Fractured my ankle 3 months ago but ankle keeps swelling and is painful.

Hi Tt, it takes time. My accidents started in June and today the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming brighter. x

Hello Paul, You certainly are worse off than I was, and  we're similar ages, (I was 70 last June) , which means it takes us longer to heal as quickly as a younger person.

I also suffered with extremely sore stomach muscles from using the crutches, and I was very glad when I was allowed to partially weight bear.

I am pleased to report that after about 3 months after my plaster came off, my swelling eventually started to reduce.

And now, (7 months since my fracture) i think my ankle looks pretty much back to normal.

However, remember, I don't have all the metal work that you have, and yours may take a little longer.

I definitely think excercises helped, and also walking, but only as much as I felt comfortable with.

Good luck with removal of the screws.

Best regards

Sue

 

Hi Sue,

Thank you for your words of encouragement I needed them.

While the Doctors had given me a prescription for pain and inflammation I didn't feel it was necessary as I was post op 3 weeks and was ok, how wrong could I be! Three nights ago I suddenly got an excruciating pain in the bone in the arch of my foot and felt like a big needle being forced in, there was not warning and the pain was instant and kept coming in spasms. My wife ran to the pharmacy and brought the medication home. Within a few hours it started to take effect and is now ok. I believe it must have been part of the healing process as I had not exerted any pressure on my foot and clearly there was a good reason for prescribing these pills. The pharmacist said this is quite normal for this pain to kick in some time after the operation. 

Thanks again - Paul

7wks post op broken tibia fibula had surgery & screws put in was told I can put weight as tolerated. My ankle is now swollen on one side where the break was is this normal? .

Also not in any pain

Hi, it sounds like my situation is similar to yours. It is now 4 weeks for me but I have the same problem. I did get an anti inflammatory tablets and tablets for pain and this made a big difference. Now I am finding my ligaments are stiff and hurting when I move my foot up and down. I really wishes I had stayed in bed the day of the accident. I am too old (68) and heavy (***) to hop around. In 2 weeks I have it checked and the first screw taken out. Good luck - Paul

Hi Paul- Yes, I'm taking gabapentin and pain relievers longer than I wanted to (almost 4wks now)... guess I've really been taken aback by the pain and the amount of patience this requires already.  I'm stiff, too.  I keep trying to stretch my achilles and leg muscles.  I'm sorry about your struggle. I'm fighting some bleak moods myself-  it sounds like we are on a similar timeline.  I can't work, of course, am a single parent and am a bit overwhelmed by all this.  When I fell I sprained one ankle and broke the other. What in the world does everyone, who has to keep a limb raised, do all day?!??  

THANK YOU for reaching out and I'll think of you while I struggle getting around the house.  Hang in there!  

Wow- that's really great that you're pain free.  Doesn't sound unorthodox to me... I'm going to keep that in mind. I saw my chiro but no such magic yet.  Now trying acupuncture.

Thanks for letting me know that the nerve pain is expected, I was starting to get worried.  All the best.

Hi Lauren,

I'm sorry for what you're going through. I broke every bone that connects the ankle to the leg last July. It's really life changing needing to rely on people so much. I live alone, had to have family come help me 2-3 times a week.  I was basically in bed w/my foot up for 2 months - I watched a lot of Netflix  

I've read on here where some were offered Physical Therapy while still in the cast.  If you have the opportunity to do that, I'd recommend it.  I lost so much strength in my legs from laying for 2 months.  Seems obvious but I didn't anticipate it.  

It's now 11 months later and I have full function of my foot. There is still nerve damage where I have no feeling in one toe, the top of my foot and some areas around my ankle but there's no pain and I can walk w/out a limp.  

These next 3-4 months are going to be difficult but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  

Hey, thanks for your reply it’s nice speaking to someone who knows what I’m going through. My friends and family are great but they obviously can’t understand how I feel. I’m lucky that I live with someone to help me whenever I need it (even better that they’re a nurse!) I’ve started to do a bit of leg excercises which I’m hoping will help, even if it’s just a little bit.  I know it’s going to be a long road and that’s the bit I’m struggling with. Today’s my leg doesn’t feel right, but I think a lot of the time I’m just being paranoid.  

Hi Lauren, I’m right there with you. I’m only 2 weeks post surgery with a fractured and dislocated fib and tib. Did you also have surgery? Everything takes so much longer to do and most of things most simplest and mundane tasks are virtually impossible, i.e., I feel like having an apple so I think I’ll go get one! Anyway, I highly recommend not doing exercises. At least for my case, my physician assistant  just told me that if I attempt to do exercises right now (not even standing on it) I could compromise my plate and screws that are firmly in place from what my new X-rays show, and end right back on the operating table. That’s enough to stop me in my tracks. One thing he said I could do besides wiggling my toes is taking one of those long stretchy bands and using that to stretch out my good leg. Those long days and nights are super tough I know. I’m a therapist and going back next week with only a couple clients a day with my leg boosted high. Getting back to small parts of life within reason can really lift our spirits. Hope you’re doing well and watching some shows you’ve been wanting to catch up on! 

Hi Diane, I feel your pain. I dislocated and broke my ankle in 3 places back in January. I had surgery Jan13, pins and plates were used to hold everything in place and I was non weight baring for 6 weeks. I was in plaster then a boot and able to get about with crutches. If you can afford it I’d definitely recommend paying for private physio therapy. Nearly 5 months on and I still get swelling and I’ve still got a limp but it’s improving daily. It’s a tough long process but stick with it and try to stay positive because you will get there...

Very similar experience we’ve had Simon; I also had 3 breaks. Sorry for your pain as well although sounds like you’ve made leaps and bounds through your recovery. I appreciate your suggestion and I will have physical therapy as it’s also covered through my insurance. I’ve heard it’s what can make all the difference and I’ll do whatever is necessary to heal. There is a sense of concession and accepting this healing timeframe. We all go through a grief process in having to lose our independent daily life. It’s humbling needing to ask everyone for the most simplistic tasks to be done. Let me know how you’re doing and remember one step at a time will allow you to run again, if that’s what your goal is like mine!! 

I’m looking forward to getting back to golf Diane. I was also recommended to take Omega Fish Oil, Magnesium and Vitamin D which apparently help with the recovery of your bones. I’ve noticed that I really have to concentrate putting weight through my toes and keeping good form otherwise it’s so easy to become flat footed causing me to limp. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be running in no time 😃👍

Wow Simon, you’re a trooper and sounds like you’re almost there. I’m hoping to bear weight at the six week mark because no weight at all is a constant challenge. So difficult being this impaired and helpless. Hope to hear about that golf game if yours real soon now. Thanks for the vitamin recommendation. Much appreciated. Are you still using crutches now? My doc said swelling can last for about 11 months! Yikes! 

Hi Diane, I got rid of the crutches altogether at about 14wks. I had my ups and downs because this isn’t just a physical challenge but also a mental one. At times incredibly frustrating because I’ve always been active but it’s just important to stay as positive as you can because you will get there. I’m at a stage now where I have most of the movement back so it’s just a case of working on building the strength back because like me with the dislocation you’ll probably have muscle and tendon damage...

Hi Diane, yeh I had surgery and had complications because they didn’t realise my ankle was broken until they cut me open, so a 90 min op ended up being 5 hours! I know it’s so hard every day, if I want a drink I have to drink it in the kitchen because I can’t carry it back because of the crutches! I’m wiggling my toes everyday but even that can become difficult sometimes and I do do leg curls and lifts to try and keep some muscle in my thigh. I’ve just ordered a leg band to work on my other leg. I just sit for the majority of the day and watch films, it really felt like I was just wasting my time and that I should be doing something more productive so yesterday I decided I’m going to try and learn another language so I can try and accomplish something whilst in this situation. I’m a dog walker so won’t be back to work for months! It’s good that’s you can go back to work even just for a bit, it’ll give your mind something to focus on other than your leg! Doing slightly better everyday, hope you’re ok.