5 weeks post op Ankle Fracture - sharp stabbing pain at night
Posted , 6 users are following.
hello friends,
I broke my ankle in two places during a power outage Feb 10, 2020. My surgery was two days later. they gave me an attractive Frankenstein-esque incision complete with bolts plates and screws.
The first week was quite painful and i used the pain meds as directed, but weaned off them the second week. By the end of the second week, the pain was bearable with Advil, elevation and ice. They have been replacing my cast every two weeks to check the incision. i have a little over 1 week left before graduating to a boot.
I'm concerned because i'm suddenly experiencing sharp, stabbing pain at night at the ankle bump. its keeping me up, and upsetting the household because no one knows what to do that we aren't doing already. i feel like the pain may actually be coming from the cast itself, but why, is it sharp and stabbing, and not pressure-like or dull or achy like I would expect?
I can't get this thing off fast enough. Why would this pain be late to arrive when its been relatively manageable these last couple weeks?
Should I be concerned?
Thank you
Heather
0 likes, 7 replies
kim23026 heather1971
Edited
Sounds like you are describing the sudden zaps many of us felt, yes sometimes a stabbing feeling. Even though I’m 2 years out I remember them well, used to wake me up. It’s your nerves firing up, and it hurts, and is also normal at the time frame you are in. Nope, don’t be worried, they go away completely, but it does take a little while.
heather1971 kim23026
Posted
Thank you!
Ankle-a-saurus heather1971
Posted
I'd agree that it's most likely the nerve pain we have all experienced. My nerve pain got much worse as I started healing. Sounds strange I know but seems to be the normal process. Hope you feel better soon!
heather1971 Ankle-a-saurus
Posted
Thank you!
deedeemouse heather1971
Posted
I'm 8 months out and I get a feeling like someone is pricking me with needles. Always something different and new with recovery. My foot still feels like it has a rubber band in it too.
jessica71699 heather1971
Posted
I had a trimalleolar fracture 2/14/2019. Months of discomfort, going for pt which is a must, started back to gym/spin Jan. 2020. I always knew that I would have metal removed. Had that done on 3/02/2020. Today 3/10/2020 had surgical staples removed and life is good. I am in a boot and will start pt for 8 weeks next week. I already know this was an excellent move and I'm happy I did not wait to have the plate and screws removed. My bone has healed perfectly as seen in x-rays at the doctor's office. The stiffness I experienced even after a year was from the metal in ankle. Right now I am feeling no stiffness and hope it continues. I am so grateful to be feeling this well
I wanted to share with you my situation. The ankle bump would hurt me so I added a piece of foam when putting on the boot. This helped a lot. Icing is a must and elevating your foot as much as possible. After my cast was removed I had a huge black/purplish blister that took at least a month to go away.Patience is really the name with this injury. I found that when I was in bed it was very difficult to get comfortable. You really have to take it one day at a time. Good Luck!
tom92172 heather1971
Edited
Sounds like nerve pain.
Check with your ortho when using Advil or other NSAID's as there is research to suggest that these pain relievers can slow bone healing. I much prefer advil to Acetaminophen products but I was scolded by my surgeon for taking it.
CBD is said to have similar benefits of Tylenol and there is research to show it can aid bone healing.
I'm not a doctor or a "cbd fixes everything" person. Do your research, ask you Doctor, good luck!