Lateral ligament repair and arthroscopy. Pain and swelling 9 months later. Anyone else?

I was going to say....you are doing great for 333  

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through. Hope you feel better really soon.

Patti, just 3 more days until my Weight Bearing Inauguration.  I never thought I'd be so excited about putting my foot on the ground!  How are you coming along?  Ron

Hi Leelee

Thank you for your advice. Because my blood pools badly, especially in any heat such as shower, warm water etc I think it may make the pressure in my foot worse. The blood pooling gets so bad the veins pop out, my foot goes dark blue and my leg gets very mottled. Thanks though 😊

Hi rmsko

Oh really? Gosh it's terribly painful. I hope yours gets better soon too... Mine aches all the time and swells up and looks horrid. Some days are better than others but the ache never goes. My dorsi flexion isn't quite at neutral so I limp. My hips ops haven't helped either. Both were partially dislocating so had 5 operations last year. My hips ache terribly too. Have my down days. So tired of pain 😢

I had surgery end of September 2015 and swelling has been present every day & night since. I returned to work mid January and am on my feet 10 plus hours a day. I can feel my foot swelling whilst at work, on return home I have to bathe it, moisturise it, ice it and elevate it. I put an elasticated bandage on. I do my exercises each day, but is still stiff and when I stand up from watching tv I limp really badly. I limp constantly and my foot is sometimes a different colour and sometimes feel cold to touch. I have also been told that the swelling can take up to 12 months to reduce, I led a hectic  lifestyle prior to my accident but now feel as though it's just bed and work as I am so tired by the end of the day, I'm in bed normally around 10pm, then up at 7am to return to work

Gee, Paul, so sorry to hear you're having such a tough time.  I think the fact that you're on your feet all day could be the real culprit here.  If I recall from previous posts, you're a postman, correct?  Firstly, I would make sure you have the most comfortable, supportive shoes possible.  Do you have to wear any kind of 'regulation' footwear?  And then, talk to your supervisor about taking 5 min breaks every hour or so and see if there is somewhere like a low wall or park bench where you can elevate your foot for those 5 mins.  That might help. It's the constant walking and gravity pulling the blood to the feet that is so detrimental. You need healing time, my friend.  You're not in the U.S. if I recall.  Northern Ireland, I believe?  Maybe you need to see if a few weeks in a rehab facility could be granted by your work and insurance company.  You certainly seem to warrant it.  We all feel your pain, believe me, and are wishing you a quicker recovery.  Ron

I feel guilty complaining about my ankle when I read what you have gone through, you are brave, I couldn't deal with all the operations, aches, pains, and snail pace recovery. I had only three screws inserted, no plates and was led to believe this was a simple operation and recovery/return to work within 2 months, which I was disappointed by but now feel massively misled. I have to accept my situation, but am counting the days/weeks to September hoping that I will have my life back. I feel for you regarding  being tired of pain, I manage my aches, I don't have pain as such and rarely need to take any medication. I genuinely hope you start to recover soon, I'm not surprised you have your down days, it's apparently all part of the recovery process I'm told

That was aimed at Melissa, I assume, Paul.  My recovery has been pretty straightforward, just boring as hell!  Ron

Yes Ron, sorry. It was a reply to Melissa 

Thanks for your kind words Ron. I agree, being on my feet in excess of 10 hours doesn't help. I think you refer to Jim, a postie from Northern Ireland.

I work for an Us car hire company, but am in Uk. It is massively busy, cleaning, driving and maintaining a fleet of 250 vehicles between 3 other colleagues, but enjoy the demands placed on me and how fast the day goes

I wear Thom McAn shoes (purchased from Kmart in Us) since my accident, which are very light and comfortable. I can take small breaks as and when I feel the need, but being on my feet so much has not done me much good. My company pay for Bupa which provide medical help, treatment and rehab, I will speak to somebody at head office and try to organise something. Thanks again Ron, I know my situation is very slight compared to others when reading the posts. 

At least you are getting plenty of sleep Paul

Thanks for all the info...that's really helpful, so we have some idea what to expect at the 7 month mark. I wonder why our ankle swells for so long, after a break....perhaps because it's such a key weight bearing point and carries the whole load of our bodies? Just seems so long to have swelling for 12 months, but I keep hearing that is the case. 

Great ideas Ron. Re. the 5 min breaks, I find a break with my leg up, even for a few minutes, makes such a difference. Why is it when the blood flows more often down to our feet that makes it swell for so many months vs. helping to oxygenize it and heal it faster?

I am so sorry to hear this Melissa! Hang in there!

The only thing I wish this website had, was a button so when you pushed someone's name, highlighted in red here, you could see all their posts, fully printed out, in sequential order by date. That would help so much! It does get confusing some times!