Hi, I'm new to this forum. So glad I found it. I broke my left ankle on July 12, trimalleolar fracture. I fell leaving work on uneven steps so I'm out on workers compensation. Had surgery on July 20th and have a plate and 11 screws in. I had my sutures removed on August 4th and went into a CAM boot. I'm non weight bearing till I go back on September 6th for another X-ray. I've been experiencing a lot of burning/stabbing pain around the incisions and I wonder if the boot is rubbing against the screws as it hurts a fair bit when the boot is on. I only wear it when I'm out and about. I was afraid to take t off the first couple of nights but now I prefer it off as its heavy, hot and painful. Has anyone else experienced the burning pain I described? Also, what type of footwear is recommended once weight bearing begins to even up your gait? I've read that you need something fairly tall so you're not walking with misaligned hips. Looking forward to interacting and sharing more with everyone. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!
Hi, I am in the same situation had a trimalleolar fracture July 8 at work. I am in the boot but have to leave it on can take off to shower. I found the burning and stabbing were bad until maybe a week ago when I started putting more ointment and lotion on the site. I see the Dr same day as you. Good luck and hope u feel better
Ss315,
I am so sorry to hear about your injury. I have a break too but am only a week ahead of you. I go for x rays tomorrow. I have had similar aches and pains but my actual incision has felt great after the first week. Most of my pain has been on the other side. But it isn't very painful, just slightly annoying. I guess everyone will experience something different. I was just going to wear a boot, hiking or cowboy boot when I reach the point of walking with the airboot on.
Dawn I had a trimalleolar fracture around the sametime July 8 wondering if you are in an air cast and are you still NWB my follow up xray is sept 6
I have a bimalleolar fracture, with 9 screws and a plate. I am NWB and in a airboot. My surgery was July 19th. I am hoping for good news with the x ray. My dr appointment is this Thursday to get the results. He said that he expects my rehab to be really short and quick. I can only hope that will be the case. I still have swelling but it isn't as blown up as it was. I have been allowed to go in a pool to let the leg dangle. I wasn't told I didn't have to sleep with the boot but I hope that will be the case. I want to go back to work soon. This is my right foot so I will find out when I can drive too. So I will know more on Thursday. I am hoping for good news!
When was your surgury?
I hope you get good news too. I had surgery July 11 my bone was protuding a bit so they had to do it right away. I am anxious to get moving, mine is my left but I can not seem to manage in and out house so I have not driven. The crutches seem unsafe and I have an older rotar cuff injury. Good luck and I hope you rehab fast. Keep us posted on the progress. I am also anxious to return to work but need to be able to walk and travel to do that. Feel better
Hi, I broke my ankle in February tibia and fibula. Had surgery plate and screws. The burning and pain you are feeling around the incision is normal, and takes a while to heal. I had discomfort around my incisions for quite a while even after my cast came off. When you go to the surgeon in September, you may still have to wear your boot for a few weeks, and may only be able to do partial weight bearing for a few weeks. Once you can weight bear a good pair of running shoes with good support, I found were the best. Also walking barefoot is good. Once you start weight bearing you are going to experience a lot of different sensations in your foot, and also some pain. It is very important to go to physiotherapy for a while and just as important to do the exercises they give you to do. Also ask the physiotherapists to show you how to massage the scar tissue, this is also important. Take your pain meds and anti inflammatory tablets to help you when you start weight bearing. The swelling will also last for quite a while, so keep your leg elevated when you can. I can now do about 95% of what I used to do before I broke my ankle. Remember it takes time for the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments to heal. Be positive and determined. Go to physiotherapy and do your exercises. Listen to your body it will tell you what you can do and how much. Good luck and a speedy recovery.
Thanks for your note. I'm glad to hear your recovery is going well and you're not in too much pain. You're right, we will all have our own unique experiences.
Very good advice Daphne. I hope your family are drawing on times of the happiness your mother gave you. She sounds super special. Hugs
Me
@(*+*)@
Wow, thank you for so much great info and advice! I'm glad to know the burning pain is normal. I just wish there was a way to speed everything up. I'm a single mom of 2 and my poor kids have had to do so much to help me this summer. I hate being so dependent on them but I can't really even navigate my narrow, winding staircase with any confidence. I just want to get back on my feet again!! I don't have PT scheduled yet but I will certainly follow their instructions and ask about massaging the incisions. What do you use to moisturize your scars? My doctor suggested vitamin E but I don't like the sticky feel of it. Thanks again for sharing and giving me hope that this too shall pass.
Jenn,
I know what you mean. It's like let's get this thing moving already! But I guess our body will be the judge of that and when. I will let you know what happens.
Hi SS315- I am 6 months out with a trimalleolar fracture (plate and 13 screws). I have heard people on this site say they used lamb's wool or something soft, that they put in the boot and that helped them. I had a cast, so I didn't have the stabbing pain by the incision from the boot, but I remember reading that a lot of people have experienced it. I also broke my left ankle - you are lucky, because you are probably able to drive. Basically, there is a lot of waiting, as you have already learned. It took about 7 weeks for my bones to heal (seems like the body is pretty miraculous if you really think about it). The part that takes longer is getting your tendons, muscles, and ligaments fired back up. They shrink up being in their inactive frozen type state for so long, and it takes a bit of work and firecracker feelings to get them back into shape. That is what the PT is for. There is a ton of info here, if you read old posts. There are also a ton of videos on you tube as well to help you with weight bearing (it took me 5 weeks from beginning to end- basically 25%WB per week improvement, with the final 25% taking two weeks). At 5 weeks, I could walk on both feet, but I may have needed a single crutch still. I can't remember at this point (isn't that good? This does pass!). The great news is you will probably be up and walking on it after 5 weeks, once you start WB. The walking helps the bones to harden further. Be careful not to get out of your boot too much because I read that if the bones move even a little, you can get arthritis years down the line. We certainly don't need that after all we have gone through! The best thing to get is an Even Up for the shoe on your good foot. You can find it on Amazon. I will private message you with the info. The Even Up I believe is super important because it keeps your hips and knees from getting messed up from malalignment.
It is expensive, but I liked Cica Care Gel Sheets. I will private message you if this doesn't go through.
I loved Naturelieve organic arnica and MSM cream for massaging the ankle.
I also liked Christopher's Complete Tissue and Bone Cream for massaging the ankle as well.
When you can take showers be sure to get some plastic slip on flip flops for the shower so you don't slip.
Lol. I have used no creams. More cost related. I do rub incision area though.
In the shower, I have a shower slide. And I have a leg cover that stretches over the cast to prevent it getting wet.
I have a large shower Mat that covers the whole bottom of shower. Like a plastic weave . They use it in swimming pool changing areas here.
I remember the awful build up of skin that I noticed when I could shower my foot. Weeks in cast, and a lot of exfoliating to attend to.
I still sit to have a shower. I can get dried quicker now. I used to freeze every time I had a shower, and hated that in cooler days.
Who's had or is getting there plates and screws removed?
🚿🚿🚿🚿
Thanks so much patti123 for all of your suggestions for cream/moisturizer and for sharing your recovery timeline. I can't wait to say "I'm 6 months or 12 months out".....I'm 6 weeks since I broke it and I feel like it's an eternity already. I'm also feeling a bit guilty about being out of work but if they had fixed these steps (3 others before me have fallen and broken various bones) then I wouldn't be in this predicament. I have been extremely careful when I'm not wearing the boot. Basically I'm in my bed with my leg elevated or I'm in the bathroom briefly. Do you really think I should be wearing it more? I certainly don't want arthritis or anything down the road. And yes I was pretty shocked at how fast my calf muscle atrophied when I got my first cast off. I hope I can rebuild that quickly too. Have you used the Even Up? I just looked at it and it's quite ugly but if it works then it's worth it. And thank goodness I broke the left and not the right ankle. I have been driving around a little bit here and there. I'm super careful though, don't want to get pulled over and get a ticket for being "impaired".
Hi, what is a shower slide? I have to sit on a stool in the shower too. I can't wait till I can hop in on 2 feet like the old days...and I know what you mean about all the dry skin. I can shower bare legged now since I remove the boot but none of my steri strips have fallen off yet and it's been almost 3 weeks.
Shower slide is a long bench that sits outside shower at edge, and goes into shower. Put butt on and slide in. I could stand, but I have multiple problems. This way I get to have a decent shower without worrying about falling. I fell off the shower stool a few times, before they have me slide. One time I fell straight on my broken foot, thinking oh that hurts, but it's fine, it's healing. Didn't realise I had 100% non union = no healing at all. Was scary after that. After bone graft, it was great to have the slide. Still is. 10.5 months later.
My motto is, Leave me, I'll do it when im ready. 🌞🌞🌈🌞🌞I hate being pushed. But I push myself!