Hi can anyone help me with some advice pleas! It's late on a Friday night and I have just found this website, I'm so glad that I have! I have broken my tib and fib -(think it's called a bimaellour fracture?) I did it on a pair of high heels at Xmas party, stupid or what??? I climbed up one step and it was gone over, my future for next how ever many months mapped out for me I a nano second!!!! I have the usual metal plate and screws like many of you folk in here. I had my cast off on Monday and went to a physio today who advised me to not use the airboot and "try " to use just the crutches in the house and airboot outside. I a m confused as the consultant at the hospital said keep boot on for two weeks then ditch it AND the crutches. I am really confused, I want to push myself but don't want to do any damage. I am so down, fed up and FRUSTRATED? I have been given exercises from the physio man which he said to do every couple of hours and push through the pain as he said it needs to get moving ASAP. My ankle is so swollen, STIFF and painful. I just don't know what advice is the best? I am 49 WAS fit doing spinning, gym, swimming and lots of classes. Help!
Hi Pippie
sorry to hear of your accident. First when did this happen? Typically it's 6 weeks in a splint, then airboot or cast, it depends on the injury how many weeks NWB non weight bearing. Each person is different. I'm 8 weeks post op and just got ok to put my foot down and still in wheelchair as I can't do crutches. I'm 65 so have a few years on you but in good shape and active so I get your frustration. I'm no expert but that's my take on it. I hope this helps a bit. And forgot to say just started my second physio this past week....my foot is very still stiff, not too swollen and moderate pain...
Hi Jannie thank u so much for replying! I have just read thru a lot of your previous posts and they are so helpful and supportive, just what I need. My hubby is great but no one else understand just how bad it is when you break an ankle! Anyway , I did it on 5/12 last month, six weeks cast, full weight bearing and airboot with crutches. The cast came off on Monday, I just don't know which advice to take the consultant at the hospital or the physio I saw today. Im just so so worried I'll never walk properly ever again due to my stupid ego wearing HIGH heels!!!!! I feel really low today. Before this happened I thought I was mentally strong but this really is challenging my mental state of mind. I am panicking I think.
It's great you are making progress, but it seems to me all the posts I've read everyone says the same thing it's a slow slow process of healing, there is no quick fix.
Hi Pippe. Don't despair, I was at an all time low At 6 weeks, I bucked up as best I could and overall I've had more good days than bad ones. I did find though not told By doctors there is post surgery depression usually at 6 weeks. I'm usually mentally strong too but this has challenged me beyond belief. My husband is so supportive and gets where I'm at but very few others get it. I get what you say about walking, I'm grateful my toes have started moving and I know for me it's probably slower than most or at least in my mind it is. I'm gearing up to be weight bearing, if you feel unsure you should do what is right for you and tell your PT and Dr this if that feels comfortable. Keep on and take it easy on yourself. Book a massage that helped me......enjoy your nite, it's movie time here.....j
Oh thank you Jannie for your advice!!!!! Your hubby sounds like mine.... Thank goodness we have good ones!!!! I will try to mentally relax and not get so frustrated! Yep a massage sounds like a good idea. Good luck with your weight bearing. Enjoy your movie, it's 1:39 in the morning here in London, I can't sleep, my hubby is snoring away though! Night night happy healing
x
Hello Pippie. I just found this forum almost two weeks out of my surgery. Everyone is so supportive and that's what we need. I'm
Now 16 days post the ankle from hell life. I was not in any way prepared ffor the after surgery repercussions. I too am so down and the depression I'm trying to keep at bay but it's not easy. Got my cast off this last Eednesday and am in a boot. My most frustrating part thus far is the burning pain in my whole got about every 9-10 hours. It's a horrible wake up cell in the middle of the night. I know it's going to be a long haul
And patience is your best friend but I've never met Ms patience and it's hard to meet her. I've read where he burning is a disturbed nerve and it could be permanent. To say the least they scared me to death that I might fall into that category. I don't start therapy until I see me Dr in 4 weeks. Can't believe they would want you to start therapy already. This place is a God send. Let's all TRY to learn patience and time. It's hard I tell ya. Hoping you find some relief and kindred hearts on this site
It's 6:20 pm in BC Canada so it's early, enjoy your nite and yes 'we got good ones'........sleep well......
At 10 weeks following 2 surgeries for trimallelor fracture I came out of plaster, no air boot just crutches.
It was difficult , painful and frustrating. I followed therapy advice.
I went to the swimming baths daily for 6 weeks and exercised in the water. This helped me to progress, strengthened my ankle and gave me confidence so my advice is keep it moving, the stiffness will get better and the swelling will come down.
I'm 10 months post fracture and can now wear heels (small ones) can't run yet but can see that the recovery has taken time, hard work and determination
Good luck and take care- you will improve
Jane
Good morning Pippie. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I worry about my daughter when she wears her high heals. Anyway, I'm a 55 yr old male who pre injury was very active working 50 plus hours a week and had a good social life. I slipped getting out of the shower as per usual rushing around in the morning to get to work and open the office. I had my surgery 30.09 and only returned to work last week on light duties, and still using 1 crutch as my ankle has not stopped being swollen since the op. I've been having physio now for almost 2 months and have had varying degrees of emotions, anger, depression etc. My doctor asked me why I'm still walking with the aid of a crutch, and that 3 months max I should be fully recovered. I think you can imagine my response! I think reading your post that you have progressed quite quickly to be already having physio and not in a cast. I would imagine that you will be walking unaided by next month from what you have said. I know we have all varying degrees of injuries and recovery periods. The toughest issue everybody has to try and overcome is the frustration at not being able to do the basics that we all take for granted on a daily basis.
The support and advice though on this forum is brilliant. I wish you a speed y recovery and we will all get through this long yourney helping each other along the way,
Morning Jane🌞 Thank you sooooo much for your reply, great advice , I just need it right now. I'm off to the pool later in my airboot and crutches , I can't wait! I'm desperate to DO SOMETHING!!!!!
thank you x
Morning Paul 🌞Yikes just woke up after a really bad night sleep, worrying and having bad dreams!!!! Thank you soooo much for replying, I did read some of your other posts and felt sorry for you! This forum is going to be great for me, I don't feel like have to keep moaning to my hubby and everyone else about MY FOOT! Boring!!!! Also on one really "gets it and that is frustrating in itself. Like you I was really active doing spinning classes, gym , classes cycling etc and busy job, suddenly you just come to a halt doing NOTHING relying on everyone to do the most menial of tasks, it's awful? Whilst I'm so grateful/ glad/ appreciative of everything/ everyone for helping me I struggle with it. I think I've mislead you with my post, it sounds like I'm walking with my crutches..... I'm not. The physio yesterday advised me to ditch the airboot which I tried , but I just can't move the foot at all and I think it's way too soon to not wear it as I'm only out of cast since Monday! Th PT I have arranged myself after reading up I decided to start it ASAP and pay myself as it was best to TRY and get it moving now( even though it hardly does!!!!) if I waited for my NHS app to come thru it would've been six weeks... Way too long I think?
Anyway, after mulling it over, I'm going to go to the pool today, I've decided to have a go...... Wish me luck , I'll hobble in with the airboot and crutches and ditch them when I get to the side. Paul, I do hope you have a good day, it must be great to get back to work but tough with a crutch? I guess you want to throw it away and walk "normally" but it's a long tough road which I've just realised! Like you say we can help and support each other. 👠👣💊🔩
Morning Jane thank you for your post, you sound like me, no,patience at all and really down... It's a nightmare!!!!! I have just a long post below so you can see my moans and groans!!!!
its hell as you say no one really truly understands!!!! But this forum will help us all to "let it all out"
I am attempting to get to the swimming pool today one airboot and crutches???? I have to get off my backside I can't stand it anymore.... Wish me luck😡
🌞🌺🌹
Morning Pippie - I think its a sign of ankle fracture recovery that we all find this site late at night which is definitely the worst time; I was up til 3am just not on here. Apologies if this is a bit of a longish answer, but it's in two parts, the here & now and where I am too. Then the future - based on the fact my original bi-malleolar fracture was 30 years ago.
I am 11 weeks post a total ankle replacement (they took the whole joint and some of the corresponding bone away). During the surgery I also had a medial malleolus fracture - the inside ankle - which is now plated and pinned and two muscle operations.
The here and now; it sounds like you are doing really well, my advice would be to get a physio that you trust absolutely and to listen to a combination of their advise and your own body (they will help you know how to do that). As you’re in the UK and have started your physio relatively early compared to others on here I am assuming its private ? I was in a cast and non weight bearing for six weeks, with the intention of then being in a boot for up to six weeks with some periods out of it. However, during surgery they caught my main tibial nerve and the boot caused excruciating pain across my foot and ankle with it on so I never really used it. That meant at six weeks I started to gently walk on my foot using two crutches - the absolute emphasis being on getting the walking right and correctly using my hips, leg and foot so as to not cause a limp. At 11 weeks I am totally weight bearing and walking well although I take one crutch with me when out or at work to simply help with strength and posture. I cant quite do calf raises on just my right foot - but I’m working well at everything else and hope to buy a good exercise bike this weekend.I work VERY hard on physio and excersizes (tears down my face type hard). As I said at the beginning knowing what to do, in concert with your physio, means you can push through the pain knowing you are not damaging it.
I believe physio is the real key here - and much as your surgeon may be brilliant - that’s what he does; surgery ! To put things in context, as I think I am doing well, I had physic three times the week my cast came off - and yes it was excruciating - but my first NHS appointment was for 11 weeks post surgery. If I had waited for that I would never have known how to massage away some of the swelling from the synovial fluid build-up, how to stimulate the nerve etc and most importantly how to get my ankle working.
This matters to me because just over 30 years ago (I’m 51 now) I had a bi-malleolar fracture the same as you, accompanied by numerous fib fractures. They told me then that because of the extent of the fractures it would be unlikely I would get much movement back. With a great physio start then and a bloody-minded approach to taking on the pain of physio, and a determination to keep working on it over the years I got 100% movement back. I have worn 5 inch heels day and night for most of my life and could run etc. In fact my current consultant could not believe how long my joint had lasted doing those things.
Ankle surgery is horrible - the pain lasts a long time and the swelling is a nightmare. It keeps you up through the night - even up to 2 weeks ago I was crying my way through the night as it was so depressing and we are still in separate beds !.And a few nights a week I do still have to take morphine to sleep. But stay as positive as you possibly can and persuade yourself that the little bugger isn’t going to get the better of you ! My new ankle even has a name - Charley- and our blog about recovery is called Travels with Charley’.
Feel free to PM me and take care.
Let me know how you get on- go with someone your first time
The staff at the pool I went to were brill. I kept my shoes on when I walked to pool side (with the covers) and they put a chair by the side of the pool as the benches were a bit low
Started in little pool and they helped me in and out. there were steps and I used my crutches. If you struggle ask them to use the chair hoist
Enjoy
Jane
Hi Pippie. Thanks for reply. I'm sure you will recover really quickly as you have a positive attitude and want to get moving and to go to the pool.
If I'm honest, the hospital sent me home with a cast saying to come back each 4 weeks for re X-ray and having a cast on for 2 months did me no good whatsoever as it is really stiff to squat and the swelling has not reduced much. My first week back at work (10 hours) on feet means that I return home with my ankle looking like a tennis ball, but I was pre warned that the first 2 weeks would be uncomfortable. I would advise you to go swimming and pay for extra physio, as this is key. I wanted to join a gym and have two sessions of private physio, but as I don't get paid when sick, then I couldn't afford to do so. Good luck at the pool
Hi Pippie
I know exactly how u feel, I took broke tib and fib at the end of August, they called mine a pilon fracture. Think that's about 20 weeks ago now. Was 5 wks in cast then another 5 in airboot during which time I started to partial weight bear then eventually to full weight bear but still using crutches. At about 10 wks the doctor told me to try to walk with a shoe but not to force it, if too painful then go back to the boot. During the time wearing the boot I was allowed to take it off for short periods and try to flex my ankle and my toes. It was really stiff at first but eventually there was a bit of flexibility.
I only started attending physio after I could walk with the shoe and crutches. If ur unsure can u get in touch with them again to double check exactly what they want u to do? I would feel the same and wouldn't want to do any damage. i was terrified and so frustrated as I didn't feel as if I was improving at all but u will get the movement and flexibility back it just take a long time. I did the exercises the physio gave me as much as I could but when it got too sore I stopped, I actually was in tears it was so painful. The first exercises were to increase range of movement then to try and strengthen the ankle. Physio said it should never be that bad so was right to stop. U know ur own body, they can only advise u so if it's too painful I'd stop then try again later.
I was able to start driving again about a month ago, just short journeys. I had my check up last week and hospital really pleased with how it's healed but said I have to accept that my ankle will never be the same as it was before, I will always have discomfort in the cold weather (I live in Scotland so I'll get that a lot then!!) and also if I stand for long periods. I get a lot of stabbing pains and twinges in it and he couldn't give me any indication of when or if they would stop. I'm also now crutch free tho stairs are still a bit of a challenge I'm improving all the time. This week I went back to work, just part time at the moment but I actually feel that I can get my old life back eventually. I too am 49 but not as fit as u!!! So it must be really hard for u when u were so active before. I've now stopped my 1 to 1 physio sessions with the physio as I've reached a plateau and now to attend rehab classes where I will do more exercises in the gym. At times I felt it would never get any better but it did, it just takes a lot longer than I thought it would.
I wish u well with ur recover and hope u r back on ur 2 feet soon.
Hi barb I have replied to your lovely post,not sure it went ????
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Hi Bailey thank u for your informative post, wow sounds like a long long road!!!!! I'm really happy for you now you are getting your life back, I feel like mines disappeared for now! Don't you just get fed up with pain, hobbling around and thinking about the blasted ANKLE !!!!! I'm getting obsessed with IT!!!! hah hah !!!!! My hubby has just taken me to the swimming pool for the first time today, it was difficult to get in the water I had on the airboot and crutches to get to the side which I ditched and then managed to swim,OMG it was great, I've a long journey I know and I'm not making out I'm swimming like an Olympic I'm not but it's a start!!!! Your post has given me an idea of what's ahead and a BIG thank u for that, good luck with driving toot toot move out the way she's coming 🚘🚗
Way to go 🏊