Been thinking about posting for a while but plaster tech's adviced no searching the web!
Would like to get some hope for the future
Sorry if this is the same as many other posts!
I broke my ankle/leg on 21st April and was in hospital awaiting surgery in pain most of the time till 30th April.
From then till now I have pretty much been in bed the whole time and only gone to toilet and back. In the first few weeks when I ventured out of the bed room I spent hours recovering from the pain of swelling so have gradually done less and less! I have been on paracetemol and Naproxen for nearly all of this time.
Cast possibly/hopefully to be removed for boot Tuesday 12th June, will there be any light at the end of the tunnel with the boot?
As nice as it should be having people to care and bring breakfast, lucnh etc, I am fed up now and want to repay some of the kindness I have been shown and want to get back to being upright!!
I keen hearing with regards the swelling, keep your foot raised, take ibuprofen/naproxen, drink lots ad wiggle your toes, but none of it seems to make a massive difference!
The bad bit.... I have always been physically strong (not worlds strongest man but can move concrete slabs withough too much issue) but mentally, like a lettuce leaf and wonder if that is the bit that is making it harder, depression etc....
I’m so sorry Freddy! Sounds like no fun at all. I didn’t had the same injury- mine was wrist/arm. So my mobility was much different from yours. And many times I said a little prayer that it wasn’t my ankle. In my opinion there’s good news and bad news.
The boot should definitely help, but the pain and swelling may still be bad. I was told my swelling could last a year although it is gradually get better but does flair up. 4 months post op I still can’t get my wedding ring on. Pain is much better and only an issue when wrist is flexed too far (only about 80% of previous range of motion)
Physical therapy is vital. Do exactly the exercises as given. Don’t overdo them thinking more is better. I did and it wasn’t. Did too much and it actually set me back
Do as much as you can now. You should be able to exercise the other 3 limbs. You have already lost muscle mass. But if you were strong and active before it should come back pretty quickly. Just frustrating when you suddenly realize how weak you’ve become. Also make sure you go through range of motion with your major joints - hips knees ankles shoulders elbows and wrists. I now have severe shoulder issues caused from disuse. Shoulder limits me more than the radius/ulna does. Frustrating to need help for something that could have been prevented if either the surgeon or therapist had told me to exercise the shoulder in all directions too.
Good luck to you. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is easy to get down and sometimes it helps to let it out in private - punch some pillows and crying jags helped me. Just frustrating that that tunnel seems longer than expected. But you will get back
I’m really sorry to hear abt all of this freddy, it’s normal to have those pains and always raise ur leg/ankle on pillow above the heart level to reduce swelling, put an ice bag under ur foot if u feel irritated, and exercise ur legs in swimming pool (walking a bit steps from deep part) before u walk on the ground, water pressure can help u make steps without being painful much. You can definitely walk around three months, trust urself, rest these days, watch netflix, play games or listen music.
I feel u because that’s what i have been through, be strong, u gonna reach to the end of the tunnel soon.
I haven’t experienced an ankle injury before but my daughter has....she opted not to have the boot (but sounds like your injury is much worse than hers was), because she was starting a job as a lifeguard and would be around pool. The little exercises she did in the pool sped up her recovery tenfold! So I agree with the other poster — try to get to a pool for water therapy after you get your cast off (your doctor may be able to write a prescription for this and maybe get you into a facility with a small pool just for this type of therapy — it is the best and quickest way to heal (in my opinion anyway). I’m so sorry you’re still in pain. I broke both my wrists over a year ago and I’m just now seeing full range of motion. It seems to take a long time but I am 61 yrs old. Good luck!
Thank you all for your responses, it does give hope. thank you very much!
I would have replied sooner today although the swelling got bad and I couldn't do anything but try and concentrate to get it to reduce because of how hard the cast was pressing against my ankle, then I spent several hours feeling really sick, happily both have passed!
I find it partly difficult thinking while this is difficult and I wouldn't wish it on anyway there are people out there who are having a much harder time so trying to use that to kick myself into being stronger and more patient.
I will defainately take note of all of the ideas as I want and need to recover as soon as possible whilst avoiding rushing as t is sending my slowly nuts.
I just hope that whatever I get next week doesn't make things as bad as they were for the first 2 weeks of this cast where it was bad straight away and the thought of 4 weeks after the previous weeks of pain mean that some days it was so bad I couldn't do anything and just stared at the cieling for the day which wasn't good but over that hill now..
It realy is a long road isn't!! and Netflix etc definately help
Whilst i cannot comment on your broken ankle I can share with you how fed up you are as I broke my right wrist at the beginning of April! My cast was removed one month ago and since then my fingers are like sausages! Whilst I am not in pain I have very little movement in my wrist due to the stiffness of being in a cast and also some numbness due to nerve compression.
I hated having to rely on other people to do things for me as I am quite an independent person but now am so pleased that I can just about cut my own food!
Like you mentioned there are so many other people who are in a worse situation than myself and I should be grateful for every little step of progress that I make but it is difficult. I was quite depressed at the beginning but since attending physio therapy I think I may be able to see light at the end of the tunnel - I’m crawling towards that light though but every little achievement is progress!
I think the loss of independance is a big problem, having never experienced such a loss before where I can't even get food or drink orl eave the bedroom.
The other difficulty that I am experiencing today, hence writing this so early before I completely loose the will is....The "every other day" nature of the recovery that I experience. By this I mean the day before yesterday was bad, really bad, angry, frustrated, upset, constant pain from the swelling, then yesterday was I think the best day I have had since the accident where I got up to go to the toilet several times and no swelling at all and I felt so much better and ready for nearly anything. Today already really angry and frustrated and had disruptive nights sleep. Has anyone else had it like that?
Whilst I am also massively paranoid that something bad might be going on or happen within the cast I then think that if every other day is really good then surely it must be fine.
I wonder whether with these injuries part of the problem (by my thoughts anyway) is the length of time. Sometimes people have injuries they then recover and within days or weeks they are feeling better. Whereas with this it is months and that is really quite wearing.
To add to the worry my father-in-law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and whilst the treatment is good I find it doesn't stop the worry. Even though as I know those that don't worry say..that it is a waste of time that doesn't change anything, and while I know and beieve this it doesn't stop it! Oh the brain and its complexities!
Anyway I am going to now spend the day trying to concentrate on not flipping out due to how things are (could be a difficult time!) so I will wish you all a wonderful day and hope that your suffering like mine dissolves quickly and get better every minute that passes!!
I can relate to how you feel (apart from the fact the I have broken my wrist not my ankle!)
I feel frustrated by my lack of progress even though my physiotherapist is pleased with the stage that I am at. My fingers are constantly swollen- worse in the morning- which hampers movement. My physio has told me to hang my arm down by my side and move it as normal as I have been walking around with it dangling in the be air like a dog with a wounded paw, not quite sure what to do with it! I told him I was concerned about the swelling if I kept dangling it but he said to elevate it at the end of the day. I did find trying to get comfortable in bed the hardest and find that by the morning my fingers are once again stiff and feel that I am back to square one!
I have good days and bad days where I think that I am feeling a bit more positive about my progress as then get disheartened when I feel and ache or pain or a bit more tingling when I move my wrist! I have been reminded to be patient as everybody’s healing is different but I get so frustrated as I am yet unable to do things that I did before! I too know of someone who broke their wrist and was back in work a week later but my physio said that she was in the lucky 15% who do.
I got very claustrophobic in my cast and was also worried about every little symptom- if it is bothering you I suggest you go back to the hospital for a check just for some reassurance- I went back twice to have my cast split as I found it too tight - then where the plaster was split it kept pinching my arm -can’t win!! Hopefully you’ll be in a walking boot soon and regain your mobility.
I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law, it’s only natural to worry about other people close to you- my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time but she is an example to me as she is so positive and gets out and about more than me!
It sounds like there can be similarities between leg and arm breaks albet with some obvious differences the frustration is still there at recovery which can be a long journey!
Amazing how different people experience it, there was another post I replied to this morning where they mentioned 11days post op and already no painkillers etc and no pain, wish that was my experience but glad they are recovering quickly.
Technically this is my 4th cast as I have been back before this one and it has been changed but all they said they could do was to put a split in as you mentioned but with the previous non full cast I already had lots of pain at the edges of the cast so didn't see the point and generally after a couple of hours it went down.
Aside from the discomfort/pain and difficulty getting around and the already mentioned lack of independence I really struggle with the frustration that the advice on swelling seems to have no effect on me and that just waiting for it to go down is the only cure and not a friendly one!!!
Today is the day I am hoping for my cast to be removed and get the boot but at the same time worrying about whats under the cast as it is sore today and whether I will actually get the boot and even ore so whether I will get any releif from the boot, only time will tell!! Something that would permit at least a bit more comfort after all this time would be nice!
I am sorry to hear about your mother I hope she is ok, as you say only natural but difficult to see others going through very difficult times.
When my son had his cast removed after surgery on his tendons I was a bit worried about what it worried about what the wound would look like but it was very neat and didn’t look too sore although it was a bit sore for him.
I find this forum very useful and reassuring with regards to other people’s experiences- it seems we all vary greatly with our healing! I feel as if I am making one step forward and two steps back at the moment - yesterday was a good day with diminishing numbness but experiencing a bit more today! At least I have physio this afternoon so I’ll be able to discuss my concerns.
The swelling is still a problem for me also - no matter what I do it doesn’t seem to be going down - I am finding that the warm weather doesn’t help!
Let me know how you are getting on and take it easy!
Yes I did get the walking boot yesterday, I wish I could say it has been a fatnastic turning point but sadly it hasn't, it has given me more to worry about that really isn't having a good effect.
The frustrating thing is the consultant said it was healing well but when he took off one of the bandages there was a little blood and so he said to keep it on and gave me antibiotics to prevent and infection risk which has sent the mind into overdrive even though he said it was fine and wasn't by the ankle so no pressure from movement. The other bandage on the inside of the ankle was dry but by the time I got home there was the tinies bit of blood which freaked me out and as it was by the ankle I have been worrying about it all day and night.
Last night I tried to change the plasters bt the ones they gave me weren't the right size and it ended in a massive argument with the wife just to add to the stress.
I need to start moving the ankle up and down by of course that hurts too and with that and the worry about the incision and any issues there....I feel like I have fallen off a cliff into the ravine...
Why is it that for some us experts in a field can say something is fine yet there are still things to freak out about!?
I am hoping that over the coming days these feels dissolve and I can feel better and get about without worrying so much!
When I had the cast I too found the hot weather really didn't help, I have had a fan on for days now asa keeping cooler seems to be better!
Sorry to hear your am is not playing ball either. I hope the physio today provides some relief and progress!
Do you have some sort of equivalent to the airboot but for the arm?
I feel your disappointment- it’s so frustrating when you think that progress is being made and then other symptoms arise giving you more to worry about.
I found that even though my husband and family mean well I keep getting frustrated with them as they don’t understand what I am going through and how worried I am sometimes. It’s hard going from an independent person to having to rely on other people.
When my son had his cast removed following an operation on his tendons the wound was more or less dry with a little area of wet blood but nothing too concerning. Perhaps having your plaster removed disturbed your wound a bit hence a little more bleeding. Do you live in the UK? If so I suggest that you visit your doctors surgery if you can as the nurse there should be an expert in wound management and perhaps get your doctor to take a look just or a second opinion! I did this with my own doctor as I was concerned that my cast was removed without me even having an X-ray beforehand but he said that this was quite common.
When my cast was removed I didn’t know what to do with my wrist - I was afraid to move it as it hurt but my consultant got me press my hands together to stretch my wrist but it really hurt! I’m finding movement a little easier now as I have started physio - have you been referred yet? When my cast came off I wasn’t given any support for it - I expected to be given a least a splint for support but nothing! I felt like a puppy with a wounded paw when it came off as I was just holding my arm up in the air, not quite sure what to do with it. Thankfully now I am able to dangle it down by my side but am still concerned that this doesn’t help the swelling but my physio said that it’s fine to do this!
I’m still getting good days and bad days where I feel anxious and sorry myself but I try and remind myself that I need to be patient and everybody heals at a different rate but this is easier said than done sometimes and no matter how much my physio says that I am doing fine and everything is ok like you I still worry!
Like you I hope the worry subsides as time goes on - I am aiming to return to work in September so hopefully I’ll feel more normal then! Next step driving!!!
Its been a while but in that time I sank a bit deeper then had my first physio session which was unbelieveably painful then she handed me 1 crutch and said go to the end of the corridor without touching the wall or anything, needless to say it was very difficult but..... on the plus side it was the push I needed!!
I am now getting about on the airboot as I should have been days before but it is amazing to be able to walk to the end of the road and get outside in the fresh air.
Not to mention I have been able to help my wife with a bit of tidying!
I’m glad to hear that you are making progress- I think that slow and steady is the way forward for both of us!
I’ve had a few sessions of physio and even though he is pleased with my progress I still feel down sometimes as I don’t feel normal yet - I guess that I’m just too impatient! My wrist is still stiff though I have to admit it is better than it was and some of the numbness has diminished though I don’t want to speak too soon in case it comes back! On the plus side I have now started to drive short distances which is a step in the right direction to regaining independence! I bet you feel better just being able to go for a walk and even helping a bit with the housework - just being able to wash the dishes was a big achievement for me!
You should start to see more improvement now that you have started physio even though it is hard - I have been given resistance bands to help with wrist strengthening but am finding the exercises difficult as I cannot yet make a full fist but I will not give up. I think patience and determination is the key for both of us!
Keep me updated with your progress as it’s nice to be able to chat with someone else also in a similar condition!
Hi Freddy, I feel your pain, I have a severe spiral break of my tibia and a couple of breaks in my fibula done on 28th Feb 2018 slipping on the ice on a dog walk! I had to have emergency surgery to save my foot/leg as during the night of my accident day I developed acute department syndrome, scared the pants off me!! have been in an external fixator for the last 16 weeks, non weight bearing for 12 of those and only minimal weight bearing for the last 4 weeks. I went back today hoping to get a date for removal of frame but been sent away for another 4 weeks.
When I initial had my accident I was emphatically told NOT to take ibuprofen/naproxen as it hinders bone recovery. Even now after all this time, if I’m upright for any length of time my foot swells, goes dark purple and feels uncomfortable. I also get “lightening strikes” a nerve type pain that shoots down my leg and makes my foot judder - in the main these are uncomfortable but occasionally very painful.
When you go to bed, do you have your leg on pillows? True elevation to reduce swelling means having your leg higher than your heart. I have been told the swelling in my ankle may never go or, once I get more mobile movement should help.
I did read one lady saying we should get a form of counselling to deal with the psychological aspects of all this, I would totally agree, many a time I have thrown my toys out of the pram!!
Do you have access to a wheelchair? You can get them from the Red Cross for a small donation. I have one with a leg extender and it has been a lifesaver. Getting out and about is vital for your mental well being!!!
I see you were hoping to have your cast off on the 12th June, hope this went ahead? Long road ahead, do not think about next week just one day at a time x
I read your post re your accident and truely felt for you as that sounds absolutely terrible.
I find it quite scary that you can have such a bad accident when out for a walk but I suppose this is sometimes how these things happen.
I didn't think they did external fixators much more? although I was told if my swelling didn't go down I would have to go down that route.
Sleeping was a problem because of the pain but has got much better and now only on 1 level of pillows, where originally I was on about 6 just to get some comfort.
My wife and I talked about getting a wheel chair to get around and I think that we should done that as it would have helped.
Yes I had my cast off on the 12th and got the air boot and hoped for good progress but sadly this pushed my anxiety and fear over the edge and I was worse. I got home from the appointment and went straight to bed where I felt safe. It wasn't till 22nd when I had physio which was extremely painful that the physio forced me to get up and walk which was really hard at first but has got easier and has made a huge difference. Just getting outside into the fresh air as you say definately made a huge mental difference.
In some ways I feel embarassed that I got in such a bad way but my problem was more mental than physical considering how much worse off others are but now feeling much much better I can see how low I got.
There were days that were ok'ish where I held it together and there were days I was in peices researching one-way trips to Switzerland. I asked my GP for anti-depressants but he said no because a boken leg was only temporary. I then had a nurse look at the wound a few weeks later and broke down and she said to go back to the GP and because I broke down there too he gave me anti-depressants. Now while the anxiety is still there it is so much less than it was before and I get up and about every day.
As you say still a long road but I can definately feel the progress although it is slow. I want to get back to gardening as in the 2 months I couldn't get out of bed the garden has gone mad.
I really hope you get a date for removal of the frame soon. Are you able to weight bear yet?
I am now able to minimal weight bear on my toes but I am finding it really difficult on crutches as I am so scared of falling over onto the pins in my shin!
I too have started physio to build up my thigh muscles again but I’m finding the exercises are causing my back problems to flare up so I dread doing them!
I too find it so hard to believe I’m in this predicament because of slipping on ice out on a dog walk! When the doc told me on Friday that the frame is going to be on for at least a further 4 weeks on top of the 4 months it has already been in place I’ll admit I burst into tears! The inactivity is driving me insane. Work won’t let me back because health and safety won’t let me in with my frame so I’m having to cope on SSP which is only £90 a week. Thankfully me and my partner had already decided for me to move in with him so on my discharge I moved straight in. Family and friends had finished the decorating and emptying of my house ready for renting but not the most romantic of times. It became really hard for both of us after about a month, the novelty of me not doing or being capable of doing anything had definitely worn off and he found it hard being my career. Huge rows, toys got thrown etc etc but thankfully now all is great after a long talk. I think we all forget how hard it is for all concerned.
Keep your chin up and just take one day at a time, often easier said than done I know and most of all don’t feel guilty for feeling down, I have read loads of forums with people going through the same and it is so hard for us.
I can sympathise with your predicament! Whilst I have not broken any legs I have previously posted about how a fall in the garden led to my broken right wrist at the beginning of April.
Like yourself and Freddy I have been feeling quite anxious and depressed about the whole situation but am improving gradually following a few sessions of physio.
It’s amazing how being incapacitated makes you feel mentally and initially felt like no one understood what I was going through but this forum has been a great help and now I don’t feel so alone! I am getting out and about more and doing more things for myself such as tying my hair back and cutting my own food but felt so worthless initially as I could not even do the simplest of tasks such as writing and I even missed doing the ironing!
I was told that I would have to be patient with my progress and think of each day as a day closer to healing.
Back to fracture clinic tomorrow to see how everything’s going - fingers crossed for us
I really feel for you as that really does sound terrible. Make me feel bad for complaining about my situation but either way it is really difficult.
I'm sorry the physio is flaring up back problems, you don't need that on top of everything else. I hope that resolves itself soon for you.
I have found the physio really painful but the pain seems to go when she lets go of my foot.
Having to wait 4 weeks ontop of the 4 months i can fully understand the tears as that must be heart breaking. Not being able to get around on top of it does crush the soul. I will be thinking of you and hoping that the time goes quickly and the next appointment brings with it the removal of the frame.
It souds like it has been really difficult for you and your partner and not at the best timing but it at least the long talk resolved it. I had similar with my wife after getting angry over a few things that were mostly related to my massive fear of anything and everything going wrong. We have moved past it too after a talk.
As you say onwards and upwards! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Patience is something I keep getting told, I want to get back to driving but was told Friday that it is going to be a while yet which is frustrating.
I am finding the physio how you described it where by the end of the day I have more flexibilty and then by the morning I am back to where I started and have to go through the pain of stretching it again
My wound is sore today aswell after the wound clinic nurse had a dig around to get rid of the over granulation.
The boot is also a nightmare in this weather. I go for a walk and come back and the tubular support bandage is damp as is the padding of the boot which is not nice. Would be perfect in winter!
