Hi all, I am 4 weeks post op for repair to broken tibia,fibula & broken bone in my ankle. I've had a rod through my tibia and screws in my ankle. I'm getting a lot of discomfort in my ankle through the night . I have my leg resting on a pillow but can't find a comfortable position to lie in. I havnt't got a cast on I'm only in Ted stockings. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ouch. Surprised you don't have a moonboot
They are great for keeping leg together. I have a plated fibula and came out of hospital in a plaster of Paris cast. 2 weeks later I was put in a fibreglass cast for 4 more weeks. Then a moonboot. 4 months post op and 8 months post break, I am gradually getting stronger. Slept on back with moonboot for 3 weeks after cast removed. Now just in evening. Offers support when I'm tired.
*Ask Dr about Moonboot. After 4 weeks post op in cast my Physio got me lying in the recovery position alternating with back, to prevent back pain.
**Check with Dr to see if you need a review of foot and ask about pain management. You have to rule out problems that can crop up and only your Dr can do this.
Good luck!
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You need lists of pillows, so raid every room in the house for as many as you can get your hands on of varying sizes and firmness. You need to build a little hill with a base of standard size pillows and lay a king size pillows perpendicular to the base. The idea is to create a hill with about a 45* angle and that gently cradles your lower leg and foot, making sure your foot is not flopping around. Then lay on your side and place your knee at the base of the hill. You may need another king size pillow, a squishy one, to put between your legs to be comfortable on your side. That works for me.
I meant lots of pillows
Hi June, I had the same surgery as you after I broke my ankle nearly 14 weeks ago. Finding a comfortable position to sleep at night is a nightmare. Also strange you don't have some sort of cast or moon boot. I found one pillow was not enough to elevate the leg properly so I used 3 pillows . Take the pillows and place them to form an incline, the highest level being the foot and ankle, the lowest ending just before your bottom. If you want to turn and lie on the good side take one pillow place it between your legs from knees down with the bad leg on top turn with it like that and keep it there, it supports the bad leg . Also take your pain meds. before you go to bed helps you to sleep better. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Hello June. Not sure I understand. I presume the TED stocking is to prevent clots post-surgery. What do you have to stabilise the foot whilst bones heal! How are you getting around. Have you had stitches removed? Are you using RICE Principle. REST, ICE. COMPRESSION, ELEVATION
I agree- post surgery needs stability. Ask your specialist June.
Hi June.
I'm the same as you except I fractured my ankle. I'm in a cast though try using another pillow and taking the foot of the pillow so you've just got your leg resting on it. Are you on painkillers at all. Why didn't they cast you? I'm in a non weight bearing cast.
That doesn't sound good 4 weeks in cast for such a bad break. Mine will have been in cast for 6 weeks when it comes off on 2nd June 16 & then are talking of putting me in another cast for 2 weeks part weight bearing then possibly a boot for another 2 weeks after that.
Are you in USA? I broke my ankle over there & treatment was terrible so glad to be back in UK now. I am 58 so whether they think I will heal more slowly I don't know.
Hi June,
I broke tib, fib and malleoulus 16 weeks ago. Two plates and 10 screws I had a backslab cast on until the two week post op mark then I was non weight bearing until 7 weeks with a moon boot but was allowed to leave it off most of the time only putting it on for transfers getting in and out of bed, in and out of wheelchair just in case I lost my balance and weight bore. He gave me a choice of the moon boot or a fibreglass cast. Glad I chose the moon boot as I have nerve damage on the top of my foot and still can't bear anything pressing on it so I think I would have ended up chewing it off with my teeth lol. The surgeon also told me to start exercising my foot by pointing my toes as far back as I could and bending the ankle up the other way bringing toes up as far towards leg as possible to keep flextion in my foot. Having my leg free most of the time and sleeping with it free from two weeks I found really great, and he assured me that the plates and screws would keep the bones in place and made the cast/boot unnecessary. My surgeon based all his decisions on X Ray results at 2, 6 weeks and 4 months post op. I was allowed to start fully weight bearing at 7 weeks again with no moon boot ( so I have an almost new moon boot lol ). You will notice with this forum that all surgeons seem to do things differently and all our recoveries are different.
In in regards to sleeping I used the stack of pillows as described by others and turned on my side more as the weeks went by but found that the higher I elevated on the pillows overnight the better my foot felt by the next morning. Learning patience has been a huge one for me and trusting that sooner or later I would walk again. You will find this forum very helpful as well as it really is a life changing injury for most of us and great to talk to others who really understand what you are going through.
Hi June, I am on my 5th week post op, broken ankle, plate and two screws.
Also night time pain/discomfort. I use 2-3 pillows to elevate, no boot at night. Recently switched from Tylenol to Advil at bedtime, big difference...Advil is antimflammatory, and inflamation comes at night as a response to daytime exercise. That what my physio told me. But I would talk to doctor first, Advil can upset your stomach and there are other contradictions.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Many thanks for replying to my inquiry. I didn't think my leg could be elevated to high otherwise the blood wouldn't get to my foot. The gp has check the pulse in my foot and it is good. She advised I take paracetamol regularly throughout the day and take 2 codeine at bedtime. It's not so uncomfortable when in sat up its just when I'm lay down. The care I had in hospital was great but the after care is poor. I wasnt advised on what i can do when i came out of hospital apart from being told i cant weightbear for 6 weeks. Ive got to inject myself every day with tinzaparin to prevent blood clots for 6 weeks. I've not heard from hospital when I've got to go see consultant. As I said all I've got on my leg is a Ted stocking. My sister has seen some inflatable device that can be used to elevate my leg so she's getting that. I try lying on my good side in the recovery position but because of the scar on my knee where rod was inserted it's uncomfortable so I put a pillow between my legs. I could never have imagined breaking my leg as badly as I have by falling down 3 stairs at home.
Hi June I am sure it will go better now. I slipped on one small step and broke my ankle. The surgeon told me lower limb fractures are very common. Best of luck and stay positive.
Sorry June I meant lower limb fractures are very common in woman.
Thanks for your reply. My sister is looking at getting me what looks like an inflatable device to elevate my leg. I keep trying to lie in the recovery position on my good side but because I have a scar on my knee from where the rod was inserted it causes discomfort. My gp has advised I take paracetamol throughout the day and take 2 codeine at bedtime. I feel my after care is quite poor I havnt't been given much information about what I can & can't do. I've got to inject tinzaparin every day. I don't know what will be put on my foot after the 6 week period. I'm in Ted stockings only. Any advice is very helpful.
Hi thanks for the advice . I do try to lie on my good side in the recovery position but because I've got scar on knee from where rod was inserted it's uncomfortable as scar feels a little tight. I can probably lie in this position for hour & half. I've only got Ted stocking on don't know what will be put on when I go see consultant after 6 weeks. I have to inject tinzaparin daily. I would never have thought I could of broken my leg as badly as I did by falling down 3 stairs. Many thanks again
Hi. Yes the Ted stockings are to prevent clots , plus I have to inject tinzaparin daily to prevent clots. My after care and advice is very poor was given my meds and told not to weightbear for 6 weeks then go back to see consultant. I thought that I may have been give either a brace of moon boot. I've got a lot to say when I see my consultant. Nervous about putting weight on my foot when time comes. I'm not the sort of person who frightens easily. But very daunting. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Hi. Yes I'm on paracetamol and codeine. Top dose of codeine but I can only take 1 through the day as 2 make me feel strange plus they cause bowel problems which I could do well without. I lie on my good side with bad leg resting on pillow but because of scar on knee which is tight I can only lie like this for hour & half. My sister is getting me an inflatable which helps elevate the leg at incline. As many people have advised to use 3 pillows. Many thanks for replying.
Hi I live in macclesfield Cheshire uk. I have only got Ted stockings and have to inject tinzaparin daily for 6 weeks. I havnt't received my appointment yet to see consultant after 6 week period. The care I got in hospital was very good but my after care and information is poor. Was just given meds and told to non weightbear for 6 weeks.
I agree with what your saying that all surgeons treat injuries differently. I try lying on my good side in recovery position but because of the scar on my knee it's a little uncomfortable. It's just finding the right position for me .. don't know how long my recovery is going to be or what the next stage will be when I see the consultant at 6 week period. Many thanks for your advice.