Author: Sharon Howard

I made it through my pre-running plyometrics week and I am on to the next phase of return to running! The pace of progression in this return to running program is slow, but it is meant to really get you started in a healthy way, allowing your body to adapt to the load of running….Read More

Any time you are recovering from an injury, the final phases of rehabilitation are often the most overlooked, yet crucial. The same is true in my case with my ankle rehab exercises. While I am not very functional, even consider myself highly active once again, there is another level to work on beyond the traditional…Read More

This past week was pretty eventful in my life and my rehab. Thursday, I decided to celebrate my birthday by getting in 1000 steps/year of my life. I hope I can still do this when I am 50, 60, 70…. But even if not, 37,000 steps was quite the accomplishment considering the long road it…Read More

I feel like this past week was really a change in the right direction as far as my ankle is concerned. For the first time since surgery, I was able to walk down the stairs without noticing how tight my left ankle was compared to my right. It was super shocking to me and I…Read More

This week was exciting and discouraging all at the same time. I was super excited to be able to start some light plyometrics (jumping, super slow jogging), but was reminded at how far I have yet to go when I actually did them. My ankle felt pretty stiff and a bit sore, but not painful….Read More

As a physical therapist, there are a couple of things that I have found really interesting as I have worked with patients who had recently had surgery. Now, as the patient myself, I am finding these same phenomena within my own body, though I really wasn’t thinking about these things until I experienced them myself….Read More

I made it to six weeks post-op! I had a couple of exciting marks this week: I finally can sleep without anything on my feet again! I walked beyond my driveway (probably about ½ mile total- nothing too crazy) for the first time in 6 weeks with my kids and it was so glorious to…Read More

Finally, I made it to “Phase 2” of my rehab, which means I can start progressing into these things: 5-8 weeks: Goals: Full weight bearing without boot (hurray to wean out of the boot!), using brace with minimal swelling, Full plantar flexion/dorsiflexion ROM Progress closed chain exercises- weight shifting Resisted DF/PF- theraband, seated, double leg…Read More

So, this week is a bit of a little lull in my progression as I am already doing everything I am allowed to do for this phase, but I still have another week before I can start doing the next phase. I am finding things easier and less painful as the days go on, so…Read More

I feel like I have turned a corner, though I am still wearing the boot 24/7, I am getting more and more functional in the boot. I can now walk without crutches, though the awkwardness of the boot still doesn’t allow for a very comfortable walk. I am enjoying getting back to more challenging exercises….Read More