Some of you will have had the misfortune to use crutches at some point in your life, and therefore you can sympathize with anyone new to this sorry state and trying to cope with the everyday normality of life. It is even more difficult if you cannot put any weight on one foot due to ankle operation and therefore have to jump on crutches. This places an additional burden on the movement. Therefore, it is essential to think carefully before undergoing the operation about the best way to overcome any problems once you now have to maneuver with crutches for a while. We are so used to going through life on two legs and we take restraints for granted just trying to balance on one leg, especially a leg or ankle that has undergone major surgery and is in a cast or boot. It can be even more difficult if you live alone, as trying to cope with everyday tasks will now be limited.

So here are some tips to consider. before you have the operation.

Steps:

1. First of all, inform all your friends, family and neighbors that you are going to the hospital for your operation because once you are home you will be restricted to leading a normal life for a time. Take whatever advice and help is offered, as this will ease some of the burden. Obviously, you will not be able to drive for a while and you will need many outpatient hospital appointments after the operation. So accept any offer of elevators to and from the hospital / clinic.

2. Prepare your home for your return. Cancel any delivery of newspapers / milk, etc. and get someone to take care of any pets you may have. Clean your house from top to bottom / clean new bedding, mow the lawn, etc. You may need to arrange for someone to take over the housework / gardening for a while, as you won’t be able to do any strenuous work inside or outside.

3. Purchases can be made online if you have a computer and are connected to the Internet. But if you don’t have a computer, arrange for someone to shop for you regularly. Make sure your cabinets are stocked with essential items that have a long shelf life so your friends or family only have to buy fresh food when needed.

4. Have a couple of lights set to turn on each night for a few hours while you are away. This will give the impression that the house is not empty. Just a precaution against any suspicious thieves.

5. Leave all curtains / blinds closed so that no one can see inside your property at night when the lights are turned on.

6. Pack a travel bag with the usual toiletries, a change of clothes (ideally a loose tracksuit), comfortable and loose bedding, a book to read, a charged mobile phone to get in touch with family and friends while in the hospital. (Hospitals allow you to use a mobile in the ward). Once you know the neighborhood you will be in, you can contact everyone with details. And it’s great to receive text messages while in the hospital

7. You won’t be able to use your hands to carry anything once you’re on crutches, so keep a lightweight bag on your shoulder so you can carry anything from room to room. Have a thermos to carry coffee or tea, a box with a lid to carry any food.

8. Try to borrow an office chair with wheels so you can swivel (especially good in the kitchen). It just makes life a lot easier and takes the weight off your feet for a while while you perform tasks that would be so difficult to do on crutches.

9. Try to maintain some kind of routine once you get home. Although you will need a lot of rest to recover after any major operation, you must also move for blood circulation to work. Doing some type of daily exercise is also good, although you may be restricted to doing it in a chair.

10. If you have a mobile phone, carry it with you at all times. Keeping it in a fanny pack around your waist out of the ideal way. This is only in case you have any difficulties, that is, you fall down and need to contact someone immediately. Giving a friend who lives nearby or a neighbor an extra set of keys is a tricky option.

11. Have some kind of stool in the bathroom so that you can sit in the bathroom and take a shower. If you have a leg / ankle band-aid, get a plastic cover that is easy to put on and take off your leg to keep it dry while you shower. Never try to stand in the bathtub in case you slip. Also have a shower mat in the tub to prevent slipping when getting in and out of the tub.

A very useful site to find any accessory that makes your life a little more bearable contact essentialaids.com.

Finally, it will seem that you have had to put your life on hold for a while and trying to cope with the everyday choirs has become a real burden, but time will pass quite quickly and you will look back and pat yourself on the back. . you managed so well after all. And before you know it, you’ll be able to throw away those crutches and you’ll be back to normal walking on two legs again like nothing.