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Broken Ankle Problem !

Posted , 9 users are following.

joan9
joan9

i broke my ankle 14 months ago, and am still unable to walk without support. The front of my foot and toes will not lift - so consequently I, am prone to tripping and falling over ! Please could anyone tell me if they have experienced problems for this length of time, and please, what further help I can obtain - before it drives me completely mad !

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Pix2010
    Pix2010 joan9

    Posted

    So sorry to hear about this!!! I'm walking 9 weeks out from surgery. Maybe it's due to your specific break/injuries with that break. You may need to speak to your doctor, physical therapist or get a 2nd/3rd opinion...
    • joan9
      joan9 Pix2010

      Posted

      Hi Pix

      It is great to hear that you are making such good progress - keep up the good work ! Have you been doing lots of physio, or are you just healing quickly ? Really hope that you continue your progress ( I am sure you will)

      Take care, and keep us posted !

    • Pix2010
      Pix2010 joan9

      Posted

      I have only done movement of my toes while in the cast. My doctor did not prescribe treatment by a physio except doing my own at home, UNLESS I can't progress. He even want's me to try regular tennis shoes in a couple of weeks. I really don't know if I'm healing quickly (it's been 10 weeks since surgery) since everyone's injury is different but I am following orders to a T! I am unnerved by the numbness on the top of my foot and toes though. Good luck with your progress and treatment plan!
    • patti123
      patti123 Pix2010

      Posted

      Pix- I have also been bugged by the numbness on the top of my big toe and on the top of my foot. Definitely try to soak your injured ankle in very warm water and Epsom salt (I put two cups in a bath tub and soaked only my bad foot in last night for 20 mins.). I'm really curious if it helps you. My foot felt great right afterward, but the most surprising thing was that when I woke up this morning I could move my big toe around more than ever and it felt 50% as numb and the top of my foot felt better than it ever has...the top usually feels kind of numb and a little frozen. My swelling seemed to go down on the top of my foot as well, and I could even see some of the blood vessels in my foot that I couldn't see the day before. How can the magnesium in the Epsom salt loosen everything up like that? I wonder if it is temporary? I read for starters we should only do this 3x a week until our body gets used to it. I couldn't find anything that said it is bad for us, but if someone has general health problems they should probably check with a doctor first. Has anyone else found this stuff to work so well? Are there any dangers to soaking in it that anyone knows?
  • MsCamboot
    MsCamboot joan9

    Posted

    Hi Joan.

    I really feel for you. These ankle breaks can take a long, long time. I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your problem but I'm most certainly feeling your anguish. I'm 8 MONTHS POST op and still having problems with pain, inner ankle problems due to fragments coming away from my bone when I smashed it and it now not being quite right and may never be. I can walk unaided but only for so long. I am depressed and it's a constant nightmare. I do hope someone on here can help you. I can only suggest physiotherapy. Hope you walk soon Joan 🙂

    • joan9
      joan9 MsCamboot

      Posted

      Hi MsCamboot

      Thank you for your reply. So sorry that you too seem to be going through it, with your ankle too ! Eight months is also a long time, and I hope it heals quickly for you. Lots of people have told me, that when healing happens, it often happens very quickly, almost overnight  - we must carry on hoping ! Like you, I find it very frustrating and depressing - life almost grinds to a halt ! I cannot wait to get moving again ( I trust that I will ! ), and I am sure you must feel the same . Please take care, and keep us posted on your recovery.

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw MsCamboot

      Posted

      I'm 7 months post op, and agree with you. These ankle breaks seem to take forever. My ankle is constantly swollen still, walk with a limp and have pain now on the right side of my ankle & my lower leg is tender. I spoke to physio who tells me that my leg muscle is now weak and need strenghtning. I sympathise with you as I understand what you mean, and I do wonder if I will walk properly again. I am on my feet all day but can't walk long distances, something I have always enjoyed doing. I'm going swimming this coming weekend for the first time, so hopefully may make some progress. 
    • MsCamboot
      MsCamboot Paulusdw

      Posted

      Hi Paul.

      Thanks for keeping me posted with how you are doing. I was wondering how you are. I'm sorry to hear you are still having issues and you're on your feet all day. It all seems very cruel. I too wonder if I'll ever get right and I do keep pressing on. Doing everything I can and still suffering. I'm so frightened of falling again. I guess we still have time for improvement and we must keep positive. I keep my legs elevated when sitting at home and I'm dreading winter because I'm wondering how I will go on in the cold weather with all this metal in there. Hope you keep improving Paul. Good to hear from you. 🙂

    • Paulusdw
      Paulusdw MsCamboot

      Posted

      Hi. It's good to hear from you again MsCamboot.

      I have just arrived home after 12 hours work today, but before I left for work this morning I massaged, iced and dressed my ankle in an elasticated bandage. I have been pleasantly surprised that although not perfect, have experienced less pain even after 12 hours on my feet today. I'm just hoping that it's not a one off, also I'm due to go swimming for the first time in nearly 45 years. It is cruel but need to work to pay my bills unfortunately which will No doubt be slowing my recovery down. We all need to stay positive as difficult that may be. I too won't be looking forward to winter, but hopefully we should have recovered 😊 I hope you start to experience improvement, it's a long on going battle but we will get get there in time

  • ronUS
    ronUS joan9

    Posted

    Joan, did you go through PT after you started weight bearing?  14 months seems to me to be a long time to still be unable to walk.  Can you tell me more about your specific injury?  Do you know if you injured your syndesmosis? Ron
    • joan9
      joan9 ronUS

      Posted

      Hi Ron

      Thank you for your post . My injury was a Waber B fracture, I slipped onto my ankle - I will certainly be a bit more careful now ! I have found the whole business frustrating, and a tad depressing ! Hope you are ok.

  • let09
    let09 joan9

    Posted

    Hi Joan

    Give yourself and opportunity to work out the ankle I'm not 14 months in with my pain, and sure do not wish to be down for that amount of time, the 4 months I'm witnessing with the agony of this limited access to do anything is really stressful and the oxycodone is too dog gone addictive so I do use them... Though hang in there we all have a different healing process so do what you can when you can.

    • joan9
      joan9 let09

      Posted

      Hi let09,

      So sorry to hear that you too have had this frustrating and depressing ordeal. They tell me healing happens quickly ( once it begins ! ) - I hope that happens for you . Every morning I think perhaps ' today is the day ' ! So far it hasn't been - but I remain hopeful it will be soon. Take care, and keep us posted on your recovery.

  • jannie26408
    jannie26408 joan9

    Posted

    Hi Joan, I can't say how sorry I am to hear o f your lengthy recovery. My surgeon says for me it could be 1 - 1 1/2 years before I walk unaided....I'm 5 months and in chair most days and just up in walker for stints during the day. My foot does not lift or bend the way it should. I was diagnosed at 2 months with RSD which there is limited movement of the foot. Are you in PT or any kind of therapy to get the foot moving again??  It's a very slow process especially if you have complicatiins. I would definitely see a specialist if you have not already. Wishing you well, take good care......J 👣
    • joan9
      joan9 jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi jannie

      You too sound as though you are going through the mill also - in fact, it all sounds very similar to myself ! I have had physio, and have been to the osteopaths, but nothing seems be speeding up my recovery. I hope yours begins to heal quickly. I hadn't realised what a traumatic experience a fractured ankle is - as well as being frustrating and depressing, it is also quite frightening, when your foot doesn't lift, and you trip. So take care, and my sincere wishes for a speedy recovery .

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 joan9

      Posted

      Thank you Joan.  Although it's been 5 mos I'm seeng small improvements. I can't let myself get down cause I know this isn't going to change things. This forum has been a very valuable place to vent, see others progress or not and be understood regardless of age and circumstances. I know my body is doing what it can. I'm trying to take a step when standing, I couldn't even do that a few weeks back. If I could just get my leg to straighten out I think it would go smoother.  All I can say is it helps me to stay strong, water, massage and strengthen as best we can. I wish you well Joan. I hope the healing does begin quickly and this will be a chapter closed. Take good care. 👣
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