It was delivered to me in a small box with a demonstration on how to use it.  Once a day, at the same time or thereabouts, I was to use the equipment to assist my bones in healing more thoroughly.  The bone graft and the bone fusion had healed in my foot, but they were not as strong as the doctor would like to see them be at this point in my post op care.

This gadget straps to your foot and its an ultrasound technology.  So, just like the ultrasound you get in the doctor’s office, you put a glob of the jell they use to help with conduction between the skin and the ultrasound wave that is transmitted by the machine.  For 30 minutes I sit with the thing strapped to my foot for the process to take place.

First time I tried it, I thought, hmmm how could this possibly work?  I had nothing to lose, and plenty of down time on my hands so what the heck let’s give it a try!

Some 5 weeks into therapy I ran out of referral times to continue according to the initial referral approved by my insurance.  This in and of itself was not a huge deal, but it did put a damper on my progress as I navigated the insurance world and attempted to get my trips to the p.t. office extended.  The doctor said I would need at least 10 more sessions.  After several calls to my primary care physician, my podiatrist and finally through my physical therapist the extension was granted and I was scheduled to start again.

I was reminded that my new foot, bionic in nature, was no small thing to integrate into my life.  Both my therapist and my podiatrist discussed with me not to be discouraged because we were 3 1/2 months post surgery and it would take time for me to regain all use and function. Slowly I was becoming more mobile and with every gain I thought, ok, now I can finally move on from this rehab adventure.  Not so!

Mobility is relative.  For example from the days of the wheel chair I was running a marathon.  From the days of the knee scooter, I could now walk upright and though I limped, I thought…great!  Crutches, while giving me more mobility, had limitations.  Like, how do I carry things when I am using two crutches to move?  Or, in the alternative, when only using one, the hobbling was more lopsided and everything I carried —especially liquid—-spilled as a result!

More mobility…well while on the way, still a long way to go to get back to two shoes and no more limping!