Totally non-weight bearing??
Posted , 5 users are following.
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...!!
Teri
0 likes, 14 replies
laura87716 teri422
Posted
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 laura87716
Posted
I hope you'll be able to weight bear soon.
Denise
laura87716 TenaciousD
Posted
Hope you're on the mend too.
TenaciousD laura87716
Posted
Denise
laura87716 TenaciousD
Posted
teri422 laura87716
Posted
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 laura87716
Posted
TenaciousD teri422
Posted
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 teri422
Posted
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 TenaciousD
Posted
Are things better for you?
TenaciousD teri422
Posted
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 TenaciousD
Posted
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 teri422
Posted
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 TenaciousD
Posted
Thanks again for all of your advice/tips. And same to you, keep posting your updates....Teri