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Early days after a spiral fracture of the fibula and broken tibia

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MichaelTN1UK
MichaelTN1UK

I hope this is the correct forum. If not, any pointers please?

Last Sunday (5 Nov) my wife had an operation which saw a plate and 9 screws inserted into her ankle. Two screws from the inner leg side and the rest from the outer leg side.

Her pain has been well managed, but today she is, for the first time feeling every screw and is in greater pain (about an 8/10). Is this normal? She has been incredibly strong and only taken lesser pain killers all week, but today she has resorted to the stronger stuff.

We would appreciate any words of wisdom.

With thanks

Michael

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • christina80204
    christina80204 MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Correction. I broke my ankle in all three places but same concept PAIN
    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK christina80204

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. It is comforting to know that she is not unusual. I hope your recovery is going well. May I ask how you broke your ankle?

       

  • kbeen
    kbeen MichaelTN1UK

    Posted

    Hi yes. I had a trimalleolar fracture of right leg, 3 months ago, and the pain has varied, different places, different times, as the body heals itself, it isn't always linear. My physiotherapist explained how pain and swelling i have been having in my plate/screws Is due to new cells formed around a foreign object. The main thing to be aware of is redness for no reason, which can indicate infection. 

     

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK kbeen

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. It makes sense now that you have said it. Guess the physio is a whole other world of necessary pain...
    • kbeen
      kbeen MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      Yes, I found that while in cast (after first week or so) I felt just a little pain mostly, it was the frustration of not being able to get around or put my foot down for 8 weeks. Then, since weight bearing started, that has been when the pain really comes. People are like "oh shouldnt you be almost better now, it was 3 months ago", but no, I am feeling worse now :-( I believe this is quite common, as people on this forum have said.

       

    • debbie91234
      debbie91234 kbeen

      Posted

      I broke my ankle in 2 places and dislocated it inJune had plate and 8 screws in went for 2 op had 2 pins removed they told me it should start to feel better it doesn't went worse ,can't walk very far it swells and I get bad pains I've still lost a lot of feeling in my foot and ankle am u able to go bk work still seeing my consultant and go Physio but it's just going to take a long time to heal I may never get my feeling bk they have told me .. 

    • MichaelTN1UK
      MichaelTN1UK debbie91234

      Posted

      Crumbs. How did you do do the damage. were they always going to remove the screws? Sounds dreadful.

       

    • debbie91234
      debbie91234 MichaelTN1UK

      Posted

      My grandson got stuck up a robe climbing frame I was helping him down slipped on robe missed the next one then the end of the frame the rubber had fallen off and I then tripped over it and that's when I heard my ankle snap couldn't even get up my foot was to the side was sat 2 hours in floor waiting for ambulance ,they took me to one hospital after drugging me up they put me to sleep 3 times to try and put it bk in place wouldn't go so then got took to Manchester hospital where the next day had the op to put the plate in I had cast in for 8 weeks then had a air boot on ,had 2nd op where they left the plate in and screws but 2 pins where holding my bones together they just removed them so still got plate in x

    • debbie91234
      debbie91234

      Posted

      I now go physio but after removing my pins I now struggle to walk far without it swelling and getting pains ,hurts in bed cause I've lost feeling in my 2 little toes running down to my ankle and at bottom of scar ,it's worse at night if I sit down I ca by walk when I stand up I limp a lot but am a community carer so can't go bk to work in my feet all day .. It's been a nightmare and still on going x

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