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Broken fibula and tibia

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Mimi6295
Mimi6295

Broke fibula and tibia Feb 17, 2016. Had surgery March 1, and had 2 screws put a n fibula and a plate on tibia. After 8 weeks in cast and NWB I am now in a boot. I am doing exercises for therapy but after walking on it for about an hour leg hurts and ankle and foot swell. Also get sharp twinges now and then in ankle area. Has anyone else had these problems and how long before you can put full weight on it and be able to work. I'm a waitress and have to be on my feet for 4 hours or longer without sitting.

0 likes, 43 replies

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  • Patientholland
    Patientholland Mimi6295

    Posted

    Hello Mimi. I sorry to hear of your position which must feel even more difficult as you are waiting to return to your job. I am in the same position as you and I am 17 weeks post surgery now. The One thing that I have learned about this type of break is patience, patience, and more patience. I've also learned that the types of discomfort experience is a moving target so I try to just get on with it each day. I was out of a boot after eight weeks but, even now, the maximum I can walk without a crutch is about 10 minutes.

    I sleep each night with my foot substantially elevated and when it does well I surround it with ice gel packs

    I find that I am able to wake up my stiff foot each morning by soaking it in the 'sink' in an Epsom salt bath of very warm water for 10 minutes followed by very cold water for 10 minutes, then massaging my calf with bio oil. Then I scar massage the area which I think is important to free up the fibres long term. I do often find that when I do the daily prescribed exercises that my foot may hurt more and, ultimately, what restores normality is one anti-inflammatory in the morning.

    My ankle has been very weak and I really do find the provision of KT tape on and under the foot really supports it. It is quite specialised in its application but you could go online and watch a physiotherapist on the KT tape YouTube show you how to expertly apply the tape which you can keep on for three days. I do think the static cycle for 10 to 15 minutes initially is a good exercise. I wish you well with your recovery

    • patti123
      patti123 Patientholland

      Posted

      I just ordered some KT tape and will try to figure out how to use it online. I see two of you have recommended it and I'm curious about it. My PT said it is okay to use the exercise bike too and think it's a good idea. Love the hot Epsom bath soaks too followed by icing to take away swelling. Really eases the pain! Also love swimming too when I can get to a pool. I still elevate my leg every night too and agree about "moving target" pain with the PT. Thx for the info you posted!

      PS- You will be able to walk more every day without the crutch. It just takes some time to get it started, and then it goes much faster after that. 

    • leelee1022
      leelee1022 patti123

      Posted

      Hey Patti, I have missed you. I have been having a hard time getting on here lately plus a lot going on personally.

      Saw the specialist the other day, he told me that I do in fact have crps and that it is going to take a lot for me to walk again. I am waiting on Workmans Comp to get me scheduled with a pain doctor.

      How are you doing? Making progress?

    • patti123
      patti123 leelee1022

      Posted

      So sorry Lee Lee! This is so unfair! I am going to send you a private message. 
  • Patientholland
    Patientholland Mimi6295

    Posted

    Hello Mimi. I sorry to hear of your position which must feel even more difficult as you are waiting to return to your job. I am in the same position as you and I am 17 weeks post surgery now. The One thing that I have learned about this type of break is patience, patience, and more patience. I've also learned that the types of discomfort experience is a moving target so I try to just get on with it each day. I was out of a boot after eight weeks but, even now, the maximum I can walk without a crutch is about 10 minutes.

    I sleep each night with my foot substantially elevated and when it does well I surround it with ice gel packs

    I find that I am able to wake up my stiff foot each morning by soaking it in the 'sink' in an Epsom salt bath of very warm water for 10 minutes followed by very cold water for 10 minutes, then massaging my calf with bio oil. Then I scar massage the area which I think is important to free up the fibres long term.

    I do often find that when I do the daily prescribed exercises that my foot may hurt more and, ultimately, what restores normality is one anti-inflammatory in the morning.

    My ankle has been very weak and I really do find the provision of KT tape on and under the foot really supports it. It is quite specialised in its application that you could go online and watch a physiotherapist on the KT tape YouTube show you how to expertly apply the tape which you can keep on for three days.

    I do think the static cycle for 10 to 15 minutes initially is a good exercise.

    I wish you well with your recovery

  • patti123
    patti123 Mimi6295

    Posted

    HI Mimi- Yes, I did. What you are experiencing is all very normal from my experience. I think it takes about a month to get to FWB in a boot (about 25% more each week), depending upon the person and injuries, and maybe a bit longer to walk without crutches- 5 weeks or so. I could probably do 4 hours a day in a boot, but it wouldn't be easy without a break. That is a ton of standing and walking while working. It would probably be better to see if you could wait to do that much. I injured myself on 2/16 and so did Ron. He's pretty much where I am in the process too. I had a plate and 13 screws put in on 2/17 for my triple break (trimalleolar).
    • Mimi6295
      Mimi6295 patti123

      Posted

      Thank You for the advice. I just wasn't sure if what I was experiencing was normal or not and if I was progressing like I should or not.

      Sorry to hear about your injury also. Hoping you a smooth road to recovery. 🙂

  • daphne23784
    daphne23784 Mimi6295

    Posted

    Hi all, just a note of encouragement. As I wrote on the forum, I had my cast removed on 22nd April after I broke my tibia and fibula on 18th February had plates and screws. Was nwb until cast was removed. Started walking pwb with crutches and moved onto one crutch, even last week I found it very difficult and painful to walk with one crutch and would go back to two crutches most of the day. Today I am walking most of the time with only the one crutch and also mutch longer and easier without crutches at all and hardly any pain. Please all be patient do your exercises, listen to your body and do your best also push a little further every day. Have faith you will get there. I am 59 and at one point I thought I would never walk without aid again, but thanks to the Lord I am nearly there. God bless and stay positive. X
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland daphne23784

      Posted

      Hello Daphne. I seem to have had the same surgery as you one month prior. It has been a roller coaster for me too with the pain or difficulties, an ever changing landscape. I have learned to be patient and try not to catastrophise but, all too often, the anxiety spills over and I trip into wondering if I will ever walk again. I don't think I have ever experienced so many DOWN moments. As I am an upbeat, very active person, this has been a huge challenge in unfamiliar territory. I am now 17 weeks post-surgery and can walk, unaided, for a maximum of ten minutes. The rest of the time I walk with one crutch though not needed at home. I do my own massage, scar massage, exercises, icing and take anti inflammatory once a day. I found a Physio to difficult for my sensitive foot. I hope you continue to proceed in your recovery
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland daphne23784

      Posted

      PS. I was in a surgical boot and not a cast. Was your foot quite immobilised when the cast came off
    • patti123
      patti123 Patientholland

      Posted

      Yes it was! I'm not sure why at my sports orthopedic office they cast vs boot, but that's how they do it. They take care of a lot of the SF pro athletes, so I always felt they must be making the right decisions, but I noticed most trimalleolars end up with a cast vs boot, like I did. I was recasted every two weeks.
    • daphne23784
      daphne23784 Patientholland

      Posted

      I never had a boot or full cast just a back slab as I am very claustrophobic and can't handle anything that feels like it is restricting me. I am sure that helped me a lot. But I had to be very careful as the Dr. told me if I fell or did something wrong it could move the plates and screws and could cause further damage and more surgery. His words (a nightmare.) I know you will recover soon, just believe.
    • Tituscanby1
      Tituscanby1 daphne23784

      Posted

      1 Backslab initially. 7 fibreglass casts. Surgery. Plaster of Paris cast(heavy as), 2 more fibreglass. 5 Moonboots throughout .

      They ran out of casting colours I the end. I got bored and drew on them!

    • Patientholland
      Patientholland daphne23784

      Posted

      I am now 17 weeks and my foot still hurts when i walk and i havent yet got full range of motion so i am walking with a slight limp.  I am hoping that this will go the more mobile i am.  My problem is that all the usual strengthening exercies, like the one on the stairs where you life to your toes and then drop below the stairs create awful pain in my lateral ankle and seems to destabilise the whole area.  I find it very difficult to get a balance with the amount of exercise that is just enough to mobilise and strengthen and not be too little that my limp is maintained.   I wonder if the full range of motion just comes with time or do I HAVE to exercise to facilitate this ????   What a learning curve this injury is !!!!
    • daphne23784
      daphne23784 Patientholland

      Posted

      Hi I also walk with a limp and have some pain in my foot, but it seems to improve daily, especially this last week. I do exercises twice a day that was given to me by the physiotherapists and it definitely helps. I also know someone that broke his ankle and had the same surgery as me in October last year and he still walks with a limp. I was told that the stretching exercises will help and improve the range of motion but it takes time so I try be patient and push a little more each day.
    • patti123
      patti123 Patientholland

      Posted

      From what I have read, the PT exercises are not only important for future permanent ROM (as well as current ROM), but also to decrease our chances of arthritis for later, because they break up scar tissue (which is not our friend). I have also read swimming and stationary bikes are great exercises for our current and future lives (as we can use them) to decrease our chances of arthritis forming later. I agree with you that when I do the PT it hurts, usually a while later (and usually in the middle of the night, when I get a throbbing ankle, when I hit the exercises hard that day). I feel I just need to take a Motrin before bedtime so I don't get woken up- seems to help like a dream. Wish I didn't have to take it, but my doctor said not to worry about taking one or two a day, as this will allow me not to give up on pushing hard through the exercises each day, which in the end is going to determine my later flexibility (and possible arthritis- which is the big problem to worry about in the future). So, I continue to hit the PT hard, and follow up with ice, warm baths, and massage when the pain is bugging me, a Motrin here and there, and it has helped a lot. I think we just HAVE to do the exercises, as much as possible, given each of our constraints and medical condition/advice from our doctors. Given that, if you feel something just isn't right, I agree with others that we do know our bodies best, and it is important to go to a doctor or get a second opinion....too many stories out there of doctors missing things!
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland patti123

      Posted

      Thanks for your full response.   I think I had better go back into the Gym to exercise on the bike.    I have this fantasy that if I walk, that will be enough to strengthen the area.  This does seem to be the only exercise that doesnt enflame though, the bike has always been reasonably ok
    • patti123
      patti123 Patientholland

      Posted

      Walking would be much more fun, can't disagree smile Looks like planned exercise in the gym is in our futures. 
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