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Swollen Ankles
Written by Sean on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I experienced something I hadn’t experienced before – swollen ankles. I mean *really* swollen. I blame a combination of not drinking enough, and higher than usual ambiant humidity. I couldn’t help thinking how so many of my para friends have such swollen lower legs and ankles. BIID is really weird.
I was fascinated by my swollen limb. I looked at them. I poked at them with my fingers – the texture was a bit like a closed cell foam, a bit spongy. Really, and utterly, fascinating. I could not see the ankle bone, which I usualy see. I could not feel the ankle bones rubbing one against the other when my feet were in the footrest of my wheelchair.
My swollen ankle.
In fact, it didn’t so much look like I had ankles, but "cankles" (an English language pun, compressing "calf" and "ankle" together). Of course, my calves are pretty thin to start with. And it looked very much like "paraplegic’s ankles". Yeah, ok, so that’s a generalisation, there is not *one* look for paralysed legs and/or ankles. Still… It was nice, in some weird way.
A part of my brain told me that oedema is something to be avoided, and reduced as soon as possible. Another part of my brain was saying "it’s not so bad, and it looks right". As if it’s one more checkbox to tick with the experiences of being paraplegic.
In all my years of using a wheelchair, it had never happened. And it resorbed quickly after I came home from my trip, and had a hot bath. I’m glad I experienced it.
Tags: BIID, Oedema, Paraplegic, Swollen Ankle, Swollen Legs, Wheelchair
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6 Comments
2 On 26 January, 2010, Sean said:
No, it didn’t hurt in the least, which in itself was quite fascinating.
3 On 26 January, 2010, Sophie said:
My feet swell up every time I get bitten by a mosquito. Doesn’t matter where on my body I get bitten it’s always my feet.
Last summer my feet were swollen practically the entire time after a combination of mozzy bites and the heat. It doesn’t hurt but it gets itchy.
I get feet like that everytime I fly. Sure looks likle a para foot Sean but I guess you can still wiggle your big toe unfortunately.
5 On 26 January, 2010, Sean said:
Yes, I can wiggle toes, and move ankles, etc. Not good :(
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1 On 26 January, 2010, Peter said:
Quite impressive!