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11 weeks post ankle op no physic yet.

Posted , 4 users are following.

wallyj3
wallyj3

hi there 

About 3 months ago i broke my left fibula(  displaced spiral fracture distal end) with substancial ligament damage especially to the sydesmosis.  i had surgery the next day and they put a plate 7 screws and 2 sydesmosis screws in my ankle.  11 weeks later i have just had the sydesmosis screws removed and have yet to start any kind of physio. does this sound like a standard time frame? or should i have started physio already. 

Cheers

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Patientholland
    Patientholland wallyj3

    Posted

    Hi Wally. Were you in a cast or a surgical boot as that make a difference to what regime you are on
    • wallyj3
      wallyj3 Patientholland

      Posted

      i was in a cast for 6 weeks and then a boot when outside the house. cheers
  • Paulusdw
    Paulusdw wallyj3

    Posted

    Hi. I notice from your post that the screws have been removed in a relatively  short period of time. Is there a reason for this? What additional scars are there from second surgery?  Are you in any discomfort front this latest surgery? I'm asking all here questions as I am considering have the 3 screws removed(no plates) as my ankle feels weak and is still tiff and restricted movement despite being on my feet at work 10-12 hours per day
    • wallyj3
      wallyj3 Paulusdw

      Posted

      the main reason i had only the syndesmosis screws removed (the others are still in there). is due to my job, its physically demanding and my surgeon was of the opinion that there was not point leaving them in because they were pretty much guarenteed to break. no discomfort from the surgery,  the incisions were made along the existing scar. back to hobling around on two feet a couple of days after surgery. still not back at work yet its going to be a long haul to get back.
    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw wallyj3

      Posted

      Thanks for reply. I am in mild discomfort from the surgery done 8 months ago. My physio has been stopped and no further treatment suggested.

      I am however not 100% happy with the end result and was curious about having the 3 screws removed, but I can't afford financially nor mentally another 3 months off work and back on crutches. I hope you are back to work asap, regarding physio, mine didn't start for 2 months after surgery, far too long, my swelling still present 8 months after surgery. I am told this may take up to 1 year!

  • Tituscanby1
    Tituscanby1 wallyj3

    Posted

    What does the specialist say? The hospital should have given you an indication. A Physio is a must, but Physio must have specialists reports to work with.

    I have a snapped, displaced fibula, and had a dislocated ankle and ligament and tendon damage. Ambulance guy didn't believe it was broken, and refused to help. A few days later I went to Hospital, but a specialist wasn't available. Didn't see anyone for nearly 2 weeks. 3.5 months later non union and new specialist said it should've been operated on almost immediately. So I had a plate and 6 screws put in. Coupled with a bone graft. My Physio started 2-3_weeks b4 surgery. Swelling had gone down so had to start flexing my foot using a light towel. Once stiffness sets in, its hard to get flexibility back. He said it would help after surgery. 6 weeks later, out of cast and into a moon boot and Physio. Took ages to get over fear and discomfort of putting foot down. Was so detached from me. No connection with brain. 8th month now, 4 months post surgery, and I have good movement. Physio started me on pool therapy at 8 weeks. A lift puts me in and out of pool. Had to slowly lightly walk on bottom. Now I can kick doing freestyle. I use a knee scooter at night. Crutches for short transition, and an All terrain walker with a seat when I need it, for the rest of the time. Stationary bike for short bursts on easy. Only thing really holding me back is a flared up bakers cyst on my good leg.

    If your orthopedic Dr gives you the green light. Get Physio. Guidance needed for safety. Good luck!

    @(*+*)#

    • wallyj3
      wallyj3 Tituscanby1

      Posted

      Thanks  i will be seeng the specialist for a follow up in a few weeks. have been walking around in the house unassisted for the last few weeks. i can do it but its not comfortable. hopefully hell let me start then. desperate to get back to work but its probably still a fair way off.
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