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5mm gap from ankle to foot

Posted , 6 users are following.

philliptimmins
philliptimmins

So 7 and a half weeks a go I was playing football and ended up breaking my fibula and breaking my ankle with a dislocation too, I waited 4 days for an operation where they then put 4 pins in my ankle.

I have had nothing but hassle with it since, back and forth to the hospital, I was then told 2 weeks ago I have a 5mm gap from the bottom of my fibula to the top of my foot. I have been referred to some specialists at the QE, and waiting for them to decide what they are going to do. Does anyone know if this will need re operating or not? Any advice will be great.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Paulusdw
    Paulusdw philliptimmins

    Posted

    I have a massive amount of sympathy for you, playing a sport and in doing so to keep fit, then injuring yourself to the degree that you need an operation.

    I don't want to give you bad news, but it is normal to experience hassle after this type of operation, the main issue being swelling.

    I had 3 pins at end of Sept, and my foot is swollen 24 hours a day, but I feel that I am making progress.

    I am 55 years of age, so recovery is slower than with a younger person.

    Im not a doctor, as none of us on this forum, but share our experiences, tips and support knowing we have or had similar injuries.

    I suspect that you may possibly need another operation, they may re X-ray each month to examine your progress as they did with me.

    please try and stay positive, everything will work out ok, time and patience are a key factor in the recovery stages.

    Good luck

    • philliptimmins
      philliptimmins Paulusdw

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice, I am only 26 and have been told that if they do not re operate I will be suffering with arthritis sooner in life than if they did operate, this is quite a worrying aspect as I love running and playing sports.

      Thanks for the advice and good luck to you too.

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw philliptimmins

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear that you will need another operation, but thought it was quite likely from what you described.

      I think that you should recover quickly due to your age and your physical activities.

      Thanks for your kind comments, and wishing you a speedy recovery

       

  • lolly_90458
    lolly_90458 philliptimmins

    Posted

    Hey, I too broke my Fibula.Tibia and had to have tendon & Ligament repaired as they were badly damaged, I dislocated and had a compound to my left ankle. ( put my dislocation myself) Not nice at all on my holiday. I was on an island and slipped down some wet stairs so was helicoptered to a country hospital. I managed 7 hrs with no pain relief and thought things cant be that bad, but then reality hit !! I had surgery on 13 Dec 15, The day after surgery i was discharged and allowed to fly home!! (Bad Move) my ankle was so swollen two days later  was back in hospital having my cast cut off. I was seen by a very good speacialist who put me in a moon boot until 3 wks ago non weight bearing. I too have been told due to a gap of crushed bone inside of fibula i will have permanent Arthritis sad. I have been very down as i slipped again and broke my front tooth so it was off to the dentist for me but since i have been out of moon boot and limping around shops, home, i even flew to a birthday (only a 1hour flight). Its so nice to get a bit of your independence back. However i am back in for key hole surgery in two days for screw removal as im very restricted with movement. Swelling is also a daily issue and a constant ache is normal. I am hoping this will reduce after second sugery. Then in july/August i will require a third op to try rectify a plate that is to long causing damage from initial sugery. My advice is as soon as you can have a physio rubb your swelling out and also stimulate your muscle as it just goe's so quickly. Mine also gave me great excersize idea's to help with strength. I did a double physio session 4 times a week as soon as i could. Also I got some arthritis cream from the chemist which helped with aching pain and i elevate every night with pillows.  P.S for scarring i used vitamin e serum from body shop, they are barely noticable.Hope this helps and good luck with your recovery .
    • philliptimmins
      philliptimmins lolly_90458

      Posted

      Can't believe you managed to fly home the day after the op, I could barely move the day after.

      Swelling is annoying and didn't think it would still be happening almost 2 months on.

      I think when they done my operation instead of setting it with pins they should've used plates aswell, I've read a lot of similar story's of people who have had breaks similar to mine and yours and they've all had plates in. I have been told by the consultants they may have to re operate and they may even have to use a frame (really not too sure what is meant by that, hope it's not the external frames I am thinking off) or plates, there is an option of leaving it!

      Thanks for the advice

    • low-key
      low-key lolly_90458

      Posted

      OMG, I was in a car accident, on Dec.7th/15 and crushed my ankle, also broke the other ankle and my left wrist. I'm a 68 yr old female. I have 2 plates and 2 rods. PT guy is doing my warm-up sessions. My ankle stays in a state of, constant pain, swelling, and an ache that never goes away. However, warming up the ankle before I walk (with a walker) helps the pain afterward. I'm now out of my boot and into a tennis shoe. I use coconut oil on the incisions and other stitched up gashes on that knee and leg. Also massaging it into the swollen areas.

      I'm told I will have a permanent limp, definitely arthritis.

      Here's what I know. I'm lucky to be alive and I've got the time, I'm not going anywhere. So, I will put my mind to it and push through the pain, and get as close to normal as possible. I'll never be able to run, or walk on uneven surfaces, but whatever ends up being normal for me, I'll know I didn't let it get me down. And I'm suing the lot of them!

       

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw low-key

      Posted

      I read your post re your car accident and considering what you have gone through that you remain positive, which is the only way to go.

      I am 55 years of age and was told by my gp that recovery from a broken ankle and surgery is 3 months, I however am at 5 months and still unable to walk without a limp, cannot squat, and swelling with me 24 hours a day. My physio told me that swelling on my ankle  can take up to 12 months. I am fortunate that I don't have pain nor take medication, and I am back working.

      I think with your attitude that you will progress with your recovery and get back to as near normal as possible. I wish you well and good luck to suing the guilty parties that have left you in this difficult situation

    • low-key
      low-key

      Posted

      post note: When I first entered the hospital and they decided what the next step was, they stabelized my ankle. To do this they had rods on the OUTSIDE of my ankle attached to my leg just below my knee. A frame so to speak. Had it on till the swelling went down enough to operate. That took 3 weeks in bed 24/7. It was horrible!
  • anonymous19646
    anonymous19646 philliptimmins

    Posted

    First of all I want to thank you for your courage to share with us. I am sorry for your discomfort, and this too shall pass. Paulusdw it totally right. I broke my ankle not quite year ago and I understand your situation. It is so important that you listen to your doctor. My doctor who cared for my foot, at first he said I needed surgery, but then he decided to send me to a specialist who said I did not need surgery. Most of these doctors are highly skilled in what they do, and know what is best. Remember no matter what you broke your ankle, it's broke, and will take time to heal. Try to be patient like Paul said. You will get through this. Accept that your ankle is broken, and don't focus so much on your broke ankle. Just focus on the healing. The key is to accept, be patient, and to know that you will get better. When I look back over my healing time, I wish I would have not spent so much time focusing on my broken ankle, but more time thinking of my healing and acceptance. This may sound different but fall in love with the broken ankle. In this way, you can go with the flow instead of against it. If you hate it, it will hate you back. As a man thinketh so is he.
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