Non weight bearing and (mostly) stuck at home for 6 weeks

Hi Ruth I agree it's bad. I am 40 and have two kids under five its hell trying to do things for them...I crawl around alot to and my muscles and bones are so sore using crutches. I definitely underestimated how hard this would be. X

Well, the good news is that t gets better. But it takes lots of time and patience. I love reading and writing in the area of ankle problems. The best posts are here. What else can you do? lol I am 58 and have a stress fracture of tibia. Non weight bearing for almost 5 weeks now, crutches and can hardly get out. So you are not alone. And FYI, I bought forearm crutches from Amazon which work well.

Hi Ruth. I can totally see where you're coming from. I too am normally active and having a broken ankle is the worst experience I could have imagined. I too am struggling to get the hang of my crutches and I get tired on them very quickly. I agree when you see others using them they look so easy.

 

Hi Ruth,

I am 57 and displaced my ankle in a car accident ten days ago.  I feel for you as I am going through a lot of adjustment as well.  Right now I am on the mend and I make notes in a journal of things that are better each day, as well as frustrations. I find my walker exhausting and the muscles in my upper body are really feeling it.  I was told at the hospital not to do any upper body exercises as extra because these muscles need to recuperate when I am not using them.

I have so far used a technique I have used (especially on weekends) when I didn't have mobility problems.  I set my goals early in the day and work to achieve the.  Today it was several phones, dealing with getting a wheelchair, and three thank you notes.  I feel I am more in control and I have accomplished something.

Lastly, I am a neat freak person and I am living in our family room on the first floor while using our powder room for a bath.  My husband isn't as bothered by clutter but I find the stacks of things accumulating (box of receipts for insurance, stacks of magazines, medical wound care material, etc. etc. really uncomfortable and I am trying to work with my discomfort - which isn't easy.  I tidy where I can but don't ask too much of my husband who is already holding the house down.

Hi Ruth,

I am 67yrs old and I know exactly what you are going through. Frustration helpless it's so awful. The only way I am getting through this is a knee scooter. I could definitely not use crutches. I couldn't do much Netflix is my friend nothing else to do. So thankful I had a friend and my Granddaughter to help me Shower etc. One more week in my cast and I will be getting a moon boot. Yes 6 weeks is a long time in a cast and feeling helpless. Chin up not long to go now.

Hi Ruth! I'm almost to my fifth decade. I'm not so active as you. The thought of running makes me shudder, but I walked A LOT. I broke my ankle in two places walking down steps. I just got the go-ahead today to start PWB. It's been almost 8 weeks since my break and surgery. I had to get a scooter because "walking" on crutches for a long distance with one leg always made me stumble. Even having the scooter to get around, using the crutches to get from couch to scooter, and reversing the process on the way back was exhausting and somewhat discouraging. Keep following your doctor's instruction and don't be tempted to cheat and try walking. Once you the go-ahead to start the next phase it will be so worth it!

I didn't realize you're probably fully recovered by now. Must figure out how to sort these replies properly 🤣

Hi Ruth, I feel for you as I am in a similar position. I'm (a young) 69. I have a trimalleolar unstable ankle fracture (3 bones broken). Broke ankle 6 July, admitted to hospital 8 July, ORIF op on 15 July, put into cast. Had 1st fracture clinic appointment 2 weeks after op. Was x-rayed, progress good. Have next appt 4 weeks time.

I think those younger than us with breaks cope better, their bones are younger! I too am feeling down having to rely on carers coming in. My partner lives 20 miles away and as he usually does anyway, stays weekends. He is supportive but just does things when I ask. My sister has been great staying with me the first two weeks and using her own initiative like shopping, washing clothes but is now on holiday.

I feel frustrated that one broken ankle can leave me so helpless. I am slumped in my chair when the carer has been, watching mindless TV and reading. I have to rely on a commode both in the lounge and bedroom as i have no confidence in using my frame yet as i keeled over in the bathroom once, hence i wont even touch crutches as i feel insecure with them. I'm longing for the 4 weeks to be over as a turning point.

I am 28 and I broke my ankle in June. I was too scared to use crutches until I got a boot and was cleared to put weight on it. Until then I found it less exhausting and more stable to hop around (on my good leg) with a walker. I totally understand how hard this is! Ive felt quite lonely through this process.

I am 28 and I broke my ankle in June. I was too scared to use crutches until I got a boot and was cleared to put weight on it. Until then I found it less exhausting and more stable to hop around (on my good leg) with a walker. I totally understand how hard this is! Ive felt quite lonely through this process.