Broken ankle-2 years later

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Well I just thought I would let everyone know that almost exactly two years ago I had a trimaellor ankle break which I never thought I would walk again from.  Slowly over the past two years I have re-learned to walk and run on it.  It has gotten better with time.  Two weeks ago I decided to see how healed it was.  We went to Disney World.  Which if you don’t know you walk ALOT….. As I told my husband this was a great test to see how it would hold up to all this walking.  It did amazingly well.  There was only one time that it twinged enough with pain that I took an hour break to put it up.  Otherwise I just kept going and it was fine we went to all the park (even some twice all day long for one week and it held up really well.  It still gets swollen here and there and it still lets me know its not perfect but I figure since I still have metal down there and since it was hanging off my ankle at one point I can’t complain.  

1,654 thoughts on “Broken ankle-2 years later”

  1. Hello to all!
    Liz I definately believe in prayer & will be praying for Mike. I have been praying for each of you as often you come to mind. It’s really weird, I have never been injured or seriously ill before, so this is such an adjustment. I’ve never been “scared” before, but the other day when we went to the Motorcycle show, I realized that every activity (including wearing heels) I would be filtering thru my ankle injury…would I break it again and maybe not be able to walk, etc. I don’t particularly want to ride, but just to feel like I can’t I feel I’ve lost something. I don’t mean to feel sorry for myself, so many of you have real struggles, I’m sorry to whine, it’s just who really understands? Theres nothing worse than someone talking about thier ailment or malady! It seems my whole life revolves around my ankle! Money is tight & I used to could just go out and work harder, but I can’t seem to do it physically and that it so frustating that my body is letting me down! I’m sorry I guess I’m having a character building day (good in theory, not so much in practice)
    Okay so I’ll stop whining now. I have been following the post (many are over my head) but I am glad Trac is going back to volunteer. You seem like such a courageous young man, you really inspire me, what a giving spirit.
    Anyway I need more advice for my whinny little need from you gurus of ankle injurys…I get my cast off Tues YEAH (I think) what to expect, also what should I ask my Dr? I’ve seen him about 30 min total of my injury! So I want to be ready!! I really am ignorant about my injury because I was grossed out (theres a 70’s word for ya!) so I didn’t want to know, just fix it! Do I need to know about muscle or ligiment damage? Why? And should he know anything about rehab? You guys have given me some good ideas (I’ve written down) but what’s this about wearing shoes instead of bare foot? I can’t really afford PT, but I would like to walk again…sooo…all help is appreciated. I don’t mean to come here and suck you dry for information & not give anything back, I just don’t have much experience in these things. BUT, I will be praying for each one of you (I am good at that!) Wilma

  2. Hey DENVER WES, I don’t think any of us are of the impression that this is at all just in your head. You ARE in pain, (whatever the reason – RSD or neuropathy or whatever) and for the rest of us your circumstances are so frustrating because we just want to see you gradually improving and feeling better. I feel so bad for you, that it is hard to even know what to say to try to encourage you. It just seems like you are caught in this convoluted cycle.

    You are in pain – so you can’t sleep.
    You can’t sleep – so your job is affected.
    Your job is affected – so you have financial concerns.
    You have financial concerns – so you cannot afford ongoing medical attention.

    Lack of medical attention – so you are not finding or adequately treating the source of your pain.

    Somehow this cycle has to be broken.

    I dont live in the US, so I really don’t know. But isnt there somewhere that you can access some sort of financial assistance so that you can obtain a second opinion, or just continued follow up medical treatment or something. Hang in there Wes.

  3. KATIE, Thanks for the update. Definitely something for us to consider. I hope the boot will do the trick for you and everything will heal up fine. Has the pain eased up or does it still hurt to walk?

    WES, I hate that the burning is still causing you such distress. You’re right, some people are in situations far worse than ours. I tell myself that all the time when I get in a self-pity mood. But at the same time, the pain, stress, and anxiety of your situation are real and it’s understandable to want to express it. Don’t ever feel like you’re “whining” too much here. We all understand and symphathize.

    TRAC, Glad that it’s not the MRSA coming back. I hope the volunteer position will work out. At least it will give you something to do during the day to occupy your time. I’ve found that helping others is sometimes the best medicine for our own peace of mind. You’ll forget about your own problems for awhile as you help out others.

    LEE, I finally started walking barefoot a few weeks ago (I’d say about 15 weeks post surgery). You’re not nuts. lol I was scared at first too. I just gradually built up my confidence. I was walking around at therapy with only a tennis shoe (no brace), so I figured it would be safe to do it at home. I started just standing up barefoot, like to put my pants on or whatever, and then I’d take a few steps along the edge of the bed so I could sit down if needed. Once I did that I realized it didn’t bother my foot at all so I walk barefoot around my house all the time now. 🙂 My next step is to wear something besides tennis shoes when I go out. I’m still scared of flip flops (that’s what I was wearing when I fell) or any other type of sandal or dressy shoes that don’t have any support).

    Well, no new update for me really. I did find out yesterday that my previous principal, the one I mentioned in an earlier post with cancer, is having surgery this week to have the tumor removed from his spine. After that they will reassess and see what to do about the kidney. They think they will have to remove it too. *sigh* He is in a lot of pain because the tumor in his spine is pressing against the nerves. If you believe in prayer, please pray for him. His name is Mike.

    Till Later,
    Liz

  4. TRaC
    shoot me an email.. qurious question you may be able to help me out with [email protected]

    for the latest update- not overworking out, not under working out, burning not stopped.. worse at night.. starting to arrect job and now 4 weeks without a nights sleep… sure there are a lot out there worse than me.. so, wont whine on here since it all must be in my head… anyway… ready to go postal

    Wes…

  5. KATIE, thank you SO MUCH for sharing your information with us. I am just so sorry to hear that you are having this further problem all this time later. Just like we all thought that when our casts came off, we would be back to normal and walking like we used to, I had thought that as each month passed I would just gradually get better and better. And I am actually at least so far. So realizing that things like this can happen in the future is NOT GOOD news. But it is something that we should be aware of so that we can be a bit protective and a bit cautious. Please keep us posted on how you are doing in a boot for two weeks. We will offer all the moral support that we can.

    LIZ, glad to hear that you are being included in school activities now. I hate meetings myself, but being included is important.

    LEE, cant remember – I think I wore slippers/shoes for the first bit, sort of as protection, but actually very quickly (a week or two) found it almost easiest to be barefoot, or in a light slip on sandal. In my case the less shoe the better at least at first. But remember I was never in a boot. So I am not much help in answering your question. As always it is so nice to hear from you. You are always so cheery and positive. How is the driving going?? Taking it carefully I hope. And yes, isnt DON just a sweetheart? (psst, don’t tell him that though, because he will just say he is only the way he is because he has the greatest wife in the world)

    TRAC, I am glad it is not MRSA, but sorry it is a circulation problem. Doing volunteer work for the medical clinic sounds great. What a good idea and good for you.

    No contractors showed up for the renos today, so I spent my time outside working on the landscaping, burning yard debris etc. It was a gorgeous day and the prediction is for cooler more fall like weather tomorrow, with rain starting up. So, I just basked in the sunshine and enjoyed every minute of my day. Of course the pups and I watched for but did not see our bear cub friend. Not that I really missed him. (Anklequest, this is a black bear-(with brown down his back). Are your bears black bears or grizzleys? Wishing all the best to all of you…. Lois

  6. Katie, thanks for sharing. Good for all of us with hardware to know about. I think these are the reasons I want the hardware out. It seems to me that you’re better off with your body’s natural calcification. Anyone disagree?

    Katie – keep us posted and I hope it feels better fast!

    -Lee

  7. Hello, fellow healers —

    It is so nice to keep reading about progress, it really does help.

    I went to the doc today, he took a culture. And, then I went to wound care prior to PT, we did a whirlpool and put on an unna boot. He doesn’t think the mrsa is back, so that is good. Unfortunately, it is a sign that my circulation is not anywhere near where it should be. But, afterwards, I went to PT, did a lot, it felt good. I could tell after my talk with the PT, walking is still quite a ways away. I just want my independence back. Oh well. I’ve decided to go back to the medical clinic I used to work for and just volunteer helping out. I was giggling w/the volunteer cooridinator. I used to help people find funding for their medical care. Now I’m on the other side of the coin. You just never know… 🙂

    Ok, take care and keep healing!
    thanks for the advice,
    trac

  8. Update for Lois-

    I went to the new ortho today. He did an x-ray and there is no definate fracture but there was a worrisome spot above my plate. He says it could be the start of a hairline fracture that just isn’t visible on x-ray yet, or a pressure spot that will become a fracture un-treated. He said the plates can cause this problems sometimes. I am back in the fracture boot for two weeks and then I am following up to see what it looks like then. He wants to take my plate out when this is over to make sure it doesn’t happen again. So I guess thats a good heads up for all of you with plates, be careful! And if you feel any pain around a plate, make sure you don’t ignore it. I am glad I caught it before I completely re-broke something!!

  9. Hello all,

    Trac – I’m thinking about you now, hoping the MRSA is not back. It does need to be treated, quickly. Let us know when you can. Anklequest is full of such great info. thanks for all you add here.

    Don – so good to hear from you. Your words are full of wisdom and experience. I appreciate it all.

    Wes/Denver – I do hope you can get a handle on the pain soon, either with the drugs or pain management techniques. I feel for you. Good luck.

    Liz – thanks for the advice on the socks and cushioning under the air cast. It’s funny, as I was reading your post, I was looking at my feet – lft foot is a short ankle sock, right in a long tin sock under the air cast – just as you suggested! I think the issue is that the pain/poke is coming from the inside out, so there’s no amount of cushion that will help. The PT looked at it and said it would likely stop bothering me in time. Or, at least by January, when the Dr. will likely take out the plate 🙂

    I don’t have much to update on. Just going to PT, working hard on my strength and flexibility. PT wants me to stop using my crutch all together. Uggg. I’m ok in the house and at work, but not out and about, especially on a soccer field or rocky path. It just isn’t going to happen. Not yet anyway. Mornings are the hardest. It’s really tough to move right from bed.

    A silly question for those who are a few months out. How long did it take before you could walk barefoot? The PT told me a few weeks ago not to do it – to always weight bear with a cushioned shoe on. So i’ve been popping on my tennies as I get out of bed. Now she says that I must try to walk barefoot. She looked at me like I was nuts – “are you going to wear shoes for the rest of your life?”. Am I nuts? I can’t do it. I’m 12 weeks out from break an surgery.

    Thanks all for being here and as always for the support and care you extend to each and everyone.

    Cheers,
    Lee

  10. Good morning EVERYBODY. Where has LOUISE disappeared.??? Hopefully just busy and having fun, but it has been uncharacteristically long since we heard from her. MELANIE, if you are reading this, still thinking of you all the time. DIANE, it was really interesting to learn a bit more about you. One question, after I broke my ankle, I too decided that I must need a calcium/vit D supplement and started taking one. After a week or so, one morning I ended up in EXTREME pain in my right lower back, and which then spread to my right lower abdoment. It was so bad that cast and all I ended up writhing in agony on the bathroom floor projectile vomiting. This lasted for about 10 to 15 minutes, (my guess) and ended after I passed urine. The pain then stopped just as abruptly as it had started. All I could think of was that I must have passed my first ever kidney stone. So, I checked the internet to fine out the symptoms, and was surprised to read that calcium supplements can cause CALCIUM kidney stones. I think that must be what happened to me. I stopped the supplements immediately and switched to drinking milk instead. I have had no more problems. Have you any information or knowledge about this sort of thing?? (I was only taking the correct recommended dosage)

    WES. We did not hear from you last night. Hopefully that means that you slept for a change.

    TRAC, Anklequest is quite correct MRSA can come back. Get checked please.

    ANKLEQUEST and all, I too like to travel, but sadly the older I get the more I like this travel to be in comfortable circumstances. I say sadly because this is in definate contrast to when I was younger and loved more adventuresome travel. SO… all you young people, make sure you do your adventuresome travel while you are still young . I have always been very curious and fascinated by different peoples, cultures, beliefs and ways of life. And yes, I agree it does seem like the less people have materially the more friendly and willing to share they actually are. I probably should have been a sociologist (took some of that and anthropology as well in university) instead of a criminologist, (ah but I did love that too) and ANKLEQUEST why do I think that if you had not been a microbiologist, you would have made a great foreign correspondent, sort of like Christianna Amanpour. (spelling?) Looks like we are in for a glorious sunny fall day today. I better get on with it and take advantage. Take care all.

  11. Anklequest —

    Thank you very much. That is exactly what I was looking for. I have an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow. I told him you said to see him he said, “Very good advice”. It isn’t “oozing” — but last time nothing happened until it “oozed” through a screw hole in my thigh (it was on my ankle). And, I ended up in quarantine. Which would suck!

    So, thanks. I will let you know if it is fine.

    Have a good night –
    trac

  12. Trac! Very Important!!!

    MRSA can reoccur. If you have any doubts about the scar and if it is showing any signs of inflammation you need to get it checked immediately as a precaution. Let’s hope it is nothing.

    PS: I teach microbiology to Nursing students and Biology majors from time to time

  13. Hello!

    Don, you are right, all those months in the nursing home, one thing I felt was I’m at least I’m in good enough shape to be going home someday. I roomed with a woman who was 89, had a severe stroke and kept working hard at progress. She could barely speak, and sent me over a note that said, “To be happy, just get off your butt”. I had to giggle, she didn’t know I was in an external fixator and couldn’t. I’ve kept that note with me. My grandma is 90 and still goes polka dancing (and flirting with Fritz) every weekend. So, I do really think the key to health & healing is keep moving. That being said, it sure can seem a long ways away to that movement. Today, I finally had to give in and look at the photos of my injuries (for legal reasons), it made me very queasy. But, hopeful, if I could come this far, right?

    One question, have any of you suffered from a MRSA? Mine, as most, was horrible, it ate through a good portion of my ankle/lower leg, before the nursing home stopped it. What I’m wondering is, that scar area is again breaking open and burning, do you know, can a MRSA come back? I’ve asked around, no one knows, simply because they haven’t had experience with one (thank goodness!). Since many of you have really good advice, should I go see the doctor? (I pay cash for my doc right now, so I try to go only if very important). But, with the wisdom on this site, I thought maybe someone would know. Thanks!

    Peace and healing,
    trac

  14. Greetings Ankle Breakers.

    Ankle Quest

    I thank you very much for the kind words. I am not that spectacular just another old fool who doesn’t know when to lie down and stop  but really I admire all of the people on here and that I have met along the way. All your stories, strengths and accomplishments give all of us hope to go on day by day.

    Katie and Lois

    I have been on the mend since Dec 2006 when I broke both my ankles and as sundry other parts of my body LOL. But as far as pain in the area of the plate? Don’t be too worried that you have a fracture. I have days where I can’t even put weight on my foot because it feels as though the bones in my right ankle are splitting apart from my foot to my knee. Then the next day when I get up it is gone. Mine also did not start right away it came on sudden and I also thought I have re injured myself. Turns out it is mostly due to the barometric pressure. I can tell you when a storm is coming half way across the country. When it hits I feel great and then when it leaves it is just as bad. I find this happens more in the warmer weather then the cold weather. So unfortunately it may be something we have to live with. But by all means check it with your Doctor so you are sure.

    From time to time we all come across a problem that crops up stays for awhile and then may go away and no one can tell us why only people that have gone through it. One of the things I find interesting is the days I get up and people go on and on about what we would all call simple little troubles but to them it is a major complication. On those days when the storm is making life extremely hard on us and then these people want to tell us how hard it is that they have an ingrown toe nail I find I would just like to unscrew their face and say so now you have something to complain about instead of being the one that smiles and listens and say wow that is so hard how do you manage..

    People tell me how hard I have had it how much I have been through. I look at them and tell them there are people out there that make me look like a cupcake and have more problems then I could imagine. And they get through it with a smile. One lady I knew in rehab was in here 60’s working in the corner by herself and had an immobilizer from her foot to halfway up her body I talked with her a lot. She always smiled was pleasant and caring. I asked about the immobilizer and she told me she hadn’t had a hip in 3 weeks they replaced it and then it became infected and they took it back out and she needed to recoup. And would not have a hip for another month. Then only thing that held her leg together was the immobilizer. Talk about pain and determination and the will to recover. God bless people like that.

    The next one was one of my plumbers. He had a messed up hand when I went back to work. I asked him what happened he said he got it caught in a cable that was lowering a pump in the ground. He was alone and couldn’t shut the winch off and he had to watch as the wire cut into his hand. He said that wasn’t bad but he had to sit there and wait till his middle and ring finger where popped off his hand till he could get free. At that I shivered and told him I would keep the troubles with my legs and how he was a tougher man then I. So every one keep working and smiling because THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WORSE OFF THEN WE ARE.

    Keep safe all and keep the right part of your feet on the ground

    Talk soon
    Don

  15. Wow, so many posts to catch up on.

    TRAC, You and your PT are welcome. 🙂 Sorry it won’t work for your situation but hopefully your PT can use it with others. I think it was a good idea for you to prolong your amputation too! I hope you’ll continue to see improvements and begin bearing weight soon. Have you started riding the bike yet this week?

    LEE, Interesting to hear your doctor and PT disagree about the phonophoresis. I guess you’re right though, hard work and patience is what it takes. Woohoo on driving! I know I was so excited when I could finally drive again. Oh and you asked about the AirCast brace rubbing and hurting the metal. I haven’t had that issue too much with my brace. I have the EzyWrap brace. It did irritate my bottom screw at first but I don’t notice it too much anymore. I wonder if you could just put some extra padding over that spot or maybe wear a thick sock. I wear a long song on my right foot that covers the leg under my brace and then wear my short anklet socks on my good ankle. Anyway, I’m thinking I might have to get my hardward out too. I bumped my screws against the edge of the pool yesterday when I was getting out and OUCH! It felt like the screw had poked right through the skin! lol Of course it didn’t.

    MICHELLE, Glad your son is in better spirits. Let us know how the OS appt goes on Thursday. Maybe he will get the removable boot. You were asking where people on the board are from… I’m from Georgia (Atlanta area).

    ANKLEQUEST & TRAC, I too love to travel. There are so many places I want to travel abroad. I’m lucky to have relatives scattered throughout the U.S. so I grew up traveling to visit them. We have family in California, Texas, Washington State, Arizona, Chicago). I’ll never forget one family vacation I took when I was around 12 years old. My parents piled me and my two siblings in a van and drove us across the country, we started in Georgia and drove all the way to Washington state, then down to California and back to Georgia, with tons of stops in between (Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and on and on the list goes). It was an amazing trip and one I hope to repeat with my family one day when I have kids. It’s great you both have people in your lives that enjoy traveling as much as you do. I hope my future husband will be the same, (whoever and whenever that happens!) lol

    Well, I’m doing well. I had a school meeting today that my principal asked me to attend. It was a special education meeting for teachers in the county so noone else from my school was there. I did get to see a few other teacher friends from other schools. Overall the meeting was a waste of time and gas money (a 300 mile round trip to go to a 4 hour meeting that didn’t tell me one thing I didn’t already know) but at least I felt a part of something again. I’m so ready to get back in the classroom! MICHELLE, I know exactly what you mean about getting attached to students. With my class, I have the same students for up to 6 years (K-5th grade) so I get really attached. This year I have 5 students (2 have been with me for 2 years, 1 for 3 years, 1 for 4 years, and the other student is new (Kindergarten), I can’t wait to meet her!)

    Anyway, hope everyone is having a wonderful week. It’s great to hear everyone making progress, whether it’s gaining ROM, running up and down stairs (Yay Lois), having less of a limp, or decreasing pain. You’re so right about how far we’ve come DON.

    Keep Movin’ Forward,
    Liz

  16. Hello Katie, I do not have experience with anything like that but am only less than 7 months out from the break and I think I am doing very well. However, what you are experiencing causes me concern for the future,,, with my hardware. Hopefully someone else can write in and give you some advise, However, I wanted to respond because I will be very interested to hear what your new ortho surgeon says when you see him and what he intends to do. That should be very interesting news for many us. All best wishes to you at your appointment.

  17. Hi all. I had question about weak spots around hardware causing new breaks. I had a trimalleolar fracture coming up on two years ago. I have a plate and 6 screws in there. I have always had occassional slight pain around the top of the plate area and stiffness due to the screws and just assume thats normal from time to time. However this past weekened I began having much more extreme pain right at the top of my plate. I can touch the area and its extremely sore to the touch and the more I walk on it the more painful it becomes. Does anyone have any experience with or know anything about plates causing pressure points in the bone and perhaps causing small fractures? That’s the only solution I can come up with since its so sudden that it hurts this badly. I have doctors appointment for this week with a new ortho since I’m new to this area, but I wanted to see if anyone has had this experience. I am keeping my fingers crossed its not a fracture. If not, I may move towards having all this hardware taken out!
    Thanks for reading, I look forward to hearing if anyone has had this happen.

  19. Hi Denver & all, Trac,
    Diane, Lois, Tammy, great stuff!

    Denver, thanks for being very careful with the drugs and finding out about them one at a time.

    Take DON’s post to heart. Try not to look so much at the past & what your body & metabolism is all about. It’s not necessary in your case because you are already fit have taken good care of yourself. Hypersensitivity to body feelings and functions can lead to missinterpretations, distortions, and all sorts of things.

    The calcium thing is not your problem..your bones are mended or mending, which is not to say that many do not get adequate calcium but that is not a cure for you. Also the foot patches are not worth anything other than the millions the manufacture is earning from every single drug store in the country which seems to sell them. The phosphate book author makes money too.

    Now I understand that you are in terrible pain and see these as you grasping for straws, for anything, for cause, for cure, etc. So I keep hoping for the best for you. The folks here are hoping for the best too. But we too all know it will take patience and time, so relax, slow down, spend some days without much activity (surprise, we all know that helps) and things will get better despite what you do or even inspite of what you do.

    Don has totally gone through everything with himself and family and was/is in extreme pain too. He is my hero. He’s just an ordinary guy who is a devoted husband and father, works two jobs, 12 hour days, despite a terrible ankle, and now other medical complications. What wisdom he has!!! His heart and values are totally in the right place. I do not think he worries much about his pecs, hamstrings and all that stuff and so is in far less of a stew over those things that the fitness buffs seem to dwell on.

    Anyway, so much for my little break tonight. Am working late since my entire day was occupied with some strange problems. You would not believe the student problems. Every day with college students is an adventure! Every day with faculty is another adventure! Put them together and what a life I have. I keep thinking I’ve hear every story in the book, and yet new ones arise. Today a student went totally histerical becuase she claimed an unknown male student in a hallway brushed against her hair and then said he put sperm into her hair. We don’t know if it was a joke or not. Police, sheriff, detectives, and everyone somehow got involved.

    Hope everyone has a good day tomarrow.

    Anklequest

  20. Oh almost forgot..
    I just bumped up my dose after the ER visit & am waiting the neurotin to get in my system to see how it does. That being the case I HaVe the sample bottle of Lyrica the Sirgeon gave me but have been waiting, giving a prOppEr dose of the neurotin a chance to see how well it works before I go jumping around. I talked with a friend of mine today who is a pharmacist, she told me just how high a dose shes seen people on of the neurotin so not to be too worried about taking too much by taking an extra pill by mistake or dose. but she did caution me as to taking Lyrica. She said some may handle it well but to keep in mind that it actually Is addictive.. that,& even with the inconclusive side effects being as its more new still people are reporting lack in the sack & blured vision to the level they got into accidents. NiCe.. Last she told was something you guys were already talking about, that its eXPeNsIve & there isn’t a generic..

    Wes

  21. LOIS, oh YaAaa I got 2 plates, the polished cobalt crome package 😉 remember? I want rims to match;) like you want new stainless appliances to match your stainless steel 🙂
    I don’t know if it helped? Like Don was saying.. I have to remember the progression & not get too hung up in different areas.. sort of like a balance.. some things are good to adjust health wise, but aceepting its going to take time is important..thanks Don 😉
    so as for the wax treatment, if I take the nerve pain to the side, it didn’t hurt, felt alright (for a guy doing a girly treatment) lol.. it didn’t burn.. anymore than it should yAa.. but I’m not sure if it was the perafin wax job or the massage that did the next thing.. On sunday @ church I was doing the figity thing where I tap my good heel repeatedly (silently) quickly, only moving it about 1/4″ – 1/2″.. I then began doing this with my bad ankle as I was already figity with it too. I scooched it further under the chair & as I kept figiting with it I noticed the heel began to HiT the floor & I was able to scooch it back further & after doing this another 15 mins it touched there as well.. It didn’t add stress or feel as though I was working it out so I guess the tendons where more willing to stretch.. possibly from the heat or massage the previous day.
    Something else I noticed that feels to stretch things nicely & probably a good thing for those still in a cast –
    WILMA & MICHELE
    the tendons behind the knee get real tight & are linked all the way down and up. when they bent my leg they would press HaRd on them to help stretch them & I could feel it all the way to the toes & up my hamstring.. it felt good later.. might keep that in mind to also help in keeping things stretched out while not having circulation or rather, movement & flexability.

    So I wanted to say hi to ALL here & shoot you a link. so my new friends here can put a face with the name & get to see all these little things & people they hear me talk about. My wifes putting together a website for our reception we never had a chance to do, so I thought I’d post the link so you could see the proposal & picture of us 😉

    OuR Password= Eternal
    http://registry.weddingchannel.com/wedding_websites/PersonalWebsite.action?view=home&occ=572566381

    And this is a link to my ‘myspace page’ it has pictures of us, things about me, my friends, my family & friends. If you don’t have a myspace page its non invasive, just asks who you are bla bla bla.. I gave a bunch of false info when I 1st did it just so I could view someone elses.. It doesn’t even have my name, Its titled, ‘Mr Popular’..by my wife as we were dating when it was started & that’s how she viewed me. My brother wanted me to get a myspace page so he could do it for me, ha.. wound up left to my wife cause I never check it.. I put a few things on there & did an IQ test & check it bought once every 4-6 months..lol.. maybe when I get a faster phone that has more phone memory/space I’ll check it more often. But you can see my personality & get a kick out of the comments my Brother, who looks nothing like me, makes on my page.
    I have the page as private so you have to ask to be my friend. I usually don’t check it often, but for you all, I wiLL check it over the next week, to accept you guys..OH, and be sure to let me know you are from the ankle breakers site so I don’t think your just one of my groopies and you get overlooked 😉

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38104698

    Wes

  22. Hello EVERYONE. Special hellos to Diane, Tammy and Don because it has been a while. Good advice from everyone, especially for Denver Wes. Anklequest, I enjoyed your post about your travels. I actually almost missed it, as it popped up before one I had previously read. I dont know why they do that sometimes,,, but I think they may enter themselves in time sequence… and time is different depending on what country or what part of the country you live in??? I don’t have much to say this evening, and am really busy as we are up to our ears in gyproc dust and all with the reno’s going on. I have been moving and packing heavy stuff out to the garage to get in out of the way,,, which is making me limp quite a bit… . I always find carrying anything heavy including groceries to exaggerate the limp. But the surprising thing is that despite that with all the crazy activity around here I suddenly realized that I was running up and down the stairs (yes the very ones I fell down) almost as if nothing had ever happened to my ankle. Sooooo, still more improvement at something less than 7 months at this time. Whoopee.
    Wes, I cant remember if you have any metal in your ankle. I think not??? but I do and had wondered about doing the warm/hot wax pedicure type treatment to see if that would give me more flexibility… . How did you make out with it??? Did it feel any better etc.??? Take care everyone.

  23. Hi to all…

    Having a hard time keeping up with all the emails. I hope everyone is doign well.

    Diane~ So glad to hear from you. How far out are you again? Just went to the doctor today. Says everything looks good, nothing scary. I asked if he was sure my condition was RSD and he said yes its just a mild case of it.. So lucky there.

    Are you on Lyrica? Doc wants me back on it. I think I might look into a little calcium supplementing and the fish oil. Have you tried it? Any side effects?

    Thanks for sticking around and lending some advice to Wes.

    Tammy

  24. Greetings Ankle Breakers

    I am glad to see everyone is improving. And every one is improving slowly but surely I see how far every one has come since their first entries on this blog. To see how far you have improved look back to your first entry and look at them as you go forward to present day and you too will see just how far you and all the others have come. It is kind of shocking. But a great feeling see where one has started and where one is now.

    Wes
    Wish you all the luck trying to get this under control, but one word of caution do not over analyze your situation either. We all seem to fall into groups at times. We either believe we are farther ahead of where we really are, We do not push hard enough and get stuck in our little spot, we fall into depression because we are not improving and every one else is to blame for that (I mean we couldn’t be the cause of it ourselves) I mean even our accidents were someone else’s fault. Or we over analyze every step of our lives as far back as we can think, did something I did before lead me to this spot? Did I do or eat or take something that may have added to this problem? Did I not work out enough? Did I not eat right? Did I not watch my other libations enough? I know that you may think this will help and to a degree some of it does such as we all know that we could eat healthier. We could cut down on our excesses. But we could also over reached and do away with things our bodies tell us they need. Just be sure not to make to many decisions to rashly till you get on an even keel. In time this will all pass and you and the Doctors will get it under control.

    Sounds like you have a supportive family and things will work in time and with a lot of therapy and trial and error. One thing you may want to do is keep a diary or all things you have tried and how they worked and did not work. The when you talk to your doctors and PT people you can review and see where you are going.

    I am glad to see all the insights that every one else is putting on this blog. It gives us all ideas of things that may or may not work for us. It gives us ideas that we may have not thought about or ways of doing things that we may have not tried. When we all first started here I remember a lot of the posts being how we over came handling objects when we transported them or how we all got around. What we all found worked best to move up and down steps, or how we moved around slippery areas. Not we are on to how we cope with every day and how we move forward getting over new obstacles as they come at us.

    Ankle Quest

    As soon as I get my calendar clear we will set up a time to get together. Glad to hear from you and hear everything is going well. I see a lot of people that we started out with on here. Guess we will be together into the foreseeable future? It does amaze me how much our situation change so much but still manage to stay the same? Two steps forward and one back, almost like a waltz. Hang on every one it is one hell of a ride and bumpy a lot of the time but well worth every step and bump and fall. Just keep remembering to get back up and if you need help look on here someone has been there is there now or you are the one people will look to for the info as you were the first to go there. Just keep stepping forward one step at a time.

    Talk to you all soon be safe and keep the right part of your feet on the ground

    Don

  25. Diane
    I’ve always been so active & athletic that I’m reaLL good about ‘listening to my body’ I’ve been away from caffiene now for years & akwardly enough don’t have the taste for chocolate. now some are going to think I’m nuts for saying that one lol… The more I try to understand what this is doing to our bodies & how it starts has been big in my thoughts.. esPecially considering it won’t let me sleep at night. I started tracing back a theory. When I heard these nerve medications could make your eyes go blury & affect your short fuse curcuit because that to is your nerves, I wondered & wanted to see just how far back I truly could trace this. I mean after all, Drs claim it can’t be proven if it comes from the surgery or the accident..hmm.. I thought that was aufully benifitial on their part, rIght? lol.. but then I remember reading about trauma incedents that brought out things that were already happening to us, only NoW we sort of accelerated it. Then my dad had some weird thought. He asked, what if weve taken in something either by how we eat or the pollutants just lingering around us as we grow up & then by a fracture we released it into us. Now of course thIs didn’t sit as making sence in my situation, I had always eaten very healthy, was very fit & kept very clean & listened to my body as I had said.. but it was enough to start thinking back as to a thing my grandpa would always say- ‘listen to your body, it knows what it needs’ I have the kids tell me when I say that, my bodies saying I need a giant ice cream sunday covered in chocolate. lol.. I told them, that because they give themselves junk food so often that Yes the body iS wanting it.. then I thought back wondering, wHY did I crave to eat properly. Truly did ‘I’ choose to eat healthy because I wanted my body on track?? orrrr.. what if, just maybe, what if my body chose that IT wanted me to eat healthy because I had something underlying the surface of something that may come along one day & it was my bodies defence to have me desire so much balance in my health. weird how you start thinking that way @ times like this, but deffinately peaked my curiosity. Now I see ‘fosphates’ on aNY can or food & am hORRifIED!! this pain says “are YOU nUTs!” not even drinking out of bottles anymore..switched to only glass containers.. not wanting to go over the top, but I already AM a healthy active individual, so I just took on a couple things to help reverse or slow sOmE of the pain if possible..
    Is your pain in your feet or has it spread any?

    Wes

  26. Hi to all here….and I have been reading you for months…even way over on the other site before this one existed. I don’t mean to leave you all out when I comment to WES, however, his and my recovery are unique in regards to the neuropathy/RSD. I have appreciated all your thoughts and helpfullness that is offered, while I try to figure out what is normal and not for my recovery. Wes is struggling too…and you all have been there to help him through. As we continue, some of my post will probably be directed to help WES if he wishes. I would love to sit and chat about every day life, and what’s going on in the world, but with helping on our cattle/hay ranch, and having 8 Grandchildren who all play sports, there is a soccer/football/volleyball game to go to 6 days a week, and I love watching my Grandkids in their sports. I am a “present” Grandma with all of them, active and encouraging. I just went with my 17 year old Granddaughter yesterday to help her pick out her homecoming dress. What an honor to be asked to help her with that !! They are all college bound, and coming from the farming prospective, I want to encourage them all I can. It has been nice kowing you all for all these months.

    Wes Dear ~ (Sounds Grandmotherly doesn’t it?)
    You are certainly right about our bodies leaching the calcium from our bones…we ladies as we get older know that all to well. Our bodies can only absorb so much calcium at one time. It is recommened that we take our calcium (which everyone with a broken bone should be doing) 2 times daily…for the body can only absorb 500 mg at any one time. I take my calcium in the form of a viactiv chewy…2x daily. Now don’t laugh at this, especially since I live on a beef ranch, but I am a vegetarian, fresh foods only, no canned foods. Have ate this way for years. (I call it professional courtesy to my cows !!….Ha !!)
    I grow all our food for the most part, and carefully watch my vitamins food wise. We don’t have one speck of meat in the house, (but tons and tons in the pasture !!) and my husband does order it if we go out to eat. BTW, my husband is 4th generation on this ranch, it is in his blood, cows will always be on our farm, no negotiation there, and I wouldn’t have it any other way…we love the farm life.

    Couple things Wes, for us with “nerve” issues, Two of the biggest no-no’s is chocolate and…..CAFFEINE !!
    They are a couple of the biggest nerve irritators, especially for RSD and neuropathy. I know…I had to wean months ago to decaf…and didn’t find it hard to give up chocolate. It has helped…a bunch. I also take fish oil capsules daily (soothes the nerve tissues) and a B complex for energy. That’s it supplement wise. I am not a pill taker, hate the dang things…never took a pill one till this accident. Just did my calcium chewies daily, with a cup of decaf. Yummy.

    I am sorry you are in discomfort, this nerve issue is a tricky fella. Finding the right activity level to keep them from bothering you too much is a day to day adjustment. Your body lets you know when you have done too much, Heed that warning, you will be farther ahead, believe me. Here’s wishing you a better day, each day, keep trying the Lyrica, give it at least a month.

    Hope everone has a good day…I am going to pick the garden,sort some calves out for eye treatment, and go watch a grandgirl play volleyball later.

    Diane

    Diane

  27. Diane
    thank u too by the way for the information.. My surgeon who’s given me the meds has only thrown me the ‘suggestion’ of takin a dose that was, as the ER said & showed me in their book, ‘not even a third what a minimum dose would be & wouldn’t help at all’..
    So that’s why I was curious.. especilially considering it takes awhile to get it into the system & if I’m not right on dose I’m in the dark til its too late & I am in horrific pain..

    😉
    Wes

  28. good thing you read there TRaC.. I was in pain today & as my wife scooched across the couch & laid over on me I seemed to calm down… I told her I love it & it helps.. she asked how?.. I tried fumbling an explanation of nerve pain & calming my nerves and such but you said it best 😉

    thank u for the happy birthdays & the happy anniversary wishes 😉

    real quick but VeRy ImPorTanT AND a MusT.. I got that book in front of me that I mentioned earlier.
    Its called ‘the Cure for All Diseases’ by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D..N.D.
    & the 2 things that most everything can be traced back to was toxins & paracites.
    This book is VeRy interesting read & very interesting.. especially @ this day & age… or shorter age than biblical times I should say;) of course I don’t want to live tOO Long lol.. I don’t want to be over 100 widowed hittin on old ladies n my wheelchair.. ‘knock on wood’

    Oh, & the big bad ingredient the book said was in things to watch out for like the plague was ‘phosphates’ ..this is the ingredient put into things to make it last longer or tast better?? I don’t know.. but I did find how iT is what sucks the calcium out of the body. Which the body already has a difficult time having enough of a supply- litterally 1,000mg less per day than needed to digest sOO much that the body starts eating itself alive trying to get it from wherever it can, noticed 1st in our teeth going & then as it takes from our bones the joints feel it next..hmmm)

    That’s just the tip of the ice burg if you’d like to aliviate pain it seems to be helping me.. slowly but surely.. of course I live ina house of 6 & have to explain to the chilli dog making wife that this IS serious & I need to reverse some things & she could try to help..(said sadly w a puppy dog face & droopy eyes) 😉
    night all
    Wes

  29. Helloooooooooo!!!

    Happy Birthday, Denver Wes!!! Hope it was as great as your anniversary…today I read where researchers have found out that holding hands with someone you love is powerful at deterring pain. So, grab your wife’s hand and hold on! 🙂

    Anklequest,
    I too, have spent my life traveling, living all over -from Nebraska, to San Francisco, to Quebec City, to Maine — living on a shoestring, being willing to do basic jobs i.e. cleaning houses, etc. Fortunately, I’ve met someone who enjoys this lifestyle…as he says, “2 things every town needs, a massage therapist and a chef” — and it has proven true. Then when I had my accident, well, I thought travelling was out of the question. But, then, I decided, people travel with wheelchairs all the time — so I loaded the plane w/my wheelchair and just went. I called ahead to the chamber of commerce / visitors centers and they always were able to key me into some place that would help me. (My partner couldn’t go, he is cheffing in England) I found people so willing to help, and while frustrating (I did break down and cry more than a couple of times, out of frustration)but, I made it to a bunch of wonderful places and will head out after my next surgeries. It wasn’t as cheap as before, because I had to stay in places that accomodated, but it was possible. So, I hope no one lets their injury hold them back. People stared at me, a couple even made fun of me, but for the most part, people helped. It sounds like you have found the same thing, Anklequest. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the surgeries needed, so there won’t be travel for a while…but, soon I will be back in your FANTASTIC country — where I have had some of the best times ever!

    Sorry, this wasn’t too much about my ankle, I was so excited to read that someone else who lived this way… nothing too much has changed, I keep thinking while reading everyone’s posts about pain — maybe it is a blessing in disquise that I have no feeling below the knee to my toes…

    Alright, keep healing-
    trac

  32. Wes:

    I started out on 200 mg of Lyrica daily, divided into two doses. I am comfortable at that range. I have a friend taking 600mg of Lyrica daily. I’m not sure what the maximum dose could be.

    Sounds like you had a wonderful anniversary, and you are doing well activity wise. Good luck in future.

    Diane

  33. mmm time for the 2am refridgerator raid…

    Hello everyone..
    MICHELE, don’t feel bad bout the names.. Even doing this now for over month & a half I find myself sometimes fighting to piece it properly together but here & there people start tlo stand out & u begin to recall their comments strongly & remember that it was them 😉
    I oughta do as Lois did with writing down names,ages,tid bits etc.. however I lay in bed & type from my ‘smart phone’ which has a slide out keyboard..iT makes for more time & longer posts from me (sorry everyone) but at the same time I don’t have a paper & pen handy to write down all that’s going on & am in a race against meds, or sleep setting in that I MuSt take advantage of J I too wind up truly remembering the story / situation but here & there get a name mixed up.. as long as I don’t mix up my wifes name I’ll be ok.. she’ll let me live 😉

    Diane, thank you for the post.. This is definitely difficult.. When I went to the hospital thursday night they said I had Neuropathy..BL it sounded better than RSD.. I’m still praying its not considering how much tolerance my joints, ankle, miscles & tendons or function, but who knows for now. Just have to be consistant on meds to find out. which reminds me.. what is the propper dose of Lyrica?? My surgeon is so paranoid of giving anybody a dose that would work because of malpractice fear, but when in the ER thursday night they bumped up my Neurotin dose 3x what surgeon had recommended, showing me the actual book that says clearly the amount of neurotin that must be in the system J he said my dose wouldn’t work on a fly.. so please, do tell, as I have been givena sample container of it & would deffINately like to be sure before I have to fork out lots o money on it..

    TRaC
    Thank you for thqt site.. I’ve been little drousýj out of it but saved it & registered so we’ll see what happens.. It cOULd be a gReAt lifesaver with me being self employed slow with work & having no insurance..

    ohhh..sooo tired.. but of course the burns winning the race @ 2am..

    I read that you reaLLy should bump up your calcium intake.. the body can only produce so little & it is used to digest sOO many things that 4 canned Or soda & healing a break I did grEaT, BuT with so little circulation alrady reaching our feet it makes for a horrible effect of toxins & metals in the boddy to pool there & then relieve swelling we’re always raising the leg to slow circulation & causing a junk pile with no flow to get it out just gathering there.. yUcK.. causes paINmm so those patches I got from Walgreens think they were called ‘Kiniko’ oh how BlAck those turn after having them on my feet even just 4 hours.. they feel like they are working & lOoK like it too. My friends called & his mom kNows where I can order one of those Ionizing foot baths. I keep hearing testomony that they reaLLy suk the metal & toxing right through the poors In your feet & look like little worms.. CrAzy..but I’m down, need this to heal steady as I’m adjusting my normal diet of whatever fast foods nearby lol..

    So I treated my wife of 1 year to a place called ‘Beau Vissage’, a spa where they gave us both foot bath/pedicure treatments- she got her toenails done & I had a perifin wax up over my feet & ankleswhich took longer & spoiled me that way while she was takin to go get a facial & eyebrow waxing & facial massage.. Prior to getting our feet done they had a beautiful late lunch catered with chicken ceasar salad, stuffed spinach/avacodo wraps, spiraled pasta, fresh fruit with some kind of pudding type dip yUmm.. & sparkling cider.. I had just paid them the extra to get flowrs brought in & they were amAzIngly beautiful..they were on their fance table J I said tHosE looK NiCe.. My wife agreed & I said, those are yours.. she didn’t believe me I just laughed & eventually the lady catering to us told her they were hers to keep & would be @ the front desk.. My wife was thrilled.. so after her facial we had a little rest in a break room with hot cocoa & cookies.. mind you, this entire time we were dressed down in only a robe, walking around this place relaxed.. then we had a couples massage where they had side by side full length massage tables we were on..I hoep it all worked out a lot of soar spots & my wife was in heaven.. so anniversary was nice.. Its also my BirthDay today.. lol,we never did anything for our birthdays growing up so this way Its now special ..AnS I won’t forget our anniversary date no matter how much I’m messed up from sleep deprivation..

    As a note of Drs workout orders they wanted me to ‘push myself’ today @ the gym in the morning since they heard I’d be going to spa afterwards.. So I did just that.. hit the treadmill for 22 mins.. JogGEd in 1 minute intervals with speed walking ..Or Longe stride stretches as that’s what they ReaLLy feel like.. I stretched & then we had our 15 yr old w us..he had me give him a training session on lifting.. lol.. I did everything I had him do & he was BeAt BaD!.. soar like you wouldn’t believe as I spotted him while hed lift dum bells & I would have him keep pushing even when he was bought dropping them on himself.. I did my wobble board 1st for stretching & strength & it did me greaT! we hit the hot tub,steam room, sauna & pool to top it off just right & help get stretched..
    Oh ya & last night great friends of ours had wedding reception for their daghter & we went there.. it was the 1st wedding I cried at- as I used to change this girls diapers & now she was all grown up & married..her dad & I are GooD friends & hang out a lot with their family.. so when they were all dancing… I held out my hand & took my wife to the dance floor.. u couldn’t even tELL I was a gimp for those 3.5mins.. & I dance a few times as the energy was just there.. it actually was less pressure than my workouts.. go figure..

    Ok.. going to eat soMething now.. a cow if I can find it..

    Note to self, taking wife to day at spa means she doesn’t make good on all her bed talk later..lol.. she just PasSeD out..

    til later,
    Wes

  34. Hi Lois, and all!!!

    Just a comment about travel. I’ve been able to travel a lot because of the following: I am a very adventurous person and always wondered how other people lived (probably because I grew up isolated on a farm); I always have lived on an extreme shoestring budget so I could put aside some money for travel (probably have a poverty mentality because I grew up in poverty); have a mother who is 96 and lives in CA near some other relatives so I go there at least twice a year; have other siblings in Michigan, IL, and WI, so drive there as often as we can; have relatives in Europe, where I was born; have uncles, aunts, and cousins all over the place including the Vancouver area who are post WWII immigrants as well. I’ve been so very fortunate that also I’ve been able to travel all over the world, sometimes related to professional reasons and sometimes because I never minded rugged conditions & cheap hotels.

    When I broke my ankle…after that initial period of extreme shock.. I actually became very grateful. I was grateful because I broke my ankle not far from home. I kept thinking of all those condition in those countries I’d been where it would have taken hours or days to get me to a hospital, and then that would not have been a place most people would ever want to be. I have been in very remote and dangerous places and feel I may not have even survived my broken ankle in some of those places because for 6 months I had this gapping hole that needed careful attention.

    All this being said, my ankle is much better, I now could travel again if I’d retire or possible next summer might take a big trip if I give up my current administrative job and go back to teaching. Michael, my wonderful husband– a man of grand gestures– would love to take me back to Paris, London, Rome, Istambal, etc. and stay in nice hotels (for a change). He also wants to buy me a nice new car (I’ve always been content to ride around in old non-descript things; 5-10 year old cars, and saved a lot of $ that way).

    Denver, about my husband’s greatest grand gesture. I made him promise always to check with me first before succumming to another impulse because his biggest grand gesture was when we got engaged..he had no $ but took me to eastern Eroupe. It was a love story for the movies. As for me, I am happy he loves me, wants to do all these things for me, but am content to just go out to eat or get some flower plants. He eventually found out from a psychologist that his grand gesture tendencies were neurotic. So he now is more grounded in realty and we only do what we can afford. It is our fortune that we do not have to worry right now about medical bills or mortgages. Plus, I have the skills to grow our own feed if needed, but would also have to shot some local deer and upset the neighbors.

    Cheers to everyone and be grateful for what you have.

    Always give back more than you receive.

    It has been my repeated experience, that often those who have the least, give back the most. In my travels, sad to say, I meet many many poor people..unimaginable to the average person in Noeth America. Nevertheless these people where wonderful, humble, gave of themselves, served the little they had, and didn’t complain despite illness and poverty. Always be grateful..

    Anklequest

  35. Hi Michele, nice to hear from you. A quick response,,, I am from western Canada. I think I am the only Canadian on here at present. Louise and Sandra both are from different parts of England. All of the rest, including you I suspect are from various states of the USA from coast to coast I think. I found the easiest way to get into the blog was to quickly scan through the posts, write down names, with the type of ankle break, how it happend, when, complications from, and various other details as they came out in various posts ie approx age, kids/no kids, occupation, interests, special concerns and frustrations, and approximately where everyone lived. In otherwords I tried to familiarize myself with the “characters” like you would do if you were reading a rather complicated book. I worked from that list for a few weeks before throwing it out when I felt I had formed a sort of mental picture in my head. I don’t know where either you or Wilma are from but I suspect you are both Americans. Due to the fact that you have a 16 year old I would guess that you are likely about 40, and Wilma I am guessing is between 40 and 50 due to the length of time she mentioned she had been married. Anklequest is the lucky one. She seems to get to travel and meet up with other broken ankle bloggers on this site. How fun would that be??? Anyway I have certainly found interesting, intelligent, educated, knowledgeable and just plain nice people on here. The only sad part of getting better will be that I will have little left to say. Glad you and your son are doing well, but I am sure it is all exhausting and frustrating for him. Take care,,, Lois

  36. HI! I have been without internet for a few days (the weirdest things happen in our house) because we had a little incident when trying to shampoo our own carpet (word of advice… don’t accidently dump the container of dirty water after shampooing onto your carpet). Long story short…. 3 days after doing it we had a horrible smell and dark spots popping up all through our carpet. Had to have professional cleaners in to do the carpet so had to unhook everything and move it out onto the hardwood floors. Nothing like making it even a little more tricky for my son to get around! Although, we did think to pick up all the throw rugs!

    Talked to the ortho mid week and got a note done with all the restrictions for my son and let him go back to school for a couple hours the next day. He had called me from school by 9:45 and I went to the school and picked him up… his poor toes swollen like little sausages; he couldn’t even bend them! Said the side of his leg was killing him. Took the last couple days of his foot elevated to get that swelling back down and looking a little more normal. Getting to see his friends at school though, and having everyone sooooo happy to see him, cheered him up a little though. He said he got a thousand hugs! He was pretty droopy again yesterday though. Said everyone was out doing stuff but he couldn’t “cuz he was a cripple”. We go back to the ortho on thursday and he gets his staples out… we are hoping he gets into something smaller than the giant splint/bandage thing. Although, we are getting to be pros at the tape and garbage bag trick for showers! I did take the advice given and went to the medical store to get one of those things that go over a cast for showering, but the thing he has on is too big. Will probably work for the next cast though. I am hoping we hear something positive on thursday…. his BIG sweet sixteen brithday is friday (but he can’t practice drive and can’t do Drivers Ed, so no license)and then he has Homecoming dance on Saturday! He has been living in the same 2 pairs of huge sweats for the last couple weeks (I’m sure you all remember trying to find pants that go over your cast)and now we are going to try to find black pants for the dance that will work. I told him I may have to take the stitching out of the side of leg for him to get them on and then sew him back into them! hmmmmm?? It could work, I guess!?!? Mostly though, he is in a lot better spirits than before (although he has his moments of getting down in the dumps), as long as he is sitting and has his leg up he feels good and he is becoming very self-sufficient and we are just letting him do as much for himself as he wants to do. HATES his crutches and has blisters on his palms, and is raw under his arms… he just hops around on one foot now, or scoots. All I can say is thank God for xbox live! haha! I think I have rented more video games and movies these last couple of weeks than I have ovet the last several years combined!

    I feel bad that I don’t remember the names that go with the stories yet, but to the person that had the anniversary… I hope it went really well and congratulations. I really enjoyed reading the stories of romantic things done before. 🙂 Also, to the school teacher… I hope things start working out for you better and then you can be back to “normal” in the classroom with the kids. I don’t teach now, but do have a teaching degree. I just did my student teaching a few years ago and I remember very well how attached I got to my students and them to me. It’s weird cuz you guys all know so much about each other and I just kinda picking up little things along the way, but must say…. anklequest (a name I actually know)… I get a “kick” out of your comments to people, you remind me of my favorite science teacher I had in college! Lois, thanks for asking about how we are doing! I am working on putting names with stories so can interact more… I think my problem is that when I get on to read I read a whole bunch of them at once and then stories run together. I just need to focus! ha! I have a question, it seems as if maybe not everyone here from the U.S….. is that right? Well, I hope that everyone has a wonderful rest of the weekend and continues to feel better every day! Thanks for letting me share in your experiences with you!

  37. Hi All!

    Trac – great news on the PT! Keep at it. Love you’re analogy of climbing the mountain. It is absolutely perfect and just how you need to view this entire process. Your mountain is higher than mine for sure, but I have confidence you will get there and it will be worth it. And I’m so glad you can get your meds from the pharm companies….great advice. I feel lucky to have such great health insurance. I’m happy to have my full price meds cover the cost of those who need a little help. I just got the bill for my 4 days in the hospital – $54,000. Astonishing. I only paid $200 of that. Amazing.

    Hi Liz – you sound like you’re doing great! I can’t wait to hear that you’ve made it back to work. Kinda amazing that they won’t accommodate you, given that your injury happened at school. Again, I didn’t realize how lucky I am to have the support of my co-workers and boss. Being able to work from home for 6 weeks made a huge difference for me and my mental state. The depression and boredom would have been a lot worse without my work to distract me. That said, I am still trying to do less and protect my PT time and time with my family. While I am getting some of my life back, I want to be sure to take the lessons i’ve learned and keep them active. No more being busy all the time!

    Liz, you also asked about the phonophoresis. My Dr. said it was ok, but the PT won’t do it. They disagree. So, I’m not getting it, but I’m not sure it matters much at this point. While it would be great to have the ligaments heal faster, it’s really just a matter of patience and hard work at this point.

    Denver – Happy Anniversary. So sorry the RSD is so awful. Diane seems to know the story and has good advice. I can’t imagine the pain. I finally feel like my pain is limited to certain times of the day and manageable, so I can only imagine your frustration. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the Lyrica helps.

    My update – I saw my Ortho yesterday. All is looking good. The x-rays were perfect, my plate is titanium, and he took me out of my boot and into an aircast and tennis shoes. And I’m FINALLY allowed to drive! Yahoooo. I am free again and no longer dependent on everyone to get me and the kids where we need to go. That is the best feeling right now! I’m still going to have my helper come to babysit while I go to PT and help out with shopping etc. – I like her and she needs the job, and I think I could use a little time with a lighter load around the house. So, we will continue to employ her a few hours a week. And my job is to continue to heal, learn to walk better, and finally get rid of the crutches. I’m not there yet – still using one most of the time. I guess I have to build back up the muscles in the right leg first.

    Pam and Liz – a question about the metal plate and aircast – or anyone who’s had the same. The end of my plate is really poking out of my skin on the fibula. I mean, it’s under my skin, but presses up and out so you can see it under the skin, so when I wear the aircast, it’s rubbing it. Boy does it hurt! I think that means the metal will need to come out, but that’s not until January or February. What do I do in the mean time? How do you alleviate that rubbing while still wearing the proper support? Arrrggg. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. In all actuality, this does hurt, but it’s so minimal compared to those first 6 weeks. It may slow me down, but it will not stop me!

    The other great news is that the surgeon will not even discuss the 2nd and 3rd ligament surgeries until I am totally healed and he can evaluate the nature of the remaining damage. He said he would need serious evidence that the mortise would open under stress to be willing to go in and do the ligament surgery, or he wound not consider it. So, that means I need to get good and strong and prove that I can keep my ankle safe. If I can do that, I can avoid going through it all over again. And I will definitely get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on that as well before I jump into any additional surgery (other than metal removal). So for now, I’m back to PT 2x per week for at least another month and trying to get the walking down without crutch.

    A funny thing – I went back to the site of my accident last night – in the parking lot of our local shopping center. It still makes me a little queazy to see it and to remember lying on the ground in pain, but the flashbacks of the actual break have finally subsided. Those really bothered me for a good 2 months after I fell. I can still re-live it if I think hard enough about it, but it’s nowhere near as bothersome. Was talking to a therapist friend who says it’s a form of PTSD to replay the trauma over and over. I’m just glad it’s mostly gone now.

    Ok all, gotta run to a lacrosse team picnic this afternoon and I need to bake a dessert to bring with us. I’m thrilled to be able to do stand in the kitchen and so it. Never thought I would get here, but here I am. It does happen. Take good care and enjoy a nice weekend. I’m thinking of you all – Lois, Louise, Don, Anklequest, Michele, … and others I may have missed. Good thoughts to you all.

    Cheers,
    Lee

  38. WES…

    Be patient with the Lyrica…and the RSD if it is what you have. It takes 2+ weeks for the full effects of Lyrica to work. It usually works better than Neurontin. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it relieves the aching and burning sensation. Just give it time. You might get a couple side effects…but they will lessen as your body adjusts. It is soooo worth it to give it a fair trial.

    Lyrica is very very expensive…as you have probably found out. Costco pharmay has the biggest discount. Maybe you have health insurance that will pay for it…most companies won’t.

    Pain is not your friend with rsd…be careful with the PT..be gentle…but do it. PT, Lyrica, and pain relief are some of the most common and first line of defense for RSD.

    For some of you other folks reading this, RSD is the most painful condition/disease there is…rated even higher than amputation without anesthesia.

    http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?PAGE_ID=3&PGCT_ID=2465

    I broke my ankle in Dec. 2007, started reading this forum soon after. I have learned alot here, and have envied how fast some of you have healed and got on with life. It is a daily struggle with RSD.

    Wes: Be patient…I know not the easiest for us A++ personalities. Be kind to your injury, and yourself. I am making progress, and live a mostly normal active life, work is hard on a hay/cattle farm. I am out there every day. Sometimes I don’t see progress day to day…or even week to week…but looking back over the long haul, I am impressed how well I am doing now, as compared to that God-awful screaming pain when RSD first started.
    You will do yourself no favor pushing the limits of PT, or pain. RSD will get a hold on you, and not let go. Take it easy, but stay comfortably active.

    Wes, be informative about rsd…read and read about it on the interet….however, read it with positive thoughts, and know you will get better. I have 3 RSD friends who are active and healthy after long recoveries. One just finished a 9 mile hike into one of our regional lakes, the other plays volleyball. Oh, and they are 62 and 73 years old respectively. They have encouraged me to give it time, time, time. And they are right. 9 months down the line I am making huge improvements. You will too…Chin up, but watch that step !!

    Diane

  39. Hi Michele, we haven’t heard from you for a few days. How is your son doing and how are you coping? Hope all is well.

    Hi Denver Wes, Happy Anniversary. Just make sure you tell your wife how much you appreciate her. No woman likes anything better than to know that she is truly appreciated.

    Hi Wilma, I should have indicated that the bucket beside the tub contains the COLD water, and the tub the warm/hot water. I think I implied that but I was not very clear. Like you, this is my first break, and it sounds like we both broke our fibula’s (the thinner of the two bones. The one on the outside of your leg?). I broke mine off where it joins the heel bone, and split it vertically about four times, sending bone shards throughout my ankle. I have some sort of circular stainless steel plate and six screws. Also like you, I was grossed out and in shock so asked no questions at the time, and just wanted them to “fix” me. I just did not want to hear about it. Isn’t it ever just so hard to slow down, when you’re used to be active and independent. I just HATED being dependent on anyone, and I just railed against it. I also laughed at your “fib”.
    I also had fibbed about how I broke mine, which really surprised me because I am not a fibber and instead am a very honest person… perhaps sometimes just too bluntly honest actually. About the only time in my life that I have allowed myself to fib has been if it meant savings someone else from hurt feelings. But I did fib to the guy putting my cast on. Then told him the truth afterward because I shocked myself with my big bs story.

    So, lol… it seems that we bloggers have three things in common. Broken ankles, the tendency to get quite depressed while in a cast, and the tendency to lie about how we broke our ankles. Go figure. ..too funny.

    Hello and Happy Saturday to EVERYONE. Lois

  40. Hellooooooooooooo!!!

    Well, doing my nightly check-in. First of all, I’d just like to say…nope…did not win at disabled poker…loser all around. HA!

    Liz, I showed my PT the crutch, she hadn’t heard of it before and was excited to see it. It will not work for me, as my knee is not healed enough, but she said to tell you thank you, because she has a couple of people she wants to show it to. So, Thank You Liz!

    Denver Wes, You will have a great Anniversary — I’m sure your wife is thankful to see you making it, even if it is slowly. I will send good blessings yours and your family’s way…

    Oh, and on a good note? Today we did new measurements, I have only 15 more degrees of extension to go before they think I should be able to go full weight on my ankle, and next week we will start on the stationary bike, she wants to teach me how to pedal using my hip. So, thank you for your advice, all of you — I’m beginning to think it was a good idea to prolong the amputation for another attempt.

    And, for those of you struggling financially with medication and supplies — http://www.rxassist.org/ is a good place to start. I get all of my medication free right now (and it is pricey) through the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture them. All it took was a simple form, a signature from my doctor and faxing it over. I had a 3 month supply quickly. And, when I need more, I simply call when I start on the third month and they send it out to my home. I don’t think it works w/narcotics, however — for obvious reasons. And, also, I got all of my home health care equipment on loan (for $15 a yr — refundable when I return it, but I do not need to return it) from an organization called Presbyterian Outreach. I called them today to check to see if they are located all over. He told me that they are in many places around the country. And, he believes every city has a “loan closet” for medical supplies. So, check to see if your city has one, they are a great help.

    I hope this helps. But, please, do not be afraid to apply to the pharma companies, they have more than enough money set aside to help, and I like to think I am using their money rather than taxpayers. HA!

    Okay,
    keep healing!
    trac

  41. P.S. LEE, I’ve been meaning to ask, did you ever start the ultrasound/phonophoresis treatments? How is that going?

    Oh, and I actually found out that the spot where my PT had been doing the ultrasound does NOT have metal. I have a small incision in that area and I was certain my doctor had said that he put a screw there, but I asked him on my last visit and he said no, all of the metal is on the outer side of my right ankle (the fibula I believe), but none on the inner side of the ankle. So no worries of cooked meat for me! lol

    Take Care,
    Liz

  42. Anklequest, I wish our adminstration had the same views on dress code as you. We are required to dress professionaly… no denim jeans, no tennis shoes. The only day we can wear jeans and tennis shoes is once a month on pay day (it’s our “dress down” day). I never wear heels, but always wore comfortable sandals or slides. The topic of tennis shoes actually came up this year during pre-planning I was told, and several teachers tried using me as an example as to why tennis shoes should be allowed (saying that if I had been wearing tennis shoes my accident may have been prevented, which I don’t believe, but nonetheless teachers used this to argue the no tennis shoe policy). Our principal stuck by it though and said no tennis shoes. I’m sure it won’t be a problem for me since she knows my situation and I’m still in a brace, but I’d like to have it in writing from the doctor just in case anyone ever questions it.

    Haha WILMA, love the little white lie you told. I need to come up with an interesting story to tell too. My “I slipped on water in my classroom” story is so boring. lol It’s great that you have such a supportive husband through all of this. I don’t know what I would have done without my parents! You definitely need someone to lean on during this recovery. Sounds like your hubby is GREAT! 🙂

    Well, I just got home from shopping. I was on my feet for about 4 hours and the bottom of both of my feet are killing me. My ankle held up well, just a little nagging pain in that one spot that’s always given me problems. I’m going to go kick off my shoes and prop my feet up. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

    Happy Anniversary DENVER. Don’t worry, your wife will understand if you don’t have an elaborate day planned with all that you’ve been going through. She’ll probably just be happy to get spend some quality time with you. Get a sitter for the kids and just enjoy each other’s company. I don’t know, I’m not nearly as creative as you are with the ideas. lol
    Have fun whatever you decide to do.

    Have a Safe Weekend Everyone,
    Liz

  43. trac & Denver, i am so sorry your journey is so difficult, it breaks my heart. I will be praying for you two, and also all the others on this site. I just really don;t know what to say, I’m such a newbie at all this, tears are runnig down my face as I am writing this, I am so moved with compassion for all of you, you have all aready been so giving and kind, & encouraging.
    I have never been sick or injured before, so this is all new for me. I’ve always been full of energy,and basically invincable. In my personal situation i feel God is using this time to slow me down and become more aware of the things (that of course aren’t really things , are they?) I have a whole new perspective on not being able to walk etc, but especially how many people are struggling with real issues other than what to buy next or where to travel to. It’s like the old saying about realizing everyone is fighting some sort of battle, so be nice to them. Anyway enough about that, I just have to say how totally blessed i am to have such a great husband. He has been such a rock for me, he is so good to help me get around & cart the wheelchair around & then push me around(it the chair i mean lol) We’ve been married 28 yrs and he is my best friend, and now I call him the “love slave..”
    I do have something i figured out that maybe will help someone. Our bathrooms have sliding glass doors so it is an acrobatic manuever to get into the tub. I foldup barstool ($10. at Walmart)really lightweight, has a vinyl seat. It’s about 30″ tall. I put it next to tub and step with good leg onto rubber tub mat grabbing sliding door & bar in tub. Then I can 1 hand stool into tub, just reverse it to get out. I love showers 7 it’s nice because the height is almost like standing. Of course I tape trash bag ove cast too.
    Liz I will be praying for your job situation, thats so tough, thank you for your advice too.
    Lois thanks for the “bucket info” I am soooo ready to get this thing off my leg & get started back
    I did have a little fun today, we went to Bikes, Blues & BBQ (2nd only to Sturgis) & my lover boy wheeled me all around. With my neon pink cast embellished w/ swarovski crystals, gold butterfly & fluer de lis’ I had lots of questions about how I broke whatever…so… i explained how I was drag racing on slightly wet pavement going around a sharp corner and laid the bike over on my leg…we don’t own/ride a bike ha ha love to you all

  44. Ok, so after these first couple notes here this entries going to get long.. So I apologize in advance, but PLEASE read as I am in GReaT NEED of YOUR HELP.. My other friends have all been so active that they are no help & YOU are my best friends I can turn to for IdeAs..

    Anklequest,
    You’re a tough one… I like that.
    I ve been doing as the Drs have said. ‘work out this many hours,do this do that, get blood flowing, try this medicine,let me know if it works next couple days, try that medicine, let me know if it works(theyve even started giving me samples because they aren’t sure bout what to do & I told them I’m racking up a rOOm fULL of meds Ill never use & will have to register myself to open up a pharmacy here sOOn) they’ve had me do days of rest, late night work outs’.. So I’ve gotten ‘rest’ in the sence of pushing myself or working out, I PromIse.. Actually they found when I work out My body reacts better to everything. I told them, sUre it does..lol its the fact that I’m so beat that I can’t move enough to stay awake in pain. They had some real good ideas the other day, its just 2 of them went real south last night & there was nowhere to go. I neVEr go 2 the ER.. but was ready to jump out a window.. (i thought bout saying cutting it off,but from what I ve read, if this Is RSD it just spreads & wouldn’t matter anyway..sorry,thats probably bad humor..but every1 @ one point or anorther here probably wondered if they’d be better that way)
    Which reminds me, LIZ that device you found looks awsome.. I don’t know how many times I’d be hopping around on one leg cause the two were just too slow & the hands weren’t free. Thank you guys for the prayers, I feel them.

    Drs having my wife pick up Lyrica (dont know bout spelling,haven’t gottin it yet) They think it will work better than the neurotin..YA..heard that about 10x already..lol..
    So I will let you know what IS working though..
    A Dr turned me onto this book. Its written by a Dr who found the source of aLL illnesses & diseases & through studies wound up basically curing EveRy1 & so other Drs were getting upset at her methods & started bringing her to court til sh finally had enough & left the country were the government wasn’t dictating her & she could continue to help people heal. Anyway, she narrowed down everything to 2 problems everyone has
    (i was going to write them inhere but the books downstairs & I’m not ready to get out of bed yet)

    Working on our bodies balance level literally has & does cure people. The explanations are astounding. You’d have to see it for yourself to believe it. I heard my dad reading to me & it sounded like ‘bla,bla,bla,bla’ til I started reading & even though theres some dificult termonology, It really made simple sence. Like for example it was talking about the maximum amount of calcium the body can produce in a day & how surtain foods or beverages contain an ingredient that can not be digested or go through the kidneys without the body mixing it w calcium. In which case we lose a surtain amount through the process. Now that in & of itself meant nothing to me, until I read how MuCh calcium was needed & that the body can’t provide enough as its not stored up anywhere other than our bones & how that then becomes where it comes from to digest properly..Us not noticing as kids because we have so much energy & our bodies are still growing & have stuff to spare. However because the bodies taking away over time the joints become weaker & bones so on & so forth. She talked about the acurate Ph Levels of a human & how to test & even bring the test or have your very own Dr do it for you & how to be able to tell daily how much your body is rejuvinating orrr how much the body is deteriorating. She shows test where reversal comes from getting the levels back on track, showing its not about being a vegetarian or a meatatarian, but rather watching the levels of what we take in. Not even doing eVerything at once, but adding a step here or there & noticing the difference & continually being more aware.
    Anyway, they said try these patches (found them @ local drug store) that go on your feet @ night & pulls toxins out of your body that have collected in the farthest extremity of your body. So just before I fInalLy laid down last night I put one on (after tHOrOughly cleaning feet even w peroxide to the point of VeRy clean),even used one of those scrubbing brushes w the foot file etc OwWy!) this morning you wouldn’t believe how BLACk it was w fragments of MeTaL! thought I was going to throw up.. little in shock. going to find me a good foot bath cleaner deal now.. one that isn’t necessarily ultra sound waves that would cook my leg 😉 but possibly something that does have a steady vibration? or something that says ‘removes toxins’? My Wifes bosses wife (lol figure that one out & Ill throw yous some red neck cousin jokes 😉
    ) anyhow, she had a therapy session or treatmen of some sort & whatever that foot thing was that they did on her, after she was vErY clean to begin with anyway, they showed her the bottom of the foot container & there were fragments of metal..lol..FigUre that one out..
    They say our feet are where it all eventually pools & if circulation gets poor, it can deffinately cause problems.. they are reversible & that where I’m at now. This therapy seems to be slowly improving things, we’ll see. but those lidocain patches & that dole whateverit was patch that was supose to reduce swelling was NOT a good Idea..
    Anyway. TrAC, you hang in there.. I do the rollercoaster too. I have so much energy inside me & keep channeling it into this with analogies too. then sometimes sit & just cry..so goes the life of an ankle breaker.
    DoN really inspires me & CLarK actually lifts my spirits too.. I kick myself in the a$$ with my good foot seeing all they have & keEp going through & find myself greatful & praying for them rather than me.. I hope Clarks doing alright.. haven’t heard from him in a while =(

    New Delima=
    My 1 year Anniversary is tommorow…
    …I’ve never been married before… I have a little money to spend.. I’m used to doing so Much =).. but am crippled,in pain & unable to think clearly to pull myself together to pull something off. Dinner & Flowers seems so… how do you spell that word?? cliché? well..you know what I’m trying to say.. I love doing neat fun amazingly impressive stuff. Its not always expensive.. just really well thought out & from the heart.
    Example- Valentines when we were dating she came by my house while I was @ work about feb 1st or so & snuck in, covered my dresser w all these little candy hearts with the sayings,blew up about 20 balloons or so,tied them to the bed canopy,covered bed with balloons,the master bathroom,wrote on both my dresser mirror & bathroom mirror with lipstICK (nOt easy to clean off fyi), had rose pedals going from downstairs all the way to the room & all over the bed & floor (silk pedals so I saved them), sprayed her PerFUmE on my bed & piLLoWs! (ThaT made it hARd to sleep,cause she couldn’t be there that night), then when I moved the balloons & rose pedals to go to bed there was a note & lingirie that said, ‘do you want to see me in this?’ & when I pulled back the covers (if you don’t think you can handle this next part then you may want to turn away..because it may make you blush..lol) there was another note that said,’or would you like to see me in this?’ &there was a silk scarf & fuzzy handcuffs…lol sheS reaLLy NOT like that so it made it hILarioUs to say the least.
    Example- I in return on actual valentines day, went to her house. Just for quick setting, she had my sister help her decorate my room & when I said I wOuLd get her back, she said ‘My house is Ft Knocks,aint gonna happen’.. little did she remember that I was the one that helped her move in & the Landlord was there fixing things & actually gave aLL the keys for the house to ME.. lol.. she mustve not thought I had been planning sOme kind of surprise.. I thought it would be a proposal surprise but this was just TOO good to pass up..
    So I called sis who KnEw I had this key & was waiting for the perfect moment to do SOmeThiNg & when she picked up her phone she said,’i KnoW I kNoW I’m in trouble:( I said you now get to help ME 😉 So I rented a HUGE HeLiUM tank & got a thousand balloons, confetti, streamwrs, glitter, toilet paper..(you get the picture 😉 I bought myself time by saying I was not feeling well & whenever shed call to check on me I’d lay my head on her pillow & answer the phone so I sOunded like I was laying in bed 🙂 we shoved glitter in eVERy balloon as we filled her room with 3 layers of balloons from the ceiling down & I had sis blow up all the balloons that were going to sit on the floor.. we streamered the room, TPed the entire inside of the house, I even found the lipstick with sharp edges that shEd used on my mirrors & returned the favor lol..well, I wrote around the outsides so she could still see in the mirror, unlike shed done on mine, I put the rose pedals all over going to the room, had an inflatable valentine heart that held a giant banner that said ‘be my valentine’ & the bed was covered with balloons & a stuffed bear.. The stuffed bear had a not in his hands that read, ‘I dindt see a thing’ & he was blindfolded with the scarf shed left on my bed & his hands were handcuffed with the fuzzy cuffs shed left also 😉
    Of course before we started this whole thing we made a 10second text video. Sister used my phone to record me standing by her bed in her room with my arm rasting up on the HUGE helium tank & sucking the helium out of a balloon & w a chipmunk voice I said,’So NoBody can gEt iNtO Ft Knocks,’ I smiled & raised the key up to the video,’uNLeSS yoU haVe ThE KEY!!!’ we both started laughing so hard, me in my chipmunk helium impared voice..
    after we finished ‘the job’ I sent the msg to her computer. I knew at the time that she couldn’t view my cell phone videos,but she worked with a bunch of computer junkies & I made it a fun puzzle. I attached a note that she could read,”YoUre kids are on there way home, you have about 15minutes to decode this msg to find out jusT wHaT they’re gOiNg tO sEe 😉 & you can GeT help from friends to find the right softwre to view this,don’t worry,its rated G” (I dId reverse the doornob on her master bathroom door so the kids couldn’t get into her room) oh ya, & I tore pieces of toilet paper about 2 or 3 @ a time and shoved them into eVeRy article of clothing she owned..& she is a woman who has a LOT of clothes 😉 to this day, 2.5 years later she STiLL finds bits of confetti or toilet paper in things.
    Example- How I proposed- I had finally paid off the ring I was getting her & had it for about a month trying to put together the proposal. Just up the road about 12mins into the mtns there is a beaUtiful valley where thay have horse stalls & a horse arena. I set it up so I could borrow one of there beautiful blond horses with even more beautiful blonde maine & tail. The horse & I got to be friends & over the course of a couple of weeks I had taken one of the riding helmets & crafted a Knites helmet out of cut pieces of cardboard, duct tape & aluminum.. You wouldn’t believe it if I showed You.. it looked so much like the real thing & even had a functioning liftable face guard. Once it looked good I went over the entire thing w aluminum duct tape (that stuff is awesome) & it made the effect REAL good. I rented a costume that was decked out Knites wear & even had the ‘chain mail’ (not sure I spelled that right) that I wore over my head where only my eyes could be seen when I had the helmet off. I attached a swade pouch to my roped belt & bought a rEaL sword off of craigs list to make this as real looking as possible.. I went up & got the horse used to all the gear (by the way, in Colorado in December,its reAL beautiful, but ReaL muddy around horses so aLL the WhIte horses looked GROSS & dirty,that’s why we used the blonde one). My other sister mentioned to my asooned to be wife that she had a friend who does hair & wanted to braid her hair renasaunce (bad spelling aGaIn sorry) style for her portfolio. Laureen thought that was amazing & my sister said, the only problem is I recently cut my hair so she can’t do much with it. Of course now Laureen volunteered & thought this was HeR idea..lol.. So she went over & they met up where she braided her hair in a beautiful renesaunce style & said we have to go just up the road into the valley where we can take some beautiful pictures for my portfolio. So they wound up w the horses & in the mtns & Laureen was just posing here & there & finally they went to the arena where there were about 10 people riding around doing jumps etc.. & our hair stylist friend walked her right into the arena where she then saw this Knight riding up.. Laureen was thinking,’thats cool,he must be practicing for something’.. then I rode up,dismounted the horse & our friend just walked up close enough that Laureen figured, ‘oh,she must know him,that’s cool’ (these aren’t my guesses, she really told us all her exact thoughts after the fact) I was about 10- 15 feet away from Laureen as I took off my helmet & still had the black sleeve over my head & face w the chain mail covering still all but my eyes.. I reached over my shoulder, drew my sword (ya, I had to practice that one..lol its a LOT harder than it looks, the sword was so long that my arm reach couldn’t clear its sheeth lol..but I figured it out) I then luNGed the sword into the ground between us (& was saying to myself the entire time, ‘please stick,please stick please stay!’ lol) It stood there & Laureen was thinking WOw!that’s awesOme! I then grabbed the chain mail & black sleeve & pulled them down as if in a movie where the hero finally reveals himself, her eyes got big & she was caught WaY off guard! she couldn’t put the pieces together fAsT enough as I reached into a small pouch going down on one knee her eyes started to tear up & she kept thinking No,he isn’t ,He DiDn’t,he’s joking,he’s just kidding.. then I pulled the ring box out, opened it & said, “can I be your Knight for all time & eternity?” she walked up & was crying & so shakey and indisbelief that she was trying to figure out how to get it on her hand right.. (i dID get it sized right too hehe..tHAt’s was a little Mission Impossible to get the promise ring & bring it to get sized JUUuuuSst right).. She had me get to my feet & just hunged me.. I pulled back & said, sooo,you didn’t give an answer?..she said, yes I did!:) I just can’t hardly speak.. & HoW?WHeN?I had No cLue?! just then she realized I had other friends there hiding watching her w a video camera as she got there.
    Sooo tHat’s Me.. & last Valentines day I took her to a hot tub cottage in the mtns to get away..& don’t know WhAt tO do being so lost in this recovery I’m trying not to short change her or belittle how happy I am that weve been married now for a year.

    ?????

    Ideas

    ???? I’m a dreamer & willing to try just about anything (she won’t sky dive otherwise tHATd be fun lol.. we have a sky diving indoor air chamber pkace nearby Hahehe)
    anyway.. what would you do if you were ME?
    Anniversary’s tomorrow.. tic toc =(

    Wes

  45. Denver,
    Perhaps if you totally stop all your activities for a few days your pain will diminish. You push yourself far to much physically IMO. What is the point of it? All that pushing doesn’t gain you anything in the long run and in the short run causes more pain.

    Trac,
    It’s so great you can see the mountaintop!!!! Keep hiking but give yourself a good rest with those poker games from time to time.

    Lois,
    I basically agree with your perceptions about health care. Studies have shown much of our US health care $ ends up in the hands of lawyers and health care coorporations and in the end, we all pay more for health care than you guys pay across the border. It is only by luck that I hardly had to pay anything, although I did buy crutches, pay for transport, and of course, all the drug store items.

    Liz,
    Lots of things about your situation has been very distrubing to me. I’ve spend a lifetime in education, school boards, administration, etc. and still serve on the board of a state agency that dispenses millions to education. I’ve been in lots of discussions about dress codes, etc. but at no time have I ever heard of a teacher who could not wear sports shoes or running shoes if they needed to. To the contrary, teachers cannot/should not wear heels and open shoes, if anything, especially working with disabled children. Where do you live anyway? How about some common sense here. But this shoe thing is the smallest of your problems. How about taking or requesting an extension of your medical leave if needed? These are contractual issues but often there are ways this can be done informally if you have a good administration. They can work out trade offs, like you work a few weeks in the summer, etc. I’ve bent over backwards for people trying such things. I gave one of my employees 2 years once(for naught, as it turned out–she became very bitter, hired an attorney, so we did not hire her back). If you show greed and show up with an attorney as some do, forget it. I wouldn’t budge an inch then. Just some thoughts.

    Good Luck Everyone!

    Anklequest

  46. DENVER, I’m so sorry to hear the burning is so bad. I was hoping it had eased up a bit since you hadn’t mentioned it the past few days. I hope this new prescription will help and I hope they can figure out what the cause is. I know it must be so frustrating, not being able to pay for treatment you KNOW you need and on top of that having to support and feed a family, all while in pain, lack of sleep, and a job that keeps cutting your hours. *sigh* I wish there was something I could do to help.

    TRAC, I’ll be curious to know what your PT says about the hands-free crutch. I immediately thought of you when I saw it. It looked a little difficult to use, but according to the testimonials on the site you get used to it quickly. Anyway, let us know what PT says. I love your analogy of the backpacking trip. You WILL get to the top of this mountain and sit back to enjoy the view. Just keep “hoping and working” as you said, and mark every little step of progress. We’ll be here for you on those teary nights ahead. 🙂

    ~Liz

  47. Wes,
    I’m with you on the financial, just in my case, I am single w/o any family to care for, and that helps. But, I know how much more stress the $$ can add to everything. I wish I could offer you some insight into how to deal with it, I really do. Hang in there. And, thank goodness you have a supportive family.

    Liz,
    Thank you for that link — it is very interesting. And, I am showing it to my PT tomorrow. Open to any new thing that can help. Tired of sitting on my bum in a wheelchair…

    You know, life does throw you down some remarkable paths. Never did I guess that at 39, I’d be single, living out of my mom’s living room in a senior citizen retirement village and be the least active one around with a big ole Macy Day Balloon sized foot,improperly lodged fibula and organically fused ankle, waiting to hear if I got disability, just so that I can pay for a nice shiny leg — and more surgeries. But, I also didn’t guess that I would ever find a really cool site like this to help. Especially since this time last year, I was laid up in a very dirty nursing home with an external fixator in my leg and metal hanging out of both ankles and my arm. So, I’ve decided, thanks to reading and all of your support, that I’m going to start looking at this like one of my backpacking trips. When I was backpacking in Alaska, there was this trail, I just knew I couldn’t get up, it was hard, my pack seemed to weigh more than it started out as, and I hurt, and sometimes my packing buddies were along side me, sometimes they were ahead, sometimes they fell behind, yet always within shouting distance. And, I just knew I had to make it to the top of the mountain, it would be worth it! And, oh, was I right! It was beautiful and exhilarating, and I was exhausted and elated all in one fell swoop. I took off my pack and sat down to relax. I turn 40 next June, and I will reach the top of this trail by then. At which point I will sit back, relax, excited, exhausted and oh, will it be worth it!
    So, yea, I may not be able to literally backpack right now — but I can figuratively, you know?
    Okay, off to bed, have two hours of therapy tomorrow and then off to play “disabled” poker. A group of disabled folk who get together to whine, complain, and just take each other’s money while laughing (actually, it is very little money, we all have medical costs…hee hee).

    Okay, just wanted to share the change of spirit with you — although I’m sure there are many more frustrations and teary nights ahead…

    Peace,
    trac

  48. Sorry,coudnt evn finish last msg.

    drove around til 1am.. so bad I hobled n2 ER…
    They cleaned it w peroxide 2 get remnants of patch cleaned out & Dr found that the Rx for Neurotin was right..however,it was nowhere near the required minimum dose. He showed it to me right in a book & had me write down new dose & wrote me an Rx for the proper size pills for when I run out of the old ones.

    I had picked up detox pads from walgreens before going by there. Lots of reading shows lots of build up already pools in feet & toes. Going with so minimul circulation on top of that has me willing to try.

    Til later..
    Wes

  49. Ok… I’m fried..
    any1 got a hack saw??

    aside from the fact that I can barely squeeze a little over a couple hundred dollars together from family & every treatment 1st requires Dr eval & payment of 250-350 just to say “hi” you got another 100 for any treatment. None of them are willing to do discounts or payments & if its RSD they’re telling me the cort shot wouldn’t work right anyway & if I get the thermogram.. Oh I can’t even think strait anymore in 10x more pain burning than b4. tried lidocane, hurts, burns more (not good) tried diclofenac epolamine patch & burns like hell.. they Rxed me the Lidocane patches but they’re over $230 OUCH! stuck between a rock and a hard place & 3 weeks fighting to get more than 1.5hrs sleep.. sigh.. so burnt out & in tears w no idea what to do & hands getting shakier & shakier unable to do work more and more..
    even detoxing body trying EvErythINg..
    🙁
    Wes

  50. I found the neatest “crutch” when searching for something else online today.

    TRAC, for some reason I immediately thought of you when I saw it. Is this something that could possibly help you get around a little easier for the time being?

    http://www.iwalk-free.com/home.html

  51. Lois & Trac… I’m discouraged about work too. The problem is that the doctor’s work release says “sitting only” and there is no way I could teach my class sitting only… it wouldn’t be fair to my students or my paraprofessionals. Now, I know that I could stand and walk and help as tolerated, but since the release from the doctor says “sitting only” that is all the principal can expect from me and as a new principal I know she worries about liability and such. She wouldn’t even let me come to a faculty meeting during pre-planning in my wheelchair, because the doctor had not released me to be at the school. I understand her position, but at the same time, it’s like, I KNOW I can do it without hurting myself! I guess it’s just a matter of getting the doctor to lessen my restrictions and I should be able to go back with no problems. Luckily I have been on Workman’s compensation during this ordeal so I’m still getting a modest paycheck. My main worry now is that the 12 weeks of Family and Medical Leave is about to run out. I don’t forsee them rushing off to hire someone new, but they would have that option if they wanted to. I am just ready to get back and into a normal routine again. I’ll make sure that the doctor puts that I should be allowed to wear tennis shoes. We’ve never been allowed to wear them but surely they will make an exception for me.

    Trac, it’s totally understandable for you to have bouts of depression, anxiety, and anger. You have had a major life change. I know what you mean about feeling “left behind.” After the first month or so of my injury the cards, phone calls, and encouraging emails gradually stopped. It’s like people were saying, “Shouldn’t you be better by now?” At times I felt forgotten by my friends, especially being so far away from them. I guess that’s the same with any injury or loss. Even when you have a death in the family, people send cards, flowers, and food the first week or so, and then it’s as if everything’s forgotten. Everyone returns to their normal lives, except for the person who lost their mom, daughter, sister, or best friend… their pain continues. I think that is the lesson I have learned in all this… to be more aware of people’s feelings and to reach out to people who are hurting. Even just a simple greeting card can make a difference. I know I got a card in the mail last week from one of my Kickboxing instructors at the gym. It meant alot just knowing that I was missed and thought about.

    Only you will know when and if you should amputate. If you feel like you’re making progress with the walking, keep at it and see where it leads. I think that was good advice your doctor gave you… to give this therapy your whole-hearted effort and see where it leads, and do a lot of soul searching in the meantime. Noone else can know what it feels like to be in your position. I know I certainly can’t pretend to imagine, but I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I believe in the power of prayer.

    Well, On another note, I received an email from my former principal yesterday (the principal I had my first year of teaching and worked under for the past three years, and who I loved). He had been having back problems and turns out that he has kidney and bone cancer. The bone cancer has spread to various parts of the body. Please pray for him and his family. His wife is a cancer survivor as well.

    Till Later,
    Liz

  52. I remain completely amazed at you Americans. Our Canadian health care system is far from perfect and has been getting worse over the years, due to the growing and aging population but at least we are covered for these kinds of costs. I just cannot imagine having financial worries on top of the rest of it. I was even given free crutches at the hospital and red cross loaned a wheelchair, walker bath seat etc for no cost (a donation if you wanted). The only things I paid for at all out of pocket were prescription drugs and half of the physio. Then I reclaimed the drugs and the half of physio that the government didn’t pay from an extended medical plan that I pay about $100 per month for. That plan also pays for my eyeglasses and contact lenses. So all I really ended up paying was about $20 for a cane… which I probably could have borrowed from red cross as well. And yet with it all you guys just stay so positive.

    I am not sure what our labour rules are up here, but I am quite certain that I could not would not have been in any sort of position to lose my job if I had still been working and not retired. I worked for the federal government. My earned sick leave benefits might have run out,,, it would have depended how many I had saved… but when they were up I might have had to apply for a disability pension or something, but I do not think that they could have terminated my employment. They would have had to have official documented grounds in order to let me go. Such as that I was incompetant or something. I think only if I had working for some very small organization, like serving burgers in macdonald’s or something could they have just terminated me, and even at that I think it would have been questionable under the labour code. In many ways, I think we Canadians just don’t always appreciate how lucky we are.

    Trac,,, as long as you are making progress, DO NOT have that surgery. I think they think you ARE making progress,,, or they would not have you up and walking. Fourteen months is not that long at all when facing a serious decision like that. And… I think you ARE making progress. As you said… hope and work. …. and take care. Lois

  53. thanks, Lois!

    Yea, I was thinking the same thing about Liz — that makes me angry, too. I think it is fantastic that she wants to get back to work, and we don’t have enough people out there working with special needs populations. Of all people to understand and accommodate, you would think they would…I thought it was bad enough when my organization (a very well known national public health non-profit) “phased out” my position, so that they would no longer have to pay my benefits. But, a teacher? My dad was a teacher, and when he was forced to retire due to health, it was so hard for him. Liz, I hope you get back into the classroom — but another question, don’t they have to help you out under the ADA? Well, I hope the best for you. As I do everyone.

    And, thanks for the comments about the paraolympians. The main people in my life want me to go ahead and amputate (which, I understand, they want me up and around), but, I keep seeing progress — slow, but progress nonetheless, so — and most of you have said it has been 2 or more years — and it has only been 14 mos for me.

    Oh, and Wilma, I live in a city of medium size (Omaha,NE) and I have found that at least one hospital has financial aid, where you can apply for help covering your costs (w/o having to pay it back). If you live in a city with more than one hospital, I would call and check with their billing to see if they have a financial aid program. Also, if there is a teaching hospital, they often can offer help. Medical costs are terrible. I know. Prayers to you, I hope you find some help.

    have a good day, everyone –
    trac

  54. Trac, up and walking??? GOOD FOR YOU. That is HUGE. One thing I love about this site, is that we CAN admit to depression, frustration, anger or tears and everyone just simply understands. But in our daily lives it’s different. There we just all try to put on our brave faces. I think the fact that they have you up and walking is a very positive sign that they expect good things for you. So yes, hope and work as you said. Someday, you will be doing it all, or most of it anyway one way or another. I don’t know if you watched any of the paralympics (or however it is spelled ) on tv. I know that this is NOT the route that you want to go, or that any of us on here want to happen for you… and the fact they have you up and walking makes me think that things are much more hopeful than that for you…. but I was just amazed at those paralympic games. I watched swimmers,,,, amazing female swimmers who were missing a leg…and I can hardly swim…. I watched amazing female runners,,, who were missing a leg running on prosthetic legs… and I can hardly even run. If there is anything good about this injury we all have suffered, it is that it has given us the ability to look outside of ourselves. To appreciate the things we took for granted before. For example Lee, no longer too busy to cuddle in bed and read to her sons. Or as previously mentioned in long ago posts, to feel the wind and sun on your face after being stuck inside for two months… and for me it was in part to watch those paralympic athletes,,, and to realize their courage,,, their determination… when I had spent my life taking things just so for granted. They make my challenge with my ankle seem just so small, and give me determination to try harder. Or how about Louise.. who is now questioning what she wants to do with her life… like ie is her “calling” really to become a physiotherapist and to help others in their recovery??? Perhaps it is. And Liz,,, how can her employer not try to accommodate her… ??? Is that fair??? First she breaks her leg there at that school, and then they cannot ease up for a few weeks to make things easier for her???? That makes me angry… and if they wont let her wear special shoes, then I will find that REALLY unfair,,, and we should jst all meet and march, hobble, limp, crutch or wheel chair in there and confront that principal. I especially do not understand that attitude from someone responsible for special needs children. So what is the lesson that Liz is meant to learn?? One thing that strikes me is that regardless of how our ankles eventually heal,,, completely or less than completely I think that our lives (hearts and minds) will have forever been altered by this experience. Watching the financial crisis info on tv as I type this -scary stuff… USA, England, Canada its getting bad all over the place.
    Have a great Thursday, Trac and every one else. Lois

  55. Good Eve!

    You know, I want to thank you all for being courageous & wise enough to be willing to share your bouts of depression, grumpiness, anger etc. This has been the part I’ve struggled with, internally, the most. I feel so guilty whenever I can’t keep my mood up, but sometimes I just fall into a depth. Esp. when I was withdrawing from Vicodin.
    I’m dealing with the issue of helping people in my life understand why it is taking so long to heal, as well. My brother keeps saying, “Just step out” and most of the people in my life say I should just amputate. I understand why people are frustrated, they want me to be able to join them on activities like I used to. But, truth is, I may not be able to ever join them in the same degree. I’m not sure at all how to get this across to them. But, I just smile and say, “I’ll keep working.” Sometimes, I’m so afraid I’m going to be left behind. But, today at PT she got me up and “walking” … so … hope. and work. right?

    take care —
    keep healing —
    trac

  56. Hello to all of you. I have very little time to talk right now but wanted to say hello to everyone and to welcome Michele and Wilma. Hi WILMA , Liz’s advise on physio following cast removal is right on. I will add to that to use a warm/hot bath tub with a bucket (oblong pail) next to it. Do your abc writing in the warm bath water. (30 secs) then dunk your foot into the cold water for 30 secs. Same with the other ankle movements. This hot/cold treatment is to force the ankle swelling fluid out of your ankle and redistribute the fluid throughout your body. Ending with warm water for more flexibility. Also, include resistance exercises for it. ie… with your bad foot push down on your good foot. use your good foot to resist… same pushing upwards and same type of thing from side to side… or push against something. The ball under foot that Liz mentioned while watching tv or reading, is relaxing and helpful as well. If you have a stationery bike,,, then is the time to start gently riding it for flexibility as well. I used to do 50 peddles forward with the balls of my feet then 50 forward with the heels of my feet,,, then 50 backwards. But before that…. Denver’s suggestion to try to not let your calf muscle atrophy is good. Because believe me it does, even when you do the exercises. So: while lying on the sofa, raise your casted leg, bend your knee, push your leg out straight again,,, etc etc.. rest as needed. Same at counter or sink,,, leg out behind you, bend knee,,, stretch leg out again,,, etc etc. Do over and over throughout the day.

    Hi MICHELE, I was forbidden from being anywhere near a shower or a bath for the entire two months I was in a cast. This was because my ortho surgeon was afraid of getting infection into my surgical wound. I would have thought that without a daily dose of hygiene in the form of a bath of shower that I would have been one huge mass of germs just waiting to infect everything. Instead it was just the opposite, he was afraid the water would introduce infection. So, I can tell you that as a woman, not being able to wash properly was just gross… But would your 16 year old son care all that much??? I found even taking sponge baths and washing my hair every few days at the kitchen sink was almost completely exhausting to the point of tears. I think going through all the taped bag,, and shower would have done me in altogether. So, perhaps bathing, or not bathing as often is not as important as you may think. In fact it just may all be too much. As well, when I could shower my husband hooked up the hand held device suggested by Don… Works well. Also, for the entire time I was in my cast, I found it extremely difficult to eat solid food. I have no idea why, but I did. I drank copious piles of liquids and took a daily vitamin pill. Milk, soup, or fruit juices and lighter snacks may work best for him. As for medication, if it is painkillers,, then let him go off. Try to manage the pain through soft gelled ice bags, and elevation. Depression, frustration and to some degree fear of the future mobility is part of this injury. The depression will start to lift when the cast comes off, the other feelings of uncertainly last a bit longer,,, but they too gradually ease up. Also, I am not surprised the homework is piling up. I don’t know if it is the break or the after affects of anesthesia, but some (or maybe all) of us seem to be a bit mentally befuddled for a while. (even when not on painkilling drugs). Also, there is the exhaustion, depression etc. Personally I dont think they should even be giving him homework at this point..or at least not much.

    Anklequest… golfing – good for you.
    Sandra… no to your question about confucious and to your question about Obama. But I go into the site each time, I dont get auto updates on e mail… the only thing that did happen is that after the Confucious thing the site went down for a few days. When it came up my name had disappeared and when I did my next entry a C came up instead of my name. You can see that in an entry above. When I realized that, and reentered my name, I had a very difficult time getting it to stay in there without the C popping back up all the time… . But it’s okay now. I am not computer literate enough to understand what that was all about.

    Anyway,,, gotta run. We started our house renos, so I am really busy with contractors coming and going and I have been moving things and ripping out old carpets. Its giving my ankle a work out for sure and it is complaining about it. But had to find a few minutes to keep up with you guys because I would miss you all if I didn’t. Sending good wishes and hugs to all of you. Lois (aka Triple G as Denver calls me)

  57. Liz,
    Go back to work and you will be fine. You’ve been in that nice protective home environment so might be a bit afraid. There’ll be a few bumps along the way but you’ll likely get right back into the swing of things very fast now. Just wear the best of the soft sneakers & socks in the class to reduce pressure and swelling. (You better nicely explain that the shoe thing is a must.) Take breaks & lunch with your feet up…& go home and take it easy with feet up & frozen pea bags, etc. Good Luck!

  58. Hi Everyone,

    Well I had my first aqua therapy session today. It was interesting. Basically I just did all the stretching exercises I had been doing on the floor, in the pool instead. After that I had to walk 10 short laps forward, sideways, and backwards. In my mind I had pictured more like a water aerobics class (where we were kicking and jumping and all that in the water), but that’s not what it was at all. After I finished the pool stuff, I changed clothes and he had me do the typical machines in the gym (bike, stair stepper, and cross trainer). Not sure if the pool was really a benefit or not to be honest. He had originally scheduled me for it when I was still having pain in that particular joint spot, but honestly it seems to have gotten so much better just in the last week. I haven’t had to ice it in over a week and have just a little bit of swelling still in that one spot. My knees are giving me more trouble than my ankle at this point. Anyway, I’m scheduled for two more aqua therapy sessions next week so I guess I’ll go. It can’t hurt. I’m determined to get back to work in 2 weeks.

    Well, that’s it for now. Hope everyone is having a great evening.

    Stay Safe,
    Liz

  60. oh ya, 1 quick thing I forgot to mention to
    WILMA & MICHELE
    something to do even while in the cast, preferably while elevated since it will pump the blood & you don’t want swelling. a couple times a day- fLeX the calf musle. Its kindof hard without stretching the ankle out but find the spot where you can use your brain to flex it. It only takes 21 days for a muscle to completely deteriorate. flexing it will keep you miles ahead of the curve when your able to weight bare eventually. flex 25- 30 times relax & massage with fingers what u can reach then 25 – 30 again.. do about 4 sets of this 2 – 3 times a day so your muscle remembers its still there. No need to shove things in cast as its NoT a good idea & can tear either skin or cast & cause a Lot worse pains VeRy quickly. also can flex thigh when doing calf as well. Since you’ll be spreading out the force as mentioned in last post, through your knee, hamstring thigh, calf AnD ankle it will help tremendously if your calf doesn’t completely disapear while in waiting 😉
    Wes

  61. WILMA,
    after the cast comes off sometimes they want you to have another put on. Some here have managed to talk the Dr into allowing us to go without as you may have noticed if you’ve read back.

    I’m trimalleolar 2 plater w 8 screws. after 10 days of splint wrap (thicker & as imobile as a cast) they wanted me to have another but I complained of the horrible swelling issues & asked if I promISED not to injure it if I could go my last 6 weeks non weight baring w/out. Of course if you are in & out of house a lot or have to be around other people, stairs, dOGs, kids etc.. You may want to think carefully about that one. Its almost like when You stub a toe & don’t realize how much that toe comes into contact w EveRything until You try to function w it & it seems to then come into contact w EVERYTHing & you find yourself constantly holding the fowl language back 🙂 so good to imagine this is even More difficult to keep away from everyone who doesn’t realize or appreciate severity. That being said, Your Dr will work with you & give you helpful advice on what’s best. Clark & Don were good to point out to me that even judt moving your toes helps for starters.. I kept my foot up as much as possible post surgery to keep the swelling down a LOT. Like was just mentioned above someone got their cast off thinking it was going to look fine but it was 3x the size. so keep elevated as MucH as possible especially during this healing period as it will help you get back up and going better as well. After I had mine off I noticed my foot would jerk while sleeping & would wake me up in HoRRiBle pain so I started gently massaging it & rotating it here & there til a couple days of working it (in a hot bath) helped stretch & rewake some of the tendons so I was able to hold it for 30 seconds to a surtain direction the rotate it around & reward it with a (well,.. I was going to say break..lol but don’t think that’s a good word to insert there) how about with a good relax session, then after a minute or so hold it to that same spot again. The goal was just to get some motion so as I would sleep if it jerked it didn’t sHocK my sences & wake me up again 😉 it worked too. I also would lay back & set toes of foot against far tub wall with my knee bent & place my hands on my thigh & press downward holding it as if to apply pressure so that my foot would go down towards the wall where my achilles tendon would not stretch too.. I would press lightly til it was just to the discomfort spot & hold for a tearful 30seconds then relax & repeat about 3 or 4 times . Of course everytime you do anything like this its key that you listen to your body & tRust it. If its telling you it needs to stretch A little then stretch a little, if its telling you to stretch a LOT then talk w your Dr 🙂 lol.. I had to keep the reigns on for a while but just being ready & also paying attention to the Doc was up quite quickly when the time came. So some detail on how this happened & if your foot was dangling or still sitting properly may help us know just how bad the stair step incedant was for you. If you don’t know this you may ask your Dr. – Did you have soft tissue, ligament, tendon or any muscle damage? I was in a dirt bike boot when mine happened so was able to do some different things as all stayed in place not damaging anything other than the bone. some of these other things being damaged can mean a different time frame and care to take in motion when it is allowed as well. As Anklequest, Dan & Clark can tell you about. so for now, glad you found us, sorry about the ankle (oh..and the shin bone that goes all the way down – that’s your Tibia..& the small bone that’s just to the outside is your Fibula 😉

    LIZ I feel ya on the limit thing & kept prying here to see if stepping a little off the direction of the Doc would be safe or not as I had to be able to do some things & function so I could work as needed a couple weeks sooner than the Dr anticipated. What I got was Dr set up date further out to keep safe from malpractice problems. smart for him but some are able to move a little quicker. I just keep having little talks with my foot as you guys do. My newest conversation sounds like yours did & a few others. I say, ‘heel to toe & flex, heel to toe & flex, heel to toe & flex’.. I find it helps me not limp so much if U flex that stretch of the achilles tendon @ the end of my step.. then I don’t flop to the other foot so quickly & it looks a little more normal which has helped my aching back get back to normal tremendously. And I’m able to look reAL good so the Dr moved me into the next level a lot quicker to get active duty restored 😉 One thing that helps a LOT is beFoRe I start walking each day I set the wobble board down while in front of the TV & as I sLowly rotate (attempting to get the sides to touch all the way around) I do it on the couch so I can reach down & hold it with my hands on the oposite side that I’m trying to get down & pull up gently on the tight spots & hold it in that stretch for a good 20 – 30 seconds as needed & slowly help my foot make the full round motion about 25 times, then do it in the other direction. Once I get a pretty good range down I stand (using a shelf,fireplace chair or something to stablize) & lift onto the toe of the good foot, bad foot on the board flat (this kindof forces the bad foot to have a bit more of the weight baring on it) then carefully try to rotate it 25 times CaRefuLLy as when it hits those rough spots it kindof jerks into position & doesn’t feel to good lol.. then rotate 25 the other.. suprisingly as you get that smoother doing it in the morning & evening your walking will get tremendously smoother & add calf raises as you get more strength in the wobble board. because the stronger your calf ,thigh & knee get, the more evenly distributed your walking is so your ankle isn’t having to do the work of all 4 😉 that’s how I’m already riding mtn bike everywhere & walking all over the place a lot more and not having soarness Just in the ankle its distributed like a nice healthy gym workout. Which just a hot bath or shower stretching aFTER each workout relaxes everything a great deal. (by stretching afterward you get more stretch with the tendons & muscles being warm & when they condence back to their relaxed state its in your ‘normal range of motion’ rather than less than your normal range where your tight & back to limping the next time you try to walk)

    good luck,
    Wes

  62. Hey Wilma, Sorry to hear you’ve joined our little club of ankle breakers, but glad you found us. As far as PT, as soon as I got my removable air cast (but still non-weight bearing) I started moving my foot around as much as possible… flexing up and down, side to side. You can also write the ABC’s with your foot, using your big toe as the pencil. This will move your ankle around in all directions. I also bought a small rubber ball (like a yoga ball) and any time I was just sitting around watching TV I would roll my foot around on the ball. It felt good, just getting that little bit of pressure on the bottom of my foot. I’ve heard a tennis ball works good for that too. Those are just some simple things to start with.

    Well, I heard from my principal today. They are not able to accomodate my work restrictions so I WILL NOT be returning to work. 🙁 Ugh… I’m starting to get a little worried now because I only have a few weeks of my Family and Medical leave left. After that they don’t have to hold my job. YIKES. I’m not scheduled to see the OS again for another 4 weeks but I think I’m going to call and see if they’ll see me in 2 weeks and lift some of my restrictions. Has anyone else had this issue with doctor’s being too restrictive? I know he has my best interest at heart, but I’ve got to get back to work.

    Anyway, I’m headed to my aqua therapy soon and will let you all know how it goes this evening.

    Take Care,
    Liz

  63. Thank you to all for the advice already! I can’t remember what my break is called , but I broke the “knobs” on both sides, and then the tibia (the small bone) anyway I am the proud recipient of a plate and 9 screws..As a few pointed out, I am not physic, I broke it on the 25th of Aug not Sept Ha ha! Has anyone had success/experence doing excercises in hot tub? I’m not quite ready yet for PT, but I’m planning my attack! Anyway Blessings to all, going to try to do a little work today.

  64. Hey everyone!!

    Michelle!! How funny…I was just about to post the exact same link that Liz did for the cast covers!! I was going to purchase one myself, but by the time I found them, I only had about 2 weeks left in the cast, which was not really worth doing!! (Although now I wish I had!).

    The way I did it (it wouldn’t work for everyone!) I sat on the back of my bath with one leg in and the bad leg out, and wrapped a towel around the cast to stop it getting wet. Then pretty much had a sponge bath as best I could! Was quite difficult. To wash my hair, I then just used the shower head, and bent over the bath. It did work…I also only had a shower once every other day…I started at once a day, but it just got too difficult, plus I hardly left the house (not at ALL for the 1st 2 weeks!) so it didn’t really matter. People did say they were going to come and visit, but they didn’t bother most of the time.

    I was so grouchy, and very depressed to start with, and even now I still get bouts of it. It is just something that you need to work with I’m afraid…my mum (who doesn’t live with me!) just let me have a cry every now and then, and sat and listened. I also had very bad moods, especially when I couldn’t get to something, or could DO something simple (like cooking a meal) and usually ended up taking out on whoever was near (normally my flatmate…bless her!) So…keep with it! As for not taking the meds, it was something I didn’t want to do either, even things like paracetamol…I almost felt like I had to proove that I wasn’t weak, and could manage without the painkillers! Hmmm…its just one of those things really. If he is in pain he will take them…although the anti-inflamatories are important. I thought the swelling had gone down loads when I was in the cast, until the cast came off, and then I saw that actually…my leg was like 3 times the size of the other leg, even though my toes looked normal with the cast on, so deff get him to keep with them!!

    I would just say let him have a grouch every now and then….and let it go! My mum said that’s how she dealt with my grouchiness! hee hee. Good luck with it all though!!

    Wilma…hello to you! Sorry to hear about your broken ankle!! but welcome to the site! 🙂
    did you mean the 25th aug you broke it?? COz it’s only the 24th september today! hee hee. As for PT, sooo many things you can do…
    I just started by bringing my foot up, down left and right, as far as possible and was told by my pt to hold for 6-10 seconds each time, and do 5-10 reps of each movement 3 times a day. I also was pulling my foot towards me with a towel, but my physio said not to overdo that one. Swimming is great for it…
    Um…just take it easy really, and try to get the movment back in it to walk, once your weight bearing again, then you can do more exercises, but take it easy when that comes off!!!
    (Re-cap…broke fib and tib in a few places, and dislocated ankle in april this yr!)

    Well…I had another podiatry appointment yesterday, and was fitted with some insoles for my shoes, to make my arch better, and have noticed a difference already! It’s great! The tendonitus in my good foot has subsided, although is still there, and flairs up every now and then. I was just told to take iburofen again. (Plus the podiatrist is very VERY attractive, so any trip there is always good tehehe!)

    I am just off for my last physio appointment in a moment (sigh!) and as there is a massive football match on today, and I live right near the football grounds (and so is the hospital!) I am going to have to walk. Booo….
    I will get stuck in trafic, and loose my parking space if I drive, so thats going to take a while. It’s probably about….I don’t know, maybe a mile, or two miles to the hospital. hmmm….not too keen on walking there, plus have no clue as to how long it’s going to take me!! Oh well…Im sure I’ll figure it out! heehee.
    I just can’t believe once this is done today, thats going to be it, and I’m just off on my own from then! I will have only had 6 hours of physio! Oh well…we shall get there I’m sure.
    I am contemplating re-training to be a physiotherapist, as this injury has really got me interested in this type of thing.I have applied for a job in the past as an Occupational therapy technician, but didn’t get it, as there was a more qualified person there than me. But physiotherapy focuses more on the human anatomy and movement (as well as other stuff!) which is what I am very interested in, whereas Occupational therapy is more psychology and focusing on mental health too. Hmmmmm…
    I have the necessary qualifications to do the Occupational therapy course, but not for physio, I would need to get a 2 year biology A level, then do another degree…
    Oh what to do!?!?!?!

    Anyway…thats me done for now! Hope everyone is doing fab!!

    Speak soon!

    Louise xx

  65. Hello WILMA,
    I would be one of the ‘Basket Cases’ Anklequest mentioned 😉
    well, hopefully a ‘former’ as stated.

    So I noticed You said you broke your ankle on the 25th of Sept ?? isn’t that this upcoming thursday? lol.. anyhow, I am a no insurance break as well. I got a lot of discounts by calling & asking what deals I could get. Mostly if I paid w/in 60 – 90 days I got discounts of 25% from anesthesiologist, 70% from the off site facility, & 40 from the surgeon. As far as PT.. yaaaa that’s a different story. We’re having cut backs where I work & in the middle of all this now am barely scraping by for a bit til I get back on my feet (punn intended) so I can’t even get 1 PT session. Its not that bad though because my brother & I do personal training on 2 different scales, both weight lifting & athletic training. So with that knowledge & friends who’ve lent me wonderful toys I’m moving along ok. If its possible its always best to call around & find a good PT to at LeAsT get 2 or 3 sessions of knowledge & understanding then you will know how much the body can do & be able to do the rest from home.. good thing to look into – 16″ wobble board. they range from $10 or $15 all the way up and can be found @ sporting goods stores or bought online. they help with stretches, circulation & building up both the injured ankle & the other one so you don’t sprang IT again too 😉
    of course this is just future refference for when the time comes. as for now, enjoy the break, wait, I mean the reST & elevation.

    Speaking of timing, I got on one of those half balls with the flat base @ the gym w my bad foot.. get this – 30 seconds balancing on 1 foot. I used my fingertips against the wall to keep me from tipping over & it wobbled a lot..lol.. but was able to do it 3x 😉 I walk pretty good now.. I think I limp out of sympathy still though.. its tight @ the achilles still & just massage it & gradually do small stretches before & after riding my bike or working out. I take my mtn bike 4 miles to work every other day & today even added going by my sisters & to the mall & back. I get a pretty good leg work out without a lot of impact on the ankle.. its helping revitalize that thing I used to call a calF muscle & a thigh muscle lol..

    & I read about LEE’s kids are glad to have the time w you in the evening.. My wife has enjoyed that too. I’m worn out from excersise or even just walking around so much that I am in bed even though I can’t sleep & she has shown me she missed me just being there by laying over on my chest. I just lay here & read & type to all of you until shes rolled over a couple times & doesn’t notice me slip away to go work or lay in the shower til I really CaN fall asleep.

    I find since I don’t pass out til 4 or 5 & shes out the door by 630 that I can just let her take the car & I just get the rest when I can & then ride my mtn bike the 4 miles to work. talk about forced PT .. that’s helpin me more than anything.

    GyM membership that was talked about @ Golds, good luck 😉 I hope they are smarter than my creep was. That was suppose to be one of the reasons I switched to 24hr fitness- because they didn’t mind if I fell behind on pay if my records showed I hadn’t been attending- they didn’t even go for my credit, & would work w me on renewing.

    MICHeLE
    LoTs of good shower advice here, lol I shouldve asked these guys where to go.. I tOO am a VeRy self sufficient guy & went a LoNG time til I couldn’t stand it anymore – you know moving on crutches makes for stinky arm pits.. He’ll eventually just go for it. And anklequest is right, if he can go without the meds, he’ll be a lot farther ahead of the game w the dangers that lurk in the side effects trust me 😉 If he’s mving around quite a bit or thinks he may be more active he can always take advil before hand and it/ll keep the swelling down. just dOn’t go more than 100mg an hour & don’t take more than 600 @ a time.. it leads to BaD problems too.
    I went through the do it myself phase & am sTiLL kind of in it nOw, so if he’s fighting w it, you could always have him jump on here. Then he can chat & see who alls done what & may make him feel a little less stressed. I have larGE groups of friends & am always the head of the class & putting everything together & partying & DJing & VeRy active.. til now.. I didn’t give it up but I sure know how many dishes I’ve broke & cups I’ve dropped & food I’ve had to replace because I’ve carried it on my own & just HaD to do it on my own, so I know.. & even w as many people as I know… They all seem to lean on me & kindof disapeared when this happened & couldn’t lean on me.. These people right here have been the best support & friends I couldve ever run across.. they understand & care & they truly have been there through this all even more than my own family could handle..
    Lois(Triple G), Liz, Louise, Anklequest, Clark, Don, Sandra, Karen, Pam, Tammy, Lee have all become my good friends & glad to see all you new comers TRaC, Michele & Wilma included & I always am afraid to start listing names aFrAid I may leave someone out 🙁 & I’d feel horible. I’m getting my mind back from keeping away from the evil Vicoden, but still have dutadoo moments as I am a sleep deprived fool now 😉
    hello to all & Good Day to all as this is now my afternoon while every1 else is asleep lol..

    Til Later,
    Wes

  66. Wilma,

    Sorry you broke your ankle. Is it a trimalleolar fracture? It would be helpful to know more details. How many screws & pins?

    We have many here who can give you a lot of exellent advice as you move along.

    I had no cast and had only a few PT sessions so certainly can give you some helpful suggestions as you move along. It’s a bit late for me this evening as I have a pile of work to catch up with yet, but just keep up with this board and as you move along and many other kind folks here who started out as basket cases will help to answer questions.

    Anklequest

  67. DON,
    When can we meet? You name it & I’ll try to make it.

    Today I wasn’t far from you, at Great Bear Country Club on Route 23. (yes, folks, bear and deer everywhere in the area..we saw lots of deer.) I participate in our Foundation Gulf tournament every year, which provides scholarships for students.

    2006 Sept. 1/2 year after my break, came to the tournament, rode around using a cart for the first 3 holes & went home leaving my team mates for the better. Couldn’t do more.

    2007 Sept 1 & 1/2 years after break, made it fopr the 18 holes but only putted for about half of them & did a lot of gulf cart riding.

    Today, 2008 Sept, 2 & 1/2 years later. Last week I started runing a few short distances on alternating days. I woke up this morning in extreme pain. Could hardly walk for about 15 minutes. Was sure it was caused by the running so felt it was the end for that. Went kerfplunck down the steps holding on with two hands. So though that I was through with the golf too. Well, went to the gulf tournament wearing a neoprene heavy duty brace and wow…made it through the 18 holes, played the entire game, and walked more than half the holes. So came home and felt like well, after all, I am making progress. How to measure it… well, in this case the golf game was a good indicator. And my ankle feels fine right now. I don’t have a clue as to why it was so painful for a while this morning.

    Hi to everyone!! Keep up your spirits.

    Michele your son can bath himself and he probably needs no medication so don’t worry about any of that.

    Sandra, I hope you see the doc soon.

    Water & swimming therapy is just the best there is if you have access to it (which i don’t).

    Denver, sounds like with all of your activity you cann’t be doing to badly at this point. I couldn’t be on a treadmill at an angle for months.

    Lee, Lois, Lousie, & especially Trac…all the best. I’m sure to have missed someone.

    Anklequest

    PS: My progress in playing golf once or twice a year is such that I no longer spend much time hunting for balls in the woods, meaning now I now spend more time on the fairway than in the woods. Today I only lost one ball..into a pond.

  68. Wow i am so glad to find this site, it’s very helpful. I broke my ankle (3 places) stepping off a step I go off 100 times a day at our shop! I sprained the left one pretty good and broke the right. I had plate on outside and a coupla screws on the inside. This was on the 25th of Sept. I’m trying to figure out what to expect when the cast comes off 10/7. Also I have no Insurance so any ideas for PT? Thanks

  69. MICHELE, I second what Don said. 🙂 Even now that I’m full weight bearing I still sit down to take a shower and I use the hand held shower nozzle. It has the button to turn it on and off on the handle. I’ll probably be using that for awhile as I’m still too scared to stand up in the shower for fear of slipping… that’s how I broke my ankle in the first place (slipping on water in my classroom). Water is NOT my friend at the moment! 🙂

    LEE, glad to hear you enjoyed your birthday.

    DENVER, Glad you were able to straighten out your membership at the sister site. I’m a member of Gold’s and paid for a year up front. I kept meaning to call and see if they will freeze my account, since I haven’t been able to go in 4 months, but keep putting it off. Hmmm… wonder if I should still try that. Hopefully I won’t get someone as rude as your guy.

    Liz

  70. Greetings Ankle Breakers

    Sandra

    Nope haven’t given up on travel but have to put it on hold for awhile as we are also dealing with the court system here. Our Lawyer just filed the court case and there are thing moving that we have to concentrate on at this time. But as I told my brother in-law when we get things sorted out I am going to take my Wife on a good long vacation hoping to go to Scotland and England. Then if that comes to pass I will stop bye and take you out to lunch when we get to England and you can play tour guide for us.

    I am glad to hear things are improving for you and I hope that they clear up so that you can again do the things you love. Keep working at it I know you will get there because how many of us double ankle breakers are there. But seriously get together with your Doctor and find out what is going on but keep working at it you have been through to much to stop now kiddo. But glad to hear from you.

    Wes

    As for the fluids, that is slowly creeping up on me? The Doctors are surprised that it took this long to happen. My Wife talked with the surgeon that worked on both of us a couple of days ago and they thought it would have happened awhile ago. They where just waiting for the heart problems to start. Unfortunately for me it goes with the territory. It seems that because of the damage and trauma I suffered it is just another part of the injuries. Because of all the invasive sugary I had and the damage my body will always be prone to retaining fluids because of all the metal and the cutting they had to do.

    I can and will stay on the water pills and that in turn will be helped by the blood pressure medicine I will now have to take for the rest of my life. Fortunately I have both pills in one Diovan HTC. This seems to have it under control for now. Which makes me happy, but my Wife and I both know that we face many more surgeries in the future. Oh well such is life. We will get buy this as neither my Wife nor I will let the other give up and just stop. Besides if I can’t grip and pick on my Wife who else can? And I am so good at annoying her it is as if I had all this practice. OHH wait I have had all this practice. Yup I was right I am good at annoying her .LOL. But truthfully it unfortunately goes with the territory, seems the accident will be a block around our necks for the rest of our lives. But we will just fight through and go on and enjoy all life has to offer.

    Michele

    I work at a Plumbing supply during the day. Something you can do to make your life easier with the showering and make it less of an adventure. Get a hand held shower hooked up in your tub. It can hook of the regular shower head or off the tub and then he can control it and use it when and how he needs it. There are bars that can hang on the side of a tub wall so he can hang it and change the height of it or just hold it in his hand and lay it down when he doesn’t need it. Works great I used that and a seat for the shower when I came home. He can even have a button to turn it on and off as needed in the handle. This was and still is the best thing I have to use. I can direct the spray on my ankle and let the water run over it and then move it to a different area. Look into it maybe it will help him. Also gives him a little more independence. Good luck all

    Keep the right part of your feet on the ground. And be safe

    Don

  71. Hello all – thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes. I had a great day Sunday: slept in, had brunch out, was sent for a heavenly massage, had coffee and conversation on a sunny patio with good friends, a long bath, and then dinner out. Quiet, but really relaxing and nice.

    So, many people to catch up with:

    Karen and Denver – you can buy numbing cream over the counter with lidocaine. I use it before laser hair removal treatment – they sell it at the skin care “salon” – sounds funny, but needed it for the bikini line and it really does numb the skin (is that too much information? Sorry). I can’t imagine it would work for nerve pain down under the skin, but it’s worth a try. Just follow the directions on the tube and don’t over-use. Too much is a bad thing. The quantity used needs to be monitored.

    Michele -welcome and sorry to hear about your son. Being 16, he will heal quickly, but it won’t be fun. And the shower is just the first of the many inconveniences. I have a few suggestions. Walgreen’s (a CA drug store) sells a cast cover for the shower. It’s a thick plastic bag that comes with an elastic that wraps around the leg. It’s less bulky than the garbage bag and doesn’t require tape. I bet you could find it at a medical supply store as well. I did also use a kitchen garbage bag and tied it, then wrapped a towel around the top, in case it leaked. I also have a plastic shower chair, available at a drug store pharmacy area. I found this to be the most important at the beginning. I would have my husband help me into the shower, sit down, take my crutches out, and place a stool outside the shower so I could keep my foot elevated while in there. So, the garbage bag and towel got damp, but not soaked, and the leg and cast stayed dry. No tape needed and easy to take on and off. Good luck and let us know what other tips we can provide. This group is great for all of that. I would not have figured it out without all the great ideas from these lovely people.

    Liz – I’m balancing on my bad foot for 15 seconds at a time, 4 times in a row, BUT I’m still holding on to a counter or fireplace mantle. I can’t even think of letting go yet. But ya gotta start somewhere, and this is what I can do. It just about brings tears to my eyes. I have to get them in early in the day, or it’s not happening. That and the toe raises….killer. My calf muscles SCREAM at me. Who ever would have thought? Oh, and you asked about aqua therapy? I had an ergo evaluation yesterday at work and the guy had broken his ankle 2 years ago. He told me he did a lot of the weight bearing exercise, like toe raises and balancing, in the pool at first (he’s a PT, and took me through a bunch of stuff to do at my desk). It helped get the movement and build some muscle without the pressure of his full body weight. Plus, kicking on a kick board helps move up and down, and you can walk backward , etc. without the fear of falling. He told m his entire rehab was pain free, mainly because of the pool. It sounds good to me – I’m going to head to the pool this weekend, no matter how scary my flabby right leg is going to look in my bathing suit. All will just have to look the other way 🙂

    Tammy – I haven’t discussed the tingling with my Dr – I see him Friday and will bring it up. I suspect it’s just the compression from the boot and cast and will go away with time. I haven’t been in the water yet, other than the bath tub and shower, and I didn’t notice a problem there, but I’ll try it and let you know.

    Trac- sorry to hear the swelling is still such a problem and you’re on bed rest. You really are on my list of people to say a little prayer for. It’s just not fun nor fair, is it? I can imagine your frustration. Just know I’m thinking of you.

    Hi Anklequest, Pam, Lois and Louise. Sandra and Don too!

    No new news from me – just waiting for Friday to hopefully get clearance to drive again after 11 weeks off. Working hard at PT and collapsing in bed each night by 8:30 or 9. Who knew you needed so much rest when healing? My kids are thrilled to get in with me for cuddle time, reading together or homework help. Normally, I’m busy as a bee all evening with household stuff, volunteer work, fixing something, writing thank you note, whatever. I guess this is part of the lessons I’m learning: Quiet, slow time with the family is good, enjoyable, and probably what I needed.

    Stay safe all and keep on moving, however you can.

    Cheers,
    Lee

  72. MICHELE, I know exactly how your son feels. I’m 28 years old, single, and have been staying at my parent’s house since my injury… there’s no way I could have stayed at my apartment on my own, much less have gotten up and down the flight of stairs. Those first few weeks were tough. I had to rely on them for everything! When you go from being independent and mobile one minute, to being totally dependent on someone else the next, it can get really frustrating. Not to mention all the pain meds that make you emotional and groggy. I think most of us here went through a bout of depression with this injury. When he’s able to finally put weight on the leg, he will feel so much better and probably be less of a grouch. 🙂 Hang in there! How is he doing with the crutches? Is he getting around okay? I wish I had a suggestion for the shower. Honestly, during my time in the splint I stayed away from the shower and just did sponge baths. Luckily I got the boot instead of a hard cast so I could take it off for the shower. I wonder if you could find something like this http://www.brokenbeauties.com/comfort-mobility/comfort-waterproof.php or http://www.medcareproducts.com/castcovers/ at a local pharmacy or home health care store. It’s worth looking into.

    TRAC, it’s good to hear from you. Sorry to hear you’re on bedrest. Ugh, it must be so frustrating for you. Hang in there. You’ll get through this one way or another.

    Well, my ankle has been doing pretty good these past few days. I hope it continues. I’ve been going on short walks in my neighborhood in the evenings (about 30 minutes) and it’s held up really well. My ankle doesn’t hurt too bad, it’s the bottom of my feet that start to ache. I guess from being off of them for so long. Tomorrow is my aqua therapy so I’ll check in and let you all know how it goes. I still haven’t heard back from work yet so who knows when I’ll start back. They could call at anytime.

    Take Care,

    Liz

  73. Denver,

    Yes, I do believe the main ingredient was lidocaine but can’t remember the name on the tube. However, I did a search on “numbing creams” and I think they are all basically the same, with lidocaine.

    I can tell you this helped me a great deal with the nerve pain in my big toe that I had for several months. Mention this to your doctor and see what he thinks! I’m wondering if this could even be something you could buy without a prescription in a drug store or else buy on line. Check it out!

    Karen

  74. You guys are an AMAZING group; so nice! I’m really happy I found this site!! It is funny cuz i hadn’t checked my email for a couple days and when I did today, I just skipped over all my family and friend ones and went straight to all yours!! 🙂 My “getting grouchier by the minute” son is trying so hard to be independant and I think that is what is really bothering him the most. Yesterday I was so busy at work that I had to send a friend of mine to my house to get him lunch and his medicine. She called me because he wouldn’t eat and wouldn’t take medicine… said he didn’t want them. She had to call me and put it on speaker phone so I could tell him he had to eat and take meds. He didn’t want to do the half shower by leaning over that was suggested, so we tried the double bagging the leg for shower again last night. He wanted to do it himself… tried… turned out to be a disaster so had to rip/cut it all off and start over again with my help. Well, I went to wrap the tape and went round a few times with the duct tape before we realized that the garbage bag wasn’t in place in bag and I had been wrapping it around his very hairy leg… oops! Now when we commit to “shower-time” at our house… know we better put aside an hour or so! By the time I got him bagged (and half the hair ripped out of his legs…not to mention the fact that I had tape around his knee and he couldn’t bend leg) he was exhausted and grouchier than before. It’s amazing to think of the things I just took for granted before, like hopping in for a quick shower. Plus, I lurk around outside the bathroom door to make sure I don’t hear a “THUD”! It’s hard too cuz he is very very social and involved in sports and just the sitting around and stuff… I understand. On top of that it’s been 12 days since he broke ankle and has been off school and the homework is piling up. He just started working on it last night.

    Even though I don’t know any of you, I am enjoying reading what you write to each other and how supportive and genuinely caring you all are. I’m piecing together some people’s stories, a bit… it kinda keeps things in perspectie and let’s me know that even though we are inconvenienced and my son is in some pain and all, there are a lot of you who have gotten through, and continue to go through, some very difficult and challenging times. I’m wishing the best for all of you and do appreciate the fact that so many people have offered up helpful hints and kind words to us! 🙂

  76. Hi to Don. Good of you to think of me and send some thoughtful words. I know that you have had problems recently, which seem worse than mine. Today is a little better, it’s not as red, but still painful, and wearing socks and trainers irritated the hell out of it. I think the co-codamol are helping, and gentle massage and elevation. The ice thing made it worse on Sunday!

    Don, I hope that your new addition to the family is settling in well, and that you manage to get more active at the gym, and of course, that all goes well for your wife and her knee. Have you had to give up thoughts of travelling? Would be nice to meet up if you get to UK. I have not been abroad yet, but will plan something for next year. Have not tried to get travel insurance yet.

    On the short breaks I have had over here I have found dealing with even a small case a problem. I have stairs down from bedroom and another set to get out of my house. On my first drive down to my mum’s I actually threw my bag down two flights of stairs!

    Better than the rubbish bag, which burst all over the hall floor the only time I tried that!

    Trac and Denver, Keep progressing.

    I know I am complaining about pain at the moment, but it is still relevant to read the stories of those who are newer to the breaks, because it does remind me of how far I have come. Any little bit of exercise helps I think, so does stretching the muscles so that nothing tightens up.

    Denver, my first time on the trainer was scary. Slowest speed, my feet moved and my brain went ‘Woah, get off this thing, its too fast’ then caught up with the fact that my feet were actually coping with it!

    A nice evening here after a gloomy start. Hope the weather is treating your ankles well.

    Night.

    Sandra

  77. TRaC its good to hear from you 🙂
    wondered how you were hanging in there.
    Like you said, even though your not getting much movement, you keep pressing forward & like Sandra was saying, do everthing including meditation. It couldn’t hurt. & as long as we’re all listening to our bodies, we might as well have our bodies listen to us too 😉 tell it It cAn move & its gonna be tough but It can do it. I just keep sitting in the shower finding little tiny ways to work with small stretches I can hold & finally today @ the gym I was able to get on a tredmill,..I actually had a better walk/stride & it looked so much cleaner, imagine that. I guess it pulls the foot further than my walking can do & pushes me further than I could do myself. Don’t get me wrong, I looked smooth but held on for dear life & only went about 16mins lol.. but did achieve 8.5% grade..
    Here rootin for ya, hope the swelling goes down, listen to your body, its always hinting what it needs & what could help. I’m hoping the chamber will help get me some rest, fingers crossed, til later, Hello & night to all,
    Wes

  78. Hello —
    It is so exciting to turn on my computer after a couple of days away from it, and see, even in such a short time progression being made with everyone.

    I have been on bed rest for the last few days, due to severe swelling. Still had excersises I could do in bed, so that helped. I’m hitting that wall of frustration. I will be up and working with the walker again tomorrow. But, we are not getting any movement out of my ankle. But, I’ll keep pushing forward.

    As far as a couple of topics brought up — my brother broke his ankle when he was 16, but, as soon as the cast was off, he was back to running track, w/no painful effects. He went on to play football in and after college. His ankle never really caused him much trouble. He did have his pins removed, however. He thinks it is because at 16 your body is in a whole different place for healing. So, I hope your son is fine and heals quickly like my silly brother.

    As far as the HBOT – I met a woman who used the one in Anchorage for her ankle, and said, it helped immensely. I don’t know, I can’t speak for sure, as she still walks with a pronounced limp, but I know she swears by it. So, good luck with it — I hope it helps. I know the feeling of willing to try almost anything.

    Well, better get back into bed — before my mother busts me and tells my doc!

    Take care –
    trac

  79. oh and a side note
    I’ve been trying to fix my gym membership that went unused since last year when I received the jaw injury. They were trying to get me to just sign on to a different plan until they realized I had the best plan last year. it was a buy 3 years for $600 and each year following would only be $45 entire year. I know at first it sounds expensive & I’m in agreement if people don’t use the gym they shouldn’t buy something like this. I on the other hand have used the gym ManY years paying each month & realized just how much I was spending & how expensive it was getting. back in 99 I was paying about $19 a month for my membership until I moved to Florida where they didn’t have the same gym nearby so I stopped service. then picked it back up again in 2001 and it had gone up to $28 a month. Again I was on a tight budget & moving for a job contract in ’03-’04 and went with no membership. Upon returning when things started coming together again I found myself spending $34 a month & $42 for access to all their clubs considering I worked at different sides of town depending on the contract. So I noticed the gyms just keep getting more and more expensive & I know every now and then (usually near the new years resolution time) they come out w a deal that’s between 750-1000 for a year or two & each year after is about 55-100 to renue. So I just kept the month to month til I fiNaLLy saw a good buy when a friend of mine was working at one imparticular location. Some special weekend deal to the 1st ‘so many customers’ during some sort of fund raiser weekend & it was 725 for a year, next 2 years free (basically 750 for 3 years is how I saw it) & each following year @ $45. He told me about it & I let him know, ‘hello, family of 6 tight budget?!’ he said I know, but I can make this work for you, drop my commision so you only pay $600 & I can spread it out over 3 payments of just under $200. With the taxes & a VIP added to my pass so I could bring a workout partner I was already spending that amount over the course of less than a year anyway, so I went for it. One payment was made of 200 & then the Jaw break happened. No working out for at least 10months they said. So I went in to fix it here recently & my friends no longer at the gym & their management is all new. (friend finished school & moved into his new career) The manager said if I could write a letter about both instances, get signatures from both Drs & bring in extra copies of both Xrays he might be able to get it through where I just pay the remaining 400 & we’d be good. I jumped through the hoops & was suppose to go to gym for the 1st time today. As I was getting ready to head over he called me & said he needed all 400 up front. I explained my recent job situation & how we’re barely covering rent, but that I would like to work something since it is very important I excersise this ankle. He said he couldn’t do anything unless I paid 400. I explained I could somehow scrounge 200 & get the other 200 next month & he was beyond cocky saying, ‘look, we don’t want to wind up like we did last year’. I said, your computer shows I didn’t even get to use the gym last year at all & the gym made 200 out of it & if you allow me to pay 200 nOw & I don’t pay 200 next month… thennn you made 200 off of 30days use, anddd that more than 4x what would be made if I did a month to month membership. he said I don’t feel like doing that, I don’t make any commission on this anyway. I explained (REAL nicely) I cOuLd go down the street to BaLLeys BUT I have been going to this gym foreVeR & am trying to pay into what I owe. He stayed rude, said then you could do that. At which point I let him know that their 800# was always more than willing to help out & would split up such a big payment, he just rudely said, go call them then, gOOd Luck. I couldn’t beliEVe the attitude & I was WAY OverLy polite. I tried finding their 800# & after about 20mins calling information & bouncing around I wound up having to call their sister gym just 5miles down the road & they informed me that over this last year their 800# department was disolved & the local gyms now held that full responsibility. hmm guess the guy already knew that & was purposefully yanking me around. But the management team @ the sister gym had won JD Power & associates awards for being so great at customer care & was more than happy to help me. They set me up w a free 30day all club access pass while they worked out my account. & when I got their they found the other jerk @ the other club had messed with my account & had it showing I only owed $15..hmm He was going to pocket $400 under the table… They’re turning into the higher ups to get him nailed. Can you believe the nerve.. & doing this to a criple lol.. I can now call myself that haha
    And to top it off, my friend that wanted to take me to go work out was impressed by them being so nice and was commenting on how good of a deal the 3 year pass was compared to what he had spent, so the manager said hed grandfather the offer for my friends wife if she was ready to start going back to the gym since shes had her baby. so he ended up selling another membership $400 for 3 years if he signed up for 6 personal training sessions @ 199 & each additional yr @ $99.. hmm.. which the jerk manager @ the other location wouldve gotten had he not been so rude and gready. some peoples kids.. I think Ill write a thank you letter to 24hr fitness corporate thanking them for the great help the one location & management team was & add a special note as to the gready two faced tactics that’s losing them members @ the other location – putting that guys name in bold letters..
    😉

  80. shoot.. trying to set up an HBOT appointment is like pulling teeth. I guess they use it for a LOT of things fromcancer patients to people w diabeties. They’re calling me back in the morning to set meeting w Doc.

    I think it was SANDRA? asking what the cream was.. I’m still waiting on Karen to remember, bUt I’ve heard from a few people that if this doesn’t stop hurting w all the meds they’re going to try a patch for me. My brother said its a Fentynol Patch? said its basically a morphine patch. It still efects your entire body so definitely a night thing & the patches aid to last 24 hours?? I don’t know, asking Doc on that tomorrow too. they said its better than the pills because its localized to the area of pain & works from there instead of having to bump up on the dose of pills to get less of an effect.

    DON good to hear your up beat & thanks for the pat on the back too. Wow.. sTiLL swelling w fluid? what do they do about that? I mean, considering your doing everything you can so far?

    Wes

  81. Greetings Ankle Breakers

    I am happy to see so many making progresses with their recoveries. Wes you have improved tremendously since you first came on. I am glad to see that you are moving forward, as we all said there is no short cut to the end of this race it is still 1 foot step at a time. I hope things keep moving forward for you.

    I see some of my old friends are also improving well. Ankle Quest Running HHMMMM? Very Cool Louis, lois Pam and all hope you all keep moving forward and you are also right that people do not understand ankle breaks. They think it is just like breaking a leg or arm. Not thinking of how much of your movement is controlled and required of your ankle but as we always say one step at a time and hopefully they are all forward.

    Sandra

    Of the old timers I think you and I are trying to go back to the beginning? Sorry to hear of your troubles. But remember where you came from and where you are. You and I share one thing we did not do this once we did this twice and we did it at the same time LOL.
    Oh well no accounting for smarts. But you can get through this one step at a time. You get to the doctor and finds out where you need to start and then move on from there. I mean really how bad could it be??? You would think you had two broken ankles?? Oh wait you did I forgot. No problem Sandra you’re tough enough to pull through this and get back to taking those walks along the trails you so enjoy and we all enjoy hearing about. You keep safe and keep us informed of what you are up to.

    Michele

    Glad you found this place. On this board is a lot of knowledge about broken ankles and recovering through them and all sorts of other injuries and how to get through the recoveries for them too. Your biggest problem is slowing your 16 year old down. I have to admit you have your hands full sixteen and a guy 1 he thinks he is indestructible and he has all the answers just ask him he will tell you LOL my three have no problem telling me how the world works. But with some one like you watching over him MOM and him working at it he should spring back a lot quicker then us old timers. Good luck and use this place for a stress reliever and for info we are always around.

    As for me I am like Sandra but for me it is the weather that is making my left ankle hurt so much and the arthritis. Ahh maybe a little of over doing it too has something to do with it. Biggest problem right now for me is the fluid build up and the blood pressure problems that accompany it. I am slowly getting through this. The Doctor knew it was going to happen. They were surprised it took this long. That is what they told my Wife when she went back the other day. Seems it is her turn in the barrel. She will found out some time in October if she is facing knee surgery. A result of the accident. I should be back in the gym soon to see if I can correct some of this with exercise but I guess that is up to the Doctors will keep you all informed and will try and get back more often now.
    Keep safe everyone and keep your feet on the floor we seem to have troubles when we let our feet and ankles get away from us.

    Talk soon
    Don

  82. A bear?! I’m glad you were already in the house too, LOIS. lol I would’ve tripped all over myself trying to get back inside. haha… did you get a picture? How neat that a bear was in your backyard.

    MICHELE, Sorry to hear about your son. He’s young… I’m sure he’ll bounce right back from all of this. As far as getting the stitches out in 2 weeks, he will probably either get a hard cast or an AirCast boot. I never had a hard cast, just went straight to the boot, but every doctor is different. The boot was nice because I could take it off to get in the bath and to do some simple exercises, just flexing my foot around. I wasn’t able to put any weight on my foot until 6 weeks after the surgery. I rented a wheelchair and it was a lifesaver. When he goes back to school, if he has to travel long distances between classes, you might want to look into getting him a wheelchair… crutches can be such a pain when you only have one leg to balance on. I would probably keep him home these 1st few weeks and then decide after you see the ortho. He might be able to handle the dance, depending on how he’s feeling at the time. It’ll do him some good to get out of the house and back with friends. 🙂 I wish him the best of luck. Keep us posted on his progress.

    Hope everyone is doing well today. I just got home from therapy and my ankle is feeling good. I start aqua therapy on Wednesday. I’m just taking things day by day until I hear back from my principal regarding work. I still don’t know if they have a limited duty job for me. 🙁 Until then I’ll just keep going to therapy as usual. I’m excited about the aqua therpay because I love being in the water. Has anyone else done this? What types of exercises did you do in the water for your ankle?

    SANDRA, I got those messages too from the first site… random. I hope your pain disappears as quickly as it came. I know it must be frustrating to have pain creep back up this late in the game.

    Stay Safe,
    Liz

  83. Anklequest. Thanks for the comments. Like Pam, I can feel the plate under the skin – particulary bottom end which is where it is most red and hurts most.

    I have had a sleepless night up and 6 a.m. to go in to work, but came home at 11 a.m. due to pain. A bit stressed about work as I missed so much of last year, and I currently have a heavy workload. Could not get a doctor’s appointment until Wednesday morning. Everything is redder and hotter tonight and elevating has not changed that, and icing seemed to make it worse last night. Am on to co-codamol for the night which I hope will mean I get some sleep.

    Trying to stay positive, but it is a worry – especially about the metal sensitivity. Hoping the doctor might be able to wave a magic wand. If anything is worse tomorrow I will phone NHS direct for advice or may go to a walk-in clinic they have at the hospital here. The trouble with this ankle thing is that they would probably refer me to orthapaedics which will take more time.

    Lois. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Another one with bears for neighbours!

    Like Liz, Lois, Anklequest, I have had serious injuries and it seems difficult for others to understand how long it might take to heal. I know from others than it can two years before people are back to doing what they did before.

    I have been meditating and visualising and could say it has hot helped as my problem is still there, but on the other hand it could have been a lot worse! And I do think it helps to try and stay relaxed.

    Karen/Wes. What is this numbing cream for? I was wondering about a cortisone injection, but will have to wait and see doctor.

    Michele, I hope your son is doing well, and sounds like he needs some time off school. It’s very tiring negotiating the world and trying to avoid bumping into other bodies, as well as dealing with the injuries.

    Hi to Louise and enjoy reading your posts. And hope Denver is progressing well.

    By the way, had some emails from first site about the Obama thing today – is that still going on? And did anyone get something from Confucious recently?

    Well, this has taken my mind of my painful ankle for a while so thanks for listening – well this might be me talking to space but it has helped.

    Sandra

  84. I can’t believe that 🙁 I typed this entire well articulated message & was about done & my phone just made it all disapear.

    So now Ill try an abridged version 😉

    LOIS ur funny, always make me laugh.. thats awesome you saw a bear that close to home.. of course that is, since it was close to YouR home and not MiNe 😉

    KAREN, was it called Lidocane? mmm I wonder I wonder I’d love you forever if you can remember 🙂
    I’ve been meditating too, I mean, I hate needles but this pain is a new ‘experience’ that I would even stick 1000 acupncture needles in me if I could get a good nights rest 😉

    & to all
    I tell people that ask or wonder about the length of recovery time-
    ‘Theyre not sure if I’m going to be able to keep the foot,said it could take two years til I can even walk longer than an hour a day’ 😉 that shuts’m up pretty quick & w as fast as gossip goes around even tHaT telephone game comes out In my favor so they take it easy with me. Some know I’m joking about sOmE of it, & keep bugging me about going geocaching & how far ahead of our family they’re getting. I ask them how far they are & when they say, ‘about 250’, I reply, oh I’m giving you a head start, you need to get to 1000 if your going to stand a chance when I start walking again =)~

    MICHELE
    Ok, so I had a real detailed description of how to do this but it all deleted on me so here we go again
    I NeVer used bags or duct tape. Too long & messy/annoying to deal w. If you guys have a 3/4 shower (w shower door or curtain that goes all the way to floor) I laid a couple thick towels folded over oUtside the shower & got on all fours. knees up near the shower outside of it, & hands & upper body inside the shower. sounds weird @ 1st but I like to shower at leaSt once a day & it really goes quick. You wrap a towel around the cast & tighter around the top towards the knee & sort of pin it by kneeling on it. I had 2 towels to dry off with and a removable shower head (if it doesn’t remove you can impravise) . I’d have my shampoo, my shower gel, (girls don’t laugh) my loofa, & a large plastic cup sitting just inside the shower on the floor to rinse off with. I’d wash my upper body & hair 1st & quickly dry off to kneel up & used a rag to wash my lower body & toes on the bad ankle side & was able to quickly dry off. I’d even pour water from cup over leg while tightly holding towel which would quickly soak, but I would be all done, remove it & use the other dry towel to dry anything else that was going to drip down. it actually works real smooth w no bags & duct tape needed. a 16yr old can pull it off 😉

    as for dancing-
    I am a weekend mobile DJ & LoVe dancing. I DJed gigs right up until a couple days prior to surgery & even 2 days after my staples came out. bUT I was reAL cafeful about the 7-10days post surgery. & even kept elevated 21+ hours a day. I’ve seen what happens from the stretching & pulling of swelling before the skins had time to fully heal back proper.. well, it doesn’t look good at all. girls may say they don’t like to see scars like these, but you can get them past a line & some dashes 😉 on the other hand, if not taken care of in the healing time, it ends up looking like a nasty worm..(ive had some dumb friends)
    that being said. I dance around w my crutches, CaReFuL of water it could put you BaCk in the ER w Permanent damage that a dance or 2 would NoT be worth ruining your ability to even walk proper again. That covered,if he’s going to go, he needs PlEnty of rest prior & LoTs of elevation even rIght up until. & take advil PrIor to the even because if its down,its going to swell,but at least it may help with some of the pain & the amount of swelling. I even would ice down the cast while resting with it elevated. I couldn’t feel the ice, but it kept the wrap cool & I noticed my heel didn’t hurt as much too. As far as dance floor tips- I had to flex my pecs & my biceps keeping the crutches tight to the side of my pecs in order to keep them from pushing up into my arm pits. Theres major artery in there that you do NOT want to damage! 🙂 hope that gives some alternatives & possible ideas.
    As far as will he have a cast or not after the staples come out.. weLLL thaT’s entirely up to yOur Dr. some of us have had them & some have not. I’ve seen when you are around more people & have to move around more often they keep the cast so people don’t damage the healing bone. I pleaded & they let me go without & gave me the bottom half of my cast to wrap w an ace bandage as a support & protection when around large crowds. That way I was able to kindof keep little movement so I wouldn’t toTaLly have my calf go atrophy.. but its VERY tempting to walk on it that way & boy I tell you its like theres a target on that spot. I had 2 stair falleys & about 4 close calls w people walking around not thinking about the guy on the crutches. So if they let it be your call, those are just a couple things to think about 😉 hopefully all goes well & he heals safely 😉

    Wes

  85. Wow! Thanks for the speedy replies! I will try the double bagging next time. My effort today to bag it, tape it, then stick a towel around it and tape it again was not the best; was actually quite a long ordeal! I’ll get the hang of it though! My son is almost 16 (but my only child and very much my baby! ha!). He has his homecoming dance weekend after next and is bound and determined to go;in fact, he was telling me the color of his dates’ dress and what he wants me to buy him to match her. Seems a bit optimistic to me!! We were released from the hospital and just told to call for appt. in 2 wks to go back to see orthopedic surgeon, but they never said to send him/or not send him back to school. right now, with all the meds he taking, wouldn’t think of it. He has the staples and it just wrapped in pretty huge bandage thing to about a couple inches below his knee. ALL I do know is that they are going to take staples out in 2 wks and do x-rays to check on the screws. Do you think he will get put into a regular hard cast at that time?

  86. Michele,
    OK thanks for that info. It means that the fibula ripped away a little from the tibia. The ligament between the two has to be stablized (fixated) for at least 6 weeks or more for things to get back a bit to normal. Often in such a case later they might remove the screws and that is quite easy given the location on the lateral side of the leg. It is even sometimes done in the doctor’s office.

  87. Michele,
    Glad you made it to this site. The duct tape and garbage bag method is the one I used. I found that I had to “double bag” it thought. Tape 1st bag, and then tape 2nd bag on top.

    How old is your son? It makes a big difference! Real little kids can get over this fast. I saw a little kid, about 2nd grade, proactically dancing on his broken ankle (with the crutches) while waiting in the doctor’s office. Mostly they progress very fast and have to “hold back.” I wouldn’t be surprized, if he can limit his activity to sitting around a lot, that he might even be able to go back to school in 2-3 weeks if he can get a walking cast and if everything else looks good. However, I know no details concerning the break (like where are the screws, etc. so can only guess. I would certainly abide by the doctor’s recommendations. Doctors do recommend based on the individual child’s ability and predisposition to comply.

    And how is the poor boy doing?? Perhaps better than the mother??? OK, we’re your support group.

    Good Luck.

    Anklequest

  88. it’s just me again… thought I should be more clear and say orthopedic surgeon just called it a broken ankle and the surgery he had was “orif fibula/syndesmosis”. I probably should have asked more questions of him at the time, but think I was just stressed from hearing the word “surgery’ and that all I could think of.

  89. HI! I put in a comment on the “old” one year update site and got a message that it moved, so I thought I would try again! 🙂 my son broke his fibula and had surgery a couple days ago where he had 2 long screws inserted. It looks like most people on this site have had FAR worse injuries, but am curious how long before I should send me son back to school and what to expect after his visit in 2 weeks to get the staples removed. Also, any better suggestions than duct taping a garbage bag around the leg for a shower… didn’t go so well! I’m just a worried mom, and driving my son crazy as he has been stuck home. Any information on what to expect would probably make me feel better and just be that much less annlying to my son! thanks so much

  90. Hi everyone. Sandra, so nice to hear from you but so sorry you are having what sounds like a major problem again. I really think your doctor needs to check that out. Denver Wes, my bad foot might be longer now but nowhere near size 11… so trading left and right shoes with you just won’t work. Anyway if you started wearing my style of shoes, you would not have to worry about the implications of the word flatmate .. lol. The very very very achy bad foot problem I had last night felt ever so much better when I woke up this morning. Thank goodness. I sure don’t know what bugged it so much yesterday, but honestly it was just nagging last night and nothing seemed to help it. Anklequest, I had a first this morning. I had just come in from outside with the pups at about 09:00. I walked over to pour a cup of coffee and glanced out our kitchen window in time to watch a bear (2 year old???) saunter down the middle of the road , walk up our driveway, follow the sidewalk beside our garage, and then make himself quite comfortable underneath our deck, right where our backstairs go down. My husband went out on the deck and yelled shoo, and after giving him a puzzled look, the bear sauntered off back the way he had come. So, I had heard there were bears up here, but this was my first actual siting. So glad, I was already back in the house. There is no way I could have outrun that thing with this ankle. Of course I thought of you as it was the bears and your bear proof garbage can that caused your broken ankle.

    I too get the comments about not being healed yet. I have just learned to smile and say “Oh, but I didn’t have a simple break, I had a very complicated break which I was told would take at minimum of a year to heal, or which may never completely heal and leave me with some limited degree of permanent disability. Time will tell.” That statement tends to stop people talking, asking and comparing my progress to the friend of the neighbour,, or whomever, who they claim was back playing basketball , skiing, and skydiving a week and half after their break.

    Have a nice evening everyone… Lois

  91. Just reading so many posts about RSD made me think of an experience I had several years ago with my big toe. Many years ago when I was a teenager, I accidentally dropped a very heavy piece of lumber on the top of my big toe. The initial pain was severe but within a few hours it was gone and didn’t think much of it. Then, years passed and I developed arthritis in that toe. The x-ray made the doctor ask if I’d ever gotten stepped on by a horse, which is how severe the arthritis looked!

    He gave me a cortisone shot that apparently hit the wrong target, and rather, hit a nerve (although at the time I did not know that) Month after month went by with hideous pain, nothing touching it -heat, ice, advil, tylenol, etc. The doctor didn’t know what to make of my complaints.

    Finally, three months later I sought another opinion and was told it was nerve pain and it would take a long time to go away, which it finally did.

    Nerve pain is awful because there are no medicines you can take by mouth to kill the pain.

    HOWEVER, this new doctor prescribed a topical ointment which helped tremendously, but unfortunately, I can’t remember the name. It was a numbing cream and it totally took the edge off until this went away.

    If the name comes to me, I will let you know. Maybe you could ask the doctor what it could be or do a search on line on such a thing.

    Karen

  92. Anklequest, I tell my friends or people who ask something similiar, that my break was pretty bad and even though the bones are healing, it’s everything else that has to catch up… muscles, ligaments. tissue. I feel like I’m always having to defend my ankle. 🙂

    I don’t forsee any problems with the sit down work… I just know my coworkers are going to be wondering why I’m in the office and not in my classroom teaching. 🙁 I wish the doctor would have released me without such limitations. Maybe in a few weeks, if all goes well with the sit down job, I can call and ask him to change my work status to put me back in the classroom… maybe just say “sit as needed, no lifting, and wear tennis shoes.” That should be reasonable, right?

  93. Liz,

    This is what I use to say and still say since I still wear the obvious oversized sneakers: “My ankle brake was very very severe; more severe than most ankle breaks. It needs a lot of time to mend for it also involved tissue damage. If I’m not careful I may need fusion someday.”

    When you tell people your situation which is likely a version of the above, they often do not know what to say.

    On the other hand, you may not have any problem with the sit down office work. That’s what I started with around week 6, on crutches, with a mostly elevated all day leg. I had another faculty member teach my two classes for the rest of the semester. this was fine since there were plenty of other projects I worked on and actually got a lot more done.

    Denver works, and other people work sitting down and I do not hear of problems. If you do sit down be sure to get up every hour or so to keep your circulation going.

    Anklequest

  94. Sandra,
    I’d check with the doctor if it continues. You may need that plate removed (hate to say it). Sometimes that sort of reaction can be caused by the screws and plates. Meanwhile the typical things you are doing to reduce the problem seem fine. Then they’ll say, “well let’s wait and see what happens.” In the end that decision will likely be yours. The doc will say something like “well if you want it out we’ll take it out.”

    Pam is an example of the above. When I met with Pam she showed me her ankle and the x-rays (quite a sight). It seemed clear that the medial plate she happened to have was right under the skin (she could feel parts of it)and that area was inflammed. (By the way Pam, I booked the mid-October flight to Milwaukee and will e-mail you details).

    Sandra, by year one I still had problems but not the type you describe. I had a lot of swelling around all the joint deges, but not the inflammation as you describe.

    All the best and good to hear from you!!

    Anklequest

  95. DENVER, LOUISE, I agree about people not understanding this injury… that’s one of the reasons I’m not looking forward to going back to work, especially on limited duty. My coworkers haven’t seen me in nearly 4 months. I’m sure they are expecting me to come back “cured” and back to the condition I was in before the break, but I’m SO not coming back the same person, at least not physically. Several of my friends who I go to the gym with have made comments like I should be back to doing Kickboxing and Step classes in no time now that I’m walking. Ummm NO! I can’t even balance on my bad ankle or stand on my tip toes, I’m certainly not ready for kickboxing, although I miss it tremendously. People just don’t understand what all an ankle actually effects with our bodies. But like you said Louise, I was once one of those people… never having had a broken bone or surgery, I had no idea! In the future I will have much more sympathy for people with broken bones, especially of the lower extremeties. It doesn’t magically get better when the cast comes off. Oh how I wish it did. *sigh*

    Well, I still haven’t heard from my work regarding limited duty… hopefully I’ll know something tomorrow. I do hope they can find me something to do because I just realized that I only have 3 weeks of leave left on the Family Medical Leave Act, then I risk losing my job. YIKES! 🙁 That would NOT be good.

    Hope everyone is enjoying the evening. How was your birthday celebration Lee?

    Stay Safe,
    Liz

  96. Hello. Lots to read as usual.

    Here to ask a question.

    Broke both ankles just over one year ago.

    The last few days I have started up with severe pain and inflammation around left outer ankle, and halfway up scar on that side of my leg. That’s the scar over metal plate and pins. Whole area is red and very hot to touch, particularly over the scar.

    I am elevating leg, using ice around it, massage into painful areas gently, stretching, doing mobility etc. I am taking paracetamol, and also anti-histamine just in case. All the usual things. But this is extremely painful and unexpected at this late stage.

    Do any old-timers have experience or advice on this? Thinking of Don, Anklequest, Clark here. But there may be more recent recruits to the site that have experienced similar.

    Hope someone can advise, as this is a bit worrying.
    Thanks for reading this.

    Sandra

  97. Wes. I find the same with family and friends. (well, maybe not so much with family…my mother tends to baby my ankle way more than it needs to be!) They think that because I am up and walking, that’s it, and it’s all totally back to normal now. I bumped into a friend the other day, who I havn;t seen for a while who was shocked that I was still getting pain in it.

    I had a friend who also broke her ankle over the summer, but she “just” broke the fibula in one place, which healed very quickly and she is all ok now…didn’t bother with physio etc, and she said to me the other day when I was saying to someone else about the fact I can’t do stairs properly, “well, you broke yours before I did mine, so how come you can’t do stairs properly?”

    I have also been asked from people on my netball team (including my coach!) why I am not back playing yet?
    I mean, my goodness, it’s been all of 4 and a half months, then oh…thats ok then, I am 110% back to normal!

    People do not seem to understand….even my flatmate who I live with who has seen the recovery from the moment I came home from the hospital seems to wonder why I limp around every morning, and get pain in it sometimes! Hmmm….

    It irritates me, because it was “only an ankle break!” not to mention the ligaments, and the healing etc…
    Irritates me to my CORE!! But…one has to be patient with people, as I may have been one of them had I not done it myself!!

    Denver…good to see you are able to do the calf raises though..they make my calves BURN!! And cramp…but I guess it shows they are doing some good I guess. I am rather bad at keeping them up at home to be honest…I just forget! Hmmm…really should get going with this…especially as I will be finishing physiotherapy soon!

    Anyway…thats my moan about people over with!

    Take care people.

    Louise xx

  98. Louse ur funny lol
    I feel like that a lot too, ‘not impatient’.. I try each day, even if Its not a workout day & its just a simple movement day, to see sOmething of improvement. I set my toe to the wall to see how close my knee gets, or try to lean forward a bit with weight on the bad foot, or step a little different or go a little into grass on the uneven surface for a second to see if ankle shows even the tiniest bit of difference… U can usually find a tiny bit less pain & feel more of the soarness in muscles & even that little bit you have to smile at 🙂 its coming along. Funny thing as all here have mentioned at one time or another & I feel I’m just echoing it, everyone around me thinks nothing of it. My wife will be right there when I do something & to her its just Wes moving around or my friend & I went to the mtns yesterday & got out at a park. All gravel, rocky, & sloped hill. We walked down the slight grade & I was SOO happy I could hobble down without fear just to sit on a picnic table. lol they don’t think enything of it, just normal day to them.

    Yesterday my old flatmate as our UK friends would call him (i hope that mean room mate & not my partner anyway ..lol..) came by to borrow my dirt bike to take his friend from out of town riding. they’re both pro riders but not going jumpin or anything.. just site seeing & trail riding. I love it when he uses any of our bikes because he’s a certified motorcycle mechanic and almost OCD about tinkering with bikes. He LoVes working on them & always does work, tweeks things around & has even added cool extras on the bikes just for fun & just because its in his workshop after he rides.. lol so kinda excited to see my bike finally cleaned up looking newer since I couldn’t even clean it up after the accident. I’m not planning a ride on her or anything, but its always nice to see things cleaned up & fixed. Oh & after it was loaded in the bed of his truck he walked me around it & showed me how my shifter was too low, below the frame slightly. explained that shouldn’t be that low because if I hit anything while my toe was below the shifter I ‘could’ hurt it pretty bad. he then looked down @ my bad ankle & up at me. HA..he’s funny, said hed adjust it for my EaSy trail riding in the future. I’m too old for motocross jumpin anymore. I mean, if I were single non religious & in this spot right now, I wouldn’t be so worried about the eventual future accidents & possible future surgeries & use of meds again.. I’d even self medicate with weed to make it through the burning & just press forward harder learning back flips, super mans, tail grabs & whips, can cans & heel taps.. lol Just Kiddin… I’m not like that. I’m just the family guy who likes to go out riding w the kids & UseD to look HoT on a 100′ jump.
    & very impressed with everyones progress here.
    I find each time I go to the wobble board rotation I’m able to keep it a timy bit more stable, a tiny bit further down in different areas & can put a bit more weight on it each time too. Then afterwards I feel my walk looks SO much better 🙂 & after calf raises too.. I just step onto the fireplace & grab the mantle.. & each time I’m able to do more w my weight leaning toward the bad side the entire time. And feeling the burn in my good calf too makes me feel like its doing good for the bad one too. It looks like its getting bigger & anout the same side to side width as my other leg.. just not as big on the back side lol.. in time.. in its time…

    enough rambling for me. My TENS therapy is done for the morning & I’m starving,

    Wes

  99. Hi everyone!!

    Hello to Lois, Liz, Tammy, Karen, Pam, Trac, Lee, Anklequest, Denver, and everyone else I have missed…I’m sure I have missed some!
    Happy birthday to lee…hope u had a great day!

    Denver. Great to hear you are standing on your bad foot!! Yay! Even if it IS only for 15 seconds…you have to start somewhere. I can now balance on my bad foot for upwards of 20 seconds now, and 6 weeks ago, I couldn’t even manage 3 seconds…I would just topple straight over (as my experience in the physio office the first time, I fell out the curtained area, and knocked over a tonne of paperwork! God, I feel so embarassed when I feel like that!)

    A lot of people sound like they are making progress, which is great! 😀

    It’s rather odd really…I don’t notice any day to day difference, but I am obviously improving, as like I said I can balance on it now for a while without falling over. Closing my eyes makes the situation very precarious, but however…it will get better. I am SOOOO close to being able to do go up on tiptoes just on my bad foot. I can get my foot off the floor, but not fully up into a calf raise…but sooo close, which is great! I can walk around on tiptoes now, almost without a limp, but it is still noticeable a bit.
    My ankle is still very stiff in the morning and I ahve a major limp for at least 10-15 mins before it limbers up! I havn’t been to the gym for a while…I just havn’t had the time to be honest…but am hoping to go tomorrow, or tuesday!!!

    I have another podiatry appointment on tuesday, where I am going to get some lovely insoles for my shoes, to make my feet a little more normal, as my feet are very very flat apparantly!! Hee hee.

    So yeah…I am doing ok I guess…no problems to speak of so much, just getting midly irritated at the lack of movement compared to the other foot (which will get better with “time”!) I hate that expression…I want to know what, when and why and I want to know it NOW!!! lol! (I’m not impatient! hee hee!)

    So…hope everyone’s having a great weekend!

    take care.

    Louise xx

  100. lol Lois that’s a good idea.. I’m a lefty break.. any1 going for size 11 let me know..
    😉

    home from DJing now.. over 2800 kids wOW!.. it was so packed in that school.. we couldn’t get the sound 2 carry even w a 3 foot seperator bar in top of HuGe sub box (3’x 2′ & bout 3′ tall) & extra speaker on top of the bar far highth.. so after a while I had couple guys help me lift the speakers piece by piece up onto these tables they’d let us use. we got the highth to carry the sound but I was up on those colapsable tables wobbly – ScARY!! I did mostly sound checks & crowd control while wife swapped the music. that & I had to use the mic to keep them all going. ankles good but leg/foot feel the work out for sure. I hit the shower & tens treating now..
    I too can fiNAllY stand on bad foot 15 + seconds but faR from tip toes.
    Night for now..
    hopefully my phone hangs in there..it crashed 6 times today & I don’t know hOw its working now.. so til later,
    Wes
    & HaPPy BirthDaY Lee!!!! 🙂
    🙂 :)- :)-

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