Positive Story from a Broken Ankle
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Like many of you, I suffered a broken ankle. Up until now it has been one of the toughest experiences to overcome. The mental recovery has been far greater than the physical one!
When I broke my ankle, had surgery, and started my recovery process, I did was most people do; I googled "broken ankle" and must have read through every forum, diary, website, blog out there looking for positive words to keep me thinking positively. However, most often than not, I found stories about unsuccessful recoveries, infections, problems walking, additional surgeries, etc. and I broke down. I felt like walking and my life would never be the same. I combed through so many sites looking for a successful story so I could stay motivated, but a lot of times I came up empty.
Now, 8 weeks after my injury, I'm here to post encouraging words!
Here is my timeline:
4/20/16 - I was walking down the stairs of my apartment and I've yet to figure out how I missed the last step. I hit the floor full force with my right foot. I immediately felt my foot roll inward, fell against the wall and hit the floor butt first. My first instinct was to grab my excrutiatingly painful foot, squeeze it and take some deep breaths. I told myself it was probably just a bad sprain and that I should be tough and just get up and walk. When I let go of my foot, it sort of just dangled there and my ankle was already swelling up. I knew it was broken. I sat on the last step of my stairs for 20 minutes, waiting for a ride to go to the emergency room. Long story short, I had a right fibula fracture with an unstable ankle joint and needed surgery. Being a nurse, I realized the next 6 to 8 weeks were going to be tough. What I didnt realize, was how tough they would actually be! I was given a CAM boot and sent home. My surgery was scheduled for 4/25/16. 5 days of waiting.
4/25/16 Surgery day! I was excited to finally get this over with. I was given a nerve block before surgery to help with the pain after the procedure. I was taken into the operating room, told to start deep breathing into a mask, and the next time I woke up I was in the recovery room. I was now the proud (or unproud) owner of a metal plate and screws. My foot felt awesome. Actually, I couldn't even feel it and I was okay with that. Nerve blocks are great, but it was difficult for a control freak like me. I was telling my toes to move but they wouldnt. But there was zero pain for the first 24 hours. I was in the hospital so sleep was on and off.
4/26/16 The day after surgery was by far the most painful thing I have ever felt. The nerve block wore off, I didnt anticipate the pain and refused pain medications the first 24 hours. Huge mistake. That day and night I was in excruciating pain, almost overdosed on Morphine, and was scared. I somehow made it through and the next morning I just wanted to be discharged and go home. So I did. Once home, reality started to set in. I realized I couldn't do anything by myself. Showering seemed impossible. Sleeping comfortably was out of the question. The pain was so bad. The swelling was awful. Around the clock narcotic pain medication gave me incredible constipation so I stopped taking anything after the first week. I was miserable.
Part of what I read was correct. The first 2 weeks are by far the most difficult ones. If you are as independent as I am, you have to learn to ask for help. Using the crutches was a challenge. Arms were sore. The boot felt heavy. I wasn't even hungry and I started to feel depressed. Every awkward sensation would send me researching Google and then get even more depressed about what I would read. At the end of the day, I would tell myself that there were people out there who had it WAY worse and that I just needed to be patient; something I am definitely not.
5/10/16 My first follow up appointment. 2 weeks after my surgery. Stitches were taken out at this time. That was a milestone for me. A small one, but at least I could start showering without having to cover my boot/foot with a plastic bag. Also, the doctor cleared me to start doing range of motion so I religiously did exercises two to three times a day. Still no pain meds since the first week and my foot started to feel more stable. I could finally somewhat reposition in bed at night. Being the stubborn woman I am, I decided to return to my apartment at this time. I needed to have some sort of independence to help my mood. Again, a very difficult 2 weeks. I felt lonely, I couldn't drive, and it was like I was on house arrest. But I told myself that I had made progress.
I finally felt comfortable enough to go out to eat at a restaurant around this time. I felt I was handling the crutches a bit better, my foot still hurt but it wasn't anywhere near the day after surgery. Range of motion kept improving the next several weeks.
6/14/16 One of the best days of my life. I had my 7 week post op appointment. They took xrays. I was scared about the healing of my bone. A million different scenarios were running through my head. I was so nervous that my heart rate was in the 120's when they took my vital signs. Then the doctor walked in and said, "Congratulations, your x-rays look perfect. Your bone has healed. You can start walking now with the CAM boot for 2 weeks. Use your crutches until you feel safe and ditch them whenever you feel comfortable." He told me to return in 2 and a half weeks, gave me 3 more weeks off work and left the room. I sat there stunned. I didn't know if to laugh, scream, cry, or ask him to come back and repeat what he just said. I could now start WALKING. Although I knew it was still a long road ahead, thinking of setting my foot on the ground after 8 weeks was exhilarating. So I tried it.
The feeling was so awkward. It felt like a foreign foot to my body. There wasnt exactly pain, just a tight feeling in the ankle area and discomfort. Still with the use of two crutches, I walked out of the office. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the parking lot but I didn't care. As soon as I got home I told myself that the next time I had an appointment, I was going to walk into the doctor's office without the use of crutches. I also drove for the first time in 8 weeks. I change my boot for a slipper everytime I get in and out of the truck but thats a very small price to pay for now. I had freedom once again.
6/17/16 Today. I am down to ONE crutch. 3 days after I was cleared to walk. Swelling still remains, especially if I've been walking. The foot still looks discolored. Incision is healing. I continue to do my range of motion. I finally used the stairs normally instead of on my butt going down or doing tricep dips all the way up. My goal is no crutches by next week.
Don't give up! If I've learned anything about this experience so far is that your body and your mind is amazing. If you are patient and push through it, you will get there. I've reached important milestones and still have a few to attain. But I know I'll eventually get there and maybe even sooner than I expected.
Hopefully my story helps bring a little encouragement for those of you going through the same thing. I could probably write a novel about my experience so I'm definitely here for support. Chances are, I felt that, thought that, and feared that as well.
Stay positive!
20 likes, 137 replies
carolinne78730 KRN3469
Posted
KRN3469 carolinne78730
Posted
Hope your recovery is going well Carolinne! Your goals are not too greedy! I'm able to jog and if I really pushed myself and wanted to, I could probably run a little faster. Put those heels front and center in your closet and tell them you will be wearing them in a couple weeks!
helen28798 KRN3469
Edited
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I know what you mean about reading all the difficult stories when you are looking for information to help you. I must say I am quite uplifted reading yours. I have found these forums a wealth of information though so thanks to everyone who shares tips and their recovery timelines!
I am now almost 6 weeks post surgery and I have my standing X-ray next Thursday before a 7 week post op appointment with my doctor the next day. I am hoping the bones have healed ( fractured three and I now have 10 screws and a plate) and that he will give me the go ahead to start partial weight bearing/ walking that day.
I have had little pain even when I first broke my ankle so I have been very lucky. After two weeks, I had my cast and stitches removed and the wounds have healed nicely. I returned to work after three weeks recovery as I have what is predominantly a desk job. I work two days in the office and two days from home as I need a day between to put my foot up again to reduce swelling. It does get quite swollen on the days I am in the office but I know that is all part of the process.
i hope the rest of my recovery goes as well as yours. I am madly reading forums about what it's like when you start to walk and have my "even up" waiting to go. Wish me luck and thanks again for sharing your positive experience.
ianc1007 helen28798
Posted
Hi Helen , I was in the same place as you around 6 weeks and was super eager to get back on my feet and start walking again. All I can say is don't rush it. Your muscles are going to be very weak and going to take time to gather strength back (it took me to around week 10 before I was walking without crutches confidently and without pain)....I would advise you listen strongly to your physio and doctors as they are in the best place to give advice.
I'm now at week 18 and walking without a limp and have no pain. A little swelling now and again , but that's normal upto 6months/24 weeks post surgery.
I have decided to treat the missus to a lovely beach holoiday for the both of us next week , as I couldn't have managed without her support in the first 6-8 weeks when I wasn't very mobile.
Keep ya chin up and you'll be fine in a few more weeks
GL!
helen28798 ianc1007
Posted
helen28798 ianc1007
Edited
I thought I would let you know how I am getting on. Was given the go ahead to start partial weight bearing and to drive again at my appointment on March 23rd. The doctor told me also at that meeting that he expected me to walk into my next appointment on April 20 in normal shoes unaided. I thought there is no way I would get to that but it would be a worthy goal. I visited a physio therapist the next day and we put a plan in place. First week - walking in the moon boot with a walking frame. Alphabet writing, sitting to standing, gently shifting weight from foot to foot while standing - also had a small floor cycle delivered so I could pedal while sitting on the couch watching tv. Cycling forward and backwards uses diffferent muscles. On Good Friday I was able to stand on my own two feet for the first time since my injury 8 weeks before. Was proud as punch! The physio was very pleased with my progress when I saw him Easter Saturday so for the second week, he moved me into wearing runners - doing the original exercises and adding in toe raises and squats using the walking frame or kitchen bench for balance. I wore the shoes in the morning and put the boot back on in the afternoon when my ankle got swollen and started getting uncomfortable. Today I ditched the moon boot and the walking frame and am now walking in runners all day with just a cane for support! Such progress in two weeks. Being very careful but it’s true what they say, it improves very quickly once you can start putting foot to floor! That light at the end of the tunnel is getting bigger and brighter. I think it’s very important to work with a physical therapist through starting the weight bearing process if you can and not push yourself too hard. I have two weeks til my next appointment and may just walk in their unaided after all.
Nolzy67 KRN3469
Posted
Well done and thanks for sharing your story.
?I too have found this one of the most difficult challenges I have faced.
?I fell awkwardly ice skating on 10 December 2017. Weber B malleolus fracture of the RF fibula - no surgery required. In plaster 5 weeks, aircast another 6 weeks and now, at 13.5 weeks and I am walking unaided but still with some swelling and stiffness. All in a Canadian winter having to navigate stairs on my butt and unable to leave the house due to snow and ice! Merry Xmas!
Doing intensive physio now but still a long way to go. You lose a lot of strength in the foot from being immobilized. There is no dancing in the streets when the cast comes off!
valerie03274 KRN3469
Posted
Just read your story and was wondering how your recovery went once you started walking. I’m exactly two months today from when I had surgery of a broken ankle in 3 places. I have set aside the boot about a week now and started with a gym show around the house with one crutch. I started going up and down stairs with one hand holding railing and the crutches on the other hand just for something to hold on to as I go up stairs. It must def has been a mental process as well as physical. My walking recovery I feel is slow process with a big limp at this time. I work in a hispital and find myself becoming discouraged as I am down for going back to work April 16 and am terrified I won’t be physically ready to race around on my unit. What can you tell me about recovery for walking.. I feel I will need to take more time of work but when I read others comments I feel I am so behind with recovery and I still have not started driving my car yet as my foot still is stiff
Thank you
KRN3469 valerie03274
Posted
Hi Valerie,
I just wrote what seems like a novel down below about my recovery
. I definitely understand what it feels like to think you are recovering slowly. I did limp the first several weeks. It is incredibly how much muscle mass you lose in just 7-8 weeks! I went back to work 3 months after my injury ( I was working an 8 hour management job at the time) and I did struggle.
I learned that recovery is not a race and everyone heals at different times. I did my daily exercises religiously and even then I felt like I was not recovering as fast as the doctor told me I should. But then again, most of them have never suffered a broken ankle so what do they know right?
You seem to be right around where I was in terms of recovery. I didn't update my story but I used 1 crutch up until about the 10th week because I tried to ditch the boot and I could not use regular shoes without at least one crutch. I resumed walking (at a slow pace) at about the 12th week without crutches and without the boot.
1 month makes a huge difference so if you continue with the recovery you have now, I have a feeling May will be a great month for you
Stay strong!
KRN3469
Edited
Hello to anyone reading this! I am the author of this original post and unfortunately lost contact with the site. An e-mail brought me back here and I was stunned to see that people are still reading my story almost 2 years later. For anyone interested, here is an update:
It's been 23 months (next month on 4/20 it will be TWO years!) and I still get daily reminders of my experience. Some good, some bad. I think for those of you reading this who have just broken your ankle or have just had surgery want to know three things: will you ever walk normally again? When is the pain going to subside? And how do you not lose your mind? Right?
This is what I feel two years later:
The worst pain I get is probably in the mornings when I roll out of bed. That first step makes my ankle feel stiff and a little crackly (if that's a word). The pain is minimal in the mornings (probably a 1 or 2 out of 10). Once I start walking a couple of minutes it goes away. If I have been walking long distances - I'm talking about 3 or 4 miles, it gets sore and the pain reaches a 3/10 at the most. It's true that the cold makes it feel a little sore but nothing major.
Do I have a limp? The answer is NO! My range of motion is honestly very close to 100%. The only time I feel it's less than 100 is when I'm climbing up a hill. Other than that, my walking is completely normal. I am a very fast walker and I have zero problems with that. I went back to working 12 hour shifts after about 8 months and I survived them.
And because I truly want to be honest, there are two things that have not been the same. Running. I can jog and I can do pretty much any exercise that does not involve high impact jumping but I kissed sprinting and running goodbye. The strength in my right foot is not the same and therefore I feel unsafe running. I probably could but there are so many other ways I can stay healthy and lack of running as exercise was not the end of the world for me (I was up to running 6 miles before I broke my ankle).
Swelling! That's probably my biggest complaint. I just got back from a week long vacation and I did some hiking, daily aerobic exercise, long distance park walks, and my ankle is mad at me right now. The swelling is visible but it is not painful. Discomfort is a better word.
I never again had to take pain medication after I ditched them the first week after surgery. So that's a plus! I am so thankful that I regained almost 100% of my range of motion. I am not restricted to any activities (except maybe running) and I definitely take advantage of what I CAN do.
Breaking my ankle made me appreciate the ability to move. Now if I see stairs and escalators/elevators, I will choose the stairs because I can.
Do your exercises, read a book, stop googling, and above all have patience. It gets better. I promise!
john59721 KRN3469
Posted
Do you still have your hardware in? I decided to get mine taken out after 8 months. I wasn't in pain but like you, had most of my issues when I first woke up; stiffness and like you said, crankiness. I was trying to run and did but had pain and weakness so I couldnt run more than 2 miles. I lived in Europe for a while prior to breaking my ankle and the doctors there are of the opinion of taking the hardware out more often than not. After I got the hardware taken out, all my stiffness and lingering pain went away (literally the next day). I can't feel that I broke my ankle 99% of the time now.
KRN3469 john59721
Posted
I do! I just replied to one of your posts. After reading your recovery time I will probably consider it. I was just so afraid to have another "surgery" after that bad experience lol. But if it bumps me up to that 100% and gets rid of the stiffness I'll start looking!
john59721 KRN3469
Posted
KRN3469 john59721
Posted
haha I'm sold!
kevin5314 KRN3469
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KRN3469 kevin5314
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Hi Kevin,
I know it's rough. But I'm glad to hear that you are not limping and can walk now! It honestly does take a while to get back to normal. I went back to work 3 months after my surgery. At the time I was not doing 12 hour shifts but being on my feet 8 hours a day was really tiring.
Give it time. I would say 6-8 months is a better time frame for you to start feeling confident about being on your feet for longer hours.
Ankle surgeries are no joke. But it does get better! Try to be patient. I know it's hard but you will continue to see improvement month after month. If it makes you feel any better, I've taken care of 70 year old patients at the hospital that recover well. You are young and will be okay!
Wishing you the best!