I broke my leg

Hi Robbie, sorry about your injuries, sounds nasty. I dislocated my shoulder about 20 years ago and I'm 9 weeks post ankle fusion so I know a bit about both.  I would guess 12 - 13 weeks for your leg/foot to be mended so you might be able to weight bear but your surgeon should be advising you.  It could well take a couple more months before it is more stable and the bones have re-fused properly but it depends on the severity of the injury.  As for your shoulder, that might take the same sort of time if there was major soft tissue trauma and may well need quite a bit of physio - again, it all depends on the severity.

Good luck with your recovery,

Andy

Hey Robbie,

OMG, that is horrendous -- so sorry to hear you've had this happen to you.

I am 14 1/2 weeks into an ORIF broken fibula, dislocated ankle and torn ligaments.  I've had three surgeries to date, the last one removing two long screws from the hardware in my leg.  They have left a plate and six screws in, which I assume is permanent barring any complications.

I started physio a few weeks ago and am now full weight bearing and using a cane.  Still struggling to get my ankle loosened up enough to walk like a human instead of a zombie, but I'm getting there.

I find the pain is minimal now, the ankle just gets sore if I walk  (shuffle) too much, but I find tylenol or advil works just fine to rectify that.  I have minimal swelling and am generally doing quite well considering the damage.

It is a very painful injury as you know, but you've come to the right place for support and to have your questions answered.  Everyone on this site is very helpful and kind and always quick to respond with words of wisdom.

Poor you having your shoulder to add to the other nightmare of your ankle/leg...it will be a challenge, but with patience and determination, you will do get through it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 

Deb

So sorry you dislocated your shoulder along with the broken ankle. Yikes!

  I had surgery 13 weeks ago for broken tib, fib and talus as well as torn tendons on my left ankle. I also fracture my right ankle in the same fall. 

I have plates and screws on the outside of my ankle, the top of my foot and screws on the inside of my ankle. Two weeks after surgery I developed an infection which landed me in the hospital for a week and on IV antibiotics for 42 days. The infection slowed down the healing process and I had to have two additional procedures to help clear it.  I say all of this to give you more of a  perspective on my comments.  I am likely behind many people in recovery with the same injuries. 

I was NWB for 12 full weeks and just started PT with partial weight bearing.  I’m over 50. So hopefully you are younger and don’t have any complications. I was in a wheelchair for most of the recovery. I can’t imagine having an injured shoulder as well. I’m sure this limits your movement. 

I have had a good bit of pain while walking with a walker but I tend to overdo things. Next week I get to try and walk without the air boot. 

I hope you have good support at home. My adult son and husband cared for me for a solid month because I have stairs in my house and was pretty much home bound.  After about 6 weeks I started to get much stronger. 

Stairs are still hard to manage and if I have to be on my feet a lot I use the wheelchair because my ankle swells like a balloon. 

This was a long journey for me but this forum provided a lot of support. There was so much I didn’t know about broken ankles.

Hope this long post helps you a bit. 

Karen