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Ankle fracture still hurts after 8 months

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katherine76074
katherine76074

I fractured my ankle in 3 places last summer and while I didn't need surgery.  The doctor said if it had been one break he would have put a screw and have given me a walking cast right away.  Because of three breaks in the ankle I wore a non-weight bearing cast for 12 weeks.  Next I used a waking boot for a month and then a tension sock for another.  The ankle still hurts when I walk on it too much.  I had a CT Scan but haven't been given the results as of yet.  From reading the results myself it sounds like the ankle is still healing. (since doctor is on vacation I had her receptionist read me the results).  Trying to read thru all the medical terminalogy it sounds like it is not quite back to normal.  Anyone else had this experience?  Any input would be most welcomed!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • chocolatecake
    chocolatecake katherine76074

    Posted

    Hi Katherine, your situation sounds quite similar to mine.

    I fractured my mid and hind foot in multiple places but mostly 3 main bones, 4 months ago.

    I too was put in a removable cast, non-weight bearing for 3 months and now in a cam boot, partial weight bearing with crutches.

    When i had an x-ray done about a month ago, it showed that 2 of the bones are still broken. Apparently this isn't unusual as the body is desperately trying to heal all the bones whereas if it was a single break, the body sends its medics there to heal it.

    I can't wear my cam boot in bed or around the house as it's soo big and cumbersome, so have been wearing a pressure sock to help the oedema and nerve damage. This was suggested by my physio.

    I've been hobbling around the house and this is very painful but i have an x-ray on Thursday, so hopefully i will be told the broken bones have now healed.

    When is your doctor back from vacation? Do you have to wait long to get an explanation?

    If i have learned one thing from this site, it is that ankle fractures take such a long time to heal - often years. x

     

  • Airellajordan
    Airellajordan katherine76074

    Posted

    I also fractured my ankle in 3 places, but had surgery. I  am almost 8 weeks post orif surgery and became weight bearing a week ago. I haven't put my full weight on my ankle yet. I have a plate and 11 screws. From what I read on here it's a long, long, long process. If your not feeling comfortable with your doctor a second opinion can't hurt. When were you able to put your full weight on your ankle with your boot? Without your boot? Do you go to PT? 

    • katherine76074
      katherine76074 Airellajordan

      Posted

      After 3 months in a non-weight bearing cast I switched to the walking boot with crutches for a month allowing some weight to be applied on the foot. This lasted a month and then full weight with the tensor sock.  My doctor is back and hopefully I will see her this week or speak with her by phonecall.  I have had PT for about 2 months and should continue with the excersises givien to me at home but some days the ankle just throbs like a toothache.   I'll keep you up to date. 

  • Patientholland
    Patientholland katherine76074

    Posted

    Hello Katherine. I am 15 months post ankle ORIF surgery and have learned patience, patience and more. The pain is still a moving target daily and I am never out of it. It may be because I am 68 and healing is very slow. I think surgeons underestimate recovery periods though mine did say 6 months to a year. Well I am well past a year now and I am still having difficulty. At your stage, I carefully went through the PT's exercises twice daily and never overdid it. I still find that keeping it mobilised helps and wearing the type of open shoe that platformed fit flops offer is very helpful. My best support was by using KT TAPE. Just amazing support and relief. I used their informative You Tubes to ensure I used it correctly. I wish you well with your recovery

    • katherine76074
      katherine76074 Patientholland

      Posted

      Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.  I will know my results of my CT Scan this week but I suspect it is just as you said that patience is needed. I find over the counter A.C. & C.with 8mg codiene works well for constant pain and throbbing.  Other times I just use Tylonel for Arthitis as my Orthapedic Specialist suggested.  I will use a type of tensor boot especially this spring and summer when I am on uneven ground outside.  Uneven ground is something I was instructed to be very careful with for awhile.  Well wishes to you too!

  • sandra81957
    sandra81957 katherine76074

    Posted

    Hi Katherin. I broke my right ankle a year come April. Had plates and screws on both sides. The pain I'm still getting has really brought me dwn BIG time. Today has been really really painful tonight I can't even take the weight of the duvet. Now on withing list for knee op on same leg, where they have advised me to have the plates n screws removed. Just the thought of having to go through it all again fills me with anxiety. Which isn't good for me as my anxiety levels go through the roof. This has been the hardest thing I have ever been through. I was non weigh baring for 9weeks 3casts moon boot then light weight baring on crutches for weeks. Today I really think if I had taken the crutches with me then I would of used them because of how hard and painful it was to walk. We have a long road ahead of us and wonder if we will ever be the same again. Ad I've been told that ankle fractures/brakes are hard work and may never walk without this horrible limp. Sx

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