Trimalleolar Fracture
Posted , 8 users are following.
On February 16th during a Spartan race I was going across the monkey bars when my left hand slipped off the bar before my right hand grabbed the next one. They purposely make the bars too thick in diameter so that your fingers can't wrap around them.
Anyways - when I fell my left ankle took all my weight as it twisted sideways and I collapsed to the ground. Based on the loud crack and immediate pain, I knew I had broken a bone.
The first aide team immediately splinted my leg and upon initial examination said it seemed broken. They put ice on my ankle, put me in the back seat of my car, and my husband drove me two hours to the hospital.
It took nine hours in the ER and lots of X-Rays to find out it was a trimalleolar fracture and that I would definitely need surgery. Due to swelling, they put a new splint on me and sent me home.
My next appointment is on Monday and I don't know what to expect. They scheduled me with a trauma surgeon and when I called to reschedule with an Ankle surgeon I was told I would need to request that at my appointment on Monday.
The splint they put on me in the hospital now seems too big and my leg and foot slide around a lot. Is this normal? I also feel my bones move whenever I move. Normal?
When I asked when I could go back to work the ER Ortho doctor said "whenever" and that it is up to me. I am on day 7 now and the pressure when I put my leg down is awful and I still have quite a lot of pain. I am hoping surgery will be next week but I won't know until after my appointment.
I also feel like my already crippling depression is worsening, and I am really struggling. No one I know has been through this and I don't feel like they understand. Even just getting up the stairs to go to the bathroom takes it out of me and I find myself crying out of frustration. I am also angry at myself for not being more careful. And I am scared to lose my job which I just got and have no paid leave benefits yet.
0 likes, 7 replies
erika1234 Manda089
Edited
First off, try your best to take it easy on yourself. i know its easier said than done but you have to. Crying will be the norm. I cried everyday for months and i still cry and its been almost 4 months since my accident. Wow what a warrior...Spartan race! Such a cool story, way better than falling down the steps taking out the trash 😦. They are trying to wait for your swelling to decrease but the sooner your surgery the better if thats what you are planning to do. My break was much worse than yours so I had to have surgery. It is normal to feel bones. I waited 4 days to have surgery and I felt bones moving everyday. Especially during car rides. Getting around will be a challenge for a while. You have to find whats best for you. i dont recommended going up and down stairs alot. The tingling sensation (pins & needles) and pain when you put your leg down will last a while but not forever. It will get better trust me but its gonna take some time. I'm trying to address everything because I know you need it because i know what your going through. depending on your recovery time Im not sure about your job situation but you will have to rest for a while. Especially if you have surgery. I had been at my job for 12 years with alot of sick time so I was fortunate enough to be out for 3 months. I pray for speedy recovery for you and happy healing. Feel free to ask me anything else because its hard when you have support but they dont quite know what youre going through and you still feel alone.
Manda089 erika1234
Posted
Thank you. I appreciate the feedback. I had never broken a bone before this, and I am still in disbelief at times. I went from busy mom to immobilized within seconds. People thought I would be back to work already and I think that is why I feel so much guilt. It is hard and painful to get around though not to mention just exhausting!
You did a number on your leg wow! How long was the surgery and what did they do?
Thanks again!
erika1234 Manda089
Posted
Same here. I live alone with my 9 year old daughter so it was really hard to experience. i never broke anything before either so I felt the same as you. I had Internal fixation surgery with a titanium rod and 9 screws. It took about 4 hours I think and I stayed over night in the hospital. This wAs October 2019 and Im still going through stress and depression. most of your injury looks like its to your fibula so yours is quite different from mine. i didnt damage my fibula at all but my tibia was shattered as you can see. its healing but very slow. i still cant walk unassisted. Im currently in a walking boot with 1 crutch.
erika1234 Manda089
Posted
i did a number on my leg 😦
sandra91776 Manda089
Posted
I had surgery 6 days after my accident back in July i also had same type of fracture
Dont even think about working for awhike even a desk job
After surgery you will be in a cast for 4 weeks, then in a boot Even after you are in boot you cannot bear weight on the ankle you will need crutches You can put about 25% weight on the ankle but I was very careful not to overdo
At 7-8 weeks I went full weight and PT
Its a long recovery and you do get depressed
I suggest reading, if you have a craft you do this is a time to keep your mind active Even puzzles
It gets better but first 4 weeks are tough
Good luck
kristi8882 Manda089
Posted
I am so sorry this happened to you. Everything you are feeling I felt too, and the worst was about 2 weeks post break. I don't think its dramatic to say its life changing as it has been for me despite knowing eventually I will be better.
I am 8 weeks out and finally feeling more like myself now although not completely back to normal. Preparing myself that life will be difficult somewhat helped. I am a single mom as I'm divorced and I relied on my mom for everything. It has been tough.
Hang in there and I hope your doctor gives you more information soon.
kara36152 Manda089
Edited
Don't underestimate your need for rest! I was blown away by how suddenly exhausted I was after even just 5 minutes to put my contacts in and brush my teeth in the morning! Things like the fact that I hadn't figured out how to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen to the table was just stupid frustrating! As much as I tried to tell myself that it was "just" a broken ankle, those first few weeks were awful. I felt so dependent and I hated it! I'm super active and not a crier, yet I felt like all I did, all I could do initially, was lay around with my ankle up and try not to be mopey. I'm 7 weeks out, on crutches and have been in a cast and non-weight bearing. And it's better every week. Hoping to get into a boot next week and starting physical therapy shortly after. You've totally got this, even though it doesn't feel like it at all right now!! When people offer to help you, take it. You would do the same for them. Fingers crossed for healing!!!