Update-Broken Ankle-1 Year later
So its been about a 1 year (and a month) since I completely broke my ankle (broke every bone and dislocated it) and I’m proud to say my ankle is basically healed. I have scars on both sides of my ankle and it still swells bigger than my non-broken ankle but overall I can do everything again that I could do before I broke it. In fact I have started running at the Gym and it holds up well. Every so often my ankle will tell me if I’ve done too much by causing some pain or if the weather is changing. I still have all of the metal in my ankle as I figure that I’m going to at least enjoy the summer before deciding if I want to get the metal removed or not. Any of you out there who have broken an ankle before do you still have the metal or not? Is it as simple a procedure as the doctor says to remove it? Do I have to go back on crutches at all?
Hi Diane:
I understand your frustration, I had 1 screw removed on January 4th of this year, after the surgery I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks and it hurts like hell. These Dr’s need to tell the truth about recovery, there is no way you will only need two weeks to heal. I no longer live a pain free life, I wake up with pain everyday, I am just trying to deal with it, without complaining, because the people around me don’t understand, they really think am complaining for no reason, they have no idea about the level of pain am feeling with each step I take. Plan to be layed-up for a while. Each time they go in-and-out they are messing with the nerves and bones do have nerves. Good luck….
Hey all, my tri-mal is about 9 months ago. Stepped over the dog out the front door and here we are. 13 screws and a long plate later. Haven’t been able to return to work (RN in ICU) due to pain in inner ankle with every step. My foot flays out and “sits: at 2 o’clock!! Dr thinks it’s my Psterior tibial tendon that was probably injured in the original break. PT didn’t help it so here we are. Went to se him Mon and he wants to take out the 2 inner ankle screws so that we can get a MRI. He thinks the picture won’t be usefull with ALL the metal in. I also have warmth and achyness around my plate. Can’t even think about crossing my legs and putting pressure on it!! Dr said he COULD take all the hardware out but doesn’t want to right now. So OR on OCt 26th (he said it will take 15 min) and then 2 weeks to heal and then schedule MRI to see what’s up with the tendon. Such a long process. I’ve lost my job as of last month due to so much time off. I really loved that job. Hoepfully I can return and it will be available and my employer will take a chance on me again. I would do a desk job but I can’t work days and there aren’t any available!!! So discouraged. How bad does the removal hurt?? He said I won’t go all the way asleep and I’ll need my walker afterward for awhile. Sounds like a step back but I know it isn’t. Just want my life back. Don’t know what you got till it’s gone, right?? hang in there everybody!!!!
I broke my ankle doing gymnastics, I can still handstand in a cast, But the weird thing is it never really hurt when i done it, or having pains after the operation, never took a pain killer never needed it. In the cast i can put all my weight on 1 leg already and i’m taking calcium, zinc, and copper tablets! I can start to walk in 2 weeks i think, haha well i hope, been 5 weeks since the break!
Hi Josh,
How did you break it? It is a long and emotional at times process for sure. I thought I was going crazy until I read way back several months here on this site and found comfort in that I was not.
Deana
Hey Abby,
The doctor has declared me healed today!!!!! Says the bones are healed up and says I can put my boot in the closet. He made me walk across the examining room, tennis shoe on good foot, bare on bad . . . I was scared and carried my crutch with me across the room. Then had to lean up against the door and stretch right leg way back and keep foot flat on floor, not easy as it sound. Have a page of exercises to do three times a day. Been walking around a little around the house, like little baby steps, then ankle started getting a little tired so grabbed an old crutch from a previous injury of my husand, and now using my crutch. Don’t want to over do it the first day. Feels stressed on my arch and I have an extremely high arch. Said I didn’t need a brace or anything. A little swelling on the inside back near the heel where the inside break was and he said it was scar tissue??? Wonder IF that will eventually go down or dissolve or what? Also feeling a little pressure on the bones up towards my toes where it stayed swollen for darn near 7 weeks.
Baby steps . . . but I’m getting there. It would have been TWELVE very long weeks come Wed. night. Longest 3 months of my life. But considering I made it through the healing process of a bi-mal fracture, without open surgery and screws and plates, I’m happy with the final results . . . and I’m sure I’ll get better at walking . . . I mean after the boot it took me almost a week to go from two to one crutch and another week or so to do a little hobbling around with no crutches and the boot. I think I’ll keep one crutch by my bed for night use for a week or so.
Let’s still keep in touch and you have been such a wonderful friend to help talk me through this the last couple of months. I go back in three weeks! He said I could go swim, ride a stationary bike, walk on the treadmill once I feel like it and do those exercises but didn’t really prescribe professional physical therapy, not sure IF he will in three weeks or let me go on my own???
Woo Hoo!!!! Well I’m off to watch Dancing With The Stars. I love that show but I guess I’ll never be a dancer or wear those high shoes they wear either. I’d love to take ballroom dancing lessons but I’d never talk my husband into it, besides, I think I have two left feet when it comes to dancing. LOL
ttyl,
Deana
Hello everyone! From what i have read this is a place for ankle injuries and stories of recoveries, It seems really scary seeing everyone have problems this far on, I’m only 19 and recently suffered from a trimalleolar ankle fracture. I used to run everyday and do many sports, I have 1 plate and 2 bolts, I get my first cast off in a week I can’t wait to start building up the muscles again!
Deana,
I have had several brake slamming experiences. The first one was a little scary because I was worried what was going to happen to my ankle, and I did not know if I would be able to hit the brake fast enough to stop. But I managed! Congrats on getting out of the house! That is awesome! I am glad you are finally able to get around even if it is a pain in the butt with the boot! Maybe you will get to take it off for good on Monday! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Good luck let me know what happens!
Hey Abby,
You are doing so wonderful! I drove around the block on Wed. with my husband for a test drive and went out Thurs. to get son from school on my own. It was a pain, getting out with boot, switching to ankle brace, and back to boot and wouldn’t work so well in the rain since I sit with my legs out. Can’t drive my vehicle yet, too high up, so driving husbands car. Went out to the high school football game last night even though my ankle was a bit achy, hadn’t been this year and both kids were there since they had the middle school play with them, kinda a tradition to give them a feel for it. Sitting on the lowest bleacher, too many rude people came and stood in front of us for half time show so will have to go back to another game in a week or so after homecoming and their next away game and sit up higher and plan to stay the whole time since I will be slow coming down the steps.
I go back to the doctor Monday. I’m guessing two more weeks in the boot but who knows????
I was nervous driving to Steven’s school, 60 mph and a couple of red lights and afraid they’d change and I’d have to slam on brakes with bad right foot, then figured I’d just go no matter the color at some point/distance . . . I think it was nerves after not driving for 11 weeks and the last time I drove was when I got rear-ended.
Hi everyone. Especially those who kept me sane ‘at the beginning’ – on 20 Jan 2010 while on holiday in Africa, I slipped and ended up with a tri mall right ankle fracture. Had surgery that day – screw on inner and 7 screws and plate on outer. FYI I am 41 – generally healthy female. Next few months were a nightmare – ups and downs and still having up and down days! In March I had one screw out as it was interfering with my joint. This coming Tuesday I am having the plate and screws out – yay! They will leave the screw on the inner side – it doesn’t worry me. The reason they are removing the other is that I can ‘feel’ them esp when I hit something against the plate without warning – i.e. when vacuuming, if the pipe hits up against it yowee! I am nervous at yet another surgery – third in 8 months but feel like it will be the beginning of a new era! My goal was to be able to run again – I can do 4 minutes and that’s it. Apart from that I can do pretty much everything else that I used to do before the fall. Some days it’s sore going down stairs, some days not. Sometimes if I have had a long walk then the next day is agony – sometimes not! So it’s always a surprise. I am still reminded every morning when I take my first few steps and wonder if the day will come when I get up in the morning and there is no discomfort?
I have learnt so much from this experience and would encourage people who are in the same predicament – there is light at the end of the tunnel!! I know that lots of you will be wondering what the process is when having the hardware removed. I will let you know how it goes and what my experience is. Hang in there folks.
I ran, I ran .8 miles on the treadmill yesterday, back to work on Monday, and I have been biking like a mad woman! I think I am in better shape now than before the accident! I actually feel like I am healed and back to mostly normal! The limp is slowly leaving, and only when I am sore does it reappear! I just think this week made me feel like I am finally over the hump and headed towards full recovery! Deana, how are u doing??? Long time no post!
Deana,
My long lost broken friend, thought you were healed and you ditched me! I am hurting like crazy today! I cleaned the basement…it seemed like a good idea! But now I am thinking not so much! I go back to work on the 20th, I am so nervous, not sure how my ankle is going to handle it! I am hoping for the best! I had PT this morning, then the gym! It is getting cooler here, and I feel like I am finally progressing well! It has been such a long haul! 10 weeks tomorrow! I cannot believe it! I remember the day they did the surgery and how I really thought I was never ever going to walk again! Now look how things have changed! I am walking, not perfectly but it has happened! The doctor said my ankle is completely healed, my wrist has a small chip in the ulna but not a big deal, and my knee, well that is a whole other story! I have to have it fixed next summer (10 more weeks of recovery) they will put in a prosthetic tendon and all sorts of things! I am not looking forward to that but I do not want to wear the knee brace forever! I did manage to take the kids to a county fair this weekend! And tomorrow Fletcher and I are going shopping, so life is coming back! I hope you are doing well! I love hearing from you! Heal quick, be careful, get ready for some serious shopping! you deserve it!
Hey Abby! Long time no chat. That is TERRIFIC. I am very happy for you. Glad you are looking forward to going back to work, me I’m looking forward to going SHOPPING! LOL
Please be careful though, I was chatting with my friend in CA and her sister broke her ankle, re-broke it the day she got her cast off. Her nephew, re-broke his in less than a week. AFTER hearing that, you can be sure I’ll be extra cautious.
Not looking forward to going down stairs. With the boot I’ve been going up them, just 5-6 getting into our house. But down, um no thanks, I’ll scoot down for now.
Been keeping myself busy with more paralegal research for our HOA. Might try to go to the high school football game this Friday. The middle school will also be playing with them, band, so a chance to see both kids in one night. Oh and I got the doctor office to fax the DMV form to the other office close to husbands office and he stopped by and picked me up a handicap hanging placard to use for the next month or two . . . figure it will help when I get back out to fun shopping and grocery shopping. I go back one week from today. Started walking with just one crutch this past Wednesday night. Calf of good leg is a little sore in the back and right hip of bad ankle sore when I sleep & toss & turn. Must be from the weeks of non-use and hopping around on one foot & crutches. Hopefully that will go away SOON.
Enjoy your last two weeks before heading back to work!
Abby
That is great news. Luckily when I had my accident I didn’t have a job. I don’t have to work so I was able to be at home. I know what you mean though when you say you are excited about going back to work. Good luck when you go back.
I have officially been released to go back to work…I start back on September 27th! I cannot wait, I feel like I am going stir crazy! I been keeping busy with working out and PT! I still cannot wait to go back to work!
I had PT today, and the focus was mainly on strength training and going down stairs! Let me tell you a broken ankle does not like going down stairs! I am hurting right now! I guess I never realized how much an ankle must bend in order to go down just one step! Everything else at PT is going great, I can do the other exercises with no problem but those steps are killers!
Deana,
I go back to the doctor on Friday to get xrays of both my wrist and ankle! I am hoping to be released and able to return to work!!!!! I cannot wait to be productive again! For now I work out every morning do PT 3 times a week and take care of the kids! Soon enough life will get back to normal! I absolutely love biking, it loosens my leg up for the whole day and gets the blood pumping through my leg. When I get up in the a.m. my ankle is so stiff and the early a.m. exercise really helps! I have been lifting some weights that they suggested at PT, so that is helping with the strength, I do all the stretches and then do ultrasound therapy at PT! So lots of work but it is helping and making a difference! If only recovering was as easy as breaking !!!!!!! Eventually we will all be healed up and back to life as we knew it! I am glad you are doing better with the boot! It seems like it would be awkward but I am sure eventually u will adjust and adapt to it! Hang in there!
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Hey Everyone,
It is getting better with the boot. Not great but better. Still walking with the crutches though and always wearing a shoe on other foot so that has helped a lot.
Had another, my second, dream of walking with nothing on my foot and realized it and thought I better sit down. First was back when I still couldn’t bear weight. Mind plays funny games with ya!!!
I have 2 more weeks in boot and after that, who knows, maybe more maybe not. One day at a time.
Abby, I think with all your swimming and biking you are doing GREAT!!!!
Hope everyone is having a nice 3 day weekend!!!!
I am going to attempt to walk my dog this morning! Ankle brace – check, knee brace – check! How long does it take to be back to normal……
Deana,
Hang in there, I have only used a walking boot once and it was when I had a stress fractures from running (I used to run 5 miles a day) I was at WVU in college and everything there was on the side of a hill, I trekked around with it on, to bars, to class, etc…I however did not have a broken ankle when I used it. My advice is stay as active as possible. I had PT this morning, it was rough, they have stepped it up a notch and I am lifting weights, leg press, hamstring curls, stand on one foot (the bad one), stretch my calf muscles and lots of ankle exercises to get my ROM back. I went to the gym before PT and rode the stationery bike for 45 min. So now I am tired! The amazing thing is that it is not swollen, the activity decreases the swelling and I feel better after wards! This is my 8 week mark, I have a Dr. appt today to get my scar looked at since the sutures are still coming out! It is really weird, the antibiotics they put me on are killing my stomach but I guess that is just one possible side effect! Better than an infected ankle. So how long are you in the boot for and when do u start PT???? My advice about the daughter is make her wear the boot for about an hour and see how she likes it! Those things are a pain! but at least u can take it off and shower! U will be back on your feet in no time! Do leg exercises and keep moving as much as possible!
I had a horrible time wiht my boot too. It was SO heavy and higher tahn my other foot and I couldn’t get my foot “down in” enough so it felt like I was on my toes all the time. My ankle hurt so bad so I couldn’t SHOVE it down in. Then the padding squeezed it so bad that I could only wear it about 1/2 hr-1 hr at a time. My hubby and “know it all 15 and 16 yr olds” kept saying why can’t you walk in it? I’ve seen people at Wal Mart in those boots and you can’t tell. Nobody understands this unless you’ve been through it. I never walked in my boot and when I finally went to PT they said let’s just try without it in a regular shoe with my walker (couldn’t get the hang of crutches) and it went SO much better. that was about 10-12 weeks. I am now 9 months out and am having a really difficult time. Apparently it’s my posterior tibial tendon. It hurts when I walk and my foot stays at “2pm” instead of straight. I kept saying “I think the Dr screwed it on wrong” HAHA anyway I’ve done exercises and it won’t get better. Can’t go up on my toes anymore and it’s getting weaker. Dr thinks I may have damaged it in the fracture process. I go back 9/13 and I think he wants to take 2 screws out to get a MRI (better picture) to check my tendons. My hardware hurts so bad on the outside as well so we’ll see. Just discouraged that I’m not better. Just want to get back to work and walk longer than 1 hour before I have to sit. Just try your best with the boot but it was not helpful for me. TOo heavy and not fit right! UGH Hang in there!!
Diane
Deanna,
hang in there. I know your husband and daughter don’t know what you are going through but they will eventually. It put my marriage to the test and we got through it thank goodness. I usually take care of all of the animals and when I broke my ankle my husband had to do it all plus go to work. So it will get better. I hope you feel better soon.
Hi Abby
I’m not doing so hot. Got this stupid boot on Monday after 6 weeks in a splint & 3 more in a cast . . . well everyone around here, my husband and know-it-all 16 yr. old daughter thinks I should be jogging around the block by now. I still can’t walk in this stupid thing. I tried taking a few steps without crutches a little while ago and it just doesn’t work and my ankle hurt afterward. This thing is heavy, the inside of arch is super high, it rocks, and rolls to the outside and I haven’t walked in 9 weeks geez. Plus the bones are still healing, still have a bit of swelling and I freaking don’t feel like re-breaking it or falling and breaking the left ankle. PLUS after a couple of days my right knee really hurt yesterday and still hurts some today. So I’m not a happy camper tonight. I’m not looking forward to a 3 day weekend with them all here 24 hours a day either. I may just hide out in my bedroom most of the weekend.
I hope you are doing better than me for sure!!!!!
Deana,
How is everything going? I hope you are doing well! I have been progressing well, I biked 5 miles today at the Y which was plenty! Now I am wishing I could use a broken ankle as an excuse to not fold laundry…however I dont think it will work! My swelling is finally down! I really think those sutures were causing a large chunk of the swelling and now that they are all at the surface my swelling is minimal! I am still limping but working on getting rid of the limp, I have to think a little harder when I walk to try to walk the right way instead of favoring the bad leg! All in all I am healing up! I have 2 more weeks of PT then back to work! I am hoping by then the swelling will be even better and my limp will not be so noticeable! Hope you are doing great!
Hi Judy,
My boot seems much heavier than my fiberglass cast. I’m going to, starting today, count the pumps so I can get the right number since sometimes if feels fine and sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve just been pumping away and while your still sitting it doesn’t really let you judge what will feel the best when walking. Just re-inflated with 14 pumps and it feels fine sitting here so we’ll see and work up or down from there.
Hi Michelle,
I’m still sleeping with foot on a European sham (high) and a pillow and yet another pillow under my knee/thigh since without can become achy just sticking up there in mid-air. That is a very good point about still wearing at night in case of getting bumped, jumped on by kids or rolled over by husband.
My left hip is very achy today so I MUST make myself wear a shoe even just around the house tomorrow. I’m STILL using crutches at this point.
Abby,
Oh my, I hope the infection clears up soon. Sounds like you caught it early enough. I’m sure being a nurse you’ll protect it from the chlorine water when swimming.
The “slippery-ness” seems to be getting better. I was only able to get in two hours this afternoon without the boot and laying with it propped up and 5 minutes a couple of times sitting up with barefoot on the floor . . . not there yet but much better than Monday & Tuesday.
Everybody: My right foot still seems a bit bigger than left, foot, ball of foot, toes, ankle, not as bad as before . . . will my right foot/ankle EVER be the same size as my left one or will it always be like this? I’m going on 9 WEEKS as of tonight from the fall.
Let me explain my day!
I got up this morning and my ankle was looking pretty good considering it is rejecting the internal sutures and small bits of Vicryl suture are coming out of it! Then an area kinda popped open and oozed…PANIC….INFECTION….AHHHH, I called the Dr. immediately (of course my Dr. is out of town) so the other Dr. who is covering for him took 3 hours to call back. Now I am on Keflex in case it is infected and they want betadine soaked dressings on it….well the wound itself is only the size of a pin hole…so I am really not sure that the betadine soaked dressing is necessary…but the Keflex, that I asked to be put on yesterday, makes me feel better! I am glad I am a nurse because I feel like I have some inside knowledge…but it makes it really hard to be a patient! Well now that I have my antibiotics I am hoping all will be well!
Deana,
December 22 will be my two years anniversary and am still having alot of pain and swelling. However, regard the boot, it’s the safest way to go, it’s all about preventive measures, as far as the support goes and to avoid you bumping and anyone stepping or bumbing into you. Yes, it was heavy by with proper support under your leg, you won’t feel the weight as much while you are laying down or sleeping. When I did’nt sleep in my boot there was alway an accident, my kids would come in the room and lay right across my foot or my husband would throw his leg while sleeping not remembering my bad foot. You should not be coming off you bed with the bad foot first, it’s always the good foot first, the bad foot will buckle and cause you more problems. While wearing my boot I realized that my hip on the good side was being affected, so the therapist recommended that I use my cruthes for support, since I was off balance with the boot on. A sneaker with high botton will do the trick. Once you are complety out of the boot a (Fabric like) ankle brace is good along with your sneakers, preferrable New Balance. Take it easy, you have come a long way and it’s an injury that always reminds you when you are doing too much – (it make you slow down, if you want to are not) Also try to walk with the tip of the boot in a straight position, I found myself walking like a duck, I was walking with the boot turned to the side….
Deana,
I would sleep without the boot! I am sure at this point you could do that, call the Dr. and ask! I am glad u are without a cast! Sometimes I wish I had a boot! My leg hurt like crazy after PT yesterday!
Good luck
Abby
Hey Deana:
I hated the boot, too, but had to wear it for a long time. It was lighter than my cast, which was good, but awkward and I never did get the hang of inflating it properly. After a while, I just left it off at night and kept it next to the bed. That way, I’d put it on every time I got up. Not a great solution, but way better than lying awake at night.
It’s almost 14 months since my accident and, looking back, it’s really hard to believe how many steps and stages one goes through with these injuries. Keep smiling and looking forward, and you’ll do just fine!
Arrrgh on the boot. This thing is heavy. I slept in it last night, my bed is high and getting down, I go down on the broken ankle with most of weight on crutches and good foot on bottom step of the bed steps. Woke up at midnight and the top of my foot was screaming. So went to restroom and while there loosened up the straps a bit, not too much and then back to bed. I so don’t want to go back to sleeping on the couch but I don’t see how I could put the boot back on laying in bed in the middle of the night.
I took it off for two hours today and elevated it after all the walking and being up most of the day yesterday and transition from cast to boot. I put it on the floor, just sitting there with just the weight of my leg on my foot, no standing or walking, and the feeling of foot to floor seemed a little better so will do this again for another two hours after I finish posting.
Also, the rolling of the boot and the instep under my arch seems a bit high and I have HIGH arches to begin with, makes my foot seem like it is rolling to the outside. I don’t like that.
Oh and Abby, the YMCA here for family membership is 73.00 a month which is why I thought it was high for the Y or even a gym.
That pedicure and spa trip will be coming soon!
That feeling of slipping will fade, mine was like that too! I think it is because the cast was so big and the foot is so much smaller, it is just a perception thing, but still scary! I am so happy that you are doing so well. I was the same way, heading to the mall/outlets, after I could walk! I have been using a therapy band to stretch my ankle out it seems to have worked wonders! I also do the circles, and flex it alot. I just left the YMCA, I did 4 miles on the stationary bike today and will swim this afternoon when Sophia is done with school! She wants to go too! I think we are healing and moving on up pretty well! Scrub that foot and get it sparkling, tell that hubby you want a lift to the spa to get a pedicure, you deserve it!
Hi Abby
I now am the proud owner of a moon boot. Man this thing has about 6 or 7 straps for fastening and a little valve to turn and pump it with air around the ankle. This slippery feeling on the floor is so WEIRD when no cast and no boot. I did take the boot off for an hour this evening to lay down and elevate it and just to let it breathe and to start trying to flex it a little.
Go back in 3 weeks.
Only saw the Physicians Asst. today. More xrays. Said it is looking good.
Still can’t drive with this thing on. I can take it off to drive but will have to try a couple of days with it off laying down and flexing my foot up and down and TRY to maybe even do circles with my foot. Just sitting in a chair waiting to go into the contraption room where they have all the various devices to use on people . . . . setting my foot on the carpet (ewww germs) it just slid around when I moved it and felt very slippery and sort numbness/no feeling or I just don’t know how to describe it but it has been cooped up in the splint and then the cast for SIXTY ONE long days. It was sorta that same “slippery” thing right after falling when I stood up and tried to walk. It feels like my foot is on ice or slick glass it is VERY weird. They have NEVER done an MRI so my husband said maybe you have nerve damage. Gee Thanks Dear, just what I need to worry about now for the next 3 weeks.
I think I’m trying to take too big of steps, like a normal walking step, and will have to start taking 1/2 sized baby steps when I let go of my crutches.
I DID manage to walk up the steps, one step at a time coming back home into the house. I think I still may scoot down going out, down is much scarier.
Oh and we stopped at the mall and I walked, with crutches, to the Carlton store and was going to get the Wicked ornament. Was NOT impressed, especially for 27.00, and even though the nice guy held 2 for me and called me when they came in, I went over to the counter after looking at the small wall of ornaments and told them I had changed my mind but thanked them for holding them for me. It was exhausting the walk to the store, from the entrance about the middle of the mall and then clear on one end. We could have parked at Sears but that would have meant going down and then back up the escalator and I wasn’t ready for that.
Steve even offered for me to go up and he’d walk back & then drive down to Sears and get me and I said NOPE. I think my crutches were a little short having a shoe on the one foot and the boot on the other vs. being at home barefoot and cast/cast-shoe before. We did find Toy Story 3 silly banz. Two packs. The 16 yr. old LOVES TS1, 2 & 3 and so do several of her friends. We’ve gotten her a HUGE oversized TS coloring book at Sam’s before vacation, TS Band-Aids (she’s a dancer and marching band), TS Buzz keychain for her new (used) car, and now silly bandz. Funny how a little 5.99 each pack of those can still make a 16 yr. old happy. LOL Her friends were sooooooooo jealous, IF I’d known, I’d have bought several packs of each style since I had to work so hard to walk that far. It was my first time in a store in 61 days!!!! That is a long time of no shopping for a shopaholic like me.
My heel looked the worst as far as dead skin goes. I just took a shower last night, a REAL CHORE especially for Steve as he has to take sliding glass doors off, hang a shower curtain up there and we slit it to stick my foot out. Yay won’t have to do that anymore. But may try a bath tomorrow night and scrub that leg/ foot! GROSS. LOL
Anybody else experience the slippery feel of the floor with your barefoot at the time of accident and/or later when cast and/or boot were taken off?
Deana,
how was the appointment! Any good news????????
Deana,
Kindergarten was a success! She loved it! Fletcher starts this week! I joined the YMCA here today, it is 145 for 5 months! Which is not too bad! I was paying $7 each time! So this will be better, two of the stitches came out, 2 more are still causing inflammation and pain! Not pain when I walk but pain if anything touches the skin near them. I cannot wait to hear about your appointment! I hope you get the cast off! I hate casts! I am walking without a problem now, I swam for about 1 1/2 hours today at the Y and the swelling was gone when I got out of the pool! I go back to PT tomorrow! I really hate PT, it is all things I could do at home, but I have this rerun PT therapist who lectures me each time I go! I am about to request a new therapist! Let me know how tomorrow goes! Good luck!
Hi Abby,
Oh Dear! I was thinking I needed to type to you today and am so sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems but sounds like some time and patience will do the trick and no more surgery or anything invasive.
Tomorrow is my BIG DAY . . . I think.
I’ll either get:
cast off and moon boot on
cast off and nothing on
OR
worst case
cast on two more week or however long
I would be happy with either the first or second option and least happy with the last.
Not much going on here, nothing to report. Trying to pass time, a little cleaning and some cooking too. Lots of just playing on the computer and watching TV.
How was the first day of K for the little one?
Also been looking for an indoor pool to join. After hearing how much you have enjoyed it . . . the Y is EXPENSIVE these days. Also a few other options, probably the nicest and newest one is in the worst part of town as far as crime and such goes so off the list for that one. Too bad I still don’t live in D/FW Texas. I had a lifetime membership at Presidents/Bally’s and my dues were only 25.00 a YEAR. They had EVERYTHING and of course I paid pretty big bucks at that time for the privilege of that low amount by paying UP FRONT. And now no reciprocating facility here where we live so I lost it all.
So I woke up this morning and my ankle was swollen, painful, and red! Hmmmm not good! It freaked me out, so I called my friend who is a physicians assistant in the OR, she told me to come over to the hospital so she could look at it. Because why would I call the DR when he is just going to call her! So she told me my body is rejecting the suture they used on the inside, and pushing it out through the incision. So basically I wait for the suture to come to the surface and pull it out, then the inflammation goes away! Gross yes, but better than an infection! So I am sitting here waiting for the suture to pokes its evil head out so I can yank it out and be free of the inflammation!
Hope everyone is doing well!
I had three surgeries and I am doing fine right now. In January my doctor wants to take out two of the screws. It will give me more movement. It is a little sore sometimes but all in all I go hiking ride my horse and walk all over. Sometimes I limp sometimes I don’t. It just depends on the ankle.
Wendi – you say it’s a year since you broke your ankle. Did you have surgery and how is your progress now?
Very interested – I am nearly 8 months and it’s been a long haul.
Thanks.
Deana,
I put my post op pics on my facebook page, one of the scar 6 weeks post op, and one of the swelling when they took the cast off! Should give you some idea of how the swelling is! Today is a long day for me, my husband is a college professor and teaches a night class, he wont be home until 9pm, so from 7am – 9pm I am on kid duty and they never stop, so I have not really sat down too much! Fletcher and I swam this morning after dropping Sophia at school, then shopped, the dogs ran out of food so it was a necessary trip! Then back to get Sophia….now baths, dinner, bedtime! I hope to have them in bed by 7:30, then I am going to ice and elevate my foot! It is slightly swollen but not as bad as I thought it would be after this long day! I cannot wait until tomorrow to go to PT again, my ankle felt so good after PT on Monday! They used the ultrasound patches and zapped every bit of swelling out of it! It was relaxing! Hope all is well with you today! How have you been spending your time???
Deana, I only have a scar on the outside of my leg. And a tiny scar on the front where they screwed a long screw through. I have been swimming at the YMCA everday because it has been cooler here, Fletcher and I went this morning. I walk in the shallow end and swim some laps whiles Fletcher chases me around the pool! He made a friend this morning she was about 38 years old and had downs syndrome so they swam together. Sophia started kindergarten this morning so I have a bit of a break today! Fletcher starts PK next week! I hope you get those legs working soon! I am feeling really good, and trying to get back to normal, I walk with a slight limp and my ankle swells, but I am making do, trying not to overdo it!
Hang in there you will soon be back in your old shoes walking!
Hey Abby,
How are you doing? Sounds like you had a GREAT time with your PT. I’m really happy you are doing so well. After seeing pics of that scar, man, is there one on both sides or just the one side? OUCH.
Not much going on here this week. I tried walking in the bedroom on carpet without my cast shoe on so right leg wasn’t quite as much longer than left . . . and it is like I am stuck, I can’t get my left leg to go. I sure hope when they are both back being the same height I don’t have this goofy problem.
Is tomorrow the big day for school? I hope it goes well!!!!
Deana,
Pt night one was a success. It started out with some evaluating how much everything bends. Then 20 minutes of ultrasound therapy via 4 small pads on my ankle. the pads were covered with a huge ice pack. Then hydrocortisone therapy for my knee, this involved ultrasound to get the hydrocortisone into my knee. Then lots of exercises with the resistance band and some 5 pound ankle weights. I also had therapy for my wrist. Then at the end I had to walk around the facility for evaluation to see how well I did. I have to do all of the resistance exercises at home daily. 20 reps 3 times each. I go back on Friday evening for PT #2…. I am a little sore now after all the stretching but it is mainly in the arch of my foot! The therapist said definitely back to work in 4 weeks! So grand total 10 weeks to get back to real life! There is hope! If u want any details about the exercises let me know I will be happy to share! The therapist did say the swimming was a huge help and to continue doing that as often as possible. He was pretty amazed that I could walk without crutches and that I was not limping that bad! My foot felt amazing after the therapy like the tightness was relieved! All in all, the therapy was good! I am looking forward to Friday!
Well today is the one year anniversary of my broken ankle. It feels like just yesterday that it happened. I hope everyone is doing well and Having a good day. It is really hot here in San Diego California so I think I will go for a swim. buy for now
She is heading to kindergarten, tonight, is a thing where you can take the supplies in and meet the teachers again. I am sure it will be super fun ( sarcastic). I cannot even imagine vacuuming in a wheelchair. As of Thursday I will only have Fletcher here during the day and then on September 1st he starts preschool 3 days a week all day so I will do PT on those days! Having both kids is hard with a crippled leg. I can get around but not fast enough for them! They are good kids and can occupy themselves while I sit with ice on my ankle. I managed to do 3 loads of laundry today which is a chore since the washer and dryer are in the basement, my husband will be carrying it all upstairs tonight. It is alot cooler here today so no swimming, but the heat wave is coming back!
Hi Abby,
You found me! I need to put some other pics up but hated having that “no person” icon. I just never get around to it so my Shelties were the handiest thing already on my computer.
I just tried to walk in the bedroom with carpet and use a cane and couldn’t do it. I think it is because this leg is longer with the cast and cast shoe or maybe I’m just a chicken.
Maybe later I’ll put a shoe on and try it or take the cast shoe off and try again.
Yes vacuuming from a wheelchair was loads of fun. The cord kept getting caught on where the legs rests go (I have them off otherwise too hard to maneuver in tight spaces) and the smaller little wheels up front and kept having to bump over the cord and it was a tangled mess. LOL
Used a steam mop in the kitchen but was easier to keep the cord out of the way on it due to much shorter cord.
Have fun at orientation tonight. So she’ll be off to Kindergarten? Or first grade? Time does fly!!!!
Deana,
If you have two really cute shelties as your profile pic on facebook, then I added you as a friend, if not then some other Deana is going to think I am a stalker…lol….Went to the store today with the kids, it was an adventure, we were out of apple juice so the trip was necessary! I start PT tonight at 4 pm ET, I am not sure what to expect, they told me to wear comfortable clothes! Then Sophia and Fletcher have a school orientation at 6pm, I will be on crutches for that one! I also tried to clean up a little today but made it about as far as the dishes then quit! I am not sure how you vacuumed in a wheel chair but I bet it was exciting and I would have loved to have seen it! Hang in there and have a great day!
Hi Abby
Couldn’t find you on facebook. I added my last name to this post so see IF you can find me. I don’t get on there very often, just once in awhile to check up on my teenage daughter.
Sounds like you are doing just wonderful! Please don’t do too much too soon though. I hope it goes as well for me too and I hope that it will. Hearing how great you are doing so soon after the casts came off gives me HOPE.
I couldn’t stand it any longer and swept, mopped and vacuumed in the wheelchair yesterday. Looks much better now.
Steve and the kids tried to keep things half way decent but their clean and my clean aren’t quite the same. THEN the dogs came in this a.m. with red muddy feet. Arrrrrrrrrgh I sent them right back outside and there they shall stay. I bet they are up under the deck as we had quite a bit of rain the past few days. Yay our grass is green again. Everything was so DRY and parched here.
Hey Deana,
I am walking, completely walking, no crutches needed. I have even been able to do the steps. I do the steps really slow but I can do them! I cannot believe that this is how I feel without that cast. I was so worried! Right now I am elevating and icing for some mild swelling but all in all this is not bad! I cannot wait until you get yours off and see how you do! My skin is semi back to normal. My arm quit shedding skin, my foot is still peeling slightly! My scar is about 5-6 inches long and pretty crazy looking but not bad! I want to send you pics so u can see it! if u have facebook and friend me I will show you the pics! I am really looking forward to PT, I went swimming this morning and the pool we went to had a hot tub, it was so nice, it made my foot feel so loose! I think that is the weirdest part is how tight everything feels! It really feels like everything is held together by a huge rubberband that wont stretch. I am able to drive without any pain or any problem. I drove about an hour to a friends house yesterday and an hour home without a single pain. So there is light at the end of the tunnel! Don’t get discouraged! let me know how u are doing!
Deana,
I am walking, no crutches! Only using them when I get sore, I am icing and elevating, I have minimal swelling and really no pain, my wrist hurts worse than my ankle. So all in all I am doing pretty good, I walk slow but that is normal!
Deana,
I am walking, no crutches! Only using them when I get sore, I am icing and elevating, I have minimal swelling and really no pain, my wrist hurts worse than my ankle. So all in all I am doing pretty good, I walk slow but that is normal!