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4 weeks post lateral malleolus fracture - need advice!

Posted , 5 users are following.

Rosiekins
Rosiekins

4 weeks ago tomorrow I fractured my right ankle, weber B. I was put in a split cast at first as it was slightly displaced but after a week and more xrays, they were happy enough that it was stable.

They wanted to put me in a aircast walker boot, but unfortunately I have a large calf and they "didnt do my size".... Story of my life..

So I was put in cast and told yo start trying to weight bear. This went okay, and I was okay in the house and short distances but my foot would immediately swell and be very painful (it would also do this if my leg wasn't elevated properly).

I had my first check up yesterday (3.5 weeks since break) and the doc has decided to remove my cast completely as he is worried about DVT... But because I can't have walker boot, I have a gel brace thing which tbh feels like it's about as helpful as a chocolate fire guard, and a heel raised shoe.

I've been told to take it easy and try to not weight bear again for the next couple of days and then gradual introduce it again, this feels like a step backwards!

Onto of this i am in so much pain right now and can't sleep (it's 5am, I've been awake since 3) and I'm maxed out on painkillers, it only subsides if I lie perfectly still.... sad is this normal?

Is there a walker boot I can get for a larger calf? I've googled but can't find anything, I'm really worried that I'm going to cause more damage and honestly feel like I've gone back to the day I did the break and I'm starting from scratch.

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks for reading.

Rosie x

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Rosiekins
    Rosiekins

    Posted

    Please excuse my spelling errors.
  • james1959
    james1959 Rosiekins

    Posted

    I was prescribed a c.r.o.w. boot normally used for treating charcot of foot. Mine was form fitted to my lower leg and ankle. It is larger and hard plastic. It also took me about 3 weeks to get it. Hopefully this helps and I am sure other options are also out there.
  • rose71920
    rose71920 Rosiekins

    Posted

    HI Rosie, 

    I'm not sure why no one told you to go to a Orthopedic store.  They will measure you for the right boot size on your calf. When my injury first happened and the docs thought it was "just" a sprain they sent me right to this store and I have a large calf. I was fitted perfectly!

    Check it out and good luck 

    Rose

    • Rosiekins
      Rosiekins rose71920

      Posted

      Hi Rose

      Thank you for the reply.

      They don't do that here that I'm aware of... The NHS have a supply of boots but it seems none are big enough. In so much pain and maxed on meds that I'm looking to buy one from amazon, I'm just worried that it won't fit.

  • johncolorado
    johncolorado Rosiekins

    Posted

    I am not a doctor but it seems to me that you are trying to put weight on it to fast.  After I broke mine, I had to have surgery but then am not weight bearing at all for the first 3 weeks then he said MAYBE 5% MAX for the first 7 weeks.  I go back at week 7 (in 2 weeks) and hoping I can bear some weight.  I did get my cast off after 2.5 weeks and was put in a boot.  So, I try not to use any weight just minimum and put most weight on crutches.  I also stopped all pain pills after day 4.  I do have some up and down nights though, and at night seems to always swell until I wake up and elevate more.  I tell everyone I did buy a water ice circulator and that really helps as soon as I put it on my ankle I feel 100 times better.  However, I had to start with just basic movements like trying to rotated, stretch pulls, etc. after week 2 but DEF not allowed to walk at all.  
  • e51145
    e51145 Rosiekins

    Posted

    Hi. I also broke my ankle. I had a trimelleor fracture, with dislocation. I have six screws, one pin, and a plate. I had surgery the next day. Then put in a cast for two weeks, then put in a boot. It's now been 12 weeks for me. I'm going to physical therapy now. I don't ice or elevate much, but ibuprofen, really helps. It keeps all the inflammation and swelling down. I now partial weight bear, but hopefully soon, I'll be able to wear my other shoe. I have a Ortho appointment on 3/27. Hopefully I can fully weight bear. I think I'm doing good. But I heard it will still be about another month or two before I can walk normal. This is definitely a long, painful experience for me. I've graduated from a walker, to two crutches, now to one crutches.

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