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

Good grief - you poor woman, I feel so sorry for you.  What a life changing experience.    But you seem extremely positive and an inspiration to us all so you will defifnitely get there.     All I would say is - take the drugs !!!!   if they help with the pain then you will feel more able to do the exercises and as a result, you'll heal better.

Very best of luck to you.

That sound's awful. Bad accident. I fell and am now 11 weeks post ORIF. It has been a very riff trek. So depressing. Lost my job. Always something. I am not in p.t. I am just doing some FROM excorcises off Tube. I am now walking without a boot cast with 0 pain but yes some swelling still. Hope your better soon.

I don't know if they will move your ankle. Have you started physio yet? I have an assessment tomorrow, it's only been just over 2 weeks since surgery. Things are moving pretty fast.

How's your boot for comfort? Mine is really giving me some pain. It's making me want to go back to a plaster cast!

Annoying more then anything!  They had to give me a larger boot because my leg was so swollen after the plaster cast came off.  once they took the staples and stitches out now I can feel the incision scars.  and my tendons are super super tight!

Yes feeling the scars is quite uncomfortable as well as the hard screws. I also have a small fracture blister which is a bit painful. Yes my whole ankle is not really moving at all, can only go up and down. The hospital said to try rotating side to side but it's not moving.

It's going to be a long old road to recovery isn't it!

Too long! but glad i found this forum as i was feeling quite alone!

Hi rmsko

I know everyone is having different experiences. I cant believe how much it varies. Whilst I had the cast on I hate loads of swelling and purple toes when standing up, this has lessened with the aircast. I am PWB for the next 4 weeks and then will be back to the hospital for x-ray and discharge. 

Just created a Facebook group where we can share experiences if you want to join

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as we do not post direct links like this. If users want the link please use the Private Message service to request the details.

http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

Hi Claire,

Could you send me the FB group you created as its been really useful reading all these experiences.

I dislocated my ankle and had a triple break on my fibula 7 weeks ago. I am partially weight bearing and have physio once a week. I have discomfort if I am on my leg for too long as it begins to swell but starting to see improvement in the motion in my ankle the more I do my exercises.

I am in tomorrow for my second round of physio so be keen to hear what improvement they think I have made.

Hope your recovery is going well.

Ben

Could I also get that fb info plz

Sent to you in a private message

That's great that you are having physio already even if you only PWB, are you in the UK?

I have sent you the Facebook link in a private message

I wonder if I can also get the fb info please?

I am 10 weeks in from broken fibua, screws and plates both side, I have my next appointment on Monday and am meant to be full weight bearing albiet in a boot cast by then and so far I am still on two crutches, trying but the pain is quite bad when I try to even use 1 crutch. this has been a blessing as you get so little information as to what should happen and when

 

Could you please also send me the FB link. Thanks.

Sent in a private message

Sent in a private message

Can I please get the Facebook information.

sent in private message

Hi there. Could you possibly send me the FB details via private message. I can't tell you how much this is helping me. I am 1 week tomorrow since I broke my fibular in two places and had surgery to pin and plate it. The one thing I have been overwhelmed withis the shock. I've just been so traumatised by losing my independence. I've been so frustrated and depressed this last week and this has made me feel so much better tonight. Thank you all.

Hello there. I have not fully recovered yet but you sir need to be patient. It should take you 6 weeks min. I have been with a cast for 12 weeks. Just started bearing weight . I have quit smoking and drinking. Reading a lot I am these days, watching movies, spending time with family, watching TV , movies, life's good. A little pain and a little struggle is just here for the time being and will pass.

Hello there how are you now?? I am 12 weeks now from broken tibula and fibula. Started weight bearing. How long before I should be walking .?? And I feel pain in my metatarsal . please let me know if this is common? Thanks

Hi Claire,

Soooo glad I found this forum. 4 weeks post surgery to rebuild my ankle. 4plates, 14 screws and 3 pins. I am only 38 yo with 2 young children so this has been a nightmare. Still having a good amount of pain and swelling (actually has gotten worse the last 2 days??). 

My question is has anyone slept WITHOUT the boot?? It is so uncomfortable and my sleep has been horrible.....

I would like to join the FB group as well...

Sent it in a private message

Sent in a PM

Could you PM me he FB group info, please?

Hi please can you message me FB group x

Can you send me link for FB group thanks

Can I get the Facebook info

Can someone please explain more about Part weight bearing? How can you be PART?

Surely I stand on my foot or not?

For me, I am part weight bearing when i walk using crutches.  My feet touch the ground and i can partially put my foot down and most of my body weight is supported, as i move forward, with my crutches.  As you progress, you can put more of your weight on your foot as you walk.  Same with the stair exercises.   When you go UP on your tiptoes, you have your other foot to support you but as your foot strengthens, you can put 50% of the weight on your injured foot and then 60%.   Dont do anything though without professional advice.  Good luck

Thank you so much for the advice. I am dreading this next process which will not happen until 2nd June when this cast comes off.

So glad to have found this site as it gives me a better understanding of how LONG this process is & what to expect after breaking an ankle. Very good to talk to others with the experience.

I didnt realise you are still in a cast.  In that case, I cannot advise about weight bearing.  When I was in a surgical boot [which is sort of the same thing but just a bit more flexible], I was not permitted to weight bear at all for the first 7 weeks until it came off.   How many weeks post surgery are you?

On 2nd June it will be 6 weeks but they are changing the cast to PWB for 2 weeks & then may give me a boot. I broke ankle in USA & they told me I would be in cast for 10 weeks so don't know if UK do it sooner. I have 2 pins, one down tibia & one across foot which hopefully won't need removing.

Ah.  I am in UK.   I was in a cast for two weeks post-surgery and when stitches were removed, i went into a surgical boot to the knee, twenty-four hours a day for another 7 weeks non-weight bearing the whole time.  I had a tibia and fibula ankle break on one leg and have plates and pins.  I am 17 weeks.

I am back in the UK now. Hopefully I will be a few more weeks before they make me go PWB. I don't think 6 weeks NWB sounds long enough for such a bad break for myself but will do as they tell me because I want it to work well after all these healing weeks.

Did you find yourself in pain after cast was removed? Are these boots any good?

I had really bad break (21 fractures in ankle without one up leg) I was in cast for 7 weeks non weight bearing. Given a boot to wear, a week later had first physiotherapy. The physiotherapist took boot off me saying to weight bare straight away. I think each specialist have their own ideas.

Hi Claire, 

could you private message me the FB page details please. 

Hi could you let me know what the Facebook link is thankyou

Sarah

Wow Gill 21 fractures? Did you go on ok since then? Are you in the UK?

Never been one for doing things by half. Yes in the uk. I had four plates, screw and rod fitted. There have been difficult times but things do get better over time. Been on here has helped a lot and encouragement from family and friends. Have managed to walk last couple of months around home without crutches. Outside still need crutch as don't feel yet steady enough on uneven surface. Have returned back to work, everything just takes longer. I do think I will be left with permanent limp but anything is better than not walking at all.  I am 62years old and do think the older you are the longer it takes to heal. 

I am not sure myself Sarah but read others talking about a Facebook page that Clare was ??? starting or running but that the moderators of this site were blocking the link but suggesting private messaging.  

I have avr found one I have just joined by using the search function in Facebook and putting in Ankle Fractures & Recovery. 310 members and have just joined that group.  I am progressing extremely well from my Trimalleolar 17 weeks ago except for nerve pain and so am after answers from wherever I can find them. 

Thankyou for that will look for it now. I've got a broken tibia fibia and fractured my ankle. Got 2 plates 14 screws and a big B & Q screw going through the leg holding the ligaments in my ankle that's meant to be removed at 8 - 10 weeks. Been in plaster after op nearly 2.5 weeks now non weight bearing till 16th June then meant to go to boot just getting so frustrated by it all. As all I want to do is get back to work and as you know have a normal life and doctors just seem to be a waste of space.

Gill I am 58 so I know what you mean about us taking longer to heal. So glad you are walking & working again. Like you say a limp is so much better than not being able to walk.

Sounds like you did a really good job of busting your ankle, and the pressure of trying to get back to work would be making it worse.  My surgeon was very up front when I first met him the morning after my fall.  My first ever broken bone at 62 yrs old and I had to break three and dislocate my foot as well so didn't know what to expect but my surgeon told me that it was no ordinary break and that it would take 14 months to be the best it was going to be!  Not what I wanted to hear but it certainly made me realise that I was in for the long haul.  I feel for you it really is such a frustrating depressing challenging time and googling to try to find answers is one way I find to pass the time and try to help myself.  Good luck with your recovery.......hope it all goes well.

Thankyou, just had physio here she's getting me crutches on Friday when she comes back to see me. Was amazed at my upper body strength going up and down stairs and lifting upright again. She's said though the boot going to be on for quite a few weeks but I read a blog from an American lady who is in her 50's and she had a straight break ankle bone and she just pressed on with exercises and was free of the boot in 2 weeks. I'm nearly 44 and has been pointed out I'm stubborn. I have work colleagues come and visit or message me just miss being there and you know what it's like it's just so boring. Hopefully crutches when I get the hang off them will have me whizzing around.

Would you be kind enough to send me FB info as well thru PM please.

Hi angeladvocate,  I don't know if Claire is still on this forum as I asked for Facebook links and had no reply. I have found two.  Just use the Facebook search one is Ankle Fractures and Recovery, and the other is 

Broken Ankle/Foot/ Leg Recovery - on a Quest For.  The second has over 1400 members. Any forum to share ideas and advice!   Hope that is helpful for you. 

Oh thanks so much, I found the second one you mentioned and requested to join.  First one didn't show up in search.  Sorry my appreciation comes late, still trying to figure out how to use site, ask questions, reply, etc.  Thanks again

Just wanted to let you know I have found another Facebook page / forum with over 1400 members it's called Broken Ankle / Foot / Leg Recovery - on a Quest for.    With so many members there seems to be lots posts on that page. Hope you find it helpful too 

Could u please send me the fb request I shattered my knee and broke the tibia and femur bone into 2 different places had to have surgery 1 week after I broke everything coming off of a truck I feel so alone

Wanda, on your facebook page (assuming you already have an account), type in "Broken Ankle / Foot / Leg Recovery - on a Quest for Normal" in your search bar.  You will see it show up in the drop down choices.  Click on the line with the title from above, it will take you to the page.  Then click the 'join' button (it is a closed group) and you will get a message once accepted to group.  I find it to be of great help to me, think you will too.  If you don't have a FB account, you will have to create one first, then search and join.  Hope this helps.  Know you are not alone and you will get great support.  Good luck. 

Having surgery Tue after trimalleoar fracture in August. 14 at baseball game. Live in U. S. and would like the FB group info as well. Found blogs, but looking fir more info and support.

Hi Lisa,  I don't think Claire is on the forum very often to answer your query about the Facebook page. If you use the Facebook search engine and type in Broken Ankle/ Foot/ Leg Recovery - On A Quest for Normal    the group will come up.  Like all Facebook groups you have to request to join but it is very good positive group. Hope that helps, Cynthia. 

I found the group on FB. Thank you!😀

Hi Tracy -   YES !!!   go for it.     I've been in an air-walker for almost three weeks now and was told at the beginning to sleep without it and live without it during the daytime UNLESS I NEEDED TO WALK ANYWHERE.   So that's exactly what I've done.    It means I can do all my exercises as and when I feel like it and each day I can see and feel my ankle getting stronger.

For sleeping, I do have a big pillow to rest my leg on but I can also sleep on both sides, I'm just careful how I move my ankle around.  But as time passes and you get used to it, you won't worry about that so much.   If you've plates & screws in the leg, then it's ostensibly 'Stable'.

I broke my Tib & Fib and dislocated Talus joint 7 weeks ago.   Had four different casts prior to Air-walker.    In the beginning I found the air tubes & mechanism inside the boot rubbed my inner ankle incision and made the boot painful to wear.  So we turned the inner liner inside out, bringing the air tubes to the outer side of my leg.  Ok the air bubble had to stay just on top of the boot but that didn't matter, it still worked exactly as it should.   Now, I've turned it back to how it should be because the incisions are healed well and only marginally uncomfortable.

So go for it - have a good nights sleep and get well soon.

Could u pls send me the fb link pls.I am new to this and this helps me too get thru. I am wondering if I should had even taken this surgery.. I hate being in pain it drives me crazy

Well, for those of you reading this in 2017, yes, I had to take the boot off to sleep starting 4 wks post injury. I laid on my left side (R fibula fractures) with a soft flat pillow under it. Told doc at 5 wk checkup & he said that's fine.

Hi Tracy. I am 4 wks since having surgery. I wore a splint for 2 wks, then given a boot, suppose to wear boot for 5 wks, 23/7. But I was done with the boot in one week. I hate it. I never could sleep, and it made my pain bad. I just keep my foot elevated. But i had to give the boot, the boot.

Hi claire, can i get the FB group link as well please? Thanks!