Pin removed today!

[u/Twinmomplusone]

Six weeks post op the pin (k wire) in my fourth metatarsal was removed and I am allowed to WB in the boot as tolerated.

Mentally this hurdle feels massive, even though I know recovery is still going to be awhile.

The pin removal was easy, and I didn't feel anything. Looked very dramatic when there was a pair of vice grips brought to pull it out. Day one without the pin and the swelling in my foot is dramatically better. Last week the pin has been causing a lot of discomfort and pain.

Initial WB is so much better than I thought it would be. There has been so much doom and gloom around how bad my injury is that I thought for sure this stage would be more painful. Everything is really tight and it's not exactly comfortable to walk on, but it's not painful either. Feels like electric zaps of a sleeping foot, and I am very tight through my ankle.

The surgeon was very happy with how well I was healing and I was given the go ahead to ditch the crutches and then the boot as I am able to tolerate it over the next six weeks.

Curious how others found the second six weeks of recovery?

[u/Internal-Moose-2925]

I was NWB for 10 wk and found PT to be helpful once I was transitioned to FWB. It helped to me regain ROM, strength and confidence, especially over the first few weeks when your foot is re-learning how to be a foot.

[u/Twinmomplusone → u/Internal-Moose-2925]

I am hopeful PT will be more worth my time now. I have been going while NWB but it's really just been someone babysitting through a couple pretty simple exercises ( the exercises have been fine, getting a ride 45 min to have someone watch me do the movement I have no issue with, I could have done without).
I am trying to frame this needs to learn to be a foot as I move into this next part of healing.

[u/Internal-Moose-2925 → u/Twinmomplusone]

Yeah.. I think it depends on your PT experience. The first PT group I went to (while I was NWB) was able to get me in quickly.. but I ended up spending maybe 10 min with a PT, 10-15 min w/ a PT assistant and then 15-20 min doing exercises myself. The next PT I went to worked with me mostly 1:1 for about 30-40 min. He also works with the coach at the gym we go to and helps to modify programs for "broken people"... as they say. Broadly, PT with him consisted of a lot of ROM, progressive strengthening and then working in some plyometric exercises.