1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankle Problems

Dry skin after ankle surgery

Posted , 11 users are following.

Grayson_Sha
Grayson_Sha

I had ankle surgery on 30 June to repair 2 broken bones. This includes a plate and screws. On day 10, I was transitioned from a cast to a walking boot with explicit instructions not to bare weight or remove for more than one hour a day. I had my staples removed as well. (I passed out from the pain). 😣 I'm now at 6 weeks and my skin is atrocious. I let the water run on it in the shower and I've taken one bath which was scary to say the least. I wipe off dead skin and I apply lotion but is there anything else I can do? My foot stays a slightly red color unless i move it below my heart then it takes on a nice purply red color and swells.

0 likes, 45 replies

45 Replies

Prev Next
  • sandra81957
    sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

    Posted

    Glad to hear your now nearer to the light at the end of the tunnel. Dry skin was horrible and took weeks to heal. Just be very very careful not to rub too hard as it can make everything very sore, I also pressed a little too hard when I did my first shave!!! I too found having the stitches removed very very painful, had to be given gas and air. They told me that they had been left in too long and the skin was healing over the top of stitches so had to dig down to get them out. NEVER want to go through that again. Try soaking in Epson salts, have water ad hot as you can stand, may sting a little, but helps with movement and skin feels lovely afterwards. Sx
    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      Hey Sandra,

      I was told my skin was growing over too. She continued taking them out even after I passed out. Uuuggghhh, it was horrible. 😣 It was almost as bad as the actual dislocation and break. Then i had to go to xray. I was done for. Doesn't help i have anxiety, and I hadn't eaten in awhile. Perfect storm for a miserable day. I came home and slept.

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      It was bad never been through anything like it. Had 2 consultants and a load of nurses plus my son and daughter and I still screamed the place down. I too suffer with bad anxiety which didn't help as I started to hyperventilat so they had to try and bring me dwn which took forever. The nxt time I went through a attack was my first physio appt. First the hot body then the sweating then bingo couldn't breath, this had been all so very frightening. But getting there now than God. Sx

    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      Yeah, I'm nervous about physio. I don't like to be in crowds and just thinking about it, my anxiety tries to kick in. Makes things so much more difficult.

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      Mine has been so much worse with all this. Hate being in the house 24/7. But as soon as I'm our I want to come back home. I've now been to the doctor last week and been given medication to take, but even worried about taking them!! Have to go back in 2weeks to see how I'm getting on. This anxiety had really taken hold of my these past few years. Horrible. Sx

    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      Omg Sandra, I know exactly how you feel. Me too. I only go out if it's necessary. And when i do, all I want to do is come home. Mine really kicked in about 6 years ago when I lost my job and it's been miserable since. Taking new meds triggers my anxiety as well. I did try a med for it but I felt disconnected. Hard to explain. I didn't like it. I'm so different now because of my anxiety. I call it BOA because it constricts the life out of me.

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      I'm not looking forward to my daughters finding out that I've been given meds but stressed out about taking them. But unless you go through this then I do think think anyone should put you down for it. They have seen what I go through and I do see the upset on their faces and been telling me for so long to see someone about it. Eve. The doctor said it may do me good to talk to mental health about it, but been there done that, and first thing out of their mouth was just what I knew it would be... So that we the end of that!!! Mine had really hot worse since my son was born. And he's 19 this year, so been with me a long time. 😔 now been told I need to get knee sorted if I want to get rid of the pain and thus bloody limp. Axsoon as physio told me yesterday the panic set in!!! But she has told me that it will only get worse. I'm 60. And you g at heart and don't look it, I don't think so anyway. 😁. But God I'm feeling 80 since all this happened. Sx

  • jenni_24876
    jenni_24876 Grayson_Sha

    Posted

    Hi. Sorry you had to find this site but you will be glad you did. Everything you said sound like your on the normality track. Once staples were out I started to salt water soak and soft scouring pad with goats milk lotion to exfoliate dead skin and gently massage. Do you have even up shoe when in boot. Keep legs at Even height. 
    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha jenni_24876

      Posted

      Hey Jenni,

      I think I have a shoe that will work. Im nervous to really try and put weight on my foot. I have another xray in 2 weeks which will be 8 week mark. I move my toes constantly although my big toe feels like it needs to pop which is uncomfortable. I think I will try the epsom salt bath, just so nervous about reinjuring myself getting in and out of bathtub.

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      No need to do bath grayson, I put the Epson salts into a bowl and soak my foot in there. Actually put the two in as the other foot aches as it's doing g most of the work. Sx

    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      Haha, that sounds easier! I do have a foot bath now that I think about it. It seems my brain has gone the fritz along with my foot! 😆

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      Great. You can even get bubbles with that can't you.... Give yr feet a nice little spa day!! 😊. Sx

    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      I think i will! I'm still nwb without my boot so I'll need to be careful but it sounds like a plan. What are your thoughts on compression sock for the swelling?

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      I was given one at my physio appointment and deffo helps. Even if it's just that feeling of security around the foot. You will be fine just taking boot off for foot soak. It's heaven!!! ? sx

    • Grayson_Sha
      Grayson_Sha sandra81957

      Posted

      I'll let you know how it goes. I'll try to find my compression sock too.

    • sandra81957
      sandra81957 Grayson_Sha

      Posted

      Go for it... Have beer or glass of wine while you're at it. 😁. 👌 sx

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.