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Totally non-weight bearing??

Posted , 5 users are following.

teri422
teri422

Hello all...

I'm new to this housebound stuff. Not taking to it all that well.

Joined a hiking group a few months ago and even though I knew I should have avoided the last one, I thought a hiking pole would save me. Nope.

We were on the Dana Point rocks and my foot slipped. Tried to break my fall with my other foot and fell. 

Woke the next morning and knew I didn't just twist it and somehow got myself to the ER. Long story short, I now have a broken/fractured left ankle and sprained right foot. I have a cast & use a walker but am not able to use crutches yet since I cannot put total weight on my sprained foot.

But now I wonder how much damage am I really doing if I go out for a few hours every few days even though I'm not supposed to put any weight on it? I do use my walker, and walk slow. Is this okay? Did/do the rest of you stay off your feet the entire 6 weeks???

Thanks for any input. My heart goes out to you all...!! biggrin

Teri

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • laura87716
    laura87716 teri422

    Posted

    I could use my right foot to balance on as if only hurt my left ankle. After my op I was told to stay in bed for 10 days as the pressure of hanging my leg down would burst open the stitches. It was torture. Even using the loo was agony! I am non weight bearing now since the 4th December.

    I'm not sure if you're doing yourself any damage but I'm sure you'd go mad if you stayed in like I did.

    I hope you start to recover soon!

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD laura87716

      Posted

      That's a long time to be non-weightbearing Laura, I feel for you.  When is your next apt?

      I hope you'll be able to weight bear soon.

      Denise

    • laura87716
      laura87716 TenaciousD

      Posted

      It's on Monday so hopefully I will be!

      Hope you're on the mend too.

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD laura87716

      Posted

      Yes Laura, the cast came off on Wednesday, saw the physio the same day and am now learning how to walk again (with crutches)..:-D

      Denise

    • laura87716
      laura87716 TenaciousD

      Posted

      Awh that's brill! Hope all goes to plan for you. Goodluck with the walking smile
    • teri422
      teri422 laura87716

      Posted

      Yes, I think ortho's need to prepare brochures for us on how to use the toilet, sleep, shower, walk upstairs or even just get comfortable....But you poor thing, having to be out of commission for so long.

      I know there are others in even worse situations so I try to stay positive. But I tell you, when I get the urge to use the loo, it takes me an hour to get the guts to start the process. I put it off as long as I can.

      And I sure hope your recovery goes faster....

      Teri

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD laura87716

      Posted

      Thanks Laura, and good luck with your recovery, I find as each day goes by there is an improvement.  
    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD teri422

      Posted

      Teri

      Haha, yes a brochure or even a print out would have worked...:-D

      My hairdersser said that they gave her a bath seat, they never offered me anything.  

      Yes I know what you mean about the loo thing,going up and downstairs was like taking my life in my hands..LOL  It's much better now that I can bear weight though, you'll both get there.  It must be extrememly difficult for people living on their own.

      Denise 

  • TenaciousD
    TenaciousD teri422

    Posted

    Hi Teri

    No need to answer the question in the other post, now I know what you did, I too was out walking, but me and hubby are expeirenced walkers.  I often go over on my left ankle and it ofen swells and is painful, but this time, it must have snapped.

    I hope this doesn't put you off walking, it really is good for you.  

    You will get to see a physio after your cast comes off and they will help you get up and out again.  It might also be worth asking your GP for a DXA scan for osteoperosis, I plan on doing that once I'm back to normal.  My physio did say that once you've had a fracture you're at greater risk of another,but he said he will work with me to help me avoid this in the future.

    Denise 

    • teri422
      teri422 TenaciousD

      Posted

      Just wanted to see how you're doing....! My cast is off and I'm wearing a walking brace.

      Are things better for you?

       

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD teri422

      Posted

      Hi teri

      It's 10 weeks post fracture for me and it still hurts and still swollen, I was told it could take up to 12 months to repair.  I didn't get a brace, but still using one crutch.  I'm able to do the stairs without crtuches now, I'm able to come up the stairs more easily and it was the upstairs motion that I managed to do first.  I still need to hold onto the wall going downstairs .  I think it's going to be a long process.

      Keep us posted on your progress 

      Denise

    • teri422
      teri422 TenaciousD

      Posted

      Wow Denise,

      Still swollen? You poor thing.....!

      It's amazing at all the different ways we are treated. I'll be wearing a walking brace (and crutches) for 6 weeks and then he said I'll be wearing a walking shoe. I'm just amazed at the pain though. Okay, maybe I was being overly optimistic since it wasn't hurting while in the cast (it wasn't moving, so DUH). But I have gained so much darn weight that I want to get moving.

      The doctor did tell me to start walking more after the first week. He said the ankle needs good blood flow to heal.

      Anyhow, thanks for being there. This is has been a horrific experience. It could have been worse, but I sure will be taking better care of myself.

      Keep me posted as well. I've learned so much from you!

      Teri

    • TenaciousD
      TenaciousD teri422

      Posted

      It's good that you were pain free in the cast, I'm not sure that mine was ever pain free.  Mine broke by the joint, this may be why it was still painful and maybe why it's still swollen.  

      You will be very sore and stiff for some time yet teri, take it easy, do as your physio says, they're really good at keeping you moving in all the right places and in all the right ways.  

      I agree, the non-weight-bearing thing was a nightmare, especially without any advice on how to bath yourself, or do any of the basic necessities in life.  They really should hand out advice leaflets like you suggested.  and also let you know if there is anywhere you can go for help if you need it.  Going up and down stairs was dangerous without coaching.  I managed to get the hang of it eventually, but not without my husband standing by to help in case I fell.

      It's so good to compare stories, and anyone else coming on here for advice will be able to see what to expect, and hopefully know what they can do to make things a little easier.  

      Keep posting, and I'll do the same...:-D

      Denise

    • teri422
      teri422 TenaciousD

      Posted

      You're so right about the stairs. I'm usually exhausted by the time I go up/down because you have to be so darn careful....

      Thanks again for all of your advice/tips. And same to you, keep posting your updates....Teri

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