I'm Having foot surgery, I need some ideas~

J

jenkerr1

0
I will be having foot surgery next week (see my post under injuries in regards to doing cardio with a foot injury) which will result in being on crutches for 3 weeks and then wearing a walking boot for 12 weeks. I will basically not be able to put any pressure on my foot for the 3 weeks while on crutches and then have to wear the boot for 12 weeks at all times. I'm really concerned about this because I am very active and I dont want to get lazy during this down time. Prior to finding out about my foot injury I worked out with a personal trainer 3 times a week and ran 3-5 times per week.

Basically i will just be able to work my upper body and abs, with the possibility of doing leg exercises on the floor only.

Does anyone have any suggestions for continuing my weight training during this time? Weight trainin will be my only form of exercise. I will probably be doing all my weight activity for my upper body at home so I"m just looking for ideas so I dont get bored and just give up.

Thanks!!
 
You might be surprised at the cardio you get or can get while you're on crutches.

Good luck with it and with the surgery--hope the recovery goes well!
 
I don't know if the weather would allow (depends on if you are in ND or NY vs AZ orTX) but you could get some great cardio/resistance training with a canoe or kayak. And it would get you out of the house - it really is beautiful and stress relieving.

I weight train, but can't think of any "exciting" upper body routines that wouldn't get dull after a few weeks.

Remember to keep your core strong too, so when you are resting your upper body, maybe you could do some specific core strengthening exercises.

Bummer about your foot, Hope everything works out and you heal well (& quick).
 
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Thanks for the replies! I'm in MO and i might be able to do some canoeing, which is a great idea! I hadnt thought of that. Towards the end of May I will have access to a pool also so I plan to use that as well.

I'll see what happens on the crutches! :D
 
I thought the kayaking/canoeing idea was really great too. If you're on gentle waters, then you should be able to get a great workout. Good luck!

Someone should write a book about the best ways to get cardio during the healing phases like this.
 
jenkerr1 said:
Thanks for the replies! I'm in MO and i might be able to do some canoeing, which is a great idea! I hadnt thought of that. Towards the end of May I will have access to a pool also so I plan to use that as well.

I'll see what happens on the crutches! :D
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Being on crutches is a hell of a workout. Just don't slip like I did when I was on crutches! It sounds like an obvious caution but there are surfaces that don't seem slippery but are when you are balancing on two sticks. For example I fell down cause the paint on the asphalt in the parking lot was slippery. I also fell down the stairs while on crutches cause I had gotten cocky and was in the habit of going down two at a time. So just be careful!

Also, be careful in a canoe as they are really easy to tip over. Maybe just stick to a lake or pond. No moving water. Just a thought. I just think it would be god awful to fall into water with an injured foot.

Best of luck!

~Nicole
 
Thanks for the great pointers! It's little things like what you suggested that I'm worried about!

I'm also looking forward to the pool because i feel like that might be the safest and easiest to deal with!
 
I'm not sure if you will be doing physical therapy at some point, but when you do they can give you some good pointers too, especially floor exercises for the legs to get you back to normal faster. They may also have a rowing machine which would be good cardio for you (especially if you have a leg cast you cant get wet.) And of course, the pool is, in my opinion, one of the best workouts ever!

Best of luck to you! I have been in your position before and it isn't fun.
 
Yes being on crutches will be a workout in itself. I had foot surgery and was moving around on crutches or a walker. Wall pushes for upperbody to keep arms strong, chin ups, pilates with a medicine ball. Are you a member of a gym so you could have access to some of the cable weight training machines? Best of luck to you with foot (don't get discourage - healing takes a long time, I know.)
 
Thanks for all the responses!! I had the surgery and I have to say it has been much harder than i thought. Since it was on my heel bone, I've been really scared with the crutches because I felt so unstable. And of course your first instinct when you start to fall is to put your foot down! I ended up getting a walker with wheels and I just rest my knee on the seat. It seems to work a little better because I feel more stable. But I did find out that I have to be off my foot for 6 weeks, not 3 so that kind of has me bummed out. Now that I'm finally off the pain meds I"m going to try to do some floor exercises. I'm getting a good upper body workout using the walker!
 
I can totally relate to what you are going through. I was not able to work out for almost 3 months because I have a condition called ostheochondritis. It can be really frustrating to the point of anger when you depend on a couple of crutches or even other people to do your activities. Hang in there time flies and soon you will be able to get back to your normal activities. As other people mentioned walking with crutches is a great exercise!!! I noticed it....not only a cardio, you strenghten your arms and you can also focus on your abs.

You will feel better if you keep a positive mind if you keep in mind that your condition is not permanent!!! Best of luck on your recovery!!!!
 
jenkerr1 said:
Thanks for all the responses!! I had the surgery and I have to say it has been much harder than i thought. Since it was on my heel bone, I've been really scared with the crutches because I felt so unstable. And of course your first instinct when you start to fall is to put your foot down! I ended up getting a walker with wheels and I just rest my knee on the seat. It seems to work a little better because I feel more stable. But I did find out that I have to be off my foot for 6 weeks, not 3 so that kind of has me bummed out. Now that I'm finally off the pain meds I"m going to try to do some floor exercises. I'm getting a good upper body workout using the walker!
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Crutches are scary at first! I had to use a walker too when I first broke my pelvis. But I had stairs in my apartment and a walker just didn't work well so after a couple days of being home I had to use my crutches. You'll get used to it I promise! Soon it will just be like walking. And while you're hung up for the next 6 weeks just spend lots of time on this forum :D

~Nicole
 
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