How did you injure your ankle and what's your age?

Mandy, that is horrible!  I'm sorry to hear about your ankle, but more so to hear that you were 9 months pregnant!  How is your baby boy?  I hope he's doing well. 

I hope you're not in much pain and I'm sure, being a new mother is stressful enough, without having to worry about your ankle.  Thinking of you, from "across the pond."  :-)

Beth

Hey!

Thank you! He is just perfect! It's just been stressful being housebound with a newborn plus I have a 6 year old!

Hubby has been off work to help but financially that can't continue much longer! X

That is great news!  Glad your baby is fine.  :-)

Our husbands can really come through, when we need them to.  That's for sure. 

Beth

Chateau Chinon in Chinon, France - now that's an injury with style !!! 

Hi gsmeall, I'm glad you didn't have to have surgery.  That is good.  I was off work a total of 6 weeks.  I had to have surgery to put in the hardware.  I have to have another surgery early next year, to remove two screws.  (The rest stays in).  I'm glad your husband is helping.  They sure can come in handy.  LOL!  Happy healing to you too. 

Beth

Thanks Beth!   Kind of makes me wonder why I need 4 weeks if I didn't have surgery if you did it in 6.   I will see how things go.  I guess he wants to see how the healing is going first?  Not sure.  Will take it easy and do everything I am supposed to and hopefully I will bounce back (not literally) quickly.   Yes,   I am very lucky to have my husband helping!   He has been my angel.   He also had to save me last night from the bathtub because I truly though I would manage getting in an out on my own.  Getting in was easy enough but getting out....... Well....that was a total failure and I had to call for help.  Not exactly a pretty sight slipping and sliding about trying to get out of the tub.  lol   I'm sticking to showers from this point on.   I have that mastered.  

Ghyslaine

I didn't even break anything and I was booted for 4 weeks! FWB and can [sorta] work (I work in retail, I CANNOT be on my feel all day so I take lots of breaks to sit). That's what happens when you mess with your already torn then fixed ATFL

Sounds like it's a slow recovery for any kind of ankle injury.  I don't understand what FWB or ATFL means though.  Sorry.  lol   This is all new to me.    I can imagine retail would be extremely hard.  Take care!

So sorry about your break but very happy you do not need surgery.  I had surgery for a bimalleolar break end of July and am still pretty much off of it.  Was in cast for 7 weeks and got a boot, but it was discovered that one of my incisions was not healing... so still not wt bearing and foot up - like you, I am so fortunate to have a great husband.  He was home w/ me the first 4 weeks.  BUT, the wound is finally healing and the doc says I can try the boot again on Monday and start wt bearing again...  My foot continues to be to be very swelled and turns purple whenever I get up - I am scheduled to go back to work early November (will have been out 14 weeks) and am really kind of wondering how that will be.  I was unable to do the ROM exercises for the last 10 days, but got the go ahead yesterday to restart them.  Yes- crutches are difficult but get easier.  I have been using the walker mostly- and of course could not live w/out the scooter.... but will be very happy to get rid of them all!!  And excited to get my leg wet again... it needs a good scrub!  Skin has all peeled off in the last few weeks- has been an interesting and difficult journey.  Best of  luck to you.  Hoping you did get some great pics of the moon!

Hi Lamborghini Gal,

I am curious as to issues you have had w/ the screws.  I have done fine w/ the plate and screws (though that is the incision that has not healed)- but the inner ankle with the screws drives me crazy-  it hurts to put any wt on it at all so the  small amount of wt I can put on it now, I find that I tend to favor the outside of my foot.  It is entirely  healed at the inner ankle, but I cannot bear to have it touched- even with sheets of the bed.  It sometimes hurts down to arch of the foot and up the bone.  I cannot help but wonder if it is the screws.  I am on gabapentin which helps some at night... just wondering what your symptoms have been.... my ortho does not remove any hardware unless there are problems.  My next appt is early Nov.

I have the same thing! Screws on inner ankle, plate in outer. I had surgery August 11 and just came out of hard casts and in a boot three days ago. The incision seems healed but the inner ankle where the incision/screws are is so sore! I am in a walking boot but the plastic side of the boot rubs it and it is awful! I am only supposed to put 40lbs of weight on it for now, and build up to FWB over a month.

I have gabapentin too and it helps but the shooting pains when they come are zingers!!

I am having pretty good swelling as well after being in the boot a couple hours. I wish I could post pics here, we could compare incisions...

Hi Jan!

I have two screws and the one on the right side of my left ankle (which is the inside) I have felt it.  I'm going to be honest:  I'm one of "those people."  I do NOT touch anywhere my hardware is.  That is just me.  I'm very weird like that.  LOL!  But, I can look and I know I can feel it sometimes when I walk.  I can't feel the other and don't know exactly where that one is.  I don't even look at my x-rays!  I just don't.  Anyway, beck to your question:  :-)

I havne't had any issues with putting weight on my foot.  I do limp and probably always will.  I never did, prior to my (roller skating at a Prince Tribute skate) accident.  I use a cane sometimes.  The sheets don't bother me, but everyone is different.  For example:  I'm sure many, if not most, can and will touch where their hardware is.  Haha!

Everything has healed on me.  I had surgery May 13th, which was on a Friday, of all days.  I do have some issues with a tendon on the inside of my L. ankle, which runs up the side of my calf.  It hurts sometimes and I'm told that is because I'm not walking right.  I limp and also I'm a toe walker and was born that way.  I had tight calf muscles (short) to begin with and with this accident, while I can bend my knee (left), I can't just bend it with my heel on the ground.

So the only issues I've had, are I can feel my screw there (not touching it) and my tendon does bother me sometimes. 

My doctor removes the screws and early next year, he said he'd be taking the two screws out.  I'm glad you don't have to worry about an additional surgery! 

Beth

Hi Kelly - thank you for your responding- sometimes I think I am alone... you are about 2 weeks behind me!  I will have the boot on (well- not really wearing it yet due to an unhealing incision)- until Nov 1 when I see the ortho doc again-  and was told to bring a shoe.

I can only imagine the boot rubbing your incision- makes my skin crawl to think about it.  I have wondered what it will be like to wear a shoe- that also makes me really nervous...I have my 'panties in a wad' that some of this discomfort may be the screws- and I just hope that is not the case.  The nerve pain is pretty easy to distinguish- but this discomfort is pretty constant and burning and stabbing.   Just not sure. I seem to have too much time on my hands these days to let my mind wander.... and it is not always good things!!  I have seen some pics posted on here, - you would go to the little icon in the upper right box and click on the last one and choose the file...

Keep me posted on your progress!

I always remember your story as you have been so encouraging and great to post.  Are they hoping that be removing your screws that your frozen foot may improve ?  It is kind of funny- when I do my ROM exercises- it feels like I am moving my ankle so far and then I look down and realize it is really not doing much- so disappointing.  I am so ready to start w/ PT but will not do so until after next visit early November.

I am like you with the screws and plate.  I do not think I will ever want to touch them.  I almost passed out when they took the cast off the first time so even when it is healed... i do not want to feel any of it thru the skin.  Just feels too foreign.   I feel some soreness halfway up the calf on that side- who knows- it is easy to blame the screws!  

I just wish you were walking better. I have found that my joints are all affectted by this injury- and now have sciatica when i sit for more than 15 min.... i am ready to get up and walk for sure!  It will come- I am sure...

Hi Jan, 

Thank you!  You have also been so encouraging as well. I think a good attitude can go a long way.  :-)

My doctor told me last week when I went, that I "may" get a little more mobility when the two screws are removed.  But from the very beginning, (before my ankle quit moving), he told me they always remove the screws.  I guess some doctors leave them and some prefer to take them out.  I'd prefer to not have any surgery again.  LOL!!!!!!!!  I could leave them in and they'd probably end up falling, which is fine.  But, I guess since he said he'd remove them, I'll do it. 

I try to move my left ankle and it hardly moves.  I'll tell you a funny story:  Yesterday at work, my supervisor (who I like a lot/great boss) came up to me at the front desk.  I USE to be able to throw my left foot, under my right leg and sit like that.  Well, I carefully tried to do that (since I do want to be able to do that again) and I heard and felt (but it didn't hurt) THREE LOUD pops, all in quick succession!  Before I could stop myself and because it did scare me, I said, "Son of a bitch!"  "Damn."  Then I said I'm so sorry for cussing like that.  LOL!  He smiled and I asked him did he hear all those pops.  He said no, but he could see my expression and reaction and knew something had happend.  Hahaha.

Knock on wood, I've had really no issues to speak of.  (I'm knocking on my head now).  :-)  I'm just limping and sometimes it is bad, but no burning or sharp pains, no numbness (I did have some around the band of my foot and it may still be there, but I'm not checking) and no pins and needles feelings.

I shaved my legs the other night and while I did shave that leg, I only touched it (the part where the hardware is) with my washcloth.  I can't touch it and simply won't.  Just can't.

Thanks.  I wish I was walking better too.  I've had two strangers ask me "What happened."  :-)  I just told them that I hurt myself, roller skating.  (I didn't mention it was a Prince Tribute Skate).  And my friend told me, next time a stranger asks you what happend, tell them you hurt yourself, sticking your foot up someones ass!  Hee hee!

I have not had any issues YET and yet, being the operatve word, with my joints.  However, I was told that due to my NON-ROM, that I could develop arthritis down the road.  That doesn't sound good. 

I'm ready to walk the way I use to, but I realized something and that is, I may never walk "right" or like I use to, but I'm just walking different now.  With a pronounced limp, but at least I'm walking.  I wish you the best and with your good attitude, you'll do great.  [biggrin]   Sorry I rambled so much.  I wrote a book, didn't I? 

Beth

 

Always mention the Prince tribute! Lol great story!

My younger daughter has a skating lesson week at her Middle School. TWO girls broke their ankles last week!! Dangerous sport! 😉

Kelly, I think I will.  Haha!  Like you said, it is a good story.  I feel sorry for those two girls.  It sure can be dangerous.  And I use to skate, years and years ago.  NEVER ever got hurt.  Ever.  I fell of course, back always got back up.  Like the Energizer bunny, I kept going and going and.........well, then I fell.  Hee hee!

Our neighbor, joked with my husband last night and said to him, "Hey, our kids are going roller skating tomorrow at a birthday party.  Ask Beth if she wants to go."  LMAO  I think I'll pass for now.  [cheesygrin]

Beth

Hi Jan!  When I read about everyone's breaks, it makes mine seem minimal.  I am a bit concerned though with possibly making it worse before it gets better.  I am able to take my boot off so of course this morning I decided I am going to test it.  As soon as I put a bit of weight on it a pain shot right up the front of my leg.  No idea what that is.  I put the boot back on and I am not testing it again for a bit.   I am only on week 1 so I guess I should just let the healing happen and not push it.   The crutches are something else.  Thank God nobody is really around to watch me other than my family.   Besides that, I think one of the problems is I have an appointment this coming week for my shoulder that has been hurting me since May.   Results of the X-Ray came in and it's calcification and bursitis.  The crutch is making it worse but I'm kind of at a loss.  Nothing I can do but use it.   I now also have a walker here and I can use that as well so I bounce back and forth between the two.  The walker is hard because I have to use my arms and, my left arm is giving me grief too.    My husband says it's time to trade me in.  I'm beginning to agree with him.  haha!

You asked about the moon picture so I will share it.  It will be forever in my memory now.  lol

I LOVE the moon picture!  I know every time you look at it, you think about your foot.  I am going to admit something today but you cannot tell my hubby.  I only wore the boot for 3 days before it was discovered that my outside ankle wound was not healing so have not had the boot on since last 9 days.  I saw the PA on Monday and she told me that I can bear 50% wt and walk on my foot (w/out boot).  It has been very frightful for me but a tad better each day.  Today- I put 100% wt and walked across our living room.  I am supposed to start back in the boot next week.  My walking is not pretty.  I have a huge limp and really like having the boot on for stability.  BUt, my hubby would die if he knew I did that.  He is very protective of my falling again.  

On another note- I understand about the bursitis.  I have it in my hip and it has gotten awful lately.  And also - I have lower disc disease and occas. have to get spinal injectsions.  Welll..... it has started really bothering me and i can only sit for 15 min before the pain shoots down my butt to upper leg- (sciatica).  So i am doing a lot of laying down these days.  

I laugh when I think of what our spouses would all say if they were together :-)

You made my day be sharing the moon. We are all gonna get through this and I am just thankful I have 'met' others going thru the same thing.  I get more support and encouragement from this site than I can ever express.

 

ATFL stands for anteriortalofibular ligament. It's a main ligament in your ankle.

Yeah, retail is a bitch! My manager had me sitting on a stool doing register all day. I was mad because I hate doing that, but glad that I didn't have to be walking around.

Thank you for the moon compliment!  I can tell you one thing...I've been getting plenty of moon jokes since it happened.   lol  I am just thankful I at least captured one that I was satisfied with.  Still not exactly what I am hoping for but next time....  (if hubby lets me out after dark again).

How did they discover the ankle was not healing with the boot?  That's another thing that worries me.  I only go back on October 20th so what if it's not healing like he hopes.    I am worried about the limp too.     I hope I am lucky enough to not have one.   Tonight I went out for a bit and it's not pretty.  I'm not sure what I would do without my hubby.  He caught me 3 times before I toppled over with the crutches.   I think I will avoid going out if possible until I am a bit more stable.  

As for the bursitis....I have no idea what it is really.  It's something new for me but I know the crutch is aggravating it because when I lay down in bed at night it's extremely painful.  When I am on the couch laying down I have to tuck a pillow under my arm and it's okay for a little bit   Hopefully they can fix that as well.  

I can just imagine what our hubbies would say.  lol   Mine already has a few interesting and funny stories to share.  *sigh*  

We are going to get through it for sure.   Definitely nice meeting you on here!   I have had sciatica once in the past and it's not pretty either.  Wishing you a speedy recovery with everything!

If you are on FB and want to add me to follow my adventure,  please do.  I have a couple pictures of my foot on there too right after the fall.  lol   And many more photos.   Just search for Ghyslaine Smeall.

Take care!

Thank you for explaining that!   

I don't think I would like doing that all day either but it must be hard finding something for you to do that wouldn't be too hard on you though in retail.  How long does it take to heal that type of injury?  

You're welcome

It usually takes weeks to months, generally more on the months side. I'm just hoping I don't have to have surgery! So is my doctor. But honestly, if he says he wants me in the boot longer, I'll probably ask for a cast so my ankle doesn't move at all because I feel like it's not healing properly just in the boot...and me thinking about asking for a cast tells you something!

Retail is hard, fortunately I've had the oportunity to sit a lot. Yesterday I sat all day at the register for example.

You are too funny- well- I did it last night.  We have a 'lower level'- really a basement that is finished and fixed up- 15 steps down and back up.  So last night- I got down easily - took my gabapentin which does make me tired... started going up steps on crutches w/out husband with me- and I almost fell- he ran and caught me but I jammed my broken ankle.  Kept me awake all worried about it- very stiff and swollen this morning but I am able to still bear some wt and move slowly.  The swelling ahd been better in the morning but we just needed something else to worry about..... hoping i did not do any damage.

BUrsitis is pretty easy to get diagnosed- I have had it in my shoulder too as I swim (or may i say used to before this injury :-(. ) and the paddles can be hard on shoulders....  fortunately- that has not bothered me w/ the crutches but I can see how it would.  I am using the walker mostly around the house.  Have pretty much given up the scooter.  It sounds like you may very well have it.  I have to tuck a pillow under my foot, - we have like 5 pillows in our bed now- we laugh about it every nigh!

Will check FB- we are under ron-jan williams. 

Thx so much and hope you  have a wonderful day!

Oh my gosh.....my hubby would probably velcro me to a chair if I dared to try stairs without him.  You are a brave woman and glad you didn't do more damage than that.   I can't even manage 3 steps without him and the step from the front entrance into the house is horrible.   I am hoping to get better at it in time.  lol    My basement is about 17 steps down and that is where the laundry room is.  Guess who isn't doing laundry for a while?        

The thing with the bursitis that is frustrating is that since May we believed it was a pinched nerve.  Had an MRI and it confirmed a C5/6 disc issue but no nerve impingement enough to cause this pain.   It took until last month before X-Rays were done to finally determine this is what it is.   I don't do any repetitive moves I can think of.    I will find out more on Wednesday as to what they will do.   I have the walker and a wheelchair now so maybe I will try those when I can.  

This morning I did a small test and I am able to use my big toe to help with balance when I go to the bathroom.  That makes one task a lot easier.   The whole foot is still out of the question.

I am nice and comfy in my lazyboy chair today.  Plan on taking it easy today.   

Have a great Sunday!   

The boot I have I can pump up the sides and it tightens me foot into place.   I accidentelly over pumped it though and that's not good.  lol     I hope you don't need surgery either.    I am glad they are accomodating you at work.  It definitely would be hard.  I'm nervous about going back but am off until October 20 for now.   I will just be nervous about bumping into people at work.  I work at the courthouse and we are constantly dodging each other in the office and on our way to the courtrooms.   I will have to make sure I can stay put at my desk and only get up and move if necessary.   lol   I'm not sure anyone is really looking forward to me coming back because they will be nervous as well.  

I have the same boot, but without over pumping you can't really get everything to stay perfectly in place. And I've found the "perfect pump" to where I know how many pumps to go in each port. It helps a lot when I'm in a hurry lol...cause I sometimes forget I need to go somewhere and I'm lounging around no boot...