Broken Ankle And Surgery Recovery (Page 21)

Oh wow. That's serious stuff. My infection only seemed to be of the skin (one of the staples when being removed got caught and reopened the area a little). Everything seems okay now I think. The longer wound (plate side) is healed. seems fine. But the side that had the infection still has some scabbing but doesn't seem infected. I think the antibiotic I was on was bactrim. Either way, seemed to have a good effect.

Now the orthopedist has removed me from antibiotics, and aspirin. (He had me taking aspirin once a day to eliminate the risk of clotting).

Hi everyone- had alot of pain in one of the 2 incisions this week and ended up seeing my orthopedist on Wednesday. She said I did have some redness there, plus a blister. I think there was alot of rubbing and irritation from the ace bandage and boot. There hadn't been anything protecting the area, but NOW there is! She has me doing a small dressing with gauze and saline solution daily, plus an oral antibiotic. It is feeling alot better now.

Seeing her again on Friday and hoping to get the okay for more weight bearing (toe touch now only).PT going very well, even tho the infection slowed it down a bit. Range of motion is really good, considering how bad it was. The emotional roller coaster continues, trying to focus on how far I've come in pretty short period of time. Hard not to worry about what's to come with work, will I be able to be on my feet without pain,scared I could fall again...it gets a little overwhelming. How do you guys deal with that?

Hi,

I am new to the site and 3 weeks ago I broke my ankle. I tripped on a dog bone going down the steps...yea I was not a happy camper and still am not. I am over having a broken ankle, and to make matters even worse I have type 1 diabetes. So now I really have to be careful. My ankle is peeling..its that normal?

The skin peeling is normal. Especially if you are cooped up in a cast or walking boot. I'm 7 weeks in and am still peeling. X-ray's tomorrow and Thursday is decision day. I'll have to keep everyone on here posted.

what I want to know is how do you cope with the itchiness while in a cast? The doctor says not to put anything down the cast to scratch. Well, what the heck am I supposed to do???

The best thing I could figure out is to "tap" the outside of the cast near the spot. I know it sounds dumb, but it worked. The other solution would be to ignore it and get your mind off it..which doesn't work very well.

It is driving me nuts, cause my foot is itching and peeling. I go back to doctor Thursday, and worried because I think the spot where they put my screws in is infected... Plus I have been having to walk around with snow and ice on the ground and that is REALLY hard.

make sure to mention you think it is infected. He will put you on antibiotics. Be careful with the snow and ice..make sure the crutches are planted well..I almost fell a few times

Yeah I def will, have you mastered steps with the crutches? I feel like I am getting better, but I have fallen numerous times...

You guys might want to ask your docs about cleaning/changing dressings. I was changing 2x/day. After my first infection, I bought Hibicleans (medical soap - OTC) and sterile saline wipes to clean wound area - wish I had done that at the start.

Has anyone else been on antibiotics for an extended period? I still think 2 months is too long.

Just got back from x-rays.. They look okay to me (They gave me a copy of them from the date of the break and today on cd). But the real decision will be made Thursday.

As for the screws breaking, I don't think i'll have that issue in my case. They aren't connected to anything but the break itself. None connecting the two bones together. But wow.. Thats a lot of hardware. I wish there was a way I could post pictures on here.

I havent been on antibiotics for it since the hospital and I had some of that hibiclense left over from prev surgery, so I am using that. I just am extremely worried bc of me having diabete too. I am trying to keep bs under control with it, but when you have an infection it makes your bs go all over the pace. I see doc thursday, so I am going to ask him then. Where did you get the sterile wipes RL?

Ok so had to call the doctor today...(even though I will see him tomorrow) I am pretty sure my left side of ankle is infected. I have been washing with the hibiclense 2-3 times a day, but I still think its infected, so waiting to hear back from them...hopefully they can either get me in today or call the pharmacy for script for antibiotics... IDK what to do!?

I bought everything at CVS, but I would guess other pharmacies would have the same. The sterile wipes come individually sealed in a box of 24 or something like that. Also have aerosol saline rinse.

Re infection, guessing dr will take a culture and put you on oral antibiotics. I am currently taking Ciprofloxin and Cefadroxil, both 500mg, 2x/day. I also take advil and tagamet with them as they tend to give me a headache and stomach upset.

Good luck and please report back!

How is Nvincent doing? Hoping the surgery went well. My PT sent me to new doc who sent me to another doc who says they will need to rebrake (that will be 3X) my ankle and reset it so that it will heal straight.

I'm well.. Got X-rays yesterday. I have them but i'm not doctor to decide if it's healing well or not.

Tomorrow is the doctors. He will decide if I can start PT or wait longer. Got my fingers crossed on this.

Rebrake!? Did they not do the initial hardware correctly? Or was there no hardware?

Okay. Today was my appointment. And I can proudly say.. I'm released to do PT / go weight bearing. I start PT Monday. Today to get the ball rolling, I drove my 2011 Camaro SS.. (It's a manual). Pushing the clutch didn't hurt so it's a great way to get things started. Walking however is another story. I am walking with both crutches right now until I can go to one crutch without horrible pain. I hope the PT will help with this.

I also went to the doctor today, although he said the site was not infected...that it was pretty irritated. He said for now he wanted me on anti-biotics. He also said that I could take the crutches away whenever I felt ready...I think that could be a while. I think it is more that I am scared then anything, anyone have any ideas that will help?

Taking the crutches away could be a little while. Being scared is normal actually. After some shocking pain yesterday, I'm a little reluctant to put too much pressure on it. But i'm gradually increasing the amount.

Are you going to go to PT?

bro i joined because of ur story and the fact that u had that camaro in ur avi... i broke my ankle left on both sides jumpin offstage after a concert.... i cant wait to drive again man... normally at least.. for unbeknownst to my surgeon i went for a drive twice this week..my surgery was sept1 suposed to ditch the cast on oct 7th

bro i joined because of ur story and the fact that u had that camaro in ur avi... i broke my ankle left on both sides jumpin offstage after a concert.... i cant wait to drive again man... normally at least.. for unbeknownst to my surgeon i went for a drive twice this week..my surgery was sept1 suposed to ditch the cast on oct 7th

Yea I have been trying to put a little weight on here and there, but I am going to stick to the crutches. I saw a lady at a target yesterday that told me I should be walking with out them and that she broke her ankle on the 12th of Feb, I then asked if she had to have surgery and plates and screws put in hers and she said no. There ya go then! lol She was trying to be helpful, but still. My doctor hasnt said nething about PT, I am thinking of getting a membership to like YMCA to swim in the water to see if that will help?