I actually learned this technique two years prior when I fractured my ankle. (These are instructions for a left leg injury.)
Undress.
Start shower water to correct temperature.
Sit on the side of the tub with both feet on the floor.
Twist your body and place your right leg inside the tub.
Stand up on your uninjured foot and bring your body under the shower.
Leave your bandaged foot laying on the toilet seat or a chair beside the tub.
Cover your bandaged foot and leg with a towel to ensure it doesn't get wet. (If it gets wet, the entire cast will have to be removed. So be careful!)
Take your time showering.
Stay placed in one spot and use your upper body and arms for reaching.
When you are finished, turn off the water.
Sit back down on the side of the tub and twist back around again, placing both feet back on the floor.
Holding onto the walker, stand up to dry off.
Now that you know my shower trick, a word of caution: Make sure you are steady on your uninjured foot so you don't fall. Again, take your time. Hospital and/or Doctor instructions may instruct you to pull a trash bag or a cast bag (?) on your injured foot and leg. If you think you might be unsteady on your uninjured foot, I would say to put the trash bag on.
Very interesting technique. I'm post-op fusion w/ a cast and totally unsteady on one leg.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have found is very similar to your technique, but I sit on the toilet seat, then slide to a shower bench (with a back) leaving my foot on toilet seat, covered w/ a towel. I feel very safe this way because I am so afraid of falling in the bathtub.
Love your blog!
I just had a total ankle replacement a week ago. My husband and I wish we would have read this before my first shower after surgery. It was so difficult. Can I ask how you are doing now and any other advice you may be able to offer?
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