Ankle Surgery Advice...Please Help
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello all...I'm desperate for advice or positive experiences.
I, a 29F, suffered a compound trimalleolar fracture of my right ankle back on August 12th 2017 as the result of a fall. I was immediately given an external fixator and had the bone surgically repaired on August 21st. The fibula was the only bone that suffered a significant break and as a result, the only one that received hardware (plate and 6 screws). I also had a Tightrope installed for the syndesmosis.
I've had routine healing with a slight limit in range of motion and a some tenderness on the tibial incision where debridement occurred. My October x-rays looked perfect and I proceeded to return to walking. Last week, during my 6th month checkup, my X-rays showed that the tibia and fibula are separating and the tightrope has failed. My surgeon wants to go back in, re-debride, and install 3 syndesmotic screws that will be pulled in 6 months.
In addition, I went for a CT scan of which I do not know the results. The only thing I know is that I've now been asked to go for a bone scan and Indium test to rule out infection. I am FREAKING out as I know how bad osteomyelitis can be. My mind has gone from another surgery to re-reduce, to worrying about an ankle fusion or an amputation or 6 weeks with a PICC line for IV antibiotics (did I mention I'm terrified of needles and will most likely have a breakdown having that in my arm for that much time?) to chronic infection and pain.
Has anyone been through this? I'm walking with little pain and I'm mostly happy, but I feel my world crashing down on me.
Thanks in advance.
0 likes, 2 replies
andrei85857 michelle45306
Posted
I have never been through this specifically and thus I can't speak from experience, but:
Did they tell you if they were really worried about infection of the bone? It sounds just like standard procedure, they just want to make sure it's all good. Not that it helps - being told you need another surgery is tough to handle as it is!
Waiting can be the hardest thing to do, so try to relax. I usually get worked up too and expect to hear the worst news - don't torture yourself.
I hope you get good news, and soon
nancy56987 michelle45306
Posted
I’m not really facing up to the reality of this.
The only way I got myself through the long recup and 3 months of non weight bearing was planning lots of travel and special activities for this spring and summer. I’m a retired widow and hate staying home and inactive, especially not being able to care for my young grandchildren.
It turned out my Vitamin D levels were extremely low and that might have affected my bones not healing correctly. Frustrating because if that is so important why didn’t they run a blood test on levels before surgery?
I was walking on my foot but the pain and swelling has got to be too much. I ve had to go back to a round the clock regimen of Iubrofen, Tylenol and Naproxen. Try to walk as little as possible and use my knee scooter. After 2 weeks the pain is under control. My wish is to somehow be able to delay this2ndsurgeryuntil September but that’s probably not realistic. My surgeon stands ready to add me to his schedule as soon as I give him the go ahead. Delaying won’t affect the outcome of the 2ndsurgery but if I’m in pain and my ankle won’t function I wont be able to participate in trips and activities and will have to go ahead with the surgery. I definitely need a mental health break!
Im sorry this isn’t very uplifting. I just wanted to say, I get it and ankle surgery really sucks. You just have to accept the limitations and reach out to friends, family, and health care providers for help. Ankle surgery has a high percentage of bones not knitting, most people just don’t understand how difficult it is mentally and physically-so you have to tell them and ask for help!