Posted , 60 users are following.
Hi: I broke my ankle on 11/10, surgery on 11/19, cast off 12/7
I got the knee high boot to wear, I'm still non-weight bearing. He wants me to sleep in it but sleep is impossible. How vitally important is the boot to the bone healing? i wear the boot all day. I go back for x-rays the 21st. thanks!
3 likes, 116 replies
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Thatsflossie judi57310
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carl54234 judi57310
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I have to say this discussion have been medicine to me. I be feeling like it's a cold world out there. I'm so independent and having to depend on people is driving me crazy. 9 screws and 2 plates later. Completed the cast part an now to the boot. I only wear the boot if I'm going outside. But in the house I wear the compression sock. My healing is going well and I feel that it's because of being in good shape prior to my motorcycle accident and eaten healthy plays a BIG part into the healing. You are what you eat. So it's very important to eat the right food to help with the healing process.
Woodcycl judi57310
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Reading thru this discussion has helped me know I'm not going literally crazy!!
Broke all 3 bones connecting leg to foot on 11/20 and surgery 8 days later.
They casted me before I was even awake from anesthesia! The very next day the pain level was do high I was extremely nauseous and tears ran down my face. Shaking uncontrollably. A call to the surgeon resulted in ONLY a restatement of taking pain meds as prescribed, elevation, and icing behind the knee. I was doing all these things meticulously!
I finally had sometime drive me to the doc office and they saw me and realized I wasn't exaggerating. They cut off cast and realized it was way too tight. The relief was noticeable. However, by that point, the unnecessary extra pressure at the incisions meant I was going to pay dearly with even more pain than usual. They put on a half cast/ splint and said I was allowed to loosen/tighten that wrap as needed for pain. It took another 12 hours of extreme nausea, tears, and almost shock from the extra pain. Then, all of a sudden, the pain learned from a 10++ to a much more manageable 7 to 9. All this pain was even with Oxycontin extended release plus Percocet!
I am supposed to go back on Monday. I'm going yo do everything in my power to not be casted after how bad that ordeal was. I'll take a adjustable bit or half cast any day.
I'm also giving myself shots in my abdomen with blood thinner and taking antibiotics.
The most I can sleep has been about 45 min without sharp shooting pain. My body seems to kick and jump a while lot more than normal which causes pain and wakes me up even if only for 10 seconds constantly.
I have a good support system overall, but truly do not like having to ask for so much help even with mundane little things.
I agree with others that until you've gone thru something like this, you truly can't appreciate and understand how difficult it is.
If anyone has any suggestions, etc would love to hear them.
Again, thanks so much to everyone for sharing. I know I'm not alone and going crazy.
Brian
NDORT165042 Woodcycl
Posted
Hi
My injury Oct 30th and surgery was Nov 9. Had broken fibula and tibia and torn deltoid ligament. Had plate and about 4 screws. Just wanted you to know I can relate to how bad pain was even though yours sound much worse. In 3 days I had taken all prescribed pain pills. Ended up getting muscle relaxers layer as physician felt pulled muscle in leg was possibly firing up my injury. Did not jabbed to take for long.
As I look back at my worst pain now it has helped need to not stress as much over the occasional firing I feel now. Talk about putting things in perspective. Now as for sleep, that's something I'm still dealing with. Fortunately mtg doctor told me not necessary to elevate while sleeping. My boot is interesting and uncomfortable but at least I can take off for showering and flexibility exercises.
You can endure because the bodies' recuperative powers will make that possible. What has helped me mentally is focusing on those I know who have been dealing with this and more on a day to day basis and hey seem to maintain a positive out look. Also I visualize me helping and assisting others in a practical way when I get back on my feet... helping them in ways others have helped me. Until now I did not realize the little things that mean so much to someone who can no longer complete the simplest tasks. .. washing dishes, checking mail, mopping floors, picking up staples at flat store and grocery, doing a meal off, etc.
I have my days but digging for spiritual gems in the Bible and Bible reading and research helps me through the really quiet and long nights. Oh and I cannot forget my little Shih Tzu who loves me unconditionally and is very attentive, lively and frisky.
To borrow from a poet, "This too shall pass" or something like that.
Take care.
krista77320 Woodcycl
Posted
Fractured my fibula Oct. 24th. Had surgery to install metal plate and 5 screws 2 weeks later. Got my fiberglass cast off yesterday and now I'm supposed to wear this hideous boot that rubs my healing incision constantly for 6 more weeks?. I'm tempted to go rogue and toss it in the trash. Shouldn't the bone be stable with the plate and screws? I'm absolutely stir crazy fantasizing about running on the beach and putting the pedal to the metal with a full tank of gas! Warm wishes to all those in a similar predicament!
justin01410 krista77320
Posted
Hello,
I broke my tibula and fibula Nov. 1st and had surgery on Nov 21st placing 2 plates and 16 screws in my leg. I was in a splint for about two weeks then went into a regular cast for two weeks. Just two days ago had the cast removed and I'm now having to use an aircast boot. I am still Non weight bearing and it completely sucks. I feel your pain with the boot and I constantly want to remove it. I also have incisions on both sides of my lower leg and the boot irritates it horribly. I think that that the real reason for having to use the boot is simply to protect it from any further injury. This discussion board has been very helpful while reading it to know that I am not the only one feeling the way I am. Completely miserable and useless.. lol I hope everyone who is still in the recovery process is doing well and continues to heal and move on from their injuries.
biancalupo krista77320
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It has been 3 weeks since my surgery (bimalleolar fracture, 1 plate 5 screws, 1 pin) and when I was at physio today I asked how important the boot was. I too can't stand wearing it as it rubs on the incisions and is SUPER painful. I was told the boot was only for protection, the hardware in my ankle is what is keeping the bones in place. I happen to be a pretty still sleeper so I ditched the boot when I sleep and OH MY GOD is it great. I finally got a whole night of undisturbed sleep. The only time I wear the boot is when I'm crutching around to protect the ankle in case I stumble etc... Been doing all my physio exercises, scar massages and icing 3 times a day and ankle feels great. Hope you have a fast recovery and hang in there, you'll be in tip top shape in no time
Ralph89 biancalupo
Posted
Hi I broke my ankle in 3 places on 12/13/16. I was taken off my cast after two weeks after surgery and put on a hardware boot. First few days it was fine, but eventually it started to become more of a hassle and painful; i even got skin rash towards the top of my foot. So I contacted my doctor regarding how important the boot was and I was told that it all was to really protect my ankle & foot from a fall. I was really scared to take it off since I kept hearing that the boot would keep my ankle in place as it healed. So now that I know that isn't true I take it off all day and ice it 3 times a day. But I do put it back on when I go to bed to avoid any injury while I sleep, but it does really suck because it's so uncomfortable while I try to sleep. Do you have any suggestions if you happen to figure any out. I'm only on week 2 of post surgery.
biancalupo Ralph89
Posted
I ditched my boot around the 3rd week post-op. I thought it would've been super comfortable but I found it to be quite the opposite and started to dread it. It was affecting my quality of sleep so I didn't sleep with it. It was risky but I think it was the best solution for me. If you are a still sleeper, you can probably remove it too! If you don't want to remove it, I suggest deflating it completely. That helped a bit too
jenna51018 judi57310
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I understand our discomfort but at this early stage of healing it is imperative to wear the boot. Especially if it is a more complicated break.
I was scared to take mine off in fear of myself moving the wrong way or someone else bumping it and unsetting the bones.
Take care and good luck your healing
natava judi57310
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pam28926 judi57310
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Bill2014 judi57310
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Hi. I broke my ankle on December 22nd . Slipped on wet grass in my garden. Had one of my dogs with me. I had to crawl along a path then up my stairs to get to my phone. Ambulance came within 15 minutes. Had to have my foot manipulated back. Was operated the next day.and got out of hospital on Boxing day. I live on my own with 2 dogs and its impossible to be non weight bearing. I am getting help with the dogs. One wound has healed nicely and the other I have an infection in . There is over granulation on it. Still very swollen. Have plates and pins in. The surgeon told me to take my boot off at night. I presume it depends on the break. I broke my ankle in 3 places and my fibia & tibia. I was told I couldn't have made a better job of breaking it...oops...
pam28926 Bill2014
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Hi Bill. I am so sorry about your injury. I found my boot was my saving grace. I slept in my boot by instructions from my doctor up until I started my excercises. My bones were completely healed at 6 weeks and I am allowed to walk in my boot full weight bearing as I can tolerate. Yesterday I drove for the first time and shopped a little pushing a cart. It went well but my foot was reallly swollen at the end of the day. I iced it and elevated it without the boot. I only wear my boot now if I am up and walking. I start physical therapy this Thursday. My range of motion is probably at 50 percent. I have been writing my ABC's and doing flexing excercises for about 3 weeks. I hope your infection quickly vanishes. Prayers for your quick healing.
pam28926 Bill2014
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How are you recovering?