2.5 weeks after ORIF and foot still goes purple when i put it down.
Posted , 61 users are following.
Hi i broke my talus,fibula and tibia climbing about a month ago. Had to wait 2 weeks for ORIF and now I'm soon 3 weeks post op. I'm fitted with a plate and a few screws.
Everytime i have to put my foot down it goes purple which makes it really uncomfortable. I thought that would dissapear with the swelling going down but apparently that's not the case. Does anyone know if it is likely to improve over the coming weeks?
Not being able to move around is really killing me as i'm very active.
Thanks
4 likes, 64 replies
patti123 Johanna55
Edited
I'm almost 20 weeks out from trimalleolar (3 bone) break and still have a slightly pinker injured foot than the other by the end of the day. It just looks a little flushed is all, but it's not really that noticeable unless you look carefully at it. In the morning, both feet look the same color. I still have some swelling- just 1/2 cm. left. I can see all the veins in my injured foot again and the only swelling is below each side of the ankle, between the ankle and where it meets the foot. It swells a bit more when I have been walking on it all day. I now can go down stairs pretty easily, just a bit slower than a normal stair walk. I can't run yet, but can do a bit of a whacky fast walk/run for very short distances. I still elevate my foot when I sleep on only one pillow now and wear a compression sock at night that has made all the difference for me so I can sleep through the night. Sometimes I wake up with some aching in the middle of the night, but if I stretch the foot for a minute while still lying in bed, it seems to take care of it and I can get right back to sleep. I feel pretty normal now and don't think about my foot that much in the day now (maybe once an hour or so), and primarily when I wish I could run down the stairs or hurry and do a sprint across the street when traffic is coming...those are still not possible. Hope this helps to see one person's experience 5 months out. Doctor appts now are 6 weeks out and doing PT appts only one time a week at this point. PT is still very important for gaining my old leg strength back and I try to do them at least every other day, even though I should do them every day. I can see my calf muscle on the injured foot is starting to grow back. I think it will look normal 12 months out. I don't need to ice any more, unless I do a lot that day on my feet.
gwen30215 patti123
Posted
I have the same fracture with dislocation to my right (of course) leg. Sept 8...had surgery (finally) on the 20th...longest 12 days of my life with those bones not being stablized ....oh the pain! Im a CCU nurse and I've dealt with a lot of issues in healthcare, but this is my first break...my post op is Monday, hopefully the cast will come off, stay off, and the stitches will come out. The discoloration with dangling is concerning, so I am super happy to have found your post. I sure doesn't take long for the crazy colors to appear. I'm non weight bearing for minimum of six weeks....no driving...and lemme tell ya....it's torture for those of us who are very active. I appreciate your post. It definitely made me feel better regarding color.
Becca369 gwen30215
Posted
I can't describe exactly how I feel reading your post, Gwen, but it's crazy how parallel our situations are right now. I appreciate reading your post and wish you a speedy recovery! Here is my experience - I hope it helps someone find answers and know that they are not alone in their experiences...
I am 57 y/o and suffered a (R) Trimalleolar Fx w/displacement and severe foot dislocation on 10 September 2023, while on a work trip to Kuwait. I sought local medical care and was told that I was not permitted to fly (huge DVT risk), so the orthopaedic doc performed a reduction (NO pain meds!) and sent me back to my hotel in a splint to wait for the swelling to subside. I noticed immediately that every time I got out of bed (wheelchair/crutches) to use the restroom everything from the upper ankle down felt like it was trying to push (swell) it's way out of the splint. I couldn't see anything (even my toes were in the splint), but it felt so horrible. It quickly resolved with elevation. Luckily, I was considered a workers comp (WC) case, so I was assigned a case worker and they finally obtained permission for me to fly home with a medical attendant on 28 September.
My Romanian nurse/flight-attendant saved my life on the flights home (literally!), as I stopped breathing several times in-flight (he was amazing - and not just because he brought me a gift of a delightful teacup and saucer from Transylvania!). This is a cautionary tale, as it was later deemed likely that the respiratory depression was most likely a side effect of the non-FDA approved meds the Kuwaiti orthopaedic doc prescribed. Make sure to research your meds thoroughly or have someone else do it if you are unable to - I was in pain and didn't do enough due diligence when I returned to the hotel room. I will not make that mistake again.
An ambulance had been arranged for transportation on arrival at DFW and WC had also coordinated with my hospital to take me in through the ER. Upon arrival at the ER, I was taken to a room (arriving in an ambulance really makes all the difference in the world), where they performed another reduction of the dislocation (with morphine this time), x-rays, and scheduled me for surgery a few hours later, on 29 September. It was supposed to be a day surgery, but I ended up staying in the hospital due to additional issues with respiratory depression in recovery.
I went home in a splint 4 days after surgery, then returned to the hospital on 16 October for x-rays and a fluorescent pink cast. The showed me the x-rays of the two plates and screws placed laterally on the tibia and fibula fractures. More internal hardware will be great for the airport experience! The ortho tech left my toes out of the cast - I requested it, because toe swelling had been so painful in the splint and I wanted to eliminate that in the cast. As a result, I could both feel the swelling and see my toes turn the purplish-red color of grapes whenever I lowered my ankle. I was told I was to remain 100% non-weight bearing (NWB) and was not to use one of the knee scooters, due to the pressure it would put on the ankle. A walker was recommended over crutches, with my wheelchair for whenever I needed to go out of the house or be up for long periods.
I returned to Ortho for cast removal on 06 November and was given a boot to wear and told that I was now weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT). No physical therapy (PT) was assigned other than using bands to increase range of motion (ROM) at home. I was a medic, so I'm comfortable with what I know.
As of today, 02 December (12 weeks post-injury and 9 weeks post-op), my ROM is still somewhat limited, but improving. The extra 3 weeks in a splint prior to surgery has really impacted the ROM aspect of my recovery and the ankle stiffens up when it swells. I am up to about 75% WB now, but I still suffer from some edema of the foot and ankle if try to walk too much/long or drop it below elevation for too long. My biggest concern is that the entire lower leg is now turning purple by the end of the day and takes longer to recover, but I have noticed that this is tied to how much I am up throughout the day. The good news is that capillary refill is good and a pedal pulse is easy to find. I still elevate on pillows at night, which appears effective in resetting my leg for the next day's PT grind.
Also of note:
I am encouraged to find that my purple leg is not unusual and that everyone seems to work through it eventually. This is not a club I would have chosen to join, but I am happy to have found the other members and read their experiences. I hope my story helps future members as much as I have been helped. I am astounded by the people whose friends have told them they should be much further along, so remember that everyone heals at different rates. I had someone acting... poorly... in his attitude about my continued need to ice and elevate, until he saw my toes turn into grapes in person. He freaked out a bit and stopped his snide comments. LOL
I wish everyone a swift and complete recovery, but, no matter what, remember that you are not alone in your experience. Remember that this is not a (figurative) sprint - healing an ankle fracture is a marathon. Good luck and happy healing!
carol36366 Johanna55
Posted
Tituscanby1 Johanna55
Edited
Very normal. Mine was was Still turning purplish red for 3-4 months post op. Massage it where you can. Seek physios advice. If pain bad go to Specialist for a checkup and get correctly prescribed meds.
You've joined a club that nobody asked to belong to. We all belong to it too. It'll take you on a journey if highs and lows. Plenty of lies at your stage. But grasp the highs. I'm five months post bone graft plates and screws for a snapped misaligned Fibula. 9 months post snap.
You need friends, family, a hobby or 2. I see books are recommended. I learnt ukulele, played on PS4, and watch a few movies.
Patience.
I sleep well, and can sorta walk now, albeit very slowly. I can definitely stand unaided and climb stairs if I hold on to a rail. I can cook tea.
I still have ups and downs and use the R.I.C.E. method always. Swelling happens every time I put my foot down. Wide brand of shoes helps me.
Hang I. There. I'm mid 50s female btw.
@(*+*)@
marnifla Tituscanby1
Posted
susan1306 marnifla
Posted
we are now fourteen weeks out of my son s fourth operation (the ORIF had to be removed seven months after the third operation due to rejection and inflammation).He has regained mobility and will be able to return to football (fracture of phybula ,bimaleolar ankle fracture complete rupture of ligaments in ankle 11/05/19).Lowering the affected foot to the ground when sitting and keeping it there for increasing amounts of time does get it used to being functional again but the blue foot syndrome wont disappear completely until the foot bears weight again and the system begins to consider it as forming part of the "circuit" again
susan1306
Posted
correction 11/05/18
stephanie1948 susan1306
Posted
Hi susan: I just began rehab today 10 weeks post op. Yes my foot has the rubor (dark redness) as well...i asked about it and it is normal because after elevating the extremity for the time that we have to during the first weeks after injury, more blood travels to the area to heal and repair. Then when we lower the extremity , all that extra blood is pooling and has to circulate up again. It is a delicate dance to elevate, utilize ice for swelling and then lower the leg at time intervals for the brain to retrain the circulation to return to normal. Our brains regulate everything and healing and repair of tissue and bone gets extra attention from our nervous system. But I am assured that in time it will return to normal. It usually takes around a year...so don't be discouraged. and keep moving range of motion the toes, ankle to encourage blood flow.
gwen30215 marnifla
Posted
Ugh...that sounds awful! I'm so sorry! (I now feel like a big ol weenie) lol..not a club I wanted to join!
Kendykat Johanna55
Edited
I am so glad I found this! I was in an accident and have had 2 surgeries about a week apart on my foot where they put screws and pins and I'm not sure what else in. I'm about 8 wks post op from the second surgery and still have to keep my foot elevated and it is in a cast. When I stand up my toes turn dark purple but as soon as I put it up it goes away. Eases my mind knowing others have experienced the same. I go to the Dr next week for xrays to see where we are with the healing.
Jante_Len Johanna55
Posted
I have the exact same injury to my (L) ankle, sustained while jogging in a hilly Gully. I am 4 weeks Post Op. And am experiencing the same red/purple foot/leg issue but mine is even when elevated. The boredom and frustration is hard to take. Your enquiry and the answers that follow are very helpful indeed.
amanda64017 Johanna55
Posted
Hi Johanna
I have had the same op I had mine on the 26/3/18 and mine still goes purple. I'm going to ask at my next appointment.
debbie82995 Johanna55
Posted
Hi, I have just joined this site when i googled the things wrong with my left foot and right ankle.
I had a fall downstairs and fractured 3 parts in my foot. I forgot what they are called. I have a backstrap on and it has been 4 weeks and another week until I go to the fracture clinic to see if I am having pins etc.
Now my foot is getting sorer and swelling and turning purple. I took the back strap off a couple of days ago to give it some relief.
I am getting around in a wheel chair as I live in a 2 storey house and everything is upstairs. If I have to go out I go down and up the stairs on my backside.
I am getting so fed up with this and would love to get some feed back from others that have been through this.
I am supposed to be keeping weight of my other ankle as i also have a fracture in that but i still need to make lunch and dinner and clean up, so i find I am probably not staying of it as much as I should.
Look forward to chatting to someone about operations and aftercare and do's and dont's.
also my skin also on the base of my foot is sore to touch sometimes.
Cheers
Debbie
mikeyessir Johanna55
Posted
This feed has helped me alot with info on what to expect since I've joined this club 3 weeks ago. I'd love to hear how everyone is doing now. I haven't started or on my tibial and fibular break. I had a steel rod and nails installed. I own a construction company and am curious on how long you guys think I would realistically be able to go back to work. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated on how to speed this recovery up. Thanks in advance
Jante_Len mikeyessir
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You could do more damage if you try to speed up the process. I fractured my tibia & fibula on 7th of January this year and returned to full work duties on 30th of April. Take the advice of the Orthopedic surgeon only, as my GP suggested I start using my foot/leg the 2nd week after surgery, if I would have done this I would have done far more damage. Rehabilitation for me was paramount after I was able to put some weight through my foot.
Broken.Bones mikeyessir
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mikeyessir. just curious how long did it take for your foot to heal?
gwen30215 Jante_Len
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WOW, Jante_Len! I agree that two weeks is way too soon to start PT. My ortho said I likely wouldn't even need it (which kind of floors me to be honest)... Mikeyessir...take your time!
Gwen