PHYSICAL THERAPY

My mind flooded with memories of childhood activities today. The connection may seem weird but it was my first day of actual physical therapy. It was what they asked me to do that stirred the mind.

First they put me on a stationary bike for ten minutes. All that triggered was that I used to do this often when I had a “Y” membership. Never once thought of riding my bike as a kid. I had doubts I could make it for ten minutes but I surprised myself and actually enjoyed the movement. It didn’t hurt my hip or left foot.

Then they took me over to some parallel bars that were there only to catch me if I lost my balance. I needed the bars often. They started me on one inch thick and 18-inch square of form and all I was asked to do was stand still. Ha! Like I could. My feet wobbled and I leaned from one side to the other. Interestingly I did not go back and forth. I kept leaning to my right. It reminded me of standing on the bed with my younger brother and each of us trying to get the other to lose their balance. That activity was often a tie.

Then they laid out a strip of foam approximately the width of a cement block. I could see all the retaining walls I walked on, ran on and the step opening I jumped over. Of course those were solid. This time I could not do it. When I would place my left foot in front and needed to swing my right foot to the front I would lose my balance. I never made that transition once. I could move the other way. That was the first time I was aware I used my right foot for balance. It as just a suspicion at first, but the next event convinced me.

They placed a balance board in front of me. It was a square board with an air pocket between the board and the floor. They could make the supporting ball soft or hard, the softer the ball the harder to balance. At least I felt successful. My left foot never moved and I used the right one to keep my balance. I was now absolutely convinced my right leg was doing most of the work because it began to hurt. No wonder my right hip gives out first.

I loved the next board. It rocked from side to side. My dad made me a roller board in my early years. It was a round smooth log with a groove around the middle. On top of the log was placed a flat board with a rail through the middle that fit in the groove. You could rock to your hearts content from side to side. Again, they wanted me to try and stand still. My right leg began to give out, but I smiled at the memories.

It’s confirmed. My tired old left foot is giving out from over use and wear and tear. I have tended to walk on the outside edge all my life and it can no longer take the weight. Its nothing that losing 100# might not cure. I think for the first time I understood why every ankle sprain was on the left. Attempts at ice-skating or inline skating all ended by falling with that foot turning in and me falling. I laughed and passed it off as clumsy. I always accepted the twisted foot. I limped and walked just like dad. How bad could that be? I still feel that way. I can walk and I will soon have a brace to straighten that ankle and I will now have a new thing on which to blame all my problems. Until now I used old age. It will be nice to branch out.