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Broken Ankle, Now What?

Posted , 7 users are following.

machelle1961
machelle1961

I broke my ankle in 3 places about a month ago. 1 plate,16 screws latter, here I am. Can't sleep and I am having the weirdest sensations in my casted foot. It almost feels like pins and needles along with my foot feeling super sensitive. Anyways 2 more weeks in the cast then I graduate to a boot and will start physical therapy. Any advice from anyone who's been there or is going through it now? I must say the hardest part is losing my independence, and the boredom!

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • MSK2017
    MSK2017 machelle1961

    Posted

    Hi!

    I broke my ankle 9 weeks ago and I have experienced some odd sensations as well. It is my understanding that the nerves are healing. The two weeks post surgery were horrible with burning and needle like sensations. I still have some really tender areas and places that have little to no feeling. 

    I had complications after the surgery and had two additional procedures which has slowed my healing. I had some bad days but now I hope I'm getting closer to regaining my independence. My family has been wonderful but I hate to ask for help.

    Doc said the tendon repair takes longer to heal than the bones. 

    Best of luck to you! 

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 MSK2017

      Posted

      Hi!

      Thanks for responding, its nice to hear from everyone on these boards. Some how it makes it a little easier to get through.

      I'm so sorry you had to have two additional procedures after your surgery. Hopefully that's it! Are you weight bearing now?

      I will be going from a cast to a boot in two weeks. Honestly I can't wait! I have had many days where I just wanted to cut this cast off, especially when it was over a 100 degrees! Thankfully I live on the coast and the weather stays pretty mild!

      Good luck to you too!

  • sonya25416
    sonya25416 machelle1961

    Posted

    I know how you feel with the boredom, I knitted a cardigan in super record time!! When my cast came off I suffered with the pain and weird sensations then. I thought I was on my own, I got no help or information from anybody but after contacting people on the forum, I've been given so much advice.

    You'll get some independence back being able to move around, albeit on crutches, but it helps mentally. Keep massaging your ankle and use ice packs (or bag of frozen peas). The pain was the hardest part to cope with but I now know it's normal and it's going to be a long haul. I hope your recovery goes well x

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 sonya25416

      Posted

      Thanks Sonya. It helps a lot just to know that these feelings are a normal part of the healing process. Are you in a boot now, and are you weight bearing? I am on crutches and non weight bearing.

      I will be going home this week, as I have been staying with family since my surgery a month ago. Honestly I cant wait! I will have a few stairs to contend with, but it will be totally worth it just to be home again!

      You didn't say how far along you are in the healing process. but I hope your recovery is going well!

    • sonya25416
      sonya25416 machelle1961

      Posted

      After my op on 10 July I was non weight bearing in a cast for just over 5 weeks. When the cast came off my surgeon said 'Oh you'll be walking with just a stick by week 3'. Ha! I do manage to walk with a stick but I can only walk a short distance. Fortunately I live in a bungalow so the only steps I have to overcome are three small ones up to the front door. It was difficult at first but I'm a dab hand at it now! Some days the pain is so bad I don't want to do anything but on the good days, it's great being able to move around and do things no matter how small.

      I'm sure you'll cope okay, just know you're not on your own.

      PS - my way of coping on the bad days is to curl up on the sofa, watch telly and stuff my face with Maltesers. It doesn't help the pain but it cheers me up! xx

       

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 sonya25416

      Posted

      Hi Sonya,

      Sounds like your well on your way to recovery. Are you doing any physical therapy? I've heard this can help a lot. By the way what is a Maltesers, (I'm in the U.S) it sounds delicious! biggrin

      You sound like you have a great sense of humor!

    • sonya25416
      sonya25416 machelle1961

      Posted

      Maltesers are little balls of happiness! They're small balls of chocolate with a delicious malt centre. They've been my favourite chocolate since I was a teenager - I'm 103 now (well I feel like it some days). They're not so good on the hips or lowering cholesterol but I don't care, I love them !! Whenever I feel down I turn to them so as you can guess I've been eating a lot of them in the last 2 months razz

      I have a physiotherapist who visits me twice a week and she gave me a list of exercises I should do several times a day to loosen up the tendons etc and take the swelling down. They're quite hard to do on the days when my ankle is really tight and painful but I do what I can. Apart from that I just try to keep moving around.  

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 sonya25416

      Posted

      Yum, they sound delicious, I could use some Maltesers in my life right about now! So sad that's what my life has come too!lol Here we have maltballs, probably nowhere as good. I cant wait to get my boot and start physical therapy, baby steps towards my old life.

  • deb42707
    deb42707 machelle1961

    Posted

    Hi Machelle,

    I broke my fibula and dislocated my ankle on July 13th and have a plate and 8 screws in there and about to have my third surgery in two days.

    The pins and needs you are feeling are just your ankle healing.  I also experienced shooting pains up the incisions but again, just my ankle trying to heal.

    Boredom is certainly part of the nastiness, but it's having to safely use a washroom or getting in and out of a wheelchair.  These are the things I'm finding the hardest and the most tiring.

    I am a few days short of 9wks. and I have made it this far living on my own and I am still not weight bearing.  It has been a struggle to say the least, but thanks to wonderful friends and neighbours, I am doing pretty well.

    It's sure an ugly, frustrating, painful journey, but you keep hanging in there and you'll be good as new soon.

    All the very best in your recovery!

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 deb42707

      Posted

      Thanks so much for the response. Wow I'm so sorry you have to have a third surgery. Have you been in a cast the whole nine weeks? You are so right it is absolutely a frustrating and ugly journey. I would have never thought breaking an ankle would be so life changing and challenging! 

      Good luck with your surgery and recovery!

      Let us know how it goes.

  • deb42707
    deb42707 machelle1961

    Posted

    Yes, I have had two 'open' casts, to allow for swelling and one fibre cast and then the obnoxious air cast which is ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable because the pockets of air push directly on both of the incisions on either side of my ankle.

    Thank you for your good wishes, I will definately let you know how it goes Wed.

    In the meantime, take good care of yourself.

  • Zeldas
    Zeldas machelle1961

    Posted

    I broke my ankle August 12 but thankfully, no surgery. Boredom and the loss of independence has been the hardest thing to manage for  sure....frustration over not being able to do even the simplest of tasks, and worry about the healing process. I have stairs without a banister so I am  pretty much stuck upstairs as going down stairs and back up is a major nightmare. Have only done it for doctor appointments,

    I am fortunate to have help from family. I am in a cast for another 10 days and then back to the doctor to determine next steps. I have had pain and discomfort from time to time but the bone seems to be healing well and for that I am grateful. 

    I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery and know yhat you are not alone.

    • machelle1961
      machelle1961 Zeldas

      Posted

      I agree totally, it is so frustrating losing independence. I am getting a lot better on my crutches so I plan to go home this week as I have been staying with family for the last month. I am too the point where I really want to be in my home.

      Stairs are quite difficult I must say. I have been using the butt scoot method for the most part. Going upstairs on crutches is getting a little easier, but going down is terrifying.

      Good luck to you and your recovery, 10 days left in your cast!!

    • TeresaF
      TeresaF Zeldas

      Posted

      My front steps don't have rails so I would go up and down on my butt.

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