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

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susan60212
susan60212

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

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  • diane26225
    diane26225 susan60212

    Posted

    I fractured my ankle (spiral fracture 10 weeks ago), was in a back slab for two weeks and follow up xrays showed damage to my tendons meant the whole joint was not going to heal well without surgery. Had the surgery 4 days later and another two weeks in a back slab followed by follow up xrays which showed a marked inprovement in the alignment of the bones. From there into a boot, but another 4 weeks of now weight bearing on the leg (total of 8 weeks non weight bearing). That was hard, but I did it. Xrays followed and showed a perfectly healed fracture (now have a plate, screws and a rope for want of a better description through the bone which helped pull it all together). Now to start using the leg. Of to physio and some painful work ahead. Still a lot of swelling, soreness in the whole leg and foot, and discolouration. I expect this will last for some time to come yet but I do my exercises, do as I have been instructed by the professionals, push myself to do that little bit more each day and I believe it will pay off in the long run. It has been interesting to read the comments here and amazing just how many people have a similar or worse injury. I will try and get the Comfrey ointment and I am also contemplating trying acupuncture to help with the swelling and bruising that is still evident under my foot. Has anyone else tried acupuncture? I was in the process of job hunting when this happened, and that is tough enough at my age, and I really need to be back to normal sooner rather than later. I now resign myself to the fact it is going to be a few more months yet before I am close to normal if ever, but thats OK. I will never take the act of standing upright, showering standing up, or wearing matching shoes for granted ever again. Incidently, I got a shoe on the foot for the first time today and managed to keep it on for half the day without too much swelling (pressure bandage helped), and it was great. Next goal is to drive my car, then get back to walking my dog every day. Little steps but significant.
    • cass17
      cass17 diane26225

      Posted

      Isn't it amazing all the little things we take for granted that are such a big deal when we can accomplish them now. All the little steps that are to be celebrated.
    • Jane2711
      Jane2711 diane26225

      Posted

      I had my cast off on Tuesday after 6 weeks of non weight bearing. I fractured my tibia and fibula in my left ankle. I am now in a boot for 2 weeks and then I've been given an ankle brace, so I'm hoping I'll be able to get my shoe on by then. I luckily got an appointment yesterday with physiotherapy at my local hospital and have been given some very gentle exercises to do at home. Once I'm back to normal I will never moan about having to take my dog out for a walk ever again.
    • patti123
      patti123 Jane2711

      Posted

      Yay! Such an exciting time to move forward...FINALLY! We wait so long for this opportunity, don't we? Sounds like you are moving along so quickly. Do you have much swelling? Such great news!
    • Jane2711
      Jane2711 patti123

      Posted

      Hi Patti

      Not too much swelling, but now the cast is off the operation wounds feel very exposed and very tender. I'm so keen to get mobile that I've done too much today and I'm shattered. How about you? Do you have an injury? I'm brand new to this forum so not sure how it works but it's so good to hear from people that are going through similar experiences.

    • patti123
      patti123 Jane2711

      Posted

      I had a triple break (called trimalleolar fracture). I push a lot most days, to get my walking going, and get exhausted by the end of the day when I do. The harder the push, the more pain I feel at the end of the day. I think that is normal. You might want to try chilled aloe vera wherever it's tender on your leg, foot or ankle. I wrap it in an ace bandage before I go to sleep. It always feels really great when I put that on at the end of the day, after I massage my ankle for 20 mins or so (I'd use it only if your wounds are fully healed though). 
    • patti123
      patti123 diane26225

      Posted

      Totally agree Diane (at week 10 also with you and have all you describe). The hardest part of the day is putting on the boot....then you know you need to get going since it's on! I keep hearing the 4 month mark shows some major improvement- that's just 6 weeks away. I hope it is true! How far are you along on WB now?
    • diane26225
      diane26225 patti123

      Posted

      Since the surgeon told me I could start using my leg I have only worn the boot if I am going to walk any distance at all (supermarket shopping) outdoors, or if going out at night so I could wear a sock to keep my foot warm. Around the house I am in slippers or thongs. Since my first post here I have managed to get into my walking shoes, no longer use the boot, and also I went out last night and got my foot and leg into my dress boots (flat boots no heels). I was over the moon. I have also started driving my car again which has given me so much more freedom it is fantastic. As well, when I got my walking shoes on I got my dog in the car and took him to a park not far from my home. He ran I walked very slowly using just one crutch and it was fantastic. Still have swelling around the ankle, but have started using the Comfrey cream three times a day and it seems to be helping with the swelling. I still wear a pressure bandage to help with the swelling while I am on my feet but take it off as soon as I sit down with my foot up.

      ​I am not kidding myself that I will heal fully any quicker than my body will let me, and my physio tells me I am where I should be for the time frame, so I am happy. Still push myself to do that little bit more despite the soreness, but within reason. And still get really tired when I do that. All in all, happy with my progress. How is everyone else going.

    • patti123
      patti123 diane26225

      Posted

      Yay!!! So happy for you Diane! Thank you so much for posting this positive news. Can you please remind us how far out you are and what your injury was exactly? I figure we can either sit around feeling bummed, or use that same energy to do everything in our power to get better. Your story is a great example of moving forward, pushing a little more each day, and making the most out of all this. I notice there aren't a ton of people out there that are posting after the 12 month mark, and I realize it can take a full 18 months to get back to normal, so we have to remember that this is temporary and there is light at the end of the tunnel!
    • patti123
      patti123

      Posted

      i just remembered now you are at the 10 or 11 week mark Diane.
    • diane26225
      diane26225 patti123

      Posted

      Hi Patti. Yes I am at the 11 week mark now. I take supplements every day and during this process I have increased the dosage of some of them. The main one I take is Colostrum taken as a powder. Have taken this one for years and years now and it really does aid in the healing process regardless of what it is. Also take Magnesium, Glucosamene, Q10, Fish oil, and apple cider vinegar each day. I have also started using Comfrey cream this week and have found that has helped so much already with the swelling. I massage that in three times a day. I am not sure how these things help, or if they do at all, but my progress has been really good. My fracture was a spiral fracture of the fibula with torn ligaments. I will keep doing what I am told and keep taking what I take as it seems to be working for me. Dont get me wrong though, I do still have pain in the leg, and that ache where the plate is, but like everyone else here I am positive that will all go in time. What an incredible lesson in patience this journey has been.
    • therese29317
      therese29317 Jane2711

      Posted

      Hi Jane, I too had a few problems with my right ankle, 23 stitches on both sides with 13 screws and plate. I used panty liners instead of putting on a new dressing and the glued side on the strip attached on the inside of the boot, gave my wounds a chance to dry when I took boot off.

      My left ankle is 50/50 in boot and getting stronger, but I get pain in both when walking with Walker. Left ankle 2spiral fractures, dislocated and had 2 reductions done, = snaped

      and pulled back into place. I have been massaging both legs and calves are at 65% still away to go. I do see light at the end of the tunnel and expect to be back at work at the end of the month..

      We will recover but we need to take it easy, I know as when I push myself too much the next day it's called suffering.

      Hope we all heal quickly and have a better understanding of others and their disability.

    • patti123
      patti123 diane26225

      Posted

      I agree with you Diane! Just like you, I am trying everything I can think of doing, and seem to be getting better day by day. We both seem to take the "hit it on all fronts" approach. Seems to be working, I agree! And at least it keeps us busy in the meantime, which is a positive thing too, because it is hard to be a patient patient smile
    • diane26225
      diane26225 patti123

      Posted

      You are so right Patti, I am most definately not the most patient of patients lol
    • cass17
      cass17 patti123

      Posted

      It is great to see that you and Diane are both getting better by the day. Isn't it grand to have more positive things to say than I am stuck in one spot in serious pain. I am at the same spot in my recovery ( 11 weeks after surgery ) I am like Diane that I do not wear my boot much unless I am going out very far in public where I feel I need to protect it from others. All of a sudden I am to where I am walking with my one crutch and sometimes not really using it, just walking. I go back to the Doctor a week from Thursday (12 wks) and I'm very curious of what he will think of this past 5 wks of improvement. 
    • diane26225
      diane26225 cass17

      Posted

      Good for you. That is the exact path I have been on. Down to one crutch then none. I will take the crutches if I am going to be walking any great distance just in case, and they do create a bit more personal space for protection.
    • patti123
      patti123 cass17

      Posted

      Wow! That is great Cass! It is really nice to walk with one crutch, isn't it? I can walk a few steps without crutches, but am still not that strong, in my injured leg to do it for long, and prefer using the one crutch to get around until my leg gets a bit stronger. Can you walk very far without feelng pain before you need to eleveate it, or are you past that? I can walk around for about an hour, but then I find I need to ice it, to be able to walk some more later. That's enough for me, but I'm really happy to be able to do it! The PT exercises wipe me out too, but again...so glad to be able to do them!
    • patti123
      patti123 diane26225

      Posted

      Yay Diane! There is another cream I really like, besides the comfrey cream (comfrey I think of as a healing cream, but this other I think of as an energizing cream that I put on before going out for the day and walking). I read about it on one of the posts here from one of you. It goes by the name of "Naturelieve" but you can find it online on Amazon by typing in " Organic* Arnica & MSM Natural Anti-inflammatory & Pain Relief Cream". I would highly recommend it. Makes my foot and ankle feel ready and willing to walk away for hours!
    • cass17
      cass17 patti123

      Posted

      I have been meaning to post and update for days. I went to the doctor last week and he said it is looking great. (12 wks since surgery) He said he was very happy with my foot's progress since he thought the break was quite an ugly one. Said he was surprised at how well it had done. He told me I was released and that I can drive and to go buy a cane. I am not comfortable with the cane yet. I haven't tried to walk any long lengths of time yet. But I can get into a store and use the cart as a walker. LOL Feeling happy with the progress that I've achieved. I hope this will help those that are just starting on the path. I remember feeling very depressed locked in one spot not being able to do anything. There is light at the end of the tunnel.  Of course I am still staring down that tunnel. I still have pain as I push myself to do more and more. But it is forward progress. I am happy to have found this site and to realize that I was not all alone in my misery. I am going to try to get some of that cream you talked about Patti. That might help. I have noticed that with less swelling I feel the plate and screws more. 
    • patti123
      patti123 cass17

      Posted

      Thanks for the happy news Cass! So glad for you!!! It has been a long path so far, but the progress at 12 weeks (with you exactly) has been a gift in this process for sure. I still don't feel the screws, although I can feel the plate on the side of my ankle, and swelling has decreased a lot for me too, mainly on my foot...but my ankle itself still looks a little thick compared to my other one. The color of my foot isn't purple when I walk on it a lot, instead it is more of a light red/pink, which is less scary to look at now. Are you still in the boot or in tennish shoes now? I'm still in the boot and have my next doctor's appt at the end of the month and hope to get the okay for tennis shoes then. Are you walking without crutches now?
    • cass17
      cass17 patti123

      Posted

      I can not get tennis shoes on. My foot is still too swollen for that. I'm like you, my ankle is still thick compared to the other one. But not as bad as it was. I am trying to walk with a cane and a little without anything. But that only goes so far. One crutch would still be the most comfortable, but I guess no pain, no gain. I did a search on google and they said Crocs are a good in between from boot to shoes. I have an old pair that I've been wearing. My foot feels pretty stable in those. I've been thinking about getting a short ankle boot I saw on Amazon. It is a Darco boot. Not pricey at all but looks like it would be good support. I have Grandkids coming to visit and I really feel I need something like that to try to keep up with them. Plus, I am still very nervous about being in public without extra support and letting people walking around me aware of the injured foot. So afraid of hurting it again. I also need to look at that Evenup shoe balancer you talked about. 
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