Week 6 - Back to running

The recovery is very very slow now. I hardly can see any change since last weekend. I saw my orthopaedic surgeon a few days ago, he looked at the foot and nodded his head when I told him that I was still unable to run. He said that arthritis in my joint is really bad, and I may need a fusion if I suffer a lot of pain, but for the moment the joint is fully functional, and there should be some improvement over the next few months. So let's see how it is going. I will be in the gym today and will try slow jogging for a few minutes.

***

Back from the gym: success!!! I managed to run up to 7 mph, I tried only for a few minutes - the first time since the surgery - but it was OK and I think I could easily make a few miles. Back to running now!

Week 5 - Long haul flights

Very slow improvement. Working on the mobility of the big toe, still quite restricted - especially the (plantar) flexion. And still quite swollen. Swimming helps a lot. Survived a week's travel to Europe, eight flights, driving from one country to another. Seeing my orthopaedic surgeon this week, let's see what he says.

Days 25-26 - Back to proper shoes

Massive progress! Yesterday I noticed that one of the scabs on the site of one of the stitches stubbornly remained in place (while all others were gone). A closer investigation revealed that black thing to be one of the stitches itself. I got it out, it was about 15 mm long.

Today I got up with much less swollen toe, and I managed to put on my best shoes - no discomfort at all! The piece of the stitch must have been responsible for it.

I am glad to be able to look normal now.

Days 23-24 - Back to running shoes (but not running yet)

Nothing new. The recovery is now slow. The joint is still quite swollen, yet I was able to put on my normal running shoes when I went to the gym last Sunday. But nice formal shoes are still a no-no - very uncomfortable.

I swim every day, which helps improve my range of movement, albeit very slowly. But, overall, my daily functioning is practically normal - running is the only thing I cannot do.

Days 20-22 - Not worse than before the surgery

I am getting a much better range of movements. It feels like the previously contracted muscles, protecting the joint against painful flexion/extension, have now given up. Some pain when I am forcing the bending, but nothing particular. Actually less than before the surgery, and I have found that now I do not remember that I had the surgery - unless I start thinking of it.

I am very sorry to see so many posts from people having significant problems after a similar procedure; I am lucky, or perhaps being in good shape before the surgery helps - who knows.