Physical Therapy for foot?

Question:

I fell 17 days ago on my left foot. Basically I feel on high heels and hurt my foot. X-rays are normal and the doctor is telling me that I stretched and tore (but not severely) the ligaments in my foot. I am not supposed to bear any weight and am on crutches. I am trying to get back on my feet asap as I am an athlete and my training for my water polo team starts in a few weeks. I was wondering if any knows of any home physical therapy that is not weight bearing that I can do to shorten my recovery time and get me back in the water. Thanks!

Answers:
Seems like your doctor is going about it very conservatively...so either your doctor is a very cautious doctor or you have an injury that requires you to immobilize the ankle to allow healing. Maybe you should ask your doctor if PT is a good idea right now and if so to refer you to a PT so that you can do it under the supervision of the PT and not make things worse.

Try a vibrator with a heating component on it. There are foot warmers that fit like boots over you feet. Both of these wiil inprove blood flow and enhance healing. Mix 100% DMSO half and half with 100 % Aloe Vera juice(allantoin, a chemical in Aloe Vera actually doubles to triples cell division, increasing healing times), and rub on the foot twice a day, using only your bare hands or a clean rag-DMSO acts as a carrier so may carry many things through the skin. DMSO also reduces swelling and inlammation. visit my website newsletter at naturescorner.com for other information.

There is a reason why your doctor made you non-weight bearing at this point...no foot exercise until he says otherwise. I would continue to focus on your upper body...if you have access to a gym I would suggest swimming with a pool bouey (no kicking) or an upper body ergometer (kind of like a bike for the arms).

Your best way to speed up your recovery is by following the advice of the doctor.

Physical Therapy for foot?

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