Hi, I am 14 days after surgery of a dislocation and trimalleolar fracture. I have the last couple of days started to get burning heel pain which takes my breath away and painkillers don’t relieve it. Advice please? Would you say I should go back to the hospital? Thanks
Idk what kind of painkillers you take but I found norco to help and icing. The burning sensation was the type of pain I had initially and then it was nerve shock type sensations for about a week and that tapered off. I felt the burning on the inside of my ankle the most. Now I still have the occasional burning on the outside but mostly it goes away anymore. I'm 3 months out after bimalleolar surgery. I hope it feels better soon.
Thanks for the feedback. I am taking paracetamol, ibruprofen and naproxen. These don’t seem to help with this’s particular pain but as you said it may be nerve damage. Just can’t get comfortable and feel my cast is pressing on my staples. H
Yes. I don't know the extent of your injury but the burning is a common thing I've read on here. I thought for sure my splint was too tight after surgery. You may need a stronger pain medication to get you through. You may also have some nerve damage but it can also be the nerves just coming back. I don't have any numbness or tingling but I did have a solid week of feeling like my ankle was being electrocuted! That burning pain is the pits.
Apparently it is the worst fracture you can have 1 plate 13 screws. 7 weeks in a back slab. Not that I know anything about fractures. It’s a process I suppose and as it’s healing maybe it goes through stages. Just depressing. I agree better pain killers. H
I'm sorry. It can be depressing. I had 4 pins in a plate and a screw on the inside. I had a trimalleolar fracture but only needed the 2 repaired. I hadn't realized it would take so long to heal when I did it. I've never been a sedentary person and so it became a little too much near the time I was about to go back to work thankfully. I definitely
think you need more pain control, probably not 24/7 but once in awhile. Your body needs to be somewhat comfortable to heal well. At 2 weeks I was still havin occasional hydrocodone and Motrin otherwise. Try not to stay in the house too much and visit with friends. Hang in there and give your dr a ring about your pain
I'm sorry. It can be depressing. I had 4 pins in a plate and a screw on the inside. I had a trimalleolar fracture but only needed the 2 repaired. I hadn't realized it would take so long to heal when I did it. I've never been a sedentary person and so it became a little too much near the time I was about to go back to work thankfully. I definitely
think you need more pain control, probably not 24/7 but once in awhile. Your body needs to be somewhat comfortable to heal well. At 2 weeks I was still havin occasional hydrocodone and Motrin otherwise. Try not to stay in the house too much and visit with friends. Hang in there and give your dr a ring about your pain
Thanks for the advice. I think it will
Take a long time to heal that I agree with you. I run marathons and trail runs so being sedentary is not my idea of fun. I’m thinking of going back to work next Thursday😂🤣 Im very flexible in my work hours and desk based. Trying to get out as much as I can. H
Hi Heidi and others
Last month 15th Sept I fell down the stairs and dislocated my left ankle and broke in three places.. I’m two weeks until my cast is removed ( I hope) I hate having to hop using Zimmer frame, but not allowed to use Crutches. I was getting geared up for removal of cast, but then started reading the messages from you all. And soon realised my pain hasn’t really started yet! So now I’m feeling very nervous of the affects of no cast!!! I know I’ll have to have Physio and have to move and exercise the foot, and I knew would be stiff and sore.. But how sore I’ve no idea. I’m taking paracetamol and Codeine at mo , but don’t want to stay on codiene for much longer.. I’m sure Para won’t be enough, but cannot take anti inflammatories as have Asthma. So will need to find something.. My Ankle is still swollen and the pain goes right up to my knee. I’m interested in reading how you are all dealing with your pains and the work going into getting back some normality. my aim being to get to the bathroom without having to hope like flipping kangaroo lol. Any tips will be gratefully received.. all the best to you Heidi and all getting over breaks.
Hi Barbaralynn
You are so close to getting your cast off good luck. Sorry for your break. I’m still 4 weeks away from having my cast off. I am coming to the conclusion that pain at any stage of our recovery is inevitable. I really hope your pain isn’t too much. Let me know how you get on and rehab after your cast is off! I’m only on paracetamol, ibruprofen and naproxen. I have pain everyday and don’t even have my staples out yet. I hope all goes well and keep me is updated I would be interested on your journey. I also hop around like a kangaroo and can really only shower and dress myself. I have to rely on all my friends and family doing everything for me. Hx
I am a week ahead of you in recovery from a trimalleolar fracture. I have started to experience the same heel pain as you, especially if I have been very active during the day. You should ask the doctor about changing your pain medications. Some people have mentioned using ice packs.
My immobility is the most difficult for me, as it seems to be for you. Time goes slowly in this process, but I guess we should be thankful it is not permanent.
hi again Heidi
Im having less pain now, but the only bother is where screw is still. Wondering it that will calm down and settle better if it’s bruising or swelling that is causing it..
Had Physio come see me and gave me some strengthening exercises to do, as I’ve weakened a fair bit.. also I’m going to go yoga classes to help me afterward too. Physio says a lady down road from me does them with older people too.. so she will be good for my recovery I think.. I’m 60, so I guess takes longer to heal than a 30year old lol, but I’m determined to get there.. coming down off the meds so when I have cast off I will start taking again if too painful.. saying that, the Physio has had both her knees and hips re done, New ones.. so when she says it should be too painful I’m more like to believe her.. but, she wasn’t walking on a former broken foot, so we will see . My balance is quite an issue which is a shame as it’s that reason I’ve not got the hang of crutches.. hoping Yoga will help that too. I’m looking forward to the day I can go in shower and back without being exhausted.. I’ve also realised the strain my heavy frame is having on my foot. So that’s going to change also. Lol. ..Babs
Someone really needs to write a book on the recovery process for these sort of procedures. Once I had my cast removed, the pain was completely different. Once you start moving your ankle around, there's more pain because there's more blood flow reaching the area. It's natural but it sucks too and no one really warns you about it.
Also, I don't know about you but I had significant nerve damage and the regeneration has been uncomfortable as well but again, it's all part of the process. Last night I broke down and took a xanax before bed and it really truly helped calm my nerves. First good night's sleep I've had in five nights. Without rest, we won't recover quickly. I hate taking an extra drugs but being comfortable allows your body to heal itself.
Hi Betsy
I quite agree with you, having good sleep is the best thing for you. it’s when we heal.. I’m yet to find out if I have any nerve or other damage to my foot. but I guess I will know more when see consultant on the 30th of this month and hopefully have cast off. I’m not convinced I won’t have pain, but I’m gonna be trying to do what I can .. I will be scanning the te net to see what others have found out and try too lol.
For the record, no one told me I had nerve damage until I mentioned at my 2 week post op appt that I couldn't feel certain parts of my foot. (top, bottom, last three toes) The PA non-nonchalantly said, "Oh yeah, it'll take 6-12 months for the nerves to fully grow back." File that under things you probably should tell people ahead of time.
Wow that’s bad isn’t it! I’ve been told it can take up to a year too but that’s to be back to some normality.. I sure hope so lol. I guess a lot depends on how good the surgeon and the follow ups are. I think NHS has got really bad now.
Yeah, I'm in the states. I've seen my doc every two weeks since my procedure but there are details that I haven't received which would have been really helpful to know ahead of time.
Hi barbaralynn
I hope that your screw will settle down for you swelling and bruising can take a long time.
You sound as though you are hanging in there and well done to you for doing Yoga. Balance is a tricky thing my core is quite good but even I had to eat ice not falling over in my crutches 😂🤣😂 Im sure a light boot reñir Cast will take some of the strain off. As a fitness person I’ve gone from running marathons to bed and home bound. Today my trainer picked me up and we did a short upper body weights and ab workout. I feel so much better and believe that the mind can work wonders for healing. Everyone is different but by the sounds of it you are coming along really well. My surgeon was very blunt and said it won’t be easy and there will be various pains and niggles along the way till you fully recover but he said I will recover. I have no doubt you will also. Enjoy your Yoga! Keep me updated on how it is all going. Hx
Thanks mirrorankle891
I have a hospital appointment tomorrow and hope my staples will come out. I will ask about pain meds. I wondered why it hurt more in the night but I agree maybe because I was active in the day. Today I went to the gym and did a short upper body and ab work out can’t tell you how nice it was to get out even for half an hour and feel tour heart beating faster. Going to try and make 3 times a week. My next goal is my 4 week review and an X-ray on how it’s all going. Keep me updated on your recovery. H
Hi Betsy
I have no idea about any nerve damage yet my surgeon hasn’t said anything either. I can’t believe you were not told. I can feel all my toes and wiggle them. Well done for taking a Xanax wish I had something I could occasionally take to helps sleep. I relive my accident every night it’s driving me insane. Along with heel pain I never get a good nights rest and sleep is important to me it was before my accident and is still. Keep us updated. H