Ugh

Posted 6 years ago, 4 users are following.

Kknee07

4 years ago I was driving to work when a school bus turned infront of me..... Shattered ankle and leg.... 4 surgeries..... Last 2 were fusions. Its so hard when it comes to the end and you have to accept that it will never get better and I will always have pain and swelling😥 I think the mental part is the hardest. Ill be 50 next month and ive lost so much time , now I have to figure out how to get back to work, take care of my teenage kids, and get some sort of personal life back. I really love this site.... You guys on this site are my people!! Nobody knows how hard this is more then you. Good luck to fast healing to all!!!!

Kim

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

ann30953 Kknee07

Posted 6 years ago

Did your surgeon tell you the pain would never go away? When was your last surgery?
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  Last one was April 26. The one before that was October. He said the pain and swelling will be forever depending how much I use it how bad it is. Please note that mine was shattered and is a worse case. The 1st one left bone chips in my joint and a malunion. 2nd the bone graph was rejected. 3rd was a fusion that wouldnt fuse and the screws we moving. 4th and last ( I knew I would NEVER do this again) is 100% fused but 50% on my joint. They took part of my hip bone . I would post a picture if I could figure out how 2.
- ann30953 Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  Would you consider consulting a different surgeon?
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  No. My guy is a top ankle and foot guy in Chicago. And I'm never having another surgery!!! My mind couldnt take it.
- ann30953 Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  I have some idea of how you feel. I had times when I thought I might have to live in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I'm 65 and very healthy other than my ankle injury. It was comforting to me at the time to think of all the people who live in wheelchairs and have a full life.
  It sounds like you need much more support. Have you consulted chronic pain specialists? Are you using a walker, crutches, or ECV to help you get around?
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  I use the air boot in pain when I need to go short distance and a knee scooter to get around. I can walk and im lucky for that but it is painful. I think I just need to get used to it. At 49 I want to go back to work, ive been at my job for over 28 years and have a few left and can retire and do a little something else.
- Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  My doctor will give me any pain meds I need also but really dont want to have them the rest of my life. I think pain is ment to be felt so I can feel it if its better and not hidden.
ann30953 Kknee07

Posted 6 years ago

I've been mostly stuck in my apartment since my surgery about 5 weeks ago. I'm trying to figure out a combination of things to help me be independent again. I use a knee scooter around the apartment but am dependent on someone else to push a wheelchair if I want to go out. I find the knee scooter too uncomfortable to go any distance.
I agree with you about the pain meds.
If the goal is to stay off your feet as much as possible, then maybe an ECV would be a good idea. Some of them are small and maneuverable. You might be able to have your car modified to allow you to stow the ECV and then use it when you get to your destination.
Does your job require you to stand and walk much?
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  No way do I want that motorized scooter!! Once I get to my courtroom I dont have to walk much the problem is getting there. I have another month to pull it all together. Thank you, its hard finding someone to talk 2 that understand what I'm going through.
- Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  And 5 weeks out is hard! I hope you have the help you need to get you out! Stay strong
- ann30953 Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  The worst thing for me was the inactivity and boredom. Just curious, why the dislike of motorized scooters? They look like a lot of fun to me. I considered renting one but wouldn't have been able to get it in my car.
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  The scooter thing is me. I think it would make me feel worse off then I am. Maybe also since my last 2 surgeries were in a row and has been so long since I was able to walk. I need to soak this all in. I just found out that it wont ever get better on thurs.
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  And talk about boredom? I just woke up from a 2 hour nap just to break up the boring day😁
- Kknee07 ann30953
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  And talk about boredom? I just woke up from a 2 hour nap just to break up the boring day😁
- gretnagal Kknee07
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  Do you have any friends that can help get you out a bit? Even if it’s McD’s, you may feel a little better getting out. Are your teens old enough to drive? Teens can usuallybe bribed to givea little extra help! 😉
- Kknee07 gretnagal
  
  Posted 6 years ago
  
  Funny that I can drive but just not walk. Even getting out a few times a week since I'm not working rite now its so boring still!!!!! A lot of it is in my head I think. Its hard to get out of a slump. Sitting with my foot up is the only time I'm in no pain but at the cost of my life passing me by.

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