First Physiatry Appointment
Today, 24 days after the operation, I went to my first physiatry appointment so that the doctor could prescribe the physiotherapy I will have to do.
In fact, recovery methods differ not only from country to country, they even differ from doctor to doctor.
I told him that I had an appointment with the orthopedist who operated on me at 6 weeks post-surgery, and that he told me I could start physiotherapy from that date.
The physiatrist told me that he respected the orthopedist's opinion but that in his opinion I should start physiotherapy sooner. However, he prescribed physiotherapy from the 6th week, so as not to go against the surgeon's opinion.
Anyway, until my 6-week appointment, he advised me as follows: when resting at home, take off the boot and do some exercises with your toes and your foot itself (pushing forward and backward), so that the calf muscle gets some activity and doesn't remain inactive for 6 weeks. He also advised me not to sleep with the walker boot on, so that my leg can "breathe" and the wound can heal better. Since my foot is swollen, she told me to apply ice and keep my foot elevated to reduce the swelling.
Do any of you see yourselves in this recommendation from the physiatrist?
Is it normal for the foot to still be swollen after 3 weeks?