Hello:
I had surgery 3/2/15 for a fracture of the left tib/fib and spiral fracture of the ankle. I had a rod inserted and 7 screws. For 6 weeks I was non weight bearing, but 3 days ago I was told I could start partial weight bearing. I need some guidance if anyone is out there. First, it is normal to feel the pins and needles on the bottom of the foot and how long does that normally last? Am I doing any additional damage to the foot if this tingling i continuing? And also, I noticed today my ankle/foot/toes is very swollen. I am elevating the foot now and have an ice pack on it. Is this also common and any recommendations on how to help this? Thank you so much for your help. Any would be greatly appreciated. I am just at a loss, beginning to get depressed and just want to finally hear that I will walk again and soon!! Thank you. Danielle
Pins and needles are normal, and so is the swelling, you're doing the right thing with the ice pack and elevation, just take it slowly your ankle will tell you when to stop. I'm at the end of week two partial weight bearing and can already feel a difference, and find it much easier to get around, you'll get there even if it feels like it's taking forever.
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Hi there. I broke my ankle in 3 places last year and have loads of screws and plates in it. The pins and needles are normal but I know how weird it feels and it really bothered me more than anything I couldn't even put a shoe on for weeks after my plaster came off or stand the quilt on top of it in bed. It's now 14 months since I broke it and I still have pins and needles but nowhere near as bad. I can only wear sketchers trainers as they're the only thing comfortable. I'm 58 so I think this has a lot to do with it but things are a lot better than they were. I can drive again and do my garden but still have a bad limp when I'm bare foot and still have to have codeine now and again. But really the pins and needles are very unnerving I know but it does get better. Don't let it get you down. You will soon be feeling an awful lot better. Take care
Hi Susan:Thank you so much for the response. I go on Tuesday for my second day of outpatient PT. The first day was Friday but was really just an evaluation. You mentioned that you were at the end of your second week of partial weight bearing. How are you doing now? Where are you at with the actual walking? I just want to feel like I will get there, but days like this is seems so far off. ANy help will be so appreciated. THank you so much
Hi Pami56:
Thank you for the response. I am just hoping to be able to get to back to some type of normalcy. It has been so difficult as I am sure you understand. I have only had 1 day of outpatient PT, and it was really just an evaluation. So when I go backon Tuesday I am hoping to start really working on it. Thank you for the encouragement. I am really hoping to feel better soon.
Thanks again.
Hi Danielle it is tough going when we are use to living busy lives, I had my accident on the dreaded Fri 13th Feb. I had surgery with pins and plates and was non weight bearing for nearly 8 weeks. At 6 weeks it nearly broke me with the frustration on being able to do so little, oh to carry a drink from one room to another. I did get very good at my flamingo look balancing on one leg to do things in the kitchen and to wash... I had my plaster off 11 days ago, my first physio session is tomorrow and I can't wait.. On having my plaster off it was like off you go then see what you can do.. I have moved from 2 crutches to 1 crutch to managing to get around the house without anything. I am very swollen most of the time and it hurts every time I first put weight on it but once I am moving its more of an ache.. I managed my first trip to asda on Sat for over 2 months thank god for Internet shopping and delivery. I needed to have the trolley for support but it was great to be out..I am not driving yet not sure when I can..will be good to here what physio say as not sure if I am doing any harm. Would be good to hear what people are wearing on their feet as socks dig in slippers dig in and leave ridges.. We will get there Danielle stay positive think a small weight bearing is a step towards carrying a mug, plate or just standing firmly on the ground x
hi
Following a fall whilst playing netball I sustained a dislocated and fractured left ankle and underwent ORIF surgery on 4th March, at out patient appointment 2 weeks later advised that further surgery was required and I had a syndesmosis fixation. An added complication was that the day before clinic appointment I fell and sustained a spiral fracture to my right ring finger which also required ORIF. Post surgery I was unable to weight bear through either my right hand or left ankle.
i was discharged home with a gutter frame and told that I couldn't use stairs so had to change my dining room into a bed room. All of this was very traumatic and my saving grace has been all the information on the intranet. I hired a knee scooter which has enabled me to have more independence around the home.
i have been counting the days down and I'm due at clinic on Wednesday, hoping for the outcome to be that I can start to weight bear, time will tell.
i can quite easily say it has been the most difficult 7 weeks so far and I'm expecting it to get worse before it gets better, but it will get better.
we just have to try to keep positive, do what the therapist says and persevere
good luck
jane
hi Danielle, it's nearly 2 years to the day i messed my ankle up whilst in Turkey, broke my Tibia and Fibular and had plates inserted either side and god knows how many screws. Arriving back home in Blighty i had another op to correct some of the poor Turkish surgery. Any hoo i was non weight bearing for 6 weeks had lots of pins and needles and moody as hell because i couldn't do much. The elevation and ice is good and i used to rotate my bad ankle by trying to make out the alphabet so lots of twisting and stretching. When i started weight bearing i would lean on the furniture and gradually work up the standing. It took me about 2 weeks after that to walk with a stick and another couple before i trusted myself to walk without it. i still keep a stick just in case as the ankle stills swells from time to time but have never used it. I eventually went back to work 10 weeks from the second op and the only way is to stay positive trust yourself and try not to get depressed. You'll get there as i have, it's just a slow process. Good luck Mark.
Hi
It's me again. So, i had my 3rd day of PT. Last night we just did stretches, and today she had me put weight on my leg and walk a little with both crutches. She wanted me to keep my leg straight until all the weight was on it before I bent my knee. It was very painful, not terrible, but maybe a 5 out of 10. The pain was on the side of my actual ankle/foot. I know I have screws there. Could this be the problem? I went there with such a positive attitude, but came home soooooo depressed. I keep thinking I am not going to walk again. I just can't seem to imagine walking with that much pain. Please anyone out there, please help me understand what is happening and that things will get better. I was so active until this happened and I am stuck in such a rut and need help from people who understand. Will it get better? Is this pain normal??? Am I hurting myself more??? Please help.
Hi Danielle everybody recovers at different speeds, I had my first Phsio session and they gave me stretching exercises too. They have referred me for hydrotherapy too as they say you get better movement in the water. I am not putting my toes down when I walk so I must try to consciously walk properly not just fix my ankle. I am still suffering pain but just keep going through it, mine to due to the selling on my ankle bones..on a positive note I managed to walk outside with good supporting trainers for about 20 mins very swollen after but it was great to be outside. I have also driven the car for the first time in 10 weeks, I am starting to do some work from home lucky my job allows but it's all starting to make me feel normal again.. It is a long journey and one that is individual. I have seen a big difference in 2 weeks the plaster has been off so I just keep thinking what I will be like in another 2.. I asked the pysio was I doing harm trying to do things whilst still swollen and she says not. I think only you can tell when you have had enough nobody else can tell you. Stay positive it does get better it's horrid at the time but this journey will feel along one but in 12months we will look back and it will be a memory...
Hi. I am very interested to read all your comments. I broke my ankle in 3 places on 1st March. Have had a plate and pins in on 9th March.
I was in a cast for 6 weeks non weight bearing then i had the cast removed 1 week ago.
I now have a walking boot and have been told to start weight bearing gradually increasing how much i do.
I go back for xrays and to see my consultant in another 4 weeks.
I have hardly had any pain until last night but i have walked quite a bit in the last couple of days.
My foot is still swelling once i am out of bed.
i have coped quite well up until now but i was beginning to worry that i had done something bad to my ankle with walking on it.
i have searched the internet for some info on this but found nothing useful until i found your thread.
i now feel much better knowing that the pain and swelling can actually be normal.
I wish you all well and thank you for posting this information.
I'm a little further on than you, your foot is going to swell every time you're upright for some time yet, months rather than weeks. You don't say if the pain is where the fracture is or elsewhere. I'm three weeks wearing the boot, I ache all the time, my calf muscles feel like I've done hours in the gym every day, but I was warned that this would happen as I increased what I was doing. Still not fully weight bearing and can't walk without the crutches yet but I'm getting there.
Hi cath I am 3 weeks out of plaster and unfortunately I also swell everyday. I too was worried if I was doing too much but I think it's only time that will reduce this. If you have shooting pain check with your physio or consultant if it's more of a heavy ache I believe that's what we have to look forward too for a bit.. I try to ignore this pain by thinking about how far I have come and that it won't last for ever. I am back driving now which is a relief. I just keep telling myself by Christmas this will all be memories.. Good luck with your recovery..
I still have another 2 weeks non weight bearing, this will make 10 in total. I am hoping that at my next clinic appointment I will be allowed to weight bear.
seeing all the posts stop me from feeling so isolated. I never realised the difficulties that were associated with a fractured ankle and non weight bearing but realise that there are many others out there having the same issues and questions
jane
Thank you so much for your replies. It is so good to talk to other people who are in a similar position.
The pain is across my ankle where the break was. Its an ache rather than a shooting pain. I haven't been referred for any physiotherapy which i think is rather strange but i never thought to ask at my appointment. I next see my consultant in 4 weeks. I will see how it goes in the next few days.
Take care xx
I was told I won't go for physio till I come out of the boot, and then it will probably be a single appointment to show me what exercises I should be doing.
A lot depends on where you live - what's available, how well you're doing, how old you are and the big one whether you ask. One of the nurses in fracture clinic told my husband if you don't push for it you won't get it.
Hi Jane I do feel for you as I was 8 weeks and totally fed up to the point of tears when I couldn't have the cast off. I wasn't given a boot just told to walk with the crutches for support which is really strange after being non weight bearing..I couldn't even get my good leg to move but by day 3 I could manage in the house without anything but I did have pain every morning when I first put weight on my leg. I got a fold up walking stick to help me which was better than a crutch and I still put it in my bag now in case I need a bit of extra support. It would be good to hear how people are managing on the stairs as I am still struggling especially coming down.. It is good to hear from people in the same position as we all become so isolated x
Thanks
i never even thought that they might not give me a boot, will just have to see what happens
im counting the days down, looking forward to starting to walk but anxious at the same time.
x