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digital fibular avulsion..how long do you think?

Posted , 3 users are following.

andie33865
andie33865

HI there. I fractured my ankle about 10 days ago and the emergency staff xrayed it then the doctor on staff looked at the xray and said it was fractured and it would need a boot cast for 4 weeks. I was walking on it without much pain and now in the cast am trying to stay off it but it does not hurt much unless I take of the boot and touch it... I have a trip to Mexico planned about a week after the cast is to come off. I am a bit nervous about going but really not sure what to do.. Does 4 weeks sound right? The emerg doctor seemed a bit wishy washy ... anyone have any similar experience or advice?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • teri422
    teri422 andie33865

    Posted

    Hi Andie....I fractured my fibula 11 days ago as well...But I'm in a hard cast and have been told to stay off of it for 6 weeks, which I'm using a walker/chair to get around. I've been told it'll be 3 months before I'm walking normal without any aid at all. Interesting that your doctor says you'll be okay in 4 weeks....Sorry that I don't have any advice, but if you're healed up in  weeks, that gives me hope... 
    • andie33865
      andie33865 teri422

      Posted

      thanks Terri.. I see my doctor tomorrow so will fill you in..am a bit nervous now....
    • andie33865
      andie33865

      Posted

      HI Terri.. My doctor agrees with the emerg doc and I can weight bear and probably have the cast off too before my trip.. Feb 10th so yeehaw.. it all depend son the break I guess and mine was minimal that is why it does not hurt to walk on... I will still take good care cause don't want to mess up my trip. I just responded to Denise as well as I don't know how to send one email to both so please forgive me for repeating the same stuff.. thanks again for the support
    • teri422
      teri422 andie33865

      Posted

      Hi Andie,

      That's great news that you'll be able to go on your trip. Yes, mine was a bad break, not a minimal one. Same bone, but different severity I guess. I just know I'm sick of having to sit/sleep all the time. But keep us posted. And I do wish you the best of good times on your trip! Thanks for keeping us updated.

      Teri

    • andie33865
      andie33865 teri422

      Posted

      Thanks Terri.. I. am sorry about your break and totally understand your frustration. I have spent more time reading books, researching online and getting caught up on Paperwork. I also recently purchased an android. tv box that is great entertainment. but. after awhile. just wish I could drive my car or go fir s walk. Anyway hope your recovery goes well and thanks for the good wishes.
    • teri422
      teri422 andie33865

      Posted

      Hi Andie....I'm just soooo glad I have a cable and a DVR so can tape movies. I watch one after the other and then all my regular shows. And I read for a while, play on the computer.

      When I need to use the restroom, I wait until I need to rush, just because it's such a pain to get myself to the toilet bowl. ha. I never will again not appreciate being able to even just walk downstairs and get my mail. Luckily I am able to stay positive but I do wonder: if my ankle is in a cast, why does the cast not protect it enough so that I can walk on it even just a little? I know I need to be realistic so I'll not harp on the fact.

      Also, someone mentioned that after going a long time without walking that our leg muscles are affected. Are there exercises I can be doing to prevent this? Not to mention that I'm sure I'll gain weight since I'm sitting on my buttocks 24 hours.....Lovely.

       

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD teri422

      Posted

      Terri, 

      I've gained at least 10lbs, that was in 5 weeks, I daren't weight myself again, it's almost 7 weeks now.  I'm still doing upper body weights, and sit ups, but that doesn't burn the calories in the same way as moving around does it?

      Denise

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD teri422

      Posted

      HI Terri and Andie

      Mine was close to the ankle joint, apparently that makes a difference, did they tell you what type of break it was? They told me that mine was a weber b fracture extending to the joint which is why I had to stay in a cast for six weeks.  

      Denise

       

    • andie33865
      andie33865 TenaciousD

      Posted

      MIne was a distal fibularavulsion.. not weight bearing bone I think so that is why.. hmmm. I am sorry about the weight gain... I am eating a very limited diet but not losing .. wanted to before I went to Mexico to an all inclusive but just to maintain is a struggle..darn.. oh well.. good luck.. take care and don't worry too much about the weight as your healing is the focus now.. take care.
  • TenaciousD
    TenaciousD andie33865

    Posted

    Hi Andie

    I fractured my ankle abroad and was told I couldn't fly in a cast, so they gave me a splint.  You might want to check it out with your insurance company, I was also told I needed a 'fit to fly' certificate before they would allow me on the plane.  You might also want to check that out with your doctor.  

    I too had a hard cast put on when I returned to the UKI, I had that on for a further 4 1/2 weeks, but told I could put partial weight on it after 2 weeks, but I couldn't manage this until 3 or 4 weeks.  I'm out of cast now and doing physio, but it's still swollen, so they told me to still do the RICE thing for two 20 minute sessions a day.  

    Denise

    • andie33865
      andie33865 TenaciousD

      Posted

      Thanks Denise. It was suggested I use crutches but being such a klutz I only am using a cane.I am afraid of falling with crutches. Seem to be able to weight bear quite easily.. only time it hurts much is at night in my sleep and when a take the boot cast off in the morning when I touch that side of my foot. Then I can see it is still discolored and sore. Will be two weeks in two days. I am super panicking about my trip. I am 65 but relatively healthy and was walking and doing yoga about 2 or 3 days a week. though it used to be more than that up until a few months ago. Anyway today I will ask my GP a lot of questions and another Xray and report back. Thanks again.
    • andie33865
      andie33865 TenaciousD

      Posted

      HI again.. well good news.. My doctor agrees with the emerg doc and I can weight bear and probably have the cast off too before my trip.. Feb 10th so yeehaw.. it all depend son the break I guess and mine was minimal that is why it does not hurt to walk on... I will still take good care cause don't want to mess up my trip.. thanks for the support.
    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD andie33865

      Posted

      Good to hear Andie,

      I'm still on crutches, almost 7 weeks post fracture, but getting about a bit more now, it keeps swelling up though, but I'm told this is normal and could go on for some months.  

      Enjoy your trip. (no pun intended)...:-)

       

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