I fractured my fibula and dislocated my left ankle on July 13th. I had surgery to repair everything and had a plate and 8 metal screws inserted. The two largest screws which go thru the tibia for stabilization are being removed on Sept. 13th.
I had a second surgery on Aug. 20 to have bone fragments removed from my foot. That was a nasty painful surgery.
I am now almost 8 wks. post injury and have been in a boot for about two weeks. My problem is that when I am not elevating my leg, my ankle and foot go a purplish colour. When I re-elevate it, it goes back to the normal colour.
I am really starting to be concerned, has anyone else experienced this and does anyone know if this is going to be an added bonus to a really painful injury?
I would appreciate any input or comments, thanks so much!
I'm two weeks ahead of you on recovery. I still get quite a bit of swelling and more of a reddish purple tint now when my foot is down for long periods. Putting pressure on it is helping out with it. It sounds like you're right on track with recovery. I wish you well!
Mine turns this color off and on for no reason at eight weeks. I didn't have any complications and I am still doing well. So it must be a normal color.
I want to say thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my dilemma. This has all been so overwhelming and painful and living alone has been even more of a challenge, but with wonderful friends and neighbours, I am coping - most of the time anyway ...lol
All the very best to you in your recovery.
This is a wonderful site with so many kind people supporting each other, I'm grateful I found it.
It's very normal. Unfortunately, no one tells you what to expect, so you have to rely on patient experience. Just keep elevating in between weight bearing walks! 😆
Thats pretty normal. I'm seven weeks from a double ankle fusion & arch reconstruction & still can't leave my foot down for any length of time as it turns purple. They tell me it will get better. It just takes time. Good luck with your healing journey.
The first time I was able to get in the shower without my boot, hubby was looking at my foot saying you need to put it up. It nit only turned a funky shade of purple, but it was really swolken and scaly looking because of all the dead skin. It really was a nasty sight! Hubby just kept saying put your foot up, lol! He really wasn't at all well with how it looked.
Sorry to hear about you having to join us all on the ankle recovery. I'm now 21weeks since my accident. Still get quite a lot of pain but swelling has gone dwn a lot unless I'm on it for a while. The red/purple has now gone but does turn a lovely shade of pink. Can't tell you how exciting it was for my very first stand up shower. Bit nervous and still don't feel 100% safe, but it felt awesome. Weeks of Sat on a bath seat gone!!. I can't walk far and have a bad limp that I'm hoping will go at some point. I wish you well. It's a long ride but we will get there. Sx
I'm sad to hear that you are still experiencing a lot of pain after so much time, that's terrible. How disheartening, and it is so very easy to fall into depression when things look like they will never improve.
I'm grateful to hear that your purple/red foot has dissipated, I'm hoping mine goes away in time as well.
I understand how you would be really nervous having your first shower standing up, I know that will be frightening for me whenever I get there.
I will keep very positive thoughts for your recovery process and you will be doing the jig -- limp free -- very soon.
It's been a great support for me. Even on my down days. And I mean down days which I've had many. Even have them still. The support I have had from this site had really been lifesaving fir me. Sx