3.5 months post op... limping
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi All,
just wanted to see everyones advice regarding limping.
I'm 3.5 months post op from ORIF and just recently returned back to work and have been limping pretty bad and also in a lot of pain. Inner ankle throbs, not
sure if its the screw but its a constant sharp pain since returning. I am walking around a good amount and trying to sit as much as possible. Very hard on me right now... any advice/ideas??
0 likes, 26 replies
lyndsay33038 Anklesurgery
Posted
Are you still under a surgeon at the hospital? If so I would see them and ask for an x-ray. It could be that some of the hardware is irritating your ankle and needs removed. Just an idea . Hope you get it sorted 😃
Anklesurgery lyndsay33038
Posted
I am just under my ortho who did my surgery etc. I just saw him last monday for check up and he told me my bones look great can barely see the fractures anymore so that the issue is the soft tissue. I mentioned the inner pain and he said its not the screw but I feel like it is, or its just the constant weight on it now but because im limping and not walking straight still (ankle turns out) it has been affecting my knee too so I have a constant ache in my knee as well. I'm still in PT but almost done with my sessions as I have been in PT 2-3x a week since July.
Its just very very hard on me right now and advil/tylenol do help but I try not to take it everyday... UGH
lyndsay33038 Anklesurgery
Posted
My foot also turns out automatically as I find I walk better that way so it is a constant battle to concentrate on keeping it straight. I was under an nhs physio (uk) for a month ( one ten minute session a week) from August to the tenth of September. He gave me one exercise to do to exercise my knee to wall range and after four weeks said I had past the minimum point of what he had to get me to and he was happy to discharge me. I was unsettled by this as I have heard so many people stress how important physio is for recovery so I have booked an appointment with a private physio starting tomorrow. It is frustrating, although I'm not in a massive amount of pain my joint is stiff and aches constantly when moving ..I know we have time yet to improve but you are right, it is hard and gets me down as I walk so slow and my other joints ache from supporting my bad one. I have a burning sensation in the knee of my bad leg in I think the soft tissue which has me on edge...I don't need any more leg issues at present lol. I am sure we will all get there. Just knowing you are not going through it alone hopefully helps you.
Anklesurgery lyndsay33038
Posted
Oh girl. I am so sorry to hear that, you need wayyy more rehab than that. I am glad you going to someone new. You should make sure you go for months atleast a few hours a week that will help you with your range of motion, stiffness. The ankle turning out is due to limited range and pain. My range is still not great but the inner ankle bite is what makes me walk with it out more because it does hurt less that way.
I am the same way with my knee, just a dull ache/stiffness and it constantly pops. I just think for me its the hardware and if it isnt the hardware then it has to be the bones because my left ankle was sprained badly and yes I still have pain but you can tell its the tendons/ligaments etc. the broken one is a completely different feeling. I feel as if someone is stabbing my inner ankle bones especially when walking distance or standing for long.
I wish you luck at therapy, try to do home therapy as well look on you tube i still do home therapy as much as i can and my plan was to go back to the gym once PT stops soon for me... ugh. HANG IN THERE!
lyndsay33038 Anklesurgery
Posted
I'm not that far ahead of you and still limp too, tho I don't have the sharp pain .
sandra91776 Anklesurgery
Posted
Im 12 weeks post op and when I overdo I have pain as well
When you get home soak your foot in warm water with EPSOM salt for 20-30 minutes
Then ice it for 15
hot/cold works well
Anklesurgery sandra91776
Posted
Yes I felt OK before returning to work, i had my good/bad days but generally every time I woke up I felt ok but now its just constant pain and my limp and ankle turning outward has been putting a lot of stress on my knee so my knee aches as well. I'm just becoming so frustrated. I will try the soaks and then ice. I alternate between heating pad and ice
thank you for the tip
karen70040 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hi,
I'm 3.5 months post p.o. also with ORIF. I'm limping too. My inside ankle hurts also. Massaging the inner ankle scar with oil or lotion helps me. But I think I may have excersised it a bit too much. I'm trying to rest it, and it has helped a little. Maybe try to rest it? Or wrap it with a fairly tight, but not too tight bandage helps also.
It will heal, takes a lot if time I'm afraid. Best wishes, Karen 😊
Anklesurgery karen70040
Posted
thanks karen. yes its definitely from the extra walking around because now its like constant. if i didnt have that inner pain which almost feels like my bone just pinching itself constantly? and my knee just aches and pops constantly. i bought compression braces, i honestly didnt like how it felt but the only positive is even though im in pain my swelling isnt that bad anymore? ugh just so overwhelming
thanks Karen hope you feel better too
karen70040 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hi
I'm reading your replies. I'm thinking that if Tylenol and ibuphrophen helps it may be muscular, which is good news, right! It may not be the screws. I was told by my surgeon that those screws on the inside ankle stay in. I have not tried those meds yet as they told me in England that they don't help with healing. I'm back in California, and the first thing PT said is why isn't it wrapped? So , I'm wrapping it and it's helped with swelling a lot !! I wish you good healing 😊 Karen x
izaiah43265 Anklesurgery
Posted
Im right around the same time and am experiencing the limping as well, pretty sure that fades with time. About the pain I am on extra strength ibuprofen religiously and work on range of motion about 3 times a day. My advice would be to try and ice it as much as possible and massage it. Ive spoken to a couple of people with similar injuries (I have 12 screws) and they all mention that "bite" on the inner side of the ankle I have felt it as well and am pretty sure it is one of the screws and removal may be necessary if it keeps up.
Anklesurgery izaiah43265
Posted
ugh yes. ibuprofen and tylenol definitely help but i dont like to take it everyday so im at a crossroad with that. but yes, i have 8 screws and a plate the screw on the inner ankle is a long screw and i wanna say that is also what gives me this constant sharp pain from extended walking? the ortho says no that its not the screw but i dont believe him honestly
christine03049 Anklesurgery
Posted
Im at 4 months post op as well, I have the same thing! I walk a lot at work and the pain on the inside of my ankle does feel like a biting pain, or almost like there is something jabbing me. I have found that it comes and goes, I limp a bit as well but I was told it will go away with time. You're not alone!
Anklesurgery christine03049
Posted
ugh yes exactly the feeling. im just curious for those that have a screw on the inside if it ever goes away because if it doesnt then im convinced its the big screw and if it keeps up i will ask for it to be removed but my ortho has made it clear it will stay with me forever but i will argue that if i feel it is the screw. its so frustrating i hate to cry but ive been crying a lot 😦
mary46820 Anklesurgery
Posted
I'm 3 1/2 post op from same surgery and also continue to limp and hurt and I'm hoping the pain subsides soon. Good luck!!
Anklesurgery mary46820
Posted
ugh me too! this is so hard and its affecting my knee now to. knee constantly pops and aches as well.
hope we feel bettee soon 😦
mary46820 Anklesurgery
Posted
wow yes the inside of my knee has been hurting also. Who did your surgery? Dr. Fortin did my surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak MI. Overall very pleased with having had my surgery done.