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HELP : 4 MONTHS POST ANKLE SURGERY

Posted , 7 users are following.

Patientholland
Patientholland

I am four months post-ankle surgery and have plates and screws for a break at the bottom of right leg tibia and fibula.  I am nearly weight bearing but am forced to take a crutch with me as my foot so easily gives way.  At different times, the base of each bone can feel like I am walking on bare stumps as if there is no protective sheath around the bone.  It is crippling.  I go to my consultant, he takes xrays and says everything is progressing perfectly.  I havent walked bear foot yet and walk with a slight limp.  Doing all the usual physion exercises but continue to feel something is intrinsically wrong.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this post-surgery.   

0 likes, 27 replies

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  • Tituscanby1
    Tituscanby1 Patientholland

    Posted

    I use a Walker for that reason. My bone is soft. I'm not taking any chances. Drs and physios encouraged me to walk and my break was a complete non union. Then surgery. I am into my 8th month, and now I do it my way. Listen to my intuition. My walker has a seat and large wheels. I can walk easier with it than crutches.

    A friend of mine felt like you for 2 years. After 10 years it finally stopped hurting.

    I can't walk with 1 crutch. It throws me at an odd angle.

    Good luck.

    • Tituscanby1
      Tituscanby1 Patientholland

      Posted

      Let me know of your progress. My injury is a snapped Fibula- now plated, and a dislocated ankle. Recovery is an individual thing as I am learning. :+) Not black and white!
    • patti123
      patti123 Tituscanby1

      Posted

      I loved the walker at first too for regaining strength and beginning WB. Seemed to allow for just the right pressure on the foot. Have you tried to get an "Evenup" from Amazon for your good foot? It is a black strap that you put over your tennis shoe, that lifts your shoe to the same height as the boot. Look up the key words "ProCare Evenup Shoe Balancer Amazon". Keep up the good work!
    • Tituscanby1
      Tituscanby1 patti123

      Posted

      My Surgeon said No walking in my Moonboot. Although I might try it. Said it would stop movement.
  • Patientholland
    Patientholland

    Posted

    I certainly agree with going with one's instinct.  I couldnt do all the physio exercises as they caused too much pain.  Managing on Anti-inflammatory
    • patti123
      patti123 Patientholland

      Posted

      I hated to take the anti-inflammatories at first, but you may need them to get through PT exercises when you first start them. I found the pain goes away after you can do the exercises for a while, and the exercises give you a lot of strength and get rid of scar tissue that seems to want to creep in and keep you more frozen up. 
  • jannie26408
    jannie26408 Patientholland

    Posted

    Hello, I'm sorry to hear of your injury. I'm 5 mos just fully weight bearing in past 3 weeks. I'm in walker from wheelchair.   I'm working up to forearm crutches as can't do regular ones. My take on this is do whatever feels right for you. Take it slow, this is no race as many will tell you. It's one thing they tell us to walk, it's the getting there that takes time. Be easy on yourself!  

    Dislocation two breaks ORIF surgery with RSD.  Take care of yourself 👣

    • Patientholland
      Patientholland jannie26408

      Posted

      Thank you Jannie. I am going with my instinct and limiting the amount I do dependent upon pain. I take Anti inflammatory, am icing, use KT Tape, do extensive scar tissue massage and walk in supportive trainers. I just wish this ankle instability would cease
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Patientholland

      Posted

      The stability will come, once I could fully weigh bare  without tipping over it became easier and now my Pt is working hard, as I am on releasing the stiff ankle joint, it takes time and being on this journey the time factor is unknown. This forum has helped me so much as I can see what stages people go thru. I'm off all pain melds as my Dr put me on gabbapentin cream at the base of my spine. Drugs play havoc with my gut and brain. Getting the pain under control helped me to endure rehab. The ice I couldn't do instead I enjoyed warm water with Epson salts. I think it helped my swelling. The massage is great what you are doing. Keep at it, it will come - take care 👣
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland jannie26408

      Posted

      Thank you.  What is your PT doing as I find that I regress when i have physiotherapy👣
  • shana_61181
    shana_61181 Patientholland

    Posted

    I am also 4 months with plates and screws after a fracture. My physical therapist said the bones can bruise and cause pain which I find happens if my foot rolls outward. He said the muscles aren't strong enough to support it yet. Maybe that's what you are feeling.
    • Tituscanby1
      Tituscanby1 shana_61181

      Posted

      Shana that is exactly what my Physio says. I've nearly 8 months of muscle wasting. Ligaments, tendons and muscles are very weak. Will take time. I was 8 weeks without a walker, crutches limiting, and knee scooter great for a rest, but finally got a new walker last week. Freedom. Can sit down when tired

      Carry things around and do a few chores. I get around easier - mentally that is a bonus. I walk like my elderly mum! But that's going to change. Then more surgery next year to get the plates out. My husband is recovering from a bad scapphoid break as well.

      Life is sent to test us.

      Onwards and upwards.

    • shana_61181
      shana_61181 Tituscanby1

      Posted

      Sounds a lot like us!! My husband has surgery Monday for a torn rotator cuff! 😳 This entire thing has been trying for me. I am such a cry baby now. My doctor told me to wait for a year and then I can get my "toolbox" removed. How did you break your ankle?
    • Patientholland
      Patientholland shana_61181

      Posted

      I slipped on ice in January and had to have surgery immediately with plates and screws. I was in plaster for two weeks and then a surgical boot 24 hours a day for seven weeks. I got about using a Zimmer frame and then two crutches and now at 17 weeks, one crutch. It had been a roller coaster
    • Tituscanby1
      Tituscanby1 shana_61181

      Posted

      Slipped down 2 stairs while multi tasking. Dislocated and snapped fibula, but didn't know as Ambulance medic said it wasn't broken. Late at night. Got up on crutches we had here. Passed out in pain. Face planted. Unconscious on and off for several minutes. Carpet burn on my face. Drenched in sweat.Had xrays 2 days later. Snapped like a carrot and displaced.

      2 weeks later got fibreglass after backslab and saw a specialist for first time. Manipulated my foot back in line.

      3 months later a total non union. New specialist said it should have been operated on immediately after it broke. Had bone graft 3 months ago. Graft taking, bone either side soft. Some days and part of every day, I don't handle it. Was very active before. With 2 of us not even 1 complete person. I feel for you.

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