1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankle Problems

ANKLE SWELLING -- help

Posted , 4 users are following.

misty34883
misty34883

Broke ankle in August 2015 in four places, have had surgery and plate and also cleanng of fragments out of ankle joint.  I'm walking with a cane, but cannot seem to get rid of the swelling - yes I have PT twice a week but need some ideas on the swelling other than ice as that isn't working anymore - any ideas?

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • MsCamboot
    MsCamboot misty34883

    Posted

    Hi Misty. I like you broke my ankle August 2015 in 3 places with a dislocation. Surgeon says worse end of the spectrum regarding ankle breaks. I'm hobbling with a crutch and sometimes wear the moonboot / camboot. I too have swelling and wear a Tubi grip. I keep the right leg elevated when at home sitting and sometimes with ice. I've heard it can take 1-2 years to be rid of the swelling if you're lucky. I'm not yet back at work as I have a highly active physical job. I'm nearly 60. Are you working? How long will you be using a cane to get about or roughly ? All the best with your recovery.
    • misty34883
      misty34883 MsCamboot

      Posted

      OH MY - I broke both bones in my ankle in 4 places and have a plate and 16 screws and then 2 that come from the back.  I also had surgery to clean out the shattered bone fragments from the joint and surgery to lengthen the achilie tendon to help with recovery- so I can feel your pain.  I did this in August 2015 and had surgery 10 days later due to swelling.  I have had 3 casts, one Cam Boot, a brace and am now with a cane learning to bend and walk.  I was non weight bearing for 2 months and could go no where without assistance.  With PT I am now able to bend up, down, and side to side, but still have pain and swelling.  I too wear a compression sock, but that doesn't seem to help much.  I have  temporary handicap pass, but they will renew it again in February so I am able to park close to where I work.  fI spent my 60th birthday on pain meds and down - happy bday to me sad    I have had the cane since end of November and can get around in the house but not out and about due to my stability.  2 years for swelling to go away that just isn't right - wish you a speedy recovery
    • MsCamboot
      MsCamboot misty34883

      Posted

      IMG_3482.JPG

      Hi misty ! Yours sounds very, very bad too. Not sure how to upload on here a photo of my metal. But here goes. If it doesn't work, any idea?

    • misty34883
      misty34883 MsCamboot

      Posted

      No clue how to upload, but all I can say is I look like a set of pick up sticks or legos - I have screws going here there and everywhere, but as my PT says you can't break it again with all that in there

       

  • bonpoole
    bonpoole misty34883

    Posted

    Hi Misty,

    Had the same procedure in 1993. Swelling took a long time to go down (couple of years. You could try any or all of the following:

    Topicals:

    Arnica gel or cream

    Comfrey cream

    By mouth:

    Turmeric

    homeopathic arnica 30c

    I still use these from time to time when the weather makes my ankle swell and hurt.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    • misty34883
      misty34883 bonpoole

      Posted

      Thank you - I will check out the suggested items, appreciate the feedback.
  • linda66990
    linda66990 misty34883

    Posted

    Hi Misty,

    I'm 14 weeks post weber b fracture with plates and screws. I thought by now the swelling would be resolved and I'd be walking better. My ankle swells and by the end of the day I am suffering.  I do find ice being the best, but I also wear a compression sock which helps also.  I try going without the sock some days becasuse it's tight and rubs against the incision and it burns and then my ankle it swollen almost immediatiely.  I want to know how long this lasts. It is cold and icey where I live and I'm afraid of slipping in the ice. My doctor gave me handicap parking pass lasting 1 more week.  I guess he thinks I should be walking normal. I called for an extension and he gave me 2 more weeks. I'm feeling very frustrated with the contiued pain and limping. I'm not seeing much progress lately. 

    • misty34883
      misty34883 linda66990

      Posted

      I did mine August 8th and at end of November was placed on a cane, but like you I am frustrated with the progress.  They keep saying that I have to remember the severity of the injury and that it takes time for all the bones, nerves and tendons to repair, I say "sure" but I am over the pain, the wonder and dealilng with this.  I can say that the message board has helped me get through a lot of this and the suggestions are all great.  I put ice behind my knee - have you tried that.  I also put vitamin e on the incision to help with the dryness when wearing my compression sock.
  • linda66990
    linda66990 misty34883

    Posted

    Hi Misty,

    I'm going to have to try ice behind the knee.  The weather has been snowing for 6 weeks here.  I think it makes my ankle hurt. I talked to the nurse from the surgeons office who said we are saving the handicap spots for the people that "need" it.  OMG! I told her maybe she should tell that to 90% of the people parking in them that don't need them.  I'm limping and in pain and she said I need the exercise. I hate to say this, buy I can only hope she has to do this one day. She wanted to order me Gabapentin.  The pain is starting to make me angry.  She said well it will make you happy to know I extended the pass till March.  This is a nightmare, I don't need her to tell me how much to exercise  There would be plenty of handicap spots if others weren't taking advantage of them.  Sounds like I'm a month behind you, but you have more hardware.  I almost feel like I should go back to using the crutches.  I was in less pain when I was NWB.  Waagh.  I'm a wreck today. I hope you're getting on better with some relief to this!

    • misty34883
      misty34883 linda66990

      Posted

      I'm on Gabapentin, it helps with sleeping at night as I was getting the shooting pains in my foot / ankle / calf - now at least I can rest.  Tell that nurse to take a walk off a short pier, what a nasty thing to say.  I changed PT's after two months as the one I had said "I'm so dispointed in you" when I was so proud of being down to one crutch - I told myself leave now go where you get positive energy - I am so happy where I am and feel like there is some progress.  Have you tried just using one crutch - we need that stability while we work through our issues - both pain and mental - to get back to our routines in life.  Hang in there - and tell the negative people to keep their comments to themselves -

       

  • Oopsy_day
    Oopsy_day misty34883

    Posted

    Hi Misty,

    Ms Camboot's suggestion of the tubi grip is a great idea. Also you may want to get hold of say sports pressure socks. They are very firm...rather ugly...yay, but work a treat

    • misty34883
      misty34883 Oopsy_day

      Posted

      I've been using the compression sock and it does help a bit, but wanted a quicker go away swelling method - I've been using the grapefruit essentional oil (as suggested) and this along with soaking in eucalyptus and epsom salt seems to be helping - at least I hope this isn't all in my head smile.  Thank you for the support, it is much appreciated.

       

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.