driving after ankle fracture
Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm struggling to understand how to post on this forum. Found a few old posts. Wld like to know what other's experience is. Fractured ankle 31/12/17. Initially in plaster then in aircast. as of 2 days ago, am "free" of "cast"(20/2/18) Walked about 1k today with crutch but without cast..normal trainers. I desperately need to drive...live in a remote and hilly area. Physio will not give clear answer (you just need to be able to do emergency stop). This is sapping my confidence.. need to get out of home (psychological need) I will have to navigate single track hilly roads. I am now 8 weeks post fracture. Please let me know your experiences.
0 likes, 11 replies
james1959 rfoot
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rfoot james1959
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jvirgo rfoot
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Hiya, from my experience, you are one of the lucky ones and I sympathise and totally understand how you feel. Fortunately for me I drive an automatic and broke my 5th metatarsal on my left foot - wait for it............. 8 months ago and am still in an air cast long boot!!! Complete muscle wastage and tendon damage also. My treatment wasn't as I think it should have been from the injury and the bone has only just begun to fuse. I was refused any surgery to hurry this along and basically told after the disaster lack of advice i.e. not to put weight on it from the beginning, that these breaks can take up to 18 months to heal in some patients!! I'm left addicted to Amitriptyline (50g) a day and Gabapentin (300g) 3 times a day as the pain is still unbearable especially at night and my foot is permanently ICE cold! I don't have the emotion of sadness and I haven't cried in months and just accepted it's gonna take time. I would push for answers and keep on pushing before the depression and anxiety sets in because of the situation you are in especially living so rural without the amenities closeby. If I did not have the Amitriptyline, I would be a mess by now!! Definitely speak to your doctor and ask him to contact your consultant/physio therapist about how you feel and that you need to be mobile as quickly as possible. I totally understand the NHS is stretched to capacity so all you can do is stress how you feel and ask what can you be doing at home to speed your recovery. Good luck to you and I wish you a quick recovery.
devsmom jvirgo
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I am so sorry for what you are going through with your 5th metatarsal break. Lucky it was your left foot and not your right like mine. But, I am one of the lucky ones that healed well. How old are you? I remember my Orthopedist telling me that everyone heals at different rates and I wasn't 20 anymore (69 at the time) and could end up needing surgery. I didn't want to wait trying this and that if I was going to end up needing surgery because of my age. Doc said NO and I'm glad he did. I followed his instructions to the letter and after the first 4 weeks I thought I would have to go into a weight bearing cast for another 4 weeks but was lucky and got to get right into a high boot. But I had to wear the boot 24hours a day. At first I was in pain in the boot at night and just wanted my cast back. I found that I pulled the boot straps too tight and was able to sleep after that. I did take it off to shower. haha. BTW after my injury I went to the ER and was put into a low boot until I saw the Orthopedist a week later. I took the low boot off and walked without it and without pain during that time. I thought I was doing great and would be told, when I saw the Orthopedist, that I was fine and all better. Believe me I was in total shock when I was put in a non weight bearing cast and threatened with surgery if I didn't do all I was told and didn't heal properly. Good luck! You need some great news. Keep us up dated.
jvirgo devsmom
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I'm a 52 years old and had cast for two weeks, then suspected DVT, then 2 lots of ankle boots then 4 long air cast boot and still in the dam thing!! First four months boot on 24/7 and I agree, night time was the worst and still is as they only picked up all the soft tissue damage on the MRI scan 5 months later, but told to continue wearing boot for another painful 12 weeks!! What the hell kind of treatment is this? Have you ever heard of anyone wearing a boot this long for this kind of fracture??? Unheard of!!! My leg is so weak now and you can literally see my bone! When am I going to step out in my heels!!! Hopefully I will now begin the long struggle with rehabilitation. Couldn't believe I was nearly fobbed off with first physio appointment mid April! No way, so managed to get one in same week from my calling to book. Absolute nightmare, but I just sing away in fairy land!! 😁😁
devsmom jvirgo
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Good grief. I don't know about you but the trouble that I had in the high boot was that I walked with a limp. The boot sole was higher than my shoe which made me off balance and I had to shift my weight onto my left foot and swing my (broken) right foot around and forward to walk. I felt rather like a grandfather clock pendulum. When I got out of the boot I kept on swinging that foot around. It all worked out and I hope that it does for you too. It's just very frustrating and has been a nightmare for you. I love fairy land though. It's been 2 years now and I really don't remember it as badly as I felt at the time. Best wishes.
jvirgo devsmom
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Oh stop, now..... you're making me laugh now as I too have tried to walk without the boot around house hanging on furniture for about 10 steps at a time then my foot balloons up in pain but I'm laughing!!! I too do that limping swingy outie manovoure so I know what you mean!!! Hahaha, sorry but that's funny and made me chuckle!! What the hell, normal? I think not, but it makes me accept and cope with with drama!!! Thanks for your comments, appreciated. 😁😁
rfoot jvirgo
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devsmom rfoot
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I know how you feel. It was awful not being able to drive. It sounds like you are doing very well. I did not have an ankle fracture but a 5th metatarsal, Jones Fracture. 4 weeks in a plaster cast then 4 weeks in a high boot (aircast?). I was released by the Orthopedic to go to PT. PT gave me an orthopedic ankle "brace" and said I could drive if I felt comfortable doing so. The brace was a combo of metal side pieces, a crisscross support rather like the really old women's corsets that you see in movies like Gone with the Wind that started above the ankle and down to the toes and lastly elastic wraps what would tightly cover it all. I needed written instructions to get it on right. grrr I was somewhat apprehensive about driving so I went with a friend to a school parking lot after hours and drove around the lanes turning left and right, backed up and parked until I felt comfortable again. I didn't use a crutch but I walker until I felt comfortable with full weight on my right foot. I hated not being able to drive and was so glad just to be able to get out on my own. Good luck.
rfoot devsmom
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I wish there were a suitable car park where I could practise a bit - sadly there isn't and the local rads are not easy - single track, blind bends and blind summits!!
ashleyjackson rfoot
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I read your post. I think, your physio or doctor will give you clear advice.
Thanks!!