Broken Ankle
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi,I broke my ankle 3 1/2 weeks ago in 3 places and it required a plate with 4 screw plus 3 additional screws for the other bones. My surgery was two weeks ago and I am supposed to have the splint cast for another month, then maybe a boot. 8 weeks of non weight bearing activity. So I am a runner and I have not heard anybody say how long it might have taken them to get back to running. However just standing or walking would be nice. Any feedback would be great. I am dealing with the swelling issue too. I don't even use a knee walker because it won't elevate my leg enough. It's ridiculous. So I don't get around much. I did kayack in a calm lake though and it was wonderful!
0 likes, 50 replies
karen04152 dawn83397
Posted
Dawn don't expect miracles. I'm 10 weeks post surgery. 2 plates and 8 screws. I'm only allowed this last 2 weeks to partially weight bear. I can stand on my own but I wobble. Still need to walk with both crutches in a moon boot.
dawn83397 karen04152
Posted
Hi Karen,
Yes, I am beginning to lower my expectations after hearing most of the comments I've heard. When the dr. Says walking, maybe he only means a few steps. Only time will tell. Today I get the stiches out so it feels like a little bit of progress. I am no longer on pain meds. That could aways change.
dawn83397
Posted
I had to flex my toes up at a 90 degree angle and I found that I could do it with no problem or pain whatsoever. I will have x rays in 3 weeks and from that point starting Pt if everything is good. They think I could be walking and back working by the beginning g of September. I thought more like the middle it would happen but that sounds even better to me. So I am very encouraged by this.
yvonne13888 dawn83397
Posted
Good luck with your quick recovery.
I am doing more weightbearing with my walking boot and walker/crutches today. It feels good. When it gets a bit much, I sit and put my foot up. Good luck to you and me. We got this!
dawn83397 yvonne13888
Posted
Tituscanby1 yvonne13888
Posted
That's great news.
When I broke my Fibula ages ago, I met another lady with a similar break. At 6 week mark, she got her plaster off, hopped into moonboots and never looked back. Healed well. Back in action. Late 50s. Boy it made me a little jealous at the time, but that is normal recovery. We'll all get there in the end.
©{°×°}©
karen04152 dawn83397
Posted
Dawn. It is real progress for you to flex ur foot 90 degrees. I'm 10 weeks post surgery and that is a struggle for me.
Young_an_broken dawn83397
Posted
Hey dawn, and everyone.
I have surgery set a little less than a month from today have continued to push back the date as I am afraid I won't be able to be as active as id like to be. I've heard so many stories on this site both saying they can't run anymore or this and that and some say they can. I guess my question is I saw you said you broke your ankle in three places, what bones were fused or screws and plate applied?
I have to fuse my navicular and Talis bone.
Any advice would be great!
dawn83397 Young_an_broken
Posted
Young_an_broken dawn83397
Posted
They wouldn't give me much on how much movement id have they basically said i would be losing motion for sure and that it would be something similair to as mobile as your foot is in a hiking boot is about restricted you foot would be permanently
dawn83397 Young_an_broken
Posted
Beesmine dawn83397
Posted
I had my ORIF surgery on July 20. Since the surgery I've had no real pain and only minimal swelling if I sit in the car for a long period. I am also wondering how long it will take me to get back to "normal". I love to dance, my job require me to be up and moving, and I miss my normal exercise routine. I started doing some light weight upper body exercises everyday so I don't feel like I'm becoming all mushy. I was feeling like a potted plant but have started to use a knee walker and LOVE it. My surgeon took out my stitches and took X-rays last week, said all looked good and put me in a hard half-leg cast. He assured me I should be able to do all I did before ( I sure hope so but with all I read I worry). I did ice my leg every few hours and keep it elevated above my heart for 2 days after surgery and then just elevation. The nurse told me to put the ice pack just above the temporary cast, just under my knee, to cool the blood flow going to my ankle Now I elevate with a foot stool when I'm sitting and no elevation at night. If I sit without it elevated some for a long time or if I'm up using the knee walker a lot I can feel my cast get a little tighter . I did read a post somewhere else where the person was a runner and was back to a normal running schedule. I'm not sure though how long after her surgery but it was an optimistic post. I'm trying to be as mobile as I can with the knee walker but I don't exert much and I'm short of breath and hot and sweaty. It's crazy.. I was on the elliptical for an hour or more 3 or 4 times a week prior to the surgery. Good luck on your journey... I'll continue to follow your posts.
dawn83397 Beesmine
Posted
My surgeon, and husband told me to stay away from negative feedback. I think I was getting depressed hearing some of the timeframes it took some people. I get it, but I also know that everybody has different injuries, and their bodies heal at their own rate, with not always the same outcome. I have bean steadily increasing my workouts. I workout my upper body. I also do leg lifts. I put a leg weight on my good leg. I do front, side, & rear lifts. I can work out my whole leg except my calves and ankle area. This has really helped my maintain my strength. My boot to heavier then my splint cast but at least I can take it off. I am going kayacking again and that has been the best.... Even though I haven't been running, I am starting to see some great upper body and ab results. Funny how that works. I am also thinking that even though I was a runner, I also hiked, rode horses, and bike ride. So if I end up scaling back running in the future as long as I able to remain mobile to do everything else I am not going to over-stress about running.
Tituscanby1 dawn83397
Posted
That is fantastic! Wow! Yes we are all different. I never imagined walking again after massive bumps in my recovery, but I can. I reckon you will run again. It's not impossible.
Your husband and Drs need to realise that on here, a lot of people are at their wits end, and are just venting out of frustration. I was very scared and a tad pessimistic at the early stages. 1st 8 months. Then wonderful things happened. I was like my grandson standing by myself in the lounge for 30 minutes about 5 weeks ago. Look everybody. I couldn't believe it.
Dawn, great name BTW, my second name, if alls going well and you are able to achieve so much so quick, go for it. You are an inspiration. I tried, but I had 100% non union due to misdiagnosis from ambulance medic and Specialist later. Have seen others do as you do, the normal way. We all get there in the end.
Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated!
I'm a hiker. Can't wait!
©{°$°}©
dawn83397 Tituscanby1
Posted
Thank you for the kind words. I am going to stay positive all the rest of the way. I think when I joined this group some of the stories spooked me and my husband and family beat me up over it and I am glad they did. I am going to be thankful for everything I can do and not stress as much and be doom and gloomy. It's not like any of us are perminantly loosing our limbs. I'm going to stay strong and take care of the rest of my body. It's all we can do.