Broken Ankle 11/08/16 tib fib and dislocation age 50
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi all, I well and truly scuppered myself when I slipped broke my ankle on Thursday 11.08.16
Broke my tib and fib and dislocated ankle. I went to Broadford hospital on skye where they straightened and alighted the brake and put a plaster cast on. I was then transferred to Raigmore Inverness where I was told I would need plates and screws
I had to wait for swelling to improve before I could have my op on Friday
I was told all went well with the plates and screws but still have heavy swelling so only had a back plate plaster, hard at back soft at front. I got home Saturday night and have to go back to raigmore for the cast to be fitted Monday.
All staff at both hospitals have been fantastic we do have the best health service in the world I'm sure of that.
Pain is up and down have been given Dihydracodeine 30mg 4 times a day, I shall take less if I can but have needed it so far. I have to inject anti blood clotting every evening for 28 days. Don't mind that don't mind needles.
Very nervous on the crutches in case I fall and feel very weak getting up onto my foot is hard work but am quite comfortable when sitting with leg raised, my wife got me a bunch of lovely pillows when she collected me from the hospital.
I have posted on here because I was reading up and thought I would share my experience as this whole process kicks in.
I feel rather helpless at the moment, a little worried about the long term and short term effects.
I have an excellent job and will be able to work from home (Health & Safety Advisor /Trainer) I know it's quite Ironic, I had gone to speak to a work colleague who had broken their toe bone on the Monday and half an hour after speaking with him I had done a far worse job on myself!
Anyone out there who is experiencing the same or similar currently and would like to share thoughts feelings outcomes would be much appreciated.
I do feel a little nauseous every now and then but it may be the drugs, haven't had this kind of medication before, usually just the liquid kind (wine) which will be off the cards for a while.
Oh well going to see if I can get up and go for a pee definitely not as easy as it sounds??
1 like, 51 replies
Danas_mom connor_mm
Posted
I liked the expression of "club none of us asked to join." Originally joined about 20 years ago (right ankle) and re-upped my membership in March when I broke left ankle.
This break, was dependent on iwalker, or rollator here in US, with help from family. We used as wheelchair though it's not designed for that. Home not designed for wheelchair. Even had to remove door to bedroom to use rollator. I did try crutches but fell after first surgery after external fixator attached due to swelling and fracture blisters. Sheer terror not being able to comprehend how I would get up. (I did thanks to 2 great emergency responders.) Therefore dependency on rollator until released to be weight bearing. At that point, regular walker because didn't want wheels on rollator to scoot when I wasn't ready. During PT, began using cane, and continue to use in home dependent on level of stiffness in both knee and ankle. When I feel confident, I will walk without any aide. Ain't graceful, but I am getting about.
As these discussions highlight, we are all different in every aspect of recovery. And even the aides we use. The great thing about this forum is we learn from one another and what is out there that our health care providers may not tell us about.
Gotta tell ya. I'm out in public with whatever aide I need. I just smile and keep on walking!
Best wishes to everyone in whatever stage of recovery you may be!
Tituscanby1 Danas_mom
Posted
Same. I am over caring how stupid I look, just trying to keep mobile. I'm sure I look worse than my 77 year old mum.
With my large All Terrain Walker, I just kinda barge thru
Make a beeline and go for it. I get asked occasionally how am o by strangers. Ha, they assume I am mentally impaired. I play along....!
And people I thought were friends ask. Same Shi* different day I reply!
In our recovery we have a job to do. It can awfully challenging. BUT Hey, we didn't make the rules for the club, we accidentally stumbled on them. .????????????????
Laughter helps!
My favourite game is no longer Snap( card game), It's Pick up Sticks! ( crutches now)
??
Danas_mom Tituscanby1
Posted
Humor definitely goes a long way, especially playing pick up sticks. LOL.
So glad u didn't injury ur funny bone!
Tituscanby1 Danas_mom
Posted
Just named my All Terrain Walker JOHNNY! black Label. I'm not a drinker, but I have a lot of time on my hands for jokes!
vicki1289 connor_mm
Posted
Danas_mom vicki1289
Posted
I spent a lot of time wiggling my toes without any ill effect. Know this may sound kind of crazy, but when my ankle would feel tight in the boot, I would get claustrophobic. I was put in walking boot after my surgery which had to stay on for 2 weeks. Then released to take off for short periods of time to begin moving my ankle to encourage flexibility. When I couldn't take boot off, I tried to move my foot some in the boot. Again, nothing went wrong because I did that. I never experienced burning as you've reported. If this continues or gets worse, why not call clinic and just get confirmation if this is normal and what they recommend to help.
Best wishes in ur recovery.
Tituscanby1 vicki1289
Posted
Better safe than sorry. I never had burning. Tightness, rubbing on cast, and other annoying stuff. Now 5 months post surgery, sore around plated area. Will get it checked next week. Will piggyback in on my husband's Specialist appointment. 30 minutes to Hospital here. I don't care. If it doesn't feel right, get a decent credible explanation. If they take a bit to listen, do some Drama queen stuff to get your point across. Truth is, you are suffering and need help.. It is Not Nothing.
Take care.
Keep us informed!
🌞🌼🌞
Tituscanby1 Danas_mom
Posted
Mine got Acrophobic. Lolol 😂😂😂😂🏃😂😂. Hated open spaces and freedom. Needed support. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
👣🌼👣🌼👣🌼👣🌼👣
connor_mm
Posted
Hi all,
Update, thats me approaching 4 weeks since my accident.
I am now in my second polycarbonate plaster you know the brightly colored ones quite light compared to the plaster cast I had the day of the accident.
I saw my consultant a couple of weeks ago said he was very pleased with my ORIF Surery results, and he said I can start weight bearing (in cast) from the 6th September (Today) at 25% for one week and then at 50% for another 2 weeks then I get the cast removed. Ready for the PT to start.
I was due to have the cast removed on the 21st september but consultant away so have to wait an extra week! That will be 8 weeks in plaster.
Anyway I can now stand up withought the need to hold the crutches and I am walking and applying 25% weight to injured leg as I walk, no idea how I am achieving 25% to be honest but definately not full weight. I went for a 15 minute walk like this and whilst its a little sore its more to do with the scars making contact inside the plaster than anything else? I think!
I have plenty of movement in my toes, and can even move my ankle a little within the cast when it has been elevated for a while and the swelling drops right off. Swelling does not seem to be a problem really, not yet anyway.
So I have three weeks of this ahead of me then off to get this thing removed, looking forward to that.
I have been without medication for a couple of weeks just the odd night when I have wanted a good sleep I have taken a couple of paracetamol before bed.
Anyone else started this partial weight bearing whilst still in plaster?
How are you getting on?
any tips?
Tips not trips ;-)) we will avoid them if you don't mind.
All the best
Connor
Danas_mom connor_mm
Posted
Congratulations on ur progress.
I too was first released to 25% wt bearing. Basically take 25% of ur weight (ur weight × .25) will give u the amount of weight u can put on leg. Step on a scale to that weight. I saw one direction to do this daily as it keeps u experiencing how that feels. It is really surprising how much weight 25% is.
I confess the mental fear that I was going to break my ankle again probably had me putting less weight down.
Best wishes in ur recovery!
wendy126 connor_mm
Posted
Hi I have the exact same injury fell of a hay bale and heard the crack ( tub and fib broken) and also dislocated foot it was pointing the other way so looked really bad all tendens torn , had it straightened ou in e and e and cast put on but don't remember much then up to ward to wait for surgery, but ankle swelled up so much they had to open up pot , finally got surgery on Friday 19 th Aug home on Monday 22 md very wobbly on crutches took 20 mins to work out how to get up front step , unfortunately very worried about job as mobile hairdresser and can't stand unaded or drive , new pot 2 weeks after accident on until 10 th October then boot , had burning pains which peolpe say is nerves firing up and mending and hate this pit as its so tight , didn't readiness that such a small fall could turn my life upside down so much , but am very thankful I have family to take good care of me
CraigBreak73 wendy126
Posted
Broke tib n fib while rollerskating with the kids heard snap looked down😩😩😩 like a scene in MISERY... ambulance 2 vials of morfine tank of gas n air... That was just to get boot off 🙁🙁 cast on more gas n air then middle of the nite grider up at 3am cutting it in half as swelling was too bad... Following day taken to different hosp for prep surgery and got a leg brace with 9 pins in all... Im on wk 10 tomorrow ..down to 1 crutch( shud be none at 8 wks)n its been weightnearing from day one iv had 3 pin site infections.. Dad died suddenly 2 wks ago😰😰 all 3 kids are bk to school since monday .. Really need to get my life bk HATE NOT DRIVING HATE NOT WORKING HATE BEING A BURDEN😨😨😨😨 so im on strict instuctions that iv i dont elevate 3 times a day for 2 hrs i will be taken into hosp for 6 wks on an antibiotic dripppppp
vicki1289 connor_mm
Posted
It has been 6 weeks today since my accident and just home from the fracture clinic, got my cast removed and i am now in an equalizer walker (boot) not the nicest to look at but has to be worn, anyway the surgeon has advised me to put light pressure on my leg until i am referred to PT and to take it off a few times through the day but did not mention if i have to sleep with this on and never thought to ask until i was half way home from the hospital, was wondering if anyone has any advice/past experiance with this for me? Thanks
abi14373 vicki1289
Posted
Broke ankle on the 30/7/16 dislocation - had op
ORIF ankle op 2 weeks after due to swelling and vacancies.
Would be in cast for total of 8 weeks. Next appt next Thursday. For xray and cast removal hopefully! On crutches with no weightbearing and it's a nightmare! Anyone know what to expect on the appt?! Aside the obvious xray?!
dawn83397 abi14373
Posted
abi14373 dawn83397
Posted
Hopefully, thats what im hoping for!
another weird one...
has anyone noticed a breakdown of other things?!
for example, my skin everywhere has gone dry, i got a few spots!! which i never had?! assuming my valuable white blood cells are focusing on the leg. Anyone else had this random side effect?!
Got asked if i went out much since being at home, and i said well no not really, takes me too long to get back in. Decided i need to rehaul and crack on with things.
Anyone returned to work? Work wont accept me back unless i ahve a return to work form, but I havent managed to obtain that from the doctor as I cant get ahold of him/her! I'm bored of the situation! but dont want to build my hopes up, ive heard horror stories of people going to remove the cast and get told they have to have it another 2 weeks! That would kill me!