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Broken ankle 3 places

Posted , 6 users are following.

kenneth_06543
kenneth_06543

im starting this discussion to get some feedback on my recovery. I broke my ankle in 3 places July 13 th and had 2 surgeries the last being July 22nd. I'm in the second week since the surgery and all I'm doing is keeping it elevated and not putting pressure on it , I have a doctors appointment Monday august the 7th . I'm not sure at all how long before I can start putting pressure on ankle. The hardest part about the injury is laying in bed with leg elevated. Can anyone tell me how will I know when the ligaments and the bones start healing , will I start feeling any pain or numbness...I know I have a long ways to go but with this discussion your input can help pull me threw !!!

 

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • robert1114
    robert1114 kenneth_06543

    Posted

    We are roughly on the same timeline. I broke my ankle in three places on July 15. Surgery on July 19. Went back to doctor today, and they took out my stitches and replaced my splint with a boot. I am still non-weight-bearing, of course. I go back in a month for x-rays. If they look good, I may be able to be partial-weight-bearing, whatever that looks like. Don't know about pain/numbness during healing. Not there yet. Take care, and stay strong. 

  • dawnette1154
    dawnette1154 kenneth_06543

    Posted

    Hi Kenneth,

    It is a long process.  I broke my ankle in 3 spots as well June 3rd. I had my 6 week check up after surgery last Weds.  I don't do pain very well, but as my doctor has said to start weight bearing, it hurts more then the surgery did as i start stepping on it, but I was told that is part of the healing process. I still elevate it helps with the swelling and pain and icing.

    Proably the healing depends on age and health.  The more you rest and elevate as boring as it may get it really lets the body heal those injuries. Things that help if you can get outside for a bit, a knee scooter with a basket not very manly but very helpful to carry stuff.  It seems from all the posts most people are told to start weight bearing at about 6 weeks after surgery, they will take x rays to see how the bones are healing.

    I had a friend break his ankle a week after me, never elevated it walked on it with his cast on, and now he has a infection, and has to go in and have more surgery.  

    So keep that leg up and iced!

    Hope all goes will on the 7th!

  • jenni_24876
    jenni_24876 kenneth_06543

    Posted

    Hi there. Firstly I'm so sorry your injuries have bought you to this forum. Secondly you have come to the right place for support and answers. No question in is silly and you will find a mountain of information. I'm a lot further along than you I broke my fibula and fractured tibia on 24 march. My main healing has been listening to my body and watching for early signs of something not quite right. I went through 8 plasters in 3 weeks as they caused pain that kept me in tears and pain. And every time the dr specialist took it off they found a reason it was causing pain. Staples rubbing out or going in or lumps of plaster digging in I ditched the boot cause i had nerve damage. The boot is to support  not cause pain. My first exersize was pressing foot into soft arm of sofa. And letting it sit on soft pillow on floor. Gently moving from side to side Only you will know what your pain level is. Once staples came out i salt water washed wound and at the first sign of any redness back to gp. Infection just started Is easier to fix than letting it go.  My dr knows I'm a tough old bird and did not fob me off like hospital and surgeon. Stand your ground it's your leg and future and if that annoys people , tough luck to them. At 5 weeks surgeon got sick of me and bought X-ray forward by 4 weeks. Bones had fused very well.  He was very happy with his work and I was baring weight that I felt was right. He fanaly said listen to your body. ( secretly he just never wants to see my face again) I'm now full weight bearing no chairs cruches cane am driving ,back to work in 2 weeks.  Still have pain if I over do it and first thin in morn. Still can't tipto but that one takes a lot of time. Please look up Even Up Shoe when your in the boot. Will save a lot of secondary injuries.  See a good pysio  Well I wish you well and hope you can get pain killers out of your life asap and learn to walk properly poop 💩 properly shower drive and all the things we take for granted.  And be grateful every day for all little achievements. Xxxxxjen. 

    • dawnette1154
      dawnette1154 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Hi there,

      I have a question for you if you don't mind. last week my surgeon said to start full weight bearing after 6 weeks, but never really has given me a answer at how long each day.  I have been doing short walks with crutches proably about 40% and it hurts like heck mostly the bottom and arch of foot.  Any advice? And long did it take you to walk with out the crutches.  I already notice my back killing me and my other leg.  I will have to check out that even up shoe everyone is talking about.  I think my low back hurts as much as the bottom of my foot.

      thank you,

      Dawnette

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 dawnette1154

      Posted

      Hi dawn. You can only do what your pain levels allow you to do. Yes it hurts like hell and never in the same place. Like today my big toe is cramping and just trying to be difficult. You will know when to add weight. And please do the Even Up. And strap wrists for support with crutches. Something I found helped was stand at back of a chair feet together raise both heals like tiptoeing .it takes a long long time before you can lift injured heal with out support of good leg but this is good preparation to remind your brain that it can be done. I can only do about a pencil thickness so far. And it hurts like hell. Was week 10/11 before I walked without crutches. Well if you could call it walking was really like a deformed duck waddle, Also practice gentle ankle rotation in a tub in the warm salty water. It's a long haul this  healing stuff but we are so lucky it's temporary. And even if we are left with slight limp we're still lucky we have legs. I'm going back to work in two weeks  it will be different taking my different abilities with me. Stay in touch. Jen. 

    • dawnette1154
      dawnette1154 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Hi Jenni, well I ordered the even up shoe last night should be here in a week.  I hope it helps, I have been back at work for 2 1/2 weeks it is hard to get comfortable at first.  I brought in 2 pillows one for my back in a chair and one to rest my foot on.  Will you be working at a desk? Although I am still wearing a boot for a while you are proably set free of it, but may need to still elevate your foot.

      Sounds like you have had a long recovery  and a bad break.  So sorry about that. I am glad people are finding there way to this site it is helpful I wish I had found it sooner, as I am sure like your dr. mine was getting tired of me calling and asking lots of different questions.  But never have broken or have a surgery you don't know if something is normal or not that is why this is great place to find similar people with same issues.  I will be going to PT August 15th is the soonest I can get in.

      I wish that the dr. would refer or set those appts a few weeks before they release to start weight bearing.  Are you ready to go back to work? chat soon, Dawnette

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 dawnette1154

      Posted

      No desk work for me. Educator and carer of children. Starting back with able children so should cope. And I'm actually worried about returning to work but after 4 1/2 months off and no income our resources have been over stretched. Hubby retired the day before my little trip.i will have good support with my return so I'm just being a chicken 💩. 

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen kenneth_06543

    Posted

    Dear Kenneth

    When I had a total ankle replacement just over four years ago I found it so frustrating to be non weight bearing for weeks.

    The ankle is now failing due to osteolysis and requires a revision which may well not be sucessful and so that I will be able to walk I've recently bought a special leg crutch which is strapped to your leg and has a padded platform ones knee and upper leg rest on.

    It's called an iwalk and it means that one can use both hands and be fully mobile. Also by being mobile it means that you are exercising your muscles whilst your ankle recovers.

    Search Amazon and read the user experiences. Does not suit everyone but if you have a reasonable sense of balance and are not very over weight you should be fine.I'm 75 and can manage it well both inside and out.

    Cheers Richard

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 RichardKen

      Posted

      I looked into the I walk and couldn't find an Australian supplies and couldn't get posted. It looks like an amazing device. I dint need it now wit looks great. 

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen jenni_24876

      Posted

      Dear Jenni

      What a shame there is not a supplier in your country. Although I could gave bought one in the UK I actually bought mine from someone I was is contact with in the US who no longer needed his having become fully mobile again. It was a nice feeling to be using his!

      Cheers Richard

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 RichardKen

      Posted

      I think sometimes it takes a while for new things to take off. But I think surgeons should at least tell us what is available. Last week I went into our local gomobility suppliers and was amazed what is available but I was unable to access the store. Then found out they could come to me. Why are we not told this stuff. The mobility shop encourage people to buy the Even Up Shoe when they sell them the darn boot. But were nor given any information. Makes my blood boil. 
    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Think you have hit the nail on the head with all your replys Jenni. So glad that your time to return to work has finally come, and i wish you luck. I agree with your pain line, as mine is the same, you are a few weeks ahead of me. My fall was on 11 April an doperation 9 days later due to swelling stopping them going ahead. Some days are better than others with the pain. This morning was pretty good, got my hair cut, drove home only 5 mins from my home, but within the hour my pain had hit the roof, so it was ice and elevate. Always helps with the ice packs. But so annoying that just a simple trip when im sat down for most of it can cause so much pain. This injury has deffo pushed me to my limits and still have a long hual ahead.  sad  sx
    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 sandra81957

      Posted

      The limits sure have been pushed. Hang in there we're getting there. Pysio today has buggered me. In bed early. The horrible feeling of dead leg is doing my head in i strapped it last night but then at 4 am felt like it was cutting my foot off. But it did help me getsome sleep. 

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Dead leg. Yuk. Was bad enough with - dead toe after my op.!! Why does your leg feel like this? My physio kills me too especially this week, because my son had to drive me, he's only a learner., as we are not allowed to park in the hospital grounds he had to park away from hospital and quite a walk. I was just OK going but having finished the physio which u found hard and painful, then had to walk back to the car, nearly killed me off. Home to elavate and ice food few hrs after. SO. had enough now 😢 😢 😢. Sx

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