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Back to work fighting on going pain 5 month post ORIF on bimalleour Fracture

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Beesmine
Beesmine

Hi 

Wondering if anyone else has experienced problems with these issues. Would appreciate insight or advice. I returned to work (I'm a nuclear tech at a Cardiology Imaging Clinic) about a month ago after ORIF surgery on a bimalleour fracture. I expected to have pain and swelling but I'm still struggling to get thru the day. I've gone back to using a cane off and on during the day. I have constant pain that gets progressively worse during the day. One area is a ongoing pain along the inside of my lower leg. There are several tender spots that I can pinpoint and I can feel it worsen when I point my toes. I was standing the other day and felt a pop on just under the outside ankle bone and could hardly walk for about 45 min. Then it slowly resolved. It was embarrassing in front of a patient. When I get home all I can do is put my feet up. No desire to go or do anything else. I'm still doing Physical Therapy and taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen twice daily. My job is very physical requiring me to be on my feet all day moving quickly making quick stops and turns. I feel like I am barely getting thru the day. The pain inside my leg is always there.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Konnie
    Konnie Beesmine

    Posted

    Hi there,  I am well behind you in healing a trimall fx (6.5 weeks, just started FWB).  But I was walking in water at physio yesterday and I was getting inside ankle pain, which is unusual for me.  The tech said most of the muscles that support the ankle come down the inner  calf and they are being stressed after lying mostly dormant. So maybe that explains some of it and something to work on?  I am no expert just passing along that info. The popping sound does not sound good, I am glad it resolved,  I can't imagine being on your feet all day.  Resting up in the evening makes sense for a bit.

  • cindy30526
    cindy30526 Beesmine

    Posted

    Can you rest it by using a knee scooter at work? At least part of the time. Also, if you can get professional massage on your leg that will help loosen things up.
  • patti123
    patti123 Beesmine

    Posted

    Hi Beesmine- I suspect you may have gone back to work and pushed a bit too hard too soon. I am a trimal ORIF 10-1/2 mos out. Most people I knew going through this only started to feel better month 4 and decided to wait until month 5 to start back to work. Some who started too soon and had too strenous jobs on their feet all day took a lot longer to heal and experienced a lot more pain. Just my experience from reading the posts. I figured you may want to know what I've learned. I heard many people liked a semi-tight compression sock at your point. Maybe that would help? Sorry to hear you are going through this.

    Re. the pop, search that word through this ankle site. I have heard a lot of people experiencing this, but don't recall what the issue was re. that.

    • Beesmine
      Beesmine patti123

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I  think you are totally correct. I was out of FMLA, vacation and sick leave.  The surgeon was ready to le me go so I felt like that is what I should do.  Niw I feel like I'm just straining and and causing reinjury to  musculoskeletal areas. I think the bone has healed and I don't think the hardware is causing a problem. It seems like it is more tendon ligament or nerve. I just don't want to do permanent damage. I am wearing the compression stockings already with the brace and do think they help. I'm continuing with physical therapy - they keep saying I need to strengthen the ankle. I'm doing everthing they say. I've made another appoint with the surgeon but he couldn't see me till the 20th. 

  • julie6789
    julie6789 Beesmine

    Posted

    Hi there,

    Yes I had similar issues. I dislocated my ankle and fractured my fibula in January 16. ORIF done on 1st which was unsuccessful so I had to have a 2nd op a couple of weeks later. I returned to work after 3 months but I continued to get pain and swelling. Even with physio I could barely move my ankle and it was constantly swelling when I was stood on it. I do work in an office so not as physical as your job. I was referred to a foot specialist and told that my ligaments had not actually fixed. I have since had another operation. I am 12 months post ORIF now still on the road to recovery but I'm hoping this is it this time. Hope you get it sorted.

    • Beesmine
      Beesmine julie6789

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply Julie

      Ive acualky had great flexibility and motion with the ankle. Just pan and weakness. The pain is always there along my inside ankle and lower leg worsening with activity. The pain on the outside of my ankle comes and goes. Did your surgeon refer you to the foot specialist? Mine let me go when he ok'd me to go back to work. I've made another appt to see him.

    • julie6789
      julie6789 Beesmine

      Posted

      Hi, yes the bone was fixed but I had no flexibility and it was painful and still swelling a lot so he referred me on to the ankle and foot specialist. I also had a ct scan than confirmed the problem. It's worth mentioning when you go but if your flexibility is fine it might be that you are just doing too much. Fingers crossed for you that everything is ok.

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