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Having anxiety about walking again after ankle surgery

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Frenchie88
Frenchie88

Hi,

I broke my ankle in 3 places after stepping off a curb and onto a stick or something. It was dark and I didnt see it. It was pretty traumatic as I had to call an ambulance and I was alone when it happened. I had surgery on my ankle for a trimaleolar fracture and I am 5 weeks post op still in a hard cast for another week. Since my accident I have a hard time sleeping (getting comfortable is hard). I keep replaying what happened in my mind. Im probably going to be put in a boot in a week and Im scared about actually putting weight on it. I know rationally that the dr wouldnt tell me too if they werent sure it was healing properly but Im still scared. Im scared that Im going to break my ankle again or I wont be able to do the things I used before the accident. Has anyone had this problem? I feel like Im going crazy.

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • Suzususan
    Suzususan Frenchie88

    Edited

    yes I had a similar injury in July. Well I was laying up on my couch or in the bed I felt like I wouldn't ever walk again even though logically I knew I would. I wouldn't use crutches because I was afraid of Falling Again. I only use the wheelchair and the Walker. they don't seem to warn us about the depression that comes along with this. Just to let you know that I am walking now, I have a part-time job working in a hotel where I'm on my feet 8 hours. it's not easy but it gets better every day. I did the boot in the physical therapy and it all helped but it's very slow and it just takes time. Try to hang in there and just tell yourself that it really is going to be better. It really will. Good luck to you and keep us posted

    • Frenchie88
      Frenchie88 Suzususan

      Posted

      thank you! it has definitely been tough getting comfortable but it gets better everyday. they definitely do not tell you about the depression. it helps to know im not alone.

    • fxc210
      fxc210 Suzususan

      Posted

      Hi. I’m in the same position. I had my surgery 8 weeks ago- I’d broken 3 bones in my ankle. My consultant told me to start 100% weight bearing and leave my boot about 2 weeks ago but I’m struggling so much. I’ve managed to get rid of the boot and bought my self some sketchers memory foam. Im supposed to be using crutches but I’m not and I’m using a walker and wheelchair. Im so terrified and every time I try to use the crutches I feel like I’ll fall and loose my balance. Im just so worried I’ll do more damage and also feel that everything will become more stiff the longer I leave it. It’s so depressing. How did you finally manage to transition from the walker/chair to crutches or just walking? I can’t even bring myself to start decreasing the weight I’m putting on the walker to start off.

    • nicole04436
      nicole04436 fxc210

      Posted

      hey, im in the same boat as you! broke my ankle in two places and had plates and screws put in. this is my second week in the boot, and whilst i am seeing progession i dont know how im going to lose the boot next week. its comfort and protection against anything knocking it, or me slipping again outside and it just snapping again. also the stifness in my foot doesnt allow me to make the movements to walk correctly without the boot. im doing physio religiously and i am seeing progress in terms of movement in the foot but im defo not ready to lose the boot.

  • sandra91776
    sandra91776 Frenchie88

    Edited

    I was thrilled when the doctor said I could walk again at 8 weeks post op

    It wasnt as easy as I thought it woukd be but I began PT and by 12 weeks I was walking again

    The bones are healed but your mind sometimes wont let you get past it

    Im back doing everything I did before

    I volunteer at dog shelter and walk the dogs 3-4 miles several days a week

    Good luck!

    • Frenchie88
      Frenchie88 sandra91776

      Edited

      that is amazing! im glad everything is going so well for you! its so good to hear that eventually things will get better. Thank you!

  • deedeemouse
    deedeemouse Frenchie88

    Edited

    You sound like all of us and even although it's not pleasant , these posts confirm everything you're going thru is normal, I replay my accident over and over and kick myself. Mine was not paying attention. I am so p****d to have done something to myself where I'll never be quite the same again. At first I felt like I was a fragile piece of glass and was so afraid of breaking something else. Sleeping is the worst, I have a wedge pillow, 2 diff knee pillows and 6 reg ones in my bed ( all different kinds, down, mmemory foam , flat puffy you name it ). Every night it's a new position to get comfy. You can google suggestions.Months later I fractured 2 ribs so that made sleeping even more challenging. However, don't hesitate to take to take pain meds,They will help you sleep. Regarding walking, it took a lot to wrap around my mind that walking through the pain was the way to recovery. I would think you'd have to baby something so swollen and sore until it healed. I actually thought therapy was going to be warm jacuzzi foot baths and massages lol NOT! You will also go though some depression and some will be beyond the poor me. Some will be clinical.. That is normal. Some people get back to normal physically and some will suffer repercussions their whole life. Everyone is different, GL to you!

    • Frenchie88
      Frenchie88 deedeemouse

      Posted

      I definitely kick myself for not seeing whatever I stepped on. Honestly I was paying more attention to the cars and making sure the road was clear that I never thought to look at the ground. I fell off the knee scooter they gave me once which scared me cause i accidentally put my bad foot down to catch myself. I have been so scared that i hurt myself again. It helps to know I am definitely not alone. thank you!

    • nicole04436
      nicole04436 deedeemouse

      Posted

      this is good information! as soon as i reach the level where i start to feel pain i take the weight off. should i not be doing that?

  • winnie4801
    winnie4801 Frenchie88

    Edited

    sounds like a touch of PTSD. I had it too, the flashbacks were bad, and being afraid to fall is still with me. you experienced a trauma, its ok to still be mentally recovering as well as physically. My body is different now because of my double ankle break, I think that warrants some mental adjustment. Time will help as well as encouragement from loved ones. If it does not get better I would talk to a counselor.

    • Frenchie88
      Frenchie88 winnie4801

      Posted

      Thank you! It definitely helps to know Im not alone and that its normal. I didnt think just falling could trigger ptsd but i guess it can. thank you!

  • jessica71699
    jessica71699 Frenchie88

    Edited

    I had the same fracture last Feb 2019. I was walking my dog at night and slipped on black ice. I was alone too and it felt as if my foot was dangling from my leg. I had bad thoughts of this for a while. Those thoughts will get better. I will not sugar coat this because it will take a long time to recover. I was told a year which for me is next month. I did spin before my accident and started back a month ago. Everyone is different. Don't be too hard on yourself. I went for physical therapy which is a must. I will have the metal removed at some point. It is put in for the bones and ligaments to heal. My ankle is all better but it still feels stiff.

    • Frenchie88
      Frenchie88 jessica71699

      Posted

      wow Im glad your ok. It was definitely pretty scary. I fell in the street and then I saw cars coming at me so I had to crawl into the median before i got hit. Im just glad that things do eventually get better. They did tell me that in a few months they would remove a large pin but there not sure if they would remove the plate and screws completely that it would be about a year or more before they would. I figured pt would definitely not be pleasant but at least its another step towards walking again. thank you for

    • jessica71699
      jessica71699 Frenchie88

      Posted

      I've learned from this experience not to expect miracles. It really does take time and to be patient. Until you go through this you don't understand how long it takes. I broke the same foot in 2 places 8 years ago and was completely healed and back to normal in 3 months. This is very different. Good luck!

  • joan38691
    joan38691 Frenchie88

    Posted

    Hi

    I broke my ankle in 3places after falling down Stairs I had 2 broken bones and had to have it manipulated I was in hospital 11days had operation 2pins and a plate and 20 stitches that was 1st February 2019 I'm still limping it's still painful and I now have arthritis and Osteoporosis in it and was told it won't get ant better but I could have the bones fused in another op but that means in plaster again this has been a year ago in two weeks time can't do what I used to and struggle to walk

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