Exercise & Charecot Foot
iowabirder posted:
Need some suggestions. I'm a 62 year old male Type 2 diabetic. 20 years on insullin (lantus & humilog), and have fair control, A1C's usuallyt in the mid 7's. I had foot swelling this summer and was diagnosed with charcot foot (right) 3 months ago.
My main intertests are birding, home improvement (mostly landscaping/gardening), more birding, hyking and camping, biking, and still more birding. ALL of these interests are done on my feet, but therapy for charcot's is sitting on my butt with my foot elevated for weeks! I used to go to the gym daily, alternating weights with aerobics. Neeless to say, that's out now, too.
So... from fairly active to strictly sedentary. This drives my blood sugars crazy and I'm getting back pain to add insult to injury.
I need an exercise regimin with NO foot stress. I've been told I can't even use a recumbent bike. I don't like swimming, but I may have to. Any suggestions or ideas, would be greatly appreciated.
My main intertests are birding, home improvement (mostly landscaping/gardening), more birding, hyking and camping, biking, and still more birding. ALL of these interests are done on my feet, but therapy for charcot's is sitting on my butt with my foot elevated for weeks! I used to go to the gym daily, alternating weights with aerobics. Neeless to say, that's out now, too.
So... from fairly active to strictly sedentary. This drives my blood sugars crazy and I'm getting back pain to add insult to injury.
I need an exercise regimin with NO foot stress. I've been told I can't even use a recumbent bike. I don't like swimming, but I may have to. Any suggestions or ideas, would be greatly appreciated.
7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootNeed some suggestions. I'm a 62 year old male Type 2 diabetic. 20 years on insullin (lantus & humilog), and have fair control, A1C's usuallyt in the mid 7's. I had foot swelling this summer and was diagnosed with charcot foot (right) 3 months ago. <br /> <br />My main intertests are birding, home improvement (mostly landscaping/gardening), more birding, hyking and camping, biking, and still more birding. ALL of these interests are done on my feet, but therapy for charcot's is sitting on my butt with my foot elevated for weeks! I used to go to the gym daily, alternating weights with aerobics. Neeless to say, that's out now, too. <br /> <br />So... from fairly active to strictly sedentary. This drives my blood sugars crazy and I'm getting back pain to add insult to injury.<br /> <br />I need an exercise regimin with NO foot stress. I've been told I can't even use a recumbent bike. I don't like swimming, but I may have to. Any suggestions or ideas, would be greatly appreciated.
Haylen_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi iowabirder!
I'm sorry to hear about your foot and inability to exercise. I can practically see the frustration in your typed words.
Have you asked doctor for a referral to physical therapy? Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and prescribe exercises for every condition.
And, I have to give some love to swimming. I find doing laps boring but have taken some very fun water exercise classes. Does your gym have a pool?
Haylen
I'm sorry to hear about your foot and inability to exercise. I can practically see the frustration in your typed words.
Have you asked doctor for a referral to physical therapy? Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and prescribe exercises for every condition.
And, I have to give some love to swimming. I find doing laps boring but have taken some very fun water exercise classes. Does your gym have a pool?
Haylen
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootHi iowabirder! <br /><br />I'm sorry to hear about your foot and inability to exercise. I can practically see the frustration in your typed words. <br /><br />Have you asked doctor for a referral to physical therapy? Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and prescribe exercises for every condition.<br /><br />And, I have to give some love to swimming. I find doing laps boring but have taken some very fun water exercise classes. Does your gym have a pool? <br /><br />Haylen
betaquartz responded:
You might try something like a total gym. this machine will allow you to do a lot of exercise sitting that will at least cover your core, upper body, and arms.
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootYou might try something like a total gym. this machine will allow you to do a lot of exercise sitting that will at least cover your core, upper body, and arms.
teddybear200 responded:
I tried posting before but I see it didn't come through. Have they suggested getting a knee scooter?
You put the bad leg up on the little seat and you walk with it. It almost looks like a walker but only made for the knee. If you had one of these you could get around a little better.
I read about your condition and it sounds very painful as well as limited. I will pray for you that things will look a little brighter for you. You might have to start liking the water as that sounds like it could be helpful to you. Keep us posted.
You put the bad leg up on the little seat and you walk with it. It almost looks like a walker but only made for the knee. If you had one of these you could get around a little better.
I read about your condition and it sounds very painful as well as limited. I will pray for you that things will look a little brighter for you. You might have to start liking the water as that sounds like it could be helpful to you. Keep us posted.
One day I will soar on wings of an Eagle - Deb
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootI tried posting before but I see it didn't come through. Have they suggested getting a knee scooter?<br /> <br />You put the bad leg up on the little seat and you walk with it. It almost looks like a walker but only made for the knee. If you had one of these you could get around a little better. <br /> <br />I read about your condition and it sounds very painful as well as limited. I will pray for you that things will look a little brighter for you. You might have to start liking the water as that sounds like it could be helpful to you. Keep us posted.
iowabirder replied to teddybear200's response:
Thanks for the suggestion of the scooter, and thanks for your prayers. It may be that my wife needs them more than I. I've been told I'm not a very good patient 
I'll add the scooter to the list of questions for the doc. As to the swimming, it may be a good upper body workout if I don't kick... we'll see.
I'll add the scooter to the list of questions for the doc. As to the swimming, it may be a good upper body workout if I don't kick... we'll see.Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootThanks for the suggestion of the scooter, and thanks for your prayers. It may be that my wife needs them more than I. I've been told I'm not a very good patient <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/wink.gif" align="top" border="0"> I'll add the scooter to the list of questions for the doc. As to the swimming, it may be a good upper body workout if I don't kick... we'll see.
iowabirder replied to betaquartz's response:
That's a lot like the gym equipment I use. Hard part is doing the upper body workout pushing against my feet. More difficult than it sounds.
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootThat's a lot like the gym equipment I use. Hard part is doing the upper body workout pushing against my feet. More difficult than it sounds.
iowabirder replied to Haylen_WebMD_Staff's response:
That's a really good idea. I had a stroke a while ago, and the PT's brought me back to about 98% of pre-stroke abilities. I'll call tomorrow, Thanks again!
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootThat's a really good idea. I had a stroke a while ago, and the PT's brought me back to about 98% of pre-stroke abilities. I'll call tomorrow, Thanks again!
betaquartz replied to iowabirder's response:
Use a strap to hold you to the bench. When I had a major knee injury this immobilized me enough and stabilized me enough I could do the exercises. I also did the side lat pulls just sitting on the bench-they work fine.
Report This| Share this:Exercise & Charecot FootUse a strap to hold you to the bench. When I had a major knee injury this immobilized me enough and stabilized me enough I could do the exercises. I also did the side lat pulls just sitting on the bench-they work fine.
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