Pain with broken ankle

A little about me. I had a trimalleolar fracture 2/14/2019. Months of discomfort, going for pt which is a must, started back to gym/spin Jan. 2020. I always knew that I would have metal removed. Had that done on 3/02/2020. Today 3/10/2020 had surgical staples removed and life is good. I am in a boot and will start pt for 8 weeks next week. I already know this was an excellent move and I'm happy I did not wait to have the plate and screws removed. My bone has healed perfectly as seen in x-rays at the doctor's office. The stiffness I experienced even after a year was from the metal in ankle. Right now I am feeling no stiffness and hope it continues. I am so grateful to be feeling this well.

Everything you are experiencing is normal. This will take a long time to feel like your old self. You have to be patient. This is coming from a woman who has no patience. Don't be to hard on yourself. Take one day at a time. I found elevating my foot and icing was very important. I put a large pillow to elevate at night. Everything you have mentioned I have been through. Take it easy . I hope you have someone helping you. Good luck!

Hey ayanna1208. it's is typical for the pain it's just healing!! I did the same thing! broke my in three places I got two metal plates with 20 screws

just stay off it!! Ask your Doctor if you could do a little PT at home!! Google it and it will tell you that's what I did!! But don't over do it!!

Everything will be alright!! God Bless!!😊

I also had plates and screws put into my ankle (triple arthrodesis) on Feb 13. I now have a boot that I remove for sleeping. If I try to turn my ankle sideways or even bend my knee while sleeping, I also experience intense pain. Sometimes I sleep with the boot on to avoid the pain. Like you, I also have a check-up appointment on April 8. I was informed on Friday that the appointment will be over the phone due to the virus (bummer). I still need to get an x-ray done somehow before hand. I will let you know what my doctor says about the pain. You are not alone.

Hello, I feel ya! I broke my ankle (lateral malleolus - fibula) and 5th metatarsal on Feb. 13th. Had surgery on my ankle on March 5th. Was put into a CAM boot on March 17th with weight bearing as my body allows, but no weight bearing without it. I still waited a week before I put down my foot with the boot on.

Though I have had the zaps on my ankle now and then and some discomfort on it because of the boot, my metatarsal has started to have more pain, though not intense. I read in several places that it is normal considering I am starting to weigh bear a little.

What is getting me now are all the other sensations that go with all this. My foot has been spasming a lot the last few days, but without pain. I think it is my muscles "waking up." My toes get tight from swelling when my foot is down a lot and this can inhibit them from moving as well as when my foot has been up the majority of the time, like you. They also are super sensitive when I lightly massage them and parts of them are experiencing numbness and an electric zap feeling to varying degrees. I live in Florida, so my foot often feels hot, and the ball of my foot is pressing too much into the bottom of the boot and has developed a pressure point sensitivity that drives me nuts!

The part of all of this that I find the most difficult is trying to interpret what feelings are normal and a sign of progress, and what parts may be a cause for concern. I have nothing to compare it to as I have never broken a bone before. I see from many post that this is also a common feeling, so I am grateful for this forum!

I do take comfort in the fact that my swelling is minimal, and many symptoms are relieved when I elevate my foot and/or when I ice it. I have to remind myself to look at it logically that I am not seeing signs of a problem, but am experiencing healing. But damn it is easy for the less analytical side of the brain to run away with the worst case scenario. None of us want a set back. The experience of it all is unpleasant at best.

At any rate, I just wanted to share my experience so far because reading other people's stories helps put my experience in a more comfortable and understandable place. It is hard to do this when no one around me can relate. And with everything else going on in the world, it is nice to have people who have been where I am now to assure me that what I am feeling is normal.

And that is why I want to share my progress. There are a few of us very close together in surgery times and it helps me to see I am not alone. It is a huge comfort when those that went before us reassures us that these things are normal. And I wish to assure those that are or will come behind us that they are not alone in their questions, feelings and experiences.

Sorry to be long winded. Guess I need to get this out. I wish everyone quick and easy healing, and much progress. Thank you for allowing me to have a voice! Stay safe!

Gina

everything you are experiencing id part of the healing process

For those of you who are just beginning this journey patience, friends and family will help you get through it

i broke my ankle 7/5/2019 had surgery on 7/11/2019

Four weeks in cast, then had that removed, stitches removed and given boot w/25% WB

At about 7 weeks I was told I could FWB and begin PT

I think first 4 weeks are the most challenging mentally. You go from a very active life to sitting around and being dependent on others not to mention getting in and out of the bathroom!

It does get better!

Im back to my normal routine 8 months later

It's been 6 months since I broke my tibia & fibula. A plate and a lot of screws put me back together. I can say that it has taken me this long to start to feel better. I can walk a mile without swelling up, still aches some and have stiffness in the morning, but so much better. This was not a quick recovery. I was dedicated to physical therapy. I feel your pain & frustration. Hang in there - there is light at the end of the tunnel! Ice, elevate, do your PT exercises, but listen to your body. I pushed too hard too quickly and was set back a couple weeks from pain and swelling from tendons. You'll get there- and probably a lot faster than me!