Atrophy

The cast came off yesterday. After six weeks of being in a cast, I was ready for the next stage…the walking boot.

I wasn’t sure what to expect at the doctor’s office. My sister-in-law had told me that they use a small circular saw to cut off the cast. That didn’t sound too comforting. I was always taught not to stick body parts underneath a circular saw.

Cutting off the cast

Sure enough once I got into the doctor’s office, the first thing I noticed was a small circular saw connected to a vacuum cleaner. Unique combination. “Saw off your leg and suck up the blood,” I thought.

Actually the blade was rather small and the nurse assured me that it is designed only to cut the cast and not the skin. Not sure how they do that but I trusted her. But then she said, “Whatever you do, don’t pull your leg away from me.” Hmmm… let’s see…this won’t cut you, but just in case it does, don’t pull away or it will cut you worse. I was apprehensive again.

But the process wasn’t bad. It took about 3-4 minutes and the only thing that irritated me was the noise.

Once the cast was cut, she used a small crowbar to snap it apart.

I was curious to see my left leg.

There was not much left to see.

The effects of atrophy

I now know firsthand what atrophy is. Six weeks of inactivity had reduced my leg to bone, skin, and a piece of flab that I assume was once my calf muscle. My skin was dry and cracked. As I rubbed it, skin and hair came off in my hands. Lovely. I am glad my wife didn’t marry me for my legs.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I saw my leg. I did know one thing…the road to recovery was going to be very long.

The doctor examined the incision site and felt the tendon. Afterward I was fitted with a walking boot. It was set at a ten degree decline to take pressure off the tendon. I was told to keep the boot on whenever I was walking or standing. I could take it off while resting, sleeping, or taking a shower. That was nice to hear. I was also told to start putting weight on my foot with the boot on. Sounded easy enough.

Then the doctor left.

When I stood up, I thought I would give walking a try. After all, it is a walking boot. As soon as I put full weight on my foot, I shot of pain went up my calf…or the piece of flab that was once my calf. I immediately realized that even putting weight on my foot would be a challenge. Walking would have to come much later.

Atrophy. Seven weeks ago I was walking, running, jumping. I wasn’t in great physical shape but I was able to do pretty much anything I wanted. One split second…one snapped tendon…changed everything. Now I can’t even flex my foot much less walk.

In six weeks, every muscle and tendon associated with walking withered away. That’s not long when you think about. Don’t use a muscle in six weeks and it’s pretty much gone.

It’s a good reminder that what is true in the physical realm is also true in the spiritual. Drift away from the Lord. Stop reading His Word. Stop praying. Stop going to church. Stop caring. Pretty soon you are further down the road than you could ever imagine. You are weaker. You are uninterested in church. You start rationalizing, excusing, doubting, faltering. Walking with the Lord has become impossible….though you still think you are fine.

Train yourself to be godly… (1 Timothy 4:7).

You have to use your spiritual muscles every day or they will wither away.

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