Some of you will have had the misfortune of using crutches at some point in your life and can therefore sympathize with anyone new to this sorry state and trying to cope with the everyday normality of life. It’s even more difficult if you can’t put weight on one foot due to ankle surgery and therefore have to jump on crutches. This puts an additional load on the movement. Therefore, it is essential to think carefully before having the operation about how best to overcome any problems once you now have to maneuver on crutches for a while. We are so used to going through life on two legs and take restrictions for granted just trying to balance on one leg, especially a leg or ankle that has had a major operation and is in a cast or boot. It can be even more difficult if you live alone, as trying to cope with daily tasks will now be limited.
So here are some tips to consider. before you have the operation
Steps:
1. First of all, please inform all your friends, family and neighbors that you are going to the hospital for your operation because once at home, you will be restricted to lead a normal life for a while. Take any advice and help that is offered, as this will lighten some of the burden. Obviously, you won’t be able to drive for a while and will need many outpatient hospital appointments after the operation. So accept any offer for elevators to and from the hospital/clinic.
2. Prepare your home for your return. Cancel any newspaper/milk deliveries etc. and get someone to care for any pets you may have. Clean your house from top to bottom/clean new bedding, mow the lawn, etc. You may need to arrange for someone to do the housework/gardening for a while, as you won’t be able to do any strenuous work inside or outside.
3. Purchases can be made online if you have a computer and are connected to the Internet. But if you don’t have a computer, arrange to have someone regularly do the shopping for you. Make sure your cupboards are stocked with essentials that have a long shelf life so friends or family only have to buy fresh groceries when needed.
4. Have a couple of lights that are scheduled to come on each night for a few hours while you’re away. This will give the impression that the house is not empty. Just a precaution against any suspected thieves.
5. Leave all curtains/blinds closed so that no one can see into your property at night when the lights come on.
6. Pack a travel bag with the usual toiletries, a change of clothes (ideally a loose tracksuit), loose comfortable bedding, a book to read, a charged mobile phone to keep in touch with relatives and friends while you are in the hospital. (hospitals allow you to use a mobile in the room). Once you know the room you’ll be in, you can contact everyone with details. And it’s great to receive text messages while you’re in the hospital.
7. You won’t be able to use your hands to carry anything once you’re on crutches, so have a lightweight shoulder bag so you can carry anything from room to room. Have a thermos to carry coffee or tea, a box with a lid to carry any food.
8. Try to borrow an office chair with wheels so you can swivel (especially good in the kitchen). It just makes life so much easier and takes the weight off your feet for a while while you perform tasks that would be so difficult to do with crutches.
9. Try to maintain some kind of routine once you return home. Although you will need plenty of rest to recover after any major operation, you also need to move around to keep your blood circulation working. Getting some sort of daily exercise is also good, although you may be restricted to doing it in a chair.
10. If you have a mobile phone, keep it with you at all times. Keeping it in a fanny pack around the waist so it doesn’t get in the way is ideal. This is just in case you have any difficulties, ie you fall and need to contact someone immediately. Giving a nearby friend or neighbor an extra set of keys is a sensible choice.
11. Have some sort of stool in the bathroom so you can sit in the bathroom to shower. If you have a cast on your leg/ankle, get a plastic cover that is easy to put on and take off your leg to keep you dry while showering. Never try to stand up in the bath in case you slip. Also have a shower mat in the tub to prevent slipping when getting in and out of the tub.
A very useful site to find any supplement that makes your life a little more bearable, contact essentialaids.com.
Finally, it will seem like you’ve had to put your life on hold for a while and trying to cope with the choruses of the day has become a real burden, but time will pass pretty quickly and you’ll look back and pat yourself on the back. . you managed so well after all. And before you know it you’ll be able to throw away those crutches and you’ll be back to walking on two legs as if nothing ever happened.