Numbness of toes after ankle fracture surgery

I broke my ankle Trimalleolar fracture on June 17th, 2017 and surgery( ORIF) on July 6th, 2017.  It has been 9 months since my surgery and as my last visit to Orthopedic Surgeon on December 28,2017 he informed me that it could take up to two years to be back where I was before I fell and broke my ankle.  But I am also 71 years old. Takes longer when you are older.  I still have numbness under my toes. He said that that bundle of nerves take a very long time to regenerate.  But this does not stop me from walking and going to the gym regularly. DO YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY RELIGIOUSLY, IT PAYS OFF. do not be a slacker on this and do not give up. 

   I still have numbness and as it goes away pain replaces it. Not bad pain but some pain and pins and needles and stinging pain. So be grateful at this point for the numbness as you do not feel the bone healing pain.   And the pain is in places you would not think. On top my foot and the heel. This is referred pain. When you break your ankle as bad as I did and also with all the massive swelling happens and  nerves, tendons and ligaments sustain injury also.   Be patient and positive.  You well always be quiet a bit cautious walking and doing things. This was a horrendous trauma. Allow your body and mind and spirit to heal. Push yourself moderately. Your body will tell you when to stop and when to go. 

   Best wishes and good luck. It will happen. 

  Oh and I used crutches, walker and the best thing in the House was a knee wheeler that I rented.  I was in a cast or splint and or removable leg brace ( acted like a cast ) that I could take on and off to bathe for 3-4 months.  Then to a canvas support brace for a couple of months.   Crutches do a real number on your carpal tunnel syndrome and back.  But I am alive and walking well and taking care of myself by myself now. 

  Bathrooms visits and bathing a whooly bugger as I live alone. Getting in and out of bed interesting also. 

    Learned to mop with my knee wheeler and carry laundry to washer and dryer on it. 

    I had lots of beautiful kind friends to help me to Walmart and to get into their electric shopping carts. Fun times. Lots of laughs. 

  But as I said things do get better with time.  The bones heal so much quicker than the nerves and tendons and ligaments. 

I have same thing going on 4 months since surgery..Numbness and burning and swelling walking with a boot and walker/crutches.not full weight bearing yet or ant PT..I have 2 plates and 13 screws..This has been quite the journey and so life changing...I'm also scared of crutches...Hope you heal quickly

Has anyone experienced the medal plates that are screwed in to hold your ankle together start to protrude from your skin? That's what mine is doing. I see the Dr on Monday, can't wait to hear what he has to say.

Well I feel relieved some because it has been 5 weeks since my surgery my feet my foot is infected but I still have not regained full feeling in my left foot where I had surgery and so I was getting worried about it because you know I know I am like pre-diabetic and so I've really been worried about maybe losing my leg through all this and stuff but I go back to the doctor today maybe I'll find out something today

Hi, I broke my ankle April 9th 2018 and had surgery  on April 17th to repair both tibia and fibula along with breaking off large pieces of a bone in the back of my ankle.  In a plaster splint/cast now and consistently having a feeling of numbness/pins/needles in my toes and they look kind of swollen. The pain has gotten better but not gone by any means. Have appt in a few days to remove stitches and hopefully get an air cast. Was hoping to hear that most people were healing well but it seems it’s on a case by case basis. Crutches are too scary. So it’s whelchair and walker for me but I do have a knee scooter to use after I get the air cast. Anything in particular that I can mention to the dr that he should know or what to ask for to make life any easier?? 

Sound typical when I compare it to mine it's been 7 wks this wed for me and I still have numbness swelling and tingling I was told I'm not diabetic but idk I am having pretty frequent dizziness and shaking and I was s u're it was my blood sugar no idk

I fell out of bed on my way to the bathroom 4 months ago. Broke Tibia and Fibula close to my ankle. Had surgery 5 days later, plate and 10 screws. I spent 2 two weeks in acute aftercare because I live alone in an upstairs apartment. After i got home i was mostly on my own. The crutches didn't work for me. I was on a Walker for weeks until a friend gave me a knee scooter! So much better getting around. Hard cast came off after 4 weeks and given boot cast. It took at least 2 months before I could get up and down stairs. I have been unable to work as I'm an independent contractor. all my savings are gone. I can walk around the house with a big ol limp and it hurts. Dr wants me off pain meds so I'm down to 3 a day. I go outside and walk a little.

Hi,

I am 5 weeks post trimalleolar fracture surgery. I fell while out walking in Madeira. Ive been very nervous regarding my recovery. I waited 5 days in a half cast prior my surgery had plates and pins which was ok as this is what I expected. The only thing I didnt expect was no cast or boot following the surgery just advice to NWB for the next 4 weeks. I had an appointment with the consultant last Monday to be told I could now start placing 25% plus weigh on my affected foot which i have started to do but to be honest probably only placing about 20%. The top of my foot is also numb as are three of my toes.

I have searched through loads of research and the No Cast policy and its very sketchy. Has anyone else come across this before. 😃

I am now 10 months in broken tibia and fibula. the top of my foot and 2 two still are numb. toes two middle toes won't touch. Dr says possible nerve damage. Nothing else. Will I get my feelings back?

hi Olga,

Hope things are getting easier for you. i am 62 and broke my ankle seven weeks ago while hiking with my son‘s dog. I had surgery and i have 11 screws and 2 plates.

I have just started with ankle movement and I also have pain in my toes but the worst is my pinky toe. Its been such an awful process!!

I also felt it hard with the crutches as I was afraid I would fall, especially at night. I was getting up every two hours to use the washroom. I also had such burning pain in my heel that would wake me up.

Finally last week I started sleeping six hours without having to get up.

I got a wheelchair a few weeks ago which has made a world of difference with getting around especially because I live by myself.

i am supposed to gradually start weight bearing next week. As someone who walked/ran 6-8km a day, I am hoping to be able to walk normal. My ankle is very stiff right now.

Are you getting around okay now?

hi Olga this is not a reply maybe you could help me i need to ask a question and Cannot figure out how to post a question

A couple days after my surgery, I got some sharp pain while sleeping in the pinkie toes. I was wondering if my cast was too tight, so called the surgeon's office. Apparently, it can be a result of not elevating your leg enough (should be above the heart). I moved from 2 pillows (under the leg) at night to 3, and it seemed to help a lot. A little different than the issue you are describing, but maybe worth trying. I elevate my foot now probably 22-23 hours a day now (hopefully not overkill). I am 8 days post op.