Broken Ankle And Surgery Recovery (Page 8)

Hello everyone! I have been reading your post and it has helped me out a lot. I broke my ankle on the 5th of December, rock climbing. I broke my fibula and my tibia. I had my surgery 5 days later. The biggest problem that I have is not the physical pain yet emotionally. I am a really active person and laying bed for the most part has takes a toll on me. I have reduced taking pain meds by more then half and only allow myself to take one just so I could sleep. Its hurts alot throughout the day but I try to not think about it, not an easy task. The dr. told me to come back on the 23 to have some of my screws taken out and for them to put on a cast. Right now i have a split on. He said it would three months before i could have it removed and have a boot on.

My biggest problem that i have is the fact that I'm immobile, it makes me depress and I cry myself to sleep.

school starts in Jan.

I don't know what to expect and I'm very tired...

Hang in there, Burnzt.

We've all been there, and we know that you can make it through.

Keep posting!

thank you tamsin22!! reading through all your stories have brought me inspiration to be strong. but I must admit i have my moments.

yesterday, i went to the bathroom and almost slipped my crutches caught the corner of the rug and it slipped. My foot hit the floor hard and slid to the front. From my knee to my foot- it all went numb. I want to go to the doctor to see if everything is okay. but my bills are piling up as is. (no med. insur.)

anyway, things are a bit lonely on this end. I think i only have 3 hours of some kind of human contact. Spend most of my time by myself in bed.

Wow all, I have some tears in my eyes as I read all of your stories...mostly because I really thought I'd somehow do so great and recover quicker than anyone could think possible! I broke my ankle in five places on November 10th, including separating my heal bone and displacing the ligament on the top of my foot. I had a plate, screws, and wires put in place with an open reduction/internal fixation surgery. Today I had my second cast removed, and was cleared for an air cast/brace. Like an idiot, I thought I'd be able to put some weight on it right away!

I'm sitting at home right now, in pain, amazed at the amount of swelling and discoloration that still exists six weeks later, and so sad not to be skiing at all this season. Also, I'm a single mother and have been taking care of my three and four year old girls with only a little help now and then. I know by your postings now that it will be at least two more weeks on both crutches...aaargh! And I'm so sick of the pain! At least now I know there are others out there right now in similar positions.

just tripped...

hey juststripped....i know what you mean. Hang on in there!

thank you! You too!

Hi my new friends,
I have to say I wish we would have met on a lottery winners website! =) I am one week post surgery. I broke both bones in my left ankle on Dec. 9th. Plate and nine screws plus one severe allergic reaction to the first pain killer they gave me (that was real fun) I seen the doctor for my follow up after surgery today. He fitted me with an air boot, no cast!! I have to say that was the best Christmas present ever!! Still have to elevate for one more week, stitches out next week and NWB for 4 more weeks. I have NEVER been through anything so distressing in my entire life. I was very happy to find all your posts, it was nice to know that these feelings are normal and I am NOT going crazy. I don't think I have cried as much in my whole life as I have in these past 2 weeks. Having your independence ripped from you is quite sobering. My Aunt gave me a walker, which is a wonderful thing! I am not a graceful person and the crutches were very hard for me. I also use my office chair like a wheel chair to get around the rest of the house. Luckily, I have hard wood floors so it is quite easy to get from room to room. I have a new compassion for people who have broken bones, serious illnesses, the elderly, etc. Maybe that is what God wants me to learn from this. I will keep you all in my prayers for speedy recoveries!!!

hey pugalicious! i know what you mean. I always do things on my own and now most things i need someone to help me..and it suck to reply on someone else. Makes me feel like I'm an inconvienece. But, I'm ever so grateful to have my best friend. he's always here helping me with everything!! anyway, looks like you broke yours days after i did. I had my surgery on the 10th and had my staples taken out this past thursday (23rd). Like you- i received a great christmas present for the ortho. She gave me the option of either wearing a boot or cast.....YOU KNOW I PICKED BOOt!!!!! yay!

after 3 weeks of not washing my leg/foot- what a relief!!!Although, i still can't put any weight on it. I need a wheelchair just to make things a little easier when and if I go shopping or outside. Since, my crutches are killing my palms, my legs get real tired not long after being on them and they sometimes slip from right under me (bad crutches!!)

have to wait another 4-6 weeks to take the screws out.can't wait to walk again! I just know things won't be the same. I have alot of shoes and doctor tells me- most shoes will give me problems. I love shoes and i have lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of shoes and heels..hmmmm....after all this i would have to try all of them out for comfort...

Hey Burnzt,
So glad to hear about your new "cool" shoe! LOL I have tons of shoes also, as a matter of fact, right after I broke my ankle I started mourning my high heels (I have over 30 pair!) I had my stitches out today, and it was painless! I keep the boot off when I am in the recliner and when I sleep. I just put it on when moving about. Did your Doc tell you that you could do the same thing? I hope you have a wonderful New Year! Be safe =)

thats the same thing i do too...doctor says its okay but, i need to have it on when i move about. oh gosh! my heels...lol...oh well...atleast i still have feet to even wear shoes...lol...so how is recovery coming along?? have a happy new year!

Hi all,
I am a recent "breakee"....bimalleolar fracture playing hockey on 12/7. At 4 weeks post surgery this coming Tuesday, I feel optimistic. The swelling is very minimal if I stay elevated and pain is minimal at this point. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and am amazed at the differences in recovery. I wish you all the best. My question, if it is the right ankle, what is the average time 'til you are allowed to drive? I am a teacher who lives 20 miles from her job and could probably get through the day with my 9th graders, but would have the worst time trying to get there and get in, especially in our central NY winter. Any thoughts? Also, has anyone's surgeon been reluctant to write an extended (9-12wks) sick leave from work? If I could resolve these questions, I could heal faster or at least it feels like it! Will visit surgeon this Friday. Please respond with anything you've experienced with regard to work or sick leave. Thanks!

Hey Hockey51F,
My doc keeps telling me to be patient that this is a 9-12 week recovery time (no sooner!) so I'm not sure why your doc would not give you an extension. I want to rush things along, LOL. I had surgery 3 weeks ago this coming Tuesday. So we are a week apart. I do not see my doc again until Jan 26, that will be 6 weeks post op. I am hoping to start weight bearing and/or PT then. I am determined to start walking ASAP. Like you I am recovering pretty well. Still have to elevate to keep the swelling down, and only a couple of Tylenol during the day. I broke my left ankle, so driving for me might not be to much of a problem. But since you are in NY please take extra care moving about in the snow and ice!! Good luck with your recovery and let us know how you are doing!
PS~ God bless you for teaching 9th graders!! =)

Thanks Pugalicious,
I had been told by the surgeon before the surgery that it might be 12 weeks, but I was hoping for a miracle, I guess. Falling in the snow and ice does give me a bit of a fright and it's a long walk from the parking lot to my classroom. Funny how it didn't occur to me while I was playing hockey! How things can change in an instant! I am able to remove the boot three times per day and do some simple little extension/flexion reps and that makes me feel positive. What do you know about these "knee walkers"? Are you still in the post op splint?

I am also in the boot, but I leave it off most of the time. It rubs on my incisions and really hurts. I also do the exercises you mentioned. My skin feels like I have a bad sunburn. The doctor says that its the nerves healing. I really can't wait for that phase to be over! I have been looking at the knee walkers also. I am trying to find a place to rent one. I have also looked on eBay. They are pretty expensive. I am a naturally clumsy person, so the crutches were out of the question. I use a walker, but my hands, shoulders, and my right leg are really starting to bother me. But I really shouldn't complain, I am starting to see good definition in my arms. LOL

Yes, Pugalicious, the boot rubs the incisions and it is so heavy. The doc told me I must sleep in it to keep the foot from becoming entangled in the sheets. It drives me crazy to find a comfortable position in the bed. Today showering in our single stand up shower w/o tub (in a white lawn chair works for me) and then dressing was like running a marathon. Foot was deep purple and I had to put it up between showering and getting dressed. I find that using a walker that is way too short for me (according to the PT nurse that comes) is easier than using a rolling one. It seems like it is less difficult to pick it up and move it and hop than to glide along hopping. And without the wheels, I can fit into any space in the house pretty much. I saw today on Regis and Kelly (which I normally would not watch!) that Regis, who had a hip replacement 6 weeks ago, lifted his walker high into the air and tossed it across the stage. He was totally liberated and I really felt for him!! Who knew I could be that empathetic?? With Regis?? I am counting the minutes until Friday when I see the surgeon for new x-rays. I lost 14 pounds in 18 days while on the narcotics, my New Year's weight loss program LOL, like the definition in your arms!! Don't do anything that I wouldn't do...no weight bearing or anything crazy....

Dear all,

I broke my right ankle in a freak fall during a game of paintball on 13th December. Can't really recall what I broke but I think it was the fibula and talus. The medical insurance description was lateral mallelous "something something".

I had surgery on 13th December night itself. Again, I can't recall how many screws where inserted. However, one plate was inserted for the fibula. I have stiches on both the left and right side of my right ankle. I stayed in the hospital for 8 days. The doctor put me in a "back-slab" or something like that. It is not a cast. More of a support. I can move my toes freely and I don't feel the pain.

Boredom is a killer. I've been reading a lot. Comics and all. Can't go all reading all the serious books because attention-span ain't long. Still, I feel sad sometimes becuause I am a very active person. I know all my activities/trips lined up for the next 6 months can be thrown out of the window. I just want to get back on my feet and able to walk independently by August 2010. Because I have a long-awaited backpacking trip in September which I had been preparing for the last year.

I'm seeing the Doctor this afternoon and I have a lot of questions to ask him. Sometimes when you're lying on the hospital bed, your thoughts are all not in cohesion.

I am lucky enough to have medical insurance and also the fact that my company allows 60 days of hospitalisation leave.

By the way, I just had a baby daughter, who is 5 months old. I guess I'll be spending a lot of time with her these few months.

Reading this forum really makes me feel much better because of the support and it straightens the expectations.

Thank you.

Welcome Cheenangman,

WOW! 8 days in the hospital is almost unheard of these days. I too get a lot of relief reading the posts and hearing everyone else's reassurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My goal is to return to the ice rink by July. I think that August is a realistic goal for you...it seems "doable". Congrats on the new baby and try to consider it a blessing that you will get to spend so much time with her! The silver lining in an otherwise awful cloud

Hockey51F,

I was in hospital for 8 days because I had slight fever for a few days after surgery. And I had surgery on both sides of my right ankle.

Went for Doctor appointment yesterday and guess what? I have 2 screws on the left side of my ankle. 6 screws on the left side with one plate. Yep, 8 screws and 1 plate in total. The doctor took off the back-slab and the stitches. In short, no boots or cast for my feet. I feel free now.

Will see the doctor again next week. I realised that there is a certain difference is post-op follow-up over here in Malaysia and say in the UK and USA. I'm still requested to elevate my leg and not to move around that much.

I'm not sure whether this is due to the different rate of recovery or otherwise.

Will update everbody after my next follow-up next week.

Cheenangman,
Glad to hear that you are out of the hospital, and now "free" from your back-slab and stitches! We are about at the same time in our healing process. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have to admit that the first 2 weeks were REALLY tough but it gets easier everyday. I am like a Cirque du Soleil performer with my walker, crutches, and office chair. LOL I had no idea that I could be so creative with these 3 items!!

I know how you feel, I am sooo bored. I don't know about Malaysia, but daytime TV here in the US is not worth wasting electricity on. I got some puzzle books that pass the time. You are lucky to have your new baby with you, it will be a wonderful time for you to bond.

I am involved with several hiking and running clubs, so I know how you feel about having to cancel your trips.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Burnzt and Hockey51F,
How are you two doing?

Hello Pugalicious and all,

Today I'm at 30 days post-surgery and returned to the orthopedic doctor. To my delight, he said that I can begin to put weight on it in two weeks, back for x-rays in six. I cannot work until I can drive myself so that means more time away from the job. Additionally, I can begin more intensive PT which makes me really happy. I asked about the chance of reinjury since my Jack Russell and I run agility and I ride horses and play hockey, much like all of you who are so active in your various ways. He said the chance of rebreaking the ankle is nearly nil but tearing the ligaments of course is a definite possibility. I have followed his instructions to the letter and hopefully will make a 12 week recovery w/o incident. He says he wants to remove the screws so they do not give me trouble in the future....anybody else out there ever hear of that? Most posts seem like the screws are left in. Let me know.....feel better everyone!