Update-Broken Ankle-1 Year later

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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?

2,203 thoughts on “Update-Broken Ankle-1 Year later”

  1. Thank you So MUCH, Sharon. I have just been looking at scars on the net. Now I am more depressed! The ‘outside’ I meant was really the inside of my leg but on side way from my body. I am planning to get the heck to Vegas (had JUST reserved a non-refundable flight before I fell). That is less than two weeks after I get my cast. Did you get a new weight bearing support after the cast? When were you able to put any weight on the cast (if ever)!
    How did you manage your awful break!!! Have to say though, looking at my dislocated foot was so surreal!!!!

  2. Hi Judy,

    I know everyone is different and I hope someone else can give you a better outcome than what I have had. I couldn’t drive for almost four months. I have three plates and 12 screws (that we can visually see on x-ray). Who told you that your plates were on the outside? The reason I ask is because all three of mine are on the inside. I have three scars, one over each side of the ankle and one long one in the front of my leg. The bruising and swelling will look more horrible than it actually is. I almost passed out at my first re-casting.
    YES depression is common especially when you are house bound or bed bound or whatever bound and cannot drive yourself or do stuff for yourself. I know it’s hard but from someone that has been there and thought I was going out of my mind—just hang in there and KNOW that it is all uphill from here and the worst part is behind you. I just wish I had had this website and all of you while I was going through my worst part.

    Sharon

  3. Hi folks,

    I am still here, on my bed, working from home on my hot but trusty laptop.

    Folks, does anyone else have an issue with nausea after stopping the pain pills? I took MANY for two days after the surgery but stopped them three days ago.

    I am also starting to get pretty depressed.

    Guess my questions are, nausea common? Depression Common?

    Also, I am very nervous about seeing the scars..are they bad? (pins on inside, plate on outside).

    Also, I guess the cast I get next week will be a standard cast and not weight bearing. I don’t see driving until I have that…anyone know how long that will be? Another 4 weeks after the cast? (The cast only goes on almost 3 weeks from the fall, 2 weeks from surgery).

    HELP!!!

    thanks

  4. Hello all,
    Hope all the ladies (mothers) had a wonderfull Mothers Day!Sandra,Don and Anklequest looks like we have a few newbies here. Welcome to all of them, glad they are here. well week two for me back to work and it is going ok but I have alot of swelling and disconfort, I came home early today due to swelling and can hardly stand on it at all.

    How have you all been? anything from Clark? hope you all had a nice weekend. take care and keep upright.

    Tim

  5. Hi folks,

    I am happy to see this here – great info sharing!

    On May 4th, I slipped on a ditch in a parking lot, with platforms to boot. It was 3 broken bones, dislocated foot (it was actually surreal looking at it!!)

    I had the foot moved back in place in the emergency ward and then had a double splint put on. Then, I was sent home with lots of meds (had a wheelchair from a previous break). On May 8th, I had surgery, a pin and a plate (I think). After the surgery, the pain was MUCH worse and I wound up calling the dr about the pain meds. Took alternate pain pills each hour and they got me thru. On Sunday (one week after the fall and just 3 days after the surgery), the meds are a rare occurance.

    I am currently struggling to determine if I should work from home (computer ‘stuff’) or take disability. It will be the 23rd before I get my stitches or staples out and hopefully, the cast put on. Will I be able to do much when I get the cast on?

    FYI, I have seen a lot of comments about age and recorvery…I am 56 years old.

  6. Hi Angie,

    I am also from Louisiana. I crushed my right ankle in August and have three plates and 12 screws that we can count on x-ray. The doc says may be more. I had numbness and tingling in my foot while in the cast that seemed to have ants biting it. It didn’t itch just stung. I had my foot recasted and looked at every three weeks. I was so afraid even without the cast that I would still feel this horrible stinging. The nurse told me that while I was healing I would have all sorts of sensations in my foot. I came back to work after only three weeks which was way too soon, but I didn’t have enough time built up since I had just started my job in May to take off any longer. I had to keep my foot propped up on my desk over my heart to keep the swelling down and I was still on pain killers. It was NOT a pretty site for about a month or so. I had to depend on someone to bring me to work, bring me my lunch and help me to the bathroom. I still have numbness in my foot and can’t feel some places so I think this is pretty common. I don’t know if it will last but I’m just lucky to be alive and not paralyzed so I will be thankful to just be able to walk.

    Keep your chin up and things will be brighter soon although I know EXACTLY where you are at right now.

    Sharon

  7. Thanks for that I feel much better now!

    Can move about slowly with this boot which has given me hope! My job is not a sit down one so will just have to take it easy and hope it heals well.

    Happy Healing.

  8. Lel2000,
    Congradulations! Thanks God no surgery so far. If after 3 weeks the X-ray shows no sign of healing they might put in a screw to tighten things up. It sounds like this should be no big deal.

    As for work, it depends on what you do. My boss, a top level administrator, at age 53 had a terrible trimalleolar fracture & went back to work after 3 weeks in a wheelchair while she was still non-weightbaring. She used the wheelchair for a few weeks and didn’t go to too many meetings. People brought her lunch,etc. She actually got a lot of work done, but now admits that she came back too soon. I think she felt obligated as the senior VP in a very busy organization with many people under her.
    On the other hand, if one has a job requireing a lot of standing and walking, forget it! It will take much longer.

    Angie,

    Welcome to the Club. Sorry you had to join. Tingling and numbness are common from what I hear, although I did not have much of either. Be sure though that things are not too “tight”. 3 weeks to partial weight is not uncommon if the break is not too severe. On the other hand, your break I’m sure, seems very difficult for you. It is a very traumatic experience! Crutches were absolutely the worst for me. I could handle them but my hands hurt terribly, often worse than my ankles.

    Hi Don and Sandra! Thanks for the messages! I’ll get back to you.

    PS: Don and Sandra are my double ankle braker freinds on this board. Can you imagine! Breaking two ankles? What a horror. I greatly admire both of them for their positive spirit although they’ve had seriously down days.

  9. Angie M. I just now got the ok to be WB at 6 weeks post op. However you may be talking about “toe touch” Which I was allowed to do in the boot soon after surgery. I bet he will put you in a big boot to be WB.
    Good luck, take care. I know it can be difficult to be at home as I have been here since coming home after my hospital stay. I broke my ankle and have a plate two long screws and some 8 other screws. I broke my ankle on Easter falling off a step onto big cobblestones. I’m still not sure if I fell on the stone or off the step. When I landed my foot was facing backwards and I seemed to forget what happened.

  10. Hi everyone.

    I’ve been to the hospital today for myself! The doctor took the splint off and the bruising was really bad-I think from walking on it to xray dept and back when first broke. I was given an inflatable boot!! Wasnt convinced at first but was told it was better as i could take off and have a bath/ at nights etc. I still need crutches as I cannot put any weight on the right leg. The doctor said to come back in 3 weeks and have another x ray. He said I may need a screw put in.
    I know after reading all of your posts this is nothing but hell the thought of that is quite scary. Also I only get paid for 6 weeks off work full pay after that half.

    If I do have a screw put in ankle what’s the approx healing time after the op?

  11. Hi, my name is Angie. I am 42 years old. I am from Louisiana. I broke my ankle on April 24. I tripped over my child’s skateboard. I had surgery on April 29. I have a plate and about 7 screws. i found this site on the internet while reasearching ankle breaks. I have a full time job. I am now off of work for a while. It gets pretty boring at home alone, but I found this website really helpful. I was starting to feel sorry for myself, but after reading all the comments made on this site, I have a more positive attitude, knowing I am not alone. I have a few questions. It has been about 2 weeks since my surgery. I am in a splint. I have tingling on top of my foot. Is this normal. Foot has been numb since broken. Also, ortho told me that on May 12, he might start me on light bearing. This is only 3 weeks after sugery. Does this sound right. Also, what kind of cast do you get for light bearing weight? I am also relieved to know I am not the only one who has crutches issues.

  12. Hey ankle Breakers

    Sandra Anklequest the group I first met when I came here.

    Sandra
    My two jobs are working in a Plumbing Supply everything you need from faucets to bathroom and outdorr plumbing the second job is I run a world wide security consaole for a large pharmaceutical corp. As for the car I can’t blame you mine changed from a 2 door Dodge Sunfire to a Dodge 1500 4 door 1/2 ton pickup truck with a 6ft bed so in all my truck is about 18ft long. 🙂 BIG truck. Ahh the weather one of my biggest gripes. Yup cold huirts and heat swells but heat better then cold and as long as the barometric pressure doesn’t go nuts like when storms just sit in the midedle of the country and then take days to get here or when they tqake days leaving then I am in constent pain from the weather change. As I said I take the cane where ever I go maybe in the car but always take it. I can always send someone to go get it:-)

    In all with all of the metal I have stuck in me I guess I have to count myself lucky. I can still sit up
    and take nurishment and I can walk I wobble alittle but over all I walk Big difference from a guy who a year and 1/2 ago went out onto a field and participated in full contact armored fighting( yes like the knights use to) I go to a place in august that we get together with 14000 recreators and have about 3 to 5 thousand fighters in field and castle battels with trebuches(sp) and bollistas., ot sure weather I will ever be able to do that again. Herte to show you a little of what I use to do is a link to see the pictures.
    http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p36_11 But I hope it will work or this one which will show you a fulkl battle the second part when you see multitudes of fdighters is where I go in august it is called PENNSIC.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfb29gysxXQ But I am just happy to walk and Dance At my Daughters wedding

    But here is what it use to look like before the accident in armor (me on the Left)
    http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EK_Youth_Marshall/photos/view/97ac?b=21
    But I will let you see the pic of the wedding
    Thanks all for all your help and support especially Sandra and Anklequest
    Don

  13. Don and Anklequest – old-timers – a separate hi, but anyone is welcome to read it!

    Last year before I fell I had re-mortgaged to get work done on house. Then I did my breaks and it all stalled, and I have only started to feel like getting quotes and stuff done in the last two or three months.

    Anyway, what I have is supposed to do kitchen, all doors inside and decorating, and stuff outside, but now the car will have to get changed, which cuts into my house money. It’s not that old, but high mileage as I commute and things have started to go wrong which means I have spent a lot of money on it in the last few months. Not sure what kind I will get – several small models out there to try. Would rather spend money on the house, but a safe car seems even more essential now. (Sorry Don!)

    I won’t do any teaching till next academic year Anklequest (may be marking), so busy writing, and now getting caught up in all the form-filling and bureaucracy. Like resource forms, workload balancing (not sure if you do all that stuff.) I am sure students think we all stop working when they finish, but the admin stuff has got much more – that’s aside from training events and meetings.

    What are your two jobs Don? I think you used to be in trees. Still up there? I don’t have a large garden but still have three rowan trees, a sycamore, cherry tree and a pretty conifer (not too big.)

    Envious of your bear-watching and other critters. Watched CSI this week and never knew there was such a thing as ground squirrels! I love all the stuff that goes with May in the UK – it is really pretty, and lots of birds singing and flowers out, trees in new leaf. Great time of year to visit the UK. (Downside -a few too many large wasps around at present.)

    Now I have a new fence and trees have been pruned, my garden looks better, and I bought a lavender plant today and some viola plants. Hope to get them in over the weekend – that will be my first attempt at gardening since last summer. Not sure I am up to strimming the grass yet though!

    Off to work early tomorrow – which is awful after so long off – and then to gym later in the day to keep at this rehab. Anklequest – I am really have to push myself to do any physio in the house these days, but will persevere. It’s amazing how quickly things can seize up.

    Not sure if I said I have a condition called osteopenia – had a bone density scan. So have to watch the calcium intake, and increase activity (Ha!). Tried taking calcium tablets but they upset my stomach.

    Night to you both and to anyone else who is listening.

    Hope to tune in again soon.

    Sandra

  14. Hello to everyone. We are having summer this week over here in the UK.

    Eight months on for me. I am still walking with a stick outside and pratising without too. Had my first walk in the bluebell woods since last summer, and walked for an hour without my stick mostly – but I did carry it with me. Sharon mentioned taking her crutch out with her as well. I will probably get a folding stick soon, and a walking pole for rougher ground. And Sharon – would love to go out solo, without any walking ‘aid’ – but not sure when that will be.

    Some of this stuff is physical and some of it is about confidence and trusting that the metal in there will hold me up.

    Felt great to do that walk, and I went to the gym the same evening. The next morning did a two hour drive to work, got out and could hardly walk!

    I think Raymon has been working hard but also respecting the limits of his body, and I also have to listen to mine. Today only felt up to half hour walk, and used the stick some of the time. My ‘stick’ is quite a pretty blue, adjusts like a crutch and has an ergonomic handle. Lots of web-sites with interesting sticks for when anyone gets to that point.

    Lots of new people on line. Lel2000 – a new breaker and hope it is going well for you. On cleaning, I have given in and have hired cleaners for the first time. Feels a bit weird, as my mum was a cleaner. But it has taken some of the stress out of life, so will do it for as long as I think I can afford it.

    Celinda. It is brilliant you are walking. Shopping trolleys are a great support, though sometimes now I think they can make me walk funny and hurt my foot. But it’s still good to have something to hold on to when you really need it.

    Lynn. I appreciate how you feel, and our broken and mended ankles can seem quite fragile.

    The hardest thing for me has been the stairs, and I have two lots and have to go down a set of stairs to get out of my house. I have just this week started walking down without a crutch, but it’s very awkward and clumsy for me and I have to try hard not to push my hip up or land too heavily. But a few weeks ago I felt I would never be able to walk down the stairs again. So that’s huge progress for me.

    Pain is much less, but still a nuisance as it wanders. I have sharp pain below and behind inner ankle bone which personal trainer says is ligament. My achilles tendon is still quite tight, so I have to remember to stretch it. I have not tried any of the supplements, but may give them a go as Raymon recommends them and Anklequest seems quite keen too.

    Hi to Tim and take it easy.

    Don. Can’t win with the weather. Cold and it really hurts. Hot and it all swells much more.

    Karen. Sorry to hear about your eblow and other stuff and hope it improves.

    Shoes are an issue. I have been in trainers too much and in this heat they make my feet swell. The support is good, but now on a quest for lighter shoes/walking sandals that do not rub on the scar on my inner ankle.

    Anyway, hope you are all well over there(s) and hi to anyone I missed out.

    Sandra

  15. Greetings Ankle breakers

    Hmmm one thing that amazes me is that every time I get busy and am away for a bit I come back and there are more new people joining our group. Welcome to the new people and I am sorry that you are here with us, because that means you broke your ankle OUCH.

    Anklequest.

    The tee you were asking about is in my right ankle. It goes down the bone of the calf and shin and then into the joint of the ankle along the backside and then into the foot. So the ankle itself will bend but not fully flex but it stays along the bone and this does interfear with movement but it is what keeps my ankle and foot connected to the bone and muscle. So now my own bone has taken it over and covered it with calcium. I must say in the x-rays it looks real cool but it is hard to flex and now that is the ankle that the joint is collapsing with arthritis and they wanted to fuse. still jholding off on that part. I can walk as you know from seeing me at the resturant. but I stilland always will have a limp.

    We just got back fr4om looking at Southern CT State university and my wife and daughter made me take the cane! good thing I listened after and hour of walking fast pace I needed it. I never would have made it without the cane. The next trip is Kutztown university so we will see. My Daughter is going into her Senior year so the applications need to go out she wants to study Library Science and Minor or double major in History . We shall see

    Keep up the hard work and good work all patients and listening to Doctors and therapists will get you to where you want to be and talking to people on here helps

    Don

  16. im back
    pins were nothing
    guy removed them
    and son looked other way
    im so pleased

    happy healing!

  17. Thanks for the responses.

    Yes I should count my blessings really, especially after reading some of these posts.

    I have a an appointment tomorrow at the hospital where I can find out more about the break and what bone it is. I was in too much pain and in a bit of shock the day it happened.

    I was wondering if anyone can give me some urgent advice. My 17 year old is going this morning to have pins taken out of his hand and he is actually gagging at the thought. I’ve tried to reassure him but have no idea of the procedure- will they give him something to ease the pain……..is it really painful??

    He near on fainted when they took the cast off last time and he saw the pins sticking out of his knuckles. Had to have legs up etc. I’m dreading. Any advice/info please share.

  18. Lynn,

    I can just walk inside of walmart and get into a electric cart. I cannot walk around the store, not until the doctor tells me that I can.

    Celinda

  19. Lynn,
    Stairs have never been a friend of mine as I also have Fibromyalgia. I walk now around Wal-Mart holding on to a shopping cart and it helps me but before I could walk I would ride in the motorized buggies. My husband said he knew it wouldn’t be long before he had to buy me a hover-round. Ha! I hope it is a while yet as I’m only 38, but in any event they did get the job done and got me out of the house.

  20. Thanks Sharon and Celinda for the response. Sharon I walked up stairs for the first time yesterday and took a shower, you would have thought I had run a marathon by the time it was over. I came back down stairs and I thought I should take another shower! Between being nervous and how difficult it seems I too am sweating and exhausted!
    Celinda do you walk around Walmart? I was thinking that I could go somewhere and hang on to a shopping cart.

  21. Hi Lynn,

    I am walking in a walking boot even though my left ankle is not completely healed. I am only allowed to take a bath though, I cannot stand up without the boot. I am so glad to be walking, it has been over a year for me and I am glad to know that I can be up and about a little bit. I cannot walk inside walmart though, the doctor said that I cannot walk that much. He says I can walk inside walmart but that is about it.

    Celinda

  22. Anklequest,

    I totally understand his irrational thinking now. I probably would have done the same thing. I think all of us never really want to believe that our spouses are hurting more than they can bear and I know it made him feel awful for me. He was very attentive through my whole ordeal.

    Lynn,

    I have been walking for about three months now and I get very tired very easily. My husband and I were walking around Wal-Mart the other day and only had a few things to get and by the time we got to the register I was so hot and I don’t sweat! LOL!!! It’s getting a little better but if I walk alot during the day then at night I can’t hardly put my foot on the floor without pain and have had to resort back to one crutch occasionally and it will be a year in August. I would be nervous too if they told me that I still had a fracture but we can hope that they know what they are doing and that is all we can go by.

  23. Well went to the doctor today for the 6 week checkup. He said the outside of the ankle (where the plate is) healed. However he said that the inside of the ankle (where the two long screws go in) has not fully healed and he now called it a fracture. He said I can start to walk with the boot even though it is still fractured. He also said that I could shower without it. Has anyone else ever heard this? I have been walking with the boot and one crutch today and just got out of the shower (ankle feels like its going to break any second). I am excited that I am able to get back on my feet again however the fact that it is still fractured makes me nervous.
    It is also amazing how tired I get just walking around now after 6 weeks of being totally off my ankle.

  24. LEL2000
    The fact that you haven’t had surgery and can walk is very encouraging. It means you have a “minor” break, probably the fibula? Most of us could not walk after we broke our ankles. What did the doc tell you?

    As for the emergency room, they should have at least given you a wheel chair. On the other hand, that you were able to stand in line was an indicator that things were not that bad. Still, it’s bad for you as this broken ankle thing is a shock to anyone who is suddenly saddled with this situation.

    Now is the time for the teenagers to start cleaning the house! Good Luck!!! Keep us appraised of your progress.

    Sharon,
    People can be very irrational in bad situations, including spouses. I’m glad you can laugh about it now.

  25. I don’t know I think moaning helps us cope. It sure does help to be able to talk to people that have been through similar ordeals.

    I know what you mean about the short help deal too. I had my husband and my mother-in-law and don’t know what I would have done without her. I asked my sister to take me Christmas shopping several times during the holidays but at that time I was still in a wheelchair when I went anywhere and she didn’t want to fool with me I reckon because she never did take me anyway. I had to go when my mother-in-law felt like fooling with me or my husband could take me. Needless to say it gave holiday blues and depression the true understanding for me. I would sweep my floors from my wheelchair or crutches. If I was anything it was persistent, but hang in there and ask for the help that you need — all they can say is no and believe me I know how humiliating that can be when they do. I had no support from any of my family. I know if my mom had been alive she would have moved in with me for those six or so months but from my sister I had none. The only thing she said is too bad I didn’t live closer. I am 45 minutes away from her and she is home alone all day everyday so how sad is that???

    Oh well like you say one mustn’t moan!!! CHIN UP!

  26. Sharon

    Problem is im short of offers and have to ask!

    That story is sad.I know someone who broke their back – spent 6 months in hospital and can now do anything within reason. Mustn’t moan!

    I have to take my youngest son to the hospital on Thursday as he broke his hand ( knuckle) four weeks ago and is due to have his pins out. He’s not looking forward to it as you can imagine.

    Nelson and Long John Silver!!!

  27. LEL2000,

    There is always someone worse off than us. It’s hard to believe sometimes but there is and with much sadder stories. When I did my physical therapy I was saddened to learn that my therapist’s wife was in a wheelchair and would never walk again. He had met her in high school and she had had a diving accident during her freshman year and here he was still helping others like me to walk again. I tried not to whine too much knowing he had to face someone everyday that would never be able to stand up on her own. It takes a special person to be in the profession to help people rehabilitate and know that he can’t rehabilitate the one person that he loves the most.

    Lean on whoever will offer their help. I’m pretty stubborn and don’t ask anybody for anything but sometimes you just have to accept it when they offer.

  28. Thanks Sharon!

    I should have demanded an ambulance from my the playground instead of being made to walk up to the manager’s office to have ice put on it-only to hobble back down 5 mins later to my collegues car!I just hope i havent done more damage walking on it.

    I look around my house….each day gets more and more dirty…..I have two teenage boys that try.

    I guess I will get used to it and do appreciate there are others in worse situations than me.

    Better get the dvds out.

  29. LEL2000,
    I shattered my ankle almost a year ago and was off of it for nearly four months before I could even apply the slightest bit of weight so I would think if you just broke yours then you should be off of it for no longer than six weeks, but will probably be walking before that. My husband and I were horseback riding and my horse liked to follow his and do just what his would do and they had went down a little hill and mine stopped at the hill which made me think maybe we shouldn’t try it but no matter how hard I pulled him back he was determined to go and when he started he fumbled and then jumped it and I did a back flip off of him in the middle of the highway. It was dusk dark and it was on the top of a hill. My husband told me to sit there while he went to catch my horse. I was horrified and told him no I was going to get hit by a speeding car and I couldn’t move my foot. He told me it was probably just sprained but I could feel the bones rubbing and knew it was broken. He wanted me to ride my horse back home which was a few miles away and I told him he was crazy. He was more concerned about how he was going to get the horses home than how he was going to get me home or even off the road. LOL! I have never felt like I needed an ambulance for anything but that night I did and I remember thinking I was so ready to get home because I was so hungry—three days later I got to go home. A neighbor came by and helped get the horses home and an ambulance came and got me. Once we got to the hospital they cut my clothes off and x-rayed my foot and told me I had literally shattered the three bones that attach the ankle to the foot. They wanted me to go home and come back the next morning. I thought my husband was going to kill someone. They admitted me that night and did surgery the next morning. I don’t know what these people think sometimes.

    Chin up things are only bleak for a little while. This too shall pass!!!

  30. Hi,
    I broke my ankle last Thursday. I work in a school and was skipping, when I landed and slipped on the rope. I was taken to hospital by one of my collegues and literally dumped there!I do’t know how but I managed tomake it to the reception desk ( after a 15 min queue- felt like passing out) when the register lady said I had to queue over there first- pointing to another kiosk over theother side!!I was horrified and told her I couldn.t walk. She said they had no crutches. To cut a long story short I saw the nurse who told me to go have an x-ray!! I walked ( very slowly and in intense pain to the x ray department about 1/4 mile away and back! Told by doctor i had a broken ankle andput in splint till i goagain this friday.My toes are purple and I can;t do anything. Goint upstairs to the toilet is an ordeal. Howlong will it take to heal and howlong will I be off work- does anyone know??

    I feel slightly depressed but have had lots of help but feel like im putting on people.

  31. Lynn,

    You are not being a downer at all and yes I’m sure we have all felt that exact same way. I know I did and still do. I protect my ankle at all costs and get nervous around small children and animals that may bump me and knock me down. My husband says my ankle looks like a splintered 2 x 4 because I have screws going in all different directions and nobody can figure out why they can only see a few of these and not more. I am coming up on my year and still limp and it was hard at first because I was attached to my crutches and would not try to walk at all without them and finally when I decided to try I would still drag one crutch behind me like a child dragging his blanket. I had to have it just in case because I did fall alot before I started walking, but just remember (and this is hard) that you have metal holding that ankle together and it’s not going anywhere and if anything we should be worried about the one that doesn’t have the hardware. BUT I still protect it even though I know it’s there and strong and it’s perfectly normal.

  32. I’m about to go for my doctors visit tomorrow and I’m so worried. I really hope my ankle has healed properly. I think I have hit my limit of trying to keep a positive attitude after sitting around and laying around for six weeks. I just want to start walking, I’m scared to death to but I want to try. I feel like they replaced my ankle with little brittle twigs and that they are goin to snap as soon as I stand however I’m sure I’m not saying anything you haven’t all felt. I am not sure that my ankle that now feels so strange and foreign is ever going to work again. I think my husband is getting nervous because I have been pretty positive and I don’t know what has happened in the past three days but I am scared to walk and fall again.
    Ok now that I have brought the whole forum down, I am sorry I guess I’m just scared of what the doctor will say.

    sorry to be such a “downer”.
    lynn

  33. Karen,
    The movement up & down hills is actually good for the ankle even if it hurts. In time all will be well and you may even be running around.

    Don,
    The native cherry trees here in Ringwood are completely infested with caterpillars that make horrible white webbing. Even the birds stay away. Every leaf is gone. Our yard has a number of these trees, which now look very creepy. A video could be used for a horror movie. How about over there?

    Sandra,
    How are the students doing these days over there? Our semester is winding down and so my student problems are on the increase..all sorts of things ranging from panic to plagerism.

    Than there is the continuing problem with Fatso the groundhog. He has now eaten my whole Monarch Butterly bed of milkweeds. What’s next? Every day there is something else. Our gardening problem over here goes back to you Brits. Everyone, including me, has an image of a british garden in our heads. Fatso would not be such a problem for me if it wasn’t for this impossible “standard”, which your cool rainy weather has allowed for.

    What kind of car are you looking to buy?

    PS: I have a problem with an infection in my jaw…had to have a tooth pulled. I do have some advice to share regarding antibiotics for those who have metal in their ankles. Well post about this later sometime.

  34. I’ve been doing good with my ankle until this past weekend when both sides started hurting and I got to the point this weekend that if he wanted to take the one plate and screws out that would be fine and I couldn’t get them out quick enough. They have settled down some though now. I live on a hill and can’t hardly walk on uneven ground so I’m sure that attributed to some of it but I favor that foot so much because I’m scared I will get knocked down. This is getting very frustrating and I know I’m not telling anybody reading this anything they didn’t already know but to not be able to run around the yard with my dogs or grandbaby is really taking a toll. I’m only 38 years old and I should be able to still “play” if I want to. HA! 🙂

  35. PS: I forgot to mention that those of us on the
    “weakling” side can (and must)do a lot to improve things. First, (and most important) recognize and accept where you are and what you are! Second, work to improve, as best as we can, our situation….what we have been given! For example, if heart disease runs in the family, then try to live a life that will prevent the genetic manifestation of the symptoms. this can be done in most instances. If breaking ankles and weak bones runs in the family, than weight lifting is in the cards for you since that stimulates bone density.

  36. Arthritis..
    Well, we are genetically variable, just like dogs, cats,and all other animals. Some of us humans are “weaklings” with predispositions to heart disease, and all sorts of degenerative things. Others of us, like my great uncle who just died 3 weeks ago, at 103, was tough as nails. He drank a shot of wiskey every day and smoked and was sound of mind and could still walk until the day he died (of pneumonia). He was also a little skinny guy who was an active farmer most of his life and a very postive person with a wonderful wife. His 10 siblings all lived to be close or over 100.

    All in all, the weaklings are now becoming more common because of our modern medicines. People who use to die of diabetes, kidney disease, etc. are now reproducing. It is predicted by some who study human genetics that in 300-500 years that we may indeed be much “weaker” as a species as a result. Over the past centuries it is the best and brightest who have survived, which is to say “us.”

    Arthritis is definitely one of those things that is partially dependent on the genetic hand we are dealt, and, of course, whether one breaks an ankle or not. Over 80 % of ankle breakers get arthritis from what I’ve read.

    In terms of arthritis prevention or slowing it down, well, how about it everyone!!!! Let’s see if there is anything out there that we can use as a guide.

    Raymond, what do all your fellow athletic types have to say about arthritis prevention/development?

  37. Hi Anklequest,

    Thanks for the positive remarks. I sometimes feel like I may be doing too much too early, but this has always been my approach to injuries and the positive mindset seems to work for me. Maybe as a result of the over activity I will get arthritis earlier or develop it when I might not have, but it seems like it’s a lottery depending on the person, age and health???

    I got my new Zealand green Lipped mussel on the advice of a friend who had used it on his aging dogs who were suffering from sore hips due to old age and it worked wonders for him. I got mine from here:

    http://www.lovelyhealth.com/GREENLIPPED_MUSSEL_ONLINE_SHOP_New_Zealand_Natural_Supplements.htm

    This is what it says on the website:

    “New Zealand green lipped Mussel is a pure extract and is a very valuable resource to New Zealanders,because in our clean oceans our mussels have very high concentrations of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate – mucopolysaccharides, vitamin B-complex, proteins and minerals, natural Omega 3 fatty acids.”

    I also used Bioflow magnets on the injury (something else I forgot to add on my post. These once worked a miracle overnight cure on a shoulder that had me out of weight training for a year and that I’d tried all sorts of massage, cortisone, ultrasound on, to no avail. I wore them for one night and the pain disappeared.

    I have used them on injuries ever since, and whilst I haven’t had any more miracle cures, injuries do seem to heal in about 1/2 the time. They are apparently good for arthritis sufferers too.

    I have developed tendinitis in my right shoulder as a result of using the crutches on top of the weight training. having said this, it was my fault as I was takling my Golden retriever for 30 minute walks at midday – uphill! strapped to my waist!!

    I have a nasty scar where they repaired my deltoid ligament as well as ugly scar tissue caused by road rash that took two months to heal and was a real pain. Still it healed just in time to avoid me having to have a skin graft…

  38. Anklequest,

    Thank you for your reply. I didn’t realize others had similar complications. One day this will all be a distant memory. I keep thinking back to December 15th and how great my body felt as I bounced out the door – only to fall three steps down to the garage floor with both feel tucked under sideways. Today I took Don’s advice and soaked in warm bubbles and it felt very good. I think I’ll get my Thermaphore pad out. Has anyone used that with good results?

    Karen

  39. Karen,
    I’m not sure how much age matters. I’m 62 and tried to use that on the last doctor I saw. He said I was in great shape and moreover, that age didn’t make much difference in the healing of these thing. he’d seen “elderly” heal fast and younger people heal slow. I had the feeling that he thought it was more related to individual difference (genetic predisposition and personal fitness, etc.). This is from a doc. who mostly deals in “sports” medicine and looked like an extremely fit athletic person in his 50’s.
    Anyway, I feel for you because others on this board have had similar complications. Tennis elbow is horrible pain. I once had that too. I quite the crutches when it seemed like my hands were much worse than my ankle. Then my ankle actually improved along with my hands.

  40. I had my appointment with the upper extremity doctor today who diagnosed tennis elbow from walking on crutches for two months. I don’t solely blame the crutches but he thinks it aggravated the situation and so do I. I had a cortisone shot, now wear a brace and starting some physical therapy. For me, breaking my ankle opened up a can of worms. I’m 53 though and know it is from being injured at that age. I’m also having tens therapy (3 days per week) on my sesamoids (ball of foot under big toe) due to getting back to walking after being immobile for so long (bursitis) It’s been like a chain reaction. Now if I could only get my neck and knee to cooperate!

    My brother broke his big toe and shortly after had foot surgery for a common ailment and he tells me his whole body was messed up for at least a year.

    Karen

  41. Raymond,
    A note..just thought you’d be interested to know I damaged my deltoid ligament and after 2 years, the entire medial side around and below the medial maaleolus still looks “bruised.” I also had more than 25 % of the tibial plafond affected by the break of the posterior mallelous. This “trauma” to the joint predisposes me to arthritic problems I guess, since generally more trauma of the joint = poorer long term outcome. Given that latter statement, my doctor did tell me that within that context there are great variations in individuals.

    Don,
    What is the tee you are refering to? Where is it? In the tibia or talus?

  42. Karen,
    I had a terrible time with crutches due to carpel-tunnel syndrone so I used them for only a short time. I began walking without them, very very slowly.

    Lynn,
    Usually “partial weight baring” begins after about 6 weeks unless the bones do not heal for some reason.

    Deb,
    About that foot turning too much; if it doesn’t change I would consider seeing another doctor for an opinion unless your own doctor has a good explaination (i.e. ligament damage or some such thing). Another possibility is to work on regaining muscle strength.

    Raymon,
    Thanks so much for your very informative and inspirational post. It is not just for sportsman, but for everyone here. Your post gives me great pause. I need to become more disciplined and more expansive in my approach, which is certainly too “timid” right now. Generally I think the men on this board, like you, Don, and Tim, have a lot to offer us more inactive women. You are a very remarkable person given your recovery and activity level at this point.

    I just added some of the suppliments you mentioned on the advice of Martin, a colleague, who was even kind enough to go out and buy the highest quality items for me. Martin had suffered a severe knee injury when he was 16 and there is no sign of it now, at age 30. He attributes the cure to the suppliments he took. He’s a very disciplined athlete, as you are.

    What is New Zealand Green Mussel? Guess I need to search that one.

    Don, Sandra, hello and I’ll get back to you both at some point. Am very busy with end of semester stuff these days. PS: My husband has seen two bears in the past few days. One was in our yard and the other right down the road.

  43. I forgot to add that during the whole recovery process I used an ice pack several times a day to help with the swelling and recovery.

  44. Hi all,

    I am 44. I broke my ankle Weber C fracture and snapped all the ligaments on the 2nd November 2007. I have been a pro triathelete and have always been quite to very fit. I had cycled for 2 hours and run for an hour the day previous to the break.

    I was told I had a high pain tolerance as it took the ambulance 1 hour to arrive and I had to wait 5 hours in hospital before a look was taken at my leg. For the first 45 minutes I suffered no pain and for the rest of the time it just felt swollen and throbbing. In fact I didn’t realise the ankle was broken when I had the crash and tried to get up to brush myself off, only realising my ankle was broken when I fel over again as i tried to put weight on my foot!

    I had the op the day after the break and was released from hospital with a half cast that stayed on for a week 3 days after the op as well as 8 screws and a metal plate. I began taking Glucosamine and chrodoitrin supplements as soon as I got home as I felt that they would aid recovery and perhaps stave off arthritis a little longer. I started do isometric exercises for my legs 2 days after being released from hospital – this consisted of lying in bed and doing 1 hour of leg raises and leg bicep curls every morning and started working out in my gym at home the same day, just doing upper body exercises (it is amazing how inventive you can be when you can only use one leg to stand on!). I had the cast off a week after the op and started doing leg exercises in the gym as well as rehabilitation and stretching exercises for the ankle. These consisted of leg raises and leg bicep curls only every two days. A week later I started using me exercise bike at home which I feel helped a lot with recovery. I did 1/2 an hour for the first week then built up to an hour every day over the second week. I used the gym 5 days a week doing leg exercises twice a week.

    With this regime I managed to keep muscle losses down to 1/2 a centimetre on the quadricep of my damaged leg though I lost several centimetres on my calf as I was unable to bear weight due to the suprindesmal screw. I kept this regime up until the 6th of Jan when I had the suprindesmal screw removed.

    I started mountain biking 2 days after having the screw removed, though as my ankle hurt when I went over bumpy tracks, I kept to easy terrain as I was also afraid of having to suddenly put my foot down to avoid a fall. I was able to cycle normally (that is cycle on any terrain without pain or soreness)about 3 weeks later.

    I started doing light squats and calf raises in the gym 3 days after having the screw taken out. I started by squatting 30kgs and built up to 100kgs over a period of 6 weeks. I am up to 110kgs now. I am calf raising 150kgs. It took about 5 weeks to recover the lost muscle in the calf and a week to recover the lost muscle in the quad.

    The front/top of my ankle is still sore when I bend my knees and push them forwards into a skiing position and if I am out walking the dogs in the countryside and step awkwardly it sometimes hurts. I have tried running for a hundred yards or so once or twice a week and this week (1st week in May 2008) is the first time it has not hurt. When I broke my ankle, I assumed that I would be back running by the end of January 2008. I still dare not go out running as I feel that as there is still pain, it might do more damage than good. As I am able to cycle and weight train, I am comfortable with waiting a few extra months to see how things develop. I am now aiming for August though as I have no pain while running it is tempting to start now.

    I think that for my age, my recovery has been fairly quick, partly because I have been a lifelong sportsman, partly as I was used to the discipline of a training regime and stuck to it coupled with positive thinking that I was going to get better sooner than I actually did! The supplementation may have helped too. I started taking New Zealand green mussel extract about 2 weeks ago and have noticed a speed up in recovery. I would guess my ankle mobility is up to about 90%. I still stretch it quite often and am hopeful of full mobility with time.

    I am frightened of arthritis but there is nothing I can do if i am one of the many who develop it after this sort of injury. I still have swelling that i expected to have disappeared by now, but know from the testimonies on this blog that this may not disappear completely.

    I hope my comments and time spans are of help to sportsmen who are unfortunate to suffer this horrendous injury.

  45. Greetings Anklebreakers

    Tim

    Believe me I can sympathize, yes the pain is amazing when it hits isn’t it? For me I also need to go back to the cane every now and then, I have times when it feels as if the ankle will never hold weight again or it feels as if the tee they inserted in my ankle into my foot is going to come right out the bottom of the foot. The other times I can walk with no problems at all. Fatigue, weather, stress and just bad days all play a part in it. One thing I found out for me is that when my ankles and legs hurt to bad to even put weight on them I get into a tub of water as HOT as I can stand and soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. That relaxes my muscles and the ligaments and tendons that it makes me able to walk without any help from the cane or crutches.

    I just sit there and let it all wash away with the water and it is so relaxing that it amazes me when I get out of the tub. I have tried Ice, cold water, different types of rubs but for me it is always the water that takes the pain away. It even takes down the swelling. Give it a try and see if that helps Tim.

    Keep yourselves safe and keep the right parts on the ground.
    Don

  46. Hi Everyone

    Please do not reply to any email notifications you get from this site. They go into a black hole and no one ever sees them. 🙂 Please come back to the post to reply to comments or add additional info. I just don’t want you thinking that someone is getting your email replies when they are not.

  47. Don,
    Thanks,yea it is worth it, but wow the swelling is unbelieveable! today was 13 1/2 hrs. for me and I can hardly put weight on my foot tonight, at this point thank God for the crutches.How have you been doing? is the pain getting better for you or at least more tolerable?

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Best wishes for all.
    Tim

  48. Hey ankle breakers

    Sandra

    Hmmm can’t adopt me? Rather have a car hmmm what am I suppose to say to that. Well let’s see; I take up less room then a car. You never have to vacuum me I wash up easy so just through me in a tub of water and I have no problems. Gas costs more then I eat in food. So on a whole I think I make a better deal then the car. Oh well it was worth a try any way. Good to hear from you sorry been away for a little while.

    Erika thanks for chasing down Clark for all of us. Glad to hear he is doing well and we will hear from him soon.

    Celinda
    Wow glad to hear you are doing so well what a big change from your first time on? You sound like you are doing great and having more of a brighter outlook on life then before and truly so well deserved kiddo keep up the good work and fun and above all keep us updated.

    Tim
    Good to hear your back to work and doing well. I know the feeling of going back so the long haul but man it is worth it. A little piece of mind back from the brink that we thought we would never get back or make it back to full swing. Well congratulations

    AnkleQuest

    I hear you about the bear. We have them out in full swing buy us. I saw a big one the other day when I was going home around 12:00. On rout 15 it was standing on the guide rail with its front paws and looking at the traffic as it went buy. A car and I stopped and it then ran across, I would say about 300lbs BIG bear but cute. Glad to hear you enjoyed the ocean and sand and that it works well for everyone’s ankles.

    Welcome to all the new people and I will let you in on a little secret there is a lot of experience and knowledge on this blog that can help you through almost anything. SO ask and I bet someone knows about it or went through it. Keep the feet on the floor where they belong. No flipping since I think some of us got on this list buy flipping when we weren’t suppose to? Keep safe all
    Don

  49. I also broke my ankle Oct.3rd I had a soft wrapped cast for awhile till swelling went down, then I got external fixators really sucks, I had five hugh rods hanging all over my leg and ankle they stuck to every thing tore every thing and was terrible to move around in. then on Oct 14th I had my 2nd surgery where i got 12 screws and two plates, I hate the feel of the screws I feel them all day and they burn and itch plus hurt and i am on my 7th month next week. I still limp, and have lots of pain. I wonder if i should have my hardware removed. I also got colitis with this and beside haveing a broken leg with one split bone and a shattered bone and the tip that holds your ankle on busted in 3 places I had the trotts for 3 weeks from medicine, i got dehidrated and waoud up in icu for dehidration, so i went from trotts to 100percent drip from a iv i had to pee every time i got back in bed it was awful 3 days of falling tripping and stumbling in a cold hospital with my but shinning.

  50. Hi all~

    Back from PT…gave me a foot massage and it was the worst pain I have experienced so far. Felt better in the end though.

    Lynn~ If you had damaged your syndesmotic ligament I would think that your doctor would have told you about that already. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you had another surgery. I knew from day one…right after surgery that I would have to a surgery to remove that screw before I could walk.

    The removal surgery for that 1 screw was very easy…I was put under but others on here have not been. It was about 15 minutes. So not much at all. Stitches and wound care though.

    When I was NWB I did a lot of sitting with my leg up, reading, searching the internet, playing with my little ones (3yrs and 1 yr)

    I hope that you heal well! Please sunshine and 70 degrees come back!!!

    Tammy

  51. Tammy, it sounds like we had a similiar break. I too dislocated my foot. My surgeon told my husband after surgery that my ligaments were very thin (I am not sure what that means) It looks as though I have two screw that go from one side to the other, with the plate on the opposite side. I hope I don’t need another surgery anytime soon. How was the screw removal surgery? Did they put you to sleep (I hate to be put to sleep) Did you come home the same day?

    Also I am interested in what all of you did while you were in the NWB stage. Did you stay in bed most of the time? just curious.
    thanks for all the answers and hope everyone is feeling better everyday!

  52. Hi all~

    I hope everyone is healing well. The news on Clark is much appreciated I am sure as it sets some minds at ease.

    Lynn~ One thing to remember is that every ankle fracture is different. For example, I am about 9 weeks out from my ankle break. However I dislocated my ankle as well as breaking bones which causes damage to my ligaments. I was not allowed to bear any weight at all until I had a second surgery to remove a screw going completing through my ankle joint. That was at about 7 weeks out.

    I am now able to bear weight but I do so in a walking boot. The last couple of days I have found myself able to walk with NO crutches. I am sure it is difficult to watch because of how I move to make it work but it is working and with very little pain. I am still not able to drive but I broke my right ankle.

    Physical therapy has me stretching and is working on inflammation with a blow up boot. I sure feel good after physical therapy. I wish it felt like that all the time.

    Heal well, Enjoy the sun, and rest when you need to.

    Tammy

  53. Lynn,

    I was allowed at about 6 weeks to put weight on it but my doctor was young, right out of school, and wonder if the new way of thinking is to get patients to start walking sooner than later? I don’t know. If he tells you not to put weight on it for another few weeks, don’t worry because those first few weeks walking were so painful and think maybe if I’d had more time in a boot it would not have been that way?

    Be assured you will get better. I’m back to my old routine now though still aware my ankle was broken. I’m looking forward to the time when I will have to remind myself that it happened. But, in the meantime it feels good to be living life again, even with some ankle soreness.

    Karen

  54. Hi! My name is Deb. I’m so happy I found this site!
    My story….On March 7th I slipped in the snow and broke my right ankle in 3 places. 1 plate and 9 screws later I now have something that kind of resembles an ankle. My ortho ok’d weight bearing (as tolerated) two weeks ago.

    I’ve noticed in the last week or two (while trying to walk) that my foot appears to be crooked. When my knee is pointing forward my foot is pointing to the right. Is this normal…maybe caused by the boot or something?

    Deb

  55. Thanks for the reply Karen. I have a question, how long between surgery and when you could try and walk putting weight on your ankle. I’m trying to prepare myself that in a week (6 weeks from surgery) I may not be allowed to start walking. I have kept a very good outlook and find myself starting to worry that I am going to be so upset if I am still nwb after this appt.
    thanks
    lynn

  56. Lynn,

    I was also very bad at crutches and finally the doctor allowed me to at least do a toe drop because it wasn’t in me to do it any other way. Even that was so hard that I have developed tendonitis and bursitis in various joints from the extreme effort it took me to get around that way. (I have an appointment on Friday for my elbow tendonitis) When I was allowed to finally put weight down, I tried one crutch (terrible) and then a walker (even worse!) so I just walked very painfully and slowly. The first weeks walking are the worst so don’t worry as it will improve. I am now four months out and doing most everything but it is still sore and I’m reminded every day that I broke it. My doctor told me it will take at least a year to forget that I ever broke it.

    Karen

  57. Hi everyone,

    I am so glad that I have found a site that I can relate to. I slipped and fell on ice a month ago. I had surgery on my left ankle a plate, screws and pins. I have been in a cast for the majority of this time and nwb and yes it is getting quite old to be sitting around and not get much done. I go and see the doc and Friday to see what the next step is, but after reading all of the info it still looks like I will still not be driving yet or putting any weight on my ankle , will have to wait and see.

    Cindy

  58. Anklequest,
    Yes the hours are a bit to long but I think things are going ok right now, but I guess we will see. Your probably right I may have to back off a bit.

    Sandra,how are you doing? I do have a office however in my line of work it is hard to take the time to sit down very often.

    Kelso,Don,Lynn,Sharon,Celinda and anyone else I missed,I hope you all are doing well.

    Everyone take care and have a wonderful week!

    Tim

  59. Thank you Sandra for the information. I will be 6 weeks out in a week at my doctors visit. However I guess I was thinking that he was going to tell me I could do whatever I wanted depending on how I feel. I think reading all of the posts that this isn’t going to be the case. I think that this is the hardest part for me. I just want to start getting out and about.
    I do have a question, when all of you started to begin to try and walk did you all just always do walkers or crutches? or did you bring a wheelchair at the beginning? I’m just curious because I am so bad at crutches.
    thanks for the answers it is so hard to find people that can relate to all of this.
    thanks again,
    lynn

  60. Sharon, that inner ankle pain is a nuisance and I still have mine 8 months on, though it has been a little better recently. I suppose if you have screws poking out it’s better to have them removed. My left leg has the metal in and I am sure it has got longer -which contributes to my limp.

    Diana – walking on sand sounds good and hope it was warm sand for you.

    Lynn. When you get to it, driving is not as bad as you might think. Did both my ankles and the left one – clutch foot was worse. It did ache a bit, and calf muscle was weak. Anyway, all that pedal work is a good work-out for all the little bits and pieces inside your ankle, so in the long term it helps. I took it slowly, but quickly built up confidence. Was driving four months after surgery, but wait for Consultant to okay it, and until you feel fine about it. (At three months my Consultant said I could drive when I felt like it, but I waited a bit.)

    Celinda. More progress – into the boot. Keep stomping (not too hard of course!).

    Tim. Take it easy at work. Do they give you a seat?

    Anklequest. The school teachers were on strike this week – just one union, though. You have also been to the ‘ocean’. We don’t have one of these, just sea, which is often cold and quite a murky colour depending where you are. Animal life entertaining still. Never knew deer liked tulips so much.

    What’s up Don? You gone all quiet and reserved on us!

    I have cleaners coming in tomorrow, and have been tidying up. Am I an idiot? (Don’t answer out loud.)

    Pouring with rain here. We are still waiting for spring or summer – whatever gets here first.

    Night.

    Sandra

  61. Hey Kelso in Tulsa,

    I have screws protruding my ankle and the doc says he wants to take this plate and screws out because my ankle is so small and the plate and screws here have done their job. (I have three plates and 12 screws). This is on the outside right ankle. I have no pain in that area except when these screws tap something accidentally. My pain is on the inner ankle. I can now see one screw but not bad like the others. I’ve been trying to walk a mile every day or so and don’t go back to the doc until June. I don’t know what to do about all this hardware in my little bitty foot. If I could get rid of the pain in my inner ankle I wouldn’t have any pain at all and could walk without a limp. I too think my right leg is shorter than my left one (if that is possible as I’m only 4’9″ anyway Ha). He has said nothing about a fusion and I don’t really know what he’d fuse back together since he said my ankle was like a jigsaw puzzle to begin with.

    I just don’t know what to think or what is the best route to go with.

    Sharon in Louisiana

  62. Celinda, it is great to hear about your boot. I hope now you can be OK without your mother stopping by after that April 30th deadline. I’m sure your spirits must be up a bit just from the sound of things although you do have a ways to go. All of us here understand that word “patience.” Keep us posted.

    Don, just a little update. We’ve had bear warnings in the area but I haven’t seen one yet after that last compost bin incident. Now I’m frustrated with all the deer. I’m giving up on tulips. I’ve planted them year after year and never hadly see a bloom’in thing. They are deer ice cream! We are just feeding critters around here.

    I’ll give a little ankle update soon. I have to cut these posts a little short or they just vanish into cyberspace. That has happened several times now and is frustrating. I know it happens to Sandra and others as well.

    Welcome to all the new folks who may be reading here. Ask questions for this is a helpful group and someone is bound to give you helpful advice.

    Take care everyone!

  63. Hi Everyone,
    I was gone on a business trip for a few days & stuck my foot in the ocean. Diane, sand and ocean do work well on my ankle as I did find out. The ATlantic is very cold right now so that helps.

    Tim, 12 plus hours sure sounds like a lot to start with. I hope you can manage to reduce this a little so that you’ll not run into more swelling. Good Luck!

    Erika, congradulations on that half mile museum walk. What a great thing it must have been, and what a difference from when you started here on this board. Thanks ever so much for finding and sharing the information about Clark. I was worried about him. Give greetings if you are in touch with him.

    Sandra, I heard on BBC a week or 2 ago the British lecturers were on strike. Is that you as well? Fatso the groundhog continues to mow down most of our flowers as fast as they grow although we do have hundreds of bleeding hearts growing everywhere now. They must be toxic for no animal has eaten them yet. Fatso has taken up under our deck. What to do now before he/she raises a family?

    JAMES KELSO, THANKS so much for your post about the screws. I am so sorry you had the problems you had. It is a warning for the rest of us who may have to consider screw removal and/or fusion.

    to be continued…

  64. Erika,
    Nice detective work,thanks so much for letting us know that Clark is ok or somewhat ok. sounds like he may be depressed possibly?

    Today was my first day back to work and 12 1/2 hours later and a much swollen ankle I have to say it went pretty good.

    Take care everyone!

    Tim

  65. Hi everyone,

    How is everyone doing, hope fine. For myself, I am doing o.k. Went back to the doctor this past wed. and he put me in a walking boot and said that I needed to still start out walking slowly and pick my self up gradually. No marathons. But at least it is a start. Just wanted to let ya’ll know.

    Thank ya’ll

    Celinda

  66. Thanks sandra, haven’t been able to put any weight on my ankle yet. I find out a week from tomorrow if my ankle is healing and what the next step is. I am a bit anxious to hear what the doctor has to say. I am so unsure as to what the next step is. I have a very high pain tolerance and am hoping that I can just put up with it. I am worried that I will not be able to drive soon or get in and out of all the activities at my childrens school.
    I know I am in the same boat as all of you and have the same worries as all of you have. I guess I am a control freak and waiting around for this to heal is making me nervous.
    Thanks for the words of advice.
    lynn

  67. hi all anklebreakers

    been away for the weekend stayed in a caravan right on the beach,i must say i was dreading walking on soft sand but it was great.we covered miles,it must be good exercise my ankle feels alot looser today its eight months since the break so there is light at the end of that dark tunnel for all of you,take care.from the uk.

  68. Erika.

    Thanks for the info and for getting in touch with Clark. It’s good to hear that he is okay, and hope he is up to posting on here some day soon.

    Hope you are also doing well – and all the rest of you out there.

    Lynn. No doubt like everyone else I have had all sorts of pains. Ankle screwed together and at its worst has felt like someone in there with an icepick trying to chisel out. At the moment I keep getting sharp ‘pokey’ pains in inner ankle which are new so of concern (and eight months after breaks). So your pain may indeed be normal, but if you are worried about it, and/or it affects your mobility, then ask a doctor.

    Best wishes,

    Sandra

  69. Erika. Thanks for the info and for getting in touch with Clark. It’s good to hear that he is okay, and hope he is up to posting on here some day soon.

    Hope you are also doing well – and all the rest of you out there.

    Lynn. No doubt like everyone else I have had all sorts of pains. Ankle screwed together and at its worst has felt like someone in there with an icepick trying to chisel out. At the moment I keep getting sharp ‘pokey’ pains in inner ankle which are new so of concern (and eight months after breaks). So your pain may indeed be normal, but if you are worried about it, and/or it affects your mobility, then ask a doctor.

    Best wishes,

    Sandra

  70. Hi guys. I finally did hear back from Clark! He is ok. Just infiltrated with “life” I guess. Here is the email he sent me – hope he does not mind if I post it.

    Hey Erika,
    What a nice surpise to hear from you. Sorry I have not kept up with the Random Blog, but my computer died about 3 or so months ago, and I was not able to repair it at that time. Just had someone from the Geek Squad come out from The Good Guys or whatever, and they did a diagnostic, and found a major destructive virus that had corrupted my email and file programs, and that my CPU wasn’t putting out quite what it should, even now. So, broken, virus corrupted computer that would not send out email or blogs and shut down as soon as it starts up, and not enough money to fix it right now.
    Also, had major vet bills with my 15 yr old Golden, Nathan, who is OK now, but $850.00 later.
    So, entered the hospital on the 9th of April, surgery that morning, sucessful, painful, and was released 4 days later.
    Have had no computer nor the desire for one since the breakdown, until recently, and still is very unpredictable. Have not kept up with the blog. Mine was down for so long and could not get around to anyone’s to borrow that I just let it go.
    Wish everyone the best from me and good thoughts and wellness. I miss the blog, but until I catch up on other things and finish the repairs on this one, will stay away for now. Very sorry you were all so worried, and did not want to alarm anyone. Will be in touch when things are better. Besides, seems like everyone could benifit from my long winded blasts of hot air. I do hope to return and say hello my self soon.
    Give everyone my regards.
    Take care.
    Stay well, Anklebreaker.
    Clark

  71. Ok. So we are all concerned about clark. I looked up every post he wrote and found out the following. I believe his name is either Clark Drown or Clark Drowne (the last name of the person who helped fix the grasshopper at Fanueil Hall in Boston); he lives or was living in Chico, CA and he once gave his email address as [email protected]. I have tried emailing that address, I will let you know if he writes back. Anyone else have additional info?

    Erika

  72. Sandra,
    Great idea about a site owner, They should have an email address for him I would think. I am not sure how to contact them though,I am computer challenged. Maybe someone here that knows how to do that could that would be nice.

    Hope everyone is having a nice weekend.Best wishes all.

    Tim

  73. Hi all,
    I hope everyone is healing well. I am almost five weeks out from my surgery. I was wondering if anyone with screws and plate feels something sharp especially on the plate side when moving foot. My doctor told me to point my toe and then flex my foot but no other movements. I keep noticing that even though I always feel the “hardware” sometimes it feels very sharp and “stabbing” inside my ankle. Then I might move it a little more and then it kind of goes away. Do you think this is normal or that I have somehow messed something up in there?
    thanks

  74. Hi to all.

    Don. Can’t adopt you as I think I have to buy a new car.

    Lynn. I wore an airboot and took it off to sleep – as advised. At first kept it on most of the time when sitting but with air out, but after a while sat without it. I found the boot aggravated my ankle quite a bit.

    Gina. Agree about the insight into disability, and it makes me approach the world different. No disabled parking permit (in UK – quite difficult to obtain.)

    Tammy. Thanks for the info from the physio – top five injuries hardest to heal – and a year before you forget you have broken it. Sometimes I can pretend I haven’t broken anything when I first wake up – have to lie just so and be very still.

    Nearly eight months for me doing both ankles. Left one the worst, and has been more painful the last couple of weeks. Some really sharp pains in outer and inner ankle, which just makes me wonder about that screw through there.

    Thinking about the post from James K when I wrote that. Fusion does not sound great and I understand your frustration. On leg length, I feel my left leg is a bit longer with all the hardware in it!

    Erika. Hi. Keep walking. Trying to myself. Going downstairs is really challenging my leg and ankle. Practised on Wednesday and later my whole shin and ankle, and ankle swelled up. Too tight and stiff to get there today. Nearly doing it, but sometimes I feel like I need to lay off the physio and take a break.

    Ashley. Great to hear from you and well done on the 5K and with pain every day. I agree with you about having the right attitude. Living with pain on a daily basis is tiring, but you kind of get used to it, and it amazes me what can be done with pain. It’s also important to recognize the difference between ‘bad’ pain and ‘good’ pain and when to rest.

    Tim. I did wonder about Clark and it is worrying. If he can read this, he knows we are thinking about him. Hope your return to work is going well. I also wondered if there is an adminstrator or owner of this site, if they can identify someone’s email address.

    Final hi to Don again, and to Anklequest. You feel like old friends now. Hope you are enjoying the wildlife out where you live.

    Night to all.

    Sandra

  75. Hello all,
    Hope everyone is having a great week! I will be returning to work Monday the 28th and kinda looking forward to it however I have not spent 10-12 hrs up on my foot since the accident but I’m sure it will be fine. Attitude really does matter a lot.

    Kelso welcome here to the gang, I get over to tulsa from time to time as I live in Springfield.

    Welcome to all of the new members to “OUR GANG”

    Don & Sandra,Still nothing from Clark yet? Somthings just not right about this if it had been that his computor crashes he should have been up and running by now I would think. Your thoughts?

    Everyone have a wonderful weekend and keep your feet down on the ground:)

    Later,Tim

  76. Hi all. Haven’t written in a while. I went to a museum with some of my son’s friends. I walked outside for 1/2 mile. That was hard. My ankle was VERY swollen last night.

    My breaks were 7 months 2 days ago. Glad to see that everyone is doing ok. Hi to all the new unlucky 🙂 ones.

    I can’t wait to be able to walk without looking at my feet! 🙂

    Erika

  77. HI EVERYONE !

    Long time no post. I have been getting back to normal life. I broke my ankle on December 23, 2007 needing screws pins plates etc. I wanted to write an update because sometimes you think you can’t do what you used to or will never be able to do certain things. Last weekend I walked a 5K in 57 min. I never did one of those before and I did it to prove to myself I could. I have pain everyday but your attitude makes the difference. Everyone keep your heads up !

  78. Hi all..

    Hope the weather and healing are treating everyone well. I started physical therapy and the therapist said that this kind of injury is in the top 5 hardest injury to rehab from. He pretty much said I will never be 100 percent…that it will be a year before I forget that my ankle was broken, that it will be 3 months of rehab before I am moving well. He did a little stretching of my ankle but as you all know it doesn’t much budge. Going to take some work for sure.

    Kelso~

    Why did they try hardware removal before the fusion? That totally stinks. Your right you need to choose wisely…but sometimes its hard when the matters is forced upon you so quickly.

    Has anyone made contact with Clark.

    Keep your bottoms in the middle.
    Tammy

  79. To all with broken ankles and pain. My ankle and fibula was shattered in auto acc’in 2001. Pins,screws and plates were used. Three months healing and crutches I could walk but the pain was so intense I used a crutch for a year then had to have the ankle fused. The pain disappeared after the hardware was removed and the ankle fusion. When the hardware was removed one screw was bent in half which was probably the cause of my pain, however the Doc would not admitt to that. Your mobility is curtailed after a fusion. Your ankle is fused to like stiff. I still do everything but run. I bike, walk, golf but have a slight balance problem as the fused leg is about 3/4 inch shorter after the fusion which I am very unhappy about as I believe the fusion was unnecessary. I’m researching the net to see if a fusion can be reversed and 3/4 inch added to the lenght. If you are in pain after breakage and hardware added, your hardware may be causing the pain as was my case. I saw a girl working at a retail that had had a broken ankle and the hardware was still in and the screws were protruding out the skin on her ankle. I asked why she didn’t have the hardware removed and she said she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to walk. When I asked if she was in pain she said yes!!! If you are in a acc’ as I you will be rushed to an immergency room and attended by who is on duty an emergency tech ,what you see is what you get as my case and the subsequenses that followed. Your ankle holds your weight so choose your orthopedic surgeon carefully. So if you are having the same problem as I have had then copy this info and show your Doc and tell him you have the same problem, may help. Kelso in Tulsa

  80. hi all anklebreakers
    i think i am a blast from the past,started posting last year,for some reason wasnt able to send.but i am here and i am a surviver.plates screws and pins broke my ankle at the end of August,and i think i am a strong person.its times like this you get to know yourself.people ask me how are you? and i say fine,even though i am not at the time,its mind over matter.i walk alot then i rest thats what suits me.no good feeling sorry for yourself.been reading all your posts regards to all where is Clark?take care.from the UK.

  81. Does anyone have experience with removal of titanium hardware?

    I am sixteen months into a dislocated trimalleor fracture and ORIF. The CAT scan shows arthritis.

    Can one expect to show improvment in the stiffness, range of motion, pain, etc. if the hardware is removed?????

    Thanks…..

  82. Hey Anklebreakers
    Welcome to all the new faces. I am sorry you all got to be part of this club.  But as you are finding out this is a great site to come to if you have questions, feeling down or just want to complain? We have all been through the whole gambit of emotions and the pain so if we can help let us know or just throw the question out undoubtedly one of us should have some sort of answer for you.

    Lynn

    I can sympathize with the handing out part I was in the hospital for 3 months from Christmas, my daughters birthday, My Wife’s birthday and valentines day and in the 30 years I have been with my Wife I never missed her birthday much less my Daughter’s since she was born. But time does pass and the injuries do lessen and strengthen with work and time. You will get there just be careful not to over due the exercise or under due. Talk with your Doctors with your therapist’s and do what they say and how they say
    And you will get there soon enough.

    Gina
    You are indeed right, move as much as you can slowly and gently but move don’t let your muscles and stuff stiffen up and then try to work it out. But do it by stretching and slow work out not fast movements or done with weight that could be trouble if it is overdone. But I also started moving my ankles and legs and arms as soon as I could. Our biggest friend we have but the one that drives us nuts is time. But keep us updated as your time progresses.

    A quick Hello to the old gang on this site,
    Talk to you all soon

    Don

  83. Thanks so much for all the replies. It is so nice to have this site. I don’t know about all of you but all this hanging out in the house is making me crazy and I am becoming very aware of all my “aches and pains”. In the past few weeks I have found areas I think a dermatologist needs to check out, I have had more than one day where I am certain I have a blood clot, I think I am becomming a hypochondriac, it’s amazing how sitting around when kids are in school and husband is at work I have become so “all about me” LOL
    But seriously I am waiting two more weeks to find out if my ankle is indeed healing. I am keeping my fingers crossed. What do I have to look towards once they decide that I am indeed healing? Does the doctor just send me on my way and tell me to walk the best I can. I am worried about when I will become more mobile. I broke my right ankle and am wondering when I will be able to drive. I have two young kids and I am feeling stir crazy. I am also in the middle of planning a big fund raiser for my daughters school, which is hard to do from bed or a chair. When do you think I will be able to drive and get around all by myself. I know it is hard to be exact but ball park would be appreciated!

  84. Hi all thanks for all your input, feedback and words of encouragement. I had my following up after the removal of my sydesmotic screw and the doc ordered PT to start immediately. Have my first appointment tomorrow. Any advice? The doc pretty much described it as torture.

    Lynn~

    It sounds like we have a very similar injury, my was a trimalleor break, dislocated first, and with syndesmotic ligament damage. I was NWB for 6 weeks. I had a splint after surgery for 2 weeks, hard cast for 2 weeks, and the boot that you are describing. I absolutely took it off at times when I was resting so I could itch and rub and my leg could breathe. I also took it off to shower. My doctor said those were the benefits to having that boot before I could bear weight.

    I hope the weather is turning around for everyone, brighter skys mean brighter days 🙂

    Tammy

  85. Dean Lynn & all,
    I am 3 months into a trimaleolar fracture and doing pretty well. In terms of the boot- I think the balance is trying to be sure you don’t re-injure anything on the one side (which means having the boot on)with making sure you start moving all those muscles, bones, other soft tissues (boot off). I think you can tell by your pain and how “risky” a situation is (uneven ground, things to trip over (I have twice fallen on my kids toys), being tired or in a rush, or when you might not be able to pay close attention to how you are going to be stepping)what the right thing to do is at a given time. For a few weeks I kept that giant boot in my backpack just in case and used it a couple of times when I needed the insurance.
    Also, today I was dropping my kids at a vacation week class and came accross another mom on crutches (I still use one crutch now when walking longer distances to improve my speed) it was so nice to have that brief conversation reflecting the difficulty of recovery- she broke her leg in january, and as I have said I broke my ankle at that same time. It was a supportive moment. I don’t know if any of you have noticed this but through this experience I feel I have new insight into the struggles of people with disabilities – although mine is hopefully temporary. I find that I talk more easily to people with physical disabilities- and they to me.
    I also have a temporary handicapped parking placard and have extreme difficulty finding a parking space anywhere but big shopping places. On-street handicapped parking spaces are few and far between, possibly because where I live, in Massachusetts, handicapped parking spaces are non-metered so I am sure the cities and town loose money by having these spaces. No excuse- but I imagine that is one of the challenges to having more spaces available.
    Hope you all have a good day with lots of healing, Gina

  86. Lynn,

    I was also told I could remove the boot whenever I was sitting, sleeping, etc., but the reason I did not was because it hurt my ankle excrutiatingly to take on and off. I don’t know if it was the location of the break or what it was with me. So, for me I left it on until showering when I would get help from a family member to remove it as it was quite the ordeal for me.

    Karen

  87. Hi this is a great site!
    I broke my ankle in two places and also dislocated it so badly that as the doc. described it, I broke my foot off my leg. I am left with two screws on one side and plate and ten screws on the other. My question is that after surgery I went home with a partial cast for two weeks. I then went to the doc. and he put me in one of the big heavy boots. The kind that you can pump a little air into. Here is my question, he said that I could remove it to lay down or when I sit. Has anyone else ever done this? I have been reading this site and it sounds like everyone keeps theirs on. I am nervous now that I may be hurting my healing. I still have two more weeks before doc. appt. and x-rays. Doctor told me to point my toe then pull toes back up but no other movement. I really don’t have the boot on that much during the day just to hop to the bathroom etc.
    thanks, I seem to be focusing on every little twinge I get.

  88. Hey ankle breakers.

    Anklequest
    Glad to hear you got to see the new Doctor. Sounds like he is more attentive and works with the sports side while the other one dealt with trauma patients. Sorry to hear about the arthritis, I can sympathies with that. I am in the same boat as Clark is, they want to fuse my ankle but I told them NO because I like being able to walk with my ankle bending. My Doctor told me that I am the barometer, that when it gets’s to be too much pain let him know and he will do it then. But again you sound happier with this Doctor then the last and you got more answers then you had so that is good.

    No bear in our area right now waiting for everyone just to wake up and start moving around.

    Sandra

    Yeah I agree that the two jobs and double broken ankles May be a slight reason to be tired but I filled out the adoption papers and sent them off to you so you could start paying my bills for me but I haven’t received them back yet ? So until you adopt me I guess I have to9 keep working  .

    I agree I would say a lot of the fatigue and the pain Does a lot of the wear and tare on my body but this is life and I have to keep working at it. You know I told my daughters I was only kidding when I fed them 3 times a day. But they took it serious and now expect it all the time sheesh go figure. But in all honesty it is the long days the pushing harder then I should at times and for me the weather that will just ware me down. I find out how I will feel when my feet hit the floor each morning, as I get out of bed and get moving I can tell what kind of day it will be for me. But I do get to dance at the wedding in July and get to take my youngest one to her first college visit on May 6th in Connecticut. So in truth life is good even with the pain.

    Tammy

    Sorry to hear you had to sell the horses I know what that feels like but I hope that you have found things to take the place of that hobby? Keep working slowly and always forward you will get there with each passing day your strength will get better and you will be able to do more. I am glad to hear that you are working within the boundaries of the Doctors planes. The gym helped me out a great deal and staying in touch with the group here helped me get by those frustration days and long nights. So we are always here if and when you need us.

    So everyone keep the right parts of your feet on the ground and make sure that you are moving forward and keeping in touch with those that care. and those that have been there so we can all share new ideas.

    Don

  89. Sharon

    Snap on the inner ankle pain. I did my breaks at the end of August 2007, and the pain on inner bone has been particularly persistent – feeling as if kicked by a horse (I imagine!). And much worse at night in bed. And is it right your doc says that is the slowest place to heal – worth knowing.

    Anyway, I wrote previously about ‘inappropriate’ pain – that your pain might be because it has hurt for so long your body is sending pain signlas to your mind. I was told that tapping the area might help – though it may also hurt.

    There has been a slight easing off of pain over the last week in that sore spot, but other pains seem to replace it!

    Sometimes pain may be about the hardware, and over the weekend when it has been cold I have really felt it in outer ankle – where I think the end of the screw is.

    On limping – I limp and am trying to correct it. My achilles tendon is tight which contributes to the limp. It’s like there is resistance there – bit like an elastic band it snaps back and stops me moving foot freely. So I am spending time stretching that leg and ankle.

    Weak muscles may contribute to limping. Like Anklequest I have spent a lot of time and effort – and physio – developing strength in my left leg. The gym is helping with that, so I can recommend it. And if you can afford a session with a qualified Personal Trainer, that has really helped me – though we break it down into two half hour sessions on separate days.

    Hi Lisa. Nice to hear from you – and making good progress.

    And you too Celinda. You are getting along well.

    Don. No wonder you are tired. Two jobs and dodgy ankles. You need a rest.

    Anklequest. Glad you enjoyed your visit with the doc, and sorry to hear about the arthritis. Hope your screws can stay put so you avoid further surgery. And thanks for the info about healing, i.e. how long it can take.

    On students and mobiles – what a nightmare at times. Whoever teaches them it’s acceptable to chat or text on a mobile when they’re in a lecture/seminar. The minority who do this but it’s really disruptive for anyone else.

    I had a bone density scan a few weeks ago, and on Friday, told I have a condition called osteopenia – half-way between normal and osteoarthritis. Doctor reckons the thinning of my bones is related to the past few months of inactivity (though there are other factors). Advised to be active (trying!), and have started taking calcium tablets and upping calcium in diet.

    Tammy. When I started walking on crutches, I was surprised how much weight you can take on the crutches – through your arms and upper body – and maybe that is what you need to focus on. The crutches help protect your ankle from your full weight. As your leg becomes stronger, and foot more mobile, you will be able to take less weight through arms and upper body. But it takes time. All the swelling and stuff is normal – put your leg up as much as possible. And I don’t think you should be trying to do everything as normal at this point. Are you getting any physio?

    It was cold and foggy all day yesterday, but this afternoon is shining. Who knows, we may even get a breath of spring before the week is out.

    Sandra

  90. Hi Don and Anklequest,

    Thank you so much for responding to me. I am 38 years old if that helps. I did physical therapy until my insurance ran out on it and of course they think they know how much you need. I didn’t think about a gym but that is a good idea and I may give that a shot. I have started going to the track and walking and trying to “follow through” with my steps instead of limping, but it is hard because I have a plate right above where my foot bends. It left my foot extremely sore the next couple of days, but I figured I just needed to keep going and work it out. The sad thing is I have all of this to go through and will never be able to ride again. Doctors say that it is not wise with my bones so I sold my horses and am just concentrating on getting better. I’m not having alot of swelling anymore and just the soreness on the inside ankle and I feel like if I can get this worked out it will be better. The doctor says that is the slowest healing spot but it has been almost a year and I’m thinking just how long can a bone stay sore??? LOL!

    Take care and I hope that everything works out for all of you.

  91. Don,
    Perhaps you get tired for another reason. YOU HAVE TWO JOBS! That could be a big part of it. Anyway, your ankle could be making it more difficult to keep up with those jobs. Good Luck!

    A bear came through the other day. We didn’t see it but it made a mess. Our compost heap, which is in a large 200 pound ceramic pipe section, was tossed around and all the compost scattered about. I have to shevol it all up now as the dog keeps eating carp and digging in it. He’s blind, he’s deaf, but he can still smell and dig and find trash of any kind.

    Sandra,
    About the academic world! Just a little story from this week of which there were many. I’m exhausted.

    I got back from the doc’s office to find a group of 50 students raising a ruckus in front of my office. I love this stuff, having been an activist student myself. They were in a stew over “unfair grading” of an exam in the next department and gave me examples of questions. Questions were about medical case studies; typical. Only 8 had passed the exam. They were ready to march to the VP and President’s offic. I gave them suggestions on how to handle the situation effectively..and did they really think their current plan would get them anywhere except get kicked out of the program. I knew about 15 of the students. Several work in my department and others I’d had in microbiology classes, so they all calmed down and a bit later I noted they were making the proper rounds. I hope they are successful to some extent because part of the problem is the arrogance of some of the faculty in that other department.

    Seeing students excited about improving something is ever so much better than seeing passive students who only seem to know how to talk on cell phones.

    Back to yard clean-up

  92. Hi Everyone!
    Ok, the visit to a doc for a 2nd opinion (2 years and 2 months later). The office was quite a different “atmosphere” than the previous doc. It’s a “sports medicine” place so there was more of a jock atmosphere. The doc, who I liked, wore blue jeans, polo shirt, and other docs were classy casual as well. Staff wore nice colored tops. There were only sports magazines in the rooms. None had anything to do with illness.

    I saw two women with casts & broken ankles in the waiting room. All others looked healthy and normal; a great contrast to my first doc. There people came in on stretchers, had metal sticking out of their arms, and generally looked to be in very bad shape.

    I spoke with the doc twice (before & after x-rays) and he was great to talk too. Two things: 1) I have a damaged tendon and 2) am starting to get degenerative arthritis. Eventually I may have to have fusion surgery if this gets really bad. Before then it would be treated with cortisone.

    The screws do not have to be removed (so far) but he will follow this since there are two long ones in the back (in front of Achilles tendon) than might be a problem and would be taken out from the back. (He said I have 14 screws– 8 in a large plate and 6 more.) He wants to check things out in 6 months now that he has a baseline reference.

    He stated that considering I had a very bad trimalleolar fracture I was doing very well. “Sometimes it takes years for these to heal. (10-15 years, even 30).” My age makes no difference. “The die is cast the moment the break happens”. It depends on who you are.

    I can do any activity I want but will be limited by how bad the ankle hurts the next day. Just use the general treatment of ice, elevation,etc.

    Well, I learned I had arthritis which I was suspecting given the symptoms. Now what can I do? Anyone know anything about reducing the progress of arthritis???

  93. Hi Everyone! It’s a splendid spring day here today.

    Lisa,
    No metal has set off detectors for anyone here as far as I know. I’ve flown a number of times with the metal and have not been stopped so far. I do have a doctor’s note in my passport. You can always show your scars. Enjoy your Alaska trip! Elevate the ankle and ice as needed if you walk too much.

    Sharon,
    Maybe limping might be related to calf muscle weakness? I had to work on strengthening the calf muscle right away in PT. What did your PT people say? Maybe you could go to a fitness center and work on it. Some machines can strengthen calves without any ankle pressure. Also my surgen told me not to limp at all when I started to walk (even with the crutches) and I thought he was crazy. But it did work better when I tried it, so now I generally do not limp.

    By the way, if you do have to limp, never be embarrassed by it. It is not worth any mental energy to think that way. It does sound like you had a very serious injury so it may take more time to get in shape.

    Celinda,
    Great to hear you are moving forward. I hope you get to go out more soon. And definitely if you get that boot next week that will be a real plus. Let us know what happens! Take care! We’re all pushing for you to get out of that wheel chair forever!

    Tammy,
    Follow Don’s suggestions and try “partial weight bearing” while on crutches; then slowly ease into full weight bearing. It is a gradual process, and yes, your husband may have to continue with some of those chores for a while yet. You can put weight on it if the doc says so. Ice and elevate if & when needed. Suddenly, one day soon I hope, you will just put those crutches out of the way and walk briefly, and go forth from there.

    Shel,
    You scars will likely mostly disappear so you may not need a tattoo. After two years, mine are hardly noticeable. I know several other former broken ankle people and they can hardly see theirs.

    Nick,
    I hope by now your pain is reduced or gone. It could be an internal pressure change inside the bone resulting from screw removal, which will diminish as healing occurres.

    I’ll follow up with a second post to update Don & Sandra on a few items and to describe my Doc’s visit yesterday.

  94. Hi All! I’m so very happy I found this website as I broke my right ankle badly (the ER doc said in 7 places, but how is that possible???) – last June! I had surgery, plate a couple of screws and about 6 pins. What a crazy ordeal! I was just yesterday discharged by my OS. I still have a wee bit of a limp, but I believe that stretching my calf and doing what walking I can will help to grow the muscle. I still have plenty of discomfort in my ankle and it’s swollen by the end of the day. It’s comforting to read how this is pretty normal stuff. I have a question. My OS says my metal can stay in my ankle and that’s fine with me, but will it set off the metal detector at the airport? I am planning a trip to Alaska next month (lots of walking!!!) but I don’t want to start off with a body-cavity search due to the metal in my ankle. Have any of you had a problem? Should I get a doctor’s note?

    Thanks and hope you are all recovering well!

  95. Hey ankle breakers
    Hope all of you are well and have the right part of your feet on the ground:-)

    Tammy

    As for me I started walking after being non weight bearing for 3 months. So the way I started was to hold onto a bed table andd just stood-up on my legs then shifted my weight back and forth to each ankle and leg to support the body weight, But not totaly as I still held onto the table.

    Each day I did a litlle more time and a little less holding on. Then I got a walker and started slow even steps while holding the walker. the first time I was allowed to use the walker for any length of time I walked a total of 600 ft the next time that day I got tpo use the walker my therapist told mne if I did 100 ft and go up and down 5 steps I could go home.

    My next settion in thereapy was at 2:30 in the after noon the same day I was allowed to do weight bearing I walked 100 ft up and back in the hall up 5 steps down 5 steps and then was discharged from the hospital after 3 months there. So start slow get us to the weight and the feeling then strike out but small and slow till you get the green light then do what you can and what you feel is confortable till you build up strength .

    Celinda

    Congratulations I am very proud to hear you talking like you are. You have come a long way since you first got here. Now look at you wante=ing to get the boot on and move forward. There will still be days that get to you but you seem like you are now capable of working through them and soon you will be telling others how it is done.

    Congratulations again.

    Hello Sharon

    And welcome to a strange exclusive club. It is called ankle breakers.
    I can understand your problem with the ankle and also the wondering of getting through all of this. One step at a time, is the best way to go. As for riding don’t worry about that you will get back there but it will take time and work to do it. Oh I can also tell you I know because I have been there I rode in the nations in Tetrathelon which if you don’t know entails running, swimming , shooting and Stadium Jumping. So belive me when I tell you that you will get back there.

    Now if you are finished with therapy and you still need work on getting stength one of the best places to go is a good gym that has trainers look for one that has a knowledge in physical therapy or sport medicin. this will aid you in your work outs. do them slow but don’t be too soft and wilt away when you have to work out. Find a way to take the swelling down some use ice some like me use hot water to soak the legs in and then I am able to walk again whe the muscles relax. One of the best wqays is elevation this has benifits for everyone get your ankle higher then your heart it reduces the swelling.

    You need to find out how much you can do and how not to over due it so that you can build up your muscles and flexibilty so that you can work on going forward. Right now I would say one of your best advantages is your age. as I am assuming that you are not that old like some of us on here. But stay intouch and update us on your progress we have all been through it.

    To all the olde crew and the ones that have been thorugh the ringer with me HI glad to see and hear from all of you. Tim , Sandra, Anklequest, CLARK, Ericka, and all the rest.

    To our new friends welcome and I am happy that you found your way here there is alot of helpfulkl information from people that have been through it.

    Keep safe and keep everything on the ground and floor where it belongs and not up in the air where it went to get us all here .

    Don

  96. Hey ya’ll,

    Boy am I glad to find you. I had a horse back accident last August. I crushed my right ankle and have three plates and 12 screws. I only weighed 85 pounds so you can imagine how this must feel. I have three or four screws that you can actually see poking out of the outside ankle. The doctor says I will have to get these removed in a few months because my ankle is so small. These do not bother me at all. What bothers me the most is the inside ankle bone (which the doctor says takes longer to heal) and I still limp really bad and this is not only a nusance but also somewhat embarassing. Can anyone tell me how long it will be before or if the limp does go away and if it is because I need to stretch my Achilles tendon? I took physical therapy for about 16 weeks and I still limp. I am still very cautious of every step I take and still after almost a year have no muscle tone to my calf. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

    And YES I did miss my crutches because they had become just that —my crutches!!

  97. Hi all,

    How is everyone doing, hope doing fine. I am doing ok, thank you Sandra. I am still walking only to the restroom and into the kitchen, and standing up in one position, that is all for right now until I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. The doctor said if the screws have not moved in my left foot, then he more than likely put me in a walking boot. I hope that they have not moved. My left foot is really not hurting at all, my right foot does hurt though, when I stand and walk on it for a certain amount of time and it swells up like a balloon. I wonder if the doctor will prescribe pain pills, that will help with the pain. I sure hope he will.

    I will talk with ya’ll later, I hope everyone gets better and feels better.

    Celinda

  98. Hi everyone…I hope that you are all doing well as the weather warms. Hopefully it will help those of us who are in an emotional funk also. Sunshine always makes me feel better 🙂

    I don’t understand how you are suppose to go from non-weight bearing to walking. Can someone help to understand the process. I tried yesterday with crutches even and my ankle and foot blew up with swelling and pain. It still hurts a lot today.

    How much are you suppose to be doing? How mmuch walking is too much. Should you be able to all of your daily chores and activities without hurting? I don’t understand how a Dr. can say put weight on it and then not explain anything else. I am tempted to wait until my appointment on Monday to take my stitches out to even consider putting weight on it again.

    Thanks,
    Tammy

  99. Greetings ankle breakers

    Sandra
    I couldn’t agree more. Pain is our worst enemy as it does zapp the normal flow of our energy that we use just to get around. And I thank you for the reminder, even at tines I need ito be reminded like everyone else and that is why I have friends here that I try and catch up with regularly. As i have said before I don’t know how I would have made it with out all of you.
    Keep working and and trying all and above all keep the right parts down on the ground and the right parts up in the air. We all knows how we do when our feet get when they go to places they don’t belong.
    Don

  100. Hi to Carl, and keep thinking about that decathlon. Sounds as if you have had a tough time but are dealing with it positively.

    Don. Shame about the tiredness, but there is a lot to deal with in live. Stay positive, like you tell us all. The pain does get you down, even without knowing it. I think it depletes energy – physically and mentally. I have had a couple of days with less pain but under my heel hurts tonight, and I have a some throbbing on that sore bit on the inner ankle. Have to go in to work tomorrow, so I am hoping for a good night’s sleep.

    Chat soon.

    Sandra

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