Randomness of Christi : » Broken ankle-2 years later

Comment by anklequest-2

June 4, 2008 @ 4:55 pm

Christi;
Thanks for your blog. It’s been great following it last year. I hope to follow it this year again. Perhaps I can steer the fellow group members to this “new year”.

Anklequest.

Comment by Kami

June 10, 2008 @ 5:53 pm

Hi Christi, so glad your doing well. I will be at 1yr. on June 15th. I am so glad to hear that you still have your metal in. I hear of so many people that get theres taken out. I plan to leave mine in, really don’t want another surgery. I have 1 plate and 10 screws, was wondering what you have? Thanks so much for this wonderful site, God Bless You!

Comment by Judy

June 10, 2008 @ 6:29 pm

Hi Christie,
I am glad you are doing well! I am a newbie (still in my cast from my fall 5/4). Thank you so much for having these sites! Hopefully, I am learning from all of you and will do the best I can to get back up and ‘running’! I had a setback and had the hardware and bones checked and they look good. When using the crutches, I lost my balance and put all my weight on the cast. Since then, immediate swelling and red/purple toes as soon as I put my foot down. The plan for this week was go go flying with the crutches and get to my car and try out my hand controls…oh well.
Take care, all you beloved fellow anklebreakers!

Comment by Louise

June 11, 2008 @ 6:32 am

Hi Christi, and everyone else!! I was having problems posting on the other site as well, so Ill come over to this one. It took absolutley AGES to load, although was sooo helpful. I couldn’t find hardly any websites about ankle dislocations, AND fractures, mostly just about fractures, and as we all know, its mostly the dislocation which is the problem.

Ok, so about me, I am also quite a newbie!! Broke and dislocated left ankle, whilst playing netball on 23rd april 08. Am still in a cast, but am getting a x-ray in 2 days to see if its healed enough for the cast to be removed. I hope it has! Its driving me mad! lol!

If the x-ray is ok, then I need to have some bif screws taken out of my ankle before I can put any weight on it, else they will snap! I think they do it by local anesthetic, which is quite scary!! I am just getting so bored now, and want to get back out and do stuff!

Christi, well done on disney land! Thats quite an accomplishment, and yeah there is a lot of walking involed! hee hee! And also well done on setting up both of these sites!! They are great!

Judy, I did a similar thing, I was hopping behind my friend, and got my stick caught in her shoe, and my cast hit the floor!! It swelled up for a bit, but was ok in a day or so….I didn’t get it checked, but I hope it is ok! Well…Ill find out on friday! :S

Anywho…much love to all!! Speak to you all again soon! Ill let everyone know about what happens on friday! Eeeek!!

Louise xxxxxx

Comment by Sharon

June 11, 2008 @ 8:16 am

Anklequest,

Where do you live? I live in Louisiana and it is upper 90’s everyday so if you have it any hotter than that I don’t know how you stand it. It is hard to stay cool here. Glad you are feeling better. Things can only go up for us now. We’ve been down long enough.

Comment by Tammy

June 12, 2008 @ 1:02 pm

Hi all~

Still following the site…I am 4 months out from my right ankle trimalleor break with dislocation on Feb. 19, 08. I have lots of swelling, still limping, and lots of numbness in the end toes and top of my foot.

Does anyone know how Raynaud’s disease might affect the healing of an ankle fracture?

Glad to hear people are doing well.
Tammy

Comment by Sandra

June 12, 2008 @ 2:40 pm

Christi

Just found this thanks to Anklequest, and it’s brilliant to hear how you are doing after two years - still with a metal leg! It gives me hope.

Now at 9+ months. Have just had two - three weeks of stiffness, tightness and lots of pain. And then Sunday things shifted and I have had a few good days. Long may it continue.

Have been to a running shop that looks at ‘gait’ as I know I am walking differently. Foot is rolling inwards (at back) so I now have trainers to help prevent this and provide more support on inside of foot. Hope it helps, though I have stopped wearing trainers all the time, having ventured into sandals when it’s warmer. It does change foot position and walking, but it’s a bit of freedom and another bit of progress towards ‘normal’ - whatever that will be.

HI to all

Sandra

Comment by Sandra

June 12, 2008 @ 2:42 pm

Anklequest2

Not done this before, but if you ever what to chat, you can email me on sanmis77@hotmail.com.

Bye for now.

Comment by Don

June 19, 2008 @ 6:23 pm

Christi

Thank you for starting the other site and this site. I have been posting on the other site since Dec 2007. I stumbled across that site trying to figure how I was going to manage with my injuries with a wife and 2 daughters. I see that some of mu acquaintances made it over here. Thank you Anklequest for telling me about this site, and I must say we need to get a chance to get together again for lunch. Hopefully my wife will get to come this time.

Sandra

One of the other two ankle breakers I know. I think having both ankles broken at the same time was the biggest obstacle I have ever tried to over come. But Thanks to friends like you and Anklequest and sites like this I have manage to make it this far. And together I think we can all make it through.

To every one Keep looking forward and working at getting better
Congratulations at making it through Disney Christi and hope every one keeps improving

Don

Comment by Pam

June 19, 2008 @ 7:48 pm

Hi all- I posted on the other site, but then saw this one. I too am a newbie. I broke my ankle May 4, 08′, had surgery May 5th (I still have my plates & screws in & my ortho plans on keeping the metal in). It has been very rough, especially having small kids. However, I started therapy yesterday and feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel, especially after reading all of your postings.
Christi- thanks for having this site, it has really helped me start my journey to recovery.

Comment by Don

June 19, 2008 @ 8:31 pm

Hey Pam

Hang in there it is a long haul but one that you can make. Just do what you are told and try not to rush it by over doing it and pushing to hard. That is the best advise I can give you. Do what you are told when you are told and push when you are at therapy not when you are alone and do to much as that can lead to a set back. As for the metal I have all mine in and there is no thoughts of taking it out. So don’t worry to much about it being in there I have About 25lbs of metal in me so like all the rest I can’t go through metal detectors. Good luck keep us informed and we will all get there together.
Don

Comment by Pam

June 25, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

Don- thank you for the words on encouragement. I am trying to stay positive and not get frustrated with my “slow” process. Each day does get better, which is good! PT is going pretty good & she said I am moving along well wth my progress.

Take care,

Pam

Comment by lois

July 2, 2008 @ 11:46 pm

Christi, I am posting on the other site, but I too wanted to thank you for starting these sites. I would not have a clue how to start such a thing up, but finding your site and following the progress of yourself and others has been a godsend for beating the fear and depression and getting very helpful tips on what to expect and what to do. I am so enjoying the people on the site,,, and the humour thats injected into what really is a frustrating situation for us all. Christi, happy to hear that you sound as if you are doing well. Do keep us posted.

Comment by Melanie

July 7, 2008 @ 10:23 am

I have found this site too after posting on the other. I know some of you from reading above. Hello everyone!!!! So just going to update……

So far I believe I am the longest out. I broke my right ankle in August 2005 on the La Luz Trail in Albuquerque. My toes were looking at my shoulder blade. I had the right ankle trimalleor break with dislocation, too. I had surgery about 9 days later and have 2 screws on the left side and 9 on the right, along with a plate. Lovely scars. My right ankle is still considerably larger than my left ankle, but only really limp in the morning. I was on crutches for three months, 2 hard casts, and then the air cast. Once in the aircast, I started a little weight bearing, and continued to add more over time. Once that came off, I lived in fear for many months, but am okay now. I still have problems with my shoulders and hips because of being on the crutches for so long.

I only found this site about two weeks ago, so am a newbie to the site, but reading everyone’s entries has still helped me enormously. I’m not alone! Yes, these twinges are normal. The popping sounds are not abnormal. It has been amazingly informative.

We are now in FL and I have lost 52 lbs over the past 16 months with Weight Watchers. It has made a HUGE difference with my ankle. Less aching. More mobility and agility. Longer endurance on the ankle. I am now running/ walking 3.6 miles 3 days a week and biking about 4 miles three days a week. I take off Sundays. And really, if I’m feeling down, tired ( I will be 44 next month), I will not exercise. I will not push myself in that way and hurt myself.

I go back and forth about having the metal removed. I often think “What if I do it again”? “Would the bone shatter around the metal”? If I do decide to go ahead with the surgery, I will wait until school starts back in August, maybe September.

Alrighty, everyone take care!!!!

Melanie

Comment by Pam

July 7, 2008 @ 11:59 am

Melanie- Are you having problems that you are considering having the metal taken out? My ortho told me he wants my hardware to stay in unless I have problems. I also have a pin that he said might cause me problems that he would remove. I’m 2 months post surgery and I am getting better and better with walking on my ankle. It feels best when I have my tennis shoes on, I hardly limp at all. Good job on the weight loss with WW, I actually just started back up on it today. My thought was less weight, the better on my ankle.

Comment by Melanie

July 8, 2008 @ 9:07 am

PAM, Ummmm……, You can feel the metal on both sides through my skin. I have young children and sometimes they inadvertently hit it. Makes my hair stand up it stings so much! Plus some shoes I cannot wear because of the rubbing on the right side. Also, we have a water park here and on one visit last summer I fell on a slippery surface. My ankle scraped over a step, and while nothing catastophic happened (Thank God), I almost threw up. From the pain and almost reliving the initial injury. After that and now reading all the entries, I think, what if I did re-break it? What would happen to the bone around the metal? Would it shatter? My ortho guy in Albuquerque (where I broke it) told me to have it removed, but the ortho guy here (we are active duty military) encouraged me not too! Weakening it until all the holes fill in, possibility of infection, maybe not even being able to remove the screws after 3 years, etc. I have not had it done before because the 1 year after the injury, we were PCSing (moving) to FL. My doc there would not remove it prior to one year. Then I started a job here and did not have enough leave accrued to get the surgery. Well, that and like I said the ortho here is reticent about it. I quit my job the end of May (sad, but could not afford to work because of full-time child care in the summer and cost of gas. Crazy, huh?) Blah blah blah. Now I’m not working and am really considering having it done when school starts back.

I am very proud of my weight loss and very proud of you for going back. I was big before the accident and just was DONE! It has made my life much easier. I believe the weight loss and exercise has allowed me to get back into feminine shoes and the ability to be a better mommy. And just so you know I went from a size 18-20 or 20-22 (or 1XL- 2XL) to an 8-10. Sometimes 10-12 depending on the brand. I hope that encourages you on your goal. It took me 16 months and the last 10 were the hardest (because I hated exercise). I am so very happy you rejoined. It is SO WORTH IT!!!! I reached lifetime this past Saturday (YAA HOO) and am over the moon about that! As I mentioned on the other site, I am running now 3 mornings a week. Probably 1.8 miles over a 3.6 mile course. I actually run maybe 30-45 seconds then walk 30-45 seconds. This too worries me about the metal. Can I give myself a stress fracture around the metal? AAARRRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

I would really really appreciate any thoughts!
Melanie

Comment by Melanie

July 8, 2008 @ 9:27 am

OKAY FLIP FLOP WEARERS!!!

Was just looking at Victoria’s Secret (my weight loss has improved my self-esteem, too!), and they have something new called FitFlops. $49.95 (sticker shock!) and looked like three colors (red, black, and silver with red stripe). Wide strap across the top of the foot. Strong, thick sole. Not very very cute, but hey…..

This is what VS is claiming about them:

“Strengthens and tones muscles in your feet, legs, buttocks, stomach and back
• Absorbs shock on your feet, knees and back
• Tones and trims your thighs, calves and glutes
• Recreates the gait of barefoot walking with a built-in micro-wobbleboard workout-enhancing effect
• Improves balance and posture

What the heck is a “micro-wobbleboard”?

Take a look if you are committed flip flop wearers!!!! And talk with your doc or PTist about them!

Okay, gotta go clean house and do laundry!

Melanie

Comment by Louise

July 8, 2008 @ 11:42 am

Hi Melanie!! I think a micro-wobbleboard is a small board on which you stand which increases your stability and balance! It looks a little like a big D shape, which the curved side goes on the floor, and you stand on the flat top and balance. It can also look like a planet with a ring around it, which you stand on the ring and balance. They are meant to be reall good so I have heard! Good for balance even if you havn’t had an ankle injury!! A micro one I would suggest is just a small one!!

I am too posting on the other site, but found this site a while back, when clark posted the link on there! Its a shame Clark left isn’t it really? Hmmm…

Ok, to anyone who hasn’t seen my story on the other site, I broke and dislocated my ankle on 23rd april 2008. Broke the fibula in 2 places, and the tibia right near the ankle joint, and dislocated it as well. I was in a cast for 7 weeks, then cast off on 13th June. I then had to wait 3 and a half weeks, non-weight bearing until yesterday (7th July) when I had to have 2 screws taken out of my ankle in order for me to weight bear again! One of the larger screws was put in really close to the ankle joint, and they were worried that when I put full weight on it again, it would snap, so it had to be removed. I still have a plate and 4 or 5 other screws/pins which are staying in for good, unless i have any problems with them.

So at the moment, I am learning once again to walk, stitches out next week, and am currently wearing a delightful black velcro shoe on my left foot. Cant wear any other shoes, because they will not fit over the bandages!! I am doing ok without the crutches..getting better!! I can to and from the kitchen ok from the living room, without looking like a total muppet! I have also gone up and down the stairs like a normal person instead of on my backside for the 1st time in nearly 11 weeks! Yay! Although had to take each step one at a time, rather than just going up and down like totally normal people! haa haa!

So to anyone else out there who has broken their ankle’s….good luck and watch where you are going!! hee hee!

Louise
xx

Comment by Ana

July 8, 2008 @ 12:46 pm

Has anyone undergone an ankle fusion?

Comment by Sandra

July 8, 2008 @ 3:58 pm

Hi

Has anyone tried Wi-fit - that computer thingy, that has a wobble board with it?

Wondered if it worked well.

Night for now.

Sandra

Comment by Don

July 8, 2008 @ 4:27 pm

Anna

Clark had an ankle fusion. you can read up on his post on the other site. From what he wrote it is not all it is cracked up to be. I also was told that they want to do that to my ankle. I Passed on it for now. I was told it would depend on my own tollerance of the pain . As long as I can stand it I can go on till I can’t walk any more or till the pain just gets to bad a stops me. I will still hold out as long as I can.

Don

Comment by anklequest-2

July 8, 2008 @ 4:37 pm

TEST
I’m trying to move this site to my home computer.

Comment by Blake

July 8, 2008 @ 6:33 pm

I recently broke my ankle really bad longboarding in may, and I had surgery the day of. i had an external device on my foot for a week or two. Then i had another surgery that put 3 plates and 20 screws in my foot. the doctor said it was a pilon break, rated from 1-10 an 8 he said. right now Im in a cast and start PT in a few weeks. i am 16 years old and pretty frightend about the metal. Im very athletic, and play alot of sports. Im planning on doing everything again -such as wakeboarding, wrestling, skating-and feel like nothing happend to my ankle. the doc said it’ll be a full recovery. Im woundering how the road ahead of me will be like.

Comment by Don

July 8, 2008 @ 7:29 pm

Hey Blake

Well good luck with the recovery. The best advice any of us can give you is DON”T RUSH THE RECOVERY. Yes we all know that at 16 you are indistructable, we all felt like that at your age. But if you do what you are told by the Doctors and the PT people and not do to much to fast you will most likely recover very fast at your age and physical fittness. As for the metal it is not that big of a deal. have about 25lbs of steel in different parts of my body. Both ankles right knee right femur, left hip and pelvis and left arm. I walk almost normal with a little limp most of the time. At times I have trouble depending on the weather or how much I have done or over done.

So all in all if you do what your told when your told and not over due it you should do just fine were all pulling for you. Good luck

Don

Comment by Melanie

July 8, 2008 @ 9:29 pm

SANDRA, Two of my friends have the Wii fitness and they LOVE IT!!!!

BLAKE, I am 44 and did this when I was 41 (is that right? I did it in August ‘05). I have 11 screws and one plate in my right ankle (right ankle trimalleor break with dislocation) - meaning both tibia and fibula and my toes were looking at my shoulder blade (the dislocation part). I am now running about 1.5 miles (not all at once) three days a week and biking 4 miles three days a week. And two young children. I only limp in the mornings until it loosens up. I’m pretty much back to normal. Although I can honestly say, with metal in, NO WAY would I participate in contact sports. Get the metal out first. Even little scrapes over the metal hurts like the dickens.

I completely agree with Don. Do not rush it. Take your time. Do EVERYTHING the PT says. Do the exercises at home, even after the official PT stops. If you rush it, you could do more damage and make everything worse.

Keep us updated!

CLARKE, Are you out there? Someone here needs your help and advice on ankle fusion!!!!!

And something for all you girls. Remember when you got your first cast off? Remember how (if you shaved your legs before the accident) hairy our leg/ ankle was when that cast came off? I looked like saskwatch (spelling?). I tell you, that was one thing I LOVED about getting that thing off. Being able to shave again! It was itchy and gross. I remember, going against ALL MEDICAL ADVICE, getting a coat hanger and scratching the heck out of my leg. Whew….Sorry, just had to get that out.

Melanie

Comment by Christi

July 8, 2008 @ 9:32 pm

Sandra~

We have Wii Fit and love it. It has exercises that strengthen the ankle and all other parts of the body. You can start out with as much as you can take and work your way up.

Christi

Comment by anklequest

July 8, 2008 @ 9:38 pm

Blake,
You are lucky that the doc said you would have a full recovery. The patience part is going to be tough for you. A pilon fracture is certainly very serious and will require quite a bit of time.

A great young man who works for my department had a bad accident when he was 16. He was hit by a car while riding his bike to school. It wrecked his knee and he had to give up a chance to go to Princeton University on scholarship as a soccer star. Of course he thought his life was ruined, but he eventually was able to completely recover to the amazement of his doctors. He now has an external bad scar but internally his knee is perfect. Why? Because he took very good care and followed excellent therapy after surgeries. He also followed a nutritional regime which he has put me on with the hope it will help my ankle. He also later realized, after he got over the shock of his life being so transformed, that his values changed while he was healing. And so he gradually became whom he is today, a very fine young man indeed. I wish there were clones of him around in my department.

I just spoke to him today, as he was on his way to a mountain climbing trip with friends. He is a tremendous athlete, but keeps things in perspective. Sports is now only a small part of his life, as his focus turned to many other things while he was recovering.

Anyway, Blake, make the best of things while you recover. Please let us know how you are doing. Time is on your side more than it is for the rest of us.

Anklequest.

Comment by Louise

July 9, 2008 @ 5:08 am

Melanie!! I loved shaving my leg afterwards!! SOOOOOO good! Although, where I had an allergic reaction to the gauze they put inside the cast, I was covered in hundreds of small blisters,so couldn’t shave properly for about 10 days or so!! That was frustrating!!! Eeek! I am still quite scared to shave over my scars to be honest…I am worried they may split open again! :S
And i know when I get my stitches out next week, its going to be the same all over again with this one!!!
Is anyone else quite warey of touching their scars too?? I am a little, although am starting to get over it. I was trying to massage the area around the scars to try and get some movement back in my ankle, and it just makes me feel quite ill!! Also if I touch my scars in certain places, I can feel the underside of my foot twitching…again is that just me??
I also still have a rather large numb patch on the top of my foot….again, me or anyone else again??

Anywho…hope everyones doing well!

Louise xx

Comment by anklequest

July 9, 2008 @ 9:39 am

Hi Louise,

Eventually massaging the scars and treating them with vitamin E will be helpful. Adhesions first form under the scars. To get the skin back to the way it was over time, these adhesions need to be dealt with via very gentle massage. I was told not to let anyone else do this initially. So you’ll have to do it yourself so you can control the pressure and the extent of moving the skin around. Do not worry about the twitching. Eventually that will go away.

It may take weeks & months for scars and adhesions to fade away. It took me about a year and a half but then I had a very bad open wound after surgery and that took 6 months to close. I still massage things almost every day for I have tendons and ligaments that are still sore.

Second, about the numb spots. All my numb areas have now pretty much returned to normal except directly above my wound scar. Even that I think may get back to normal.

Finally, when you get back to work at your sitting job, try to get up at least 5 to 10 minutes every hour. This will keep blood form pooling in your foot and will help keep the swelling down. Blood returns to the heart from the foot via veinous compression by the leg muscles.

I wish to try some of those desserts you’ve been talking about. I’ve never had any of them. Hope to have a trip back to the UK some day and will have to get a recommendation from you as to where to try them.

Good Luck,

Anklequest

Comment by Melanie

July 9, 2008 @ 11:26 am

LOUISE, I completely agree with Anklequest about both the vitamin E oil and massaging your own ankle. I agree the metal brings a whole new level to discomfort and queasiness and weird pain. And it’s like you know this ankle is part of your body, but you can’t really feel it like you used to. It’s just weird.

I also do reflexology on my husband and he loves it. He wears those heavy boots all day. So now that he knows some of the “moves”, he will massage the bottoms of my feet. He is very careful when he massages the injured foot, not that he touches any of the metal. So I don’t think he is working on any tendons or ligaments or scar tissue when he is rubbing my foot, but it definately loosens things up. It’s wonderful. It’s just so calming and relaxing. It truely is an alternative therapy for my injury.

And I just thought of other English sweets (sort of) that I love. Sticky buns and Napoleon’s from the bakery. Ummmmmmm good!

Take care all.

Melanie

Comment by Liz

July 9, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

Hey Everyone,

I recently joined the discussions on the other site but thought I’d jump in here too. It has been great reading all of your stories and progress reports.

I broke my ankle on 5/20/08. I slipped on some water in my classroom, landed on my foot wrong and broke my ankle in 3 places with dislocation. I couldn’t even look at it because it was turned at such a grotesque ankle. Ugh!

I was taken by ambulance to the ER where I waited FOREVER for the doc to come and put it back in place. They splinted it and sent me on my way to see the ortho doctor the next day. I had to wait 2 weeks for my surgery because the swelling was so bad and a huge fracture blister developed on the side of my ankle.

I had surgery 2 weeks after the break. It was put back together with a plate and I think about 5 screws. I was put back in a splint until the staples were taken out 2 weeks later. I was expecting then to get a plaster cast but the doc decided to go ahead and put me in an aircast so I could start excercising the ankle.

After 2 weeks in an aircast(6 weeks into the break) I went back to the doctor and he wasn’t happy with my limited movement so he prescribed physical therapy with weight bearing up to 25 pounds. I’ve gone to 3 therapy appointments so far and I can see a little bit of progress… a little more flexibility although he still hasn’t had me put any weight on it… not sure why.

Anyway, it’s been 7 weeks yesterday and still no standing, walking or driving. This is such a slow process. It’s encouraging to hear from some of you who are farther along in your recovery and doing well. Thanks for sharing your stories. I’ll keep posting my progress as it comes.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.

Comment by anklequest

July 9, 2008 @ 12:33 pm

Hi Liz,
Just a thought on your current state: usually they wait for 6 weeks (after surgery) to begin putting weight on the foot. It takes that long for the fracture to “heal” enought for weight. I wouldn’t try more earlier or you could rebreak the bones. Movement is OK because it helps to loosen up the muscles. A lot of that you can do on your own with the big rubber bands or a belt or towel and you’ll definitely see progress, although it will be slow. The healing takes time. Also, you may have surprise setbacks. Just take it a little easier the next day.

You might be interested to find out I never had a cast at all and yet did not place any weight on my foot for 6 weeks as per doc’s order. I couldn’t have a cast due to an open wound without skin. this wound needed constant attention. I did have a splint for the first two weeks.

Good Luck, and this will all be over fast.

Anklequest.

Comment by Liz

July 9, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

Hey Anklequest,

Wow, I couldn’t imagine not having a cast for the first 6 weeks. It makes my leg feel safe. lol I will definitely not put any weight on it until the doctor and PT say it’s okay. The doctor did prescribe weight bearing up to 25 pounds but the therapist hasn’t let me yet and I’m too scared to attempt anything on my own so I’ll wait.

As far as the exercises… my therapist has given me some to do at home twice a day. I flex it up and down, roll my foot from side to side, pick up a towel with my toes, pull my foot forward and back and side to side using my hands, roll my toes backwards and forwards using my hands, and pull my foot towards me with a rolled up towel. At the rehab center he has also had me try to roll a wobble board around in circles using my foot and has had me use an exercise type bike. He has also done an ultrasound massage on an area that’s been causing some pain. He thinks it might be scar tissue. It’s right above where one of the screws is placed. For now, that’s about all I’ve done.

Here is my biggest concern… Right now I am off work for the summer so I’m staying with my parents (3 hours away from the town I live in). Once I start back to work in 3 weeks I’m going to have to go back to my apartment which means going up and down a flight of stairs. YIKES! How am I going to manage that? I’m not very good on crutches. I lose my balance easily on them so I have been using a walker instead and my wheelchair of course. I don’t know what I’m going to do about those blasted stairs! Any of you have to face that issue? Also, how long did it take before you could start driving? Did you have to wait until you were full weight bearing before getting in the driver’s seat?

Comment by Tammy

July 9, 2008 @ 2:19 pm

Hi all~

Happy healing to everyone. I can’t believe the ruckus that has started to take over this site. It is very difficult to find places on the internet about ankle fractures like this one…so I hope that things can settle back down so that we can all benefit from each others ideas and experiences.

On the ankle note…for all of you with numbness…My ankle fracture and dislocation occured on Feb 19, 08. I have had numbness in the top of foot, ankle and 3 toes. I was recently told that this was RSD. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy…they are attempting to treat in through therapy and my Dr. would like me to start a prescription called Lyrica. Been putting it off for 3 weeks now. Lots of side effects and Im not a medicine taker. It is a big deal and has significant long term affects if it isn’t fixed. (I was told it is rare to have long term) But with it comes nerve pain, numbness, bone detioration, etc.

My Vegas trip went well, but it was quite clear that I am not close to 100 percent. I had lots of swelling and pain. I think the RSD is getting worse as I have more pain, aching and nerve sensations than I did before the trip.

I know its time to start the medicine. Does anyone else have or have had RSD? Does any one have Raynaud’s disease?

Id love to hear from you I’ll be missing those posts from Clark, Lois and Sharon…I love to hear about the animals, your settings, and your experiences.

Keep healing!
Tammy

Comment by Melanie

July 9, 2008 @ 8:43 pm

ANKLEQUEST, Yuck. I’m with Liz. I couldn’t imagine not have my casts. I felt safe with them. And if I did lose my balance (which happened only a couple of times), I was able to catch myself. It hurt like crazy, but I didn’t fall. And the open sore. Yuck yuck yuck. Now having said all that, I would have loved not to have the itches that comes with a cast!!!!

LIZ, I drove illegally about the last 4 weeks of my convalesence. Never drove with my three hard casts (so approximately 7 to 10 weeks), but once I got my aircast I would put my leg/ aircast in front of my console and worked the pedals with my left foot. Nearly gave myself whiplash a couple of times. I thank God I never had a wreck, but my husband could not take off work anymore to drive me around. That was the only thing I did that I should not have done. Everything else I did by the book. I suppose that at that point I felt like I did not have a choice. AND LIZ, at the time I lived in a two story house, but it did have a landing where I would rest. I never went up or down without someone else at home. I really and truely was dependent on others for a few months. I have read some entries here when people have gone up and down the stairs on their bottoms. Maybe that is an option?

TAMMY, no idea about RSD, but I really do believe I have Raynaud’s. My toes and fingers. They really only go blue and then red again (according to everything I have read, all three color changes does not occur in everyone). They become so numb I can’t even feel that they are cold. We live in FL and I have to wear socks around the house in the summer because they will “do their thing”. BUT I had this before the break and the injury has not made the symptoms worse.

Alright, going to the other site to see what’s going on there. I am going to start reading these in the evenings otherwise I could spend all day just sitting and reading entries!

Take care out there!!!!!

Melanie

Comment by A Fused One.

July 9, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

Ana,
I had an ankle fusion several months ago, necessitated by a very serious TriMallealor fracture that could not be repaired.
The purpose of the fusion was to tighten the ankle, and reduce or stop the laxity or “slack” in the ankle that would later cause serious and painful arthritis in the future. Several earlier operations, all with added hardware, could not tighten up the slack. Thus the fusion.
Unlike other ankle operations of which I have had several, a fusion is very painful and invasive, probably caused by the very deep and painful insertion of approx. 4 or 5 inch long 1/3 inch wide Titanium lag screws inserted towards the top of the ankle, on either side, going downward and entering into the tibula on the outside and fibula inside, actually criss-crossing each other inside the ankle, and driving into the talus, which totally locks the ankle. The fusion is very painful because of the size of the screws, the destruction of nerve and bone tissue they encounter, and was easily the most painful of the several operations that I have had. I spent almost all my time in the hospital, immediately after the surgery, in a near delerious state, waiting for another shot to be delivered as soon as the interval from the last had passed, usually about 4 hours.
But the pain finally subsided and I was able to be released on Hydrochodone alone, although the strongest dose allowed without a triplicate.
Because of the lack of movement in the ankle, atrophy quicky sets in and the calf and leg muscles diminish. They will come back to some degree once the bones are fused and healed and the doctor allows PT, but they will never come back to the degree they were prior to the fusion.
The scars are longer and deeper than before, probably due to removing the plates and screws from either side, and inserting the new large screws. As there is no movement, there are no adhessions (scar tissue) to break free after healing in the scars, and at this point, I suppose looks, or the cosmetic effect, really have no bearing. My foot now looks like an “ALLEY OOP” foot, like the caveman character in the old cartoon strip. It never looked like that from the earlier operations. It is very dead, but also very responsive to anything that touches it, if that makes sense, and is very painful at times.
It will be difficult to find the proper brace and comfortable shoe that will fit this foot, which is now a different size than my other foot. I will have to worry about that later. I am still wearing my large moon boot, which gives the most support. I did have a brace that worked well prior to the fusion, but it does not fit now and causes too much pain. I guess I need a new one.
If your right ankle is fused, plan on doing any driving with your left foot. If you drive a 4 or 5 speed, and your left ankle is fused, you may be able to still use the clutch, but if it is your right ankle, plan on driving only an automatic with your left foot. I have no feeling in my foot and could not judge any type of accelorator or brake pressure using my fused ankle. There is really no feeling down there anymore.
It takes a while to reaquire your gait, and some semblance of normalcy, but over time things will get better, but yet may never be the same. I may always limp, but not the exagerated limp aquired after surgery. With training and PT your limp can be quaite discreet. And you will never be “normal” again, and you will have limitations, but it will get better. You just have to learn to live with it. The doctor would not recommend it unless he thought it was necessary, although I do not know what your personal situation is.
Hope this helps.

A Fused One.

Comment by Pam

July 9, 2008 @ 10:19 pm

Anklequest- I can’t imagine being non weight bearing without a cast or boot on. I had a splint/cast on for 2 weeks until my staples came out & then a boot for 4 more weeks of non weight bearing. I fell 2x wearing my boot & I was very thankful I had it on. Once my ortho told me I could start weight bearing, I continued to wear the boot for another week plus because I felt secure with it on and was afraid to walk on my foot.

Liz- your ortho doctor sounds exactly like mine, rushing us in our recovery. I have been talking with several of the doctors that I work with ( I work in a family medicine clinic) and several of them told me that a broken bone takes 4-6 weeks to heal & if you have any type of screws, plates, pins, to double that time. I moaned & groaned to my docs about my ortho expecting to much out of me too soon and they said that alot of ortho docs don’t get/see the whole picture on recovery (they are experts in “surgery” and “fixing” patients). The ortho who did my surgery is considered one of the best surgeons in the health care organization I work for, but he sure doesn’t have any bedside manners ( I think my visits have been about 1-2 minutes with him & definately no time to ask any questions). So hang in there, you sound like you are doing great!

Comment by Louise

July 10, 2008 @ 6:36 pm

Hi Liz!

In reply to your earlier post….I live in a first floor flat, so have to deal with stairs every time I go in or out, which is a right pain in the backside. The safest way to go up and down is on your backside, because you cannot fall. It takes a long time, and I was normally quite tired when I got to the top, but it really helped me feel safer! At the top stand up on the second stair down, hold the handrail, and jump up to the top. People will look at you, but if you are on crutches, its kind of self explanatory! ha ha!

The other way, if your too embarassed to do this is (if the stairs have a handrail this is….if not, slightly dangerous!) to grab the handrail on which ever side you can really or feels comfotable. When you are going up, put your crutch on the same step as you are standing on, then putting most of your weight on the handrail, and the crutch, jump up to the next one, then move the crutch up to the same step, and do the next one. Going down, same concept really, just put the crutch down onto the step before you hop down onto it, and hold the handrail for dear life!!

It is a slow, and very tiring process, but a safe way of doing it. This is how I was shown how to do stairs in the hospital before I left originally on crutches by a physiotherapist! It does take a bit of courage to initally do it, but once you have done it once, you will be fine. Just hold the handrail, and you will be ok! Dont try and do stairs without holding the handrail for goodness sake, because I have fallen over a few times (thankfully without majorly hurting myself!) whilst thinking I can do stairs and trying to do them too quickly….take your time, and really look at the distance between the stairs before you jump them too, as that helps!!! Just remember to put the whole of your forearm up to your elbow onto the handrail, and it really does support you!!

Also, regarding the driving, it does depend I think. I am in the Uk, and was cleared to drive a manual car (left foot being the clutch foot!) 2-3 after cast off, but then I had some more surgery on monday, and canot drive for another 14 days, so best to speak to your doctor really! They said to me that as long as you can emergency stop, then its ok to drive, but seriously, check with your doctor!!

Anyway…hope those instructions are clear, and help a bit, or at least give you some ideas as to how to get up the stairs! hee hee! You will be fine Im sure! Let me know how it goes!

Louise xx

Comment by anklequest

July 11, 2008 @ 5:44 pm

Hi Everyone,

Don, I’m sure everyone here joins me in wishing you a great day tomarrow as you finally get that dance with your daughter. I’ll be thinking of you! Looks like the weather might also be perfect so have a perfect day. One of these days we’ll met again and you can show me the pictures!

Ana, The fused ankle thing is enough to make me really feel for you in that you even have to consider this fusion a possibility. I heard there is an ankle joint replacement surgeon in Miami. Is that a possibility? I know that technology is all very new and perhaps not for someone as young as you.

About Clark! I spoke to him today as I heard on the national news about the nearby fires in Paradise, which are very very serious. The fire haze fills the entire large Central CA Valley. This haze is getting worse, & was already there when I arrived in Fresno over 2 weeks ago. He is doing very well but is very concerned about the possibility that the entire town of Paradise is at high risk. He doesn’t live there but lives in a city not to far away. I urged him to continue on the board, especially re. the fused ankle thing and so he might return and keep us posted on his progress. He is having bad computer problems so his computer is not working right now.

Take care everyone!

Anklequest

Comment by Diane

July 11, 2008 @ 8:05 pm

Tammy:

I hope you recheck this site. I have been here in background for a few months reading. Was wondering when I would run into another who has RSD. I broke my ankle, (fibula) Dec. 2007….diagnosed with RSD in March. I never imagined such a painful beast existed.

About Lyrica…it took two times trying it before I could tolerate the Lyrica….but boy, am I glad I stuck with it. It helps the nerve pain alot..burning, tingling, pain. Yes, PT and using the RSD limb is essential…keep using it, pool therapy is the best, I go three times a week. If you put RSD in google it will give you some horrific information….scared the bejesus out of me when I first read it. My PT guy told me to ignore most of it, and that most all folks get into remission eventually. Maybe a year to a year and a half. Sounds like you have a mild case so far…the first line of defense is PT, and usually sympathetic blocks. Has your Dr. mentioned them? Keep rubbing that limb…using it as much as possible. Take care of yourself…and your stress level.

Diane

Comment by Clark

July 12, 2008 @ 1:17 am

Hello Anklebreakers!!

Yes, it is me, a long distant relative of Hippocrates.
I said I was done, and I was, but today I recieved a great call from Anklequest, who offered another point of view of things, and here I am. I appreciated all of your kind thoughts, and will try to be worthy of them.
My computer did die, again, and short and sweet here is why. I already said all of this of course, in my first posting a few minutes ago, but one of my crazy fingers hit the wrong button and I lost it, all of it, and here it is again, shorter and sweeter, but will tell this short computer story in case it helps someone else out there.
ADVISORY, THIS AREA IS NOT ABOUT ANKLES, SO FEEL FREE TO LEAPFROG AND CONTINUE ON, AS I WOULD NOT WANT TO UPSET ANYONE’S STATE OF ZEN.
Just after signing off a few days ago, my Norton Symetec security quit (yes, Anklequest, the one you use, but here is why; as it had expired, but I never recieved an onboard notice, or email from them, but it stopped picking up the auto updates from “live update” and then quitsecuring things. I tried to use the system restore, but it failed. I had to wipe the drive clean, using the “F12″ boot key during the boot sequence, which takes you to the onboard DVD drive, and allows one to wipe the drive clean and use a “cloning system” and add the restore discs to start fresh. A brand new baby virgin computer harddrive.
With everything lost. I was unable to copy anything before it started to crash. But I did send some photos and writings out on email, and was able to retrieve them using the “sentmail” storage.
But it is back now, almost the same, with the Comcast McAfee Security Suite online, which is offered free from Comcast. Hopefully this will work.
My fused ankle is killing me. Not sure why, but could be compression of the 26 or so bones, that fit togather like a puzzle, in from of the actual ankle. They can get stuffed, compressed and broken, and I am guessing if that happens, you must just wait for it to heal. Will see the PT for 2nd appt. following the fusion to hopefully find out, and if not, will call the doc. Hard to walk with no pain, and this is new pain, in a new area, not like before. The brace no longer works, needs to be redone, becuase of the fusion I guess, and have to switch between the crutches and the cane, depending on pain level. Other than that, it is awkward, and dead, yet when I can feel it it hurts. The pills help. Quite an adjustment, this fusion, and broken ankle to start with, as all of you feel. I am resigned to my fate. Not in a quitting way, but to allow me to empower the disability to gain the advantage and beat it, to win it over, to become as normal as I can be, when I am finally able to do it. It will take time.
Rode my first stationary bike at the first PT session last week, and with the seat up, with almost a full leg extension, I could pedal the bike with no undue pain or strain on the fusion. I also walked the treadmill at what? 2 mph or something, a fair clip, for me, whatever, for 10 minutes, and used the adductor and abbductor (sp) machines. The doc released me to do anything in the gym I wanted to do, so am going to do it.
With the weight gain, 40 lbs or so, over 16 months (I’m 6′2” so carry it alright, but am definately overwieght) which turned me into a Type II Diabetic, GREAT, I definately have a desire to get fit again. Never ever weighed over 240 for years, solid, and was never ever diabetic, until the ankle break. The gift that keeps on giving.
People say that God, or the Great Spirit, or the All Knowing All Seeing All Wise One, whatever, never gives any of us more than we can handle, and if HE/SHE does, we probably die. So I am sure there is a silver lining in this anklebreaking ThunderCloud we have all fallen under somewhere. Just have to hang out long enough, and work hard enough, to find it.
And so, that’s it for now. More later perhaps. Probably.
On the local scene, as Anklequest stated, that the township of Paradise was under serious threat of fire, and was being evacuated in areas. The world is on fire, when it is not flooding, and we don’t seem to get it. But we will get something down the road, perhaps not what we expect. 1102 PM and the news just stated that the evacutation order was lifted in Paradise. Good news. Perhaps the fire is being downgraded a bit. A good friend of mine, who anchors a local radio show from a small wattage AM station here in town, lost everything, except her van, and her dogs. Everything else, gone. That goes for many many people up here. And to think I almost moved there, instead of this town.
But it’s been a great week for the Constitution and the Environment, if you follow the current Administration. Fisa was approved giving blanket amnesty for illegal wiretapping, and the Administration refused to do anything to cap carbon emissions, saying it would destroy the economy. As if the economy could be worse off. What they meant is that they (the Administration and it’s followers) want to suck as much money from the enviroment, while destroying the environment, before they are voted out of office. Typical Greed following corrupt power.
Lord Acton, a famous British Statesmen, once said “Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”, and he was right.
The ship will right itself, if it doesn’t sink, and I doubt it will. But we will be taken to the brink, I fear. Enough of that.
Hope everyone and all are well.
Don, enjoy dancing at your daughters wedding today. I am so happy for you and your wife and the bride and groom. Off to a great start, with you being there and dancing.
Take care.
And oh, Melanie… You think you are so smart. And you are. But it was me, I guess, for that posting, when I was just being a conFused One, after all.
Ana, I was glad to read your posting about your ankle. Sounds like you have been through the mill. I can only say that if you do get the fusion, it will alleviate most of the pain. I am no expert yet, still going through it myself, but if there are no other options, then perhaps thats the only one left. Only you will know when that time is. But I wish you good healing whatever you do.

Take care all. Have a good weekend. Don, don’t overdo it!
Clark

copied from Broken Ankle 1 Year Later

Comment by Tammy

July 12, 2008 @ 9:47 am

Diane~

Wow..I too have been searching for someone else with this condition. It appears to be getting worse (lots more burning, pain, etc sensations) so I think it is time for the medicine. Started it yesterday…what did you find difficult about the medicine? I have only taken two doses. I have Raynaud’s disease too which isn’t helping the situation. How far out are you? How long have you been on the drug?
Thanks for finding me and responding!

Tammy

Comment by Diane

July 12, 2008 @ 10:35 am

Tammy~

rsdhope.org has the most recent info on internet.

rsdsupport.com is a great forum that I belong too…compassionate people, caring, and lots of tips and answers to questions. There is also a place where we can “private message” each other and exchange questions and info outside of this forum. My handle on rsdsupport is dbiss. Feel free to contact me there if you like. On the private messaging we can exchange e-mails if you wish without showing it here.

Lyrica: I have been on for about three months. At first I thought it upset my tummy, and bloated it. But after about a week that feeling went away. No other affects for me however…take 200 mg daily, in two doses. It might help you sleep. Other meds we can share in private. This is a unique condition that most people don’t know about, or haven’t even heard of. I know I hadn’t. I will check here again this week-end.

~Diane~

Comment by Diane

July 12, 2008 @ 3:13 pm

Tammy~

Forgot to add that you don’t usually feel the full relief effect of Lyrica for two weeks or more. For me it was at the 3 week phase that I noticed….”hey, it really is helping, especially with the burning.” The first couple of days I took it I had this euphoric, alert feeling….like I was right out there man. That soon wore off…and now I don’t notice any mood effects at all. I hope it helps you,

Diane

Comment by anklequest

July 12, 2008 @ 9:15 pm

Clark, welcome back! We need your spark on this board! Glad Paradise has stopped burning. And also am glad you are keeping up your spirits! It was great talking with you. Your positive spirit is so very inspiring.

Liz
Basically I have a similar pain situation, sort of between the 11 & 12 o’clock position on my right foot; just below & to the left of those tendons going right down the middle of the front of the foot. While not as extreme as yours it is my most prominent pain. I woke up from surgery and it was the first specific pain I felt other than a great big throbbing foot. In my case I think the pain is from tendon damage during surgery as my foot was once again dislocated to get screws into the back side of the tibia. The two screws in the medial malleolus are a little lower and more medial so I don’t think it is these screws. I can say that after two years the pain is not as bad but is still there all the time. It is also reduced by careful message and a bit of streching. Overall it is slowly improving. The doc. told me that in my type of break sometimes things take a long time to heal; especially tendons and ligaments that were enjured or stretched.

I don’t know if this answer is helpful or not. I do not use any pain medicine for I can function just fine the way it is. If I took tylenol I might be rid of it but have not tried. At night I wear an L shaped brace which positions my foot forward and keeps things stable, so then I do not feel it. I got this brace via the internet. If you are interested, i can forward the info to you on that. Also, if you can feel the screw, perhaps it needs to be taken out. Ask the doc about that if you have one that will speak to you.

Don, what a lovely day it was today. I hope everything went well with you and your family.

For all the animal watchers..yesterday we had a discussion about the sudden explosion in our chipmuck population. Holes have appeared all over the place in the yard. Today my husband fell asleep on our back deck. He woke up to see a hawk perched on the birdbath, about 40 feet away. The next thing he saw was the hawk picking up a chipmuck and flying away. so I guess that may answer our chipmuch problem. I don’t think a hawk can pick up a 20-30 pound woodchuck though.

Don’t step into any holes in the yard.

Anklequest.

Comment by Louise

July 13, 2008 @ 3:36 pm

Hello everyone!!!

Hope everyone is having a fab weekend!

Don, how was your daughters wedding?? Did you get up and have a dance?? Hope that day went very well!

Clark, welcome back! Good to have you back again. I love reading your posts…its almost like you are thinking out loud! love it!

Tammy and Diane. I don’t know anything about RSD at all, but was having a little read on the internet the other day after reading your posts. Cant really provide any info, but good luck with it…I do hope that the pain and everything gets better for you!

Liz. I dont have any pain around my screws in my foot, unless I hit them, but I have noticed since I have had 2 removed, that when I bend my foot in certain directions (which did hurt painfully before) it doesn’t hurt so much now. It aches, but its not painful per say. It may be that after you have had them in for a year or something to discuss with your doc to have them removed. I HAD to have mine removed as they were so close to the ankle joint, consultant was worried they would snap, but I still have 5 more and a plate in there! :S

Little update on myself. One week tomorrow since I had my screws removed from my ankle, and since I have been weight bearing. I am close to loosing the crutches i think…its just 1st thing in the morning my ankle has ceased up overnight, and I have to hop a little bit!! I can go up the stairs normally now, one foot over the other, but going down I still have to do one at a time! I went to a housewarming party this afternoon, and I had to get up and down 6 flights of stairs, as they had no lift, but it was fine, and I was rather pleased with myself for getting up there without going flying!

I can also balance on my bad leg for about 5 seconds now, which is a massive improvement since monday, as I couldn’t hardly even lift my good leg off of the floor, without my knee in my bad leg giving out, and me almost falling to the floor on many occasions!! But now I can stand on it for a few seconds before toppling over like a drunk person! hee hee!

I am off to new york a week tomorrow, which is also very exciting, and that will really test my ankle!! But I am ready for it, and will give it everything I have!

Hope everyone is doing FAB, and have a great week everyone!

Louise xx

Comment by Clark

July 14, 2008 @ 3:13 am

GOOD MORNING ANKLEBREAKERS!
Thanks for your thoughts regarding me dropping back in now and then, after I left. And that brings up an item of housekeeping, for me:

Melanie! Thank you for your message regarding A Fused One’s message to Ana. In case you didn’t get it, I was trying to be funny when I mentioned how smart you thought you were, which you were. I did not intend that to sound crass or meanspirited in any way. I appreciated and was touched by your thoughts. If that did not come across clearly, please accept my appologies. When I read my posting back to myself, it did not sound quite right, thus my appology.

Ana: Thanks for adding your story of your ankle and what’s going on with it. I wish I had better answers and advice for you. It has to be hard being part of that study, and getting the saline instead of the gel, and then knowing that you have to wait four months to get the real thing. And helping with your boys coaching, with the pain level, can’t be easy. I can only say that when you decide to do it, if you do, the fusion will take away all that pain, and will be worth it. Only you will know.

Tammy, thanks for your input regarding my and Don’s postings. When I started writing to this blog about 9 months ago, and although it was created by Chrisi, I never was under the impression that it had a feminine slant. Back then perhaps it wouild be fair to say that there was not one, and there were many guys posting now and then, and I can see that over the months, many women are posting and not so many men, and it just shows how things change over time, not good or bad, things change, evolve. Of course anyone having to deal with the trauma and life changes caused by a broken ankle, whatever the extent, is a bad thing, and I wish it on no one. But with so many women than men posting now, perhaps I was posting with blinders on. And that’s OK. If this is now more of a “chick’s blog” then I am all for it and humbled and proud to be part of it.
Over the last several months many more women than men have written in regarding their ankles. I do not know if that would be an allowable statistic for an ankle breakers study, on who suffers breaks more, men or women, and I doubt that this blog is a true representation, but it may be. Anyway, it’s the only representation we have, so lets use it. There are more women posting on this blog than men and perhaps women suffer more broken ankles then men do. MEn and women share many of the same jobs, many dangereous, and requiring agile movement; the armed forces, police work, construction, etc… But women have one liability that men do not, unless they are cross dressers; High Heeled Shoes. I hope that is not a factor, and can’t recall anyone writing in about tripping wearing heels, but I bet they are definately a liability. I am sorry that society has placed such vanity on those dangereous things. They do look good, to all of us, but I could never, if I was a woman, wear them, knowing the pain they must cause, the balance problems, damage done to toes, etc… But I can’t deny that I will always be biased from a male viewpoint, and I can never get away from that. But if women all over the world stopped wearing them, and wore more safe, comfortable shoes, and did away with heels forever, I could certainly live with that.

On both blogs, Random Two Year and this, things progress so fast, so many new members and stories, and updates, that it is very hard to keep up. One could spend weeks it would seem, re reading and chronicling members, stories, and paths we have all taken. It could seriously drive one nuts. It is hard to recall everyone’s story. I won’t do it, but in order to appreciate all that has been written here and there, it should be done, only in order to gain a full understanding of all of this information. But it won’t be. It would be a Herculean effort, and would drive the person attempting it nuts. I guess I am repeating myself now, time to close.

My ankle finally started feeling better again, and I gauge that with endurance and pain leves during the walks with CJ, the Chow Chow. I think it is too soon to judge, and that it will bounce around for awhile as it heals. It will probably be over a year from the fusion surgery before any semblence of normal sets in. At least that gives me time to get the rest of my body back in shape.

So, Ladies, and guys, get well, and watch your steps.
Thanks again Anklequest for your call. And everyone else for their thoughts.
Take care.
Clark

(copied from Broken Ankle One Year)

Comment by Don

July 14, 2008 @ 6:24 pm

123898 Comment by Don

July 14, 2008 @ 6:17 pm

Greetings ankle breakers

Clark Clark Clark.
Man it is good to see you. You being back is a sight for soar eyes my friend. We have all been through a lot together and it is our combined knowledge and wisdom and part of our foolishness that gets all of us through every single day. I am glad to have you back and wish you long life and many more posts to give us your wisdom and your unending sense of humor.

So for all of you that have been following along. Yes the weather was great this past Saturday and I did have Ball dancing with my Daughter at her Wedding!!!! For the longest time I and many other people were not even sure if that would ever happen. But with all the help I have gotten along the way and the friendships and advice I have found here I was able to do it. Had to be one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced.

Now I must admit I did not do it alone I have to say I fell back on an old standby. Friday night after the rehearsal dinner I could not even walk, the pain was that unbearable. I went home and did take 2 Percocet which is the first I have taken since I left the hospital 19 months ago. I got good nights sleep on Friday and first thing Saturday morning I took two more so I had not problem dancing with my Daughter and everything was great . A few things ran through my mind when I was dancing. Most of how my Daughter and I got to that dance and her life growing up. But also about all the people that I have talked to and met on this Blog that have given me support and insight as to how to get through this and how I was not alone.

For that I Thank you all. You are great friends and supporters and advisors that only experience of going through this can understand. To the people that have been here from when I came Thank you because it is through your help I got this far and to all the new people Thank you for just reminding us where we all came from not to long ago and how much we have to be Thankful for. I hope I can be there for you as others were there for us.

So keep believing and trying everyone you will get there it is a long slow road and there are a lot of people to support you but you will get better slowly but surely

Tammy
Thank you for your nice comments

Anklequest
You are right it was indeed a beautiful day

Don
(Copied from Broken Ankle one year)

Comment by anklequest

July 14, 2008 @ 7:44 pm

Hi Don,
Good to hear you had a great dance. To bad about the pain though. I hope it has abated a bit now that the activity had declined.

Are you still working those two jobs? Do you still have to walk around a lot or can you get by with sitting. I’m hoping you don’t have to go through what Clark had to.

We have to make another “date” to see each other one of these days.

Sandra, and Liz
Sandra, your ball of foot pain problem could be metatarselalgia or plantarfasciitis. Take a look on the internet and see what fits. Such problems are common with broken ankles or other foot enjuries due to compensation and changes in the walking gait. In either case it can be “fixed” by various support or “gel” devices. Footsmart.com has many devices for sale that work. I use a “passive night splint” and ordered it from them. This splint keeps my foot a bit forward at night so the top of my foot doesn’t hurt as much. I don’t know where to get these in the UK.

Clark,
Did you see that Ms. America fell today at the MS Universe pageant? I happened to see that on this evening’s news. She had on her high heels & tripped over the dress. Someone had the same thing happen in the pageant last year. Anyway, high heels break a lot of ankles. I have a story to tell about one example in another post. I also heard of someone who broke her ankle while at an outdoor wedding wearing high heels. The heel sunk into a chipmuck or rabbit hole, followed by the foot, and “snap”, a trimalleolar fracture. The foot stayed in the hole while the women fell down at right ankle to the foot.

OK, Michael just came home, so bye for now!

Cheers to everyone!

Anklequest.

Comment by lois

July 15, 2008 @ 2:59 pm

Hello to EVERYONE. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL to hear from everyone who stayed on and everyone who came back. I had been following with everyone but not contributing for a while. ENOUGH SAID.

Re: ANKLE BREAKS.
Life is certainly odd. I had seldom heard of broken ankles (except perhaps an odd jock playing football or something)… then all of a sudden former broken ankles are popping out of the closet all over the place. In my extremely tiny community three women have come forward in the past week,,, and two of these live within 10 houses from me. Woman 1, broke her ankle slipping on ice while doing farm chores housesitting for a friend…plates pins etc,, and then re broke it four months later slipping while getting into a friends car. This happened five years ago and she is walking around just fine… (we compared almost identical scars) Woman 2, broke hers walking down a park path, when her knee gave out… four or five years ago,,, no pins etc and she is also walking just fine. Woman 3, broke her first ankle, pins plates etc about five years ago and then broke her second ankle about three years ago, pins plates etc. She also is walking well, but I noticed she is extremely cautious going downstairs,,, just like me. Anyway, these women all have pretty good mobility at this point so that is cause for optimism. It is also striking me that this injury may not be all that rare.

Clark, et al… I do not know what the statistics are on men versus women for broken ankles,, but I do know that my orthopedic surgeon answered my husband’s questions this way. ” She is is a WOMAN … she has VERY TINY bones,, and she is POST MENOPAUSAL.” So, I take it these are all risk factors. Interestingly, not one woman I am personally aware of has broken an ankle by wearing high heels…but I think if/when I am able to, I will be afraid to wear them. At age, 64, safety takes precedence over vanity.

Our now warm/hot weather has resulted in a new, minor problem for me. I find that I have to protect the outside of my ankle from direct sunlight. It is not the scar that bothers me, but it feels like the metal in my ankle becomes increasingly hotter and hotter until it becomes quite uncomfortable and burning. Does everyone notice this??? Also, as much as I am walking around the house well, I find that the longer strides I take when in places like a shopping mall are still causing me considerable difficulty at four months, and I have retreated to carrying a cane. Is this the norm??? Also, and Sandra may know the answer to this… is walking as a physio exercise in itself recommended.?? If so, how much,,, how far??? etc. No one has ever officially suggested walking to me.

Ana, my heart just broke for you when I read your post. The problems some of us have are just so insignificant in comparison to what some of you are going through. I am sending huge huge hugs to you.

Sharon, I truly hope that your little girl is okay now.

Don, congratuations to the father of the bride.

And… may each and every one of us.. be dancing by this time next year.

Comment by Erika

July 15, 2008 @ 10:58 pm

I can’t even imagine running. I am at 9 months and counting. Today the pain was sooo bad. I put ice on it and elevated. I was getting the same throbbing shooting pains of months ago. Wish it would stop.

Erika

Comment by Liz

July 15, 2008 @ 11:37 pm

Well I had an ortho appt. today and I got good news and bad news… more bad than good I’m afraid. *sigh*

The good news… the bones are healing as expected and the doc said I could start weight bearing while wearing my aircast as long as I can tolerate it. I tried today and I’m so scared to bear down on it. And it feels so weird standing in that big bulky boot. How long after the doctor actually let you weight bear did it take before you actually felt comfortable standing and walking?

The BAD news… #1 I have a bad pressure sore on my heel that is not healing over. The doc says it takes precedence over walking so if standing or walking in the boot rubs or aggravates it I have to stop weight bearing until it heals, which the doctor said could take awhile. AND #2… remember that pain above the top screw I mentioned earlier? Well, the doctor said it’s right at the talus, where the cartlidge is missing. He’s thinking that is causing the pain and from what I gather it doesn’t sound too promising. There’s not much they can do for missing cartlidge except a fusion. And that terrifies me at 27 years old.

I’m so frustrated right now. I’m trying to hold it together but sometimes I just want to lay down and cry… WHY!? Ugh… it’s just so frustrating that I haven’t even started walking yet and already I have this pain that may never go away. I just don’t know what to do. Okay, enough venting, but you guys are the only ones that understand. Thanks for reading.

Comment by Clark

July 16, 2008 @ 1:33 am

Hey Liz, (and Ana),
Hope this finds you feeling a bit better. Sounds like your’e going through a lot right now. But remember, no matter what, the worst is over. You’ve already had the fall and the break, and now your’e just in the healing process, and it never goes fast enough. But don’t push it, and don’t go past your own tolerances. Your body will tell you how much you can handle with the weight bearing. Can’t imagine what 25 lbs of weight bearing would be. Bet everyone would have a different standard for that. My doc always just called it partial weight bearing, like a quarter, or half, or whatever. Hard to judge, but if it hurts, you are probably bearing down too much. I’ve been in my boot for 16 months now, with my break occurring on May 18th of 2007. Long time and four surgeries ago.
You mentioned driving, and going back I could not find which ankle you broke, but am going to assume that it is your right. Just for info, as far as I can tell, as a retired police officer, the vehicle code does not specify which foot you must drive with. Left foot breaking is usually frowned upon, except for high performance drivers, but if the right leg or foot is non op, then there is no law stating that you cannot drive with your left. Only that you do it safely. And I think that pretty much goes across the 50 states, otherwise amputees would really be up the creek. I could be wrong, but the intention is that you drive safely, whatever foot you use.
Stairs can be a problem with crutches, but are not as bad as you may think. Grab an extra set and keep a spare at the top of the stairs when you move back to your apt., and one at the bottom. If you have a railing along the stairway, rely on that if it is on both sides, and if not, just go slow, and have someone with you until you get it down. Remember, good foot goes to heaven, bad foot goes to hell, so going up, balance on the railing, and with a crutch under the arm of your broken ankle, brace with the crutch, steady and balance and lift your good foot up, then hold, steady and balance and raise the crutch and then your bad ankle up to the stair, follow and repeat. Do the opposite going down stairs. Not as bad as you may think, just takes time.
As far as the fusion goes, I just had one 3 1/2 months ago, and it is a big change. Your’e just getting started and it sounds too early for your doc to make that assumption, but I don’t really know.
If the top screw is just above your Talus, then it sounds like your break (inside or outside) was rather low. Did he remove the cartlidge from your ankle? Just doesn’t seem that you should be heading for a fusion with just one surgery behind you. I am unaware of the cartilege situation, and was not sure there was any in between the mortise joints of the Talus with the base of the Tib and Fib, but it makes sense.
Something to ask my doc when I go back, in 2 1/2 months, unless anyone out there knows.
Thank God for Google:
Discussion:
- is a hinge joint w/ malleoli projecting downward from tibia & fibula forming
medial and lateral walls of the mortise, encompassing talus;
- in addition, malleoli serve as pulleys for tendons reaching plantar
surface of foot from posterior and lateral compartments of leg.
- as is usual in hinge joints, capsular ligament is weak in front of &
behind the joint and is reinforced by collateral ligaments at sides;
- on medial side, heavy deltoid ligament is attached above to
medial malleolus and fans out to attach below chiefly to
talus, but also to calcaneus;
- on lateral side there are three smaller ligaments: the anterior and
posterior talofibular ligaments and calcaneofibular
ligament, which lies between the talofibular ligaments;
- body and tibial articular surface of talus is wider anteriorly than posteriorly
& form cone that is larger laterally than medially;
- due to this configuration, as ankle dorsiflexes intermalleolar distance
increases slightly, talus externally rotates slightly, & fibula must
laterally rotate slightly;
- slight rotary motion of the ankle in transvere plane causes the foot to
adduct and abduct;
- these motions are coupled so that dorsiflexion and abduction occur
at same time (plantar flexion & adduction occur at same time);
- since lateral malleolus is longer than medial malleoli & lies more posteriorly,
ankle axis is accordingly angled both inferiorly & posteriorly;
- ROM in saggital plane is 20 deg of DF dorsiflexion to 50 deg PF;

Couldn’t find anything in there about cartiledge between the Talus and the Tib and Fib base. That’s a good one. Sorry the above is so boring, makes you want to run out and get your medical degree. Here is the only piece from the same article that mentions cartiledge:
- Fibula:
- fibula provides the lateral support of the ankle;
- just above the ankle joint, the fibula sits in a groove formed by broad anterior
tubercle & smaller posterior tubercle of the tibia;
- there is no articular surface between the distal tibia and Fibula, even
though there is a small amount of motion between these two bones;
- medial border of the Fibula is covered by articular cartilage from
level of the tibial plafond to a point approximately half way down
its remaining length;
- distal end is tapered and has posteior goroove for the peroneal tendon;
- in lower limb, up to 1/6 of wt is carried by Fibula & rest by tibia;
- Fibula is pulled distally in stance phase by action of long toe flexors,
interosseous membrane is tightened, mortise deepened, and the fibula
pulled slightly medially, resulting in increase rotational stability of ankle;

Get a second opinion no matter what you do before you decide to have a fusion. Its the prudent thing to do. Once fused, always fused.

Anklequest menitoned an artificial ankle joint in one of her last posts, in response to Ana, I think. I checked that procedure out, and it is very new and still in the early stages, but what I recall is that it is better for younger anklebreakers, and I believe that the top of the Talus is capped, with a Titanium cover, as are the bases of the Tib and the Fib, with a type of hinge/screw or something to connect them all at the mortise joint (where the Talus meets the Tib and Fib) and is then reconnected with the usual ligaments and tendons, etc… But the wear factor is the thing, and the hardware, due to the constant motion and weight bearing, does not have a long shelf life, so wear out factor is key here, and who would want to replace an ankle joint every 5 years or so? Not me!
No matter, I still think its too early to assume that you will need a fusion. Don’t worry about it yet. Perhaps the doc can do something with the hardware you already have, that top screw or something, to make things better.
Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. Your stuck with the doc on call, or you are referred to. Doesn’t automatically make him the best.
Food for thought, but don’t distress. The worst is over.
Take care,
Clark

Comment by Liz

July 16, 2008 @ 10:09 am

DUPLICATE POST FROM BROKEN ANKLE 1:

ERIKA, I’m sorry to hear that every step hurts. I can imagine how frustrating that would be. I’m only at the 6 week mark (post surgery), 8 weeks since the actual injury and just got the okay to weight bear yesterday. My biggest fear is that I’ll get 6 months or a year down the road and every step will still hurt. Just curious… after surgery did you start physical therapy right away…how many months of therapy did you go through…and do you thinks it has been beneficial? I’m asking because I started therapy 2 weeks ago and I’m just wondering how long I might have to keep it up.

ANKLEBREAKERS, the pain you described sounds similar to mine… I wish I could show a picture of exactly where the pain is. I had an appt. yesterday and the doctor said the pain is right at the area that is missing cartlidge so it’s probably the cause. That is definitely NOT what I wanted to hear because there’s not much they can do for missing cartlidge from what I understand and I fear the pain will only get worse when I start walking.

On the upside, the bones are looking good and I do get to start weightbearing. The road ahead looks daunting but all I go do is keep moving forward. *sigh*

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday. Stay safe!

~Liz

Comment by Liz

July 16, 2008 @ 10:36 am

CLARK, Thanks for the info. I’m a smart girl but all those medical terms are so hard for me to understand and picture. I wish I could post a picture of exactly where the pain is coming from. I’m definite the doctor said the talus and that’s where the cartlidge is missing. It is my top right foot where the ankle bends, on the left inside of my foot. Does that make sense? As far as the fusion… maybe I’m jumping to conclusions too fast. He didn’t say that I would have to have a fusion but he did say that cartlidge does not regenerate itself and if the pain doesn’t get better I could be looking at future surgeries and he mentioned the fusion. He’s a great doctor with a great reputation. I didn’t have my surgery until 2 weeks after the break so I did get to choose my doctor thank goodness. Anyway, I will definitely consider a 2nd opinion when the time comes for those “future” surgeries. If only my foot wouldn’t have dislocated along with the brake… I wouldn’t be having these cartlidge problems. You would think that with all the medical technology (heck they can even transplant a heart!) that they could transplant or have some artificial cartlidge to stick back in my ankle. lol If only!!

Comment by anklequest

July 16, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

Liz,
Sorry to hear about the news. It may be my problem as well with pain in the same area, only perhaps not as bad. In fact mine seems to be improving a bit after two years, hopefully from taking the suppliments I started a few months ago and being very careful about monitoring my activity. I am very active, walk, climb mountains, etc. but watch how I come down on my foot so I reduce compression, hence trauma. There is definitely cartilage on the top of the talus and bottom of the tibia, and reduction of pressure on this part of the joint if it is damaged, like in your case, helps the healing process. More on how I do that in some other post.

About the heel. I have some thoughts. As I had an open wound for 6 months I had no air cast or any cast at all and learned to get around just fine though I had a very serious injury with complete dislocation. My #1 concern, by far, was the open wound, about the size of a silver dollar, which at first seemed not to heal. Once it finally did after months, I continued to keep it covered with gause for several more months. I wore the oversized gel shoes (which I still wear) to avoid more serious problems.

Since your air cast might be causing the problem either do not wear it and learn to get around without it OR cover that heel spot well with pads and gause and give it daily attention when you do wear it. Look on diabetic web sites and learn how diabetics have to deal with foot problems. Pressure must be reduced but it can be done. Personally, I wouldn’t wear it if it is causing the problem. I wore large 4 inch ace bandages instead.

Finally, since you are only at the 8 week point, as Clark said, it is way to early to predict anything. Things could still turn out fine. However, I would take the best care possible and not push things unduely. Just slowly work your way toward things you can do and keep your foot elevated and moving when you sit.

I’m in a hurry right now and may post again later today.

Anklequest.

Comment by anklequest

July 16, 2008 @ 12:10 pm

Liz,
Forgot, one more thing!
If the bones are mended, you can start walking partial weight as the doc said. I had to start out slowly, partial weight, but I moved quite rapidly to full weight and no crutches after only 2-3 weeks. Start walking around in the house and gradually you will gain confidence. It does feel very very strange at first. I moved rapidly mostly because the crutches coused a huge problem for me: Extreme pain in my hands due to carpel tunnel syndrone. I had to get rid of them as fast as I could for they were creating a bigger problem than my ankle.

Anklequest

Comment by lois

July 16, 2008 @ 1:11 pm

Wow, am I ever having trouble getting this post to go through. Hopefully when it does you won’t get it six times. Just wanted to say that I recently discovered a site called Ratemd’s.com One this site, patients in Canada, the USA and the UK etc. rate their doctors including orthopedic surgeons. You can read the comments and input your own experiences. For example, I learned that my ortho surgeon is rated highly but I have cancelled an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon which I had sceduled for next month to remove a cyst. He was panned in all comments about him. I will be finding someone else.

If you did not know about this site, which I believe is quite new, you may find it helpful for second opinions, and your input may help others to obtain the best treatment in future. See what you think.

Comment by anklequest

July 16, 2008 @ 2:56 pm

Hi Lois,

Thanks for deciding to join us again. I am avoiding work, so want to respond to your previous post. I too found people with broken ankles after I broke mine.

Heres the rundown:

KJ female , trimalleolar- fell on ice in snowstorm walking dog- doing fine at age 60, can run on treadmill after 5 years.

RR female, trimalleolar -fell on ice in snow had hardware removed later-doing just fine, now retired

KR male, broke fibula while drunk and fell, had only a cast, no surgery, 15 years later at age 60 is getting arthritis in that ankle, which is always sore, but is an active carpenter/farmer

TT female, trimalleolar fracture, fell on ice in snow. A paradox, is an ice skater skating professionally for the ice capads and also is a clown for birthday parties. Began skating again only 2-3 months after the break. Is about 50 years old and still skates

BJ female, bimalleolar, fell into her garage tripping while carrying stuff over a 4 inch step. this was only a year ago. Still has a lot of swelling and reduced mobility.

MJ female, trimalleolar, now in her late 70’s, broke ankle in early 60’s on front steps. No lingering ankle side effects. Has had both hips replaced in last few years.

DOT female, trimalleolar, fell wearing high heels, dissappeared after break so no one knows what the outcome is. The next post describes this situation.

All of the above, with the exception of one, are women making me wonder too, about the statistics related to broken ankles. Falling on ice in winter areas? Falling off horses in the west? Slipping while wearing flipflops or sandles? I think when I have a chance I’ll explore the epidemiology of broken ankles a bit more.

AnkleQuest

Comment by anklequest

July 16, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

Heels: Who is to blame?

DOT worked as an ad. assistant for a year or so in the place where i work. She was a high heel person all the way, along with expensive suits & seemed to live well considering her position. She must have had hundreds of heels. No one ever saw the same pair twice. The lunch cliques considered her incompetant & both males & females had many discussions about situations related to her. Her high heels were sometimes considered very inappropriate..mostly party type heels.

One day she slipped and fell on a regular polished floor, broke her ankle & had surgery. No one missed her. No one saw her. No one know what happened to her. About 8 months later a law suit was filed by her claiming the floor was too slippery. After some time I heard there was a settlement to avoid going through the courts and the expenses of all that. She never came back so maybe that was part of the settlement deal.

OK, the area where she fell is now carpeted. Should the whole world be carpeted to avoid broken ankle law suites of this type? Who is at fault here?

Anklequest

Comment by Clark

July 16, 2008 @ 4:46 pm

LIZ,
Good to hear from you and thanks for the update. I am not a doc either, and I know I pasted quite a bit of medical jargon. Don’t think I automatically understand it either. I have had 6 knee surgeries, 3 on my right knee in 1983, my police retirement injury, and 3 in 1991. All same procedures on each knee, starting with cartiledge and then moving onto ligaments and biologic transplants. I have often also wondered about a synthetic cartiledge, and I know the British are close to perfecting a type of synthetic, as well as we Americans here in the states, but no one has done well enough to put it in there and make it last long enough so that one does not have to go back in. And that’s the kicker. Going back in.
If your main source of pain is that top screw, perhaps he can remove or repostition it so that it does not affect you in such a way.
Anyway, just take it slow. One of the benitifts of an ankle break is that there is usually more than enough time to think about things, and eat, and gain weight, and worry, etc. ad on infinitum.
But don’t worry, and take it slow. And watch your step.
I had lunch with a friend today, and drove, and she was very elderly so had to help her in and out of my Pathfinder. Anyway, I went to get the car, and she was waiting by the curb, and stupid me, as I got out, I stepped out with my left foot, and pulled myself out, and rather than placing my foot a 90 degree angle from the car, I placed it parallel, in line with the car, and when I placed my weight on my left foot, it fell outward and I almost suffered another break. Very close, and very stupid on my part. I am usually walking on eggshells anyway, very careful of my left foot, but not today. Today I almost did it again.
Hope this helps. I did not mean to try to impress you with all the jargon. Thought you would get a laugh from it.
Take care all.
Clark

Comment by Clark

July 16, 2008 @ 5:17 pm

ERIKA,
Sorry to hear that you are still having pain after almost a year since your break. Don’t feel alone. I too feel something with almost every step, and it varies from over doing it to being well medicated to just getting up in the morning, to trying to sleep at night, an almost impossible thing anymore, but something I miss so much, sleeping!
Can’t recall whether or not you still have hardware inside, or you were talking once about having it out. I would think that some piece of Titanium, placed alongside or inside your ankle, with screws and pins, had to hit a nerve here and there. Never tissue takes about an inch a month to heal. I severed my Ulnar Nerve (elbow funny bone) back in 1972 as I was in training for the Sheriff’s Dept. I basically had only a Spock (Live long and prosper) grip, could not close my fingers, had very little strength, etc… and the doc back then said he could operate and I would be in a sling for a year and a half, with a completely atrophied arm that would have to come all the way back, or I could squeeze a tennis ball forever, and let Mother Nature do her thing. He said that nerve tissue heals at the rate of about an inch a month. I never told anyone, could still shoot straight, and squeezed the hell out of that tennis ball. Ended up with a grip that could drop someone right to the ground (very helpful in security/police work) and it all came back, and more.
So perhaps you are dealing with some impingement from hardware hitting a nerve, that would be my best guess, and if it is hitting a nerve,