Bimalleolar fracture
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi, I fractured both sides of my ankle 17 weeks ago. The outside of the ankle was badly fractured above the ankle joint. The inside wasn't a bad fracture and was on the ankle joint. They said I was a fraction away from surgery but I never got it. I was 6 weeks in cast and told it had healed. I'm still walking with crutches. I had a Ct scan at 11 weeks that showed the outside (lateral) fracture wasn't completely healed. 5 previous xrays showed it was healed. I've been doing the exercises since getting the cast off. Up until about 13 weeks I couldn't put weight on my foot. I can now put weight on it and shift my weight from side to side etc but can't walk without crutches. I can stand on the injured leg but need to hold on to something. I've got good flexibility in my foot but no ankle joint dorsiflexion. Most of the pain I get is under the medial malleolus and on the lateral side of my achilles tendon. I feel I will never get rid of crutches and back to normal. Has anyone had a similar experience?
0 likes, 4 replies
steve93807 linda08677
Posted
Hi Linda,
I've had a similar experience -- a nondisplaced bimalleolar fracture of my left ankle. I too came close to having surgery, but somehow avoided it. I was 8 weeks in a boot and had almost 8 weeks of phys therapy. I don't have much pain or swelling, but still walk with a limp of have limited dorsiflexion, which is frustrating. It seems like PT yielded only modest results.
Now, a new problem has emerged. I'm am getting a clicking/rubbing sensation in my ankle with every step I take. After Googling the symptoms, it seems to fit a problem called Peroneal Tendon Subluxation. This is where the tendon behind the lateral malleolus becomes loose and rubs against the malleolus. And while it doesn't hurt (yet), it's concerning, because I wonder if it's going to tear and lead to greater problems. I called my DPM this morning to inform her of the problem, and am waiting to hear back.
Sorry to hear you're still relying on crutches. Is your ankle swelling much? Does it still hurt to walk? What has your doctor told you to do at this point?
Good luck and let's stay in touch. It's good to support each other!
Steve
(Troy, Michigan)
linda08677 steve93807
Posted
Hi Steve, Im now at 22 weeks. Ive no ankle pain. my ankle is still a bit thicker than the good side and swells a bit at the end of the day. My foot is quite stiff when I get out of bed. In the last couple of weeks I've cut down to one crutch and some days managed without a crutch (in the house,). I've now got a really sore knee, lateral and posterior. So now my ankle is a lot better my knee is a big problem and I'm back on painkillers, paracetamol and sometimes ibuprofen as well. My physio has given me strengthening exercises for my knee and said the stiff ankle and lack of dorsiflexion has affected my knee. How are you now. has the new problem got any better?
steve93807 linda08677
Edited
Hi Linda,
Glad to hear no ankle pain, but sorry to learn about the knee issue. I hope the exercises help.
I too am stiff in the morning (and after sitting awhile), so I use a walker to get around at first, and then discard it once the flexibility returns during the day. The clicking/rubbing issue seems to be subsiding. My doctor said that it's not peroneal tendon subluxation, but that the tendons are moving because of the stiffness in my leg/ankle. I've noticed that as my ankle warms up and gets used during the day, the clicking/rubbing seems to disappear, but comes back in the morning.
I too have a dorsiflexion problem that I'm working hard on eliminating and I'm starting to see a little progress in that I can now walk down stairs better and am able to alternate feet doing so, whereas before, I always had to lead with my bad foot first. The additional stretching I'm doing seems to be helping. My doc said it's all about stretching, which he wants me to do 3 times a day now, instead of just once. I'm also using the leg/foot machines at the gym and also the stationary bike, which I think help as well.
What are you doing to help improve dorsiflexion?
linda08677 steve93807
Posted
Hi Steve. I'm glad you are improving. I.m seeing improvements every day. I'm no longer using crutches. I've been doing exercises for my knee which is a lot better. I can walk up the stairs alternating my feet but still do one stair at a time coming down. My ankle is no longer hot and not as swollen. It still swells a bit at the end of the day. I've got no pain but it's still stiff when I first get out of bed. My walking is a bit slow and my gait not perfect but definitely getting there. I've got a little dorsiflexion, I just do the stretches on my achilles. I.m over 6 months now and planning to try driving soon, then look at getting back to work in a few weeks all going well. At times I thought life would never get back to normal but now see a light at the end of the tunnel.