Dry skin after ankle surgery
Posted , 11 users are following.
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
Rusky123 Grayson_Sha
Posted
Grayson_Sha Rusky123
Posted
Hey Rusky,
I held my leg up the other day without the boot on and my daughter was like your leg looks disgusting. Thank you, that's what I want to hear. She goes on to say that it's super skinny at the bottom and fat on the top. Once again, thank you...😣 You're not alone in the ugly leg contest! 😆 I'm gonna try an epsom salt foot bath later to see how it does.
What's causing your pain? Is it the plate or screws? So far, I've only had very minimal pain and I'm going on week 6. No meds or anything. Nurses were even shocked I wasn't asking for anything in the hospital.
sandra81957 Grayson_Sha
Posted
It's horrible when all you see is the skin just hanging there. But as soon as you start to weigh bare and physio the muscle will start to rebuild. I didn't have too much pain in the beginning but few were dwn the line it got bad. Got told its everything grafting and the nerves renewing themselves. Hope the Epson soak goes down a treat. Sx
Grayson_Sha sandra81957
Posted
Yikes, I'm not looking forward to any pain given I haven't really had any. 😕
sandra81957 Grayson_Sha
Posted
Let's hope you stay pain free, but think that's asking a bit. Everyone is different so who knows. I'm still elevating and icing for the pain, but it's no where near as bad now. Even been able to reduce meds. How lucky you've been to get away with out pain. My fingers are Xsd for you. Sx
Grayson_Sha sandra81957
Posted
Thanks Sandra! I've been surprised too given how bad it hurt when I dislocated it but once they set it no more pain. And then the surgery, nothing higher than a 3 on pain scale. I'm just gonna take it one day at a time and see what happens!
vanessa_37215 Grayson_Sha
Posted
I used Amlactin lotion for about a week. By the third day almost all of the dry scaly skin came off in the shower. After that I switched to Aveeno sheer hydration daily lotion 3 times a day and I just started using mederma on the scars. A couple times a week when in the shower I also use Olay in shower lotion just on my legs not over my scars or feet because I don't want my feet to be slippery getting out of shower. My skin was pretty much back to normal after about 2 weeks. The redness and the deep red/purple really started improving over the last week (wk7) once I started letting my foot be down more and started partial (25%) weight with crutches.
Spambs Grayson_Sha
Posted
I feel for you. I am having the same issue, and I feel like a lizard! My doctor explained that it is because of the rapid swelling I experience over and over again. the constant change keeps the skin cracking over and over again. You also have to remember you're not walking on it, so it doesn't sluff off like it used too. Once I begin to put weight on my foot, the problem should clear up little by little. For now, I use a pumice stone and lotion to keep it at bay.
desiree46682 Grayson_Sha
Posted
Did you find a product for the dry skin, and has the color and swelling gone away ?
Spambs desiree46682
Posted
Hi Desiree! Congrats on getting your boot off! It's a great feeling. The purple is very normal. It's due to circulation and will go away in a few weeks as your foot gets used to moving again. As for the dry skin the only thing that helped me was to soak my foot then attack it with a pumice stone every 2 days. Once I was out of the shower I'd lather it in coconut oil and put on my compression sock. I tried many things but that combo worked the best! Good luck to you!
becky7624 desiree46682
Posted
desiree46682 Spambs
Posted
Thank you
Question: what does the compression sock do for your ankle? Also, my skin is very sensitive right now, and I have a burning feeling when I'm working on trying to move my foot around. Did you have that experience?
desiree46682 becky7624
Posted
I did look up Bio-oil and read the ingredients list. I do look for more natural ingredients so I will have to do more research on what all is in it. Did you have to use it for a long time for the best results?