6 Weeks Post Ankle Surgery...need help!!!
Posted , 137 users are following.
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
joy_19130 danielle_96194
Posted
leticia57372 danielle_96194
Posted
Hi Danielle,
I fractured my ankle on 11/15/17, after being in a cast for 6 weeks the ortho dr removed the cast and told me to start walking on my ankle. To "lose" the crutches and wheelchair. I tried to do that even tho it was extremely painful but just couldn't do it. I could see/feel that my ankle was not healing so I followed up with my primary and she sent me for an MRI. Come to find out I had several torn ligaments and tendants. I had to go to a podiatrist for surgery. He said my ankle was pretty bad. Now I am in a cast again for another 4 weeks. Even though the bone fracture healed just fine, I still had more serious damage that an
ortho dr cannot see on a regular xray. Just putting it out there for anyone that has had an ankle fracture/injury that just isn't healing. If you feel something else is wrong, you are most likely right.
kimberly_70745 danielle_96194
Posted
I fell from a staircase and broke my left ankle two places the two bones on the sides of my ankle was required to do surgery but I didn't but I am walking now with a little limp at times pains and swelling sometimes think I am going to do a surgery because doctors insist pain and swelling won't go away without surgery
ann22953 danielle_96194
Posted
I broke my tibia and fibula and had a plate and screws 6 weeks ago. I wonder what is normal procedure for physical therapy. My PT Assistant watches while I do some simple stretches and exercises. On my third visit she measured my ankle for swelling (maybe this is for a baseline for additional weight bearing coming soon) and showed me how to use crutches and "tap my toe" of my broken ankle for a little balance before stepping through with good leg. That's it! I go tomorrow to learn how to put more weight on. So far, no equipment, no hydrotherapy or any sensory of any kind, no massage, no help re methods for getting in out to from over up down etc. I wonder if I am being ripped off, financially and physically.Although she is sweet and has made a couple of reassuring comments that helped like, "the goal is 100% recovery to normal activities, your ankle should be even stronger because of the surgery". PT seems pretty lame
Ms._Organizer ann22953
Posted
hi just so u know most surgeon just want to see your bones aligned and healed After that u r on your own unless u r persistent .here is my advice.1.remember even if cartlidge is thin ..you have enough to get your nerves muscle,tendons STRONGER BUT THIS ALL TAKES TIME walk slow ,wear unbendable sneakers with insoles( alot of insurance co will pay for this because it protects your leg or ankle from breaking again)drink ALOT of water take supplements Vit D,vitB,calcium,magnsium,and herbs turmeric and superfood mix....wear compression socks ...or and switch sneakers mid day after u ice your ankle.i am 1 1/2 years out 2 plates 16 screws...and 2 screws in the other ankle....the doctor was" ok bone is healed...go walk"...NO YOU PROBABLY HAVE NERVE DAMAGE so with a second opinion he told me walk in a pool up to neck because your weight on bare feet can not be tolerated for a while It has only been 2 weeks and that burning rubberband tightening feeling is starting to go away .BUT I STILL NEVER GO BAREFOOT (EXCEPT THAT THERAPY)..and am finally making it to things pass 8pm Good luck everyone They do not tell u all this stuff I guess it is so daunting
teresa93024 ann22953
Posted
Everything you said I thought the same thing about pt.
diane57239 Ms._Organizer
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i have the rubberband feeling feels like the skin is too tight
sandra91321 danielle_96194
Posted
hello everyone or should i say good morning except i know its not going to be i had my mid-joint in foot scraped arthurtis out and fused together-6 weeks ago and i am in pure agony. and i have enough problems i know i am truly sorry for anyone that is having this foot pain because it is awful.ow pain but this surgery man i don't know. the doctor looked at me and told me it would be the easiest surgery ever i guess it is for him but nit for me i am still swelling badly, pin and needles, electricity shooting thru it, and it cold all the time. i am going nuts with the pain and he inability to control it. i have it elevated most of the day with ice on it. it is 5 am here i have been up since three wit the pain it is burning like a blow torch is on it the worst thing is you can see where the plate is sticking out further than the side of my foot i am so scared e is going to have to go back in and do something, who am i kidding i know he will because i also had two fracture metarcils bone in the foot that were done sometime that i was advised to leave alone well not they have knotted up on my foot i just don't know what to do I'm loosing my mind wit this because i don't seem to be able to beat it and it is killing me.
diane57239 sandra91321
Posted
I got anxiety medicine and pain medication I took the pain meds as needed and to sleep. After surgery it felt like I had burned the top of my foot from nerves. I only took the anxiety medicine when I had an attack but knowing I have it is a relief if I need it. Maybe you can talk to your Dr and get stress/anxiety medicine.
diane57239 danielle_96194
Posted
On Memorial Day I broke my ankle in 3 places. I got a plate and 7 screws for it and three from the other side going through the ankle they did a ligament repair too. This Thursday is my 6 week post op at two weeks they removed the stitches from both sides of my ankle. That was not fun.
Hopefully I can stop wearing the splint and start weight bearing. I am looking forward to driving and doing things around the house again I have slept on my couch for two months. I bought the elevated toilet seat, shower chair, borrowed a walker and bought a light weight wheelchair(lie) to tear up my house.
Thank God i could work remotely. It saved my sanity. Every week I get short term disability forms but I never stopped working. You need to miss 15 days before it kicks in. I was so anxious with the restriction the work kept my mind off it. I was prescribed medicine for anxiety. I no longer take anything. I want to drive again back to work. I have saved a lot of trees though pdf'ing my work.
My foot still has swelling and numbness. An occasional tweek of pain on the inside of my ankle. It feels like there is an elastic around my ankle or the skin is too tight?
As far as the shoes go do you get a larger size? I have really enjoyed reading what other people have experienced. Do you take painkillers for physical therapy?
Thanks for letting me voice myself! Diane