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.
Randomness of Christi
Catch-all of what's on my mind! From Movie Reviews to TV and Cats.
HI EVERYONE, MY NAME IS JESSICA. MY SISTER WAS JUST IN A NASTY CAR ACCIDENT AND AS A RESULT BROKE BOTH OR HER ANKLES AND HER RIGHT HEEL! SO RIGHT NOW I’M UP BECAUSE I CAN’T SLEEP THINKING OF ALL THE MEDICAL ATTENTION THAT SHE IS GOING TO NEED OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND I WANT AS MUCH ADVICE AND HELP AS I CAN GET. SHE HAS 2 KIDS AND IS A SINGLE MOTHER SO I OFFERED MY HOME UNTIL SHE IS FULLY RECOVERED. I’M JUST WORRIED THAT I WON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SOMETHING WILL GO TERRIBLY WRONG.
I LOVE MY SISTER SOOOOO MUCH AND I HAVE LOST A LOT OF SLEEP OVER THIS ISSUE BUT I SURELY WILL NOT LEAVE HER OUT TO HANG OF COURSE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT I AM DOING IS RIGHT. WHO BETTER TO TELL YOU THAN PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED IT. SHE WAS JUST IN THE ACCIDENT THURSDAY NIGHT AND ONLY HAD SURGERY ABOUT 10 HOURS AGO!! I WANT TO MAKE IT AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR HER WHEN SHE GETS HOME.
MY SISTER IS EXTREMELY INDEPENDENT SO I THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE BATTLE FOR HER. BUT I’M WILLING TO HOLD HER HAND EVERY “STEP” OF THE WAY!! IF YOU CAN OFFER ANY ADVICE, PLEASE EMAIL ME, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT EXERCISES ON HER THIGHS AND IF I SHOULD BUY AN OTTOMAN TO ELEVATE HER LEG OR JUST PUT IT ON A CHAIR WITH A PILLOW. BATHROOM BREAKS OR SHOWERS….ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TELL ME OR HELP ME WITH SO THAT I CAN MAKE THIS AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE FOR HER.
I’M SADDENED BY ALL OF THIS AND SEEING HER SO HELPLESS MAKES ME WANT TO JUMP IN AND TAKE OVER BUT I ALSO DON’T WANT TO OVER EXHAUST MYSELF AND GET TIRED OF HELPING HER! LIKE I SAID, I’M GOING TO BE THERE FOR EVERYTHING I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I’M DOING IT RIGHT AND THAT SHE’S COMFORTABLE. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS [email protected]. IT GOES DIRECTLY TO MY PHONE SO PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU CAN OFFER ANY ADVICE ANY TIME OF DAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED ON HER CONDITION!! I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HELP!!
Hey Ankle Breakers
Pam
Great to hear from you. I have ben off for awhile and I am glad to hear how everyone is doing and hearing of their progress. Such an interestiung group of people and stories. We can all get ideas and solutions to most situations that arise for all of us someone else has be there and can help.
It is nice to see so many people contributing to the forum and working at moving forward.
Talk to you soon all
Don
Hi everyone- Today we are digging ourselves out a snow storm, I believe total was 12 inches & kids were off of school today. I had my follow up appt. with my ortho doctor, luckily my hubby has a 4 wheel drive truck so we had no problems getting there.
So I was given permission to start partial weight bearing today & so I did, all I have to say is “ouch”. My ortho told me he had to cut some ligaments to get the pin out so I will most likely be pretty sore in that area, boy he wasn’t kidding. So back in my boot today for a few weeks!
Anklequest- thanks for the snow tips. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be hobbling in crutches in the snow to get in the truck.
Pielady & Gemma- My thoughts are with both of you in hopes that things get better for both of you.
Katie- 2 more weeks in a boot isn’t too bad, are you using a cane or crutches while you are partial weight bearing? How lucky for you- no staples….. I have staples on both sides of my ankles & I think that is what is pinching/irriating when I put weight on my foot. I go back in a week to have them removed.
Louise- how very exciting for you to be able to get all dressed up in a nice dress & “heels” for your ball. Enjoy yourself!!!
Lee- how far out are you now from your break? So your doc said he can do the surgery to tighten the ligaments the same time he takes out the metal?
Don- Nice to hear from you & hearing an update on how you area doing.
A very merry christmas & safe holidays to everyone.
Pam
Greetings Ankle Breakers
Thought I would pop in for a quick visit and say HI. Went to my Doctor for the two year END checkup. Well I passed I guess if you consider he left the choice of Fusion of the ankle up to me. Told me I can always come back when it bothers me too much? I think NO I know I will wait a (hopefully) a very long time. Every thing else is a good as can be expected. Hey AnkleQuest I can tell you the ankle can completely fill up with arthritis (the Doctors call it collapsing) and you can still walk.
At times it is hard at other times it is if nothing happened and I cna walk almost normal. But we all get by with what we need to. I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. And a Happy Holidays for what ever you choose to celebrate. We all are here for only a short time enjoy the trip and be safe. It is all that we can do. Oh Yeah have a great time and lots of fun along the way.
Keep the right parts of your foot on the ground it is safer.
Talk soon
Don
BEST OF THE SEASON TO ALL ANKLEBREAKERS:
Well, it is only a week until Christmas and we are all becoming so very busy. So, I wanted to take a minute to wish each and every one of the lovely people who contribute to this blog, “Joy and Peace”, throughout this season and 2009. Thanks again for all you have been to me during 2008. Hugs, Lois
Hi to all!
Pam – great to hear all went well. I’m so surprised that you have to be in the boot for the full 6 weeks. My Dr. says it’s easy in and out and he never mentions the boot! I bet that’ll be a surprise he springs on me just after surgery – arrg!
So, I saw my ortho today and had a stress test xray. They basically torque the ankle and take an xray in the stressed position to see if the mortise opens up under the stress. Mine looked good, though he still wants to go in and scope the ankle, clean it up, and tighten the ligament when he goes in to remove the metal. That’s for sure 5-6 weeks of non-weight bearing. Arrrrg. Well, at least it’s one less surgery than I was planning for, but I’ve got to figure out how to fit 5 weeks of no driving, crutches, etc. into my life again. It’s not easy. He says I can do it any time I want, but recommended I wait until after winter, when it’s not wet out. I’m also going to take my films and see another ankle guy, just to be sure this is the right advice. I’m still working on the tendonitis – maybe once that’s cleared up, I’ll be in good enough shape to shop for some other shoes.
So, that’s my update. Hope all are enjoying the festivities of the season and getting along ok. I’ll check back soon.
cheers,
Lee
Hi Pam!
Glad to hear that it went well for you, and you are hopefully not too much in pain,a nd it will get lots easier for you very soon!
Hello to everyone else too. Hope everyone is having a great week, and not long till CHRISTMAS!!! This time next week! Woop! I am rather excited (if you havn’t already got that! ha ha!)
I managed to find a dress and some shoes for my ball on saturday! I got some black shoes with a 2 inch (ish) heal, like strappy sandals, and they are soooo pretty!!! I also brought some other ones that have a small heal on them, for work, which are very comfy. Not sure how long I will last in these ones on saturday, but I have been struting around my flat in them, and doing ok, so hopefully they will be fine! :S ARGH! These will be the 1st heals I have worn since I broke my ankle, so a very important occasion! hee hee. Soooo….we shall see how that goes!
I have had quite a lot of pain in both feet after like 3 days of shopping, but im sure that will wear off! Off shopping AGAIN tomorrow, but not a lot of money to spend! ha ha. ALl my christmas pressies are now wrapped and sitting under my beautifully (uh hmm) decorated tree! 🙂
Speak soon!
Louise xx
Pam- I am glad to hear it went ok yesterday. Just remember like Spike said to take it easy the first few days. I found trying to do too much, even with the crutches was exhuasting and brought on more pain. It does get better after the first few days though!
I went back to my ortho today and he unfortunately said I need to be partial weight-bearing for another two weeks to “baby” my ankle. He says it looks good by x-ray but he wants to be sure to prevent stress fractures. I misunderstood and thought I would be walking by the end of this week, just in the boot. So I am a little bummed to know I will be crutching around another few weeks. However I know many other people are worse off then me, so I can suck up a couple of weeks! I am excited that he used dissolvable sutures this time, so no staple/suture removal for me this time!
Trac and Gemma, I hope you are feeling well today and doing your best to stay positive. I can’t imagine being in either of your positions. I wish you both the best outcomes possible and mobility soon.
To everyone else, hope you are well and staying safe.
Take care,
Katie
Everyone!I just want to say hello. Am very busy right now but hopefully next week I’ll have a bit of time to post during the holidays.Pam, take care and glad your surgery went well.I love to hear about WI since a number of relatives live near you as you know. About that snow, suggestion to all anklebreakers who are living with it right now; use a hiking stick with a pointed tip in the snow & on the ice. This works great! And don’t forget! Those who live in cooler climates may live longer; certainly you live in better places than where Denver is moving to: Houston. It’s cheap living and has jobs, so God bless him and his family anyway.
Special regards to Pie Lady and Gemma. My thoughts are with you as you both seem to be worse off than the rest of us walkers, limp-alongs, and booters.
Finally, every time I read this board I find something that is very helpful. So thanks to everyone for continuing to post. It’s almost been 3 years for me and yet I learn more every time I read this board. The vast and diverse array of experiences we’ve all had is amazing.
Anklequest
Well………….surgery went ok, a little longer than expected because the pin I had on the tib side was tangled between my ligaments so my ortho said he had to do some “fishing” around. He had no problem taking out the plates/screws. He actually let me bring the hardware home (pretty wicked to imagine that was in my ankle). I’m having lots of pain, but as to be expected since I am just about 24 hours post op. I am definately going to take it easy as much as I can, but that won’t be real easy with 2 children & a winter storm coming Thursday night of about 10 inches + of snow ( I live in the great state of WI & we have gotten lots of snow already).
Thank you to everyone for your kind words/wishes for my recovery. Spike- thanks for the words of advice not to walk on my foot. My ortho did tell me non weight bearing til I see him on Friday & then he wants mt in a walking boot for 6 weeks to protect it & let all the holes from the screws fill in.
Overall, this surgery was far less invasive/painful as the first one (thankfully). Definately more of an achy pain rather than bone pain.
Time to go take a “happy pill” and rest.
Pam
Louise, I am with you. My doctor said the same thing, no metal out unless of course I have major problems with it,,, and like you we dont pay for our medical. So good question actually. Yep, Trac,,, we have been experiencing colder weather here, than they had yesterday in Yellowknife, Yukon Territories for Pete’s sake. They are predicting that we are ALL going to get a colder than average winter this year I heard. Like the economy, falling stock market, real estate prices now its the cold weather phenomena that is taking over the globe. lol. People must think I am nuts though,, when I am out I am walking Soooo slowly and deliberately that I look like a goof. I think I need to take my cane or crutches along just so people can see that I have a problem with my legs and not with my head. lol. Take care,,, oh yes and the reno;s are finally beginning to come together a bit. Lois
Hello!!
Pam, I hope it all went well for you. And, I hope you heal quickly. I remember what it was like after the metal removal. Just keep looking at the long run result. Good for you for doing it! Stay strong!
And, for all of us who live where there are wintery conditions, be careful. I keep reading about various winter storms. This is going to require extra special attention.
Be safe!
take care,
trac
Pam! Hope all goes well for you, and again, keep us updated! 🙂
Quick question, has anyone in the UK had theirs out? In the states, I think coz you pay for your health care, they are more likely to take it out (or so I think anyway! That might not be the case but in my mind it is…. ha ha!)
My surgeon said originally that he would not take it out unless I was hvaing major problems with it, so the fact that it restricts my movement a lot, and a screw sticks out the side, and makes my choice of shoewear very difficult! I was searching for shoes today, as I have a ball to go to this saturday! Grrr….dresses and shoes AND bags are just very difficult to find all to match the same colour and style! Argh! Oh well…
Hope everyone’s ok!
Louise xx
Hi Pam! Hope all went well today. Keep us posted on your recovery – I’m hoping for mine to come out in February or March, so eager to hear how it all goes for you. Like all things, everyone seems to be a bit different. I hope you don’t need that boot for 6 weeks. That’s a long time. No fun! I’m thinking about ya.
Cheers,
Lee
Pam: Good luck with hardware removal tomorrow. I had most of mine removed 8 weeks ago after being in just short of nine months. Originally my Ortho said it would all be left in but I just wasn’t getting good movement so he decided it would be better out. The actual surgery took about an hour, although I was at the hospital for about 7 hours. I had my staples removed 11 days later and have just completed 5 weeks of physio.
I was unable to wear my boot as it pressed on the incisions because of the swelling so I used crutches for about a week then a cane for a week or so.
At about six weeks post removal I started swimming and was able to walk on a treadmill for about 15 minutes and now, at 8 weeks, I am pretty much able to do anything. I do still get some pain on the inside of my ankle and there’s still some numbness around the inside incision, but basically I’m really pleased with how it feels. I still have two screws on the outside of my ankle as they had become embedded in the bone, but they don’t bother me at all.
A word of advice- don’t try to walk on it the first day or so – think the pain drugs fooled me into thinking that it felt OK and I suffered for it for a few days afterwards, don’t push yourself.
Good luck, take it easy and don’t push yourself too soon.
Pam, all the very best to you tomorrow. We will be thinking of you. All the best to everyone else too. Lois
Pam- Good luck to you tomorrow! About the walking boot, I am in one, my ortho said probably about 3 weeks. But my accident was over 2 years ago so I was well past the 1 year mark. He said its for the incisions to heal and for protection etc. After that he said I should be fine.
Katie
Hi everyone- It has been a while since I’ve written, life has been busy busy with work & the kids. I just got done cathing up on everyone’s posts & progress and it is really nice to hear how everyone is progressing a little more and more each day.
I’m scheduled for surgery tomorrow at noon to have my plates/screws removed. I’m a bit nervous, but it is nice to hear that Katie & Erika are doing well after going through it. I’m just shy of 8 months since the hardware was placed but because I’m having so much discomfort, swelling, and pain, my ortho said he would take it out now. My ortho said I’ll be in a walking boot for 6 weeks to “protect” it. Katie/Erika, were you told the samething? I was thinking he was putting me in it for 6 weeks since I haven’t acutally hit the year mark for hardware removal, which is how long they typically want you to keep the hardware in.
I’ll keep you posted after surgery.
Have a good night everyone.
Pam
Hi Everyone.
Thanks for the updates from Erika and Katie. Good to hear the hardware removal works well,a nd has made your ankles a bit better! 🙂
Wes. Nice to hear from you again. Good luck with all the settling in.
Lois. I can imgaine it’s colder there, but it is also rather chilly over in england, and I live in the warmest part in the south. No snow as of yet, but it’s very rare that we get snow here anyway….we are right by the sea, and it gets icy but no snow. We had some snow in april this year though….very odd. Snow in the morning, and it had gone by lunchtime and the sun was out! ha ha.
Gemma. Congrats on getting the cast off! 🙂 Hope that all works out well for you. Hopefully you will be up and walking on it in no time.
Tim. Hi to you too! Good luck starting your PT again! 🙂
Trac. You seem to be in good spirits, which is great. I really hope whatever happens it will stop you having pain. Thanks for keeping us updated. Always good to hear from u! 😀
Hello to everyone else as well I have missed! 🙂
As for me….I spent like 5 hours trawling round the shops getting all my christmas pressie’s! Got them all done though, but need to go shopping again tomorrow to get an outfit for my works christmas ball this saturday! Grrr…I dont DO dresses! I would much rather go in my jeans and boots! Oh well…guess Ill have to scrub up for once a year hey?! hee hee. My ankle has swollen up a lot after all the walking around, and weight of bags, and it hurts quite a bit now, but IM back home, on the sofa with my blanket over me! Ahhhhh….this is the life! 🙂
Hope everyone has a great week though!
Louise xx
Hello all,
Hope everyone is upright and doing well these days.
I start PT tomarrow then back to see the doctor on thursday. Wow what a long recovery after the hardware removal and other related repairs it has been a month and doc still has me on non weight bearing.
Hope everyone is getting ready for the holidays as they will be here soon.
We got a light snow last night but it sleeted for a while so things are a bit slick outside.
I hate winter since my accident however I use to love it for many years.
Take care all and be careful outdoors.
Well, Hello!!!
My brother and I are busy singing to the Time Life Soft Rock collection he got for the holidays…all of you that spent any time listening to music in the 70’s and early 80’s know exactly the tunes we are singing to. Oh, how I miss Air Supply & REO Speedwagon & Christopher Cross & Chicago…ohhhhhhh
so many.
I got the chance to spend a while on the phone with my friend from England tonight, it was excellent! I’ve been able to keep her up to date via email, but sometimes I just have to hear her voice. She was telling me about this new walking path she takes in the morning, and said, “Come out here now, sissy, so that we can walk it together.” I said, “I’d love that!” Then it occurred to her what she said, and she quickly apologized but laughed so whole heartedly. See, that is why I am lucky, none of my friends think of me as non-walking. And, I hope they never do. And, they aren’t afraid to laugh w/me at this situation. I was telling her about this site. She was so excited that I had found a place like this. When I was in the nursing home, so depressed, she flew in, got a very good last minute fare, picked up my dog, and surprised me. I had no clue, until I heard an accent and smelled wet dog. I don’t know why I’m sharing this, I guess it is because I get to share how wonderful all of you are — and want to share the others I’m bragging about you to with you.
Well, I see others are making progress — BRAVO!!! Keep at it, despite the hurt, the hairy legs, the scars, it is all worth it — I think. Naw, it is. Although, the MINUTE I get the ability to wear a cuter shoe — I’m off and shopping…Tevas are fine –but c’mon………..let’s get real here —
Whoa, Cowboy!! You’re moving to Houston??? YUCKY!!! But, I hope you love it. I lived down there (in Springs off of FM 1969 in Champions Greens) HATED IT. The bugs were big, the weather was hot, the snakes were plenty, but the Opera (where I worked) was fresh, and the horseriding beautiful, I loved my church there, and people were friendly. And, you aren’t kidding about cost of living. So, good luck to you! I hope it works out.
And, everyone else, keep posting, it is interesting to read, while it may not be relevant on the whole, it is the little bits and pieces of relevancy that really help.
You know, they are talking about trying a fusion prior to going all the way w/the amputation, I’m umm, rather nervous about that level of pain…but, if it works, it works. I’ll let them try almost anything. Really, because it has only been 17 months since the accident, so in reality, I don’t think it has been all THAT long, considering the degree of damage — but, once we hit the 2 yr mark…get out the saw…because if progress hasn’t been made…it is coming off!! 🙂
Okay, off to go watch the recorded finale of Survivor. Gotta see who wins. I hope it is Bob. I’m all for teachers getting a million bucks…esp. good teachers.
Gnite!!!
(oh, it is windchill -37 right now, at least we didn’t get the ice storm or snow, though, right?)
Peace and Healthy Healing!
trac
Well, right now Wes, I wish I was moving to Texas too, (or Arizona or Florida,,, even if I don’t live as long Anklequest.) It is -15 celsius where I live. ie 15 below zero and it feels even colder with the wind chill factor as we are getting some good wind gusts. It is supposed to go down to 21 below freezing overnight and get to 29 below by the end of the week. Brrrr, it’s just &#xz cold. We western Canadian’s have always had a bit of a chuckle, because people think we all live in the far north in igloos or something when actually the west coast of Canada is much more temperate than the east coast and much warmer than many American states in the winter. However, this winter is actually is putting a whole new meaning to life here and it is bitter with wind and cold straight from the “North Pole” hitting us I think. lol . So, whatever happened to global warming ??? Has Al Gore done away with it?? Well they can just bring it right back as far as I am concerned, cause right now it feels like we are going into another ice age. So, hubby and I have a very toasty wood burning fireplace and we are simply not venturing too far from it or for very long. Then with this snow, ice and freezing we had a power failure for several hours last night. So down to the fireplace, candles and a battery radio for music. Primate living eh. Guess we could have eaten out of tin cans if we had not already had supper.
So ankle wise, he is the one using the snow blower to clear the walk and the driveway as best he can, but i have managed to shovel the walk ways but I am very slow and deliberate about where I put my feet down to make sure I have good traction. I have to admit that 1. I am very afraid of slipping on the snow/ice and falling on my ankle even just on my walkways and driveway. 2. I am also afraid to drive far in it which I was not before the ankle thing. I do have four wheel drive, but I am leary of skidding, braking etc in this snow. I somehow know that I would be far less capable of responding to some sort of situation than I would have been before I broke my ankle. So, I suspect that this cold will ease up …. and I guess at most winter can only last till the beginning of March anyway. But,,, the interesting thing is that as much as my ankle is complaining a bit from being bent around a bit more from walking in snow,, I am NOT noticing any particular difference, aches of pains which I would relate at all to just the cold. Ie it DOES NOT feel like the metal becomes uncomfortably cold of anything. Anyway hello to all. Take care, Lois
Hi all- Just wanted to update on the hardware removal. I had it out on Friday and so far so good. Pain has actually not been as bad as I was expecting. There has been some pain, I would say about a 5-6 is the worst it has gotten, usually closer to a 3-4. I started partial weight bearing today using a walking boot and crutches. I think I have a little more swelling today cause the boot feels tighter. I think the worst part is that I can feel the stitches/incisions rubbing on the dressing when I walk. I don’t feel much “bone pain.” I will start doing more and more weight bearing over the next few days and go see my doc on Wednesday. I will update again after that.
I hope everyone else is doing well.
Gemma glad to hear you got some good news, and hope it continues.
Take care!
So the sites gotten over my phones downloadable capabilities… lol
so I keep up through my email.. i can check my yahoo pretty easily…
So If you need to or would like to get in touch or ask any questions or just say hello, my email address is [email protected]
k… here we go,
July 5th break, surgery few weeks later (thought it was a sprang for 7 days..lol) I’ve been up and about.. out dancing.. as best I could fake it..
Id say the true test was walking Dads ranch property with all the uneven ground hidden under level looking grass.
I used the gel ball at the gym to get the motion and jumpped to it and off of it to get the shock factor down.
And talk about weather change…wOW!! we’ve gone from mid 70s and as I write this the news is saying its -15 outside and gonna get colder.. thats right.. not dash 15 degrees, it is only negative 15 degrees…
Guess this is a good time to let all you know, Im moving down to Texas…
My wife couldn’t believe the cost of living down there and the economy is BooMiNg. Even with their lay offs they offset them with good solid high paying steady jobs. They just built two new hospitals in the Houston area and are seeking over 58k employees, fast track programs with gaurenteed employment of gReAt pay and excellent benifits to be part of their huge city and surrounding areas.
With all the junk going on from my wifes ex and the kids not knowing anything other than his brainwashing, being months at a time with mom will actually allow them the chance to just enjoy us like they do whenever dads not roaming around or putting fear into them for just enjoying their time with us. My grandma is in good shape and gets around quite well, but talks to me everyday… I remember talking lots with my grandpa until one day something just snapped and he didnt remember anything and ended up not being there anymore. So having the kids around them now is good…
My wife loved my mom and likewise my mom was impressed with my wife.. they both got along well and are excited to spend time around eachother.
the market and job situation here just put this into high gear..
We’re moving down at the end of the month..
been packing and searching out multiple options of jobs other than just the basics. I am good, but there are major companies if you just walk in person you can get a good job making double the money.
The houses are amazingly cheap..
we’re in a large 2 story house in a nice neighborhood here and a small yard. this house would go for 400k in a good market…. 320-340 if lucky now… In houston there are houses in the surrounding areas that are 5-800sq ft larger, sith huge trees, acre lots, swimming pool and theatre rooms sitting on golf courses going for 218k…
Wife said thats her only stipulation, have to have a pool… they rent for 400less a month than the house were in now.. no problem on my part.
Studies show even with the pay differences id pocket 2400 a month by moving down…
Ok.. I rambled long enough…
was gonna say I fEEL the pain from moving around so much shifting things around the garrage and packing.. My foot is in pain.. had to break out the cane last night and today…
cant wait to get hardware out next summer..
rememeber, I can see all you are writing =) just cant respond on here… it sends the emails to my yahoo account, so if you wanna chat, I can reply if you email me on my ineed409 yahoo account…
We filled 2 27ft uhauls last move.. so I’ll let you know how FuN that is/was with this ankle later… Im gonna hit the gym hot tub and stretch and rest to get back to handle this hugE move…
wish me luck,
Miss ya guys
Hello Anklequest, Louise, Lois, Lee, Liz, Trac, Karen, (deep breath)..Dan, Don, Clark, (havent seen in awhile).. Erika, Spike (awesome on the hardware removal and tHAnK you for the wonderfully detailed updates).. and Hello to all the new manY new people and those who I may have missed in there too
Til Later…
Wes aka:Denver…soon to be Dalla on the way to Houston 😉
Hi all hope everyone is ok.
Went to see my consultant on Wednesday (computer repaired so been delayed in my post) I have a Hawkins type III injury been in plaster for 16 weeks post op. Think the worst part of my visit to the hospital was being told that the plaster is coming off (oh no I hadnt seen anything below my knee for 4 months I felt sick at the thought).
Anyway here goes- I explained to the cast removal lady that I have scars on each side of the ankle so to be careful not to catch it with the cutting machine oops wish I hadnt asked as she managed to get each side ouch that brought tears.
This is where is becomes strange the cast is split apart and taken off, im sat looking at whats underneath and nothing or no one could convince me that this pale skinny scaley hairy thing belonged to me. I was absolutly convinved that it wasnt mine and the cast removal lady could not stop laughing at me.
Two super size scars up both sides of my foot and ankle and masses of dead skin.
So here goes, now im on my way to x-ray and ive lost my security the cast has gone and every movement causes my ankle to wobble I kept telling my friend that I didnt like feeling the ankle move but it wouldnt stop wobbling.
I couldnt stop shaking in the x-ray room but they managed to get what was needed lol.
Im waiting now to see the consultant I have a last read of the questions I have for him and my name is called, im walking towards the door I can see my consultant but he is starring at the screen with 4 other suited men. I couldnt breath with panic as they all turned to watch me hobble over on the crytches oh no I thought.
The consultant shows me the x-rays and to be honest I needed positive words not the foot anatomy that I dont understand, he smiled at me and explained that the bones have stayed in place with all the metal work, ok so does that mean I can walk now I asked, the other docters left the room, my heart sank again the good news is that the talus is showing a building blood supply but it will take 12 months to show if AVN will occur, the talus is showing the same colour on x-ray as the rest of the foot bones so fingers crossed with that. The consultant found a partial Hawkins sign so thats good and he is keeping me out of plaster (so no-one can walk/come near without me sticking my crutches out saying thats close enough lol). Still none weight bearing but I have started physio basic ankle bends and circles im amazed how my foot cannot do the simple things but this has to be a positive sign that the cast has been taken off surely.
I go back again in 8 weeks so that will be a total of 6 months since the accident I know its early days but 4 months down the line this seems to be the only positive sign ive had (my fingers are crossed for all of us).
Trac my heart is with you ive read your posts as the consultant gave me a 10% chance of ankle recovery/ability to walk again, your strengh kept me going for a few weeks before I went back to my consultant im a firm believer that anything is possible if you believe in it.xxx
Take care
Hey all! I happened to be checking my email at lunch, and something made me click on Lois’ email – and my name was there! Sorry I have not posted – I am so busy. It’s funny – I had the hardware removed on Nov. 4th 2008. On Dec. 4th, I was disappointed, because at the 1 month mark, my foot still had so little movement & flexibility and it still hurt to walk. Fast forward to this week. All of a sudden – It is like I walked over the hump!
I have more flexibility right now than I did the day before my surgery! I can sit in a chair and push on my knee – and actually get a bend in my ankle! I walk now without almost any pain, and I am forcing myself to walk down the stairs one after another – that still hurts a bit – but it is getting easier!
I am so very happy that I got the hardware removed. Basically, you are on crutches for about 1 week – you can hop around before that – but you will be VERY sore. The second week, you start hopping around or walking with a cane – so I would say the 2nd – 3rd week is painful – because you are using it so much. The 4th week was just sore – and still stiff. But now, like I said – 5th week out – and the difference is amazing! Hope this helps all!
Gotta Run –
Erika
Erika, are you around? How are you doing now after your metal removal. Last we heard from you and Tim too for that matter, you were both in some discomfort. How is it going? Are you getting better ankle flexibility yet or is it too soon? Happy Thursday everyone. Eyes down and spirits up.
Argh! I put a comment on here yesterday, but I guess it didn’t post! How very annoying! hee hee.
Trac. Dont give up with the waiting, I know its a pain, but its better that they exhaust all other possibilites than go with it, then say after “Ah, actually, we could have done this! oops!” isn’t it? So keep your chin up, and keep smiling! 😀 It was good of your doc to admit he was being subjective now though wasn’t it?
Lee. Yes I got awful tendonitus when I started walking in both feet, but mostly in my good leg. My physio referred me to a podiatrist who gave me orthotic insoles (as I apparatnly had really flat feet!) and told me to take an anti-inflamtory such as iburofen for 2 weeks (3 times a day) which will reduce the swelling of the tendon, then leave it for a week not taking anything, then take again for another 2 weeks if it still hurts. That sorted it out quite well. It does raise its head every now and then, but after an iburofen it’s fine! 🙂 Its just where your other feet are over compensating for it, plus the fact that my feet are flat made it worse. Give the anti=inflamatory thingy a go, and see what happens, If not go see your doc, as like me, you may need orthotics! 🙂
HEllo Dave Smith. I havn’t had my main metal work removed, but my doc has said that the metal will restrict my movement, and at the moment with it all in there, my movement is deff restricted, so I guess if you have it taken out, then it may help the movement. There are other people on here who ahve had it out, and I think Katie is having it out very soon! Maybe keep reading the blog and see what other people post also!
Hope everyone is having a good week!
Louise xx
can anyone tell me if a screw thru the tibia and fibia close to the joint effected the movement until it was takin out ?
Hi all,
Trace – you seem very frustrated with the waiting. But your Dr. is right. If he’s not objective, he needs the other Dr’s opinion as well. He could not live with himself if he ever doubted that he gave you the best possible care and advice. He may have some glimmer of hope that the leg can be saved. It’s one of those things – you can keep waiting and still have options, but once you’ve acted, there’s no going back. I think it’s worth the time and careful consideration before making an irreversible decision. i know you’ve been over and over it and are getting to the place where you’re ok with the idea, but remember, the patience is the hardest part to learn and accept. If you decide to move forward with the amputation, after all the thought, effort, research and soul searching, you will know for sure that you made the right decision. You don’t want to always wonder if it could have been saved. Just take the next few weeks and try to relax. I’m not a good “waiter” , so I know your frustration. This too shall pass. Again – we’re here, cheering for you and feeling your frustration with you. Let us know how else we can help.
Derinda – the boot. I had my boot for a few weeks with 30-50% weight bearing, and then a few weeks with full weight and no crutches. My Dr. put me in it because it was more flexible than the cast – meaning, I could tighten and loosen it based on pain and swelling, and it was easier to ice my leg, but he told me to wear it like a cast. And he needed me to start getting some flexibility back into the joint. My tendons and muscles were frozen and not stretching to 90 degrees, so the boot gave me the ability to slowly put pressure on the foot and stretch out those tendons as i could tolerate it. The boot keeps the joint immobile in any sideways movement, but allows the flexion and dorsiflexion that you need to walk. And it had an extraordinary amount of cushion under the foot, so it’s easier to begin putting pressure on your sensitive foot. Be careful though – I can’t remember if you have a long screw between the tib and fib – if you do, walking on it, even in the boot, can cause it to snap. It’s funny – I hated my cast, until I got my boot. It seemed so heavy and bulky. Then I got to really like the boot, so much that I was terrified to be without it. I’m angling for my next surgery to just use a boot – no cast at all. We shall see.
A question for all – did anyone suffer with tendonitis after their fracture? The large tendon that runs down the inside of my leg and into the arch of my foot seems to be perpetually inflamed and won’t limber up. It’s actually the most painful part of my ankle now. What to do? The PT has suggested custom orthotics to rest the tendon. I’ve already added off the shelf orthotics to my shoes. They help, but not enough. Other ideas?
Ok – gotta get back to work now. Take care – thinking about all.
-Lee
AAARRRGGG. Everytime I tried to post today.. I lost the whole thing. So trying once more. Wishing Katie good luck for Friday. Saying a special hello and thanks for your advise to Karen. Gemma,– hey someone else battling with snow. Not fun is it. Let us know how your appointment goes. Trac, my good grief this must be frustrating for you. But it’s better to get a second, and perhaps even third opinion Pie Lady. You and your doctor need to know that if that decision is made that it was the only logical and necessary decision. My heart just goes out to you. Derinda, I don’t know the answer to the boot as I was never in one. For me it was cast off and told to use crutches or walker (and believe me I preferred the walker) Told to just begin very gradually putting bits of weight onto it and then to gradually increase the weight. And it was hard… really hard to get that leg accepting weight again. Can someone please explain the purpose of the boot??? how long in a boot… do you weight bear in the boot??? I have never understood why some have to wear them and some don’t … not that I really want one mind you. AND what has happened to Denver Wes, who seems to have gone uncharacteristically quiet. Hey Wes, are you okay??? Hello to everyone else on here,,, posters and just readers…
Hi All!
Trac- I can’t even imagine what you are facing…I feel horrible for complaining about my situation. I will be praying for you. I have gained some weight since my accident also….hate it!
SO I have been bad! I have been walking on my foot with my boot on..it hurts and I know I can’t do it without it…I feel like it would just snap…but I am soo sick of my crutches! Plus II just want to be able to help out more!
I do not go back to the Dr. til Jan. does anyone know why i am in the boot and not in the cast if i can’t bear weight yet?
I want to thank everyone for all their kind words, and advice..I love this site!
Hello!!!
Thank you, Lee & everyone and your wishes.
Today was odd. Well, of course it was. He drew on my leg to show me where he would cut. I took a butchery course years ago, and we would cut in blue marker on the meat, to cut, then toss aside the “bad part”. I thought of that. It is strange markering out the part of your body that is “bad” and tossable.
Then we started talking. And, my dr. told me he had grown very attached to me, and due to the time we have spent working on this leg together, he was not sure he was seeing things objectively any longer. So, he is sending me to a dr he deeply respects. This dr is a leading ankle/foot surgeon. He will look it over, check it out and see if there is anyway to save it, perhaps through a recontruction or more fusing. Or, if indeed amputation is the best bet. I see this dr. on 1/6. I started crying a bit, more out of just wanting a final answer and a bit because I know the pain and I’m tired. He is wonderful, I wish everyone on here who has had dr. problems could have one as wonderful as mine. He echoed the frustration and said, “You’ve stuck with me this far, and done quite well, stick it out with me just a little bit further.”
So, here we are, yet again, no definite answer. But, I do appreciate his integrity at being willing to admit he may not be seeing objectively, you know?
I’ve gained a lot of weight from sitting. He doesn’t seem too concerned, but I fear this new dr. will. Or not. I don’t know.
But, thanks for your support!!
Looks like there is more waiting…
‘sigh’
trac
Hi Katie,
Good luck on Friday …. i’m eager to hear hoe the metal removal goes. I’m looking forward to mine in February, maybe March. Trying to set up my expectations for limitations and need for help. My husband will be traveling for 14 days in Feb, and I’m wondering if I’m nuts to think I can mange all on my own. Dr. says no worries, but people here have said quite another thing. I guess it’s all individual, and I think the Dr. has never actually had it done to him, so has no idea how it feels!
Trace- logged in to c heck in on you. Let us know how it all went. I’m thinking of you.
Cheers,
Lee
Hi all. Its been sometime since I have posted, just been busy getting ready for the holidays-and my surgery! I am scheduled to have my hardware taken out this coming Friday the 12th. I am nervous but excited. I will try to keep everyone posted with how it goes since I know that it is a hot topic around here! I am hoping the achiness and swelling will improve after this.
Welcome to Gemma and Derinda and anyone else new I may not have caught up with yet.
Derinda just keep your head up, I can attest it does get better. Also looking back the time went quite fast, it seems like yesterday and it was 2 years ago. I do remember the day they took my cast off and my leg was a shriveled up mess, and my incision was healing improperly in one place. I was so upset. But honestly once I became completely weight bearing it started looking back to “normal” within just a few months. I never did PT so getting the tone back was all on me, and I think I did a good job. The “bad” ankle remains slightly larger than the good one due to residual swelling from the metal, but over all the difference of appearance is minor compared! Best of luck to you.
Trac-Best of luck at your appt in the morning.
Hi to Lee, Lois, Louise, Ankelquest, Liz and everyone else out there. Sorry if I missed anyone, I am still kinda new here and its been a while since I wrote! Hope everyone is doing well.
Take care,
Katie
All the best Trac.
Pie lady!!
Just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow then!! Hope all goes well! 🙂
Wilma. Good to hear your back in heals again! 🙂 I managed to stomp around my flat in heals the other day. WOuldnt go out in them as I would probably fall to my death if I did, but it didn’t hurt to walk in them, which is good! Good for u!
louise xx
Riley, too funny I had a good chuckle… your docs office deserved it for sure.
Derinda, My scar was gross, scabby, unhealed and about 8 inches long when the cast came off. Broken/surgery March 10 2008, cast off about that date in May. By the end of August people seeing me in summer shorts and sandals were beginning to ask which ankle I had broken. There were no longer obvious signs. No swollen ankle, no whimpy looking leg with flabby calf muscle, no horrible looking scar, and little discoloration. You had to look very closely to make out a faint scar and skin puckering of about only an inch in length just over the outside knobby ankle bone. So I hope that news is encouraging for you. I better keep that bit of scar though, just in case so I have something to show to airport officials just in case I set off alarm bells. lol
Wilma, Like you I still have to often sternly remind myself not to limp. It is a habit, but mine is born from having a slightly different sensation in that leg. ( best described as varying from an awareness of it,, to sometimes very mild ache… and on very odd occasions a larger ache.) This starts about 4 inches below my knee but toward the outside of my leg and feels as if it runs down the length of my fibula to my ankle. So it is due to this awareness and sensation that somehow my brain tells me I am protecting my leg by limping. Which of course I am not. So, I have to sternly remind myself to walk normally and not limp. Walking normally actually makes it feel better, and limping just further aggravates the ache. Enjoying everyones posts. Hugs to everyone. Lois
Good Morning!!
Wow, I’m signed on in the morning, sometimes I just have to shake things up, you know? I wanted to suggest something about the scars. I am not an “expert” on much, as I’m far too Gemini and far too A.D.D., definitely the know a little about a lot — type of personality. But, thanks to a burn injury and now this, I know about scars. And, yes, use the Bio Oil – excellent. However, if your scars are relatively large (like mine is raised and goes around the whole foot where they reattached it) you might want to check into getting a compression stocking, made by a company called Jobst.http://www.jobst-usa.com/ They are not cheap, but they are worth it. They use compression to press the scar flat. I am going to boast a little and say, I have beautiful scars — over 75 % of my body — my whole bum, thighs, back, hips, knees, arms and now ankle. My scars (once raised and ugly) now lay soft & flat against my skin. It is my own personal relief map, of sorts… Hee hee…but, while you have to wear them for a while, they actually feel good, as long as you get them to fit correctly. They ease achiness in your legs, they give a little more support, reduce swelling, (this is all I use for my RSD/CRPS). And, then of course, massage, massage, massage – get the blood flowing.
I hope this helps someone, because I cried for a long time after seeing my scars — but eventually you learn that they are beautiful reminders that you are very strong. And, remember, you EARNED those scars. I like to think of them as a trophy. Oh, and am I so empathetic about the cowboy boots and other shoes. It is like, I’m dealing, right? But you want to see me instantaneously grumpy? Ask me to go shoe shopping with you…I WANT TO WEAR CUTE SHOES!!! oh well. I want a Border Collie, too, but somethings just aren’t practical. ‘sigh’. 🙂
Good Luck w/the scars. It is hard, I know. But, they can be attractive, or at the very least, unique, no one else has them…
Well, tomorrow at 9 am I meet w/the surgeon for the you-know-what. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a bit of anxiety. I’ll sign on and let you know what was decided, if anything.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh … ankles … they really do deserve a heckuva lot more respect than they get.
Take Care everyone!
Healthy Healing,
trac
Good Morning everyone! You know Louise I know just what you mean about your scars. I am so vain (about certain things) and all I could think of when I had surgery was how ugly it was going to be when I wore my high heel strappy sandals! Then as I went (and am going thru)not being able to walk at all, being dependant on others, and learning what its like for people who have permant disabilities, “the scar” is really pretty minor in the whole sceme of things. Fortunately mine is almost unnoticable. But its almost like a badge of courage for all of us, oh no one really understands unless they have been there…but we all do. Up to this point when someone broke a bone & they were out of the cast, it was over they were healed. But we know better! I am excited though, I am walking lots better w/o a limp quite a lot. I really have to think about it though, because I said before, I had got into the habit! I wore high heels to church Sunday (yeah, my shallow dream!) & we were there a lot longer than usual, so I was limping by the time we got home (I used to wear all day) & I still can’t get my foot jammed down into my cowboy boots, but all in all I’m blessed, and I pray blessings for all of you too!
Derinda! Bless u. i remember when my cast came off. I cried as well. 🙁 I had had an allergic reaction to the gauze which had been put inside my cast, so my ankle area was covered with lots of scabs and little red, horrendously itchy blisters…like hundreds of them. PLus the normal, dry skin, lots and lots of hair, no muscle etc. It is normal. I couldn’t shave properly for nearly a week until the blisters had gone down, but a good old bath made it feel a lot better. Just make sure you moisterise it lots and exfoliate a bit, and you will have it looking lovely in no time! 😀
As lee said I get keloid scars too, and although mine look ok (ish) they are still red and lumpy. It was one of the things I was most upset about before my cast came off, because I knew they were going to be quite big, and was veyr worried they were going to be keloid. They are not as bad as I thought they would be, but yeah…like lee said, they are something different, and gives you something to talk about if people notice them. I quite like them now I have to say (in a weird way! hee hee!) I also got massive keloid scars when I had my ears,a nd belly button pierced, which are huge and I HATE, so I am very glad about how my ankle scars are healing! 🙂 They do look sooo much better after a few months. I have been using Bio oil on mine, but Vitamin E will also be fine! 🙂 As for the muscle it will build up again very quickly, even just walking around helps it so much, so yeah…you are out of a cast…thats the bone bit healed! 😀
Liz. Yes I think I will miss my sessions, but I guess its onwards and upwards! 🙂 Bearing in mind, I have only been weight bearing for 5 months (injury for 7 and a bit), I think about how far I have come, and its quite impressive really! So I gues the end of the sessions, are a good thing in some ways. Nothing more was happening in them anyway really, so just keep at it at home I guess, and at the gym. REALLY need to get back to the gym, as the christmas podge is starting to appear on the old hips! hee hee. AND ITS ONLY THE 8TH DECEMBER! ARGH! Think the whole of jan I will be living in the gym! Good to hear that you are coming along ok too though! 🙂
Hello to everyone else as well!
Louise xx
Hi to everyone and thanks for your kind words, im feeling a little better this week. Managed to put question together for when I see my consultant this week so I guess that means in accepting the extent on the injury.
The past week has been a real challenge with snow and ice showing me that crutches arnt ment for sking but it made me laugh good old England.
Back to see my consultant on Wednesday so will let you all know what he says.
Gemma
Derinda,
As others have noted, take heart. When they took off my cast, I threw up all over the doctor’s office floor (which I think they deserved for not warning me a bit!). My leg looked exactly like yours — a dried-out stick with the scars still healing. I wouldn’t even touch it for days. I was afraid to get it wet even after the strictes came out and all was healed.
You’ll find it come back and that the therapy starts to give the strength and definition back. It’s been almost four months since my break (which is also hard to believe now that I actually count it) and I can tell that my leg is taking back some of its shape, even though it is not 100%. And while the injured ankle is still larger than the “good” one, I actually see a shape that was not there when the cast first came off.
When I fell in mid-August, I spent the nights watching television in the hospital, and Michael Phelps winning his 6, 7th, and 8th gold medal at the Olympics. The Dow was at about 9800 and we had never heard of Sarah Palin. If that sounds like a long time ago, it seems like yesterday to me compared to what else has happened so quickly in the world. The time goes much faster than you think it will right now.
As Wilma says, you’ll find yourself amazed when you do small things you used to take for granted (for me, it was being able to stand up and brush my teeth rather than have someone bring me a basin). After that, things like taking a bath unaided and yes, walking around your own place with a walker (but alone!) is wonderful.
Good luck.
Hi all,
Wilma – thanks for the great words. They are so true.
Derinda – congratulations! You are now at the stage where everyday you will work hard and see real progress. You may hate what you see now, but in two more months, maybe less, it’ll be so much better, you won’t believe where you started. Just getting to the point of being able to shower, shave and stretch a little is fabulous. I know the leg looks gross. My kids called it the chicken bone for a few weeks. But once you get going in PT and start moving that calf muscle, it will start changing back into a familiar shape. I’ve been at PT for 3+ months now and my calf is still a little squishy, but to the casual observer, the legs don’t look that different. The scars will flatten out and become less obvious, though mine are still pretty distinct. Depends on your skin. Do take that boot off, soak in a warm tub, stretch the calf in the tub in the warm water by pressing the toes against the edge of the tub and trying to get the heel down, use lots of lotion after, and be kind to that leg. Enjoy your ability to rub it, scratch it, and take care of the skin, which you couldn’t do in the cast. It will get better and it will take you where you want to go soon. It’s just a shock to see what can happen in just a few weeks of non-use. My PT says Motion is Lotion and the Body wants to move…. truly, we all know that’s right. So, follow Dr’s orders, and be gentle with yourself. And yes, whine here, have a glass of wine there, and you will get there. It seems like an impossible mountain to climb and you think it’ll never get better, but it does.
Anklequest – so I was doing a little research on ligament repair. I re-read my op notes, and it turns out that he already repaired the syndesmosis ligament, which connects the fibula and tibia above the ankle joint. A lot of people with this repair had a long screw that had to come out before they could weight bear, but I didn’t. I think I now need reconstruction of the more anterior ligaments that keep the foot in place. I have so much shifting around and no ability to walk on anything uneven. I’ll keep you posted though. I have my stress test on the 18th and will have an idea of what’s coming after that.
OK – gotta run. Kids are rising from bed and the day is getting going at my house. Off to stretch and roll on the wobble board. Have a great day all!
Cheers,
Lee
Oh Derinda, you poor thing!! Well here’s my gift for the party…you are making progress! The 1st morning after my cast came off, I thought I had a BLOCK of wood instead of a foot & ankle, I needed a brushhog to shave with, yuck! (I am blond so at least they were lighted colored, but I swear I could have braided them!) Then my scar was raised and red and scabbed! I thought this was what I was left with, plus I could see a coupla the screws, how gross is that??!! (I was hoping a magnet would stick to the outside of my leg, but nooooo, nothing that fun!) Anyway, that was Sept 10 that that came off, and now everyday I think I am getting better! For prob 2 weeks it was very sensitive to step on (bottom) but thats all the hardest part, you really do get better, I bought ugly shoes (I am a recovering shoeoholic, well not really recovering,just in remission..)that slide on because my 2 inside screws rubbed on my tennis shoes or anything with a side! Now that was devastating, I looooove high heels (its the only vice I have left). But just just this week I have been able to wear my tennis shoes out in the shop to work. hy I’m telling you isn’t all about me, but to let you know it will get better, I know I almost cry when I walk to the mailbox (about 150ft)because I honestly wondered if I would ever be able to again, I just feel so blessed to do something I’ve taken for granted for years. So just know that you’re so much farther along than the beginning. I am not going to a PT, so I’m sure I’m not as far as I could be. Thats what is so awesome about this site, there are people that are, and they are willing to share thier experences and help others! One more thing I have noticed, your whole life revolves around your ankle. Unfortunately those we love, and those who love us grow weary of hearing “the ankle report”. What is a big deal to us is little nothing to them, because they just don’t know, because they haven’t been in our shoes (or cast) ha ha. Think about it, have you ever thought you would want something 6 ft away and you truly couldn’t get it? No , not till the break, so try to be patient (not be the patient 🙂 )and tell us, we revell in your teeny success (because we know they’re huge), and we hurt and pray for the challanges. The great thing about all this for me, is to realize what gifts the simple things we take for granted are, and to get outside myself and understand that there are many people out there with REAL problems, that are fighting REAL battles. Anyway I hope you like my gift.. the other thing is your leg jerks will prob go away!!
Hello to Lois,Louise, Lee, Trac, Wes, Riley, Karen, Anklequest,Judy, Tim, Karen, anyone I’ve missed, I hope everyone is doing well, you’re all in my prayers!
Hey Derinda, It’s just the shock of seeing your leg. Somehow we all thought that the cast would come off and it would be like “old times.” Instead there are scabs and scars and wounds not completely healed, and bruising, and dead dry skin everywhere peeling off in snake like sheets and dropping all over our floors which due to incapacity we cannot even vacuum. And yes, everything (even baths) are just so completely exhausting at first. I don’t want to discourage you, because bit by bit it gets better, but I think it was at least six months till I felt like my old energy level was back. But that is what this board is for. Just spit out all those frustrations, have your pity party and believe me we will understand like no one else will. It does get better…and better but it does take time, so have your glass of wine, put your feet up and relax.
Lee, thanks for your feedback both on the weight bearing…. and also on the snow. Well, we did get about five inches I think.. hard to tell because it blows around so its 2 inches here and 6 inches there. But it is still snowing… not hard but still coming down. It is actually not too cold outside and quite pleasant. The puppies love the snow, little as they are, 11.2 and 11. 4. One pretends to be a deer running and leaping through the snow, gracefully kicking and extending her back legs behind her. The other, clomps around ungracefully but pretending to be Sherlock Holmes,,, sniffing all of her sisters snow tracks.. and following to find out where she has gone. She has in one day, learned to tell the old print tracks from the new tracks… pretty smart.
Anyway this snow is rather wet and heavy, which is making for it now being too slippery. I walked around a bit in it today,,, with snow boots on so good traction and I was fine … at least so far. Hello to all of the rest you you.
Derinda,
I know exactly how you feel. I have been without my cast since 11-13-2008 and I am in Physical Therapy two days a week. My leg still hurts and swells. I can feel the rod and screws. I still can’t walk without the walker due to the fact that my knee won’t let me put full pressure enought to walk. I am hopeing it will get better.
I still have to take Lortab for pain , but not as many as I did.
This is a great site to air our frustations.
My doctor has fully dismissed me whick I thought he would at least wait to see if I could walk good.
Keep trying and I’m sure we will get there.
I broke the tibia and the fibia at my ankle in Sep.
Hi All!
Well I got my cast off yesterday…and I wanted to cry. The Dr. said I looked like I was healing above average, but what I saw was something that was oncemy leg but now just an ugly shell. I lost all muscle definition, it is sooo dry like leather and my scars are still healing so they are all scabbed up and gross. I can feel the two screws on the inner scar..the shorter of the two. I was put in the black boot and told no weight bearing still for another 6 weeks..
I was so upset by the appearence of my leg,i actually did not shower and shave ti this morning..which after I was done i felt sooo wonderful, but god it was hard and exhausting..I was able to get in ok..but I had to call my husband in to help me out!
I never thought I would sa this but I miss my cast! I felt safer with it on..when the boot is off i feel so vulnerable without it on! And the pain it is worse.
I am just exhausted! Wilma i am ready for one of those pity parties! I am trying to decide a glass of wine..or a perocet I am sooo upset!!!!
Be safe Lois! It’s a posting like that which makes me glad that I live where it doesn’t snow 🙂
-Lee
Wow,,,The weather channel just put on an alert. The cold front has unexpectedly stalled over us and they are cautioning people to be prepared for an additional 15 centimetres overnight. So in total that could be about 6 1/2 to 7 inches of snow by morning. I think I’m going to need boots with lead soles of keep from slipping. The snow shovels are lined up and ready just outside the basement door.
Just a very quick hello tonight. Also, welcome to Jackie. I agree that this is an amazing site. Good people on it. Well, we had our first snow fall over night and it continued to snow and blow all day. There is only about a 1/2 inch out there but this will present a whole new challenge in navigation for the ankle. But, the good news is that it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Just wanted to send hugs to all of you. Lois
Hi all,
Gemma – welcome. So sorry to hear about your injury. Mine isn’t as serious (run of the mill trimaleolar fracture with torn ligaments), but I know the feeling of being the active mom who can no longer do much. I spent about 8 weeks on the couch and shed many tears, hating to ask for help or for someone to bring me something. It was, I am sure, part of the lesson I was meant to be taught through this process. Patience, and the skill of asking for help. We finally had to get some outside help around the house and with the kids. It was a financial stretch, but we needed to do it. Please feel free to vent here- it’s awful, and we all understand.
Anklequest – I honestly don’t know which ligament needs to be reconstructed. He already fixed a small one on the fibula side. I think it’s the anterior talofibular, but have to check on that.
Lois – I do have a little trouble when I try to carry heavy stuff. I think it just adds extra weight for you ankle to manage and it’s hard. Ease up until your stronger. And keep working on building lower body muscles strength to carry the extra weight you want to haul around.
Riley – yea, my scars are pretty ugly too. I get keloids (raised, bumpy scars), so compared to others I’ve seen at PT, mine are pretty gross. I’ve learned to embrace them as part of the “scars of my life” – along with my c-section scar, which now, I wouldn’t trade for anything. Reminds me of a difficult, but wonderful time when I pulled through being a new mom even though I was in pain and totally overwhelmed. You can try Mederma or vitamin e – both are good for scars and healing and will minimize them. I’ve not bothered, since mine will be opened up again and I’ll discuss some “cosmetic” approach with the surgeon before we go into it.
No big news for me. Just going to PT, keeping the house running, and trying not to look too far out. I will survive the next surgery, but I’m really not looking forward to it. I’m going to try to wrap up my xmas shopping and shipping this weekend and finish decorating the house. It may be tough on my ankle, but the decorations make me feel so much more cheery. It’s worth it!
Take care all. Be safe.
Lee
Jackie,
I came to this blog originally to find out about the metal removal. Well, in short what I’ve found out since then is that about 20 of anklebreakers have metal removed for one reason or another. Usually the metal is causing some sort of specific problem: i.e. stress fractures, allergic reactions, screws poking into the skin, inflexible joint, etc. If the metal is not causing a problem than most doctors do not remove the metal (a 2nd opinion on this is helpful, which I got). Swelling and pain seems to just go on and on and is often not related to metal but to the fact that the ankle is not a joint that heals easily when it is broken in 3 places. It may be, that like me, you might even have swelling and pain after three years due to traumatic arthritis. The bad news for some of us is that some parts of the joint surfaces do not always recover. 80% of trimalleolar fractures become arthritic..eventually. The good news is that we can walk and do about everything we normally do anyway. In some cases, like Clark, people have fusion of the joint and that ends it, although you then walk with a limp the rest of your life.
One of my freinds is in her 5th year of a trimalleolar break. She is fine now, but not until her 4th year did she begin to use a treadmill. So all this can take quite some time.
Riley,
Great to hear about your progress. I’m sure you will be driving soon.
I have some scar advise. The drug stores sell various sizes of “scar” patches. I used these for a few months as I had a very large scar as a result of a big open wound for 6 months post surgery (I never had a cast on account of it). and they seemed to help a lot. I also think Vit E is helpful as Liz mentions. My scars are barely visible now.
Liz, Louise, Lee, Lois, Jane, Amiee, and everyone else who has cold feet! Keep your foot warm with thick warm socks and oversized shoes and the cold will not bother you as much. Don’t move to Florida or Arizona for people live longer in the north.
Anklequest.
Louise, we posted at the exact same moment. 🙂 Just wanted to say that I have a follow-up appointment in Feb. and then I’ll be on my own too. My doctor said that will be my “maximum medical improvement” date and he’ll assign me a permanent partial disability rating then for my workman’s comp benefits. I miss my PT! 🙁 How about you? I’ll definitely be taking it easy at the gym. I’m going to Kick again tomorrow morning so we’ll see how it does this time.
Take care,
Liz
Jackie, welcome! We’re so glad you found us too. : ) Sorry to hear you’re still dealing with pain almost a year out. Which area of the ankle are you feeling discomfort? Is it near the metal? It definitely wouldn’t hurt to do a follow-up with the doctor and ask about metal removal. Once your bones have healed you don’t really need the metal. They can take it out and the holes will fill back in. Or at least that’s the way I understand it. Some doctors prefer to wait 6 months, others at least a year before considering removing it… every doctor seems to have different recommendations regarding the metal. Keep us posted on your progress. It’s great having people to chat with who understand this injury.
Riley, hooray for navigating the airports wheelchair free! : ) I know what you mean about getting the exercises in 2x/day. I’ve been slacking in that department as well. As far as the scars, my doctor recommended using vitamin E oil. You rub the oil directly over the scars. I started using it as soon as I got my stitches out and my scars are very light. You can get a bottle of it at Wal-Mart or you can buy Vitamin E capsules and break them in half and rub it on the scars. It’s worth a try.
Hope everyone else is doing well. Have a safe and relaxing weekend. I’ll be fighting the crowds, trying to finish my Christmas shopping. 🙂
Liz
Hi Liz!! No my physio sessions are finished now. I have another follow up appointment in january, but other than that, Im on my own now I guess. Slightly scary! :S
Glad to hear u can go abck to all of your activities now, although yeah, take it slow. I found that after jogging on the treadmill at all, my ankle was playing up for a few days. Afte physio it acted up for at least the next 24 hours or so, so yeah, jsut take it easy I guess! 🙂
Jackie. HI. Glad you found our little vitual gathering! Yes, this site is good isn’t it? Been very helpful for me deff, and i know a lot of other people have benifitted from the support too! Sorry to hear you are still in pain. I did mine (broke both the tibia and fibula, and dislocated mine – one plate, 5 pins, and 2 screws, of which the 2 screws are now removed) on the 23rd april, and I am getting on ok. I dont think there are any magic remedies to be honest, just elevate and ice! If it is still casuing you bother, I would say go back to the docs. I havent had the majority of my metal removed, so best to see if any of the people who have can answer any questions. i know erika had hers out recently and erm…was it spike?? I can’t remember! :S
Hope everyone else is doing ok!
Have a good weekend everyone!
Louise xx
Hello, all. I’ve been off line while traveling these last few days. I am delighted to say that I managed three different airports without using their wheelchair services. Just me, my cane, and my rollerbag with briefcase perched on top. It was tiring, but a good workout,.
This is my first “winter with ankle” so I appreciate the questions/comments about what to expect in the cold. I feel it for sure, especially these first few days when it has been damp and cold. I’m still confined to a sneaker — I tried my very comfortable Ugg boots, but they feel odd for my gait right now. I’ve taken to wrapping my scaf around my ankle on airplanes and in cold offices.
I confess I find it hard to stick to the twice-daily exercises when traveling. I manage easily in the morning at the hotel, but by the time I arrive at the next stop late at night, I’m not inclined to find the stairway to do my “step” exercises. Hotel rooms don’t come with natural “step” places, so I have to search out the stairwells.
My “outside” scar is looking pretty ugly (of course, the inside scar in the short one). Anyone found any tips for reducing the look of it? I know that sounds superficial for those of you facing much more serious issues, but we are among friends…
Best to all.
Wow…………what an amazing website, I am so glad I found it.
My name is Jackie and I slipped on the ice in front of my apartment building in Feb. of this year, resulting in 3 breaks in my ankle and now I have alot of what my colleagues at work refer to as a lot of metal in my ankle that won’t let me get passed at an airport. I went through therapy but am still having constant pain & swelling. Not sure if that is normal at this point, especially being almost a year out since my break. My ankle has been really sore lately, especially with the cold weather here. Does anyone have some advise for me as to what I can be doing to help with the pain & swelling?? A good friend of mine said I should talk to my doctor about having the metal removed but I heard you shouldn’t have it removed.
Jackie
Louise, it’s great to hear from you. So are you still going to therapy appts now or are they finished? Glad to hear you’re cleared to go back to netball, skiing, and such. At my last ortho appt. my doctor said I could resume all my normal activities as well, including Kick and Step classes at the gym which I really miss. He said to just let pain be my guide. I attempted Kick on Tuesday and my ankle hasn’t been acting right since. 🙁 I guess I just need to take it slow. Let us know what you decide with the netball team.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Watch your step!
Liz
My word….lots going on here isn’t there??
Hello to everyone. Hello to Gemma, and welcome to you. Sorry to hear about your injury, but remember, it does get better! I am well…just over 7 months on from mine, and I am pretty much doing everything as normally (ish) as I was before, as in walking around isn;t so much of a problem, and I can get on with stuff now, without every single moment of the day having my thought dominated by the “ANKLE” which when you break it, people dont believe me, but your every thought is dominated by “ANKLE” but slowly you start to notice that you only think about it maybe half the day, then less than half the day etc. It does get easier, and although similar to what Derinda said, my injury was probably not as bad as yours, but it knocked me and my confidence down for a long time, but it does get easier, so just keep pushing through with it!! Keep us updated, and just log on and have a good old moan an gripe if you need to, because we have all done it, and all need to! 🙂
Derinda. I never knew what those leg twitches were. I got them lots, and to be honest, I got really scared for ages, thinking it was like a deep vein thrombosis or something, but I lived to tell the tale, and its all ok. They have stopped now yes. I used to gross my flatmate out with it, coz you could see the skin twitching and moving all on its own! hee hee. Was rather odd, but yeah it stopped as soon as I started properly moving it around again! And like yourself, I also was adamant I could ‘feel’ the screws sticking a good few cm’s out of the side of my leg, and I was sure they were going to be huge when the cast came off. When it did come off, there was nothing to be seen! lol!I can feel one of mine if I push down on the side of my ankle quite hard (oh…and I also kicked the fridge once by accident trying to kick a sock, and it hit the screw, which hurt like hell…i wouldn’t advise it! hee hee!) but it not normally a problem, only really if I wear hard boots or something, where the boot pushes on the side of it, so dont worry about it, it’s probably just where the cast is pushing on it, and the skin is very tender at the moment.
Whoever it was that said about their foot being really sensitive when they started walking as well?? So true!
Wilma. Yes, as the weather has got colder, my foot is slowly starting to get stiffer. I have invested in some beautiful boots, which have fur inside them, and are sooooo warm! It really helps. Either that, or wear some thick socks on it.
Hello to everyone else too…liz, lee (great to have u back again) wes, anklequest, lois, trac, karen and anyone else I have missed.
As for me, once again, no real update really! I walked about a mile and a half the other day, which is about the furthest I gone in a long time, and it was ok….ankle ached a little bit when we got there, but after i few glasses of wine, it was alllll better! 😉
My physio has cleared to go back to netball deff now (although still not sure if I want to or not to be honest!) and he has also said that I would be ok to do anything that I would have done before, although to bear in mind that there will be a weekness there now. I did ask him about bungey jumping, and he said, “Well….as a physio, and as a sane human being I wouldn’t advise it!” but he also siad he wouldn’t have advised it BEFORE i did my ankle. He did say there should be no reason why I couldn’t do it in the future, but it depends on where abouts the bungey cord would be. So yeah….who knows ay?? hee hee. But he did say I was ok to ski or snowboard or do whatever, just to be carefull! 😀
So I have another follow up appointment in january to see how it’s going, and we shall see from there I guess. Nothing more is really happening with it. I am still having porblems with doing stuff like hopping, and springing off of the bad leg, as it has lost all it’s spring, but hopefully that should come back! 🙂
Soo…hope everyone has had a good week, and looking forward to friday tomorrow! yay!
Louise xx
okay I have a weird question…the weather has gotten cold here and my ankle is feeling weird, a little stiffer but on the outside (where the plate is) feels a little like theres ice water inside, not really cold but like if it trickled…I’m not in the cold much, and to be honest I’ve heard all the blah blah about cold weather & I decided I wasn’t going to participate in that.. am I imagining this? No ones ever really described what “the cold weather” feels like…thanks
Lois,
Weight affecting your ankle sounds normal to me. I haven’t walked with weight for years because I have a bum low back and when I do, I pay for ages. I can lift just standing and maybe walking a few feet with heavy items, but I can’t do longer distances, like going to my car from a store, etc.
Karen
Lois,
Hi, well, was I wrong. Now I remember that you mentioned before that your bones were small.
I’m a stocky solid, rather strong person, with excellent bone structure for someone age 63, weighing about 200. 10 pounds of groceries isn’t much of a problem for me despite ankle problems. Over time I think if I get down to about 180 that would still be better for me & I’ll probably have fewer pains and the bones will not likely grind away as fast. The other day though, I carried around a leaf blower for a while and I could tell that had an effect on my ankle. I broke my ankle almost 3 years ago so that makes a big difference too. The first year I didn’t do very much, so, yes, I probably did have that same problem that you describe. I think I was at the 2 year point when all of that was diminished and I became more active carrying things and doing a lot more yard work. Now my pains are different…more diffuse, chronic, with ups and downs, like arthritic pains tend to be.
Thanks for all your great posts. I know you’ve been very helpful for some of the new folks. Best wishes and I hope your construction/destruction projects are almost over.
Anklequest
A quick welcome to Gemma. I am really glad you found this site because the support on here should really help in lifting you from your depression. Anklequest mentioned a Madge T as well, but she must have posted on the other site because I don’t see anything from her. But welcome to Madge as well if she finds her way over here. Gemma, people like you and Trac make me realize just how fortunate I actually am. (Trac, I think I got almost enough butter on my popcorn and by the way I just really loved that expression ) but it does make me feel a bit guilty for questioning at all. Anklequest, the problem is that I dont have any extra weight on to lose. I am on the smaller side anyway,,, so weight is not causing stress on my ankle… if anything perhaps it is because I am small with smaller bones that I broke my ankle in the first place. Ortho surgeon commented that my fibula was very small. Do you find lifting or trying to lift anything over about 20 pounds to cause your ankle to ache.?? If I had to guess, it feels like it makes the plates screws stress against the bone,,, but I am not certain that this is the true case. Just thought someone might know. I guess I don’t want to end up like Erika??? was it who had stress fractures around her plate. Perhaps Erika’s doctor said something to her about what causes them???
Wow! Lots of stuff going on here. Sad to hear about Gemma & Madge T and the serious injuries they have. Its bad enough to hear the news about Pie Lady.
Gemma, you are still in shock so give yourself a break! This type of situation takes a while to get accustom to. We’ve had some serious situations here before and will try to be supportive however we can. You will be facing changes for a while and may be depressed since your life will not ever be the same. All of us have experienced depression after the shock. Eventually that will pass. The biggest problem medical problem, as you already probably know, is the risk of avascular necrosis, or the decline of circulation in the bone so that it begins to deteriorate. This is a risk for all of us but not nearly as serious as it is for you. The talus has limited circulation to begin with so that’s the problem and it “carries” all the weight. so you’ll have to follow whatever program they have for you and be dependent on others for a while. Let’s hope for the best!!!
Derinda, you are not the only one with two ankle fractures. Sandra, a poster from England fractured both of her ankles too and was a mess for quite a while. She frequently posted for months until she could go back to teaching. I think that took about a year.
Pie Lady, when is the big day for cutting off your foot? Where will they cut it? And are you saving the foot ( I would want mine in a solution of preservative) or are going to be donating it to the nearest medical college where they teach podiatry? I’m very optimistic for you for things will be better for you after all these wheelchair days. PS: I’ve done a lot of dissections over the years so this would not be a big deal for me although maybe my own foot might be a bit gross…I don’t know and hope I would not have to ever face that.
Lee, is your problem with the deltoid ligament? Is that what will have to be fixed? Just curios.
Lois, imagine losing 10 pounds so you can carry less weight all the time. That’s what I am now trying to do. I am down 10 pounds but would like to be down 15 more pounds. perhaps my ankle will be fine after I lose the weight and I’ll be able to pick up 25 pounds of groceries.
Denver, I hope you made it home in one piece.
Karen, I don’t like those MLT shoes or whatever they are. They distort my joint and cause pain. They are basically exercise shoes for stretching muscles but, in my opinion, not for “bad” ankles.
Louise, Riley, Wilma, Liz and everyone else thanks for all the posts, support and advice.
Anklequest
Gemma, my heart goes out to you. I know how frustrating a broken ankle can be and mine certainly was not as traumatic as yours. I suffered a trimalleaor fracture and dislocation, metal plate and 5 screws in my right ankle, non weight bearing for almost 2 months. I couldn’t imagine being in plaster for 6! From what I’ve read when researching my own fracture, talar fractures are less common and have longer recovery times. Has your doctor discussed the possiblity of not being able to walk again or is this something you’ve determined from your own research? Trac, a fellow poster here, may have some words of advice for you as she’s facing similar challenges. Has your doctor mentioned any possibilities of joint fusion?
A great site I’ve found is http://www.myfootshop.com/discussion/ You can post questions there and Dr. Jeff Oster will answer and other people can chime in who have had similar injuries. There are several there that have had Talar fractures… one was a Hawkins type II that I know of but there are several others. You might want to check it out. In the meantime, keep checking in with us. This site helped me so much when I was going through the healing process. It’s just great to have other people to share our struggles and triumphs with that understand exactly what we’re going through.
Lee, Wilma, Denver, it’s great to hear from you guys. Hope everyone is doing well and healing.
Watch your step,
Elizabeth
Hi Gemma welcome & sorry you have to meet us! Haha. Bless your heart at least you have an exciting story how your break happened!! I’ve had to try to make one up. Has your Dr told you you won’t walk again? I kind of know what you mean about accepting the injury, although mine isn’t nearly as severe as yours, I wouldn’t even look at my Xray (grossed out by it all) I was like just fix it so I can get outta here. I’ve never been sick , injured, etc so it was a total shock to be 6 ft away from something I needed, but totally unable to get it, and worse having to ask someone else to do/ get it for me. I’ve always been the one who takes care of, not the one taken care of!! You just have to go thru this process I’m afraid, the great thing about this site is we all really celebrate the teeny (to the world) but HUGE to us, successes e make. And we cry and commiserate with the hard times and challanges. Unfortunately sometimes even those closest to us can’t really understand why we’re not better, further along in our recovery, healed, blah blah, fill in the blank…but we understand because we’re all in some stage of healing, so welcome!
Trac I wrote you a long , elequoent email that promptly disappeared! The gist was that all things work together for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose, thats you girlfriend! Thru your experence, you encourage so may of us to try harder and stop whining. You give hope and humor to people you would never have touched if you weren’t in the situation you’re in. Nothing will stop you from doing all those things you want to do. At least the amnputation will allow you to get better, you’ve been working so hard, now you’ll see progress, And everytime I see or hear about one of those remarkable people who’s missing some appendage but flying a jet w/ no arms, or climbing a moutain blind, or whatever, I know thats you. Not me whos got absolutely no courage to do anything like that, only watching people like you do it! I always think of John Walsh (Americas Most Wanted) he would never impacted and helped the amount of people he has if he hadn’t experence such incrediable tradgey. No one would choose it, but God will give you the strenght to go thru whatever is ahead.
Wes good to have you back, did your mom fall in love with your wife?
Hello to Derinda, Lee,Anklequest,Louise,Lois,Riley,Karen,Liz, Aimee and anyone I’ve missed!!
Hi Gemma!
I don’t think my injury is as severe as yours, but I totally get everything you are saying. My injury is still new. I am 4 weeks post op. I am in a fiberglasscast…still in pain. I all 3 ankle bones and the fibula?(the sin bone) in 2places and did damage to one of the major ligaments. I fell down my front porch steps taking my son to the bus stop!
I too was an independant mom of 2…now I depend on everyone!!! My mom and mother in law take weekly shifts..and my hubby just spent his 10 day vacation taking care of me!
Iknow how hard it is..I really hope you feel better.
Coming on here has helped me so much..hearing that other people have gone through the same feelings is a comfort. I wish you the best of luck..and check this site regularly if you need anything!
To Wes, Lois, Louise, Riley, wilma, Karen, Lee and anyone else I forgot thanks for all the support and advice…this is really a great site!
~Derinda:)
Hi all I have been searching for ages for a site like this so far all I have found is gloomy waters.
Its great to find people with broken bits I feel normal again.
I suffered a Talar neck Fracture Hawkins type III, in medical terms its a displaced fracture with subluxation / dislocation of the subtalar joint and dislocation of the ankle joint in my terms its complete agony.
This was sustained in a front impact car accident thanks to my brake pedal oh and the stolen car that drove into me.
The day following the accident I had surgery to put the talus back into place wire the heel bone back together and other bits of metal attached for reasons that I did not want to know, it may seem strange but up untill a week ago I would not accept that I had suffered from a serious injury, it is now 16 weeks post surgery and cannot cope as having looked into it it appears that my chances of walking again are very little.
Has anyone out there experienced this feeling, this injury or any general advice for a previously independant mother of 3 who is now dependant on everyone around her.
Consultant states that I will be in plaster for at least 6 months and dont think I can cope with this anymore.
Thanks for your time.
Gemma
Hi all, the biggest problem that I am continuing to have, is if and when I try to carry any weight. For example, get groceries,,, with a shopping bag containing a 10 lb bag of flour and a 10 pound bag of sugar and try to carry that for say thirty feet,,, or this morning I tried to help a contractor lift a box of hardwood. I actually didnt even lift it,,, but any of that type of weight bearing or attempt to weight bear with my arms, plays havoc with my ankle,,, which then aches for ages and sometimes days afterward. Is this something all of you experience???? It seems weird to me,,, that carrying weight in my arms and even the opposite arm is so very hard on my ankle, but that does seem to be the case. I am close to 9 months now, and I expected this to stop by now. Any comments….??? And hello to all. By the way, Derinda my break also occurred falling down three stairs. Lois
Derinda – the muscles twitches you describe were the worst. My PT explained that when you have trauma to muscle, tendon and ligament, they all go into spasms. When your body relaxes during sleep, the spasms are more noticeable and you’ll get an occasional “twitch”. I’d call it more of a jerk, but anyway. They really hurt, especially as your foot hits against the cast. I used to wake up screaming from them and it would take a good half hour to relax down to sleep again. That was no fun. It will stop. I remember it being especially prevalent in the first 4 weeks. the closest thing to that now is if I react to something a jerk my foot out of the way – like hitting the brake on the car by accident. It hurts, but not anything like the first weeks. I hope for you quick progress through that stage.
-Lee
back from the loooong week in Texas w family.. Haven’t caught all the posts but skimmed quite a bit. Good to see Trac seeing the silver lining & we’re here to bounce the highs and lows off of.
Derinda, I had those night jerks, or whatever they’re called, all I know is they hUrT bad. it take everything to get to sleep then the jerks would wake me up in pain. I got the Dr to say I was clear to stretch the ankle.. It hurt BaD to lightly massage it & stretch it, but was worth every second when I went to bed. It would do little jerks, but didn’t hurt & eventually noticing it wasn’t hurting and was just shOck from the quick jolt allowed me to sleep again.. 30second warm shower stretches make it all worth while.. that is.. if, or as soon as, the foot is out of the splint
I’d chat more, but just did 18hr on road then 1hr from home we hit the blizzard full of accidents, they shut down the roads & we had to get a hotel.
As for skiing, I had a fun parking lot ski session on ice.. yiKes..lol.. I can only laugh due to working this thing out so much that it isn’t rolling anymore.. I try to keep it tough.
Only thing that really hurt throughout trip was the altitude change coming back up after being gone for a week.
I’d let all know how the driving around went, but I’m a lefty breaker..so driving the auto just leaves me to worry about good place to rest it so it doesn’t hurt from pulling down
Gonna get some rest, hi to all, good to see new faces, however unfortunate, & good to read from everyone else
Wes
Hello fellow ankle breakers!
I have been gone way too long – a few weeks. Well, not actually. I’ve been reading along each night, just no time to post. So, welcome to all the new members. I’m sorry you need to be here, but happy we can all help out. And Hi to all my old friends. There has been much news since early November – I don’t want to rehash it all, but a few comments and questions I wanted to address.
Riley – I broke my right ankle in July this year and did not drive for 12 weeks. I think I could have driven earlier, but was waiting for my Dr. to officially release me so I didn’t have an insurance issue. It was really tough – I have 2 very busy kids and word 30 miles from home. We had to hire outside help to get me to and from and to get the kids here and there. A few times I notice some pain when i quickly twitch my ankle over the brake pedal, but in general, it’s been fine.
Derinda – Oh, I so feel your pain. I am the gatekeeper for our busy household, work, volunteer, and keep it all running. My husband basically goes to work. Taking me out for several months wreaked havoc on our household and I thought i would go nuts. I just saw it all falling apart in front of my eyes and there was nothing I could do about it. My husband kept count of the weeks until the cast came off, thinking i’d be all “fixed” by then. He’s surprised that I still have pain now, almost 5 months later, and have limitations. I pretty much head to bed ever night by 9, because I am wiped out from keeping it all going all day long. I had to learn to be patient and we had some serious discussions about what it means to be there for your partner. He’s happy to have it behind him now, but worrying about what comes next!
Trace- Oh my goodness. You have decided. I’m sorry it has come to this, but I also know you have been patient, tried everything there is to try and evaluated the trade-offs. While I have been praying that you would make a recovery, I think it is clear that you would never be happy with the limitations your leg would leave you with. You have made me laugh and cry at the same time – the movie theater bathroom is exactly the kind of place where it hits you, and how appropriate that you turned it into a joke. You will likely have many ups and downs like this as you go through the amputation and recovery. Roll with ’em and keep telling us about them. We’re here to support you through this tremendously difficult time. And I’m looking forward to seeing a photo of you on a mountain top with an amazing prosthetic leg soon. I’m counting on it! in the mean time, keep us posted on all the details so we can b there with you.
Lois, Louise, Ankelquest, Liz, Denver, Karen, Wilma, who have I missed? Hello to you all!
Oh Judy – my knee on my bad leg has been winkey (that’s a technical term) since about half way through the cast period. Now when I stand up to walk, it feels like it might just give out, and various turns make it feel bad too. The PT says it’s from muscle tightness and weakness. Work on stretching and lengthening the quad muscle on that leg, as well as strengthening. Eventually it will be better.
So, my update is not very exciting. I saw the Dr. two weeks ago. He sent me home with another month of PT, and we discussed plate removal in Feb/March. In December, he will send me for a stress test on the ankle to determine if there will be a need for additional ligament surgery. He says 50/50 chance. I hate to say it, but I already know that the answer is yes. i can tell by the way my foot pops around. I know it’s not right yet, and I want to be able to have full use again, including skiing, running, and wearing heels So, that’ll mean a surgery in the spring and I get to start all over again. That is the most depressing thought. Surgery, cast for 6 weeks, boot for 6 more, and PT all over again. It’s so hard to face. I can’t even begin to think about how we’ll get through it all again. But I do know that I did it once, so I can do it again, and this time, I know that there is life after it’s all over and i know how to manage so much of it, thanks to all of you. I honesty thought I might never walk again after the initial break and ligament damage. Now that I can, I know I can get through it again and it will hopefully be better than today, which considering the alternatives, is not so bad. Trace – this is where I feel like I have an inkling of how you’re feeling. I know it’s not the same, but I get it. Just the tiniest bit.
So, I spent 10 hours on my feet on Thanksgiving preparing dinner for 12, serving and cleaning up. I did ok. I was sore, but I did it. And, we put up our Christmas tree this weekend too. Again. sore, but I climbed the ladder to put on the lights and felt great that I could do it. It’s the little things ….
Ok all, I promise not to be such a stranger. Work is slowing a little as we head toward the holidays. My school board work is in high speed motion right now, but that will slow in January. And kids sports are going into hiatus until Feb, so that’s goodness too! i will be keeping my eyes on you all.
Cheers and love to all,
Lee
Hi all!!!!!!!
Hope your weekends were good, if not great!
Not much has changed, just saying HI to everyone, new and old…
Karen, we must be shopping at the same shoe store. I had just purchased my first pair of MBT about 6 mos prior to the accident. They took a little work to get used to walking in, but, once I got used to them, they were wonderful. I tried them after the accident, but I wasn’t sturdy enough for them yet. (They are an excercise shoe, so they take a bit more work than a normal shoe). We got our first snow today. It was a very nice snow, the kind that lays pretty but doesn’t freeze.
I hope those of you new to us find ways to fight through the pain, and remember, trust your body, and you will be able to tell the difference between good pain and bad pain.
Take Care everyone,
thanks for being there!
I’m very nervous. And, trying to be strong, trying not to look too far ahead, and definitely trying not to look back.
Have a good week!
I finally am healed enough to go back to therapy, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!
trac
Derinda,
I also had my accident falling down steps at my home. In my case, they were steps going from my laundry room to the garage. I also missed all three of them just like you. I was alone so had to crawl up the steps and through two rooms to get to the phone. I hope you had somebody there with you! There was never a railing there for the 18 years I “flew” down those steps, but we had one installed after my accident. I grab the railing every time, so careful now.
Anklequest,
I’m so happy you like the Ecco shoes! I now have another shoe to recommend to you all, and you have probably heard of them – MBTs. I went into the shoe store where I bought the Eccos, asking them if the Eccos came in a darker color for winter (live in Pennsylvania with snow, slush, etc.), and was asking for anything else in a dark color that would give me good, proper support for my ankle when, to my surprise, both salespeople said they had broken ankles just recently and they swear by the MBTs. (very expensive, must warn)
I have been very happy with my black MBTs and have only put the Eccos away until the bad weather breaks here, and I can get back into white shoes. It’s nice to have a few options.
Karen
Wilma / Louise & Lois
Thank You for our kind words, sometimes what we need is a litle of support. Since I send this e-mail, I went for a search in the web to see any solutions and I saw this adress where I have some options to my problem, so I feel a litle better.
http://www.synthes.com/html/fileadmin/Shared/shop/Printed_Materials/Trauma/046.000.918.pdf
This is a great site, I wish the best to all of You.
oh Wilma! Thank you Thank you! You really made me feel much better. I thought I was going nuts! Next pity party on me virtual style!!!
Riley, I was legally cleared to drive as soon as my cast came off at eight weeks,,, and at nine weeks post surgery I tried on an empty back road. No problem at all,,, BUT,,,then I discovered WHY they said practise first to get the “new feel” for it. That new feel turned out to be the shock wave that shot up my leg when I suddenly jammed the brake on with my broken right ankle. (the problem is that when that shock wave happens you automatically pull off the brake with your foot to protect your ankle) That of course is very dangerous. So, I did continue driving but I adjusted my driving habits to allow for this. For example I cruise into stops now and do not race in and jam on the brakes. So, no more speeding and definately no more tail gating for me. I don’t know what sort of cities you want to drive in, whether you would be on major highways or back country roads,,, what kind of traffic volume, so only you can really figure out whether you will be in situations where you are jamming on the brakes every two minutes,,, or whether you will have lots of space and time between vehicles to cruise smoothly along. Even at 8 months where I am now,,, I still am protective of that ankle while driving,,,, it is pretty darned good, but still not like it used to be. Hello to all my cyber friends and welcome to Joao and Derinda. Joao, keep us posted on that broken off screw… that sounds nasty. Happy hoppy all. Lois
yes I had that, fortunately once I started exercising after I got out of that cast it stopped! What was weird was how sensitive the bottom of my foot was to put weight on, not pain from the op, but like from lack of use…it went away too:)…also just remind your sweetie of the whole “for better or worse” thin he signed up for ha ha! And if you decide to have a pity party (I had a coupla) just remember that you’ll continue to make progress, this isn’t permanent, For me I had to try to see the silver lining. I learned that I as too much in a hurry, and although compassionate, I did expect people (secretly) to “get over it” (whatever they were going thru, just fill in the blanks) also how important all that handicapped stuff is, bathrooms, parking spaces,ramps) I remember looking at a 4″step to get into a booth in a restarerant and thinking there’s no way (I was really bad on crutches) So appreciate the things you’ve been too busy for, and just let people know what you need from them, don’t feel guilty, if the situation were reversed, you would help them!
oh I forgot to ask… I wake in the night with uncontrollable leg jerks..not like restless leg..My leg does this wierd jerking and it happens 2-3 times a night and makes my ankle soo sore…just wondering if anyone else has had this happen!
Riley, I meant to respond to the driving issue eariler but it slipped my mind. 🙂 I had surgery on June 2nd for my broken right ankle. I got out of the boot at the end of August. So about 12 weeks total. I started driving as soon as I was out of the boot and had no problems at all. It didn’t hurt at all. I took a 2.5 driving trip at about week 20 and had no problems. I think if you’re walking now with no support you should be fine to drive, but definitely take the advice of your doctor and therapist.
Liz
Derinda, I had to learn to tell people at my firm that I wasnot back to “normal” just because I didn’t have a cast or boot. I learned that “Not, I can’t do that yet” is a complete sentence! I was used to doing everything at work, even if it meant making a ridiculously long trip for a short meeting that someone else could have handled. I suggest that some level of the same might be true at home for you.
I remember being amazed when the doctor told me to take off the boot and just start walking (I thought he was kidding, except he has no sense of humor). I didn’t take his advice — I took my time and stuck with the walker, and then the cane (which I still keep on hand). I thin ktgere are times when you just have to listen to what your bidy says, and take it at the pace in which you feel comfortable but also feel you are making a commitment to being better than the day before.
Since I had my accident in August, I’m just feeling the first of winter wet and cold and wondering if that’s leading to the increased aches and pains in my ankle. My best time of day is when I first wake up, and there is no pain or stiffness until I get out of bed. There are times during the day when I don’t notice my ankle at all, which gives me hope that at some time in the future it will feel almost fine all the time.
I’m still stumped on the issue of driving, since I don’t know anyone here in the city who has a car. When I rent for business, it’s always away from home and means that any trip wil be an hour or two. No options to try it out first that I can think of, so I think I’ll wait until January when I have another month of healing and therapy behind me.
Best to all, Riley.
Thank you all! You don’t know how much better it makes me feel that i am not alone!
Louise, I am in the states..New York. My ortho told me after I get the cast off I will be in the boot, but i am not sure when I am supposed to get the screws removed. I think I can fell them when I move my foot in the cast…I am just afraid that when the cast comes off I will be able to see the screws on the one side and feel them!
I was told though with the boot I will be able to shower! Right now I take a bath with my leg wrapped and hanging out..not fun and very exhausting!!
Wilma and Louise…Thank you both very much for telling me i shouldn’t be super woman already…I just think my husband thinks like you said Louise, that once the cast is off I am all better!!! I still have to take my pain meds..not only for the ankle pain but for my hip and back..it is just soo sore!
I just get a little down sometimes..I am grateful for my family..my mom and mother in law come alternate weeks of care for me and my kids..while my husband works..this week my husband was on vacation..and I think he is just fed up with me not being able to do anything. I mean how do you think I feel?
But hearing all the srories on here i know it does get better…thank you!!!
~Derinda:)
Oh and yes derinda….what wilma said above? So true! People are getting a little bored with the “my ankle hurts” line now, and its not fair on us, but they do not really understand. it is a long way to recovery, but you will gte there, but it does take some time, and people seem to think that once the cast is off…give it a week,a dn they expect you to be running a marathon next week! ha ha! So really need to explain to people that after the cast is off, thats when the work really begins. It will get easier, but the first few weeks may be a bit difficult, especially if people expect you to be back to 100% again straight away!
Louise xx
Hello to everyone!! Hi wilma…Long time no hear (or it seems it anyway! But hello!)
and hello to riley. Hope your doing ok. With the balance thing. i couldn’t even balance for 3 seconds when I started, now i can balance with my eyes closed for a bit, depending on how tired I am. I broke and dislocated my ankle on 23rd april 08, weight bearing since 7th july, and started physio erm…about middle of august (ish!) so yeah its going quite well with the balance thing!! Ok, well I drove at the start of august, and was weight bearing since 7th july, and that just over 3 months after I did it. I drive a manual and it was my left ankle (clutch foot) which I broke. I checked with my doc, and he said I needed to be abe to do an emergency stop, and if i could do this I was ok to drive, so see how it feels when u get back in a car again. and check with the doc too.
Hello Derinda! Glad you found our little site. Question for you…are u in the Uk or the States? Or cananda?? I seem to realise the practise is slightly different depending on where u are. Well..I can only tell you about my own experience but your case sounds almost identical to mine. Ok, so I had a snazzy purple cast too (how highly attractive do THEY look?!) hee hee. I got my cast off on the 13th june this year, and I have 5 screws on the INside of my ankle, and I had 2 large screws going across on the OUTside of mine, so the other way round to yours. When I had my cast off, I was still not allowed to weight bear until these screws had been taken out. So from the 13th june to the 7th july I just had nothing on my foot at all. Cast was gone, but no weight bearing, no boot or anything. Screws came out on the 7th july this year, and seriously…a little gross but nothing to worry about if its the same as mine. The op was under a local aneasthetic and took about 6 mins from start to finish, and I have my large screws in a pot at home! ha ha! They then bandaged up my foot, gave me a valcro shoe to wear (as obviously I could’t get any other shoes on with the bandages on!) and was told I could fully weight bear again from then on. I still used crutches but only for about anotther 2 weeks, then I was off!!!
It might be slightly different for you, as they told me they wanted the screws out as they could snap as they were too close to the ankle joint before I could weight bear, but with you it might be slightly different, and they may put you in a boot (although, I escaped haveing the infamous BOOT….gladly I ahve to say! hee hee!) but good luck with it all. Keep us updated.
Joao Santos, hello to you too. Sorry to hear about the screws. Sorry I dont know about what they can do…..I havnet ever heard about that happening to anyone before?! 🙁
Hope everyone else is doing ok!
Louise xx
Hi Derinda & Joao, sorry about your bad breaks! This is really a great site for help that I feel you don’t always get anywhere else. You should get some good feedback after the holiday. Joao, I don’t have any input for you, but I will pray for you 🙂 Derinda, I was in fiberglass cast (hot pink w/swarovski crystals, fluer de lis,etc)(understated)for 6weeks (no weightbearing)(came off 9/10/2008) & then told to start putting weight on it , no boot etc (I had 3 break, 7screws & plate outside, 2 screws on inside) At 1st it was scary, I did use crutches for a day or so, and limped for a while after that. I actually still limp a bit. Anyway I had always thought after your cast came off everything was back to normal HA HA! The reason I am telling you this is you need to sit your husband down & explain you will do everything in your power to get back to normal, but you need to be able to depend on him to help. This is so hard, if your husband is like mine, he is used to “superwoman” who multitasks and has the energy and drive of a human dynamo! I went from very high energy level to zero, it was devastating and I wondered if I would ever be “normal” again. Well I am (okay there are those who would say I was NEVER normal..) there was a point where I had a meltdown and told my husband that I needed to be able to depend on him, and how hard it was for me to ask him for help, but if the shoe(or break)was his I would do the same. Men are “fixers” it’s so hard for them not to be able to fix this for you. He was so sweet & considerate to me the whole rest of the time it makes me cry to think of it. He’d always been that way, I think he was as frustrated as I was! Anyway, let your family know what you need. God bless you.
Hello to everyone,
I would like to see if anybody could give me some advises. I broke my fibula 2 months ago and I have a plate with 6 screws, one of the screws is attaching the fibula and the tibia the other five are only on the fibula, this last friday I went to the minor surgiry to remove the big screw but unfortunally the head of the screw got bad, the doctor couldn’t unscrew him and after many trys got damage. Then on the same day after 2 hours they went back and try to drill the head of the screw and with an extractor try to unscrew, the problem was that the head of the screw broke. Right now i have a screw with no head. tomorrow I’m going to an appointment with the doctor to see what are my options. What I would like to know if there is anybody that knows a case like that or if they know other site where i can see my options. I would apreciate any help that you can give me.
Thanks.
Joao Santos
Comment by Derinda
November 30, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Hi All..I just want to day this site has helped me so much…
I broke my ankle on Oct 30 2008..I fell down my front porch steps..actually I think i missed all the steps!!
Anyway has surgery that night..plate 8 screws on one side(outside) two screws on the other..and one long one going through the middle..I also damaged the tendon that connects the 2 major bones??
I was in a plaster cast for 2 weeks now I am in a fiberglass cast(purple..very fashionable) shich I think I am getting off this Friday..but I am alittle confused..I need to have the long screw removed..and possibly the two on the inner side because the may be tooprominate..eww just the thought make me queasy!!
Anyway..If I get the cast off does anyone know if I immediately go to the big black boot? And Can i put weight on it..I am really confused..still have to take percocet…
I have two boys seven and 3…my husband is supportive but I don’t think he really understands what I am going trough.
Well hello & happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! It seems like everyone is doing well!
Trac even you I think will be doing well, I’m sure you will go back and forth with the desecion until it happens. I can’t imagine the courage you have, but you’ve worked so hard, you’re not giving up, just attacking from another direction. It will be difficult, but maybe your foot has just really been holding you back, now the effort can be put into something that you can really make progress with, because with your determination you are going to succeed. I just don’t feel like you can be held back, you’re too determined! Plus I see all these so called “handicapped ” athletes that can do more than I’ve ever thought of!! I’m pretty much a wimp who just wants to wear stilettos again!! (shallow girl)
Hello to Lois, Louise, Wes,Anklequest,Tim, Erika,Holly, (isn’t that indented swelling the grossest thing!) and to all my fellow ankle people.
I seem to be doing okay, I have had to tell my husband to let me know when I am limping, as I have developed the habit! Sometimes I do from the pain, but sometimes I don’t really need too. I did wear my high heel Guess boots to church last Sunday, so that was a red letter day so to speak! And today I fell in love with a pair of heels…I kind of consider a type of PT, because all the different shoes put the ankle in different positions…of course the ankle is still swollen, but the scar isn’t really noticable..maybe cause the ankles’ so big Ha ha! I had 3 place break, 9 screws & plate, but whats weird, its the little inside bone w/2 screws that bothers me more than the 7 screws, plate, & yard long incision on the outside! Go figure!
Judy I also had a lot of trouble w/ my good knee, I think you’re just using the good one more, its fine now, but I did notice my shoes I wear all the time (slip on mules) have a weird wear pattern on the good leg I’ve never had before. Believe it or not I can’t wear my athletic shoes comfortably yet because of those 2 dang screws on the inside of the ankle! They “ride” right on the screws! I’m hoping it will “desensitize” Anyway hello to anyone I might have missed, I pray for all of you guys, maybe I don’t always remember each of you by names, but God knows each of you, so I don’t have to!
Riley,
You should be able to drive a bit by now. I did break my right ankle. I couldn’t do the balance thing for a long time after I had started to drive so I don’t think it’s necessarily directly related to driving. In fact I still have a hard time balancing on my right leg for more than 30 seconds and cannot swing much at all. Yet I can certainly drive and do almost everything else but run.
I did start driving slowly, after about 2 months, up and down our road USING MY LEFT FOOT for the brake. Then gradually more. Then 40 minutes to work on fast highways but always being very careful to stay in the right lane. Then I moved to the right foot, perhaps around the 12th week. An hour’s drive was by then not a problem and that was in a busy metro area. Of course the big problem is in the event you have to slam on the brakes. Test yourself to see if you can take the pressure on the right foot by trying a car for an easier ride that doesn’t involve difficult traffic or a great distance.
FYI: In some states you have to have an OK from a doc or you could be held accountable for unsafe driving if in an accident.
OK, hope this helps. I think you can do it.
Anklequest
I’d be so grateful to hear about when anyone felt comfortable driving again. I live in a city so get most places by walking or taxi, but I often rent a car when traveling for business. My physical therapist isn’t sure about the saftey issue yet (I broke my right anke) but we haven’t figured out how to test it because I don’t know anyone who owns a car. I’m a little concerned about my first outing, as I only rent when I have an hour or more driving to do. It’s been 15 weeks since my fracture…anyone out there who can tell me when they felt comfortable with the controls again or who you practiced if you didn’t have a car?
My therapist has me working on balance — she wants me to be able to stand on my injured leg and swing my good one at least 10 times without touching, but I can’t seem to do even one swing without holding on to something (or almost falling over!).
I hope everyone is enjoying the post-Thanksgiving holiday.
Anklequest you make me giggle!!! I love all the medical advice you are able to lend, thanks! And, everyone — thank you — yea, I am so glad I stumbled upon this site. Your support is very refreshing. And needed. My dr put it to me this way — “early on in the accident this would have been devastating. But, now, you’ve been through the depression, you’ve been through the PT, you’ve been through the accomodation trainings, now, it is merely a decision regarding quality of life.” And, he is right. I am lucky to even have this option.
All though, it is hitting me in the oddest places, today, my aunties and I went to go see the movie Secret Life of Bees — which is beautiful — I went to the restroom afterwards and while sitting there thinking about who I could try to charm into taking me shopping on Black Friday — I suddenly burst into tears sitting on the toilet in a movie theater.
It helped. But, I got stared at while I was washing my hands. I just smiled and said, “They didn’t put enough butter on my popcorn.” I don’t think she believed me.
I WANT AN INDOOR POOL IN MY BULDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(THIS IS ME THROWING A TANTRUM) i love the water.
looooooove it.
Alritty, I do hope everyone had a great day, and keeps progressing.
Happy Healing,
Blessings,
Pie Lady Trac
Hi Everyone!
Well, the worst news I’ve ever seen on this board is Pie Lady’s announcement that she’s going to have a limb removed. The competition for bad news was Clark, when he got his foot fused, and Melanie, the same thing. I know it’s Thanksgiving but what did I think about today..the fact that so far I have two feet I can walk on and Pie Lady does not. This thought somehow was disturbing to me. One the other hand, I should be happy for all the rest of you who are making great progress.
Pie-Lady, despite my reaction, I am happy that you finally made that choice, for I know it is going to change your life so you can get back to your active self. I probably might have made the same choice. If it any comfort, I once saw an amputation film where they did the amputation in about one minute! That was before the days of all these drugs that knock you out. Instead they had a boxer hit you on the head and knock you out or give you a lot of liquor. A doc that teaches a course for me once told me it is an easy procedure. So cutting a leg off seems like no big deal no big deal as surgeries go. Then you have to wait for all the healing and then fittings, etc. Anyway, I hope you still keep us informed and we will be with you all the way.
Riley, Aimee, thanks for your helpful contributions. I too never used the ice, only cool packs like the frozen peas. I do know the basketball pros use the ice but I’m not a pro. Liz your info is valuable about the workmen’s comp.
I hope everyone had a nice dinner today. I watched our wild turkey flock in our yard. They come by daily and eat the bird seed that falls from the hanging feeder.
For you new readers, I am 63, almost 3 years ago I had a trimalleolar, with open wound for 6 months, plate with 8 screws and 4 long screws on medial and back side. I can do almost everything but run, have not had hardware removed, and slowly am now having increase pain & some problems with arthritis.
Take care everyone!
Anklequest
Hi everyone and thanks for the warm welcome!
Lois, re swelling, I had something called pitting oedema/edema, basically a build up of fluid in my foot that couldn’t escape because of various ‘blockages’ from the surgery (if I pressed my thumb into the top of my foot, it would remain indented for a period of time). My physiotherapist had me massaging my foot and up to my mid calf several times a day to clear the fluid well away from the area. It was disgustingly painful at first and quite icky but it did the job! I still have a bit of swelling around my scars but my foot is fine now. I’ve never used ice for the swelling, it’s cold enough here!!
So, tomorrow I’m 12 weeks post-break and surgery. I ditched my crutches last week and exchanged them for a stylish walking stick! I’m able to walk around my house easily without that though and do general housework and such. Outside, I try to do without the stick, but use it on grass and up and down my road which is on a hill.
Yesterday I tried driving for the first time since my accident, I went to the end of my road and back (20 mph zone) and was ok although the clutch felt soooo stiff and my foot felt a bit shakey at the end. Tried again today and managed 2 miles to the supermarket, did shopping and 2 miles back, without the stick!! Yay!!
Obviously my daughter is delighted that I can now do more things with her out of the house. I’m going to see if I can get her started at nursery after the xmas hols.
Louise, glad to hear you’ve been cleared to play netball again so soon!! And good luck with the essays.
Trac, sorry to hear about your amputation, I’m sure it must have been a difficult decision to make.
Take care all!
Steady as she goes…..
a x
Happy Thanksgiving (to those who are celebrating). I’ve had a wonderful day with family and we’re all getting together again this evening for my brother’s birthday. Talk about losing weight… ugh, I lost about 10 pounds during the immobile stage of my ankle break, but I’ve since put it all back on. I’m hoping the clearance to get back to my kick and step classes will motivate me to get back on track. I really need to get this extra weight off, for many reasons, but one of which is the arthritis in my ankle now. 🙁
Trac, it’s so good to hear from you. I just hate that you’ve been faced with such a difficult decision. I’m amazed how positive and optimistic you stay through it all. Sure, you have your moments when you’re feeling down about things, that’s to be expected. You always seem keep a positive spin on things though. I hope that you will keep us updated. Enjoy your day with family and friends.
Louise, it seems you and I are in about the same place… without much pain but knowing that things aren’t quite 100% yet. My calf is still not as strong as it was either. I’m able to do a standing heel raise on my right foot if I’m wearing shoes, but not if I’m barefoot. Let us know how your appt goes on Monday and if you’re given more PT. I’ve been in contact with my therapist through email but haven’t had any therapy in over a month now. I’m still seeing progress though. I guess everyone is right when they say it just takes time. *sigh*
Speaking of progress… I forgot to mention… I went to a wedding last weekend. It was my first time wearing cute dressy shoes since my injury. I’ve worn nothing but tennis shoes the past 6 months. Well, even with the cute dressy shoes, and dancing for several hours at the reception, my ankle did really well. I was surprised how little it hurt. So yesterday I pulled my favorite pair of Nike flip flops out and have been wearing them. I went to Wal-Mart yesterday wearing flip flops and it felt so great to finally be able to wear them again. 🙂 Just had to share that little tid-bit. lol
Riley, my injury happened at work, so I’m under Worker’s Comp too. So far I haven’t had any problems with them paying for my medical treatment. They’ve reimbursed me for everything, including the hand-held shower head I purchased, shower stool, bedside commode, walker, wheelchair rental, etc. They have been very helpful. Here’s the thing though… I found out through researching myself (I’m not sure if they would have offered this information upfront), but in order to keep the case open you have to see the doctor at least once a year. If you let a year lapse and then 6 months later you need the metal taken out or 5 years later you have problems with arthritis in that ankle, too bad, your case is closed and medical benefits will not be covered. But as long as you go to the doctor once every year, your case will stay open indefinitely. I’m not sure if this is the same in every state, but this is the policy in Georgia. Make sure to ask that question of your work comp case worker.
Well, I guess that’s all for now. Take care everyone!
Liz
RILEY: nope plunging your foot/ankle back and forth from toasty warm water into cold water over the course of half an hour or so several times a day is not the most pleasant thing… but it really took my swelling down quite quickly so I think it was well worth it. Having no swelling alleviates a lot (not all) of the pain. I too lost lots of weight while in a cast. I think I was so shell shocked and grossed out, that although I was being well fed by my husband and friends I had very little appetite. I wanted to put some back on and did, but now I am trying not to put it all back on. Glad you have a pool you can use. That should be really good for you. I can’t say I envy you having to deal with workman’s compensation. If they are anything like they are in Canada, they are a nightmare…and most people here also hire lawyers to oversee any major types of claims otherwise it seems to be a constant fight and that’s even with our medical being paid by the government separately. So it’s more just a fight for loss or work, re-training or whatever. It seems like they see their role from the outset, as how they can get out of paying rather than how they can help the innocent victim of an accident. Canadian Thanksgiving was actually about a month ago,,, so no turkey dinner here… but I was fortunate enough to have been invited to a pre-christmas turkey dinner luncheon today, which is being held at a local church. This is a good thing because all the talk of thanksgiving on this blog has my mouth watering. I have never heard of Bell’s seasoning and wonder if they sell it here in Canada. Perhaps American chain stores like Costco or Walmart may have it. I will have to watch.
I am so fed up with these contractors working downstairs, that I am trying to avoid dealing with them or even looking at them. What did I say a few posts ago….about lessons to be learned. I definately need to learn .. patience, patience, patience. I thought I HAD learned it with my broken ankle, but how soon we forget and these guys are REALLY stressing me out. One thing I have had to cope with since my retirement and moving from a more urban area to the boonies, is that the old fashioned chauvanistic attitude still exists in places like this. After my line of work and my years in the work force, I am NOT taking gracefully to that at all. I feel like I am getting over a broken ankle, just to have a heart attack or get ulcers. It is sometimes all I can do to not start yelling at some of these construction guys. Sorry, enough venting,,, and it’s not even about my ankle. It will be good for me to get out of here for a couple of hours today and go to that lunch. Take care everyone, Lois
Thanks for all the great tips about travel. I have a compression stocking (aren’t *they* somehting to get in and out of in the morning!) but will be better now about wearing it on the plane. I’d love to know more about the hot and cold treatment — I love a good hot bath but have not been sure if it is good for me or not (I have one of those doctors who rarely says anything, even in response to a direct question). I can’t say I relish the idea of plunging my foot into a bucket of cold water, but if you say so!
I’m lucky that I have an indoor pool in my building, and am a life-long swimmer, so once I was able to get in and out on the ladder have been able to swim and do some exercises. It’s been wonderful to “walk” in water without pain and to practice.
About my weight loss, no credit to me. I think I just didn’t care about eating for the first few weeks, and while I was in bed I had to rely on someone brining me everything from the kitchen. Maybe there is an upside to not being able to reach into the ‘fridge at random! I was also very worried that I would gain weight while sitting around, and became obsessed about calories.
I’m now starting to deal with issues of workers’ comp. My company has been fully supportive and I haven’t lost any salary, but want the medical bills to be paid. The insurance people are a nightmare. Next step will be to get a lawyer — I’m told it is the only way to navigate the workers’ comp process, even for a simple claim like mine.
So, my Thanksgiving tip to anyone who hasn’t yet made stuffing — Bell’s seasoning (a little box found in the grocery store) added to whatever (even to Stive Top!) gives it a wonderful flavor.
Best to all.
Good Thursday morning to everyone. The dawn is just breaking here with a beautiful red sky breaking through grey clouds. It looks so beautiful that my husband went out and shot some pictures. But unfortunately, it seems that “red sky in the morning -means “sailor’s warning”, – a storm front is coming in. It’s red sky at night that is “a sailor’s delight.” – good weather. So I guess we are in for wind and rain… but we will enjoy this beautiful spectacle while we can.
TRAC: You are such an amazingly important and integral member of this blog. You will be a valued participant and a friend to us all for absolutely as long as you choose to be. You offer the rest of us every bit as much in return as we offer to you, and your bravery, courage and positive manner supports and encourages each of us. My heart just goes out to you for the decisions that you have had to make. We will continue to work through this with you as best we can. We may feel incompetant in knowing what to do and say, and you may well have to sometimes guide us through this with you, BUT WE WANT TO BE THERE WITH AND FOR YOU. You just tell us what you need from us okay? Peace and blessings to you and your family too Trac. Peace and blessings to everyone.
RILEY: What great advice you have provided for those who airport and hotel travel during this ordeal. Thanks. I am glad to see that Trac advised you about the compression stockings or whatever they are called. I think Louise may have also used something like that when she flew from England to New York. But she can fill you in. I don’t have really any good advise for you, except that my understanding of the whole thing was based on the principle of forcing the “lymphatic? fluid” which causes the ankle to swell- out of the ankle. This in turn reduces the pain. So the tricks to getting rid of that fluid and redistributing it throughout the body are based on “ice and elevation”, and by letting your body “pump” the fluid out of the ankle by alternating heat and cold… . It seemed to work quite quickly for me. So, I used a soft squishy ice bag that I bought at a pharmacy which wrapped around my ankle. I would recline on a love seat with my bad leg drapped up and over the back. (ie leg must be minimum of three feet over heart level) (I even slept there, with the leg lodged in this elevated position ALL night long. And the other trick was the bath of warm/hot water with a bucket of very cold water next to it. Leg into hot water for 30 secs and then plunge into icy water 30 secs… alternate back and forth and end with warm water. That allows your own blood flow to pump the fluid out. So… the big question is how to do these sorts of things on airplanes and in hotels. I think maybe you will have to rely on the hotels to provide you with enough bed rolls pillows to try to get that leg properly elevated over night. Also I wonder if they could help by providing a bucket for cold water for the hot/cold treatment. Or you could try just the hot/cold water taps in the bath. Anyone else with any advice?
Riley: I actually had never used a site like this before (was actually afraid of them) and I suspect that a number of others hadn’t either. So, like you it took me a few months before I actually posted,,, although I kept reading, enjoying and benefitting from it. Like you, I finally just sort of decided that I really needed to say thank you to the people on here, for getting me through the ordeal. Somehow I was encouraged to stay on, and here I still am. I have met the nicest people on here. They have really warmed my heart with their encouragement to each other. Sort of an example of “the universal human soul” happening here.
Interesting news blurb on the short medical tv report this am. Sounds like researchers have just discovered that endorphins have something to do with bone making,,, bone loss etc. Seems like we not only have endorphins in our brains but we also have them in our legs… around bones. But what I am getting from this is that in mice the endorphins may be actually causing osteoporosis. This is interesting, because I would have thought that the more enorphins released from exercise the stronger the bones would become. But this new report is rather confusing to say the least. So, we will have to stayed tuned for updated reports on this latest research. The doctor said this may change the way we treat bone problems. NO KIDDING. But of course,,, we are hu MAN and not mice right?
OOps contractors arriving again… Must go. The best for a wonderful day to you all. Lois
Hi to everyone!!! Yes, the site has been very quite the last few days hasn’t it??
Hello to Riley! Nice to have you with us! Keep us updated on how your doing!
Liz. Congrats on becoming an auntie! Thats so cool. And well done for getting out of the boot and getting the all clear to go back and start your stuff at the gym again! 🙂 Thats great news!
Lois. Hello to you as well! Yes, university is going ok thanks for asking…..starting to get a little bogged down with all the work, but 8th december is my last hand in date for my last essay, then im off till the 19th jan, so Im on the final stretch! yay! Good luck with all your renovations and everything! 🙂
Trac. Amputation?? My word! You are going through with it? Wow! So the docs decided that that was the best option for you? Im very sorry to hear that, but there has to be a silver lining in it somewhere i guess….hopefully it will mean the end of the pain and you can hopefully start getting on with life rather than having this hanging over you the whole time! 🙁
Keep us updated please…Im sure u will anyway, but good luck with it all! Keep smiling! 😀 You always seem to be in such good spirits anyway which is lovely!
Hello to everyone else as well!
As for me…not much else to report to be honest. I had my last physio session yesterday. I ave a follow up appointment on monday, but by the way he was talking to me yesterday, it doesn’t sound like he is gonna put me in for another batch of physio. I dont really know what else the physio can do ow anyway….its just really plateued out, and nothing more is happening. Its not really painful any more most of the time, just quite achy and ceased up a lot in the cold. My calf muscle is still quite a bit smaller than the one on the other leg, and i still cannot do stuff like hop and heavy impact stuff.
He has cleared me to go back to netball (eeek!) but im not sure I will for the moment, bearing in mind they played outside in the dark the other week! So we shall see how that goes, and i may start playing again after christmas, but am really quite scared of doing it again, as IM sure most people are really.
So yeah….thats me at the moment. Not much to report!
Hope everyone else is doing ok!
Louise xx
Helloooooooooooooooo to ALL!!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to those of you on this site who celebrate! Enjoy your time w/your family and friends. We do not celebrate Thanksgiving as such, simply due to the fact a few of our friends/family are British and a few are Native American. So, instead we all get together and celebrate each other.
I am so excited to see so many new people on here. Not excited that you would have a reason to be chatting w/all of us, as that is no good, but excited that you found us, because the people here are GREAT!! They have helped me immensely. Again, WELCOME!
Riley — I don’t know if it will help you, but, I got a compression stocking for my leg/ankle for when I fly. It helps w/the pain. And, teach me the weight loss, I’ve done the opposite…”sigh”…and I’m not even eating any of my pies — ha!
Well, I’ve been away for a bit. I’ve been deep in thought. Working through something. Something you all know I am wrestling with. And, today, my doctors and I decided to go through with the amputation. I do not know when yet, just that it is a go. Thank you for supporting me so far, and it looks like I’ve got a long ways to go. So, even though, it is no longer going to be about my ankle, I hope I can continue staying in touch through this site. As it is so helpful and supportive. I am scared — but mostly, I am confident and accepting in the decision. I’m tired of sitting, and I really do not want to go through another hiking season, not able to walk…now THAT causes depression.
Okay — I’m going to grab a couple of more hours of sleep before the whirlwind starts.
Take Care everyone —
Peace and Blessings to you and your families.
Happy Healing!
trac