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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

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  • michelle93762
    michelle93762 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Thank you for your post. I feel the pins and have swelling after partial weight baring. The nurse recommended support hose when I am full weight baring.There is some tightness around the incision.

    I have periodic melt downs of fear and frustration. I cry and and let it go. I then do a meditation where I imagine a strong flow of energy down my leg and through my ankle. This has been a big lesson in slowing down and caring for myself rather than everyone else. It is a huge challenge to sit with and then constantly ask for help.

    I have fear of rugs and uneven surfaces. As far as stairs go, I have step stairs in my house and bought a knee pad. I use one leg and one knee and hold onto the banister. You just need something to pull up on at the top.

    Scooter with basket is key.

    • jane79721
      jane79721 michelle93762

      Posted

      that sounds like a struggle which I remember well.  When I first felt that I could nearly manage the stairs with 1 crutch and wasn't sure about carrying the 2nd crutch (see You Tube) I phoned the GP surgery and asked for another zimmer to use at the top of the stairs, and explained that the single banister was shorter than needed.  I described in graphic detail how I had tried to get up from the floor at the top.  They were very quick to send round the surgery OT and to speed up installation of a second banister on the stairs and at the top to ensure safety.  You might need banisters on both sides to go up and come down.  They are removable when no longer needed.  They just made such a difference in being able to sleep upstairs, and use the shower, with a board - also removable!  9 months post injury/surgery I can just drive again, and life is starting to feel normal.  Last hurdles to overcome are being able to crawl and run and walk distance.  Still doing more physio than ever and using honey/almond lotion by the ton. It may seem like a never ending nightmare, but it gets better in quantum leaps at 6-7 months. Chin up and adapt to what you can do, rather than feeling frustration at what you can't, although we all feel that.  i still feel as if I am growling all the time with pain of moving around now - although it's not as bad as it was, and at least I am on my feet now!

    • araceli96380
      araceli96380 michelle93762

      Posted

      I feel the same way Michelle, I feel frustrated and very sad sometimes but I can't cry coz I don't want my family to worry. Are you on a partial WB with boot? I'm too so PT can't do much just stretching with elastic band and it kind of help a little bit with stiffness. This is going to be 3 1/2 months with partial WB and I go tomorrow for another X-ray and hopefully I could FWB on a boot. Take care now and keep us posted with your progress.

  • michelle93762
    michelle93762 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Massaging the bottom of the foot and arch helps. Lying on your back and putting your legs up against the wall. I was recommended support hose once I fully weight bare.

    I cry and let out my fear and frustration and then let go. It feels better than trying to power through.

    This is a difficult time but literally taking one step at a time. Self-nurturing and letting go of what we can't do. I have simplified as much as possible.

  • tyelioo
    tyelioo danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hey is it alright if I could ask a question? I recently had paroneal tendon surgery ((cutting stretched out tendon,groove feeling. Two weeks ago)) and I recently had my first cast taken off and saw the stitches on the paroneal tendon. I also saw stitches on the other side of my bone. A very small area of stitches. Did you also have the stitches in the wrong place? I was wondering why these were here and what they might have done.any help is appreciated 😊

    • steffg
      steffg tyelioo

      Posted

      I have no idea about the proceedure you had.  But, when I had my surgery for a displaced broke ankle, I had the long incision on the side of the ankle where ne did most of the work and I also had a small incision at the top of the ankle where he inserted a pin.  Perhaps your proceedure needed another attachment sight for oner of the tendons.  I would ask my doctor about it.
    • shelagh21337
      shelagh21337 tyelioo

      Posted

      Hi

      I had a tiny incision with one suture in it about 8cm away from my scar where I had the plate - my surgeon said it was where they clamped the skin etc back to do the actual surgery - I imagine they'd need a really good view with tendon surgery so may be where the metal clamp was ?

  • vikki77474
    vikki77474 danielle_96194

    Posted

    I know it's been 2 years since your surgery, I hope you are fine now. Just wanted to ask how many weeks or months you recovered or you walked normally. As for me, my tibia and fibula were fractured. I had an external fixator with 5 rods inserted on it. I had my surgery last 4/7/17 and had xrays after 6 weeks and callus formation was so thin. Im on my 13th week now but still limping hard but I was able to drive now. It's been 3 weeks now since I started driving. Im just a little bit worried if it does disturb healing but my doc said in order to strengthen my bones I have to use it. So i did but it hurts when I walk far. It doesnt hurt when i drive though. Hope to remove this implants soon..

  • steve64258
    steve64258 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Just thought I would post that I was told not to use ice but to use a fan instead. I bought a tower fan and it works well on an elevated foot, really cooling it down with no risk of moisture causing infection. 
  • steve64258
    steve64258 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Should add, wonderful resource and thanks for all the advice people have posted, I found it invaluable
  • Ms._Organizer
    Ms._Organizer danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hi I had surgery July 25 .I have 2 screws in right ankle and 2 plates and 20 screws in left ankle. Ok I went into boot on left foot on week 7....now I am being whined out of boot. It is rough I walk very slow with cane with orthopedic sneaker.the first 4 days my ankles swollen almost scares u...my rehab guy said it is so normal I bought magnesium pills and drink lots of WATER but before 6 because getting up at night is the biggest hassle. I also bought compression socks So investing in foot things...ice pak,calcium,magnesium, good sneakers,a cane .I just want u to know some days I feel like I am doomed after exercises and I slept or am upset the next day but if I relax THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER RESTING I am another step further. SO I GUESS SOMETIMRS U THINK I GIVE UP AND THE NEXT DAY IS BETTER.JUST research stuff for yourself. You should massage you feet too because you will know how to be gentle .compression socks worked great for me So now I wonder when u can stand on bare feet or I even felt like I was going to vomit one morning I was so disgusted so I slept to afternoon When I got up walking was slow but no pain. So I do not know I guess like everyone else says Listen to your body Relax exercise slowly eat well lots of protein get your calcium and magnesium get hour water throughout day and wear compression socks.My husband knows I will not be attending anything for 8 months no late night events.but I want good feet so I would rather baby them .even if I am walking in two swollen sneakers I will not schedule any vacation etc.....until next year..good luck guys it is a true roller coaster

    ...

  • Akjules
    Akjules danielle_96194

    Posted

    I broke my ankle Tibia/Fibia September 30th had surgery October 4th. Rod and screws. I was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. I was aloud to do partial weight November 14th. I also started Physical Therapy and get a massage once a week having they focus 30 min just on ankle. I never had any pins and needles just maybe a little on my big toe. My ankle is very stiff. About 2 weeks into weight bearing i would sometimes walk around with one crutch. I can walk more like hobble without them but only short distance not safe. I feel the stiffness will never get better and i will never walk normal again.  When watching tv wth my husband i have him push my ankle for 30 seconds and release to help me stretch the tendons. I don’t have calf pain i had a little cramping first day on bike at PT but second time made it whole 5 min no cramps. I am now 8 weeks post op and i leave my house at 10am drive, do some work standing about 30 ‘min at a time and some sitting, i get to all my appointments with my crutches and don’t get how and prop my foot until about 4pm and i have swelling but nothing to bad. Intentions from winter boots and socks. I need to get good ted hose socks to help with that as tomorrow i will try a long standing shift. But it’s slow at nights and i hope for sitting time. Hope this helped anyone who is having anxiety and disappointment. My anxiety and stress been so bad. I dropped something and got in a squat position and then was like oh crap and thank goodness i had something To help pull me up. Ha ha i was squatting tho. 😄 i don’t take pain pills maybe once a week a 800 ibprophen. Last x Ray it wasn’t healed all the way but he said walking on it would stimulate it and i could do a tall firm winter boot if i didn’t want the air boot. I hate that thing and couldn’t drive with it. I have Columbia tall boots one size bigger. Okay this is long and i hope it helps someone. 

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 Akjules

      Posted

      You’ve done very well. I didn’t get back to work for 5 months. Still struggle some days but long hours take their toll. 81/2 months still bites and swells. 
    • Akjules
      Akjules jenni_24876

      Posted

      I’m sorry, this week is even better today i walked for the whole shopping trip at Fred Meyer. Left crutches up front and used cart as walker. I worked a 6 hour shift and most that was on my feet. It hurt, i got threw it. I’m pushing myself a little because well the bills don’t pay themselves and it’s Christmas time. I do spend at lease 2 days a week in bed after doing those long days. Give myself a break 🙏🏼

  • gabriel1981
    gabriel1981 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hi Danielle I have a 11 screws surgery 46. Days ago . I feel the pins and needles on the bottom of the foot the ur tolking about. How log u have ur...
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