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6 Weeks Post Ankle Surgery...need help!!!

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danielle_96194
danielle_96194

Hello:

I had surgery 3/2/15 for a fracture of the left tib/fib and spiral fracture of the ankle.  I had a rod inserted and 7 screws.  For 6 weeks I was non weight bearing, but 3 days ago I was told I could start partial weight bearing.  I need some guidance if anyone is out there.  First, it is normal to feel the pins and needles on the bottom of the foot and how long does that normally last?  Am I doing any additional damage to the foot if this tingling i continuing?  And also, I noticed today my ankle/foot/toes is very swollen.  I am elevating the foot now and have an ice pack on it.  Is this also common and any recommendations on how to help this?  Thank you so much for your help.  Any would be greatly appreciated.  I am just at a loss, beginning to get depressed and just want to finally hear that I will walk again and soon!! Thank you. Danielle

5 likes, 446 replies

446 Replies

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  • kiki099
    kiki099 danielle_96194

    Posted

    12/03/16 broke both tibia and fibula bones. Due to arthritis in my feet, doctor decided to do plates and pins on fibula and try to let tibia set on its own. Now 2 months later, walking in boot with and without walker. Hope to get boot off next week.

    thank you for posting as it's nice to see I'm not alone in my frustration. Showering is the pits having to rely on others!

    Any feedback on what shoes to get Abeo's, Vionic, etc? And how/when does driving resume? I am over this!

  • yvonne75179
    yvonne75179 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hi

    I know this is an old thread but reading all the posts has really perked me up.

    I dislocated my ankle and broke my tibia and fibula in three places on 27 Feb 2017. I had op 5 days later (waiting in hospital for theatre slot!!!) I have a plate with 7 screws on the outside of my ankle and two pins on the inside of my ankle. I was in a moveable cast (to aid swelling) for two weeks and have been in my lightweight cast for nearly three weeks. I have this taken off on 10 April 2017 then into a boot for 4 weeks then into trainers for at least 4 weeks. I have two young daughters (age 8 and 3) which has been the hardest mentally for me!

    This is the first week that I haven't felt depressed or anxious and every day is a day closer to the end of this nightmare I find myself in. I would like to join a Facebook page if possible to at least just be with and chat to people in the same position. Can't even begin to think that this is going to be at least 12 weeks before walking properly - taking each day as it comes!!! Thanks all for your helpful posts.

    • steffg
      steffg yvonne75179

      Posted

      Hi Yvonne75179,

      So sorry to hear about your accident.  I broke my Tibia and fibula on new years Eve.  I am now weight bearing in the boot and walking with one crutch.  The Facebook page that I reccommend is:  "Broken Ankle/Foot/leg recovery...On a Quest for Normal".  The people there are wonderful and very suportive.  I have learned a lot from the group.  A good support group really makes a difference and I know it has for me!  I look forward to seeing you in the group.  It is a long, hard road, but you will get through this!

    • yvonne75179
      yvonne75179 steffg

      Posted

      Thank you so much Steff for replying and recommendating the FB group. Sorry to hear about your injury and am glad you are recovering well - look forward to joining the group and chatting some more Yx
    • yvonne75179
      yvonne75179

      Posted

      Apologies ... recommending !!! 😂

    • cynthia_93669
      cynthia_93669 yvonne75179

      Posted

      Yvonne75179

      I broke my ankle on the same day as you, plate and 6 screws on outside and 2 screws on the inside. I was able to have surgery same day. Had a temp cast and now in a boot and on crutches. I go back to get X-rays and see dr on 4-11-17. I'm feeling so many of the same feelings you are, going through these phases of how to handle basically feeling helpless. And I'm a active person so this is a real kick in the butt. And I now no matter how badly I want to be able to just get up and do simple things for myself, I am so scared of hurting myself again or maybe even worst. I still have pains in my foot and ankle, the cut on the outside is so tender even a sheet against it is painful. But on a positive I can now put my foot down maybe not with weight but I don't cringe now, so yay!!! I've been practicing moving my foot in the walking motion while on my crutches, hopefully it'll help with the lack of muscle and cramps in my calf. Ice packs are my really good friends after being up and moving, lol.

    • laura79173
      laura79173 steffg

      Posted

      Hi...i have just requested i join the facebook group so i can chat with all you lovely people, share experiences and support. I am almost 3 weeks post op after a dislocated ankle, 3 broken ankle and foot bones, broken tib and fib and muscles/ tendons damage. I have just had my boot removed and a removable cast put on as the walker boot was making my leg and foot so painful..its a bit more comfortable now. Still non weight baring for another 2 weeks. Boredom and lack of dignity sucks!!
    • steffg
      steffg laura79173

      Posted

      Hi Laura,

      So sorry to hear about your injury!  Hang in there.  Things get much better once you are weight baring and allowed to drive again!  I've never heard of a removable cast.  What is it?

  • TorresRomero15
    TorresRomero15 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Yo. I am 5 days post op for a dislocated ankle and a broken bone. I have tingling, tightness feeling on my foot. Is this normal?
    • laura79173
      laura79173 TorresRomero15

      Posted

      I dislocated my ankle almost 5 weeks ago...almost 3 weeks post op. I also sometimes get a tingling sensation however it goes if i wiggle my toes. I would speak to your consultant just incase. I hope your on the mend soon. I find it very hard to move my foot now but practicing hard with excercises. Good luck
    • JulieD22
      JulieD22 TorresRomero15

      Posted

      Sounds normal. I had that and was told it was nerve pain. Wiggle your toes to keep your blood flow going. Once you are out of the cast and in a boot, you can use lotion and massage the skin, it helps your blood flow.
    • steffg
      steffg TorresRomero15

      Posted

      Yes, I used to get a tingling sentation caused by all the swelling.  My toes would usually be purple too.  Please make sure you elevate your foot as high as you can.  They say above your heart, but above your head is even better.  And ice when ever you can.  If the ice is not penetrating your cast then place the ice behind your knee.  I didn't know about this trick when I needed it, but found out from others later on.  good luck.

  • Tobymaan
    Tobymaan danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hello there I broke my ankle on 6/03/2017 had plate and 5 screws it's been 6 week now and today I got the air boot and last night it's really hard me to sleep with boot . I saw some forum and said to keep the boot while sleep but it's Gona be really difficult for me . And when they open the cast I can't even move my ankle is it normal . Doc told me I can walk with boot on for next 2 weeks but I more worried about the my shApe of my leg it looks different than my other and little twisted I can say . So anyone plz help me how can I get back to my normal ankle again 😫😫

    • steffg
      steffg Tobymaan

      Posted

      Hi Tobymaan,

      So sorry to hear of your injury.  This is a very hard ordeal to go through. You have come to the right place. There are people here that sympathize with you and understand what you are going though.

      All of what you descibed sounds very normal.  The muscle atropies when not in use.  Once you are out of the boot, your doctor will probably send you to physical therapy to get your mobility back.  They will work on range of motion exercises and exercises to strengthen your calf muscule.  Everybody is different depending on their injury and health.  All of this does take time.  I broke both my tibia and fibula and it was displaced. (Pin and plate-never counted the screws) It has been 13 weeks since surgery.  I am still in the boot, but no longer need to wear it at night.  I had zero mobility when I came out of my surgery cast.  Much of that was because of swelling.  I was sent directly to physical therapy, but could not start for two weeks due to the swelling.  I am slowly getting range of motion and calf muscle back.  To date, my calf muscle is about 2/3 the size of the other and my range of motion is not quite half of my normal ankle.  I was told some range of motion may not come back due to the hardware.  Heed what your doctor tells you.  If your doctor said to keep your boot on when you sleep, then please do.  I know the boot is very uncomfortable to sleep in, but you don't want to risk further injury to the ankle, then have to be in it for additional months.  

      I hope you have a quick recovery.

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