Broken ankle please help....

Hey! For a second I thought I'd written this!

I'm Mandy 27 years old and just over 7 weeks ago I slipped down a step whilst heavily pregnant and broke my ankle in 3 places. Surgery was 6 hours. Trimalleour fracture. 2 plates and 10 screws.

I was in a cast for 6 weeks non weight baring and last Monday I got a boot finally wood! Surgeon told me that pain is my limit. I'm already putting pressure on my foot.

I work long hours and need to get on transport to and from work plus take my newborn with me. So I'm really trying to get walking.

Everyone heals differently it just takes time.

Xxxx

Hi. First off, your concerns are completely normal as this type of injury really knocks you down without much to compare to. Me, nasty pilon fracture in April, 2 surgeries plate and 6 screws later - I went through the long recouperation process. A great deal of pain and pretty much 2+ months off my feet completely. Now 6 months later, I'm bipedal again with only stiffness and some soreness after Lind days on my feet (actually did a 3 day conference this past week). So, you too will improve and from whence you came, it will seem like literally night and day. Some nights I didn't know what I would do as the bread-winner for my family. Literally brought me to tears. But I share this because you will see improvement. Take it slow and steady. Follow your doctor's and PT's instructions to the letter and you start to see the difficult times in your rear-view mirror. Now, I cannot run or workout like use to yet, but I'm taking that slow and steady too. And finally, use this site. I found it very helpful because there are a ton of folks who have experienced what you have or will go through. I hope this helps and good luck.

I felt exactly the same way about whether my ankle would break the moment I put weight on it. On a Wednesday I was told I could be weight bearing as tolerated, and could take boot off. I was in walking boot immediately after surgery. On Friday, had my husband there, took boot off, and put weight on the ankle. Walked up and down the hallway with my walker. I didn't fall down. Ankle didn't break. Amazing how long that fear held onto me though.

Recovery is not only physical, but mental. Ur comment about being told u may not walk properly again and feeling devastated is part of the emotional component as well. There will be pain and u start wondering if there will ever be a day without pain. I'm 6 months post surgery and by the end of the day, I am worn out, and with pain. But this may not be ur experience. Keep that in mind, that ur recovery is unique. I'm almost 60, overweight, and have a lifetime of paper pushing 8 hours plus a day for exercise. And I have other muscle/joint issues. So my experiences back to "normal" will be unique to me. Ur physical status at this time will determine so much for u. BTW, as my confidence grows, I find I am leaving my cane behind. I still keep with me because I am not secure walking in wide open spaces and uneven ground. The fear the ankle will break again is still with me, but is lessening the more I forget about needing my cane.

Best wishes in ur recovery.

You've had a rough time.when I was in a cast I thought I'd never be normal again the thought of walking just a dream. I'm now 5 weeks out of cast & moonboot. Im back at work as a nurse, so I'm on my feet constantly. It's not to bad, my ankle swells & aches but I push through it.

Set your self goals..my goal is to walk around the block without stopping. And a long term goal. Am also finding the best type of shoes..some of mine arnt as supportive. Have found running/sports shoes the best.

It's hard Mandy & so bloody frustrating!! I like you are very active...I'm slow at this stage but determined to get back to my normal self.

Justine

Thank you all for replying. Am so glad I came across this forum. I'm also self employed so SSP is useless and am main earner to that's added stresses. I'm used to working long hours and work by myself as a hairdresser in my salon. I know I'm not going to be able to work anywhere near the hours I did if at all . But just knowing all my worries and concerns are normal

Xxx

I just started walkin a few weeks ago i am 11 weeks in i started back walkin at 7 weeks w/o crutches are boot ..i thought my ankle was goin to break also but i put on one of my favorite songs i push myself to walk i took it slow and still is...You have to push yourself nobody can tell u that u wont be walkin normal GOD Determine that...good luck

Hi

I know exactly how u feel. I had a pilon fracture and had 2 plates and 12 pins/screws in right ankle. I too was told by one of the docs who assisted with my surgery that I couldn't expect my ankle to be like it was before. I did everythjng that I was told by the docs and physiotherapists but unfortunately my range of movement still wasn't great and I was in pain from the metalwork so they removed the majority of that 4 weeks ago (13 months after my break) and already I feel that my mobility and movement is better than before. I have worked for the same company for 27 years and I was put under pressure to return as soon as possible or my employment with them would be reconsidered which made me feel I had to return as soon as possible but it still took me 5 months to get back to work. I think that unless people have experienced it for themselves they don't understand what it's like and how long the recovery can be.

Take care and good luck with your recovery