Broken ankle-2 years later

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Christi

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”

Riley on November 26, 2008 at 6:38 pm said:

Thanks for the welcome posts. I’ve never actually used a site like this before, so I appreciate the hello.

LOIS, no, I don’t set off the metal detectors in airports; the doctors told me that it probably would not unless I am in an airport that has set the montiors to be particularly sensitive. At the same time, they encouraged to me carry a copy of my X-ray just in case.

I’ve learned that it is very helpful to use the wheelchair services if you are traveling, at least in these first few weeks out. I have never checked luggage, and there’s no way to drag my roller suitcase with briefcase perched on top while using a a cane. You see a ‘whole new part of the airport when being wheeled to out-of-the-way elevators.

For any of you who travel, I’ve also learned to ask for hotel rooms near the elevator (it isn’t noisy, as I had been warned) and to ask specifically where the ice machine is (in some hotels, they are on alternate floors) so you are sure you can get to one. And travel with a supply of small baggies for the ice (which now replace my use of frozen peas, which I found to be great ice packs at home).

If there is any upside to all this, I’ve lost about 18 pounds since my fall in August. I couldn’t weigh myself for the first 8 weeks so it came as a surprise, but I guess it’s easy to lose an appetite when you aren’t movig around.

I’m still surprised at the pain, especially by mid-afternoon and into the evening (I am usually with a client all day, then head to the airport for a flight to the next city that night). Anyone have any ideas about how to manage while sitting on an airplane for a few hours? I’m doing aspirin every few hours.

Best to all.
lois on November 26, 2008 at 1:13 pm said:

HELLO and happy Wednesday everyone and Happy Thanksgiving to you USA’ers. The site had been quiet for a few days so it was great to turn on the computer this morning and see new posts. First, a big welcome to RILEY. I did the same as you. Discovered the site,,, followed it and let the contributors keep me company while I was entombed in my basement on the sofa with my leg casted and elevated. I had been unable to navigate the curved staircase to go upstairs. So this site became my lifeline to an outside world and the participants became my friends. But, like you it was only after I was up and around that I actually began posting. Also, like you I just sort of wanted to say thank you and to try to offer encouragement or something in return. I do not envy you having to travel at this point of your recovery. That must be both challenging and exhausing. Do you have any trouble with metal detectors at various airports? Anyway, glad to meet you,, and I hope you keep posting.

LIZ: It’s great to hear you sounding so upbeat and positive. You do sound like you are doing very well now. Sounds like your little nephew is a great addition for your family, and just think in a year or so, you will be “running around” all over playing tag and hide and seek and everything with him.

Hello SANDRA: (where have you disappeared these days?) DON: LEE: (are you stilling hanging onto your bright colored cane?) TIM: (how is post surgery coming?) PAM: HOPPY: DAN: (are you still coming along well?) ERIKA: (are you out of pain now, post metal removal?) LOUISE: (how is school going? I dont blame you, I would not play net ball under those conditions either) (Nope I have not yet even started Christmas shopping yet) KAREN: you are right, I still have a bit of bursitus or something in my right shoulder simply from repeatedly pushing myself off the sofa with that arm up onto my crutches) DENVER WES: (have a good holiday) HOLLY: (have you disappeared again?) TRAC: aka the pie lady, marxist tree hugger ( how are you?) MICHELE: how is your son doing now?) WILMA: (how are you?) JENNY in Australia: (how lucky are you going into summer now. The rest of us are going into the snow and ice season soon. What is happening with your titanium rejection. This sounds like a new problem for this blog, so any info you give us will be helpful). JUDY: (I discovered that you initially posted on the old site, which is why I could not find you. I see a few people are posting there again. How are you doing.?) KATIE: how is your ankle now? Hopefully your pain is continuing to diminish.) AIMEE: in Scotland… how are you doing?. Are you managing to cope with your little girl? TAMMY TWO: (hello to you)
AND HELLO TO ANKLEQUEST as well. SO,,, I HOPE I DID NOT MISS ANYONE…

There is not much new in my little world. First I was stuck in this house for months with the broken ankle, and now I am stuck in the house with contractors coming and going with the renovations going on. AND on….and on….and on…. It’s been two months now and its beginning to feel almost as painful as the broken ankle did. Boy oh Boy, has this been an exercise on my patience level. Another lesson to be learned. And this is just the lower level suite that’s being done… I cannot even think what it will be like getting the main living area reno’d too. It has really been a challenge working with all these different contractors and trades people and trying to tee them up. In the past (other houses) when we have reno’d we have always had a general contractor. Out here in the boonies we could not get one… hence we are sort of doing it ourselves. AAARGGGHHHH

Take care everyone. Lois
LIZ (Trimal, rt ankle DOI: 5/21/08, DOS: 6/2/08) on November 26, 2008 at 9:17 am said:

Hi All,

Well I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. It has been 6 months since my trimal rt. ankle fracture. Wow, I can’t believe how fast the time has flown. It was a good check-up, everything looks good. The only concern is one screw that sticks out from the skin. He wants to leave it in at least a year though before we consider taking it out. I no longer have to wear the brace (yay!) and he said I could resume my normal activities at the gym. I’m so ready to get back to my kick and step classes. He said to just let pain be my guide so that’s what I intend to do. My ankle feels really good lately. I see little improvements every day. It still feels a little stiff at times and still swells in one certain area, but for the most part I really can’t complain. Six months ago, even 3 months ago I never thought I’d be back at this point of being pretty much pain free. Let’s just hope it continues.

Welcome Riley, sorry to hear of your injury, but glad you found us to share your struggles and triumphs with. 🙂 Just keep on pushing forward, doing your exercises faithfully, and taking care of yourself, and you will surely get back to “normal” soon. It DOES get better.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am so excited to finally be an Aunt! My brother and sister-in-law brought their baby boy home yesterday. He is so cute! 🙂 I can’t help but look around me and see so much to be thankful for.

Take care everyone,
Liz
Riley on November 26, 2008 at 7:31 am said:

I want to thank so many of you who have kept me virtual company for the past three months. I broke my ankle (trimal. and dislocation, which I see from this site is faurly common!) in mid August while on a business trip. I had the usual — surgery, two plates, screws, and a pin, followed by no weight-bearing for 6 weeks. Another 5 weeks using a walker with the infamous boot, and I am now walking only with a cane. Going to PT two or three times a week and trying to stick to the exercises in between has been crtitical, but challenging as I get back on the road (I love my job, but I have to be on an airplane several nights a week and stay in hotels to be at clients, and that means a different schedule every day).

In any event, I found this site and read your postings with great interest, always finding something to sympathize with or smile about. I’m 56 and have never had a medical problem of any consequence, so it was helpful to know that it was normal to be in pain right now (and that it might end some day!), and to be a bit frightened about whether or not I will get back to some firm of normal.

Best to all for a good Thanksgiving!
Louise on November 22, 2008 at 3:23 pm said:

LOl!! I like that….leap’in louise!! hee hee. Does kinda sum me up a little i guess! And the other names u gave people too!! tehehe!

Louise xx
Denver on November 22, 2008 at 4:38 am said:

wife JusT hAD to leave tonight to get to Texas sooner… so …On tHe RoAD agAiN… just caN’t waIt tO geT bAcK oN the roA d aGaIn… HA..

Sorry don’t have much to add =/

Im 4 months post surgery,
no lig, tend damage as I was in a dirt bike boot.. jammed it doing bout 28mph jump high center on another bump thought foot was sprang til I couldn’t sleep after 7days..
3 or 4 fractures.. Tib & fib.. Trimolleolar fracture.. broke on July 5th 2008 surger 3.5 weeks later then now weight baring for 7 weeks post surgery but no cast after surgery.. just 10 day splint then stitches out & splint off with firm talk to NoT walk on or fall down..
2 plates, 1 tibia 3 screws & other on fibula with 5 screws

Now after hearing even Anklequest loving those shoes I’m curious..

Enjoy your thanksgiving, my wife gets to meet my mother for the 1st time ever.. shes nervous.. My moms real laid back & easy going gets along with everybody.. wifes got nothing to worry about.. but I’m scaring her anyway lol 😉

talk w u all soon,

Wes
anklequest on November 21, 2008 at 11:54 pm said:

Karen, I believe you are the one I owe my ECCO RXF 3060 shoes to. Thanks!! They are ugly but are my best shoes now. I wear them to school, but wish there was a finer looking pair that provides the same cushion and support.

All you folks out there, once your bones are mended, there’s still a lot left to heal so don’t think that’s the end when your x-rays come out great. It is the soft tissue damage that is often lasting…like the cartilage at the ends of the bones, the ligaments, etc. That’s why I wear these shoes. Hopefully they’ll prevent further damage while I wait for things to heal. Or hopefully they’ll prevent the arthritis progression, which is what I may have. Don’t start running right away until you are certain things are OK for that. Be grateful you can walk!!

And pie-lady, I’ll think of you this Thanksgiving while hopefully you continue with your water ballet and bend those knees.

Lakeside Lois, Denver Dandy, and Leap’in louise, thanks for all those good posts to the new ones like Tammy II.

Tim & Erika, keep healing!

Cheers to everyone else..all those old freinds, now too numerous to mention you all.

Anklequest.
Karen on November 21, 2008 at 10:16 pm said:

Judy,

Like some others who have reassured you, I also had several issues, including knee, that never bothered me before but did once I started weight bearing. There were also a few issues I sort of had dormant before but were really brought to the forefront. One was sesamoiditis, which required some TENS therapy. The sore knee just went away in time. The most troublesome thing for me is bicep tendonitis and tennis elbow, which I think was dormant, but walking on crutches for so long brought that to the forefront. I’ve broken down and started therapy for that one which is slowly helping (very slowly!) Yep, it’s a chain reaction all right, but everything eventually gets better. For me, it’s been 11 months. I had one very long break that started in the distal fibula and jig-zagged all the way through the whole foot.

Karen
Louise on November 21, 2008 at 4:31 pm said:

Oh and yes you will walk again right!! I am at 7 months now (nearly!) its been just over 4 months weight bearing, and I am walking fine about 90% of the time. Every now and then I get a bad day, but I dont look like Im limping any more now which is good! So dont worry…keep working with it, and you will be back up on your feet as soon as possible!

Louise xx
Louise on November 21, 2008 at 4:26 pm said:

Hi Judy!

I broke both bones in my leg, and I found that my knee was very stiff and quite painful when I started weight bearing on it again. It probably took about a month or so for it to stop hurting so much. I think its just where you ahve not been using it for some time, so it was normal for me. EVery now and then I get a littl twinge in my knee, but very rarely now. My physiotherapist told me this was quite normal, and to give it a few weeks, and mine cleared up quite quickly!

Louise xx
lois on November 21, 2008 at 12:28 pm said:

Hello again Judy, (And everyone else)

I myself only had a broken fibula… although it was rather a nasty break, but still it was only one bone so my experience will be a bit different from yours. SO… we need some of you who have broken both bones to give Judy a bit of info here as well as some emotional support. I can say that I do not think it is unusual to have some knee and even other (good) leg problems following a break. I have had problems with knees and even the good leg aching periodically since my break,,, but before the break had no problems with any such thing. I think our other joints just have to work harder now to compensate. BUT I definately do not want to discourage you because you WILL walk again and walk right enough. So keep the faith. It does seem discouraging,,, it does seem to take tooooo long.
My doctor told me at the beginning to expect that it would take at least a year. He was right. At four to six months you will likely be doing well,,, and you will see large improvements. But even after that you will continue to improve. At almost nine months, I still see gradual improvements… not as dramatic, but definately still there. Don’t forget to work on your physio at home, several times a day. Do not just rely on your actual physio sessions twice a week. Also, do not stop the elevation and the ice to force the swelling out of your leg. That is really important.

Judy, did you have surgery, and do you have metal plates, screws etc?? How did you break your leg???

Hello to all and keep the faith. Lois
judy on November 21, 2008 at 8:51 am said:

Hi Lois, I broke my tibia and fibia at the ankle on 9-23 of this year and am now doing pt two days a week but am having trouble with my knee on that leg. Is it normal for your knee to feel stiff and hurt when trying to put pressure on this foot.
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever walk right again.
Thanks for your input.
Denver on November 21, 2008 at 12:53 am said:

sooo busy coming up on leaving for our ‘actual’ vacation, as opposed to the quick drive down/fly back for grandmas funeral. So been doing lots of cleaning up house, working @ the lab & fixing the car up to great shape for the drive down.

Hello to aLL & welcome to the new.. =)
Good things I’ve noticed & accomplished so will throw them out real quick before I head BaCk to work & try to squeeze in a bit of sleep before a long last day & a long sat morning drive back to Texas.

I had to go by the court house the other day & once again, no metal detector went off 😉 that make airport & court read nothing in me 😉

Was getting soar walking around from not working out entire week I was in Texas (I would use wobble board stretch circles ea direction then 25 weight baring on it both directions.. this would give me the flexability so walking around all day didn’t bother so much and limp would just about disapear) so I found a new workout.. Louise will like this but it may shock a LoT of you.. its a very aCtIve HigH endurance workout for the ankle.. bringing me back to liFE again..
I was down @ Dads horse property where the ground all LOOKed fairly even yet had pits & holes EvErYhErE!.. it was GOOD I had worked out on the gel ball as I wrote about a couple weeks ago.. but those holes need MoRe preparedness to get RID of the shOCk factor while sTiLL having the strength to be sTrOnger than ever.. even BefOre the accident.. That was playing through my head repeatedly & then we had BeauTifuL weather & my friend kept calling me to go ride the dirt bike.. lol… I said NOOOooooo.. but he kept saying we could just go cruise around & relax.. just to take a break from everything for awhile… I thought about it after I’d gotten off the phone & reaLLy thought about how I cOULd ride, & cOULd hold the bike up & cOULd handle little bumps and jolts as I have ridden my bike 8 miles a day even steadying on it & dropping off of curbs etc.. then I seRioUsLy said to myself, “are you KiDDinG!? you would hit One bump after another after another, jolts, rocks, drops, turns, etc.. you CaN’t & AREN’T ready for aNythInG like that no matter HOW good you fake it, you’ll end up in the ER” so I went to the gym & stepped it up a notch..
I set the gel ball down (the half gel sphere that sits planted on the floor and is about 2 feet wide I believe) I usED to step on it each and every way to get working on flexability (or as doc says, dorsoflex) and shock factor of mobility and response.. well now I stepped it up- I began by resting it and pressing in different positions to stretch the front, the achiles, the sides, the calf, etc, you name it.. then I started stepping up onto it and down off of it & even moving it to side front and back side of gel as I would step up & did it to the beat of the music to keep my mind from babying the motion & slowing reaction… ThEn I started JuMPINg oNto the gel ball (bad foot onto gel ball) looking like some kind of gymnist a (a crippled one that is lol) hands going to sides when I was down on ground, then would point forward to balance as I would land on the ball on one foot and stall for a steady moment… I did this until I could keep it steady to the beat of the music once again.. (good to have water nearby LoTs of water cause LoTs of sweating).. I then began to jump onto the gel ball good foot landing on it and actual jumping by going heel to toe as I lept FrOm the bad toe into the air.. and as I would jump baCkwards onto the ground again bad foot going down onto ground I would go toe down first as I landed and went down to heel.. I kept this up to the point I actual was juMpIng nicely and getting more than just a smiggen of air.. I could actual get nice steady leaps & land on the gel ball good knee bent & steady in a stall.. I was able to switch the leap & keep the beat. I then turned my step up excersise into a leap up excersice from even 3 feet back from the ball.. I got an AwSoMe workout and hit the hot tub, steam room, massaged & stretched it really well to prevent soarness beyond movement the next day & went for 4 laps in pool to stretch out & even did a rUn in the pool as best I could.. I m doing AweSome today =).. except.. I forgot to massage and stretch my gOOd leg cause I was in such a huge rush and running late.. so Now my good leg is TIGHT & soarer than the bad leg..lol.. it feels good to limp slightly the OtHer direction for a change.. makes the bad leg feel ReaL good & even better on my confidence seeing & feeling it can take on the weight for my busy day with no problem..

I’m really prepping to go back down to texas in less than 36 hours..

Wes
watch out for those Holy Ouchies & crazy Christmas shoppers.. (ps,hot tub jets on soar part of ankle have been strengthening it and doing great as kids bump it kick it & people seem to be walking right into it too =)~
Louise on November 20, 2008 at 7:28 pm said:

Hi everyone!!

Hello to Tammy (two!). glad you have found our little gathering on the internet! how nice it is! 🙂
Sorry to hear about your ankle, but sounds like your doing well, so keep it up, and Im sure u will be up and about in no time hopefully!

Hello to trac! So sorry to hear about your knee! What exactly is happening with it now then? I have never even heard of the condition at all! Keep us updated on whats happening with that though! (Im sure you will anyway! 🙂 )

Tim, and Don. Nice to hear from u both, and Lois and wes also! and hello to everyone else as well!

Well as for me, I am nearing the end of my 2nd round of physio….next weds is my last week.Again, quite worried as to whats going to happen, as although I can walk ok now, for a fair distance, it still aches a lot, and I cannot really run, or do anything like hopping or anything like that, so Im not good to go back to playing sports or anything! So not sure if there is anything else I can do really!!

I have noticed over the last week or two my achiles tendon at the back has really stiffened up and is causing me a fair amount of discomfort to walk on. It cracks also when I try and put weight on it, like doing heal raises and stuff. Has anyone else had this? i am nearing the 7 month mark now, and not had anything like it before really. Just odd it would start now. I am also noticing as the weather get colder, the stiffer my ankle gets, and the more achy as well. I guess this is something which I need to put up with until it gets warmer again (well…hopefully anyway! ha ha!)

Oh and I got very annoyed with my netball team yesterday, as they are back playing outside again (with the dodgey court!) PLUS the floodlights were out last night, so they played in the dark, with a dim light from the neighboaring sports hall!! I just cant believe they have not learnt anything from my injury, plus another major injury (of a broken wrist, and really bad concussion!) and a rather nasty sprain!!! Grrrrrrr……..
I said to them that when I do go back to playing which I am hoping will be early next year so I can get involved with the league which starts in march, I am refusing to play outside, as Im not having any more injuries coz of their silly court! BUT….however!

Soooo….hows everyone’s christmas shopping going?? Done? Not even started?? I started mine today, and picked the worst day to go, as they were turning on the lights in my city, so there were hundreds of people there, and kept getting my legs rammed with wheelchairs and buggies gallore!! Eventually I ended up losing it with one lady, as she rammed into my gimpy ankle with a bugey, caused me to stumble into someone else, so I told her to watch where she was going. She then replied that I should have got out of her way, to which I returned the comment with the fact that she was in large CROWD of people, and it was pretty much impossible to ‘get out of her way’ and also why should i if she talks to me like that?! I could feel the ‘festive’ rage sprining up inside me!!!!! But….relax! Its christmas (nearly!) lol!!

Hope everyones having a good week!

Louise xx
lois on November 20, 2008 at 11:49 am said:

Hi Tammy Two,,, as Denver Wes said in a prior post “holy ouchie”, (I like that expression), Yours does sound like a VERY NASTY break. I am amazed that you are doing this well this soon. Good for you. And yes, not only is this injury physically challenging, it IS also mentally and emotionally challenging. Yep, we go from the falling over crutches to the leave behind cane… . After a while your cane is constantly being left behind in the wrong room or hanging on the handle grip of some shopping cart in some store. After a while you simply decide that you obviously don’t need it any longer,,, because its more difficult hobbling around looking for the darned thing than it is to walk and go about your business. Oops renovation contractors are arriving here. Have a great day Tammy Two and everyone else. Lois
Tammy on November 20, 2008 at 8:27 am said:

Thank you for the welcome Lois. TammyTwo is fine:) I broke by tibia (8 pieces), fibula (spiral fracture and broke off the bottom piece), and little toe. Ortho said it is healing great and I guess that is why I am already in just a light ankle splint. I am pretty sore nowadays since graduating from the boot Monday the 17th. I did get to hop on a bike yesterday and that felt great! I’m sure I will pay today with muscle soreness! I am usually a very active person (running, biking, swimming and all sports that my children are involved with) so this has been mentally challenging. I am putting a little weight on it with the aid of my “trusty” crutches, hurts with every step though, hoping that won’t last too long. I laughed so hard yesterday when I read a gentleman’s post about his crutches falling over. It truly doesn’t matter how you balance them…they always end up on the floor. I should just throw them there to begin with so I wouldn’t be startled every time I hear the crash:) Thanks again for this great site- Tammy
lois on November 20, 2008 at 12:33 am said:

Hello and welcome Tammy. I am going to “dub” you TammyTwo,,, if that’s okay with you, because we have another Tammy on the site who broke her ankle some time ago. So somehow we will need to keep the two of you straight. lol. So… what exactly did you break… tibia, fibula???? If you have started therapy at six weeks you sound like you are doing quite well actually. Are you still in a cast??? and on crutches???? or in a boot??? Lois
Tammy on November 19, 2008 at 4:42 pm said:

What a great site! I am 6 weeks post surgery with plate and 7 screws in my right ankle. Soccer and uneven ground, not a good combination:). I have just started therapy and am very anxious to get back to running, although I know it will be a long while yet. I have been reading this blog for hours and have learned a great deal from all of your stories. Thank you all for sharing.
Tim on November 19, 2008 at 8:35 am said:

Good Morning all,
Hope everyone is having a good week! Turkey day is right around the corner,Thank God! it is one of my favorite holidays of the year. My wife is such a great cook and we have so many great memories as it is a very big family weekend for us. We have many family traditions that we have done for years.

Don, Nice to hear from you and I hope your doing well.

What a long two weeks for me but things seem to be getting a bit better as far as the pain level, I get the staples and stitches out this friday and will go from there.

Crutches…. I hate those damn things, no matter where I put them they seem to always end up falling to the floor. oh well better them than me 🙂

Everyone have a great hump day!

Later
Don on November 17, 2008 at 4:46 pm said:

Hey Ankle Breakers

Tim
Sorry to hear about your troubles, but am glad that you are on the way to recovering again.

Trac
Found this thought it might help you understand contractures a little.

Doctors understand better how and when to treat contractures (the permanent tightening of particular muscles)

to me this would seem lick the muscles of your leg are tightening and are not streightening so that you can fully extend the leg. in another part I read about it they say that surgery they can now give relief to this condition and through use of different braces. Hope this helps 🙂

I walso wanted to say hi to all the new people that have joined our club and to the old people that have been arounbd for so long

Thanks again just for being here

Talk soon

Bye the way make sure you keep the right parts of your feet on the ground it is safer for all of us, we seems to wobble when we don’t

Be safe all
Later
Don
trac on November 17, 2008 at 2:45 am said:

Hello and Welcome to the newer people on this site. I hope you find it to be as helpful as I have. I have received the best advice and support from people on here, so please, feel comfortable revealing your feelings and asking questions. It is amazing the answers that can come from others on here. So, again, WELCOME and HAPPY HEALING! It is the best way to heal, but for those days when happy isn’t in the equation, you will find people here more than supportive. 🙂 Because, we’ve all been there and will be there again…

Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy as for me? WELL…guess who got yet ANOTHER piece of not so good news? Yeup! That would be me. I was told that my knee is indeed a contracture (?). I don’t think that is good. Esp. when surgery is being thrown around as an option. However, all that being said, we are going to continue with therapy — of course, and I am up to 3 days of 3 hours, 3 days of 2 hours. I completely understand how excersise can boost one’s mood. I feel great afterwards. And, I keep standing up, trying to take a step. I’m getting to be more weight bearing, but w/o being able to straighten the knee, I can’t take an actual step. My dr. said, that you can walk w/a straightened knee, but you can’t walk w/a knee w/a permanent bend to it. So, we have to really focus on straightening the knee. Every week I can see a little more progress, and you know, that is all a person needs to keep it up, is seeing at least some progress, you know?

If anyone knows about contractures — on my level, you know, w/o all that dr blah blah, I’d love to know. I am a great example of why a person should embrace PT. Because, if, after my surgeries, I had received PT instead of laying in a bed in a nursing home for 8 months … just imagine…but, no going back, right? But, I will tell you, I can’t even drive by the nursing home w/o feeling queasy. So, hug your PTs and OTs!

Oh, I’ve rambled, I’m sorry! At least I got a clean reading from the dentist. One dr that could give me good news…alritty, my tea is done. Just wanted to pop by and say HI!! Plus, ask about contractures.

Have a good Monday!
Here’s to Healthy Healing,
trac
Denver on November 16, 2008 at 11:41 pm said:

Hellloo…
soooo busy.. Haven’t been able to even get 2mins to post.. I keep signing on phone to catch up on site & read half a post & have to run.. So here’s the update..

I Got to the airport to head home, set my carry on bag on the conveyer belt, emptied pockets, removed my belt, cell phone then shoes.. I never said a thing about the ankle & was sure there was no change on me just to be sure that if it went off I’d know it was from the plates.
So I walked through the detectors & started RuNNiNg!! they started chasing… JUstKiddINg!! lol.. hope none of you bought that..lol.. I walked right through and not a sound HA! that’s honestly the truth.. so far sounds like some detectors go off & some don’t.. =)

So I was so busy going on one and two hour trips all over south east Texas to Moms, Uncles, grandparents place, etc.. its like nobody lives right there by eachother.. I didn’t get but moments and possibley a couple hours of sleep here or there for three nights straight, then flew into Denver. My wife picked me up & the car didn’t barely make it out of the parking garrage and it died.. sigh..
I had problems with the fuel from one imparticular station near my wifes work. It just would die & take resting for 30mins to an hour & even after it started it would be choking BaD til it got the watery gas through it? ha.. so I told wife not to use that station anymore.. So back to the airport scene, I looked over and asked her whered you get the gas, she said,”I thought itd be ok since it was the 91 octain..” whoops.. ya.. so over 2hours later we got it started all the while no police thought us suspicious and it took 45mins til security even came to offer assistance & only offered a jump start with broken english.. when he heard the battery was good he didn’t know what to do & said he was going to go. It took another 45mins til another security guy came by and saw me calling tow companies & offered me the suggestion to pull the car into the garrages ahead and I would still get good phone reception.. let me tell you, theses security are brilliant.. I had flashers on, hood open & even tried putting my handicapp tag in the mirror so maybe someone would feel a tiny bit of sympathy to help me get the car out of the roadway where we could catch a cab or rent a car from the airport, soMething so I could get sOmE sleep.. Well the last security guard got their contracted tow guy to come out.. The airport is considered private property so no police came round & to get a tow from out there even cleared $200-$250.. we were bout to give in… switching ins around as needed, when the security and airport tow guy wanted to try to just crank it til it started.. He hooked up the power box jump started & we cranked for a good 4 mins til it choked over & wanted to die again.. I drove her home feathering the whole way to keep it from dieing & hit the bed… I wasn’t even home 4 hours & we were down for dinner when the kids started talking bad to Laureen & I told’m we were going to drop them over @ their dads as we’d discussed when they would be rude and disrespectful over here. As I told our 15yr old step son to go get in the car he started calling his mom a ‘slut’ (love the wonderful words kids learn in school these days to call their moms?! serIoUsly?) I grabbed his bookbag, said lets go & he decided he was going to beat me up.. He started swinging, missing every swing & ran me into the wall?! we both wound up on the floor & I couldn’t really do anything? got no leverage to wrestle with this not so flexable ankle.. he was shoving, swinging, roaring mad & I kept saying YoU NeeD to StOp!NoW! Mom came to brake it up and he shoved her into a wall.. as I was telling her, its not me.. & had my arms up while he kept going crazy.. I picked up her cell phone & stood up, he tried grabbing more & I said, this is over,. I called the police over to calm the wonder boy down & theyspelled out for him what he can’t do & what all we cOuLd do if we wanted & the deputy even called kids dad & chewed him a new one for putting the stupid notion that his son could talk the way he did & take swings at our home.. They threatened him with 3rd degree asault charges which we didn’t press but they let him know they have the ability every since the high school shootings, to press charges even if we don’t want to or refuse to testify. The Deputies talked with all the kids & explained that we only have to provide them with a burlap sack & a bowl of rice for food according to the laws, then pointed out how good they have it even though we’re not obligated to do so much.. They also explained to them that they should be thrilled to have a home where we don’t even spank them..

Boy I tell you what.. I may be switching from the no spanking policy..lol.. kid made me feel like I walked onto a Jerry Springer episode.. I trained in Street Kempo for many years.. granted its been a good 8 years or so since I was consistant, but the two things I’m surtain of- 1-I deffinately could knock heads around & do quite a bit of damage to anyone wanting a fight, but More importantly, the second thing I learned was an extremely healthy grasp on meditation and being centered, defusing and at almost all cost not fighting physically, but rather using your brain to be smarter than that.

I told him before the police had his grandma come pick him up, “the deputy explained it to you, you want to be here, you need to think about what you’ve done & apologize..knowing what has to change… til then,… you don’t come around”

So after that drama, I ve been playing catch up on work & fixing the car for our trip to see aLL the family in a week…

TrYing to fix the cruise control on the Taurus.. thatd sure be nice with this ankle.

I’ve been really working the ankle out for any unknown terrain doing the gel ball & placing it in front of the jets @ the hot tub in the gym to get the shock factor gone.. It sure got tested with little kids that are used to hanging all over me at family get togethers this last week, stepped on, kicked, bumped & then step son kicked it … it held up quite well & didn’t even swell, guess lots of prayers..because I could swear it swells when I do the tiniest things sometimes..

Theres my LoooNnnG ramblings for my Funeral week.. I’m still reading along & enjoying, HeLLo to everyone & the newbies.. & good to see the metal removals are looking up.. & Maybe we can set up one of those MeNtal detectors Louise was talking about at our front door for when the teen comes, then we’ll know what we’re in for.. lol…

Wes
Louise on November 16, 2008 at 5:35 pm said:

Aimee. Hello!! Glad you have found our little virtual gathering! Although sorry to hear about your ankle. Hopefully you are over the worst of it though, and things should start getting better from now onwards! 🙂 Im sure your little girl will be ok at home playing, and spending time with her mummy is always good! She can start nursery soon enough. Enjoy the time you have at home with her as much as you can I guess! 😀

Erika! Glad to hear you are doing so well! 😀 So does it feel different already then? Is it less stiff and achy than it was before? (Was yours stiff and achy?) Mine is stiff and achy!! Keep us updated, and hopefully it will make things a lot easier for you in the long run!!

There is no good time for me to have mine out next year if I did have mine out. It is always going to coincide with a holiday, or something or other! (I am going away quite a lot next year! Exciting stuff! yay! 😀 )Hmmm…. oh well…what happens will happens I guess!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Louise xx
lois on November 16, 2008 at 11:01 am said:

Hello AIMEE in Scotland. I am glad you found us and that you have found the posts helpful. For only two months along, you sound like you are doing extremely well. Good for you. I think you echo what most mothers of small children have said on this blog. That is – they seem to feel worse for what they cannot do for their kids then they do for themselves. It should get a little easier once you are cleared to drive. I have little time to talk right now,,, but I just wanted to welcome you to the site and to say I hope you keep posting. Happy crutching…. Lois
Aimee on November 15, 2008 at 10:52 pm said:

Hi all,
I had a trimalleolar fracture and dislocation on 12th Sept this year. I’ve been so helped by the posts on this site and the other one. I’m in Scotland.
I had surgery the afternoon after my fracture (slipped on back door step) and spent 5 days in hospital. Plate, 7 screws, a big pin and (eek) some wire! 6 weeks in cast, 2 weight bearing, although nobody told me HOW to put weight on my cast!
I’m now 9 weeks post surgery and doing ok since I’ve started physio. Have had 3 sessions over the last 2 weeks and gone from limping on two crutches and not being able to put heel of left foot on floor to being able to walk a bit around my house with no crutches!! Defo need them outside and first thing in the morning though!
I have a 3 year old daughter and I feel dreadful for not being able to do things with her like I was before. I have had to postpone her starting nursery because I cannot walk far or drive and my partner leaves for work too early in the morning to take her. BUT, I’ve been able to take her to the park nearby this week, so it’s looking up!
Hoping everyone else is doing ok!
A xx
Erika on November 15, 2008 at 1:47 pm said:

Hello everyone! Wanted to update all on my hardware removal. I had the hardware removed on November 4th. This past Wednesday, November 12th, I had the staples taken out. (that was ouchy, pinchy). I had not been able to remove the dressing before then, and I was really quite surprised. It was not bruised much at all. A bit swollen – but not exceedingly. He gave me a clean bill of health. I DROVE to work on Thursday and Friday. (it is only about 10 min. from my house).

I used my cane on Thursday, but decided at the end of the day that it didn’t really help much – and it gets in the way. I am walking ok – very slowly, very carefully. The throbbing pain is finally gone – i do still get those twinges of pain – but not too bad. I just slowly cleaned the kitchen, and vacuumed. Now, I will sit for a while with it up.

At night I use ice – it is painful in the evening from using it. I am doing the ankle circles, and trying to stretch it as much as possible. It is still quite stiff, but I can tell the hardware isn’t there anymore and I am SOOOO glad it is out. I really think this is going to help.

So, if anyone is thinking about it – I think a week you get over the hump – and I am thinking that by 1 month it will be feeling much better. I am walking with sneakers. The funny thing is that today at home, I am just walking in my socks, and I am not getting the twinges of pain like yesterday when I was wairing my sneaker. When I am wearing my sneaker, I definitely walk a bit different, because I think the sneaker is rubbing on the incisions – and so, I walk stiffer. I think the ankle actually likes to move around a bit – so barefoot it is!

If you have any specific questions about the hardware removal – just ask. I am now an expert! Woo Hoo! I was so scared to have this done, and now I am so happy I did – and that it is over.

Happy trails!

Erika
Louise on November 14, 2008 at 6:57 pm said:

Tim. Glad to hear that things should get better for you!! Hopefully, once you are over this, that should mean a much better outcome for u in the long run!! 😀

yes Im doing ok thanks! 🙂 As i said, I am pretty much pain free these days, although it does ache quite a lot, but thats to be expected really, so yeah, but other than that doing ok ta! And yeah, my friend is getting much better now. She has to walk with a back brace, and cannot stand for too long, cant use stairs a lot, but she can walk ok, albeit slowly, but she is doing really well considering! But yeah it was quite scary when I went to see her in hospital to start with.

Louise xx
Tim on November 14, 2008 at 4:09 pm said:

Louise,
It may be getting slightly better, I went to the doctor today and she explained that all that she had to do inside will make it hurt a bit longer then last time. I went from 7 screws and a plate to an upside down T with thenty staples and six stitches and stitches inside on the tendons and muscles. Im looking for a good outcome.She did however mention that stress fractures are not unusual with the removal of hardware and I did get three after the first screw removal (not fun)but I feel better about things now….just got to get over the first two weeks of pretty major pain.

How are you doing these days? Very sorry to hear about your friend thats scary hope she pulls thru ok without major complications.

Hello to everyone hope you have a great weekend !

Tim
Louise on November 14, 2008 at 9:48 am said:

LOL! Wes, that was meant to be METAL detectors not MENTAL detectors!! HA HA HA!

That tickled the idea of mental detectors at the airport! I certainly would have been picked up many years ago if that was the case!
Louise on November 14, 2008 at 9:46 am said:

Veggies?? Eeeek! I hate veggies, but thanks for the advice Trac!!

Sorry to hear your feeling a bit down at the moment! Who the hell knows whats round the corner hey? Dont let them be proven right. My friend broke her back earlier on this year in a car crash abroad, and she was in a coma for a few days. Firstly they said she would not wake up, and if she did she would be possibly brain damaged, and 1 week later she woke up, with all her brain cells in tact. This was when I was away in new york,a nd didn’t find out till a week after i got back!! Grrr…I was annoyed someone didn’t tell me before, but however!
They also said there was only about a 5% chance of her ever walking again………3 months later she is up and about! The docs were shocked, as were we, but it can be done. A positive attitude. It has been shown that laughing can help heal cancer….

http://www.healingcancernaturally.com/laughter-is-medicine.html

so keep your chin up, and dont settle for what people tell you you can or cant do! 2 weeks after being allowed to weight bear I went to NYC and walked around for a whole day with no crutches. The doc wasn’t happy about me going but hey! I said I was, and off I went. I know it is different in your case, because you are a lot further on than me, and that does make a difference, but you cannot underestimate the power of having a PMA! (Positive mental attitude!) Keep smiling!! 😀

Anklequest! Thanks for the advice on the skiing, If I do ski, then it will be x country, not piste skiing, so that will be a lot better. plus i want to snowboard rather than ski. But we shall see what happens about that. Im off on monday to buy some nice warm clothing for it! Bearing in mind the average temp in february is -8!!! Cold brrrr…..

Tim. How is the pain coming along?? Hope is getting a little easier for you now a few days later! 🙂

Liz. Congrats on being a new autie to be!

Wes. I liked your comment about me joking about the mental detectors at the airport. I probably would joke about that! You should be ok….i was fine, and I normally set off the detectors everytime! lol!

As for me, nothing else to update you on really. I am feeling reasonably pain free these days (thankfully!) although do still have a lack of movement, and a very dull ache every time I move it. squated down to clean the kitchen floor yesterday, and both of my calves cramped up, plus I was wobbling around all over the show, as I cannot squat properly. Think next time Ill kneel! lol!

To everyone else…dan, wilma, lois, lee, and anyone else I have missed, hello, and hope your all doing ok!

Louise xx
trac on November 14, 2008 at 1:23 am said:

Hello!!!!!!!!

Good to see all the progress, and people keeping their chins up even through surgeries and pain. Yea, that metal removal surgery sucks! I can still remember the pain. Sheesh!

I’ve been good. Moody, but good. The aqua therapy is AMAZING! It feels so good to be up and walking again, even if it is only in water. But, these new PTs don’t think I’ll be actually walking by June, either. Dang it! What in the world do I have to do? I guess I will keep at it. But, c’monnnnnnnnnnn. However, I will add that reading on these sites other people have said it took them a very long time, too. So, I suppose I will just keep that in the back of my mind for everytime I start to get frustrated at the proposed timeline of rehab. I just love how much easier everything else is in the water. Huh, never wanted to be a mermaid before…until now. 🙂 Naw, there’s already too many redheaded mermaids, and besides, I can’t really sing.

I pulled a muscle on the right side of my back, so now it hurts to laugh. Is there anything more ridiculous? I suppose, I should be depressed right now, because it doesn’t hurt to cry…just laugh…you know, cut down on the pain any way possible. OH, speaking of pain — yeaaaa, as easy as the aqua seems while you are doing it, it shore do give you a workout. I really like that about it. I don’t think I’ll ever stop. Ever. Even when I don’t need therapy.

I cried a little in the locker room after my PT did my 8 wk check up and said he didn’t know if I would ever get enough motion back to doing the stuff I love. You know what, ok, whatever. But, I worked hard at not having a real career or debt, so that I could spend my life kayaking and chasing baseball teams. If someone had told me I was going to knock myself onto my bum for an over extended period of time, heck, I woulda’ racked me up some mortgage debt and married a nice nerd boy.

Now I’m stuck w/an adventurous soul of a man I love more than the morning light, and a bum leg that can’t keep up with him. Well, he always did say he loved me for my brain vs body…guess this will be the time to see if it is true, eh?

So, our Quebec trip is off. We are going to North Carolina. I love Quebec. And, Nova Scotia. And, all places up north. But, I don’t want to go back until I can get around the way I really want to.

ok. I’ve rambled on enough, and really very little of it had to do with my ankle / leg / therapy. I’ll try to stay on topic next time. But, I had to voice my giggly saddness at the moment.

Thanks for listening!
Here’s to healthy healing…
And, to eating our veggies.
trac
Tim on November 13, 2008 at 6:31 am said:

Hello all,

Anklequest,the bone fragments came from the area where they had removed the first screw last spring, the bone chipped at that point the doctor thinks leaving three fragments in there. The cartilage was found behind the bone where the plate was located. The doctor said that the surgery should be between 2-3 hours but after placing a nerve block in behind my knee and getting started it took just at 5 hours. My wife went the ask the nurse 2 times to call into the room to see if everything was going ok and was told yes they just had more to do inside my ankle than expected after getting in there. My first surgery was December 16 2007 then I had the first screw removal in early march,I have been having so much pain over the last 3 months that they ran a MRI then sent me to another doctor to be read and those were the findings. I am so glad to get it over with and I truly believe that things will be much better in time,but WOW this has been very painful.The doctor also worked my foot around quiet a bit after the hardware removal in order to try to gain me more mobility after all of this is over due to the fact that it has had such little movement over the last 3-4 months. I felt like things were getting much better until early July then they began to head south. Durring that time frame I had gotten 3 stress fractures that added to the constant pain and swelling. I just pray that this is the last of the problems with my foot/ankle for many years to come and I really do have a good feeling about things now, however the pain has been incredible this time I can tell you that for sure however was somewhat expected.

How have you been, it sure was nice to see some of the names of those who I shared stories with last winter. Over time I would get on and read some of the postings but just did not write anything.

Have you heard from Clark in a while? Thanks for asking about my situation.

Take care everyone and hope you all have a great week!
anklequest on November 13, 2008 at 12:22 am said:

Tim,
I am so shocked to hear of your very extensive surgery. 5 hours! A long time! Here I thought you were doing so well. Weren’t you working at 6 months and doing well? Whatever happened? Where did the cartilage get removed from? And those bone fragments? All the best to you and hope that you eventually can provide us with some more information.

Lee, Louise..the verdict on skiing is don’t do it until you have the appropriate strength and flexibility and are back in good shape. And wear a thick sock on the leg with the plate (or cover the plate with moleskin)so there is less pressure against the boot. I’ve decided not to ski again (well, maybe on a slower slope or cross country if my ankle improves and I lose weight). Not that I was ever a big skier but I’d gone skiing just before breaking my ankle and got slammed by a hot rod teen. I was nicely going down during a lovely snowfall. After the collison I ended up having to walk all the way down the mountain and was so exhausted & black & blue and cold when I got down I couldn’t move for a day.

OK, will be back here sometime this weekend with some responses to other items.

Thanks to EVERY ONE of you for continuing to contribute, to share, and helping each other. This is a great board!

And yes, Christi started this board. I’m just a poster, trying occasionally to be helpful if I see that I can be. Many here have been extremely helpful to me!!!

Watch out! Evening frosts are beginning here. Winter snow is around the corner for us northern folks. We all have to start watching for ice! On the old board there were several people who broke their ankles falling on ice.

All the best!

Anklequest
Tim on November 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm said:

Sorry, I hit the go button before I has finished. I hope everyone’s week is going well and as pain free as possible. I have my doctors appt. Friday and will see what the doctor says then. She says 6 weeks non weight bearing then 6-8 weeks in the boot again. Anyway, hope your all doing well.

Take care
Tim on November 12, 2008 at 4:54 pm said:

Hello everyone,
I had surgery on Monday, 5 hours in surgery! plate and 6 screws removed 3 bone fragments removed a whole lot of cartlidge removed and tendon reconstruction she also scoped my entire ankle. Not fun, major pain today and have not slept in two nights.The pain this time has been much greater than the first two surgerys.
lois on November 11, 2008 at 2:05 am said:

I did a bit of checking on the internet and it would seem that between me (stainless steel) Wes (chrome or cobalt?) and Australian Jenny’s titaniam ,,, that we have accounted for all three possible varieties of metal that they use for this ankle patching job.

LIZ, nice to hear that you are adjusting to teaching and living at home again. You will keep coming along,,, it just takes more time. And huge congratuations to the “Auntie in Waiting”. How exciting for you and your family.

DON, sorry that you have had more medical (and other) issues to deal with. Nice to hear from you and it sounds like you are coping. Good guy.

And Voyeur, WILMA,,, thanks for posting. You (and others) really help to keep up the spirits of everyone on here when you post and comment. Even when you feel that you have little specific to say, I think it’s still important because it encourages the others who are going through the dark early days of this trauma. We know that as things begin improving,,, the changes we see become smaller and we think they will seem less important to others,,, but those changes are still real and they are important for all of us to hear. Even walking around briefly in high heels is encouraging. Or to have a chuckle about you back into clogs for church because we can so well relate to that. Oh, by the way, this blog does not belong to Anklequest. It actually belongs to a woman named Christi who is now two years out from her broken ankle. She used to post once in a while, but has not been on for some time now. Anklequest is someone who had really bad breaks, (trying to set up a bear proof garbage can or something like that). She has just been the best sport and VERY motivational in keeping this blog active and interactive. She has been both downright encouraging to others and on occasion “challenging” of others to propel them forward in their healing. She mentioned a number of blogs ago that she would be a bit less active for a while because she is into the school year and a bit busy with her students at the university.

Well enough chat. Night everyone and sleep well. Lois
LIZ (Trimal, rt ankle DOI: 5/21/08, DOS: 6/2/08) on November 10, 2008 at 10:03 pm said:

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it’s been so long since I last posted. I’ve been keeping up with everyone just haven’t had anything new to add really and have been really busy with work. I feel so behind on paperwork and assessments since I was out for so long. Things are going well. Although it took me a few weeks, I’ve finally adjusted to life back in Atlanta and back to teaching.

My ankle has good days and bad. Sometimes it feels almost normal and I forget that anything is wrong, but other times it swells on the tibia side and has a variety of pains and soreness. I never know how it’s going to feel honestly. I feel like I’ve hit a plateau… no real progress over the past month or so. I’m still wearing an ankle brace and I still cannot do a standing heel raise on that foot. I have been working out at the gym though. I stick mainly with the treadmill, bike, or elliptical. I’ve taken Kick class a few times but was very careful not to do the side kicks or round house kicks. I don’t want to chance twisting my ankle in that way. I’ve also done Spin class twice (an hour long bike class that is killer!) Standing up on the bike to climb the hills puts alot of stress on my ankle and I feel it afterwards, so I’ve been staying seated through most of that. It’s still a great workout though! 🙂 It feels great to be back at the gym with my friends. I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks and hoping he’ll let me take the brace off then.

Wes, so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I’ll be thinking of you and your family.

Wilma, it’s great to hear from you. Wow, heels? I’m impressed. 😉 I haven’t worn anything but tennis shoes the last 6 months. Oh, how I miss my flip flops. *sigh* One thing that I find helps loosen my ankle flexing up is the Gastroc stretch. You could probably find a picture of it if you google it. It’s really a stretch for the calf muscle but when you put your injured foot behind it forces that ankle to bend. This is one of my favorite exercises to do in the morning to stretch things out before I start my day.

Well, It’s nice to see so many people posting. Hi to Louise, Lois, Don, Lee, Erika, Katie, and to everyone else I missed.

I’m glad you found our site Jenny, but sorry to hear of all your ankle troubles. I hope you can get the answers you’re looking for regarding the metal rejection. How long has it been since your break?

Well, I have one last bit of exciting news to share before I call it a night… I’m going to be an AUNT for the first time! 🙂 My brother and sister-in-law have been waiting to adopt a child for awhile now. They found out this weekend that they are going to be the proud new parents of a new-born baby. They will be bringing the baby home from the hospital within the next few days. I’m going to travel to their home this weekend to see the new baby. I’m so excited!

Stay Safe Everyone,

Liz
Denver on November 10, 2008 at 5:19 pm said:

wOw! one day & sooo many posts..lol

Ok, 1st, ThaNk YoU every1 for the prayers and concern, they’re greatly appreciated & I know, sad it takes this for the family to get together.

Had a great visit with my dad. He found a 6 acre horse ranch to rent & they’re still unpacking. he & my brother waited up for us. WOW little kids have tInY bladders lol.. we have my sisters two youngest- boys- 8 & 5.. I thought if I gavem less liquid & more pretzels or non salty chips that itd help obsorb sOmE of it..lol.. sister said it dId wOrK but woW! sometimes wed stop 35mins apart.. I held up the empty juice bottle & toldm they’d have to do the way grandma taught us= pee in this, we can’t keep stopping”… lol.. they didn’t take me seriously lol.. wHaT? I had to when I was there age..lol

ok ok..

nack on track,
HoLy OUCHY! that’s the change in altitude.. I think.. I did well on the ‘driving’ & ‘riding’ in the mini van (especially since she has a 6 disc DVD player with wireless headphones that did GreaT @ silencing the kids BeST iNvEnTioN EVER! =)

but, when I arived @ my dads and started walking in OuWY! noT comfortable.. I could walk but would have spasm pain that leg would just say, DoNe! & I would flog down a bit..lol.. between that & being tired I was done.. massaged it a bit.. most the pain though was up above ankle under calf & some shin pain.. I used the wobble board 2 stretch it out & took advil to cry myself to sleep but was good by morning.. guess it sitting on heel resting really pulls down that ‘dorsoflex’ & 14 hours is a bit much lol…

WiLma =) k, here’s how u check the dorsoflex improvement & good mark 2 stretch for..
find a wall without the base board trim or a tall table leg..must be a straight down leg though..fancy curvey ones won’t work for this..
now take your GooD foot & place the big toe riiiight up against the wall or leg.. keep your foot flat, now bend your knee & it should touch the wall (or leg) going over your toe easily.. you can now with the good foot pull it back a few inches from the wall & notice you can still bend the knee to touch the wall even with the foot still flat, then even able to maybe up to 6 inches or so depending on your bodies flexability. NoW, take note of how you didn’t ‘force’ the leg or knee to bend but you rather ‘relaxed’ it & your hamstring & foot to be able to bend it so far. Ok.. with this in mind, now its time to take the bad foot and see just how bad…I mean GooD your flexability is hehe;) flat foot, toe against the wall, and relax the ankle & hamstrings to get knee to wall.. its gonna take a LoooNg time til it reaches & your able to move toe off of wall, but it helps give a target to shoot for & show you how you are doing on good days & on bad days.. I always check in the shower too.. that way I can massage & stretch under heat 😉

Good shower note too.. this may sound weird to all except some people here.. but I like to relax in the shower & sit down on the bottom as I have a dual shower head with a removable sprayer to spray hot jet directly on calf & ankle while attempting to stretch it against the wall in the shower & still have other shower head spraying down on me keeping me warm… well, anyway.. I like to relax while down there & have some of those shell shaped inflatable bathtub pillows.. I can lean over on my side & place the pillow under my leg so that the metal is not touching the bottom of the shower or against my other leg if leaning the other way =) I put the other pillow under my head when I just had enough & needed to lay under the rain to fall asleep.. don’t know if thatll help anyone, but suuuure is comfortable 😉

HeY we have someone from AustRalIa!! AweSoMe! I LOOOVE your accent 😉

ok, So if you don’t get this answer before I get back home from my trip, I’ll talked to my resources & let you know what they’ve found & what avenue they’ve turned to in regards to such a thing.

I work in the dental field & ceramist side & work with the metals etc.. preparing the implants & teeth to be ‘installed’ we’ll call it..

All dental implants are titanium because it was discovered by accident ManY ManY years ago, that titanium fuses with the bones & is accepted by & the two grow together & become 1. where as the body may just accept other metals.

I have polished cobalt chrome in my leg/ankle, some here have stainless steel, some have titanium.. I asked the Drs why and they say it depends on what they like to use.. some like titanium for the reason I mentioned about the two becoming one, others don’t like it for that very reason though, because they say ‘if’ there are complications or lack of motion/ and or movement where removing it would help, then they kindof are stuck if they did use titanium, & say there is a large number of factors that are unknown and can’t be surtain on all things that may cause the need to remove the metal later. I have aLwaYs reacted to eVeRy kind of metal, ring, gold, silver, & my wedding ring hAd to be titanium so I could even wear it. I mention that so I can show you two sides of the coin.. I was worried I was having bad reactions to the metal in ankle as was Dr but hoping it wasn’t.. I had burning in nerves & even started itching over entire body & no narcodic helped.. I tried EvEryThing.. & went 4 weeks with no sleep.. almost lost my job because my dead looking eyes weren’t putting the quality needed to make the Dentists happy.. So I was almost SuRe it was the metal.. & I have heard of raRe cases where even titanium was reacted to badly by dental patients & they had to have implants removed.. Rare Rare.. but it HaS happened.. so I will find out when I get back what they wound up doing in their situations as to what their body had in the stead of the titanium.. til then though.. I’ll give you the other side of the coin to chew on.. The Drs mention doing more work on you with poddible titanium ankle joint.. so apparently they may be worried about reaction but by still talking about using titanium in you aGain says something huge.. that is, it probably isn’t a bad reaction.. I talked with some In DePth sceptics that are very set on meds & surgery etc & they gave this advise which I tried= take abreak from the internet (not our site of course =)..but from believing everything we read.. taking everything with bEyOnD a grain of salt.. even with the most horrific pain of my life screwing with my sleep center & knowing none of the drugs were working.. not even morphine.. I was surtain I was in trouble & not believing something read online would cause me to be in MoRe trouble & maybe not accepting it as soon as possible would put me deeper in dept & chasing ghosts by not just getting it solved asap.. here’s what I did find though.. ur bodies are inCrEdibLe & not only fight off so many things.., but aCcEpT things that help it.. I shouldn’t be able to handle this metal in me but somehow its working since I had a talk with my body (& God a bit too;) I said, “hey, I know you can’t handle this.. at least on your own anyway, but this is in there to help you heal & support you so you can walk again or even just be able to function again soon.. even though 2 years or so doesn’t seem ‘soon’ but its better than never to be able to move about again someday.. anyhow body, plEaSe.. know that this IS helping you & work with it , not against it.. I trust you will work well with it” somehow, after that talk I felt a bit better & thought what I had heard to do, not let the internet scare me to think or KnOw that what was going on was what I had or what was wrong with me.. instead I started believing in this amazing creation of God, Science or whatever you see us as & figured this body can & does heal always.. leaving us to just believe it will be okay & accept the metals..
As far as the ankle replacement.. mm wAIT if your able to.. give the time..
I believe CLaRK can share with you more on that..he’s had the ankle redone I believe.. its an entie new ball game.. any way you go on this though, we’re sorry to hear of the injury but glad you found all of us on here 😉 & here for suport on all levels..

AnYhow.. 2 more hours til get to moms place.. haven’t seen my mom in 4 years.. oops.. =/ shell be glad to see me.. I’ll keep you all informed & tell you how my mad dash from the airport metal detectors goes.. HeY, then you can all see a picture of me on the nEwS! =)) hehehe.. hmm for some reason I felt like LoUIse for a minute there haHa! don’t know why.. sounds like something shed joke about more

fun fun..
Ill get home, work for 1 week then be doing this alLLL over again to see other side of family..

Wifes missing me.. sad, but I kinda like it in some sick way I guess cause she prettys up our room & holds me a lot more when I’ve been gone a bit.. that & shes scrapbooking our life together now..

Isn’t it weird what it takes as LoIs was saying, for others to grab hold of & appreciate the small things.. like our economic shift that is finally having others that haven’t been where we are to now grab hold of the simple things 😉

Lots O lOve,
Wes
Don on November 10, 2008 at 4:53 pm said:

Greetings all

Glad to see people are improving and that there seem to be more people chatting. I have been away for a little while tending to family matters and medical Issues. But all in all not doing to bad I guess. I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving I will be in CT this weekend at a school for my Daughter.

Keep safe everyone and keep the right parts of your feet on the ground. It is safer for us.
Don
Wilma on November 10, 2008 at 2:14 pm said:

Well hello to all, I have been faithfully reading all the posts, but like a voyeur I had nothing to add and everything to gain. Haha I can’t decide how I am doing, I went to the dr for my check up (I thought I as doing pretty good) and he almost had a coniption fit that I only had 1 degree of flexing back (whatever thats called) so much for being my own PT!! I explained if I work it in the AM, it swells & I have to stand on it all day, if I work it a night I have to take a pain pill and I’m awake all night solving the worlds problems and making lists of all I need to do! (excuses I know) He said “I’m not concerned with the swelling, I’m concerned with your movement!” , I said, “Of course you’re not, it’s not your foot” Ha ha Anyway so I’m using some thera bands and trying to stretch it more, its really had to tell if I’m making progress though. I do notice my ankle actually feels better when I work it, and I actually put on a pair of boots (w/heels) and alked around a bit while I considered wearing them to church, but I still limp abit at times..so I opted for the ugly comfortable backless clog looking thing I’ve been reduced to. In all seriousness, I’m blessed to be walking.
Wes I am so sorry about your Grandmother, its always a shame these things are what it takes for us to get together with our family, and I know its going to be had for your mom too, her bd and all, plus no matter how old you get, you still need your mommy. I hope you get a good visit with everyone & travel mercys…& that they don’t draw don on you at the airport Haha!!
Erika, I’m praying for your progress & healing, hoping the pain subsides & you’re off and running…or at least walking free
Jenny you too! Praying for you & the decisions to be made
Lois you’re making me want to go up the ladder, I used to (15yrs) hang wallpaper for a living and as always standing on the very top (DO NOT SIT-DO NOT STEP)Balancing on one leg etc, now that I think back after falling off an 18 ” step, wow I guess God really does take care of children & fools as my Grandma used to say!
Pam pray that all goes well with your surgery!
Louise I tried to run a bit (yikes that didn’t work) so I admire your running! Of course I didn’t really run before the break ha ha!!! I sure felt like I could do it though.
Trac, I hope and pray you are well, you are so courageous, although I’m sure you don’t see yourself that way, everyone else is awed by your old fashioned GUTS to work so hard, not just at rehab but at trying to take care of yourself and be self sufficient. I ish I could meet you, I love your sense of humor and optimisim for your future, I kno its not easy to have to fight so hard for what you need, but hang in there, maybe you’ll write a motivational book we can all by & read and be inspired to do great things! I wish I could by some pies too…wonder how you could freeze & ship…you could do a PIEGRAM (like Lobstergram)! Get incrediably wealthy and we could all say we knew you when…!
Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, thank you all for posting, we’re really the only ones who understand and really emphatize with each other, and thanks to ANKLEQUEST for this forum that helps so many of us.
lois on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 pm said:

Hello JENNY from Australia, welcome to the site. Yes, the people on here are just great with information to help each other or even just to offer emotional support. I do not know anything much about metal rejection, but you have certainly have me thinking. We all seem to end up with different kinds of metal in our ankles, and I have no idea why. I would have thought there was some sort of universal standard. I personally have stainless steel. Wes said at one point that he had polished chrome or something. Now you mention titanium. I haven’t had any rejection problems. But your post certainly got me thinking. (I have trouble wearing pierced earrings of any type other than surgical steel. Even with gold, I can start weeping and oozing and becoming red, inflamed and infected) So, I guess maybe I am fortunate that they used stainless steel on my ankle. BUT no one ever asked if I was sensative to any metals… or what types etc.??? Did any of you get asked??? LEE, with you dad being a doctor do you have any idea or information about metal rejection??? Or PAM, who works in a medical clinic??? Or ANKLEQUEST, the scientist do you have info on this, or access to info on this topic???

Erika, great that you are keeping us posted. But really sorry that you are still in discomfort and pain almost a week later. Uuugh. I really hope things start improving for you soon.

JUDY, nice to hear from you. I was searching back trying to find our more info about you and your break, but there are so many posts that I couldnt find you. Please refresh us. When did you break your ankle…. how….and what exactly did you break. Answers to those questions will give you a better idea of a time line for healing. You mentioned being 62. I don’t think that that is of detriment. I was 64 last March when I broke mine and although not perfect I am functioning well on a day to day basis nine months later. Please provide us with a few more specifics about your break and we will try to give you a better time line on what to expect when.

Hello to everyone else too. It’s great to hear from Hopalong, Tim, Spike, Wilma, Michele, Pam, Karen, Liz, Lee, Holly, Louise etc etc etc. All the best to everyone. Lois
Katie on November 10, 2008 at 9:58 am said:

ERIKA- Thanks for the update on the hardware removal. As of right now its going to be scheduled in December for me. Luckily the bad pains I was having around my plate have stopped, but me and my ortho both think it’s a good idea to just have it out incase it happens again-he was afraid the pressure from the plate may cause a fracture.
Anyway he mentioned that I would be complete weight bearing in a boot immediatly after the surgery. It sounds to me like thats not the case from what you are going through. He said I would only be out of work two weeks-do you feel like in another week you would be able to move around enough to work a 12 hour shift? I’m questioning now how “easy” he claims this surgery to be. Can’t wait to hear how you feel after another week. Good luck with getting the staples out on Wednesdays, I remember that from the first time around, not pleasant but it feels so much better when they are out!
WES-Sorry to hear about your grandma. My thoughts are with you. Have a safe trip to see the family.

Hope everyone else is doing well. Take care.
JUDY on November 10, 2008 at 9:34 am said:

Well I am still hopping around. It really hurts to put pressure on my foot. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever walk right again. I am 62 years old and would like some input as to how long it takes.The pt’s and dr’s say I am doing good. Maybe I am just impatient.If anyone has any input please let me know.
Thanks
Louise on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 am said:

Hi everyone!!

Jenny! Hello to you. Sounds like you have had a bit of a time with it all really havn’t you?? Im sorry, I dont have any answers to your situation. I have no idea what is in my ankle?!?! But I have allergies to a lot of metals, and mine is fine. I seem to recall them saying that it was possibly titanium, but that might be me making it up!! lol!

Denver. So sorry to hear about your grandma. Thats such a shame, and on your mum’s birthday as well! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

And yes….my boots are great! Got to use them again today, as I got to uni this morning, and the car park was a mud Bath…no joking!! Swimming! Had to drive through a flooded road, and my engine started smoking to get there, and then I got there, and saw my welly boots in the back of the car! yay! So got to stomp through some more puddles and mud to get to a lecture! Dont you just love the rain! 😀

Erika. Thanks for the update. Good to hear the pain is getting better for. The only way is up!! 😀

Lee. It was me who was asking about skiing because I am hopefully going to Norway in February! I have not been skiing for years, which terrifies me somewhat, but I think I may try snowboarding, as this seems less scary! Ha ha! Thanks for asking, and letting me know. Im kinda scared to ask my physiotherapist, as he might say no. (Honestly, I think he will say yes, but hmmmm…..) and I have been dischared from hospital since august, so no longer have a consultant. But thanks for that anyway!!! It depends how I feel when I get there to be honest…may be waaaay too scared! hee hee.

Hope everyone else is doing ok! 😀

I now have to battle with the gail force winds, and the pouring rain to go to work! ohhh….

Speak soon!

Louise xx
lois on November 10, 2008 at 12:16 am said:

So, I don’t really have anything to say so I’m not sure why I am posting. I guess I just want to say hello to everyone. There are so many people posting right now, (which is wonderful), it makes it too difficult to address everyone individually. So instead, just a big generic hello to ALL of you.

WES, I think you are right… or at least your friend was right. All of this up and down the stepladder doing reno’s is REALLY helping my leg. So everyone- drag out your stepladders. Start painting all the rooms in your house. It really does seem to help my calf muscle because everything about my leg feels more normal each day. Lets just hope this lasts.

WES, I am so sorry to hear about your grandma. What a downer. First she suffers that hurricane damage and now…. this. I do hope however that your trip to Texas is positive with respect to re-connecting with your parents and other relatives. My neighbour (summer home) on one side is a woman from Lubbock (sp??) Texas. She flys up several times a year and stays for a few weeks. She was just here a couple of weeks ago and she and I had a big beach clean up and burn the driftwood thing happening. She spent Canadian Thanksgiving at our house for turkey dinner. I just love her. Our (summer) neighbours on the other side were just up from the Vancouver area. They came over this afternoon. While admiring our renos, they mentioned that they had just returned from a business trip to Washington DC last week. The male neighbour took a business group tour of the White House, but Jeanne, his wife was given a private tour by one of the Senators who they somehow know. I said “wow, how exciting was that?? She said “it was exciting alright”. To which I replied “well I think our reno’s here must look pretty simplistic after seeing the White House”…. to which my husband cut in with “well at least ours are being paid for.” So we all ended up in a bit of a chuckle… but in all honesty this economic mess we are all in IS pretty worrysome isn’t it? Let’s hope we start pulling out of it before long and that the world economy settles down again. I cannot help but think that if all people had the attitude and determination of Trac… not only to survive but to succeed and overcome, that we could overcome this quite nicely. Or perhaps, this is like LEE’s lessons to be learned. We, on this blog, tended to re-think what was really important after we broke our ankles. So maybe it is the rest of the world’s turn to re-learn what is really important now that the economy is broken.

Signing off for the night. Happy healing everyone. Lois
Jenny on November 9, 2008 at 11:30 pm said:

Hi all,
I am from Australia and I have read this site with greatfullness. Out here there is not alot of information. let me tell you my story. I fell down stairs and broke and dislocated my ankle and leg (they doctors stopped counting after 18 broken bones). I had surgery 10 days later (because of swelling). I had plates and screws both sides. I became fat and depressed. Just when I thought I would be getting my ife back when the plaster came off….they found one side of my wound had not healed! Great! the issue was I needed the plates and screws but I had “skinny skin” (the only part of me!). Ten days later they decided they only way they could close the wound was to remove the plates. So back to surgery and another 8 weeks on crutches and plaster. I did rehab but I still had heaps od pain. It was decided that titanium in my leg was the problem. My body was “rejecting” the foreigh parts and I needed the other side removed. Now I am left with no “stability” and my ankle has bent 30%. They either want me to fuse or just put up with the “rejection” and remove all my ankle joints and replace with titanium ankle joints. I am very apprehensive. Has anyone else had a problem with titanium. I would really be interested in hearing?
Erika on November 9, 2008 at 11:14 pm said:

Hi everyone. Wanted to give an update on my hardware removal. Happened last Tuesday. Wed., Thursday, & 1/2 Frid – pretty bad pain. Taking meds every 4 hours on the dot. Friday took 1 x every four hrs. instead of 2. Yesterday & today, I have been taking extra strength tylonol every 4 hrs. I will take a pain med tonight before sleeping, I am having throbbing pain tonight. I am walking with crutches – I can put weight down and I can walk with 1 crutch for a few minutes – but it is painful. I am very optimistic though – I can’t move my foot around much yet, but the staples feel very tight. I am hoping on Wednesday when they are removed, I can message the foot a bit and get it to move around so I can tell if it will feel less stiff.

I did take the hardware home don’t rememeber if I mentioned it. WOw. Were two of the screws huge. I will take pictures of my foot and screws and post somewhere and let you know where.

I’ll keep in touch. Wes – sorry about your grandma. Hope everything goes ok with your trip & your sister.

Erika
Denver on November 9, 2008 at 8:27 pm said:

ok..update

its 710pm central time as I’m now 660 miles into a 1200mile journey on the road to TeXas..

My grandma (moms side) just passed away early sat morning…

This is our Italian side of the family & ever since my cousin Jimmy died the families been getting slimmer as the holidays come around. Now that my grandma has passed we believe this may be one of the last times we’re all able to get together so taking a digital recorder & gonna talk w as much as the family as possible to ‘try’ to keep in touch..

I can’t take the entire week off work but was able to work saturday to get ahead. Wasn’t sure until the work was completed, if I’d be able to go. My sister was SuPer close to this grandma.. the one who just lost her house to the recent hurricanes.. sister pleaded w me to help her make the drive.. WoW! don’t know how to explain how BiG a change it is to have this injury & then road trip, but I’ve seen greater blessings answered through faith & prayers.. So we all get a couple more tests on this site =)

Ill let everyone know how good I did, driving, sleeping & making the all driving.. were stopping @ my Dads 2night near Ft Worth- about 920miles into trip.. then tomorrow gonna do the last about 5 hours to My Moms

& my sister wants to stay all week so The families getting me a flight back after funeral on wednesday..so I get to tell all you iif I set off the airport alarms lol =) I’m gonna run if I do! JK!!! lol

Worst thing of all this is that she died on my Moms birthday =(

Wes
Lee on November 9, 2008 at 3:48 pm said:

Hi All. Happy Sunday. Sorry it’s been so long since posting – work has been really crazy the last few weeks and the kids were in the final push to the soccer season – 4 games yesterday on muddy, craggy fields. I am officially done for the season! Yahoo. Now on to the indoor sports that are easier to – only something an anklebreaker would think about – teee hee!

Thanks to all for the compliments about verbalizing feelings and thoughts – I’m glad to know my English major has paid off! I actually love to write, but get so little time to do it these days, my fiction and creative writing has basically dried up. And I think that everyone can be eloquent when they speak from the heart – as we all do here on this board. the genuine caring and compassion is wonderful in today’s word. Thanks to all of you for becoming a fabulous part of my life!

Trace – sounds like things are continuing to move forward for you, though not as you expected. Remember the positive is that you’re quite self sufficient! And I love the idea of the pie lady – so cute!

Erika – congrats on getting that metal out. Wow, it does sound painful. I wasn’t quite expecting to hear that. Hmmmm. Keep up posted and my thoughts are with you as you get back to normal and hopefully better than normal.

Hi to everyone else. My update is not very exciting. Just doing the routine – PT 2x per week and trying to make the most of what I’ve got. I’m still taking that cane with me everywhere I go, just in case. I think I need to get rid of it sometime soon, but I worry about getting stuck somewhere (like that trench Louise mentioned) and needing help. I’m not wearing my brace, because it really presses on the metal on my fibula, so it keeps me from fearing a rollover. And I still can’t climb up a hill of any kind yet. the elliptical trainer is helping with that, but I’m not over a level 4 yet (pre injury, I typically worked at level 6 or 7). I guess the dorsiflexion takes some time to come.

Ok – who was asking about skiing? this was my first question to the Dr. at my first follow-up appointment. He said, no. My PT says yes. Not this year, but probably next. He said to toss my boots and plan on getting new ones. But eventually, it’ll happen. I have to see if I can get past the fear. I’ve been skiing since I was 2 and it’s a big family vacation activity for us, so the idea of not being able to do it is quite sad. But now that I know what it means to be out of commission, I’m not sure I could ever ski the same way again. Growing up, my Mom always trailed down the mountain after all of us and we’d yell “come on Mom, hurry up”. She was a great skier, but quite cautious. And she’d say, “so, if I break my leg, who will cook the meals, do the laundry, drive the carpool …” Dad was a surgeon and NEVER home, so she did everything for the 4 kids and the house. Now that I’ve seen that reality come true, I think I’m done with the black diamonds. But if I can get out on a beautiful day and make some turns in the snow, I think I might just be happy with that. It’s all part of that new mentality to appreciate what we’ve got and not what we don’t. We’ll see. So, I gave away my boots and we’ll see how the next year goes.

Ok – gotta run now to work – my department has its annual sales conference this week and it’s going to be a long one. Take care all and stay safe!

cheers,
Lee
Denver on November 8, 2008 at 12:24 pm said:

I finally have started checking my email that’s linked here.. I always complained that its sooo overcrowded & takes too long to get around it on my phone.. but..its faster than coming here & all the posts go right to my email so I can read along & then log in here if I got something to add.. & of course, I aLwaYs have something to add..lol.. I feel like such a topper sometimes. I bite my tongue @ work all the time because I have run companies, traveled around a lot (only w/in the US) took jobs in many different areas so I could obsorb life, experience etc.. so then when I “settled down” wife & kids.. I went for steady work & find myself surrounded by people who =( haven’t gone places & the cubical lifes as far as they’ve gone. So I had to hold my tongue. not that I’m special or have done so many great things..but in comparison to people who’ve done..well,not much.. I made them feel belittled =(
So I worried about it & watched my talking & held it in.. until recently when the company started cutting everyone back. co workers finally started talking about all they hadn’t done & how they wanted to but were afraid. They bounced ideas around until now there are only 3 of us left out of 17 employees.. I sit about 70% of the time all alone in my room w a radio.. depreSSinG! & I think of all of the ankle breakers and how lively we aLLLLLL are and how as much as we joke about how we didn’t break our ankles doing something cOOL, everyone here has in some way or another grabbed hold of doing what we want, living our own reality of LiFes DreaM =) remodeling our home, buying a home, traveling to the great ballparks, taking children into our homes, ski getaways, getting out & riding motorcycles, walking in public in polkadotted boots =) shoot.. I kNOw I could go on with people walking their ranches & taking care of & raising the future minds of the world & helping with the handicapped.. so now as we all are going NuTs trying to be healed & wishing we could do more (me included) its kinda nice to ponder the comparison of how much all here have done and stILL do in comparison to so many I worked with that were too caught in the rutt of life to even get out or do anything.. that’s my side thought.. still wish I could do more as all of us are & can’t downgrade that desire, but thought I’d throw that out there for everyone..

TRaC u should just start tearing into those people tellin them u desire & NeeEd to do the therapy.. its almost as if they’re pawning you to every OtHer option..wOW! pretty soon ur probably going to “put your foot down” & tell them to amputate & you’ll be so forward & stand your ground that they fInaLLy will listen.. I figure if that’s what it takes to get them to do anything you should 1st “put your foot down” telling them that the intense therapy IS for you & tellm how important and a muSt it is for you.. maybe then they’ll finally start helping stead of pasing you around.. with your personal desire and mind you definitely would give beyond what they could imagine & it would help sooo much to be working it out as it has been so long.. this way if you do come to the amputation decision it will only be after pushing forward with tons of effort to walk through specialy targeted PT.. hmm.. I’m praying for you 😉
HeY, did you see my post about calling the local collages to find out who they use for their PT? I read about it & its special hichly paid individuals that the universities use to rebuild their star athletes back to 100% without damaging them (as they have a HigHer liability then pro athletic trainers & PTs)

You call for the head athletic trainer & ask who they use for their football/ basketball players ortopedic surgeon? I beLieVe that’s who it was.. that does their PT.. (even the assistant athletic trainer will know who it is) it takes repeat calling to track down the number & a couple messages, but once you have the right PTs # you can talk with them giving them your story & situation & possibly find avenues of assistance.. like yoU were saying, the red tape is the crappiest part of all this Ha.. but that’s someone that DoeS believe in the impossible & has seen it repeatedly.. notice how star athletes always wind up and around again..hmm 😉 that’s the guy they use..

LOIS
I heard from a guy who also goes dancing at the same place we do, that he had the same surgery BuT he is up & down a ladder all day & couldn’t take any time off work so he just kept going up & down the ladder & they said he healed a LoT faster as he got it a GooD workout.. lol.. so u may be doing great for it being up & down that ladder all day.. I should set mine up in the house to just give me a place to pace while all the phone lol;) probably should put a couple extra matresses down below 😉 as I maY end up there..lol..

LoUIsE
LoVe the BooTs 😉

oh, & TRaC, CRPS ..fUn.. that’s the new name for RSD =) I’ve read a lot about that & DiaNe’s got my email & we shoot emails back & forth about the ‘wonderful feelings’ that come along with it.. that & how we push through it.. got lots o info bout it too =)

OK.. so my little halloween painful story that I’m not sure I really shared here or not.. Going through one of the haunted houses I came up to a tunnel & felt the sides of it.. it was rubber all around.. it wasn’t rotating YeT.. but I KNEW what was about to happen.. uhhh.. I wen through it with my butt & hand against the wall just KnOwing it was going to tumble dry me & I was wOrrIed bout the ankle..but wOW.. it didn’t go off while we were going through it but.YA. only all here know just how scary that sounds..lol
til later,
Keep Healing & praying for your swelling to go down & your healing to increase & pain do decrease especially SpIkE & ErIkA;) were with ya
Wes
Louise on November 8, 2008 at 10:48 am said:

Yes i did notice on email that anklequest had posted the new link! 🙂
I have noticed, that this site is now becoming just as long as the prv one, if not longer hee hee. We shall have to get christi to set up a year 3 soon! lol!

Good to hear your doing ok up and down those ladders lois! 🙂

Louise xx
lois on November 8, 2008 at 12:03 am said:

Louise, I could not access that prior site for a while either, but I checked it out again tonight after reading your comments and that site is actually up and working well again. There have been no further posts entered though since Anklequest made a very clear announcement on it advising that we are now chatting over here. She included the link for all newbies to easily access

I am doing well,,, still working on the renos, so I am up and down a small stepladder every five minutes for hours each day. At this point I am putting coats of primer on the new gyproc. I think I have at least another week if not two of continued painting with primer and then with the finishing coats of color. It is pretty obvious now that my energy level is back to post break level and my ankle is behaving very very well,,, even with all the ladder climbing. (maybe I should knock on wood) I am three days short of nine months now, with the hardward still in—at least for now, unless of course it starts to cause me problems.

I am continuing to enjoy everyone’s posts,,, everyone’s advise and following everyone’s experiences with interest. Hugs to you all, Lois
(No Wes, I haven’t yet seen that video. I live out in the boonies now,,, about an hour from town… and I have been sticking close to home for about about six weeks or so, with contractors coming and going constantly. One of these days, however,,, I will get into town and find it. I have not forgotten about it. Triple G )
Louise on November 7, 2008 at 9:35 am said:

Oh…the other thing I was going to say, is that I have noticed there are some people posting on the original year 1 site, but I cannot seem to upload it any more, dunno if anyone else can, and tell them we are all here?! hee hee!
Louise on November 7, 2008 at 9:20 am said:

Hi Guys!!

Erika! Congrats on having the hardwear removed. Sorry your in pain, but it can only get better! I have a friend who had some hardwear taken out (it was more on her leg than her ankle, but was very low down on her leg, so nearly her ankle!) and she said that the pain lasted about 3 days, then it got a lot better, so your on the up!!
Please keep us updated, as I am very interested to hear about what its like and how the healing time is etc, Spike, also please keep us updated!!
I am hoping that mine will be able to come out sometime next year, as my ankle is always achy, and I think I have pretty much reached my maximum range of motion now, according to my physio anyway. He said that it is unlikely that I will get any more movement up or down, which I was still holding out for. I still cannot bend my knees properly, and it is always achy, and bordering on painful some days!!

I went to a fireworks display the other day, which was on a very muddy field, surrounded by a reasonably shallow trench around the edge. Shallow for people who can walk properly that is lol! I had welly boots on, (some very snazzy pink polka dot ones, I hasten to add! 🙂 ) but I had to have 3 friends pull me up the side of the dip, coz I just could NOT climb up the side of it! It was quite embarassing!!! The whole time I was trudging along through all the mud and the leaves, I was PARANOID about slipping over! It wasn’t so bad actually IN the field, but more so when I got back onto the concrete and the leaves and mud and general wetness caused everyone to slip around all over the place! Eeeek!!! But it was all ok!! I got home again in ONE piece! hee hee.

Trac. Shame to hear that you didn’t qualify for the programme, but at least you can start on the aqua programme! That should be quite fun I would imagine. And good for some cardio exercise too! 🙂 Hope that goes ok! When do you start??

Denver. Great to hear that you can go up on your toes now as well! It does feel like you are holding up a tonne and a half with the calf doesn’t it?? Mine shakes so much, and the calf really hurts quite a lot when I try and go up on my toes, and yesterday, I just didn’t have the strenghth to do it at all. My heal just wouldn’t budge at all! Oh well…Im sure that will get easier though! 🙂
Oh and thanks for the ideas for the workouts. I use one of those giant gell half ball things at physio, and they have one of them at my gym too! I do find that walking round bends is a little odd, if I try and bend it is an odd shape.
They do have something at physio called a Fitter (dont know if anyone else has used it?!) Its hard to explain, its like a boat shaped thingy, with a curved underside, and a flat top, then you stand on it, and move from side to side, so it like a similar motion to skiing I think. I am getting a lot better at that, although still have to hold onto something!!

And Pam. You are having your metal out too?? Is there anyone who will still have it in?? lol!! Again, keep us updated on that!

I had 2 large pins taken out of my ankle in July, but that was a very simple op only lasting like 6-7 mins in total under a local anaesthetic, but I know if I wanted to have the rest of it out it would obviously be a far more major op. So i am very interested to hear about how everyone is doing after their hardwear removal!!!

Anywho…have a great weekend everyone!

Louise xx
trac on November 7, 2008 at 2:08 am said:

Hello!!!!!!

Erika, glad all went well. I know I was in severe pain when I had my hardware out. But the pain phased itself out. Good luck to all of you having your metal removed. It is painful, but aside from complications I’ve had that are non-related, I’m glad we did it.

So, today I went to meet with the physiatrist at the rehab hospital. We had an interesting meeting. She diagnosed me as having CRPS. I kind of thought I might have it. And, she said that they really couldn’t help me as I wouldn’t qualify for their program, I am too self sufficient. However, she gave me a prescription for a physical therapy program in a town about 55 miles from me. They have an incredible aqua program which can be combined with other PT. So, it looks like my mom will be driving me there 3 times a week for a month. Yup. Mom will be getting something extra special from me this holiday. Oh, wait, me up and walking and moving out of her living room would be a great gift. for us both. hee hee.

I have to admit, I did get a bit frustrated when they said they couldn’t help me. I don’t understand why I can’t get a straight answer. Other than maybe they don’t have a straight answer. Then I found the the anklebreakers 1 site again, and re-read now that I’ve gotten to know many of you from this site. And, maybe after reading about many of you that were double breakers — 16 months maybe isn’t all that long. It just feels like it. So, I go to meet with another PT next Tuesday to see what they suggest for the next month.

Cool. I guess I’ll just keep plugging along. But, dang o’ dang it, do I really despise sitting so much.
Ahhhhhh the irony. Before, I worked standing 12-16 hours a day, and would dream of sitting…now……
so, the grass is always greener, huh?

Oh, and yea, one of the things she said to me was “Have you considered amputation? They have amazing technology nowadays” — ok. Either it is going to happen or it isn’t. I just wish some dr would give a definitive answer. You know?

Ok, I really hope all keeps going well for everyone,
keep going strong —
I will.
Thanks again for being here!
Peace,
trac
Denver on November 6, 2008 at 1:49 pm said:

oh ya, & 1 more update I forgot to mention..

I can now go up onto the bad ankle foot.. up onto my toes & even baLance on the bad toe alone.. it feels like I’m holding a car up, but it doesn’t shake.. its mostly tough on the muscles along the calf cause they’ve been in lala land since they haven’t had to work for sooo long..

I read someone asking about skiing & I noticed soarness when walking quickly around corners in my house as you tend to lean and don’t realize it..
So I added a cRaZy excersice that is WorKing =)

The gym has a giant half gel ball looking thing with a plastic plate on the bottom.. almost like reverse wobble board..

place it flat side down & after you can steady yourself one foot at a time on the gel (it wobbles a lot as your body is retraining the stabilizer muscles) then I start using it like a stair step class.. stepping up onto it then down off then up on, then down off.. 15 -25 time as you can handle it.. then I start the next set.. this is the part that will redeam your ankle.. but be slow at first 😉 I step up onto the SIDE of the gel so my foot is at a 45degree.. caREfuLLy.. sLOWly & use the other foot to steady carefully too as if you push too hard with the other foot on the gel it kinda qUiCkly jolts the bad one 😉 so as you can set it at the angle..start to step up & over to the oThEr side of the gel ball as if your walking over a rock obsticle in real life, steping onto it then down off of it (only allowing the bad foot to touch the gel) I do this about 25 – 30 times then repeat the steps on the other side of the gel ball so my foot gets the other 45 degree motion too.. after I do this I aLWAYs hit the hot tub & massage, massage, massage.. especially the muscles.. & even let those dang jets go across the metal to wake up the nerves to the reality so that they can start getting used to being in a bit of shock.. that way when I do nick a corner or a step or when kids walk into me it hasn’t been hurting as much 😉
I got to a point where I tested my angle walking on a gOOd traction shoe on a workout room floor with the lights low enough so I could see if there were any sots that may have had water (there wasnt) & then walked in figure eights leaning and going quick enough so my lean would cause me to fall over.. it keeps improving as I do these two things.. its been bout a week then NoT doing it had me hurting.. go figure 😉

It deffinately improves the woblle the ankle will need & the recovery as needed for sports.. I pickedx this up from my friend who helps when people are retraining after injury to play sports again.. I eventually got to where I step over the ball (bad foot stepping on it between the step over) & do it switching where it lands each time even in one set.. going to the center, the right, the left & even steping to where sometimes I’m on the upside front of the ball & other times going over to where its on the downside angle & I go all over forward anD backward to get it moving all over..
=)
Denver on November 6, 2008 at 10:55 am said:

wow… its not everyday now that I’m able to load this page on my phone.. but I am reading always.. keeping up on everyone & what’s going on.
I was trying to get a new phone soon but $$ seems to rule the game on that end & I found out it was a faulty battery in this phone that kept crashing it..Ha..go figure.. so just a tiny bit of cash & I’m up and functioning again..so have to just wait til the new phones come down in price (posibly round the holidays)

I can see the site but sometimes pretty difficult to post especially when I can’t see if it made it through or not =)

Lee I’m with you I believe you said the screw head on the outside is sticking out making difficult to get shoes that don’t rub it or are low enough.. YA!

I noticed all are looking for good dressy shoes… I GoT sOmE=) but they’re guys dress shoes =( sorry… I wear Bill Blass dress shoes.. they come low cut down from the ankle where they don’t touch and more importantly the entire top rim of the shoe around the ankle is cusioned so if it HaPpens to touch it doesn’t bother or hurt it..

ERIKA
YeAh!!! that’s awesome your on the recovery side.. I read someone saying they don’t care if it takes recovery and crutches all over again if as long as its out and good things are to follow YA that’s me TOO! OuCh the mobility (or lack there of) sucks.. I found myself just in HorriBLe pain the other day for No Reason & No extra strain was put on it at all the days before.. I was limping again like day 1 in hOrriBLe pain.. only took advil though 😉 so that good for me=)
I went to the gym & hit the hot tub,steam room, pool & shower.. it helped relax me quite a bit.. but when I hit the treadmill again, thAt’s when the pain started to subside.. I gotta stay on top of the workout even if only a bit of biking & motion in the hot tub & deffinately 15mins on the incline treadmill does wonder for reviving mobility..

AnyHow.. SPIkE & ErIKA stay on those anti inflamitories even if your on pain killers.. they will help TreMenDouSlY =) & KeeP healing well & your n our prayers…

TraCi TraCi craZy Pie LaDy =) =) yum yum.. I’m not big on sweets at aLL but I’m a pie man lol… good work with the new pT that’s good.. gReaT news.. count those tiny improvements =) legs crossed YeaH!

Hi to all I’ve missed Louise, Llois (aka Triple G) ((have you seen that movie yet??=)), Anklequest, Tim, Liz (one of my only 2 ankle breaker friends on MySpace) =(
Don, Clark..haven’t seen for a while, Dan, Pam & anyone else that may not have written for awhile, keep healing =)

o and on Halloween I took 3rd place in the Halloween contest at the dance club.. (NoT for my dancing of course..lol..) I scared everyone pretty bad =)

Wes
Pam on November 5, 2008 at 11:36 pm said:

Hi Everyone- It has been a long long time since I’ve written (work, kids, school & the hubby have been keeping me very very busy). Lots to catch up on but it sounds like everyone is moving in the right direction with progress.

Erika- a friend of mine broke her ankle like you did and had all the hardware removed about 11 months after it was placed & she said the first 48 hours were the worst. She said she remembers just sobbing about having pain and discomfort again & back to crutches but then a few days later she said it was like a miracle her ankle felt great- no more swelling or pain/discomfort. She also said she couldn’t believe how easy it was to move it around & not have that achy feel she had when the hardware was in. She is 5 years out now and she has no pain & can do everything she did prior to breaking her ankle. Which gives me hope!

As for me, still having lots of pain & swelling (I’m 6 1/2 months out), especially where the pin was placed & the plate/screws on the fib. I just scheduled my surgery to have it all removed on Dec. 16th. It is earlier than it is “supposed” to come out according to my ortho (he said they typically wait a year), but one of the physicians I work with who has done a lot of research says there is no reason I can’t have it out now & he actually recommended I have it out now.

Anklequest- I am sooo sorry I missed you while you were in WI, I would have loved to have met up again for coffee. Unfortunetly, my father in law was hospitalized & my husband, kids & I had to drive up north for a few days. I hope you enjoyed your wedding while you were here.

Ok, time to get back to catching up on everyone’s postings.

Pam
Tim on November 5, 2008 at 7:04 pm said:

Erika,
I’m glad your surgery went so well,hope your pain goes away very soon. I’m having the same surgery next Monday, the plate and six screws will come out along with a floating body and possibly some muscle repair. I hope mine goes as well as yours,any additional imfo. would be appreciated. Thank you and take it easy!

Hello to everyone else, hope everyone is healing quickly.

Tim
Spike on November 5, 2008 at 2:11 pm said:

Hi Erika: It was two weeks yesterday that I had most of my hardware removed (he had to leave two screws in as they had become embedded into the bone). I also walked on my leg the day of surgery then the next day was in severe pain – those drugs can really fool you into thinking everything is OK!
I had my staples removed last Friday – 10 days post OP – and have just had my first physiotherapy session.
I used my crutches for the first five days or so then went to my cane for a couple of days.
My ankle is still quite swollen but it is getting better each day – I just have to make myself get off of my feet and ice it. I still have pain on the inside incision but the bigger one on the outside dosen’t hurt at all unless I accidentally bump it.
Just wanted to let you know that it does get much better quite quickly and is nowhere near as bad as the original surgery and recovery.
Erika on November 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm said:

So, it is day two. I may have spoken a bit soon. Apparently, the doctor gave me a huge shot of novacaine yesterday, which my husband didn’t tell me until later. I woke up last night in pain like the first surgery. Right now, I have about 1 hour until I can take my next dose of medication, and I am in severe pain – like an 8 from 1-10. It is pretty bad. And, there is no way I am putting any weight on it today – apparently the novacaine block – helped me with putting weight on it yesterday. I am still positive. I know it will not last as long as it did during my first surgery. I have my post op appointment next wednesday – Hopefully by the, I will be feeling alot better.

I will keep you up to date. Thanks all,

Erika
Hopalong Cassidy on November 5, 2008 at 2:32 am said:

Trac, and all,
Along with mixmatchshoes.com (which only sells single shoes, does not buy or take donated extras) there are two other sites that may also help. They are:
oddshoefinder.com where one may try to sell the extra sizes one may not need, and also buy a shoe or matched mixed sizes, not an expert on any of these so cannot guarantee anything, but exploring is half the fun, no? And:
oddshoe.org, a non profit where one may donate the extra shoes, and they in turn are donated back to those in need and short on dough.
Trac, only several have suffered extreme injury resulting in where you, Don, and all reading this site find themselves. Like Don, Sandra, and other double ankle breakers, your road seems especially hard and yet you cannot give up, but keeping plodding forward. I admire your drive and tenacity and wish you the best. Keep on keeping on.
Of course that is not to demean anyone with any kind of ankle break. We all travel our own road, make our choices and follow our own paths. There are always comparisons, and we all feel compassion for those more inflicted than we, but our injuries are our own, and that makes them pre emmenient, at least for us.
So continue on all, and don’t give up.
Saddling up and heading back out to the range.
Good healing, all.
Hoppy
lois on November 4, 2008 at 9:27 pm said:

Hi Erika, Big Congratuations.. You did it. We are proud of you. Please do keep us posted on your day to day progress You may be me, or Lee or many of us in the next months to a year… so we will be very interested in your day to day progress and as well we just want to know and hear that you are coming along well. Lois
Erika on November 4, 2008 at 5:55 pm said:

Hey Guys! I DID IT!!!! I had the hardware removed this morning. I am home. I am actually walking (very slowly, only as needed) with a cane. Unbeleiveable. So, when I woke up, I was in a lot of pain. They gave me some morphine to take the edge off. After a couple of hours, I was able to eat and drink something, and take 2 percocets. I just took 2 more – it had been 5 hours – to keep up with the pain. It isn’t too bad, but its there – probably a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, but I was expecting like an 8 – I was so nervous. It is throbbing more than anything. I do have pain in my calf too.

I was able to take my screws and plate home – 6 small screws – the plate was smaller than I thought – about 5 inches – but only about 1/2″ wide. And then the 2 VERY LONG screws on the inner ankle.

Just as a reminder – I broke my ankle on Sept. 23rd, 2007 with the surgery the next day. I broke inner, outer & tibia (that is how I remember them telling me – anyone know what this is called?). I was still having a lot of pain after the 1 year point – couldn’t walk without a bit of limp.

So, the surgeon basically said that he was optimistic that taking the hardware out could make it feel better. He said it would not be worse – but could get better. So, I will keep everyone updated – I know this is a hot topic and I am finally an expert! (well, sort of)… 🙂

Thanks for all your help, etc. in the past year. I will be unable to drive until Monday of next week – so I will be home and able to answer questions if anyone has any.

Erika
Louise on November 4, 2008 at 10:55 am said:

Hi to everyone!!

I have had problems loading this page for the last few days, so took me a while to catch up with everyone’s post!!

Erika. How did the hopsital go today with your husband?? Hope everything went well for u both!!

Lois. Thanks for the update on the calf muscle exericises. Mine is still quite weak really, and there is still a noticable difference between my 2 legs!

Trac. Good to hear that you are a little more positive now, and all that talk of pies?? Yum yum!!

Lee, anklequest, tim, spike, luz, and anyone else I have missed. Hello to you all too!!

I dont really have anything else to add about me to be honest. I have really reached a plauteu (or however you spell the dam word!) and nothing more appears to be happening…..
It is still very achy, and trying to bring my foot upwards, or moving it too much side to side hurts quite a bit. I have also noticed now (as the swelling is MUCH improved, and is generally now not a problem) that I have a screw head sticking out the side of my ankle, which is very irritating, as it sits right on the shoe line, of most of my shoes!! Hmmm…..
I want my metal out. I have decided….even if it does mean more time on crutches, and more physio. Its just so restricting, which is rather annoying, but they have said it needs to be in for at LEAST a year, so until at least april! Booo….

I managed to jog for 3 mins at the gym again the other day, which is good, although it did hurt again afterwards!

Has anyone on here been skiing at all since their ankle break?? I am going to norway in februray (if all goes to plan, and I can get the time off of work!) and I am considering skiing, but am a little scared! I think snowboarding may be a bit better,a nd more ankle considerate! lol! What does everyone think??

Hope everyone had a good halloween. I got my legs out for the 1st time on friday (well…other than being swimming at the gym that is!) I went to a party as a cat, and wore some lovely little black shorts, so my ankle was very much on show, as were my beautiful scars!! I was rather worried that everyone would notice them, but only a few people did, and I had hours of erm….entertainment recalling the story of my dramatic skid on the netball court, and the surgery etc etc. hee hee. but it was all good, and I was not as self-consious as I thought I would be to be honest!!

So hope everyone is doing well….to everyone in the UK, have a great fireworks night tomorrow! Yay…..I am going to a display near where I live, so lots of sugary food, rides, hotdogs etc! I am excited!

Hope everyone is having a fab week!!!

Louise xx
trac on November 4, 2008 at 2:49 am said:

Thank you so much for all your uplifting words!! I got teary eyed. There is such an understanding, kind, yet helpful tone on this chat board that really helps keep me strong. I adhere to the philosophy that everything is relative. You know? We all struggle and we all will progress. Just it takes so much dang work…

I’m at that point in my injury, 15 months, that people around me are getting restless, and that is getting a bit hard, I’m running out of things to say. I keep saying, if you think you are ready for me to be up and around, imagine how I ready I am…

I am giggling about the bears, not necessarily in a good way. I had the great opportunity of spending time in small town Alaska, not too long before the accident (everything is pre-accident, post-accident for me right now, trying to kick this habit) and of course, as I arrived I couldn’t wait to see a bear, when I left, I completely understood the menace. The woman whose house I stayed at, she did hang pots and pans from her trees! Way to suggest Lois. But, in our town, the moose were a bit more dangerous. I, of course, had no experience with bears being an urban gal. I now have a far deeper reverence for them.
(and wolverines, eek!)

Well, thanks on the pies. I soooooo wish I could ship them off!! I finished juicing a few lbs of key limes for some key lime pies tonight. And, I’m up right now, waiting for a carmel pecan to finish, so that I can deliver it tomorrow. I can only imagine how silly I look wheeling around in my wheelchair with a bag hanging on the back that holds the pies perfectly. I’m like Traci Traci Crazy Pie Lady. I was giggling tonight while making one, because I’m needing a new pair of compression hose (only thing that keeps my celluoitis ? at bay) and I was thinking, here I am, a fun loving single woman in her thirties, living out of her mom’s living room, in a senior citizen community, who looks forward to playing dominoes with the elderly, baking and delivering pies in her wheelchair, in order to buy some compression stockings and neurotin!!!

NOW, if THAT isn’t a story begging to be written, I don’t know what one is…hee hee…maybe I’ll get on it.

Okay, better go finish up so I can get some sleep.
Oh, and glad I’m not the only one with odd shaped feet now 🙂

take care,
and THANK YOU, thank you, thank you!!!
and, yes, nice to have a place w/o election discussion.
Peace and health care to all, no matter how the vote turns out,
trac
The Marxist Tree Hugger (as one of the seniors here so lovingly called me)
lois on November 4, 2008 at 12:51 am said:

Anklequest, Bears apparently don’t like clanking noises which is why they say to bang on a metal pot or something if you walk in the woods. So… I have wondered if things like clattery wind chimes might work??? I don’t know but it might be worth a try. Or maybe mobiles made of clattery tin cans and old cutlery hanging from the tree branches????

AND for those critics who think that bears are off topic… well no they are not. It was bears who were responsible for Anklequest’s broken ankle in the first place.
lois on November 4, 2008 at 12:36 am said:

Hello to all of you on here. I really just have a very quick comment for LEE. Lee, you have the most amazing ability to express support and encouragement to others in your written words. I really am impressed. Many of us find it difficult to articulate our emotional feelings and reactions in a clear, succinct and straightforward manner but you can. I am just so darned glad that you have continued to post on this site. You guys brought tears to my eyes…but happy tears for the goodness of the hearts of people. TRAC, if I could figure out how, I would buy enough of your pies to fill my freezer. Just big hugs to all you guys out there…big big big hugs. Lois
anklequest on November 3, 2008 at 10:43 pm said:

Hi Everyone,

Trac
You are an inspiration to me and probably everyone on this board. Baking pies to pay for medicine! That takes the “cake.” I wish I could buy a pie from you. Bravo too, with your committment to the PT rough as it may be. I do hope that you can spend the time at that rehab place. and as far as your ups and downs…I couln’t imagine not being discouraged or deprressed from time to time. Even this weekend my ankle started hurting a lot again and that was discouraging to me, which is so minor compared to what you have and what you face. So I limped around a lot today at school in my super running shoes, but so what! I tell myself I can do about everything but play tennis, run, and work out.

Lee, thanks for your great response to Trac! You have also come a long way and are an inspiration in coming to terms with your ankle problems.

Hopalong, thanks for the shoe tip. Just what I need. I already look rediculus sometimes in the shoes that I wear. why not just add some more humor to it and tell everyone I now have to different sized feet, which indeed is true.

Erika, hope everything goes well tomarrow!

Lois,
Wow, I hadn’t thought about bears. Thanks for letting me know about the bears and fruit trees. I was sure that I had planned for everything..the blights, the spraying, the pruning, the planting, even had come to accept seeing a local news photo of a deer eating an apple, thinking that perhaps it might be cute. I spent this Sunday afternoon making and then putting up little bags of deer repellant on the trees. As if anything works. I know multiple measures need to be taken so this is one of a number of things I’ll try with the deer. But the bears! Wow. What to do? I’ll have to check the orchards around here and see what they do about the bears.

THANKS, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE, for keeping this board free of political stuff during the recent massive political activities. It’s a treat since everyone and every internet site seems filled with politics and my daily life is filled with local political stuff. Not that I don’t find it interesting or important, but it is a relief that I didn’t have to get engaged in political discussions on this board. Many boards have been ruined on account of it. Broken ankles are a serious enough topic anyway.

And GOD BLESS whomever wins tomarrow. It will be a very difficult job. Things are quite a mess out there for many people. Good heavens, I even know of someone with severely damaged legs baking pies to pay for medical bills. I hope she gets some $ help with the rehab.

Anklequest
Lee on November 3, 2008 at 4:41 pm said:

Hey Trac.

Ummmm – pies…. I need pies. Wanna ship a few? I love to bake, but for some reason, pies are not my thing. I always have to order for the holidays. If I could buy my pies from you, I would!

You mention coping with the idea of never walking again normally. You know, my injury isn’t nearly as severe as yours, but the same idea has crossed my mind many times and though I’m only 16 weeks out from surgery and still have 2 more to go, it’s clear to me that things will never be “normal” or the same again. People ask me all the time when it will be better or “what’s the prognosis?”. I just smile and say it’s hard to know. I just have to take it all one day at a time and see. And, I found myself telling someone today that if this is as good as it ever gets, it’s ok. I can function, I can walk-ish, I can take care of my kids and do the things I need to do. It doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying and it doesn’t mean I am satisfied with somewhat damaged, but it does mean that I have seen how bad it can be and something is better than nothing. You do have a long road to go and I think never saying never is the right approach, but I also think that there’s some peace in acceptance. And I can understand how that acceptance can be hard to move into. Just remember – it could always be worse. You’ve made a brave decision to fight for that leg and take what comes. Try to find that place of acceptance for what is, but continue to fight for better. Your spirit is strong. I for one am behind you!

Cheers,
Lee
trac on November 2, 2008 at 11:53 pm said:

Hopalong, Thank you so much!! I was just pondering this w/my pt the other day, now that I have 2 totally different sized feet.

I hope you all had a good halloween. I did. I had a very hard, very fruitful PT session. Very good. One of those where you leave thinking the next day you will be up and walking. We used crutches, managed to get up on the treadmill. Not to walk it, but, to get my leg and hip used to the motion. It is was a simultaneously defeating and encouraging excersise. It showed me how weak I still am, how far from being self supportive, but showed me how much closer I am. And, today, in my bed, without even thinking, I sat crossed legged, which is a HUGE deal, because as of 6 weeks ago, I couldn’t bend my knee.

Well, I start double duty PT tomorrow, and then go to meet w/the drs on Thursday for more info on rehab.

So, I’m pretty positive right now, but, I did fall apart a little on thursday night. You know, all the stress that goes with trying to fund everything and trying not to hold grudges and anger against the nursing home that didn’t do my rehab properly. And, I’m trying to cope with my choice to keep the leg, which means, that I will never walk normally, probably. I am trying not to use the word never, you know? And, financially, things are very, very tight, but fortunately, it is that time of year when people want pies and I’m starting to actually sell enough pies to pay for my meds. So that is cool.

Keep taking care, and esp, keep healing!!
trac
lois on November 2, 2008 at 11:42 pm said:

Hello to everyone. Chins up but keep your eyes on the ground. With so many making reference to Anklequest, I had to look back… and sure enough there WAS an entry from her, which I had previously missed because it popped up in the middle of other posts – which I had already read. That does happen sometimes but I don’t know why. So ANKLEQUEST I had to comment that I think you might end up being VERY SORRY about planting all those fruit trees. It is exactly those trees that in this neighbourhood are attracting all the bears. I have only evergreens and maples on my property so I have had few problems with the critters, but the neighbours with fruit trees are plagued by them. I know for certain that they love plums and pears… and I am sure just about every other kind of fruit as well. Although they never bother the next door neighbours crabapple tree. Too sour I guess. But the worst of it is that once they have tasted the plums or pears or whatever even when the homeowners pick all the fruit the bears just keep coming back… and they sit under the fruit trees, or climb up neighbouring evergreen and just stare at those fruit trees for hours. I guess they are watching to see if new fruit will grow back. Its well over a month or more now and they are still watching the fruit trees. So good luck with your new orchard… but it is not just deer you will have to watch for. Also those bears try to rip the trees right out of the ground for easier picking.

I have only actually seen that one young bear on that one occasion that I told you about.. but they have obviously still been going through our yard. We had a pile of bear “skat” on the front lawn about three weeks ago, and last week after the neighbour two doors away complained that they broke into her shed and ate all her garbage except for the cherry tomatoes which they don’t like, it solved the mystery of why I had squashed cherry tomatoes all over my driveway that morning. They must have carted a mouthful over to our place in the middle of the night, spit them out on the driveway and stomped all over them. Anyway, I fear you may have to ride shotgun with all your new fruit trees. I know you are really busy,,, but know how much we would miss you if you were not around,,,.

Erika, good luck on November 4… to you and your husband. I will be thinking of you.
Tim on November 2, 2008 at 1:56 pm said:

Hello all

Anklequest, nice to hear from you. I have been reading the post for a while but just did not write.
The doctor is not sure where the bone chip came from however I am sure she will find out soon. She will take out the hardware during surgery.

Take care everyone
Hopalong Cassidy on November 1, 2008 at 11:11 pm said:

INFO FOR THOSE THAT END UP WITH MISMATCHED FEET. THIS SITE MAY HELP.

mixmatchshoes.com
Lee on November 1, 2008 at 1:05 pm said:

Hi to all!

All this talk about shoes … I’ve been living day and night in my New Balance 768 for the past 5 weeks and feeling like that’s ok. I was at the mall yesterday though and found myself in The Walking Store eyeing the dressy shoes – trying to find something to wear to the wedding I have to go to in just a few weeks. Tried on a few – no go. I can slip into my Merrill sandals from bed to shuffle to the bathroom, but need much more support than that on a regular basis. I did look at the Eccos too, but like Karen, I have a really wide foot and will need to order on line. Maybe just having 2 pairs of tennies will help – I’m getting tired of the same shoes.

Erika – thinking about you on Tuesday. I can’t wait to get my plate out – but it’s going to be a few more months than I had hoped.

Spike – I’m wondering why your metal removal was so painful? My understanding is that the fibula plate removal is easy, since it’s basically just beneath the skin. Then again, any kind of cutting has to be uncomfortable. And perhaps it had already begun to fuse with the bone, which would disturb all the old scarring. Ouch! I’m so not looking forward to that part, but really want my plate gone. It hurts to sleep on it – I wake up after it’s been resting on my mattress and aches. Keep us posted on how it’s going and I hope for you that it feels much better quickly! Just remember that 2 weeks seems to be the magic timeline for skin healing. Are you still using crutches or back to normal walking? In any case, I hope it’s better soon!

Well, I had a great PT appointment yesterday. They finally put me on the Precor Elliptical for 10 minutes and had me lifting my weight with leg presses. Wow – am I sore today! That’s good news. Maybe I can finally start to see some muscle back in my calf and quad. She said most of my soft tissue damage was in the tendon that runs down the inside of the leg and foot and into the arch – boy did she stretch it out and though it hurt like crazy, I could walk so much better once she did. That was an interesting lesson – pain for gain, as long as it’s done right. Moist warmth and massage to make it supple, then stretch several times til it hurts. That’s got to be part of my daily ritual from now on. I still can’t seem to walk up and down hills, but maybe that will help.

Time to go clean up from the Halloween activities …. we’ve got costumes and decorations everywhere, not to mention bags and bags of the kids candy. I need to sort through it and get them to trade some of it away …. no one needs that much sugar! Have a great weekend and be safe.

Cheers,
Lee
Karen on October 31, 2008 at 9:22 pm said:

Anklequest,

See you are ordering the shoes also! So glad I was able to help.

I’m still trying to find the “perfect” supportive, yet fashionable leather shoe and will post about it if I ever find it!

Karen
Karen on October 31, 2008 at 9:17 pm said:

Trac,

I’m glad you ordered the Ecco shoes and are happy with them!

Karen
Erika on October 31, 2008 at 8:41 pm said:

Anklequest: thank you so much for remembering my day! Actually, my husband Joel just found out he has cancer on his face, and he is getting that removed on Nov. 4th too! My mother in law is taking me to the hospital – and then Joel will pick me up after the opepration. I am a little neverous about it. I hope it’s like a sliver – you know, it hurts when you have it and when you are taking it out, but then feels so much better when it is out! Hopefully….I will let you all know – next week I will be home again on my feet!

Thanks all,

Erika
Spike on October 31, 2008 at 3:25 pm said:

Hi: Just wanted to up-date all of those curious about hardware removal. It’s now 10 days since my surgery (nine months since original tri-malleolar fracture with dislocation) and I had the staples removed this morning – not a lot of fun! The scars are healing well and I start physio once again next Monday. I still have two screws in the outside bone – Doctor said they have become embedded into the bone and won’t cause any trouble – hope he’s right! My ankle is still very stiff and swollen but I can walk quite well, although stairs are still a challenge.
Originally the Doctor said that the hardware would be left in, but I could not regain any upward movement in my foot and no amount of physio could flatten out my foot so he decided to remove it. I really don’t know at this point if it will make any difference – have to wait for the swelling to go down.
It was fairly painful for the first five days or so, but has been getting better every day since. A nurse came every day to change my bandages but that’s finished now that the staples are out. Any questions, just ask. By the way, I’m a 55 year old female who is in reasonably good shape – swim 3 times a week and try to do half-hour on treadmill at least five times a week.
Denver on October 30, 2008 at 1:03 pm said:

I love HoUse too =) my wife found his actual cane online.. Ill ask her where & fwd the link if you haven’t found it by the time she lets me know… The canes @ Walgreens are between 24-30 & it costs the same to order the flame one 😉 she wanted to order it for me but I told her my goal was to nOT have it long.. lol..

Wes
trac on October 29, 2008 at 4:43 pm said:

Hello!

First off, Holly, the main ingredient in Bag Balm is Lanolin and then a medical ingredient (sulfite, maybe?) I know my vegan friends will not use a product w/Lanolin, so good to know if it is in there.

I met w/my doc. We had a good talk. I probably won’t walk again in the way or pace that I did prior to the accident. My left ankle is 100% weight bearing, but my right ankle will (probably) never be 100% weight bearing. Sooooooooo…I’m going to get a cool cane like Dr. House’s on the tv show, House. (I loooooooooooove Hugh Laurie – and not just because we have the same birthday -, ever since Blackadder days, and many other shows I thank BBC & PBS for — always wanted to have a night w/Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie)oops, got off track, it happens w/this Gemini redhead quite often. —

So, I am going to meet w/a physiatrist – a rehab dr. – I did know they exsisted… next week to do an assessment and make a whole rehab plan. I will know next Thursday more about the rehab in my future. In house or out patient. I’m pretty positive. I’ll be even more so, once all the paperwork is completed. WOWZA — people often say, oh, you poor thinggggggggg… I say, oh, I’m fine with the injury, it is all the paperwork and redtape I have to deal with that really causes me pain…ugggh!!

Alritty — as always, I’m super glad to read about everyone making progress. And, thanks for sharing the little setbacks. It really does help — A LOT –more than once I’ve gone through the postings and found an answer to a question I’ve had.

take care!
trac
lois on October 29, 2008 at 3:51 pm said:

Boy somehow I made a complete mess of that last post. Edit properly it did not, but Liz I hope you got the gist. And then I could not get back into the site last night or this morning, and was just able to now… early afternoon. Anyway, just wanted to say sorry it was such a mixed up mess. Lois
lois on October 29, 2008 at 12:01 am said:

Hello to just all of you:

LIZ, re the calf muscle. I had been coming along well but had hit a plateau. It was Dan who came onto this site, and implied that I should not settle. That was what??? about two months ago I think,,, so at about six months. I went back to the physiotherapist to see what was going on. It turned out that my ankle was fine but my calf muscle was not. She suggested:

1. Treadmill (speed does not matter) but increase the incline to 15 minute sessions of walking uphill,,, (start easy and get harder,, just dont strain your achilles tendon.
2. Raise up onto the toes of both feet. Hold the counter or whatever if you want. Now shift your weight back and forth from foot to foot. this forces your bad foot (calf muscle to take weight) (I still repeat this one many many times during the day… ie at the sink washing dishes… or whatever.)
3. Stand with both heels on a phone book about 2 inches high. Practice lifting onto your toes from that height.
4. Use a stair or small stool. Step up and down but use only the front half of your foot.
5. The physiotherapist was surprised that just going up and down stairs had not re built my calf muscle. She encouraged me to take the stairs more normally to built up the calf… (remember I fell down them so was being very cautious… too cautious on them.)

Also, the physiotherapist put some little electrode type things on my calf during my one visit with her about this. It stimulated the muscle with mild electric current while she put me through the exercises. I am not sure if that is what people refer to as TENS or not…????

So just some tips for you,,, that leg is still not as strong as the other, but I can go up onto my toes of that foot, and I can climb with it onto rungs of a stepladder etc… so it is much much strong than it was…. Good luck with this and hope it helps. Lois

y of us go through this stage as well. Hello to all of the rest of you too. Michele,,, I like the “crip sticks” comment.

2. hit that plateau too… and went back to physio after Dan came on here and told me I should be doing better… and at physio is where I found
michele on October 28, 2008 at 9:48 pm said:

I’ve been out of state for work about a week and a half, came back to almost 200 emails… lots from you guys! 🙂 I’m all caught up and back to speed on what’s going on. Took a bit! 🙂 After almost 2 months of splint, then cast and crutches, my son goes back to the orthopedic surgeon on thursday and maybe getting out of this hard cast and into a walking cast. He is very excited! Of course, he is already planning on starting to work out and get back into wrestling (coach said he could start mid-season). Last time we were there the dr said probably in walking cast til mid Dec and PT, but being 16, my son pretty convinced that it is just a matter of getting this hard cast off and he will be good as new! He’s doing really well though and being out and about on his “crip sticks” (as he calls them) doing everything he did before; except playing sports, of course. I’ve been reading about people not driving, he only has his permit and his 16th birthday has come and gone while in a cast. Hopefully he will be able to drive soon and get his license. Just thought I would give you an update! Take care all!!!!
Lee on October 28, 2008 at 4:20 pm said:

Liz and Louise, you posted while I was writing …. the calf thing is annoying, isn’t it? Mine is still quite skinny and not so strong. They have me doing leg presses at PT on a weight machine, heel lifts on two feet, then one – can’t do the one yet. But I use just my toes on my good foot and try with the bad one. it’s getting better, and I can now see just the tiniest little bump of a muscle in my calf. it’s nothing compared to my left leg, but I assume it’ll get there eventually. I also think eventually they’ll have me doing squats and lunges, which should help, but my knee still doesn’t really bend over my foot. Makes stairs really hard too. The PT keeps saying to give it time, it’ll come back.

Take Care!
Lee on October 28, 2008 at 4:09 pm said:

Hello to all! I’ve been away for too long, but read everyone’s posts. Glad to see those who are doing well moving along, and especially glad to see those who need support getting it!

Trace – I’m on the edge of my seat. Let us know about the intensive therapy program. I know it seems sad to be away and alone at holiday time, but remember that the program itself is a gift to yourself. And we’ll all be there with you. All you have to do is log on. You’re such a trooper. And that muscle memory thing is a b#T@$, isn’t it? I remember trying to stand on my bad leg for the first time and I just could not make it happen. It’s like my brain just would not go there even though I really wanted to. It came in time, with repeated effort. You’ll get there.

Holly – Welcome. You are still in the early phase, and everyone’s process and timeline is different, based on their particular injury, their Dr’s preferences, etc. I broke my right ankle on July 10 (trimalleolar, dislocation, ruptured ligaments), surgery that night. No driving for 12 weeks, while I was in the cast and boot. And YES, I had a problem with that! I’m the gatekeeper in my home for my family, including 2 very busy, active kids, 3 cats, and a husband who works like 80 hours a week, not to mention my own job and commute. We had to just find rides, cancel things we didn’t need to do, hire a little outside help for groceries and cooking, etc., and generally give into the kindness of friends and neighbors. I had to learn to ask for help. It was a hard lesson for me – I’m the doer, not the asker. But I knew I would never bat an eye at someone asking me for help – I’m usually the first one there offering, so it was my turn to ask. It all turned out ok and I’ve now had the opportunity to return the favor to several others. I was 2 weeks in a splint, 5 weeks in a cast, and 5 weeks in the boot. Started PT at about 7 or 8 weeks. Took several weeks to wean down to 1 crutch and eventually none in the boot, then back to crutches when in shoes, then 1 crutch, and now none. I still keep a cane handy when I go out and about, but generally moving along on my own two feet. I’m not very comfortable on uneven surfaces and still have a lot of trouble on inclines. You will get there – patience. It’s hard, but it will happen. Oh, and yes – my skin was very sensitive. Try vitamin e cream or just something like Eucerin or Cetaphil lotion. Massaging the skin is helpful, as are warm baths.

To everyone else – Hello! Saw the Dr on Friday. It was basically a very short visit. Looked at everything, extend PT another month, and sent me on my way. Won’t even discuss taking the fibula bracket out until early 2009 – 6 -9 months after it went in. Sigh. I hate it. It’s poking through my skin and pulling from the inside out. Can’t wear ANY shoes other than my NB tennies. I’m going to a black tie wedding over Thanksgiving – I’ll be the one with tennis shoes on under my snazzy dress. Arggggg. Oh well. At least I’ll be standing. And I can really feel for those of you in cold climates. We’re having our first really cool nights here in No. CA, and the mornings with the fog are tough. I’m stiff and limpy until lunch time. Doing lots of stretching, balancing, heel lifts, wobble boards, etc. and a little swimming here and there. I need to do more – PT isn’t enough to keep the weight off. i think the bike is the answer – no impact, but calorie burn.

I don’t really have any other news to share, other than losing my cane at Costco. I ventured in for the first time on Friday and hung it over the cart. i did ok n the store – a little tired by the end and hanging onto the cart, but I made it. Unloaded my stuff and jumped into my car and drove away. I realized I’d left it on the cart minutes later and went back for it, but it was gone. Now, who steals a cane? Sick people! It wasn’t in lost and found either. My new one is snazzier and irridescent blue. My 7 yr old picked it out just for me. We have to make fun of it all or we’d just go nuts.

Good wishes and hugs to Lois, Louise, Liz, Denver, Anklequest, Karen, Erica, Tim and anyone else I may have missed! Any word from Pam on her metal removal?

Cheers,
Lee
Louise on October 28, 2008 at 3:52 pm said:

Ohhhh!! Why are all my comments posting TWICE?? I am sorry everyone! lol!
Louise on October 28, 2008 at 3:50 pm said:

Ooops….sorry didnt mean to post that twice

Liz your post went through just as mine did.
Erm…well I do calf raises standing on a step with my heals hanging over the edge, and raise up on my heals…..
I also do squats, lunges, and my physio has me doing pelvic floor exercises too to make the legs a bit stronger. Bit of cardio also….thats pretty much my physio sessions.
I think just practising too. I have noticed that my calf muscle is still a lot weaker than my good one, but I am hoping that it will get stronger with exercises. Its stil not a full high heal raise, but it is mst deff off of the floor anyway!

Hope your doing well though!

Louise xx
Louise on October 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm said:

Hi everyone!!

trac. Glad to hear you love your new shoes. I shall have a look at that website!! I had never heard of them until I think it was karen who mentioned them the other day!!
Hope your PT is going well, and you will be up and about in no time at all!

Lois. Hello to you and good to hear that your doing so well at 8 months! 🙂

And hello to you holly!! Nice to have someone new on the site (well..nice as in nice we get to talk to you, not nice as in you have broken your ankle! hee hee!)
Your accident sounds like it has most of the same ingredients that many of us has…. some sort of fall, some sort of experience at the hospital, and probably some sort of overly dramatic recalling of the story to friends and family! lol! I broke and dislocated mine on 23rd april 08, fibula in 2 places and tibia in 3 places…. 1 plate, 5 small screws and 2 large screws (which I have had removed in july). I did it playing netball…skidded on some gravel and leaves on the court, and snap crack pop and there it goes!! So I am at 6 months now, and lois said back to normality in about 4-5 months, guess thats about right. I would say I have/am healing reasonably quickly ish, and 2 weeks after I was weight bearing I went to new york and had a great time. So keep your chin up, and look to the future!! 🙂

I was signed off from the podiatris today, as my tendonitus on my good leg has healed up nicely with some iburofen and some lovely insoles in my shoes. Have physiotherapy tomorrow….session 3 out of 6. I still dont really think in another 4 sessions im gonne be a ok again, but oh well….we shall see!!

Hope everyone else is doing ok though!

Louise xx
Louise on October 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm said:

Hi everyone!!!

trac. Glad to hear you love your new shoes. I shall have a look at that website!! I had never heard of them until I think it was karen who mentioned them the other day!!
Hope your PT is going well, and you will be up and about in no time at all!

Lois. Hello to you and good to hear that your doing so well at 8 months! 🙂

And hello to you holly!! Nice to have someone new on the site (well..nice as in nice we get to talk to you, not nice as in you have broken your ankle! hee hee!)
Your accident sounds like it has most of the same ingredients that many of us has…. some sort of fall, some sort of experience at the hospital, and probably some sort of overly dramatic recalling of the story to friends and family! lol! I broke and dislocated mine on 23rd april 08, fibula in 2 places and tibia in 3 places…. 1 plate, 5 small screws and 2 large screws (which I have had removed in july). I did it playing netball…skidded on some gravel and leaves on the court, and snap crack pop and there it goes!! So I am at 6 months now, and lois said back to normality in about 4-5 months, guess thats about right. I would say I have/am healing reasonably quickly ish, and 2 weeks after I was weight bearing I went to new york and had a great time. So keep your chin up, and look to the future!! 🙂

I was signed off from the podiatris today, as my tendonitus on my good leg has healed up nicely with some iburofen and some lovely insoles in my shoes. Have physiotherapy tomorrow….session 3 out of 6. I still dont really think in another 4 sessions im gonne be a ok again, but oh well….we shall see!!

Hope everyone else is doing ok though!

Louise xx
LIZ (Trimal, rt ankle DOI: 5/21/08, DOS: 6/2/08) on October 28, 2008 at 3:21 pm said:

Hey TRAC, I’ve been wanting to try the Wii Fit. I hadn’t thought of using it for therapy. Sounds fun! 🙂 I’m anxious to hear how your doctor’s appointment went today. Keep us posted.

Hi LOUISE, It’s good to hear from you as always! How long did it take you to be able to do a standing heel raise standing on one leg? I’m still not able to do it and I’ve been trying for a month now. 🙁 I was talking to the OT (occupational therapist) at my school the other day and she said that I may never get full strength back in that calf muscle. I refuse to believe that. What types of exercises do you guys do to strengthen your calves?

HOLLY, Glad you decided to come back and post. I know it can be overwhelming keeping up with everyone’s names, stories, etc. but just jump right in and make yourself at home here. 🙂 Just a little background on me… I fractured my right ankle (trimalleolar) on May 21. I slipped on some water in my classroom (I’m a special education teacher) and landed on my foot funny. I knew instantly something was broken, I just didn’t know what, because my entire leg was throbbing. Ugh! So painful! I had to wait 2 weeks for the surgery because the swelling was so bad and I developed a huge fracture blister over my ankle. I now have a plate and 5 screws. It has been almost 5 months since my surgery. I am now walking, driving, going to the gym and I just started back to work last week where I’m on my feet alot during the day. My ankle still aches at times and gets tired easily, but overall my life feels somewhat “normal” again. Hang in there, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Things will get better as each day passes. As for driving, I wasn’t able to drive until my boot came off, about 3 months after surgery I think it was. I took my car for a spin around the block just to make sure I could do it and I had no problems with it. I started PT 4 weeks after surgery, before I was even weight bearing. I went to therapy 2x per week for 3.5 months and I definitely recommend it. Lois is right though, alot of the exercises you can do at home. Anyway, glad to hear things are going well for you. Keep us posted on your progress. 🙂

Hope everyone else is doing well. No new updates from me really. Just working and trying to make it to the gym everyday.

Take Care,
Liz
lois on October 28, 2008 at 2:41 pm said:

Hi Holly,,, nope, no one was home with me and after I came too, following passing out, I had to drag myself down two additional stairs into the basement (I don’t remember that) and then across the floor,,, on my butt (I could not crawl) and into the rec room to reach a phone by throwing stuff at it to knock it down on the floor. It took forever to reach the phone because I was on the verge of blacking out with every movement. Uggg.. dont even like to remember it. Called my husband, and he was just a few doors up the street at a neighbours house, so he got home asap and got me to hospital. Your ordeal sounds just awful too. I was in the cast (three in total) for 8 weeks, but the bone healed really well… the doctor looked quite surprised,,,and after 8 weeks of no weight, no baths, no showers, no water near it, when the cast came off it was straight into trying to walk again… (and into the the heaven of having a bath) no boot no walking cast. As I am sure you have gathered from these blogs, walking does not happen easily, it takes time,,, with crutches a walker and probably later a cane. I was cleared to drive right away ,, (legally) but… was cautioned that that too would take practice and to be really careful and not go immediately out onto any highway until I got used to the new feel of it. It was my right leg… my gas and brake leg. So I tried it just on my own street, but braking sent a shock wave through my leg,,, so I backed off for another couple of weeks, and then started slowly,,, a few blocks to the drug store type of thing, and after a month or so took off for hour long drives and shopping trips. Even at that the first longer trip scared me as some guy whipped into a parking lot right in front of me and I had to slam my brakes on which sent a jolt up my leg. (those jolts make you pull back on the leg.. which could cause you to easily ram into someone) But that is long since passed. Mostly I guess once that cast is off you will spend about two months perhaps learning to walk again and to drive again…. Physio, does not need to happen right away… and the first exercises are simple. Mostly to force the swelling fluid out of your foot and ankle. (warm bath water, and then plunge foot into a cold bucket of water…. and back and forth like that. Also continued ice and elevation. And also getting your ankle to move around, ie writing the alphabet with your toes in the bathtub. and a few other possibilities also mentioned in prior posts. All in all life will begin returning to some stage of normalacy after 4 to 5 months, and then following that you will still progress, but progress will be slower and every so often you will have a day where you feel you are going backwards, and will get on here and weep and wail. Glad you have decided to join us on here. And nope it was not a fun way to begin retirement, but oh well….. Bye for now, Lois
Holly on October 28, 2008 at 1:10 pm said:

Lois,
I was encouraged when you said at eight months you were doing well and getting around. If I go a similar route, it should be May of next year. That’s a little hard to grasp onto but I guess I’ll have to be patient and be glad for ANY improvement. Who knows, our recoveries will all be different.
This is what retirement is like!? I hope once this is cleared up you’ll have smooth sailing for a while. So that little ten-pound puppy caused all your problems? Sounds like you were caught totally off guard by the pup and you were only trying to quench his thirst. It sounds like you had a bad break, splitting your fibula vertically. Did that take more than the usual time to heal? I bet you were extremely careful to put no weight on it. Too much excitement all at once for both of you. Oh, how incredibly scary though when you can’t stop what’s about to happen. I hope someone was home to help you?
When my accident happened I was with a friend walking but way off the beaten path trying to climb down a hill to get to a creek. When I started to trip sideways my bad foot stuck in the hill for a moment while I continued down the hill. I thought there was a small boulder holding the inside of the foot but nothing was there except my slightly dislocated foot. Ouch, ouch, ouch!! My friend wanted me to get up with her and get some help. I knew something was drastically wrong and asked her to call 911. I thought, how on earth are they going to find us. She went back up the hill and through some baseball fields and tennis courts and met the paramedics. They drove the ambulance to the edge of the hill and brought a stretcher down the hill. Oh, was I glad to see them. Isn’t it amazing how one small part of the body can make you feel like your whole body has been hurt, how it takes over all your thoughts? Once at the hospital ER they put me in a splint till the dr. could see me a few long hours later. At this point I realize I’m rambling so…had surgery that night and stayed in the hospital just one night. I came home the next evening and realized just how hard it was going to be to get around the house. Thankfully, it’s been 6 weeks and lots of healing has occurred and in a couple of weeks I can try to bear full weight on it (Yikes!) I asked the dr. about physical therapy and she said wait until Dec when I see her again, which will be three months into it. Did you guys wait that long? She mentioned I can drive again around the first week of December. Has that been difficult for any of you?

TRAC,
Thanks for the advice on Bag Balm. I’ll check it out. Do you know offhand what ingredients are in it? You’ve certainly been thru a lot of ups and downs and still recovering. I’m sure glad you’ve found support here and have given to others through your ordeal. I read what you said about believing once this is all behind you, you will understand even more. You’ve got confidence for the future. I will pray that this WILL be put behind you and that God has a new future that will be just what you need. Take care,

Holly
anklequest on October 27, 2008 at 9:51 pm said:

Lots of posts!

Karen, thanks for the shoe tip. I’m ordering RXP3060 Ecco to replace my worn Asics Cumbulus & try them out. I totally agree with you and Trac about having good shoes. Curved bottoms & cushioned for us anklebreakers. No Danskoes though..they’d be bad for the ankles. I cannot wear any regular shoes. the inside of my ankle is still bruised and so I cannot seem to tolerate any regular shoe for more than an hour or so.

Trac, what a tough bunch of decisions you have to make! Leave home for the holidays & go to a rehab place; and/or get your leg amputated. Everyone…let’s keep our support group here for Trac!

Tim,
What a surprise to hear from you. I thought you were all healed and had abandoned us broken folks here. On the other hand, to bad you had to come back and give us bad news. Let us know how the surgery goes. And where did this bone chip come from?

Erika,
This Nov 4th will go down in histroy for whatever the election results are. As well has for you..your ankle surgery. what a day to pick!

Denver,
Suddenly I hear hardware removal for you. Why? What lead to that choice so soon?

Don,
I’ll be in touch!

Louise, keep hopping & kicking, Liz, Lee, Spike, hi to all of you!!

Lois, I hope you keep things going on the board. I’m not able to keep up with everything these days.

Finally, we planted 8 apple trees, 3 pear trees and one plum tree this weekend in our back yard. Now, how to keep away the deer??? They’ve already eaten the forest undercanopy.

Anklequest
trac on October 27, 2008 at 5:59 pm said:

I HEART MY ECCO SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh, wait, forgot to say Hi!!! HI!!!

‘k back to shoes, one of my fave subjects, more than food and books but not more than baseball.

I spent about 16 hours on my feet — between my job at the clinic and then the bookstore. And, I am a big girl, 5’11, very broad, about 180 lbs (think Queen Latifah size). I have never experienced, prior to this accident, any knee, back, hip or foot pain. I believe it was because they provided a wide toe box which allowed me to balance my body through my core. This helps prevent twisting and rolling of your feet and ankles. It is amazing what a very good shoe will do, regardless of your body size. I can’t believe I missed the Ecco discussion. I agree with Karen, they are a great shoe. Also, the Danskos are a “rocking sole” shoe, which is excellent for building muscle and goes with a normal stride/gait, but if you have a weakened ankle, it could easily cause some twisting. I only wear my Danskos when I’m in the wheelchair. Oh, and if you are concerned, there are some VERY cute Ecco shoes on the market, very hip. This is their link, if you haven’t been there yet — http://www.ecco.com/int/en/collection/women/index.jsp

I can’t wait to be able to wear shoes again. My foot is angled all funky, so shoes don’t go on, except my tevas. We have tried casting it and forcing it, it is working — slowly.

Oh, had my final PT today until I move on to another clinic, more intensive. We did balancing on the Wii — it was fun, but quite the workout, and I was sitting down. But, my ankle got more of a workout doing the Wii Fit, then it ever did w/the wobble board, and it was way more fun. Check it out, if you have access to a Wii Fit.

Tomorrow I meet w/the dr. Will we or won’t we be removing my leg in place of a new advanced piece of technology? Will we or won’t we be doing another surgery to repair the fibula that has a mind of its own? Will we or won’t we decide to repair the heel and then go in for 3 months of inhouse therapy? Stay tuned…

Holly, don’t worry about names, I always go back and re-read quickly, but the personalities do poke out and it is nice, cool to have people who know stuff, have been through it send advice and good will your way. As far as the tightening, yes, it is an ongoing issue w/me. Is it accompanied by any pain? If not, or just a pale pain, use a good cream lotion, (I use Bag Balm — softens and protects)their link –http://www.bagbalm.com/index.htm massage it in at intervals throughout the day, the massage helps with the tightness and the balm heals the skin. I’ve used in my massage practice for over a decade, and used it on all my scars — and I have thick scars all over my body due to a past burn accident, and they are pliable and look good. You know, considering what they are. Well, seems I’ve done my advertising work for the day…

Okay, sounds like everyone is holding in there, as usual some days up some days down. But, thank you so much for getting me through this weekend. And, yes, as a Christian, I released and then asked for the strength to do what it is I need to do. I truly believe once this is all behind me, I will understand even more. For, I always seem to see the sun, just sometimes the trees are thicker and so I have to plow through, and other times the sun is thicker and that is when I collapse and soak it in, knowing it’ll go behind the trees again. You know?

Allrighty!! Here’s to continued strengthening and healing.
take care =
trac
lois on October 27, 2008 at 3:45 pm said:

Hi Tim, this will be really short because it’s my second post today and I have work to do, (much as I don’t feel like doing anything.) My break occurred March 09, 2008 so I am what-eight months now? I am doing well and getting around. I seem to have few problems around the house and yard and doing my regular things, but when I go places I have not been before, or do things I have not done for a while, it tends to start complaining either that night or the next day. One of the oddest things is that my good leg, will often start complaining too- in sympathy I guess… or sometimes it’s my knees which I never had trouble with before. I was really curious about the “floating thingy” and wondered if that might be a bone chip. I had bone chips all over my ankle at the time of my break and have often wondered if and how they know they got them all out. So far no problem but….. I have some sort of circular or cylindrical plate and six screws in mine and they are supposed to stay there unless…. . I am sure that you are really sick of this. I too just wish that my legs and ankles were back the way that god made them instead of this man made stuff. Before the break no problems with anything,,, now,,, well I think I am doing well considering but eight months later it still is just really not the same.

Welcome back HOLLY and nice to hear from you again. Don’t worry about the names etc…. and now that some of the old posts have disappeared I am sure it is even harder to figure everyone out. So, just ask people… I dont think any of us mind repeating the details. Yep the personalities do come out, (like characters in a good novel) and what a great group of people are on here. Everyone always looks forward to encouraging each other, and to getting encouragement and advice from each other… so you just join right in. Some of the details of my break are above…(described to Tim). I broke mine (first break ever) by falling down three or four inside stairs when a 10 pound Shih Tzu puppy ran full speed (like a 10 pound bowling ball) into the back of my good leg, just as I was stepping off with my bad leg. She sent me flying. (my first ever attempt at a ballet type of leap) I was not holding the rail as I was carrying a pot of water down for the two pups. The water went flying when she hit me and I tried to grab the rail, so when I hit the entry tile floor, I slid on the water crumbling into my leg. This broke my fibula off at the ankle, and split it vertically four times as I slid along the floor on the bone. I had bone fragments throughout my ankle. I just turned 65 years old (good grief) and am recently retired from Canadian Correctional System. So, that is me in a nutshell. Most others on here appear to be US citizens although there are two women from England. Ages range from young adults to me, who is likely the oldest or close to oldest. So just saying hello and stay on and encourage others…..
Tim on October 27, 2008 at 2:54 pm said:

Hello Lois,
Nice to hear from you again ! Well my story went like this, last December 10th I slipped on ice walking in to work and broke my left ankle in three places. I had a plate and seven screws put in to put it back together. I later had the long screw removed in the doctors office and it was a cake walk. My foot has been getting more swolen and hurts all of the time so three weeks ago the doctor reviewed my MRI that was done a few months ago and found the “floating body” which is a piece of bone. She has decided to remove it and take out the hardware because she says the screws may be loose. This will be my third surgery and I hope the last one, I’m tired of going thru this somtimes it seems like two steps forward and three backwards, but it could be worse…. I could be pushing daisy’s!

Enough about me, how have you been doing? Is your ankle healing ? It’s nice to get back on and see some of the same folks here.

Take care all.
Holly on October 27, 2008 at 10:50 am said:

Hi all,

I was a blip on the screen about 3-4 weeks ago. Then nothing. I hesitated to write again because as a previous writer said, “it’s hard to get everyone straight”, all the different experiences you’ve had. After reading for a few days though, I think I’ve got a small handle on it – there’s some familiarity there. It’s been fun to see the personalities come through and the way you’ve supported each other! I’ve learned from you. This is not “a piece of cake.” It’s a long road with lots of twists and turns, it’s tedious, trying and we do need support from people, especially those who are or have gone through this! A connection with God is a lifesaver in more ways than one. It’s been a bittersweet surrender to Him.

To refresh, I experienced a tri-malleolar fracture on my right ankle with surgery that same night (Sept 10). They put in a plate and 9 screws and put me in a splint for 2 weeks, then an aircast NWB for 4 weeks. 4 wks have finally passed and another trip to the doctor. X-rays were fine and she said wear the boot for 2 more weeks and start putting some weight on it. It’s felt really good to finally put that little bit of weight on it and now I can finally use the crutches I’ve had in the closet. It’s easier to get around and especially get out of the house. Believe it or not, I’ve used a walker for the last 6 weeks! Previous to the fall I was in physical therapy for the left hip – IT Band Syndrome and bursitis. So when the ankle happened I had a hard time getting around.

I’m seeing some light at the end of the tunnel but it feels like I’ve got 10 tight rubber bands around my ankle. And the skin on both sides of the ankle is so tight, it really hurts to stretch it. Has anyone had that problem? Is there a cream or oil that would help the skin to stretch?

Last dr visit I forgot to ask about physical therapy, but I’m going to call today to schedule it. It sounds like many of you have had it with good results. Supposedly by Dec 2 (dr appt) I should be walking? The season ahead scares me with all slippery sidewalks. Yikes, Christmas shopping, carrying packages. I’ll have to get some kind of shoes that help with support and traction. Sounds like the Ecco shoes may work.

I’ve always had a crowd here for Thanksgiving. I’ll have to give it over to my husband and boys, no, men. Sounds like a good idea, lol. It’s not all bad, is it?

I hope and pray there’s been a lot of healing happening with you all. I’ve seen a lot of it through the posts. Hang in there and remember to call on the one who heals.

Holly
I live in Minnetonka, a suburb 20 min from Minneapolis
Karen on October 27, 2008 at 9:00 am said:

Louise,

Just do an internet search for these Ecco Receptors and also call shoe stores in your area that specialize in walking, running, good support type of shoes. I put on my brown Danskos yesterday, feeling the Receptors would not look too cool with my outfit, only had them on a short time, and my sprained left foot (luckily not the broken one), rolled out. This NEVER happens in the Receptors. I am still searching for a casual, not athletic, shoe with as much support as these but don’t know if any such thing is out there. I’ll try though.

Lois,

I’m so glad you found a store that carries these. I have difficult very wide feet, let alone have a bunion, and never thought I could get into them, let alone receive so much support.

Karen
Denver on October 26, 2008 at 10:43 pm said:

LOIS I was writing at the same time as you 🙂

HI!
I ‘fake’ my energy by keeping busy;) I’m not doing ‘great’ all the time.. but I keep busy so that I don’t feel the pain so much 🙂 no mistake though, I rest quite a bit too, but even do board games or DVD games w the kids or wood work in the garage to keep busy to take mind off of the HeaLinG as I call it while rest has to take place.. Oddly enough, I took on some good advice of my grandmas to relax & help me get to sleep.. it sounds too simple but really take me into relax mode quick & gOOd.. I warm up a plastic cup or mile for about 1min20sec to 1min35seconds to get it good and warm just relaxes the body & the triptaphane (sorry bad spelling) just helps put the body to sleep..mm that & advil pm hehe..
I noticed a BiG comment that I completely agree w & see in as you said how we all wound up here with this injury. I ran across a lady who works in our building & her sons had horrible infection & disease while out of the country. I mentioned that I found this book explaining how to make the zapper the Drs had been using on him but he was unable to do as much as needed due to costs of treatment. Oddly enough what I had found due to my injury I was able to share & their lives are blessed with something they’ve been searching for for years now. Hmmm.. as odd as this sounded, it had me asking what we all at sometime I’m sure thought.. and as LoIs mentioned in last post.. not that we wAnT to be here but GreAt we have eachother to talk with & go through this.. I’m real glad I got so many that understand the tiny pains & tiny progressions too.. each little step is huge.. someone always seems to be looking up to one of us at one time or another… hmm finding strength in God is very filling …

=) rest well all
Wes