The Infamous Walker Limps Home

Night Splint for an Insomniac

“As Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, it was the best of times and the worst of times,” I said to Dr. Limido while she examined my left heel. “Let me first update you on what I’ve done over the past three weeks,” I added. I’ve seen Dr. Meyer, my physical therapist at Keating Physical Therapy, four times, and I try to do the stretches as often as I can. Though I move slowly—like a turtle—I’ve been walking three to four miles every morning.”

Dr. Limido responded that I’d been following her advice well. “Thanks,” I replied. I had thirty questions prepared, but because of heavy rain and flooding, I’ve narrowed them down to just three.” Smiling, Dr. Limido encouraged me to ask all my questions.

My first question was about my new shoes, which I had forgotten to put the inserts in because of the rain. Do these shoes offer enough support, or should I switch the insoles?” Before I could lift my sock to check, she picked up the shoe, pulled out the insole, and examined it as if she were considering buying a new car. These are very good and provide the support you need,” she said. I felt reassured, having bought them earlier that week.

“Since my diagnosis, many people have given me advice,” I said as she nodded. One suggestion was to try arthritis cream.” She said it might work, but advised applying it only three times a day on the heel. Breathing a sigh of relief, I mentioned that in physical therapy, they used a cream that seemed helpful. “Did that help?” she asked. I replied that it did, but I didn’t know the name of the cream.

My last question concerned the sharp morning pain I was experiencing. I reiterated that I could walk slowly and for short distances. The best option,” she explained, “is a night splint.” I listened carefully, but when she finished, I wasn’t sure it would work for me as a light sleeper. “Let me show you the two models of night splints we have,” she offered, “as they can help, even if only for short periods.”

After trying both, I asked her which she thought was better. She recommended the Coretech 398 Dorsal Night Splint, and when I learned my health insurance would cover it, I agreed to try it. “Make sure you don’t try to walk in them, as you could fall,” she cautioned. I smiled as she handed me the box. While putting on my shoes, I asked, “I have one more question—does hope still exist for me?

Richard W. Brown

After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.

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