Fractured my ankle 3 months ago but ankle keeps swelling and is painful.
Posted , 148 users are following.
I had fractured my ankle in July this year. Had it in plaster for six weeks, had a review with consultant yesterday. Had another x ray and consultant confirmed the bone had healed,but I explained to him that I my ankle keeps swelling and is painful. Can't walk very far and he said it could be the soft tissue area may have fragments of cartilage init, but because I have a pacemaker can't have a MRI scan. He has told me to come back in 3 months time.I have to have psyiotherapy . what do i do if it keeps on swelling.I don't have much faith in the consultantbreally
2 likes, 383 replies
enrico11948 susan60212
Posted
swelling was massive, i was admited to hosp because the situation looked serious. the days i spent in hospital my leg was tightly splinted and tied up in air, also tied to the frame of a leg support.
that way the swelling reduced much faster than i expected.
i think that the leg has to be elevated very high, not just the 2 pillow we usually put under the cast.
miss59789 susan60212
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carol36366 miss59789
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I really think you should see the orthopedic. An xray will show if it's healing. They will tell you what you can and cannot do. You probably need physical therapy as well.
dakman12345 susan60212
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6 Months ago I broke my right ankle growth plate. I was in a cast for 3 months and a boot for 1 month and it's been 2 months without the boot and I am still in severe pain. The Doctor and PT have already said I should be running again 1 month ago, but I cannot even walk properly. Someone help, do I need surgery? What should I do?
dakman12345 susan60212
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6 Months ago I broke my right ankle growth plate. I was in a cast for 3 months and a boot for 1 month and it's been 2 months without the boot and I am still in severe pain. The Doctor and PT have already said I should be running again 1 month ago, but I cannot even walk properly. Someone help, do I need surgery? What should I do?
marilyn_43771 susan60212
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patti123 marilyn_43771
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That is totally normal Marilyn, and you sound like you are doing very well for two surgeries and four breaks. I had three and just started feeling human at 4 months and you will find by 6 months you are a lot better and by 8 months you feel great. I am at 9 months. I still can feel the interior side screws when I twist and flex out and in, so I may get those out. The plate side really isn't bothering me. My doctor said most people find the interior side of the ankle is more bothered by the screws in the end. I can jump, run and do anything I want. Life is great again and has been for months. Hang in there! Two more months and you will be a lot better!
patti123
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As an update at month 10-1/2 out of a trimalleolar break with 13 screws and a plate, I hardly feel anything in my ankle. Turns out the plate side, with all the screws causes many people fewer issues than the inner ankle with just 3 screws (according to my doctor and others I have spoken to re. this). I can feel a bit of binding only if I turn my ankle inward and hold it as hard as I can invward....it's a 1% noticeable thing only, and only in that position. So don't get your hardware out too soon....it seems to get better (it did for me and some of my friends from here who I still stay in touch with through email). Just wanted you all to know. Sometimes in the morning I'm a bit tight in the injured ankle until I take 40 steps or so- it's easy to live with that though. I don't think I'll take my hardware out afterall (and none of my friends from here have either). Hang in there everybody and don't too much too soon. Eat really well, don't smoke, lay off drinking alcohol and caffeine while the bones are healing (at least the first 8 weeks), and excercise your upper body as much as you can as well. Happy Healing!
enrico11948 susan60212
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i broke my ankle many months ago, then refractured it more recently. has the plaster came off i could feel it wasn't healed yet. but doctor wanted to start wb and exercising asap because i have osteoporosis.
now the ankle is unstable ando painful and i just took another sprain.
it takes a long time to recovery
patti123 enrico11948
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I think he may have started you too soon Susan. I'm sorry to hear that.
patti123
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But on second thought, I started weight bearing before the plaster came off in a walking shoe under my cast, at week 7, so maybe it was a normal timeline that the doctor gave you. Bones are like muscles; they get weak if you don't use them.I do feel people know their own bodies the best though. Hang in there!
cornelia51279 susan60212
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Yikes, it sounds like this is going to be much more difficult than I'd anticipated. I broke my ankle 9 days ago, had surgery (2 plates) 4 days ago and am already going nuts. I'm a semi-retired professional dancer and recreational ice skater so am very worried about the recovery time. I'm scheduled to have stitches removed in 2 weeks, and the permanent cast removed on Feb. 15 - then I assumed I'd be good to go! I'm also a musician, scheduled to perform in Scotland in April, so I'm now very worried about my ability to make the trip. I was in good shape before this happened (slipping on an icy step) but I'm 67 - I guess I'll have to see what happens and try to be a patient patient. You all have my very best wishes - it sounds like frustration and ongoing pain is part of a lengthy healing process.
noreen68907 cornelia51279
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I think you'll be ok Cornelia. I'm 65 and broke my ankle and cracked the the tibia nearly 4 months ago. I'm walking fine now can do at least 4 miles and the swelling is now non existent, as if nothing had happened, I too was in a cast for 6 weeks. I'd take the trip if you can. Only thing is you may not be ice skating for a while as the ankle may not be up to it for about 6 months.
cornelia51279 noreen68907
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patti123 cornelia51279
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If you are in that great shape, you will be fine! Ankles don't follow our vacation or work schedules very well though I found