Broken Ankle

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 ( orthopedic 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.