Having pain after trimalleolar fracture
Posted , 5 users are following.
I have had a trimalleolar surgery on my ankle and I am now 6 weeks after surgery and having some pain and tingling feeling on the right side of my foot. My wee toe is numb and the burning sensations is all over my foot. Is this normal. I have been in a weight bearing trial with the boot on now and I have been up walking about and all but at night the pain I am having is so bad I cannot sleep with it at all.
I still have a lot of swelling in the ankle and have been taking the dehydrocodine and paracetomal but I have cut them done a good bit as I'm not a tablet person and don't want to come addicted to them. It's just the feeling in the toes and also my big toe you touch it and it's sends a shock feeling the whole way up my foot to ankle is this normal. I know it's only 6 weeks people are saying it will be months of this feeling.
I have started physio and have been moving my toes and foot but just wondering if these feelings are normal after this surgery
0 likes, 8 replies
Val52e Kazzy48
Edited
Hi Kazzy48! I had a trimalleolar fracture and had two pins placed. Like you I'm 6 weeks post op. I was in a splint for 2 weeks after op then put into a cast for a further 4 weeks. Those 4 weeks were a nightmare. Pins and needles and burning in my small toe and just general discomfort and a lot of pain. Got cast removed yesterday and I have tingling sensation all over, alot of swelling and more bruising on my foot from the cast. I've read so many threads and everyone is saying that this is normal. I was was told by the PT that I may have swelling up to a year and pins and needles could be longer.
I was just sent home from hospital and told I can weight bear to what I can tolerate with crutches, which is literally a brush of my sole to the floor. When I go any harder I get shooting pains up through my heels. I wasn't even given a cam boot to introduce me back to walking. I'm doing the ankle exercises I was given and have booked into PT the week after next. Feeling so deflated and can't really see an end to all of this. Hopefully your recovery will be quick
Kazzy48 Val52e
Posted
Oh I couldn't do weight bear with no boot on as it is still so sore and swollen. I'm surprised they have asked you to weight bear and not given you a boot. I suppose every one is different.
My ankle and the right side of my foot is still swollen and very painful I am taken pain relief every day but mostly more at night as that's when it is more uncomfortable. There is a crampness in my foot and the calve of my leg also. It is a weird feeling to be honest.
Then the days I do some walking with boot it swells up again but I just do every other day as it is painful.
They have said about 6/8 months for me to even think about doing anything about going back to work for light duties. I am always on the go and it is so hard not being able to do things.
Val52e Kazzy48
Edited
How are you doing now that we're 9 weeks post op? I hope all is well with your recovery.
I've had 3 physio sessions and have had a lot of relief after each one. physio gave me a cam boot, which I walked in for about a week. But I'm in trainers now, walking slowly and carefully with one crutch. On days I'm really sore, I still need the 2 crutches. Recovery has really been hampered by swelling. I elevate at every chance I get, ice twice a day and do my own bit of physio and stretching that's required. I can take small steps unaided.
Really can't wait to get out for a proper walk.
I hope the cramps at night have subsided. I got them the first few days after getting my cast off and my foot would literally be hopping but I haven't got them since. I still sleep in my bed with pillows under my legs.
svetlana77777 Kazzy48
Posted
Hi, I am 5.5 weeks since my ORIF for trimalleolar fracture too. Not WB yet, as I was told to wait until 6 weeks appointment. Have pain and discomfort and burning sensations all over the foot. I guess we are in the same boat. Are you walking on both feet now? How much walking do you do? It is hard to believe that my leg will be able to walk again
Kazzy48 svetlana77777
Posted
I am able to walk about 20 metres with the crutches but I need company with me as I am unsteady on them. If I am going to the shop or out with my kids I have to take wheelchair as I can't walk to far. My ankle is still very swollen and I still have no feeling in my small toe. Plus also when touch my big toe there is a shock sensation goes along my foot.
I have good days and then bad days but my night time is the worse as I can't sleep properly as the feeling is like crampness and they seem to tighten in the foot for some reason.
I am now 7 werks post op and weight bearing but my physio did say it will be a while yet as swelling is still bad.
HK-ankle Kazzy48
Posted
Hi,
I'm 6 1/2 weeks post ORIF with trimalleolar fracture. I get a burning sensation after I've been walking (I'm partial weight bearing now) or if I keep my foot on the floor when sitting. Elevation and ice help me a lot. I don't have a shock sensation like you describe. Can you speak to your surgeon or a physical therapist about it?
I also take NSAID and paracetemol during the day. I sometimes take half a dehydrocodeine at bedtime, because I think the pain relief helps me rest and heal.
I hope you feel better soon!
kat75044 Kazzy48
Posted
I had Trimalleola surgery on the 28th May 2021 where i had 2 plates and over 15 pins used to put it back together. Im desperately trying not to move my foot at present as one of the wounds on the outside ankle is really going for it where no pain relief is helping it. I also have fibro, chronic fatigue and other problems. So its definitely taking a toll on my tolerance levels. I was given 2 pots but both caused big problems as in my foot swelled and then went down so when it went down my foot was kind of rattling about in the cast but then it would wedge itself up against the side and swell again putting more pressure on it. It doesn't help that my foot was so unstable . I hope the pain doesnt last too long.
leanne46572 kat75044
Posted
Hiya, can i ask how you're recovery is going 4.5 months later? Im interested in hearing a few months down the line as i had similar injury and hardware to you.
I had surgery for Trimalleolar fracture and disclocation on September 20th...3 weeks post surgery today. 2 large plates and 10 screws.
i was in a cast for 2 weeks, back last week for stitches out and fitted with an air boot for another 4 weeks non weight bearing. I can barely squeeze my swollen tankle in the thing, my whole leg rides up as my heel is too big to fit where it should. as a result my foot isnt placed at a 90 degree inside.
The numbness and tingling is constantly there down the left hand side of my foot into the little toe. it is this side where i have the biggest scar- 16 stitches 😬 I know i shouldn't but im removing the hard shell of the boot and resting with the thick padding of the inside of the walker boot when i can and touching the parts that are tingling which does seem to help / bring some relief. The nurse last week told me not to ice it- which i couldn't believe as everything you read tells you to do this...so when its worse on a night i do ice it twice for 20 mins a time and this seems to help the discomfort at bedtime.
i haven't any physio sorted yet, i guess they'll arrange that at the next checkup in 3 weeks. How much physio were you offered?
now ive come to terms with whats happened and also how long recovery is likely to be be i have my sights set on Christmas time to be relatively mobile....i know thats quite optimistic which is why im keen to hear how you are 4.5 months down the line.
thanks in advance, Leanne