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2 breaks in foot and Ankle

Posted , 9 users are following.

jannie26408
jannie26408

firstly, my heart goes out to you all. I'm looking at the stories and being day 5 after surgery with pins, plates and pain I'm just coming back to reality and see the long haul ahead. In bed and couch, foot up, no weight on it or in any position really but up. I guess right now wait and see in 2 weeks for X-ray and hopefully cast. I'm 65 with osteo so know this is going to be a very slow go. Lucky I have a husband but with him working, helping me and doing the house he's overwhelmed. One day at a time. Any tricks of the trade are appreciated as it's hard being dependent for pretty much on everything. Thanks everyone and keep on, cause I know I'm going have a few crumb days along this path and your stories are going to be my inspiration.

best

jannie 

2 likes, 59 replies

59 Replies

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  • Paulusdw
    Paulusdw jannie26408

    Posted

    I really feel for people suffering with broken ankles.

    I was told by my consultant that recovery would be around 2 months.

    I felt very depressed and also worried about not being able to walk, drive or work,and not able to pay my bills. 

    My wife has been very supportive, however is mentally & physically drained, which has caused several heated debates, and I find myself saying sorry & thanking people all the time for helping me.

    I don't want to socialise with people, as I'm embarrassed by my situation.

    It has been almost 11 weeks since my injury, i get really frustrated & angry at times, especially if I drop something & can't pick it up on my own.

    I hope for all reading my post that they heal quickly, and return to normality asap.

    Good luck

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Paulusdw

      Posted

      Hi Paul

      thanks for sharing......it is very hard on a relationship, but I'm practising all sorts of patience. I'm a long ways from walking but try and go day by day.........lucky I have neighbours to come and stoke the fire and talk, that's my bright side right now...........I live in a very small village in the mountains of BC Canada and news travels fast. I hope you do try to reach out Paul as the way I look at it is our mates can't do it all and it will aid our healing, asking for hlelp is the hardest part.  

      what I know is most people want to help, I understand your embarrassment but accidents happen. I wish you the very best.

      jannie 🌞

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannie.

      I enjoy sharing experiences on this forum with other people going through similar problems, you don't feel as isolated.

      I use Facebook to chat to people to break up the day from watching tv, 

      I also try to do some housework to occupy my mind.

      I had an ex work colleague call on me today for a few hours which was a nice change.

      I met up with a few friends last Sunday & went for a meal with my wife, which was nice.

      I really feel for people who are long term disabled or housebound, I would hate to be in that situation.

      My accident happened as I slipped in the shower rushing to leave for work, breaking my leg & ankle in two places.

      I keep thinking back to the day of my injury, questioning myself.

      Anyway, the clock cannot be turned back, and I have to deal with my present situation and get well as soon as possible.

      I have witnessed though, people do want to help, even strangers will speak to you asking what has happened, they  will rush to hold a door open for you. It has made me realise how lucky I have been pre injury to get to 53 years of age and to have led an active life and never been in hospital.

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Paulusdw

      Posted

      Hi Paul

      i had to chuckle cause I slipped in shower too and broke two bones and dislocated bone in my foot also.....yes look forward not back. So glad to hear your seeing and doing things....so far I'm having visitors but that can be tiresome, right now I'm just wanting things to settle cause my poor mate is tired and working - so hard on our partners....count our Blessings I like to say. Take good care and you'll be up and moving around soon, then you can report in on your amazing progress,

      night time here, time to get ready for bed......

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannie.

      Just back from physio and as promised reporting back with progress.

      Anyway, my first physio appointment today since my injury in September.

      I have been advised to put full weight on my foot, had some massage on my foot, then some physical exercises being watched closely by the nurse.

      I have been told to put socks & shoes on, and to treat my foot as pre injury.

      There will be pain & swelling as my foot is normally being elevated, then now being "woken" and being asked to do the complete opposite.

      I have noticed that the colour of my injured foot is changing from a purple/ blue colour to an identical colour of my good foot.

      I asked when I can expect to be walking unaided, to which I was told 6-8 weeks.

      It has made me feel more positive, and the fact that with only 30 minutes physio that I have noticed some improvement.

      I hope you and all other patients on this forum a speedy recovery, and try, as difficult as it is, to stay positive.

       

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Paulusdw

      Posted

      Thank you Paul, that's great news......the rehab starts and I know small progress will be seen daily. Do you keep your cast on or is it off now?  Did you get a ankle brace?  So much to know. How long does the leg come back?  So from start to finish 4 mos??  That's a great piece of news on 1/2 hour rehab and noticing difference.

      It's a week today and I'm feeling a bit blue today. But it is temporary. I know once I get out next week to the cast clinic I will see something new besides the end of the bed, sorry for the rant I'm just pooped today. Overall my pain is good - down to 2 pills a day and getting in and out of bed pretty good. Keep me posted, I love to see the progress. 

      Enjoy your day

      jannie ❄️🌟

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannie. I really hope I can see signs of progress no matter how small on a daily basis. I no longer have a cast or any support, I was told to be bare footed in the house and to wear normal socks and trainers to go outdoors.

      It will be 4 months, start to finish, which is double the original estimated time.

      I admit, I was surprised noticing my skin on my foot changing colour in such a short time, however the swelling has been the biggest issue.

      I have limited movement in my foot, but have been told that will improve with exercise on a daily basis.

      Its normal to feel blue, the first month being the worst, but as you say, it is temporary. I only go outdoors 1 day a week for a few hours with my wife in the car due to her work commitments  but it does make you feel positive just seeing people, and having a coffee or lunch.

      My pain was good, I took Paracetamol at bedtime as a precaution, but stopped taking them as it was only the first few weeks that I needed them.

      The only issue I have experienced is being on crutches so long, that I get pain in my shoulders with the constant pressure of carrying the weight of your whole body.

      I will keep you posted as to my progress.

      please try to stay positive, and remember it's not forever.

      Have a good day.

      Paulusdw

    • linda66990
      linda66990 Paulusdw

      Posted

      Good to hear you're getting physio and noticing some improvement. It's amazing how things come back. The purple color was really bothering me, but it seemed like it went away very fast when I started physio. I find that my mood is better, but still have highs and lows. I'll be excited to progress, but then feel some exaggerated pain after exercising it. One of my bigger pains is the skin over my ankle at the incision site, it is burning after standing in the boot for any length of time. I have gotten rid of the wheelchair and use the crutches for icey patches. I got to the doctor Dec. 10th. I didn't wear the boot at all yesteday or today because of the skin burning. I can't even put a sock on it. I was walking with a walker in the house and now today I went out and walked in a store without anything. I am limping and having to take small steps. Now, at home my ankle hurts. The physio had me doing things last week without the boot, pedaling a stationary bike, side stepping holding on to the wall, walking heel to toe holding on to the wall. It is truly amazing the progress from one day to the next, but my ankle is stiff, slightly swollen, pinches like the hardware is pinching when I rotate it and hurts enough to take a tylenol. Anyway, I happy to see you and others progressing from this tough injury. I've never had to be so patient. It kills me. 
    • dee2640
      dee2640 linda66990

      Posted

      Skin over my insicion still bothers me some. To be more comfortable in my boot I ordered on line 2 socks that are specifically for wearing under the boot. They helped immensely. Much thicker and fluffy than what came with the boot. Gave me some padding over my scar.
    • linda66990
      linda66990 dee2640

      Posted

      Thanks for the tip Dee. I will look into those fluffy socks. Was there a particular brand. I have a Breg boot or just look for air boot sock?
    • dee2640
      dee2640 linda66990

      Posted

      I searched the Internet for socks for air boot and they came up. I ordered 2 so I could trade off. Good luck.

    • dee2640
      dee2640

      Posted

      I found it under sock liner for aircast walker. Read the questions and you' ll see why I ordered them. Very comfortable.
    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw linda66990

      Posted

      Nice to hear from you again Linda.Im pleased that you are making good progress and to be able to walk unaided. I have physio again on 9th Dec & orthopaedics the day after, hopefully will be discharged from them. I'm still concerned that my ankle is still swollen though, I expect this to be normal during exercercises but it only seems to relax when I'm in bed. It is normal to feel stiffness and pinching within your ankle as physio told me that this is everything being woken up. It is still very frustrating that I have limited movement and still not driving or working.I agree that it is tough and a long journey, I have never had to be this patient, it kills me but one day we will all recover from our injuries. In the meantime good luck and keep smiling 
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 dee2640

      Posted

      Thanks Dee, on line to pick some up. Great tip........
  • dee2640
    dee2640 jannie26408

    Posted

    Hi there. I reviewed our emails. Your injury is much more extensive than mine. I had a ruptured tendon and you had breaks. I had a splint for 2 weeks then cast for 4 weeks. That was my 6 wks non- weight bearing. When I put my foot down during that time it would get some swelling. I don' t think my surgery is comparable to yours. I had no xrays which one would expect with your breaks. I walked on my ankle a few days ago during therapy. I was so happy. My therapy homework is to walk 3 times per day with regular shoes. I actually limp more with the boot on than with my shoes on. I know it's difficult being layed up but when you get to where I am... Time seems to have gone fast. Just keep your foot up. That is key...for as long as you can feel it ...it needs to be up. Good luck. Dee
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 dee2640

      Posted

      Thanks Dee, it's day by day so far I'm beng diligent with foot up. I can get form chair/ bed / commode easily now. It's funny how one adapts. I am happy your walking more now. I'm sure you've paid your dues too. It's so helpful having this post to see the progress of others. I wish you well and walking smoothly before too long. Take good care 

      Jannie 

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