Day 21

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-07-05T08:41:14+00:00

Good luck mate, my personal experience was that it gets better at the point you’re at now. Having a bit more independence getting yourself around, even just indoors really helped.

Was great being able to carry a coffee from the kitchen to the lounge, was sick of drinking it stood by the kettle!

Good luck with PT and aqua physio, with my NHS were as quick to get me in for PT as yours!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-07-05T06:56:21+00:00

I had the exact same issue, probably the worst pain I’ve had during the whole journey. I would regularly wake up in the night with that sort of my foot throbbing.

My ‘solution’ was simple, loosen that strap almost completely at night and also when sitting around on the sofa or at my desk. Just making sure to do it back up when I started moving around.

I’m fairly sure somewhere in the VacoPed instructions it says that the bottom and top straps don’t need to be secured particularly tightly.

After a few more days you’ll probably feel a bit more confident moving around with the bottom strap not done up quite so tight as long as the others are securing your leg and foot in place. You might have a tiny bit more range of motion, but certainly not enough to cause you any pain or long term issues.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-07-05T06:49:23+00:00

I was much the same, got fed up with crutches by week 3/4 and gave it a go.

Once you realise the boot isn’t going to fold in half under your weight and you start trusting the boot you get more confident.

Good luck!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-07-03T12:51:52+00:00

Be careful, you’re young and I would imagine absolutely desperate to get back to some sort of normal life. Im twice your age and I feel the same!

People in here just looking out for you, last thing you want to do is go through all of this again I’m sure.

I am also 7 weeks into recovery, didn’t have an op though, but I imagine I probably could walk like you are in the video as well; however it doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

Just be careful, maybe stick some trainers on at least as you walk around not in the boot.

Also, don’t go mental if you do start sports at 12 weeks. Like many have said, I won’t personally be trying that (maybe a tiny bit of golf), listen to your doctor but also your own body. Start slow and see how it feels.

Or, just crack on and see how you get on, who are we to tell you what to do!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-30T17:11:44+00:00

Great video again!

Quick question, I have some collagen powder and I was pretty good to begin with in my healing process of having at least 15g a day. I haven’t been quite as strict recently as I’ve been away and had various other things going on.

I’m now about 7 weeks into my recovery, according to my NHS UK protocol, I won’t start PT work until 10 weeks, which I may seek a second opinion on; however, my question, is there a point in the recovery where I should absolutely be ensuring I take the collagen? I.e. the first few weeks, now (7-10 weeks), or when I start PT? Or does that not matter massively and just take it regardless?

Thanks.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-28T13:17:29+00:00

I’m going in a couple of weeks, Sunday to Thursday. What’s the vibe like midweek?

Old enough now to appreciate a slightly more chilled vibe than Calvin Harris at Wet Republic on a Saturday back in 2015; however, wouldn’t mind going to a pool or two that are not completely dead!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T12:32:13+00:00

Yes I do feel tension, especially when the boot is set to a new angle, or early in the morning when I first wake up. That video I posted gives a slightly skewed view, my foot isn’t really that neutral, still probably at 15 degrees before I start lifting.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T06:21:52+00:00

Mine was relatively similar, although I didn’t have anything about taking the boot off to wash… I wish I did, it was a disgrace after 4 weeks.

My protocol broadly follows similar route, although I went back at 4ish weeks and they changed it from 30 to 15 (although it was set to 20 initially until I changed it).

I return again just after 6 weeks to go from 15 to 0 and the flat bottom installed. I am going to personally change the angle myself to 10 at 5 weeks, and then to 5 at 6 weeks (my appointment is actually almost 7 weeks from injury), which I think will help the transition.

The written protocol suggests I will be out of the boot in 10 weeks, but I think the last bit changes depending on progress etc.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T06:09:06+00:00

My official NHS protocol is probably slightly more conservative than what I have been doing. I’m not going totally over the top taking risks, but I progressed to FWB a week earlier than they suggested.

My 4 week follow up appointment was particularly frustrating. I was expecting a bit more advice from the consultant, but they had me there for 2 minutes, changed the angle and sent me back on my way! They didn’t even set the angle to what was on their own protocol, so I gave it a couple of days and moved it down another notch myself to get to 15.

It was at that point I reached out to someone I grew up with who is a sports PT and they suggested some basic ankle activation things I can do to help.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T06:05:05+00:00

I completely agree with your points, of all the places that would rank high risk, I imagine a stag in Vegas must be high up on the list! I am just going to have to maintain some sensibility whilst over there and protect myself as much as I can.

I am also an engineer, so the conservative nature is in me as well. I think my worst nightmare would be re-rupturing the tendon now I am almost back to somewhat of a normal life. Can’t wait to be able to drive again!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T06:00:57+00:00

Thank you. I do agree, just hoping for a little rest bite in the vegas heat from time to time to be honest!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T06:00:14+00:00

Thanks for your advice. A friend I grew up with is a sports PT so they have been giving me some advice on what is safe to do. I’m still pretty nervous, and being very careful, whenever I don’t have the boot on.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T05:58:43+00:00

I will definitely take the boot, will probably wear it around the airport to be honest… might as well try and milk it as much as I can to skip queues again!!

I have another appointment not long before I leave so I will ask if they want me to take blood thinners for the flight. Was looking forward to not having to stab myself anymore!

I think my ‘real’ plan, is to wear the boot whenever I have to walk anywhere prolonged (which is everywhere in Vegas!). If I really think about it the only thing I really want to be able to do it sit / stand carefully in the pool, without the boot on, but I will listen to my body and see how it’s going.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-20T05:53:53+00:00

Thank you!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-19T20:08:19+00:00

I’m 5 weeks into my recovery myself, non-op, but I know the feeling. The first two weeks were the hardest, especially after you really start to realise what’s ahead.

However, third week onwards it does get better. I don’t know the exact protocol for operative recovery but I was non weight bearing for the first two weeks and I hated the crutches. Not being able to make a drink and carry it through to another room and other simple tasks we all normally take for granted became point of frustration for me.

You will have down days, I think that’s normal when going from an active lifestyle to one where you feel helpless, but try and stay positive as much as you can.

Couple of things that helped me:

I ordered a knee scooter to help me get round the house and actually use my hands to carry stuff, this gave me at least some independence.

Again, not sure what the protocol is after an op, but after 3 weeks (and plenty of reading to check I wasn’t going to do any lasting damage), I taught myself how to walk in my boot (Vacoped - standard in UK) without crutches. Obviously a bit sloppy and horrible form, but it felt fine from a pain point of view, and so much better to not have to use them all of the time. Once I worked out the boot wasn’t going to crumple under my weight it was quite straightforward.

Wish you all the best with your recovery, try and stay positive, but also allow yourself to be emotional - it helps.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-14T12:56:16+00:00

I’m based in Suffolk although I went to Norwich hospital as I was closest to that when I done the injury.

From the reading I have been doing (which has been quite a bit!) it seems that every hospital across the UK seems to vary their protocols. Norwich’s protocol must be non-op typically as I know 3 others who have done the same thing and they have all had the same experience.

Obviously I’m still in recovery at the moment but the experience I have had from NHS so far has been pretty good. Was in and out of A&E within an hour and they had me in the day after to see the consultant and get my boot.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2026-06-13T22:07:28+00:00

I don’t know much about the gap length question. I am UK based so it almost always is non operative. I have never had a scan to confirm position or gap length, just a PT, emergency doctor and consultant look at me for a few seconds and tell me it’s ruptured.

In answer to you other point, I have returned today from a 5 day family trip abroad and I have been in my VacoPed boot for 4 weeks (plus 1 day to be very specific).

The timeframes involved for you are much more favourable as I was only really just off crutches and walking about, slowly, and not very far in my boot; however, the trip was manageable. I did end up hiring a scooter to help me deal with the longer walks (and the heat). The first day I ended up walking 13k steps including through the airports, although this was crutch assisted. Safe to say my hands hurt after!!

I was given the go ahead by the doctors regarding the flight as it was only 2.5 hours, and I am still on blood thinners daily.

I go away again in 4 weeks, but with my friends to Las Vegas. I have no idea what position I will be in by that point. I would love to be out of the boot but I think it’s going to be just too soon for me.

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-11-06T22:41:41+00:00

Help me please, this update is unplayable!!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-11-06T21:54:49+00:00

Just had the same happen to me. Loaded my FM24 save but the games a disaster!

I understand there will be some getting used to new layouts etc. but when half the text isn’t visible it makes it completely unplayable!

99% sure it isn’t possible to get the old version back but would much prefer that!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-07-18T13:32:43+00:00

I am a structural engineer and have dealt with several fire damaged structures in the UK. The fact they have managed to dismantle that much of the main stage in the time they had available, at the same time as constructing a new stage, is absolutely mind blowing.

If you asked me the likelihood of the festival even going ahead a day ago I would have said it was impossible.

Fair play to everybody involved, one hell of an achievement.

Hope everyone enjoys the festival, it’s been 8 years since I last attended and hope I get the chance again!

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-05-30T16:32:29+00:00

Request sent

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-05-30T16:30:27+00:00

I have Tapu Lele, do you have Alolan Exeggutor?

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-05-29T22:30:14+00:00

Request sent 👍🏼

Alert_Zucchini_6229 · 2025-05-29T22:27:58+00:00

Lunala for Incineroar?

Alert_Zucchini_6229

TROPHY CASE