Curious to know what alternate therapies and remedies people have tried and recommend ...
Posted , 5 users are following.
I am four weeks and two days into my recovery from a fibula fracture (Weber A - stable). I am a big believer in supplementing regular medical care with appropriate and safe alternate remedies. I thought I would share what I've been doing and ask if others have anything they have tried that works well for them as I am always open to new ideas and approaches.
1) I take daily vitamins (I was slacking on this before I was injured, but I started taking them immediately after the injury):
a) I have a multi vitamin and mineral supplement designed for women over 40 (from the health food store so its a really good quality one).
b) I also have a bone strength vitamin (vit K2, k1, d3 and red marine algae)
2) I use arnica montana gel on my bruises and to counteract the stiffness (and also take some of the little tiny tablets each day). Again, started up this a couple of days after getting hurt
3) I apply Mobicosa joint get when I have swelling (so used this more in the early stages. This was something I decided to try as an alternative to ibuprofen as I did not want to continue taking that any longer than I have to. This is a greenlipped mussel oil. I don't know if this is the reason, or if I am just lucky, but I have had very limited swelling and when I do have it this combined with icing takes it right down for me. I started this about two weeks after my injury (as I had to wait for it to get shipped to me).
Eager to hear what others have found works for them 
1 like, 6 replies
ann53853 CarolynCL
Posted
I fractured my ankle in 2 places almost 3 months ago. Because I am 63, the healing process took longer causing me to be 8 weeks in a cast. I am just now learning to walk again on my own without an aid.
I live on my own so no one cooks for me. (My daughter very kindly made me some meals). The last thing I felt like doing was cooking anything! I want to stay as healthy as possibly though, so I eat fruit, lots of dairy products for calcium, some already cooked fish and other meats etc.....
I also make sure I drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. For me, that means at least five cups of water as well as other beverages daily.
I take calcium magnesium supplements, Vitamin D3; and a multi vitamin for women over 50.
Now feeling better, I have started to eat more vegetables.
Every morning I eat oatmeal. Graham crackers, soda crackers, other crackers, and rice cakes are the other grains I usually eat. Rarely do I eat bread products. And I try to stay away from that dreaded substance, sugar!
It is nice to be making some progress as far as my injured foot (now trying to heal) goes. Patience certainly is a virtue when something like this happens, that is for sure!
Carolyn, I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!
CarolynCL ann53853
Posted
Great tips - thanks! I hope your recovery is also very speedy
On the food front I like to have a morning smoothie (ice, water, Greek yogurt, banana, mixed fruit, ginger and a green marine algae powder). I am also a fan of rice cakes and potatoes (I avoid flour as I don't tolerate gluten and flour very well). My favorite protein is chicken and anything in the fish/seafood line. I love to snack on carrots or pepper slices and fresh fruit. Yum!
ann53853 CarolynCL
Posted
I had to readjust my new routine of getting outside for fresh air and exercise; as well as walking up and down the hallway in my apartment block. My foot was getting too sore, from overuse. Because I am relatively new at walking with no aids, the above activity was too much for me. I really do have to listen to my body, ie: if one of my hips feels like it is being overused, then I know my gait needs to be adjusted.
You are not the only one who likes chicken. I buy a whole barbecued chicken from the grocery store. It is small, but it does me for 6 meals. When I get more ambitious , maybe I will make chicken stock out of the bones for soup!
I just thought I would pop by Carolyn, bye for now! PS: I love sushi!
Have a nurturing and healing day.
kpower CarolynCL
Posted
Carolyn,
Good for you to be so open to alternative and complementary modalities for healing your ankle injury.
Someone could write a book on both the nutritional as well as other alternative therapies to expedite and help ensure a complete recovery.
I read too many accounts here where an initial ankle fracture/sprain goes incompletely or inappropriately treated and then the patient develops a life-long ankle impediment or disability. Much too often, regrettably, it leads to repeated remedial surgeries like ankle fusion.
So I'm glad you are in a sense doing 'patient advocacy'.
I've reported my research and forays into alternative approaches in many of my previous posts since my injury many months ago. Perhaps they are still accessible on this forum.
Please keep up good work.
CarolynCL kpower
Posted
diane_41179 CarolynCL
Posted
Hi Carolyn! Wow! You sure are diligent when it comes to your supplements! I’m not however. I’m only taking gabapentin for nerve pain due to my injury. I’ll be 52 in December so I too feel it’s taking a bit for my recovery. My bone in my ankle still was not fused in October but I am walking now but with a cane. As for alternative medicine I am a reiki practitioner so I do reiki on myself as well as once a month by another practitioner. I also just started a therapeutic yoga routine as well as meditation . It’s set up on a individual basis and what each person needs. I’ve used coconut oil on my ankle as well as essential oils. I need to get back to taking calcium and vit d3. I took it in the beginning more so. Anyhow I also checked into acupuncture but it’s a bit $$. I decided against it for that reason only. Insurance doesn’t like to cover alternative medicine! I need to eat better than what I currently do however I don’t eat terribly unhealthy. I’m a chicken, fruit & veggie girl but I also love my cereal and bread. Lol! I wish you the best of health and thanks for sharing!