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Cast process caused pain - is it normal?

Posted , 4 users are following.

synelg
synelg

Hi - I broke my ankle 29th December, had 6 screws and gazillions of little rods put in on the 5th January 2016, had stitches out and a cast put on on the 18th January. 

The pain was very maneagable until they put the new cast on on the 18th.  They pushed and twisted my leg during the process, which was painful and  awful.   Ever since I've been in quite some pain.   Anyone else had this experience?  How long dd it last?   Very grateful for this site.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Pippie
    Pippie synelg

    Posted

    Hi Synelg oh dear just seen your post.......... Don't worry it's normal. I had metal plates and screws then a new cast two weeks later and the same thing happened to me, god it was so painful they pulled pushed and rotated my ankle to put the cast on, I couldn't believe it I thought I was going to pass out. When I got home I think I went into shock. It was very grim. Think it'll take time for it to settle down again. Big hugs to you. This is a great forum, plenty of support and advice for you here. Chin up we are all going through it. I've just had my cast off one week tomorrow and still can't walk! Happy days 😜👣👠😂
  • jannie26408
    jannie26408 synelg

    Posted

    Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm a month ahead of you from Nov. 28. After my stitches and splint taken off they put me in air cast. Do you have plaster or air?  If it keeps up I'd see my Dr maybe something is pinching inside the cast. I had that problem. The foot goes through varying degrees of pain, I'm still trying to figure out my new normal...I hope you find some relief, pain Meds for me helped immensely in the beginning.....take good care

    best, Jannie 

    • Pippie
      Pippie jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannie how are you doing? Did you manage to get a bath at the hospital ok? How's the dreaded foot today???? I've been back to pool again, my foot blew up so much to nite though wow looked dreadful........but I've felt tonnes better mentally these last couple of days now I now it's going to the months to get walking again I know what I've got in front of me.

      . Reading all the posts have helped. 😜💋

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Pippie

      Posted

      Hi Pippe 

      yes got in the big tub at physio, felt amazing, scary but so wonderful. I'm putting a bit more on my foot when I transfer. She's working on unlocking my foot, I still can't put my heel down flat but it will come. I'm feeling more comfortable with my foot and my mood is good. Day by day, but people here so helpful and encouraging....keep on we're going get there.....💃🏃🏄

    • Pippie
      Pippie jannie26408

      Posted

      Ahh sounds bliss a big tub, bet it was great to have a soak once you found your courage? Glad you are trying to put some weight on hours , I've tried and it feels like someone has run over my toes!!! So painful, and as you say the ankle is locked, stiff and so tight ahhhhhhhh it's so annoying!!!oh well another day tomorrow, we will all start again trying to unlock our ankles! It could be funny in a way I suppose!!!! 🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Pippie

      Posted

      Pippie, good for you getting back in the pool, is it still swollen?  Do you still ice it?  Sometimes ice works sometimes heat, I'm glad your feeling better mentally for me In the beginning this was half the battle. Keep on your doing great!!  
    • Pippie
      Pippie jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jannie thank you for your kind words........yes I've been icing it after I do my pt exercises in late afternoon. Two packets of green peas from the freezer either side my ankle for about 1/2 then when I'm watching to in the evening I raise it really high, the swelling  comes down quite quick then. I've just read grapefruit and peppermint essential oils are really good for  swelling- you just rub it in the ankle in upward motions. I'm going to see if I can get some today.i will let you know how it goes 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
  • synelg
    synelg

    Posted

    Thankyou so much for replying!   Pippie - that was exactly my experience.  Absolutely awful experience.   I will order more painkilllers.  Jannie - it's a plaster cast.  I think it's a little better than it was at first - it's much worse in the middle of the night.   I've been reading everyone's posts and they help so much.   I'm glad I've got company on this long journey.   Bless you all.
    • Pippie
      Pippie synelg

      Posted

      Don't worry you've plenty of company on this c.....py journey, chin up sleep tight 🌜💤💤💤💤💤💤
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 synelg

      Posted

      Nite time the worst for me, but I slept with my boot off last nite first time, it felt heavenly. As you will see we go thru so many stages it's hard to know, except for the great people on this forum, we're all at different stages but we get it!!!  Take care, j 
  • linda66990
    linda66990 synelg

    Posted

    If you are concerned about the continued pain from the cast you can go back to the cast room and have them check it.  I had trouble with it being too tight from swelling. I had mine cut in half after 4 days and I wore the cast cut in half with as ace bandage.  I admit at night I took it off to sleep. It healed well.  I never put any weight on it.  The cast was rubbing my ankle driving me nutso.  Ice and elevating help for pain and swelling. It does nothing for going insanefrown. 
  • synelg
    synelg

    Posted

    Thanks Linda.  The Fracture Clinic did say I could come in, but that they would have to remove the cast and perhaps manipulate again.  I did NOT want to go through that again, so I have just been filling myself with painkillers.  Happy to report that as of yesterday, the pain has suddenly improved immensely.   Almost 2 weeks since the re-cast process.   Relief.
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