Orthopedic Follow-Up
On Monday, Dad had a follow-up appointment with his orthopedic surgeon (the one who operated on his feet and ankles). The doctor said Dad's right foot still needs more time to heal before being able to put weight on it. He'll be able to begin weight-bearing after October 1st, at which point he'll enroll in an aggressive outpatient therapy program.
The surgeon's assessment of Dad's limited mobility in his right leg was that it is not due to muscular injury or atrophy but to nerve damage from Dad's spinal injury. Only time will tell whether the nerves will heal to the extent that will allow Dad full control of his leg again.
To review, he is able to lift and move his left leg independently, including lateral and circular movements. He cannot raise his right leg independently; however, if someone else lifts it up for him he is able to move it laterally. He can also contribute to vertical or circular movements by flexing his right quad, but it's not enough to raise the leg himself.
He can wiggle and slightly rotate his right ankle independently. After someone else has taken his left ankle through some range of motion exercises, he can also wiggle that ankle on his own, but as far as I know he cannot circle his left ankle on his own yet. His ankles and toes are quite stiff before being passively exercised by someone else, but afterward he always has greater flexibility and independent movement.
For now, he'll continue to do his usual therapy exercises on his own (with help from family) at home until October 1st. His strength continues to increase, and he can do most of his transfers and personal care on his own. He mainly only needs help to get dressed. He's still wheelchair bound and probably will be for quite some time, but his independence within those limits is much greater than when he came home last month.
Dad isn't discouraged by the continued waiting for "progress" to take place. He is content to spend his time with people and enjoying singing and studying the Bible as much as he can. Here he is at a Bible study Monday night, which he insisted on going to even though the long doctor's appointment had worn him out. In Mom's words, in this picture he is "Tucked in to stay warm, leaned back for comfort, and praising the Lord."
The surgeon's assessment of Dad's limited mobility in his right leg was that it is not due to muscular injury or atrophy but to nerve damage from Dad's spinal injury. Only time will tell whether the nerves will heal to the extent that will allow Dad full control of his leg again.
To review, he is able to lift and move his left leg independently, including lateral and circular movements. He cannot raise his right leg independently; however, if someone else lifts it up for him he is able to move it laterally. He can also contribute to vertical or circular movements by flexing his right quad, but it's not enough to raise the leg himself.
He can wiggle and slightly rotate his right ankle independently. After someone else has taken his left ankle through some range of motion exercises, he can also wiggle that ankle on his own, but as far as I know he cannot circle his left ankle on his own yet. His ankles and toes are quite stiff before being passively exercised by someone else, but afterward he always has greater flexibility and independent movement.
For now, he'll continue to do his usual therapy exercises on his own (with help from family) at home until October 1st. His strength continues to increase, and he can do most of his transfers and personal care on his own. He mainly only needs help to get dressed. He's still wheelchair bound and probably will be for quite some time, but his independence within those limits is much greater than when he came home last month.
Dad isn't discouraged by the continued waiting for "progress" to take place. He is content to spend his time with people and enjoying singing and studying the Bible as much as he can. Here he is at a Bible study Monday night, which he insisted on going to even though the long doctor's appointment had worn him out. In Mom's words, in this picture he is "Tucked in to stay warm, leaned back for comfort, and praising the Lord."
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