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6 Weeks Post Ankle Surgery...need help!!!

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danielle_96194
danielle_96194

Hello:

I had surgery 3/2/15 for a fracture of the left tib/fib and spiral fracture of the ankle.  I had a rod inserted and 7 screws.  For 6 weeks I was non weight bearing, but 3 days ago I was told I could start partial weight bearing.  I need some guidance if anyone is out there.  First, it is normal to feel the pins and needles on the bottom of the foot and how long does that normally last?  Am I doing any additional damage to the foot if this tingling i continuing?  And also, I noticed today my ankle/foot/toes is very swollen.  I am elevating the foot now and have an ice pack on it.  Is this also common and any recommendations on how to help this?  Thank you so much for your help.  Any would be greatly appreciated.  I am just at a loss, beginning to get depressed and just want to finally hear that I will walk again and soon!! Thank you. Danielle

5 likes, 446 replies

446 Replies

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  • judith2710
    judith2710 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Been good to find this thread a get an idea of what to expect.

    Fell on good Friday attended minor injuries next day and X-ray following day which confirmed break needing surgery. Due to swelling was unable to operate for two weeks so home leg elevated and cast for two weeks. Had ORIF operation two weeks later NWB and back cast two weeks then full cast and non weight bearing for further 4 weeks. Also prescribed daily injections for prevention of blood clots. Now counting the days until cast comes off in another 9!days!! But unsure what will happen next and how long before I can resume normal activities like driving and returning to work. I was thinking maybe four weeks from having cast off or am I being too optimistic? Does anyone else have problems sleeping at night? Since I have had my full cast on when I go to bed I get stinging in my foot and toes and have difficulty sleeping often not going to sleep until after 3am. 

    Like others it will be great just to be able to carry a cup of coffee into another room 

    Judith

     

  • susan21687
    susan21687 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Can I join fb group? I broke my ankle on March 13 on a golf course, stepping bavkwards off an elevation near a water Hazzard and I guess I stepped into a hole and rolled my foot and it went Craaack. I have a broken fibula with one screw holding the maleolus tip in place. and now I am 6 weeks post op and start PT next week. I can't tolerate the pain when I try to put part of my weight on the leg. I was put into a boot after 4 weeks in a hard cast and told to start weight bearing.I may have overdone it when I forced myself to use one crutch after being in the boot for 2 weeks because I was told I should be walking by now. Since then my heel has been on fire and can't put any pressure on it. The bottom of my foot also feels like pins and needles. I have some swelling but nothing like it was right after surgery. I have also been told to stop using the boot and use a brace instead. It feels better on my ankle but it is harder to stand and walking even with 2 crutches is bad. I can maybe put 10% of my weight on it and it hurts.

    I was so frustrated and overwhelmed with a fear that I will never walk again when I found this post and I was reassured that things will be ok from the comments.

  • steph55332
    steph55332 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Please send me the Facebook link. Thanks
    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 steph55332

      Posted

      This forum blocks any internet links but I found one Facebook group by just typing "ankle fractures recovery".   I have just found another called 

      " Broken Ankle/ Foot/ leg recovery - on a quest for".   Just type those titles in the Facebook engine.  Second one has over 1400 members. I just sent a request to join.  

    • claire87742
      claire87742 Patientholland

      Posted

      Hi,

      Please send me a message directly for FB link. Hard to keep up with messages on here

      Claire

  • Juneo62
    Juneo62 danielle_96194

    Posted

    Hi Danielle. I can't really advise you as I am 5 weeks post op for tibia & fibula and ankle fracture also. I get discomfort in my foot and ankle but more so when I'm in bed. I find that a change if position helps as well as having leg elevated on 3 pillows. I'm waiting for my appointment to come so I can see consultant and find out what next stage is. Do you have a cast on or moon boot. I've only got a Ted stocking on. I'm frightened about putting my foot down on floor. I went out at weekend to my mother in laws and can ay that was never wrecking and exhausting. My heart was racing. That's probably because if not been getting any exercise since my op. Try and stay positive. Your leg will heal eventually. Just have to take it slowly.take care.
    • Lamborghini_Gal
      Lamborghini_Gal Juneo62

      Posted

      Hi Danielle!  I broke and completed dislocated my left ankle May 10, 2016.  I had the surgery 3 days later and am in physical therapy.  Just today, I started trying to put a little weight on it, in my boot.  I wanted to let you know that I can REALLY identify with you, when you say you're frightened about putting your foot down on the floor.  I am too!  My foot has been in that boot (which I sleep in) and I know the first time I get barefooted and have to put that foot flat on the floor, it will be scary to me.  It'll be weird!  Anyway, just wanted to let you know, I completely understand how you feel!  :-)

      Beth

  • vikrant29210
    vikrant29210 danielle_96194

    Posted

    HI guys , can i join the group. I met with an accident on 5th april when  a speedy car  rammed into me got operated on 9th april for trimolar fratcure in ankle including tib and fib. I have 8 screws and 1 plate and was on NO WEIGHT BEARING for 8 weeks with a hard cast rolled over my ankle. I started my PT 5 days back and since then there is a huge differnece in getting my ankles range and also my foots strength back. It was restricted due to non use of muscles.PT is strongly sggested for better results as it will include all execrcises which will restore foot to same level of prior accidents. My doctor asked me now to put weight on my effected ankle and with little support of my walker or wall i am able to do it. I can now stand on my hurt ankle but need some support. Its painful and swallowing is getting more visible.I am an independent guy who never asked for anyone's help but this  thing has made me dependent on my family members. I cant drive and its difficult to walk around w/o walker. I was never on walking boots.

    Dont know how much more time it will take for me to walk w/o help of walker.I have already started walking with the help of walker and putting some weight on hurt ankle as well but the pain and stiffness around ankle and archilies is making me go nuts.Its awfuly painful.

    I have set a weeks deadline for my self to start walking w/o walker and for that i am putting lots of weight on hurt ankle everyday with the support of walker.

    Speedy recovery for every one.  

    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 vikrant29210

      Posted

      Hi Vikrant,

      you are more than welcome to join the group.  Best way to get replies specifically to your problems is to use the button at the bottom of the page entitled 'Start your own discussion'. By starting your own discussion the answers you seek will be directed specifically to you and it will come up in our email notifications as a New Ankle Discussion that members can follow otherwise it may get missed.

      my advice is you are expecting far to much of yourself.  Like you I had a Trimalleolar fracture of Tib, fib and malleolus with dislocation. 2 plates 12 screws and that was 23rd January.  My surgeon told me that these fractures take 12 to 14 months to heal as much as they are going to.

      the other advice he gave me is that it is not the type of injury that the more you do the faster you will heal!  We have all had to learn to be patient and kind to ourselves and I am sure most people on here would agree that we have shared your frustration, pain, helplessness and emotional turmoil that seems to come with this injury.  Everybody seems to heal and recover at their own pace and it sounds like you are doing everything in your power to speed up the process but be kind to yourself and accept help as you need it and resign yourself to the fact that your body will heal in its own time.  

      Most people on here will swear by RICE.  REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATE.  I can only do the Rest and Elevate as I have nerve damage and therefore can't tollerate the Ice packs or anything tight on the top of my foot, but still find the resting when I need to and elevating my leg particularly at night very important.  Without nerve damage the ice and compression you would probably find very useful for your swelling and pain control.   

      There is is a great group of people contributing to this forum and welcome!  I am sure you will find lots of advice, encouragement and support here!  Good luck with your recovery.

    • ali73023
      ali73023 vikrant29210

      Posted

      Good luck to you. You sound like you are doing great. I am a bit behind you broke my ankle on 20th April wasn't operated on until 22nd (in USA) in a cast for 2 then recast over here for 4 weeks. Now given a boot to pwb & now due to walk on it barefoot that's this week's goal anyway starting tomorrow.

      Keep us updated on your progress it helps us all to know what our ANKLE friends are doing.

    • vikrant29210
      vikrant29210 ali73023

      Posted

      Keep moving your toes and fingers whenevere you get time it will help the muscles not to get stiff and will result minimum restrictions.

      Speedy recovery ✌️

    • vikrant29210
      vikrant29210 cynthia47607

      Posted

      Hey Cynthia , my doctor told me same thing that it will take 12-18 months for ankle to get fully recovered and come to same strength and flexibility it was before damage.

      Normally it takes 3 months time for ankle to recover and to start walking with. More you walk in early months more flexible it will become. There are cases where people has permanently lost some of their range of flexibility and strength 'cos they started walking a bit late.

      Stiffness and swallowing takes 6-10 months to go completely 😟

      Hope you will recover fast.

    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 vikrant29210

      Posted

      I have been walking since week 8 fully weight bearing and walking presently in Phuket where I am on holidays from Australia!  At 4 months I think I am doing pretty well to be travelling and doing most of the stuff I want to do.   I am very scared of falling with all the slippery tiles on the floors of hotels in Thailland so using 1 or 2 crutches to steady myself and try to break any falls!  I just thought that you seemed to be getting very impatient with yourself and pushing yourself too hard.  Sounds like you know what you are doing though.  You sound fairly young in comparison to me I'm 62.  There is a really good forum on Facebook called Broken Ankle/ Foot / leg recovery - on a quest for normal. Lots of young people on that forum with 1400 members. You may find it useful. Good luck again. 
    • vikrant29210
      vikrant29210 cynthia47607

      Posted

      Hi ,3 days back I tried to walk again all over without any support and I could do it easliy but still there is pain in ankle and archilies.Swallowing too has been reduced to 50%. I can do most of the things now but i feel my ankle and foot has only got 40%of its earlier strength and 80% of range and flexibility. Running is way difficult for me now and walking with naked foot is still bit difficult.Good thing is now i can drive my car and not dependent on my driver or friends.

      Can any one suggest how much time will it take to start walkingand running perfectly and what all care i should be taking now.

      All the best guys.

    • Gill1111
      Gill1111 cynthia47607

      Posted

      Hi Cynthia, hope your enjoying your well earned holidays.

      Did you have any problems with ankle on flight with swelling? Any tips you can give? Got four hour flight in two weeks, going to Turkey. Quite anxious in case ankle swells more than normal.

    • ali73023
      ali73023 Gill1111

      Posted

      You can always try Arnica 30x tabs from Boots Chemist.
    • Gill1111
      Gill1111 ali73023

      Posted

      Thanks Ali, will try anything. Have you used them with any success?
    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 Gill1111

      Posted

      Hi Gill, 

      i have tried to reply to you three times tonight but my computer is playing up and my lengthy answer keeps timing out.  I will try again tomorrow and hopefully won't time out on me,  regards  Cynthia 

    • low-key
      low-key cynthia47607

      Posted

      cynthia-after an auto accident, ankle had to be rebuilt, 2 plates, 2 rods pins ans screws. My doctor told me the same thing:12 to 16 months till fully healed. I'm at 7 months. I still have pain and stiffness, weakness. I am much better, I know I will reach full recovery because I'm healing ahead of schedual. Walk when you are able, run when ready, your body will tell you. I'm 69 and grateful to be walking.
    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 Gill1111

      Posted

      Dear Gill

      Hoping I get further with my reply tonight.  I took my elbow crutches with me for walking the long distances within airports.  Even though I can walk quite well with one crutch I took two as I have a bad knee on the other side and wanted to make sure I didn't limp.  The effect of taking the crutches with me meant that the flight crew ordered ahead for me to ensure that I was met by a wheelchair and escorted from the plane door though customs, immigration to the car door of our transfer!  The seating we had offered zero chance of elevation of my leg during flight as even though we were in business class on a low cost carrier once the person in front put their seat back I could not elevate my foot at all. Crew suggested that for the return journey we request to be transferred to a bulkhead and much to our surprise when we came to the Phuket airport for the 9,hour flight back we were met again with a wheelchair and whisked through the checkin, immigration and delivered to the plane door again.  In requesting a bulkhead on medical grounds that is not to be confused with an exit row as they wont let you sit there as you are disabled to help in emergency.  They even provided me with a canvas bag full of blankets to elevate my leg on after takeoff. Maybe take an old fashioned ice bag with you if you want to ice the ankle during flight. Crutches went in overhead locker during flight but were a godsend for the entire trip.  If I think of any other tips I will post again,  hope these tips help. Cynthia 

    • cynthia47607
      cynthia47607 low-key

      Posted

      i think the hardest thing to accept is that others expect you to be healing faster than you are. Luckily those that are accepting my rate of recovery are my doctors and close family.  When all said and done they are the only ones that matter.  Although I am 62 I had been employed in a busy Medical practice as a nurse after 11 years in retirement.  Only been back there for 8 weeks when I slipped in gravel and broke the ankle.   Went to see them yesterday to let them know I won't be back at work at all as that is a pressure I don't want hanging over me.  I love travel and husband is retiring later this year so that is my inspiration now to get mobile enough to be able to enjoy travel one again as this trip was purely to rest, do hydrotherapy in the pool everyday and just get some enjoyment back in life.  I can understand your being grateful just to walk again that was my doubt for so long too.  We will get there.............in our own time !
    • angeladvocate
      angeladvocate cynthia47607

      Posted

      Same here dealing with the hardship of other's expectations. 

      And good for you on the retirement choice.  One thing we learn in this experience is how we need to appreciate and enjoy our life more.  Wishes for much happiness to you!!

    • Danas_mom
      Danas_mom cynthia47607

      Posted

      I have so appreciated the responses because those of us in the same boat understand the challenges. My family and doctor have been good about what I am able to do. 3 months after surgery to repair ankle, I was released to "weight bearing as tolerated." Got prescription for physical therapy. (In Oklahoma, USA) It is the therapist who is dissatisfied with my progress 2 weeks after release to be weight bearing, and after only 3 appointments.

      Best wishes on ur recovery.

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