very difficult since the sedentary lifestyle of painful feet or ankles will slow your metabolism. Call to learn how to change your lifestyle without being on a diet. Speed up your metabolism and lose weight. After my surgery I lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks.
We carry a full line of vitamin supplements and weight management products called "Transitions" to help you feel terrific. The nutrition product "Isotonix OPC3" if taken daily before surgery and during healing, fights free radicals, improves circulation and promotes anti-inflammatory activity. Check out all the products at:
http://www.shopeverywherenow.com/ Click on Health and Nutrition on the left side of the home page to see all the products. To purchase, register on the site in the top right corner "Sign In". Now you can order directly from this site. Please call if you have any questions 877-977-8337
Transitions Vanilla Shake Recipe: Frozen Pina Colada
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Contact us to order a turning leg caddy, which is essentially a knee scooter that will help injured patients with mobility.
