Broken Ankle

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Broken Ankle & Surgery Things I didn't know!!

I used to think a broken ankle was no big deal I didn't want one but I was under the impression that you wore a cast for 6 wks and that was it, your healed.  Well let me tell you it isn't that easy.  I fell on Jan 17, 2007 had to have surgery on Jan 18.  I am now a proud owner of a plate and 7 screws.   First of all when they told me I needed surgery and that they were going to put a plate and screws in my ankle, I thought 2 screw only to see the xray and find 7 screws not 2 but 7 screws.  It freaked me out!!!!

I was in a partial cast for the first 2 wks it was hard on the bottom and then wrapped in a large ace bandage. At my 2 wk. post op apt. my  os ( orthopaedic Surgen) removed that and put me in an air cast.   That wasn't so bad I could shower if I could figure out how to get in and out of the shower.  Its harder than you think.  I couldn't put any weight on the broken ankle at all.  Theres no way to get in and out of a shower with only one ankle without getting a shower seat so I had to get one.  To go up and down stairs I crawled up on my hands and knees then slid down on my rear end.  I used a walker around the house, a wheel chair and saved the crutches for going out since they made my arms sore.  Using crutches never seemed like a big deal to me until I had to use them.  You can't carry anthing when you use them I couldn't even carry my own purse.  They make your arms sore and they wore me out.  I would need to take breaks.  Worse have to use crutches when its snowing they slide you have to be careful with every step you take. After my Dr apt. I had my husband take me shopping I rode in one of those battery operated shopping carts.  I didn't know people could be so rude, no one gets out of your way I would sit in an isle and wait and wait until I had a clear path to move.    

At my 6th wk apt. my os told me I didn't need the aircast anymore and get rid of the crutches that I could put weight on it.  Ok I left the office tried to put weight on it as I walked out got some shooting pains and decieded to wait until I got home.  I thought something was wrong with me because I couldn't do it.  My surgen made it seem like ok your healed walk now.  I decided to look up broken ankle on the internet and came across 2 wonderful blog site.  I could talk to others people with broken ankles.  Well that was such a help to me I wanted to share these sites and a few others I found.  Through these sites not through my doctor I have found the help I needed.  I wasn't going crazy nothing was wrong with me it is perfectly normal to have problems walking even after your bone is healed from the break.  It is now 9 wks almost 10 wks after surgery and I still can't walk normal.  My surgen didnt recommend physical therapy like most so I am still trying to figure out if that is good or bad.  With the help of other broken bone healers I am still learning and still trying to heal.  So check out the sites I have listed below. 



Sharing my experiences and talking with others was and still is very helpful to me. A blog is a site were other people around the world can write back and forth to each other.  The blogs I have listed below are other people who have broken ankles and understand the emotions and feelings your going thru.  You can go to the site and just read the comments or you can write one of your own.  Before my  broken ankle I never used a blog.  I found it to be very helpful.Please vote for this lens if you find it helpful.  You can vote by clicking on the stars above.  They should turn yellow. 

 

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Broken Ankle After Surgery by Laurel Fan

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Broken Ankle After Surgery by Laurel Fan

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Broken Ankle After Reduction by Laurel Fan

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Broken Ankle After Surgery by Laurel Fan

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Broken Ankle by Laurel Fan

Broken Ankle

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Post Comments Below!! 

Sharing your experience with others!

Communicating with others in similiar situations really helps. It can be very depressing and frustrating having a broken ankle and not being able to get around. Sometimes others have ideas and ways to help that you wouldn't think of. So feel free to comment below or ask questions.

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  • Reply
    ManuelC ManuelC Dec 22, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
    Excellent article, I broke my ankle (biollelar fracture) the Dec 6th, my surgery was 13th.... I'm still using the aircast... but I wanna ask you something I have wrinkles on my toes it is normal?
  • Reply
    ManuelC ManuelC Dec 22, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
    Excellent article, I broke my ankle (biollelar fracture) the Dec 6th, my surgery was 13th.... I'm still using the aircast... but I wanna ask you something I have wrinkles on my toes it is normal?
  • Reply
    Larry Clavin Larry Clavin Dec 22, 2009 @ 7:48 am
    Hi guys, Larry from ireland here, I broke my fibula in two places 4 days ago, I thought it was only sprained as i was walking(limping) on it, so it was quite a shock when the x-ray came back with the break, so far I've been in a bandage-plastercast thing, I have to have surgery on December 31st(I know, happy new year to me) when the swelling has gone down, the OS says he does'nt know why I'm not in agony as my ankle is "Mashed,Bashed and Smashed to F**K..", his words not mine, so when the swelling goes down and the bruising dissapates a bit I'll have to have a plate and screws put in, I'm a bit worried about that but it has to be done so their's no point avoiding it. I will be in a cast until February at least and then PT for a month or two, I'm not on painkillers yet but as the swelling goes down day by day it's gettin more painfull so i might visit my GP for some medication, I'll keep updating on my progress, i'm still a bit confused by whats going on so far but hopefully it will help someone else feel better who is as confused as I am in the early stages, good health and good luck.
  • Reply
    diedre diedre Dec 21, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
    hi iam diedre from jamaica ,i fell on the 20 oct 2009 and ended up with a broken and dislocated right anke . the doctors reccommded surgery which i had done on the31 oct,the days prior to my surgery i was placed in cast almost reaching my knee,after my surgery a week after ,my injuried foot was place back in cast the same heavy ones which i had on for another three weeks ,after that three weeks it was my next app so i went back to the doc 18 nov where he basically removed my stitches but put another cast on ,this time it was the fibre one which he said would be lighter i could not believe it another cast this being my third,i had thaht one on for another three weeks as well. i went back dec9 and he removed the cast for good hooray hooray,but he futher added that i still should walk on the foot any at all so i am still on crutches,he reccommed psiotherapy from the same day dec9 to jan 6 where on jan 6 says the therapist could start helping me to put alittle wait on it,later that sameday he also mentioned that if after that period of time i still could not raise my ankle as sa high as the other he may have to do surgery again and take one of the screws out i really cant remember the name of the screw right now but he did use a term to describe it.right now i am still on crutches cant walk,and as for therapy all she is presently doin is is to put some pads on the foot which works by battery ,turn them on for them to work on the nerves which is to help with pain and stimulate movement,oh she also wraps it in a cold pack and since recently did a theraputic ultrasound,i still constantly work my anke up and down but it doesn even go as much as haly way as it used to or as the other ,it is so stiff and lacks so much flexibility.i also notice that there is a curve to the back of my heel which no matter how hard i try and raise my foot it does not straighten out as do the other foot ,youknow that string at the back i think they call youre hamstring is all this normall for now or what,sometimes i really worry for i think something is wrong do you think? i really want the flexibility to improve as i really do not want to have to do another surgrery,still waiting on that special day jan 6 when i am suppose to try to walk but do not understand the long watit and if walking is possible with such limited mobilityas the ankle cannot bend as much as the other. i need some advice as to some home therapy some cheerup also.since my injury i am so downhearted at times and worried.how come most of you start walking as soon as the cast is removed ,my foot could barley move ,also here in jamaica it seems as if those boots and stuff is not availabe i reasearch and i think they really help.the therapist says the limited movement may be as a result of the fact taht the foot ha sbeen rstrictrd for so long ad that during healing adhesions occur i really hope so iam praying that all will be well soon
  • Reply
    sfm sfm Dec 17, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
    I broke my tibia and fibula and tore the tendon that wraps around the bottom of the foot august 30. had surgery sept 2. i have a 6" plate and 7 screws. i was in a splint for the first 2 weeks post-op. we found a walker at goodwill and that was a life saver. so much easier to get around. at 2 week post-op appt, i was put in a fiberglass cast, and this was a horrbile experience because he took the splint off and told me to use my crutches and go to xray. my ankle was just dangling with no support! then, to set it before putting the cast on, he forced my foot into a 90 degree angle. it hurt so much he had to do it in increments. i thought i was going to pass out. it was worse than breaking it.

    he told me i could begin to put weight on it after 4 weeks in the cast. its not comfortable to try to walk in a fiberglass cast. and the shoe thing they gave me to wear over it had me tripping on the carpet.

    6 weeks post-op, the cast came off (hairy leg---yuk) and i was put in an air boot. much better. and i could walk with minor discomfort without assistance. physical therapy was painful the first few visits, but it got better. i was amazed at how swollen and discolored it still was 6 weeks post-op. after about 2 weeks in the air boot, i began putting weight on it without any support. it hurt, but i could at least get from the bedroom to the bathroom without strapping on the boot.

    11 weeks post-op i was fitted with a brace that fits inside my own shoes. again, painful, but better for getting around.

    i am now 15 weeks post-op. the swelling is minimal and is mostly after being on it during the day and is alleviated with rest and ice. i try to do my therapy at home (i only got 6 sessions to show me what to do) at least 2 times a day. i still have very limited flexing range, pointing is about half what it was, as is moving side to side. the dr. said it could take up to a year to get full mobility back.

    i still wear the ankle brace but not all the time. i still use the boot if i'm going somewhere where there will be a lot of standing and/or walking. i have pains in my calf from atrophy. since i can't flex my foot, i can't stretch my calf, so this will take a lot of time to get better. i also now have achilles tendonitis, which is a result of overuse of the achilles tendon from not using my calf muscle when i walk. hurts down both sides behind the ankle bones. i also find the hardware to be uncomfortable over my ankle. certain shoes press it into the bone so i can't wear them. i can see why people get the hardware removed.

    the most important thing i have found is that its necessary to push through the pain and work the ankle as often as possible. the bathtub is a great place to rotate and stretch becuase it gets warm and loose. followed with elevation and ice.
  • Reply
    Jen Jen Dec 17, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
    I fractured my tibia on November 5, 2009. Did not have to have surgery but was casted up on November 9th. Was in the cast for five weeks and am now in a walking boot until December 30th. My ortho doesn't want me walking until the 25th so I am still using the wheelchair/crutches combo. Its been awful trying to take care of two kids under three without being able to walk. Suggestion for any moms (or dads) out there with little ones, tile layer knee pads (available at Lowe's or Home Depot for less than $10) make it much easier to get around after the kids without killing your knees while you're stuck in the cast. I'm just happy that I can start my PT after 12/30 and get back to normal. Good luck to everyone!
  • Reply
    Jen Jen Dec 17, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
    I fractured my tibia on November 5, 2009. Did not have to have surgery but was casted up on November 9th. Was in the cast for five weeks and am now in a walking boot until December 30th. My ortho doesn't want me walking until the 25th so I am still using the wheelchair/crutches combo. Its been awful trying to take care of two kids under three without being able to walk. Suggestion for any moms (or dads) out there with little ones, tile layer knee pads (available at Lowe's or Home Depot for less than $10) make it much easier to get around after the kids without killing your knees while you're stuck in the cast. I'm just happy that I can start my PT after 12/30 and get back to normal. Good luck to everyone!
  • Reply
    Ana Ana Dec 17, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
    Hi- I broke my ankle on Dec 6th, was in a boot for about a week because my first doctor said I may need surgery. I went for a second opinion and my doctor said that I had a lateral fracture and a cast should do just fine. I was asked to stop taking birth control pills due to potential blod clots. I have complied but am thinking of going back on them again since I am not having surgery. I have experience muscle spasms on my calf. Has anyone experienced those. They are very uncomfortable and painful. Not sure what I can do to prevent this. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Walking on crutches is terrible and completely wears you out! I had my first Target - battery operated shopping cart the other day, it was quite an experience.
  • Reply
    Zoe Zoe Dec 17, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
    Hi, I broke my fibula on Dec. 1 - had to wait for a week for surgery, and am now waiting for my cast next week. I too had the muscle spasms in the middle of the night mostly. I did ask my doctor about it because it was so painful and almost like my foot/leg was willing itself to move. He said that that is actually pretty common when you are not using a muscle group as often (or at all) as you usually do. I feel for you! Trust me. I am 2 weeks into the experience and it does get better. Good luck to you!
  • Reply
    Zoe Zoe Dec 17, 2009 @ 12:56 pm
    Oh, btw, I am 26 weeks pregnant and so crutches are a killer! I am getting better at using them but my whole balance is off. Your arms do get stronger but I rented a wheelchair. Plus, at first the hopping motion of the crutches was killer on my broken leg. It is somewhat embarrassing, but I have grown to love the wheelchair and appreciate places that have handicap accomidations! :)
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Broken Bone Blogs 

These blog sites were so helpful to me. I was able to compare notes with other people with broken ankles. Ask questions, get helpful tips.
Healbrokenbones blog
This is a wonderful blog site that has helped me alot. Other people who are going thru the same things I went thru I just wanted to share this site with others. Check it out!!
bohnsack.com blog site
A great place to get valuable info from fellow broken bone sufferers.

With the cast on. 

Some pictures of my Broken ankle!!! 

I mostly used a walker instead of crutches!! 

The walkers were easier and didn't make my arms sore. Crutches were hard for me to use. I mostly used a walker especially around the house. I would recommend one with the basket for when you feel better you will want to be able to carry things around. It is helpful for tidying.

Drive Walker with Wheels

Amazon Price: $50.75 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Medline Deluxe Folding Rollator Walker, Blue

Amazon Price: $85.29 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Lumex UpRise Onyx Folding Walker, Each

Amazon Price: $42.00 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

A shower chair was a must for me. 

There was no way for me to shower without one of these shower chairs. I wasn't strong enough to shower standing on one ankle. I highly recommend one!

Great Stuff on Amazon 

Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Great Stuff on Amazon 

Aircast Airsport Ankle Brace Left/Large

Amazon Price: $35.95 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

AirCast SP Walker (Short Pneumatic), Medium

Amazon Price: $70.95 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

AirCast AirLift PTTD Ankle Brace

Amazon Price: $48.95 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

ITA-MED Rom Post Op Walker, Small

Amazon Price: $85.40 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy

Amazon Price: $347.34 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

I also recommend the items below! 

These chairs made it easier in the first few weaks when its too painful to move far. I remember the rush of pain I would get when I would let my ankle dangle from the bed. The rush of pain you get when you have to get up and move. I used the bedside toilet in the beginning and eventually used the one that fit over the regular toilet seat. It was higher so I didn't have to get up from such a low position. It was very helpful.

Drop Arm Steel Commode

Amazon Price: $103.95 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

Carex Composite Deluxe Commode

Amazon Price: $92.80 (as of 12/24/2009) Buy Now

New YouTube 

Some You Tube Videos

Ankle Surgery Screw Removal

My ankle surgery conducted on the 9th Jan, 2009. This followed 6 weeks of crutches after trying to climb a pole at a mall after it had just rained.

Runtime: 0:35 | 2303 views | 9 Comments

 

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Broken Ankle Sites for info. 

Fractures of the Ankle
Here are some exray pictures of ankle fractures with the plate and screws.
Xray
Xray of broken fibula with plate and screws
American Academy of Othapedic Surgens
Another great site I found for info.
Stress fracture of tibia following a stress of ipsilateral fibula ...
fracture of the distal fibula with sclerotic edges (Fig. 1). ... Radiographs revealed healed fibula fracture without any. new bony injury. ...
Ankle Fracture
Ankle injuries are among the most common of the bone and joint injuries. Often, the degree of pain, the inability to walk, or concern that a bone may be ...
Ankle Fractures - Broken Ankle
An ankle fracture is a common injury. Broken ankles are among the most prevalent fracture types. Find information about broken ankles as well as information ...
eMedicine - Ankle, Fractures : Article by Michael E Mulligan, MD
Synonyms and related keywords: ankle fracture, broken ankle, fractured ankle, broken ankle bone, fractured ankle bone, fractured anklebone, broken anklebone ...
Broken ankle - internal fixation: Patient's Guide
Orthopaedics: Broken ankle - internal fixation: A guide to operations, procedures and medical investigations provided by Private Healthcare UK.
Broken Ankle - How to Treat a Broken Ankle - Broken Ankle Treatment
Broken ankles are very painful and rarely life-threatening. Learn how to recognize and treat a broken ankle.
Ankle Fracture
This type of ankle fracture can usually. be treated by putting a cast or splint on the. broken ankle. You wear the cast or splint until. the fracture heals. ...
Photo Gallery, Kay's Broken Ankle
Although the break is in the ankle region, the fibula is broken. The fibula is the lower leg bone that is not the major weight-bearing bone. ...

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American Academy of Othapedic Surgens
Broken bone info.

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