This past Thursday, 4/11, I had an appointment at Floyd Brace. I always look forward to my appointments because usually it only means good things are going to happen. A new socket that will feel better, or a new sleeve that won't tear up every couple of weeks, or an extra liner that means I don't have to wear a wet one after my run. This day I did get a new socket but also the news I was finally getting my running blade (foot) soon, very soon.
At first Larry Wiley, my CP, mentioned a junior foot might be used due to the length of my residual limb. A junior foot is shorter than a full size foot and does not have as much energy return, so I was unhappy with this development. I did go through a number of conversations prior to my surgery to get my residual limb at the optimal length meaning I could have a long limb and wear the best running foot.
*******
On Valentine's Day Jennifer and I ran the first 3 miles of my long run together, and then parted as she went to fetch Baxter for one more mile whereas I had 4 more to go, having done one warm-up mile on the treadmill. I could tell the new socket was not fitting nearly as well as the old one, which is not unusual except this one was not taken from a new casting but rather from the previous one. I noticed some discomfort behind my knee and just below the kneecap itself.
Socket fitting is not unlike a new brand of running shoes you try for the first time. Sometimes you find a problem right away and sometimes it takes a couple of weeks for a hot spot to emerge that you wouldn't otherwise notice. In the amputee universe, usually this means a trip back to the prosthetist's office for adjustment(s) if socks can't easily be used to make the fit better.
I had to stop several times to monkey with my socks and could not maintain a comfortable fit, finally feeling a raw spot developing on my knee and deciding to quit before I bloodied myself. My long run of 8 miles was cut 3/4 mi short, but I had to do it or risk lengthy downtime. No thank you! My mileage for the week was 31, which is okay for now plus I am still having no trouble with the Achilles.
*******
On Monday, 4/16, I was able to get back to Larry to have the new socket adjusted. After a couple of reheating/reshaping efforts it felt really good. Shortly after I returned to my office I got a call from Larry's assistant Anna, who said my running foot had arrived! I was so excited that I don't know if I was making any sense to her, but I gathered she understood why. Hope so anyway.
Larry then sent me the picture at left, but even in my exuberant state I noticed a poke in the eye: the foot did not look like the C-Sprint. I immediately compared it to the Otto Bock webpage and was nearly certain, unless it was the camera angle, that this foot was the Sprinter.
So today, Tuesday, I had it confirmed Larry was sent the wrong foot and he's in the process of getting it exchanged for the correct one. I am hoping a C-Sprint will be in stock at my weight classification; if not I would think it will be next week before I am able to get it. We have a 5k race on 2/27 and I was hoping to be able to race with it then, but I will need some time to learn how to run properly with Jato as I've been told it will be "different." The main thing, I think, is to make sure I don't get lazy or lose my concentration and drop my knee in the swing phase, where I might drag the tip on the ground and then see the pavement approaching my nose at a high velocity.
*******
This is the last piece of my missing puzzle, the one thing that will allow me to run the best I can as an amputee. It will be worth the wait to get it right, and although I am disappointed they shipped the wrong foot, it is only going to be a few days difference. Disappointment would be never running again. I faced that, so I can be patient now.
Well let's just say I'm making a mighty effort.
No comments:
Post a Comment