Any physical therapists on DU today? I need a clue

[HereSince1628]

My S.O. had surgery last Monday on her right foot to reduce a bunyon and realign several toes.
She's got pins and fusions and incisions and is in a cast to her knee. Her instructions are to put no weight on her foot.

Our problem is she hasn't figured out how to get up from being seated on the toilet by herself using only one foot. To me it doesn't seem that she is shifting her weight forward enough to get up. When I hold the crutches she CAN get up but I can feel her weight pulling backwards as she does it.

We're at an impasse, she's frustrated and tired of me telling her to lean forward over her good leg. I don't know how to advise her so she can be independent.

Although I've been with her at home all week I've got to return to teaching Monday morning and she'll obviously need to go and come from the bathroom. I don't want her trapped in the bathroom until I get back after work.

[maddezmom]

1. maybe you can go to the drugstore for one of those higher potty seats

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/shelf?deptid=2227&catid=2308&subcatid=2354

Had to get one for my father in-law after he wrecked his ankle.

Good luck. :hi:

[emilyg]

3. Get a porta-potty and maybe put some pillows on her chair to raise her.

[HereSince1628]

5. Thanks I had no idea there were such things.

I'll need to see if either of the nearby drugstores have them.

[bluerum]

11. Yes. Drug stores have all kinds of assistive devices like this. You can

also get some rails the bolt on to the toilet and let you push off with your arms.

[yardwork]

2. Call her doctor and put them on the phone together.

[HereSince1628]

4. Yeah, I expect that connection could happen by the middle of the week.

Thanks.

[silverlib]

6. My daughter is a physical therapist...

i don't know if this is much help, as I don't know her weight or her age, but normally she would use a one leg stance and push up with both hands on the toilet seat or something like the counter tops with one hand (both hands if counter tops are available on both sides) and the other hand on the toilet seat. Otherwise railing of some sort on both sides of the toilet would be the only other option she could suggest.

Does that help, or just make the whole situation more frustrating? I've had foot surgery before and it is the most painful surgery I have ever had. I hope she recovers soon.

[HereSince1628]

8. Unfortunately the physical layout of the bathroom doesn't involve counters

anywhere near the toilet...but thanks.

[Warpy]

7. Not a physical therapist here but a sometimes gimp

and she needs to shift her weight bearing foot back toward the toilet, push up with her weight bearing leg and pull herself up with a crutch at the same time. Trying to get up with her foot directly in front of her is not going to work. In any case, it's going to take some practice.

Another thing that will help her tremendously right now (and I'm surprised she wasn't sent home with it) is a "hi-jon." It's a plastic seat that sits on top of the toilet bowl and raises the seat height by 5 inches. You'd be amazed by what that increase in seat height can do for body mechanics. You can get those at big box stores with pharmacies and at most big chain drug stores, just call ahead and make sure one is in stock.

In any case, get the seat today so she'll have a couple of days to practice before you go back to school. Otherwise, it's going to be Depends, and nobody wants THAT.

On edit: the only other thing I can think of is a bar either next to the toilet or (ideally) on the opposite wall that she can use to pull herself up.

[HereSince1628]

10. Thanks

[LiberalHeart]

9. Something that helped my Mom....

I'm not a PT, but this might help:

Add a higher seat to the toilet. They're plastic and add several inches of height to the seat making it a lot easier to get both up and down. All you do is put it on top of your current toilet seat.

A walker (withOUT wheels) might also help her pull herself up.

The add-on for toilets can cost as little as about $30 and is available at places like WalGreen's. Also in hospital supply stores, but it costs more there. You can about 4" to the height of the seat and that makes a big difference. I've also seen some that add 7".

Added: I see that by the time I got my post written several others chimed in with the same suggestion, so hey, it must work!

[theoldman]

12. There are some bars that you can buy that attach to the

toilet seat. It makes the toilet like an arm chair and you use the arms to raise your self up. If you are too much over weight or do not have much strength in your arms it will not work. BTW, at any rate you have to lean forward to get your weight on that one leg.

[HereSince1628]

14. Thanks

[Mel]

13. high rise potty.... places to look if your on a tight budget

thrift stores or Craig's list I found one for my mate (knee surgery & broken leg) at the thrift store for $7.00 good luck to you both!

BTW the reason we got one from the thrift store our crappy insurance United Health Care would not cover it and the cost out of pocket would of been around $168.00! That potty is going to a friend that's going to have knee surgery again and has the same lousy insurance we have it's the least we can do.

[HereSince1628]

15. Thank-you everyone...I'm off in search of a booster seat.

[hedda_foil]

16. Get a walker too while you're at it.

It will help her get up much more easily than the crutches. I broke my pelvis earlier this year and the walker was a godsend for standing up from a seated position. She may find it easier to use than the crutches in getting around the house too, but that very much depends on the individual. They're pretty cheap at Walgreen's too and you should be able to find used ones at any thrift store.

[HereSince1628]

17. I promoted that but she refuses to use one, refused to even try one.

I honestly think it has more to do with her associating them with seniors in nursing homes than anything else.

[HereSince1628]

18. Update...success on the first attempt to stand from the booster seat!

Thanks again, to everyone! That restored an important bit of dignity for the S.O.