About Me
Hey there. I'm Heather, I'm 27, and on May 21, 2006 I broke my ankle in a freak hugging-related accident. Yes, seriously. To read my post on breaking my leg, click here.
Being bedridden for two weeks afforded a tech-savvy girl like myself a fair amount of time to research her injury on-line. Usually these forays return exotic fruits of internet deliciousness, but not this time. In between exaggerated accounts of extreme sports injuries and eBay auctions for lightly-used memory foam pillows, I couldn't seem to find what I really wanted: an honest account from an actual person of what to expect when you break your leg.
So, here's my story. I plan to update this blog for at least the next six to eight weeks well, apparently it'll be more like the end of August or beginning of September or until I can wear high heels again. Hopefully you'll find it entertaining, and if you're lucky enough to have a similar injury, you'll find some information and resources that'll help.
One of these days (when I'm back at a computer with web design software) I'm going to update my personal website. If you've got questions or suggestions, feel free to email me at heather at heatherlibby dot com.
Hi Heather,
I broke my ankle in 3 places about 2 weeks ago – and your website is really a great find. I made the mistake of wearing flip-flops out in the rain and they attacked me and pushed me down a hill. I’ve been at my parents house since surgery and cannot wait to get home and do something for myself! Just wanted to thank you for all the info. on your site and I hope that you heal soon!
Hello Heather,
As usual, you made me laugh out loud when I was reading this. Thanks!
You are teh awesome, and kind of my hero. Watch out for those air casts. I hear that 60% of the time, they work….every time.
Stuck in bed today, 1st cast coming off tomorrow, bored out of my mind, and I stumbled on you er…your site. Broke my ankle on July 1st less than 48 hours after returning from a 3-week vacation in Finland. I was wrangling with my lawn mower on a hill when my “trick” knee gave out, leg folded up behind me, I fell on said leg, and with an audible snap, felt my ankle break. At least today as I wait and hope that everything is fine when tomorrow comes, I can have a good laugh. THANK YOU!
well this makes for some good reading although personally, I find it a little self-indulgent. broke my ankle (tibia, fibula and the third place you can break it, forgot the name…) 6/24/06, had surgery 6/30/06 and am returning for my second post-op 8/16/06. i’m hoping like mad that they will say i can walk on this damn post-op boot at that point. i was originally told 2 months of no weight-bearing, best case scenario. well it’s a real bitch, specially in the summer when you live 2 blocks from the beach. broke the thing playing soccer on the beach while, get this, wearing flip-flops. yeah. my fault. too old for that shit, anyway. best of luck to you.
Thank you for this! I broke my ankle about two weeks ago and this is just what I needed. A good laugh.
Oh yes, and I live in Victoria too!
Thank you, Heather, for the great laughs! I broke my ankle in three places with dislocation when I slipped on the fiberglass part of our boat deck on 6/19/06. Installed two pins and a plate on 6/27/06. Nearly everything you have written I have experienced. You are just about 1 month ahead of me and it’s comforting to read what is happening and know that, when I experience it, it is probably a normal thing. This blog will be added to my favorites so I can return again and again. Keep it up and best to you! (PS: My closet of stilettos are calling….)
Heather, What a great relief to read something fun! I broke my left ankle in 3 places and dislocated it as well as severly sprained my right ankle. I was walking down a hill on 6-10-06 and stepped in a hole and snap, pop my world was changed. I have started water therapy this week and it is awesome. I’m hoping to be able to take my 2 year old trick or treating for Halloween. I’ve added your blog to my favorites and will keep checking back!!Thanks!!!
Heather, ditto to everyone else’s comments. I broke my ankle 6 days ago (Bass Ale and Flip Flops don’t mix) and I just found your blog and read it “cover to cover.” My boyfriend just came running in to ask if I was okay because I was laughing out loud, which I haven’t done since I’ve broken my foot. Thanks for your humor and your candidness.
P.S. If you every get a helpful response to how to carry a glass on crutches, please let me know!
Hi Heather!
I broke my ankle in 3 spots back in 1998 (12 screws, 2 pins and a bone plate) by slipping on ice at college. Like you, my foot was turned around 90 degrees as well. Too bad I didn’t have Internet access to help pass the time back then! But I read your blog with interest, “reliving” those days! Best of luck for your future recovery!
Yay,others like me. Broken ankle in 2 spots, my first broken bones ever! I am bored out of my mind, theres only so much XBox I can handle in a day.My thoughts are with everyone in the same position.This has been a good learning experience and a way to help me appreciate others who are in this situation premanently.So, hobble along happily my people. Take care.
Thanks for you posts; they make me laugh! Broke my R ankle on Aug 4/06 3 places, 7 screws and one plate. Not fun. Oh well. Any recommendations for footwear for the scared to walk? Any chain-stores that have cute, flat ankle boots (I’m in Calgary). I need something with a little style.
One more thing, I got a bonus when I broke my right ankle; I sprained my left ankle and the same time–badly. For all of you who have gone through this experience, I say, “Yes, it COULD be worse!” I was wearing flat sandals at the time and fell off of some uneven pavement in a parking lot. Humour seems to be the key in dealing with this–anyone seen my sense of humour? It fled during week 9…
I wish I had found your site when I fell and broke my leg and ankle a year ago. Two surgeries, twelve screws, bone graft and a plate later I am still not able to get into my heels. Funny enough I was wearing flats when I fell. Go figure. I have been through all the stuff you are going through plus a few more. My first broken bone and boy do I break it. You site is a great, it reminds me that its okay to laugh at the situation.
I fell at my Mom’s house on 28 Oct. My ankle was fractured in four places with a dislocation on top of that. I, too have some screws and a plate (should be fun going through airport security!) Right now my worst problem is finding a way to go up and down stairs. No weight bearing on my right ankle of course. The walker mystifies me when it comes to stairs. Besides that, I’m afraid to try it. SO, I “scooch” down on my bottom. It’s not a pretty sight. Also, I “scooch” coming up stairs and have to figure a way to stand up again. This is really a big problem. Any suggestions?
I was at a friend’s on October 9th 06 going outside in the dark to take water to the dog. One step down later, I fell to the side, landed face down after hearing a “popping”sound and knew I broke my ankle. Luckily, I was right outside their kitchen window, so they heard my cry of “I think I”ve broken my ankle”". I told them to call 911, (knew they couldn’t move me as my foot was facing sideways from my leg). Had to stay calm as there were 4 small kids at the house. 2 ambulances and 1 firetruck later, 8 EMT’s are standing around me, trying to cut off my sock , turn me face up, splint me and get me onto stretcher. In the meantime, my dog gets loose and everyone is trying to catch him while I’m lying face down shivering under a blanket.
They finally get me into the ambulance and spend the next 15 minutes trying to get an IV to give me painkillers. No luck after 6 or 8 pokes. I finally said, just get me to the hospital. A 20 minute bumpy ride later, they wheel me in and transfer me to an ER bed. UGH>>> finally a shot of morphine. The ER doctor lies and tells me she just wants to take a look, cuts off my pants, and proceeds to set my foot back. More pain……
Luckily ORTho surgeon on duty knows my friend, and agrees to wait till1am.. (it’s 8pm now) till an OR opens up. (otherwise he says I’d have to wait a week for surgery due to swelling). 4 hours later, after a wonderful spinal I”m done with surgery… I’ve broken fibia, tibia and bone in back. I know have 10 screws and a plate.
Flash forward to 10/13… I’ve been in the hospital 4 days, morphine and percocet… They get me up on crutches… No WB. and I have a splint on up to my knee.
I manage to drag myself up to 2 sets of stairs at home on my bottom, and get up to a standing position to get to bed. Meantime, my soon to be ex-husband is still in the house, so my parents move into a hotel nearby to help care for me… Yes… the story is pathetic.
Flash forward to 8 weeks later.. By week 5 I’m weight bearing as much as I can stand and starting PT. Constant pain and swelling, but I’m only taking plain tylenol now.
Into week 8, I’m trying to hobble around house in sneakers and one crutch to get joints moving again. Had to go before the divorce judge in a wheelchair. (week 7- – still couldn’t take hopping around on crutches for a full day with leg down.)
Can’t believe how slowly I’m moving, and still not back at work. Can’t keep my leg down for more than 30 minutes at a time without pain and swelling.
But trying to keep a positive outlook. Everyday it does get a little better. Really important to do the exercises and massage scar area to get fluid out. Am also considering acupuncture to help with fluid retention in scar areas. (I have small ankles normally, and now have a 3 in scar on inside/top of foot and 5 inch scar on outside o foot.) The hardware is definately taking getting used to. Dec 2nd 06
Heather,
Check out my story
http://www.benkruger.com/my-broken-ankle/
Thanks for your blog! You really made me laugh. I broke my ankle and fibula recently (Nov 11) while ice skating… my first broken bone ever. I thought I sprained it and stayed in bed for a couple of days before going to the doctor. I have HMO insurance (in California) where I have to go to my primary physician, then he refers me to the correct doctor. I went to three doctor’s that day… the final doctor’s response from the XRAY was “Holy cow, I’ve never seen a break like this! This is going to require surgery, but I can’t do it because I am going to New York tomorrow…” I went from feeling pretty mellow about my injury to wondering if I would ever walk again. The doctor referred me to another physician but he couldn’t take me until the next day, so I nervously hobbled home (still without a splint). My new doctor was very calm and calming; apparently he had seen injuries like this. *phew* I will walk again. I had the surgery on Nov 16 where they put in three screws in the ankle to keep everything in its correct location (and to prevent arthritis). I just got the cast taken off today and now have a removable cast boot. I was looking online for information about removable ankle casts when I ran into your great blog. I hope everybody is healing well!
Hey all,
I too busted my left ankle Sept 23, 2006, playing paintball. Exciting story. Ran from one hiding spot (behind 3 trees) to hide behind a bunker (made of logs stacked in a pile). I contemplated the move times before darting full speed ahead. I should have listened to myself, because I slipped on a patch of mud, my feet came out from underneath me and I ran into the bunker left foot first. I felt the jolt of pain shoot up my leg, but with soo much excitement happening around me due to the intense game, I had no choice but to finish the game on my stomach. It’s the only way I could get help, but eliminating the other team.
“Hey we won” …..”Um yah! I can’t get up”. Initially I thought it was just a sprain (I’ll just sit out a couple of games). 2 friends too me to the Urgent Care Clinic where they took x-rays and told me I’d have to go to a hospital for surgery. 9 pins and a metal plate later, here I am Dec 18, 2006, week 2 of physiotherapy, still on crutches.
I’m bored out of my skull, I work for myself, and that’s been difficult. My life changed completely in a matter of seconds. I won’t be walking down any runways in NY, Paris or Milano anytime soon.
HELP!!!!!!!! I too like all of you have broke my ankle on December 15th, I attended a Christmas Party for my work and went and bought these suede heels, from Payless(probably my 1st mistake) to try and match what I thought was to be a hot outfit. I successful partied with the best of them, came home, managed to get home without getting pulled over, came in walked my two dogs came back in the house and slipped and fell on my tile floor, in the NEW SHOES…..as I went down I heard CRAACCCCCCKKKK.. now luckly for me I had about 4 glasses of wine in me, so it masked the pain quite a bit. That night I showed my husband he said “its just a sprain, put ice on it….. next morning he went to work, I hopped on one leg to my TV area, called in sick, called my dad to come bring me an ice pack and get me crutches, he came over and he said…ITS A SPRAIN….put ice on it, then my brother came over and said ITS A SPRAIN, put ice on it…the general concensus was if I could move my toes, nothing was broken, two days went by then two of my girlfriends came over, and IMMEDIATELY took me to the ER and sure enough I broke my ankle in two places. I have had the surgery on Dec 27, I was given a plate and 6 screws have been told no weight bearing for 14 wks!!! What am I going to do, I have a wheelchair, for I am 47 and have no upper body strength for the crutches, I HATE THE CRUTCHES, THEY SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF ME…the walker is really no better, requires alot of strength, the wheelchair is the best for me. BUT HELP BECAUSE I AM ALREADY GOING OUT OF MY MIND. Of course this is my right ankle, can’t drive, can’t do anything, I am on percoset, but is there anything else out there stronger than percoset????? They gave me Oxycotin for three days, three days only what I am looking for from any of you is what can I do to make my life easier??? My shower is a step down, I have to kneel down, then get on my butt, scoot in the shower and sit on the floor and shower, then scoot back out. This is just horrible. Can anyone tell me does it get easier??? Does it get better? And any suggestions to make my life easier and keep in mind…..I’M OLD!!!!
DIANA
Hi Diana and all, I broke my ankle on December 14th ice skating. I also live in California and Im going stir crazy. I had surgery a week later. A splint for 2 weeks now Im in a cast for at least 4 more. Thats 7 total I guess. I am hearing from these blogs that it not as quick of a recovery as I imagined. Not wearing pretty shoes and havng to wear a brace depresses me. On top of everything I had been dating a man for 6 months who I thought I would marry some day and he wasnt there for me when I needed him. He pushed me a way over the holidays which really hurt me. I think the injury made me much more emotional and needy (hello!) and Im stuck at home trying to deal with it all.
Hi to everyone, I was on my first day back to work after being off for over a year on maternity leave. I work at Toyota and I was starting in day shift so I thought I would start my day off with a coffee. On my way back walking to my car I slipped on the ice and fell, when I fell I heard my ankle break. I laid in the icy parking lot screaming in pain, people soon came to my aid and called an ambulance. At the hospital I found out I broke both bones in my ankle and needed surgery. I broke it January 9/ 07 and had surgery that Saturday. So here I sit over 2 weeks later, uncomfortable and unable to look after my 1 year old daughter, and limited with what I can do for my 7 year old son. My husband works from 7:30-5 Mon-Fri, so my daughters at the babysitters all day while I sit here at home unable to clean my house, do laundry etc. I am able to put my son on the bus to school, but he needs to help me in the morning in order for me to do so. I miss my children sooooo much. Thank the Lord for my husband, who has been doing everything including getting up throughout the night with our daughter. To put more light on the subject my mom comes home tomorrow, so she can help me out a bit too. This whole experience taught me how to appreciate being able to walk with 2 feet.
Hi Everyone — this is the 4th day I’ve walked without crutches or boot in 7 1/2 weeks, but only the 2nd day back at work. I was very encouraged this weekend as I was able to hobble around without much pain at all. Yesterday at work I used a cane a little, but still felt pretty good. Last night when I took my shoes and socks off, my ankle was as big as a softball and this morning it was very painful to walk on. I am using an ankle brace today which helps, but I am still worried that perhaps it is too soon. It wasn’t a very bad break — nice, and clean and seamless, so I was just supposed to wear a walking boot for a month (putting no weight on it). But at the end of the 4th week, xrays showed that the break had not calloused at all — the doc said maybe because of the severe psoriasis I have. Still he recommended walking on the boot without the crutches to see if that would stimulate the calousing. I did not like the feel of putting all my weight on my foot, even with the boot on it, so I continued to use the crutches, but gradually increased the weight I was putting on my foot until I was ALMOST putting full weight. Anyway, at 7 weeks I got a 2nd set of xrays which still didn’t show any calousing, but did show that the break line had nearly disappeared. Doc said there was no calousing because the bones were so tightly and neatly knitting that there was no room for the calous. I’m not so sure today. Still not sure what is normal.
Adjusting to this injury has been an adventure. Fortunately, my husband did a lot for me — washed and ironed my clothes, cooked meals, fed all the animals and fetched my clothes for me in the morning so I could get ready for work. I was able to walk down the deck stairs with boot and crutches, but had to scoot up on my butt. (I learned to keep a rain coat in my car in case it rained so my butt wouldn’t get soaked.) At the top of the stairs, my husband would be sure to leave a lawn chair, so instead of having to pull myself up at the top stair with no rail, I pulled myself up by the rail on the second to the top step, sat down in the chair and scooted myself and the chair over to the front door. We bought a very inexpensive wheelchair for me to get around at work. I used a backpack instead of trying to carry my purse. I went through drive throughs for my lunch and asked them to pack everything so it would not spill into my backpack. I constantly wore a sweater with big pockets so I could carry things in them, like a bottle of water, snacks, etc. I found that I could carry a big plastic cup that had a handle in the crook of my fingers and still hold on to the crutch, so I would fill it up halfway to keep from spilling and so I could go pour and carry my own beverage. When I was able to put some weight on my boot, I found I could carry some things in one hand while I grasped the crutch in my arm pit and sort of swung it ahead of me. It was slow, but it got me there. I just forgot about bathing or showering in the but. I just filled up the sink or a plastic tub with warm water, soaped up a washcloth and bathed sitting on the toilet. Sometimes you just have to do what is easiest. I didn’t wash my hair — I would go to an inexpensive haircut salon and let them wash and trim it.
Often it seemed that just before my shoulder or knee gave out, I would find a new way of balancing, making it easier to get up or down. When this is over, I’m going to start doing Tai Ch’i again every day. I don’t ever want to be as out of shape as I found myself when I broke my ankle. It is bad enough that you have broken a bone, but if the rest of your body is not in shape, it starts wearing out too. (And I’m old too!) Anyway, I hope maybe someone sees something that they can use in all this. Good luck!
Hello Everyone. I stumbled upon this website and I think it’s great. I broke both of my ankles on Jan 27 while snowboarding. I caught an edge on my snowboard and fell face forward down the mountain. At first I did not think the injury was that extensive, I thought I bruised my ankles. I got back on my snowboard for about 200 ft and I could not stand anymore. Gratefully I was with a friend and told her that I sprained one ankle and she needed to get help. They brought me into first aid at the ski mountain, I took off my boots and both ankles were swollen and badly bruised. I knew something was wrong because I was in a lot of pain and could not even stand on either of my ankles so I went to the hospital to get X-rays.
What do you know, I broke both ankles! What are the chances? The next day I followed up with an orthopedic surgeon and thay took more X-rays and sent me in for a Catscan of the ankle. Thankfully I had a catscan because the break in my right leg was much worse than they had expected. The X-Ray showed it to be a hairline fracture, but the catscan showed that I broke the talus and needed surgery ASAP. Two days later I had surgery on my right ankle and got two titanium screws put in. Unfortunately, I also lost cartilage and that can never be replaced so I need to get injections to help keep the cartilage that I have left strong. On my left leg I broke my fibula and have a hard cast for about 4-5 weeks.
It has been two weeks since my surgery and I cannot bear any weight on either ankle. The docter had given me a recovery time of 6 weeks and then physical therapy. I just got my stiches taken out of my right ankle and it looks great. I can move my right ankle a little bit, my docter wants me to do ankle exercises in that ankle every day so scar tissue does not build up.
Anyway, I am starting to go stir crazy. I am stuck at home in a wheelchair and cannot do much by myself. Fortunately, I am surrounded by my family and friends. I am trying to keep up a positive attitude because there is someone out there who has it much worse than me. This experience that I am going through is making me appreciate the the little things in life, like being able to walk, go to the bathroom and being able to take a shower. I cannot wait for the day that I can take a shower again. Good luck to everyone.
This message is for Anna, my name is Jenn. I wrote on this site Jan.24/07, 2 messages above yours. I hope you are doing alright. I thought I had it bad, mostly because of my children. 2 broken ankles! You poor girl. I know how frustrating it is with just one broken ankle. I broke the tibia and fubula in my left ankle and had surgery ending up with 7 screws, a plate on the outside and a pin on the inside of my ankle. I hope everything goes alright for you, I still cannot weight bear and go back to the surgeon Feb.26. Along with my ankle hurting my hips are killing me too from always being on my right leg and having to sleep on my back at night. You said you are a snow boarder, well I’m a skier, and winter is my favorite time of year. I have missed out on the whole season and it sucks! Anyways it’s true how we take the things we do daily for granted like walking, bathing etc., goodluck to you and keep your chin up!
Thanks for the message Jenn. Hoping you have a speedy recovery as well!
I broke my ankle falling down the dark steps of a castle at my school, and have needed some comic relief. I missed a trip to visit my best friend in Boston (I’m in NYC) and I have to miss a trip to Venice, Italy with the Art History department at my school. I am in no way built for crutches (I have no upper body strength and a shoulder I dislocated five years ago that has begun to hurt again). Basically, my life is a joke lately and I want to thank you for giving me something to help me feel a little better! And I hope you get well soon, if you haven’t already.
Very nice site! Good work.
Hi Heather,
Thank for for the information. I too broke my ankle and when I went searching the web for information there was little to be found. And then I found your site. It is nice to hear that I am not alone in the world of broken ankles. I borken my ankle on Feb 24, 2007, 9 days ago but who is counting…lol This is my first broken bone(s). I too dislocated my ankle and broke my fibula, thankfully my tibia was not broken and during my enitre ordeal I never lost my pulse ot my feeling in my foot. I had however did quite a number on it that I too required surgery and a hos[ital stay. My doctor has put me off work for 8-12 weeks and like you said this is no easy accomplishment for a girl who is always on the go. I am just counting the days until the cast is off so that I can get to the business of physio to get back into hells once again….lol thanks for you inspiration……
Boy, lotta broken bones. I broke my leg on February 20th, the morning after a thaw, icicles dripping around the house and then froze overnight. My husband usually goes out every morning around 7:00 and salts and shovels the steps and drive, and takes out the trash. He was out of town and it was trash day, so I went out. Took the step down off the doorway onto black ice and down I went. I landed with all my weight on top of the leg. It didn’t hurt, but I knew something was badly wrong because my foot was just kind of dangling at the end of my leg, so I pulled myself back in the house and up the stairs and called my hubby to see if he could leave his convention early as I felt I was going to need some help
My neighbor took me into the emergency room and to make a long story short, the tibia was broken and they scheduled surgery for the next day. I went home thinking I’d pulled ligaments and broken my ankle. I didn’t realize how bad it was until after the surgery when they showed me the plate and 8 pins in my leg. After an hour in recovery, I went home and really haven’t had any pain.
I returned for a new plastic cast a week later and have to keep this one for three weeks when I’m supposed to get a walking boot. I’m hoping to be able to put weight on it then. It still feels pretty sloppy in there and that’s kind of disconcerting, but I suppose it’s only been 2 1/2 weeks and I shouldn’t get anxious. I want to be able to jog again and that’s my biggest concern I guess.
I’m using a walker rather than crutches as I have to navigate stair to go anywhere in my house. Scooting up and down on my butt is not a problem, but getting up off my butt to a standing position is! I’ve gotten pretty good at it with the talker, but don’t think I could do it with crutches.
I’m self-employed and work mostly from home. But, the one day a week I go in, I’ve done fine getting there and back. It’s just slow. Today, I took my daughter to the ranch where our horse project meets for 4H. I was able to rubber band a trash bag around my cast and use the owners walk-in shower. OH MAN!!!!!!!!! That was awesome.
Someone tell me, this is going to end
Get well SOON to everyone here!
Randi
Well i’m in a bit of a diferent situation but along the same lines, 6 years ago i broke my ankle in dramatic style jumping off a 5 foot high stage at a dance event. On wednesday i go into hospital for my fouth operation on said ankl eand will be in a cast upto my knee for another 5 or 6 weeks.
James.
I have good news to share about my broken ankle. My injury did not include surgery but I did require a cast for 3 weeks, I now have a soft cast on for 3 more weeks. I broke my ankle when I walked outside to my backyard, which was a sheet of ice, in order to smoke a cigarette. I slipped on the ice, crawled back in the house, and called upstairs to my family for help. I did not tell my family (husband and 2 young girls) the truth about how i fell because I was too ashamed. I have been confined to my house for the past 31/2 weeks, unable to drive- the good news- i have not smoked and do not intend to smoke anymore. Perhaps something good can come out of this and maybe i fell for a reason.
Hello, here goes another broken ankle story 5 weeks ago I was getting out of my husbands truck and as I was getting out I slipped on black ice. I couldnt beleive it happen so fast, right there I knew it was broken and not sprained I felt it on the 45. As I was getting uup I could’nt even lift my leg it hurt so bad , I wasnt able to hop up it was a scary feeling. Thank god my husband was there N E way lomng story short went to the hospital took x-rays and found out it was broken needed to do surgery.Now I’m Going on 1 more week of waiting to get this cast off and my ankle feels better but feeling the blood rush when I walk on crutches drives me nutz the swelling I just want it to stop….I appreciate things so much more I cant wait to get off this coach for good …..my butt kills and I hate bum walking up the stairs. I still feel a little pain in the ankle and it feels wet sometimes. This is my second cast next week I go for the sexy boot….lol NE way hope everyone fels and gets better soon best of luck to all.
Robin – April 14, 2007
Hello, yet another broken bone story. I broke my leg on March 10, 2007 after jumping off my husband’s horse. She stumbled, I was leaning – never a good thing – and rather than fall and not know how I was going to land, I jumped because I knew I would land on my feet. Well, I did land on my feet, but ended up breaking my right tibia. Now, I have done this many times in the past with no ill effects. Unfortunately, that was about 20 years ago. I did not realize that 41 year old bones broke so much easier. Duh. Luckily my husband was working in the field, saw Blaze run by without me and saw me laying in the field. I knew as soon as I hit the ground that it was broken. First thought – OW $%^%%^^ – then, Dangit, that is my right leg, now I can’t drive. He came over with the truck, scooped me up and put me in the seat. My son drove the truck to the barn, husband caught the horse and put her up and we went to the ER. I must say the ER tech had no sense of humor. He asked me what had happened, I said “I fell off my horse”, he said “How far did you fall”, I said “All the way.” He did not even smile. They took x-rays, yes very broken. The ER tech called in a janitor’s fracture. We all said “What?” He explained, “A janitor could walk by and see the x-ray and tell it was broken” They called in the orthopaedic surgeon on call. He said I would need surgery after the swelling went down. So, I had surgery on March 28th and went back to work April 2nd on crutches which really sucks… I do scoot around in my chair though so that isn’t so bad. I use the scooters at the Wal-Mart Supercenter so that is kinda fun. What is really depressing is the amount of time between the injury and the surgery. I keep thinking that if I had had surgery the Monday after the fall, I would be 5 weeks into healing. But no, I had surgery 19 days later so technically am only 2 weeks in. 6 more weeks for weight bearing. I have a scar up the front of my shin with 4 screws in the ankle and a plate and 10 screws up my tibia.
I have the “boot” which makes it easier to shower and bathe. I couldn’t wait to be able to shave my leg. Very scary all that hair… I have an appointment on the 19th and hope the Doc has good news. I was also supposed to have a hysterectomey on April 10th, but that has been postponed until I am walking again. I had plans for this summer. I was going to break my new horse, work the kinks out of my son’s horse, we had several horse camping trips planned. Argh.. I need to keep everything in perspective. I could always be worse.
Several questions though – has anyone had problems with their big toes? I can move my toes down, but can’t pull them up.. I can barely move my ankle at all. So much for wearing nice summer shoes.. I have a cankle and a Frankenleg…. 23 staples to close me up… I have had a discussion with a co-worker about what weight bearing means. My doc told me no weight bearing which I assumed meant “Don’t stand on it”. I have been resting my foot on the ground and putting my leg behind me and putting my toes on the ground for balance. She said “Ah, don’t do that. My doc said not to put the foot on the groung at all.” Okay, she had a wheelchair and I am on crutches. What is your interpertation of “no weight bearing”? And really, do you know how hard it is to stand in the bathroom stall on one leg and pull your pants down and then back up again? I use the little stall so I can lean against the wall….
Okay, off to see the horses. I can’t wait until I can get back on. I told my doc and my husband I thought I could ride the pony with the boot on and got some really BAD looks. Ha….. Rodeo guys ride with broken bones all the time…..
Hi, I broke my right ankle Fibula bone last November. Had surgery and a metal plate with 6 screws inserted. I went through a lot of pool therapy which got me walking again. I have problems with the hardware in my ankle. This causes tightness and swelling all around my ankle. I have consider getting the hardware removed. My Doctor told me he cannot guarantee my ankle will feel different. With this statement I am undecedied on the surgery. If there is anyone out there who had the surgery done and had good results let me know your story.
hi there,i broke my ankle in 3 places at kickboxing,which happened at the start of april 2007,was in two casts,and now iam in the aircast boot,been attending physio for the past 6 weeks now and doing exercises at home too,slow but steady progess.ive been told i should be walking by august time,fingers crossed,still abit of swelling and discolouration,but it doesnt seem to be as bad as it was.i get my girlfriend to rub baby oil on my foot and massage it to get rid of the fluid and maintain a healthy colour in the foot.fingers crossed folks iam walking next month.will keep an update on the progess.bye for now
Hi, I just found your blog and love it. And wanted to thank you too. I was hit by a motorcycle while innocently jaywalking across the street, and broke my ankle in three places. This was 7 and a 1/2 weeks ago, and I’ve just had a second operation on it. Finally my cast is gone…but I still can’t walk, and it won’t be for another three weeks.
Indeed, how ARE you supposed to carry a cup?? The other day, I spilled tea all over the floor (by hopping on one leg while carrying a full mug) and made the sugar made everything sticky. Yesterday, I spilled water everywhere in the same fashion, only to return to the place where I’d spiled it, slip and fall. Oh my.
Your thoughts on life with a broken ankle…..oh my the days we go threw! For me, on my walker now for eight weeks, ahhhhhhh. I still have no cast because of the damage that was done!!! I was run over by a segway…..yes you all can laugh….i have for weeks now. Learning fast on how to carry my drinks, food to the table and so on. But just wanted to say your story was awesome……..
Hi ! My name is Lynn. I broke my ankle & foot in 3 places on 5/21/07. My summer has left me. I wear an AirCast 75% of the time. My Dr. says that PT will not help ( I have heard of others that swear by it). It swells bad & I can not get rid of that limp!! I am desperate! I go to the beach in 3 weeks! I am thinking about acupuncture. Any feed back out there?! Please tell me something, anything positive!
hi there lynn B,i also broke my ankle in 3 places as i posted previously in the forum,iam not in an aircast boot anymore and the swelling has gone down alot.iam walking with one crutch,still abit of a limp there.just keep your chin up and try giving yourself some good determination and confidence.i did that and its working.iam a 27 year old guy.iam glad this happened to me now rather than 10 years later.iam still young so they kinda heeled quicker.dont let abit of pain put you off.take care
Hello fellow ankle breakers,
I broke my ankle June 16, 2007 in three places. I was at a baseball tournament with my son and it was a really hot day. I found out from the tournament director that the boys would play their second game of the day on the same field. So…I had the bright idea to put a pop up canopy over the dugout to keep them shaded. Myself and 3 other Mom’s assembled the tent and began to carry it as we were walking on a steep incline…STUPID RIGHT??? I know! The dumbest thing was that I was doing this while wearing flip flops. So walking along my foot goes in a little hole, role the ankle, it pops, I roll down the hill landing on my stomach to find myself face down on with dried grass stuck all over me. So being embarassed that the entire game stopped and everyone was looking at me I tried to hurry and get up…not working! It was killing me, that’s when I realized the bones were sticking out and I wasn’t going anywhere. So here comes the ambulance and a trip to the ER, x-rays were done 3 hrs there and low and behold 3 breaks, dislocated and no Orthopedic on staff. Now I had to drive back home 2 hrs and go to my emergency room where they were waiting for me there. Greeted by an extremely good looking doctor who tells me he can’t do surgery that night because it swelled to much already, but he was in fact going to put it in place that night. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got my surgery 10 days later 6 screws and a plate….they were the 10 most miserable days of my life! I got better each day with pain and moving around on crutches but everyday was a new adventure trying to get to the bathroom, shower, get in bed, carry food to the table, get up and down stairs….ouch rug burn! After 3 weeks in the splint I went back and got the sexy boot and was told to take it off for showers and 3 times per day to move foot up and down for range of motion. I was relieved just to take it off for a normal shower with the waterproof cover that cut my damn circulation!!! I was still not weight bearing though. Now I am 7 weeks post op and I received the pretty air boot and I am walking with a crutch, I still swell, have a funny sensation when I run my finger along wear the plate and screws are…kinda like a numb tingle??? OH and I am worried I will limp forever! I wish I found this site weeks ago, because I laughed as I read what everyone was feeling and found out what I am going through is normal. Thank God for Mother in law who has done everything around my house since that horrible June day. I was really excited though the other day I ran my vaccumm and everything all by myself. I will keep you posted on my recovery.
Hello,
I broke my right fibula as a result of tripping on a cobblestone outside a restaurant after celebrating my husbands birthday – no I wasn’t drunk!! (Jul 8). Had surgery (6 screws and a plate) in the same week and just over two weeks ago had the cast removed and another op to remove one of the screws which was holding some ’tissue’ together. This bit was horrendous as they did it under a local anaesthetic because my blood pressure was a bit low. Also it took ages to get at the screw in question as it had embedded into the bone – nice!
Tomorrow I am having the stitches removed but I am very concerned that the swelling from the last op hasn’t gone down and the only shoes I can wear are Jesus sandals, which I suppose if they were good enough for Jesus – then who am I to complain.
I used to have a nice pair of ankles now I only have one – the other looks like a pigs trotter. Any advice? Also I have not had any physio as yet – is there anything anyone can recommend?
Why is i keep seeing so many fabulous shoes?
Debbie,
Southport UK
Hello,
I broke my right ankle on 1 June in three places and a dislocation. I had surgery the following day and the doctor placed a plate with 6 screws on one side and 2 screws on the other side.
I went through 3 different casts, learnt with difficulty to move with crutches, but eventually managed to move fine (after loosing some weight). Yes the stairs were a nightmare – went on the bum and placed a stool at the top of the stairs so I could pull myself on to it and then hold on to the bannister to pull myself upright.
I never managed to carry a cup of tea with crutches, however I did place a bag on the crutch and carried small none liquid items.
I thought everything would be fine after the plaster came off (six weeks later)- well that was all in the imagination. In fact the shock hit me then when I saw my foot (as someone said ‘pigs trotter’) after the plaster was off and foot was life-less/swollen/stiff/painful/ugly
It was then that I realised that I’m not going to be walking properly for a while. I started physio twice a week and still attend now.
I did all the exercises that the physiotherapist recommended. Sometimes I did more and it resulted in the ankle/foot being inflamed – therefore had to rest it for a few days before trying more exercises.
The swelling took the longest to overcome. I found ice packs were the best and especially the ice boot at the hospital. I also found elevating the foot above the heart to be best method to help with the swellings.
I am now working to stretch the ligaments to achieve full movement of the ankle and working on the small bones in the foot to reduce the swellings and where the surgery was done. Hopefully, I will soon be able to drive and climb stairs and come down them properly.
My family and friends have been my best support.
Good luck everyone.
Hina
hey robin..
i got thrown off my daughters little pony! he was bucking and spinning and i boomeranged off! I’m old too…45. i saw the bottom of my tennis shoe and the hit my head. oops. well half the horses in the field came to say hi to me while i lay there and my friend tried to get little joe cool to stop running in circles and bucking. he got bit by something big and bad right on his belly. well…a shattered ankle later…a surgery…two bad casts a nightmare dr. and i’m sitting here glad my friend brought me laptop to borrow.
it happened august 27. i miss my horses so bad it stinks. luckily my left leg is strong enough i can stand up and down soo i sit on a folded towel on my shower floor with my right leg out the door propped up on my safe..yes safe…covered with a towel.
i’m in my fourth cast since surgery….sept 7th. i cant wait to get back on my feet. my new dr. says it will be at least another two months before weight bearing.
i just found these sites and i have enjoyed all your stories. i feel better now.
who knew how helpless a person can be with only one foot?
warm regards,
karen
ps…i breed chihuahuas for a hobby and its so hard to take care of puppies in a wheelchair!
Hi
I broke my ancle on August 5. Its been 3 monts and it still heards and its not 100% good. I started going to a acupancture and it helped a lot!!! I would highly recomended. It works the best if you belive in alternative medicine! Good luck to every body!
karen can you email me? willsyn@yahoo.com
Hey Heather!
I’m so glad I found your website and wish I would have come across it sooner than now. On 8/31/07 I slipped and fell coming down my stairs. I shattered my ankle, broke both the tibia and fibia where it connects to the ankle and fractured my tibia platea in 7 pieces. I literally broke my leg in 10 places. I have had 3 surgeries so far and currently have 8 pins in my leg, all of which have to stay in my leg for 6 months. I just wanted to say that it does get better, but it is truly slow going…especially given how bad of shape I’m in. The best part of all of this is I have been able to spend a LOT more time with my son, age 4, who has become Mommy’s little helper.
Hi Heather,
My name is tim, I am a Fireman in Ohio and I just broke that very same bone on 12/4/2007 by slipping on some ice. I am stubborn and pig headed, so I hopped to my care, drove to the hospital, and hopped into the ER. I’ve been a paramedic for about 9 years now, and this was a real eye opening experience for me. I have no idea what to expect, it took them almost 6 hours to get me in the splint and they told me I’d have to wait three days for a cast. That didn’t sit well with me, so I went to my own othopedic doctor the next day and had it cast. My wife is driving me nuts cause I keep doing stuff around the house… she doesn’t want me driving… I think she would be happy if I sat 23 hours of the day with the darn thing elevated. In any case, I know where you are coming from, and it was nice to see your story. So is what they say true??? can you feel the weather in it?
Hello Everyone -
Like so many others, I’ve got to say that I’m relieved to have found this site. I’d never broken a bone in my life (had a hip replacement about 18 months ago) and this ankle thing has been the hardest, most frustrating physical challenge I’ve ever faced.
Readers’ Digest Condensed Version: Broke my ankle (both sides) on Nov 20th – the first day of my vacation in California (I live in Maine and needed that vacation like I need air to breathe). Was having dinner with friends and my foot went out from under me. Spent 3 days in the hospital – pain like I never would have believed – surgery (screws and plate).
Got out on Thanksgiving Day in time for dinner but was exhausted early. Stayed in CA long enough for a follow up ortho consult (David Chang is the ortho I had at Alta Bates in Berkeley – the best patient communications I’ve ever experienced from a doctor, bar none), then home to Maine with a boot cast.
(Will leave off details about what it was like to travel on three different planes from Oakland to Portland, then drive 6 hours up the coast to home.)
Now I’m back in my own house. And while that’s a comfort because I know where everything is, I’m constantly faced with the many things I can no longer do for myself. I live alone.
Friends and family have been a help in dealing with the 18″ of heavy, wet snow we got during the blizzard that arrived the weekend I got back as well as food shopping and laundry.
But work is a major hassle. They tacitly expect me to continue to work which includes some work I can do at home as well as teaching a class. When they found out I was coming back early from vacation they asked me to teach my class the day after I got back. I taught this week and was wiped out by it. Essentially, I have no support at work – it’s like my condition is the elephant in the room. It’s really frustrating – the biggest and most constant pressure I have to deal with. I notice that many of you/us have taken time off work.
How much time off work did you feel like you needed?
So I’ll stop now and go back and read more of your posts – and prepare mentally for the snow we’re expected to get today. Lordy…great timing, this ankle break. My spirits are a little low today and I could really use a lift.
Hey
I broke my wrist in three spots and my ankle in my ankle in two spots. The day after Christmas and got surgery the next day. I got 12 screw and two plates in all. I am in a full leg cast and a full arm for at least the next 12-16 weeks. I will get half leg and arm casts in 6 weeks. I was jogging a marathon when the runner behind me accidentally hit my leg and tripped me and i went tumbling down a 9 foot deep ditch, and now i am stuck in a wheel chair for the next 12 to 16 weeks.
Hello everyone, Last june I was in a head on collision and my brake pedal went through my ankle and over 50% of my ankle was gone once I got to the hospital, I had a ankle fusion in november and since I was bed ridden for 6 months my bones were softer than a woman with full blown osteoporosis at 85 years old. Now that I realize i will be in a cast or walking boot for quite some time I went looking for a replacement boot liner that had some fashion or class, I could not find anything so being a seamstress I decided to develop a line of my own, I have a website that is under construction at orthoboot.goshopper.net I have created a cast cover that laces up and have others that I need to get put on the website, if your interested please so see it I can produce in any color the one online now is suede with sheepskin but am working on more variations I also have the walking boot liner and straps in the same material if interested. I hope this finds everyone healthy.
I do have a question for others has anyone had an ankle fusion? I am experiencing periods of sharp pain that actually make my foot and ankle shake it is excruciation has anyone else experience this?
it’s too bad it seems like the owner of this site isn’t really updating it anymore, but it’s still a really good resource for those who have broken bones. I could have really used this site when I was bedridden but for some reason I had no desire to do anything but sleep. I think I had some mild depression. Well, I’m pretty sure I did. I just couldn’t imagine that I would heal right and ever walk again. I was scared to death of falling down and didn’t trust my own legs and feet. Plus, I was just downright pissed off at the whole situation.
On top of being incredibly frustrated by becoming instantly (yet temporarily) handicapped, I felt guilty for being so dependant on others and such a grouch at the same time. It was humiliating to have to slide my butt across my living room to get to the stairs and hoist myself up one at a time in front of people. Everything was difficult to do and I found myself being sucked into the swirling vortex of self-pity and general anger. I was mad at myself, mad at my dogs, mad at my friends and family, just plain mad. I did not deal with a having a broken ankle very well – it was the first time I had ever broken anything and my first major surgery.
I took 3 months off work with no pay which is standard and I’m pretty sure required by law – Family Medical Leave Act or something like that. My firm was sympathetic, and I was happy to go back, even though I was in a wheelchair. I felt very unhealthy not being able to move around and exercise. I also got other minor medical maladies like skin infections that wouldn’t go away and chaffing in places I’ve never had it before…
I will have to try the arnica remedy – haven’t heard about it until now. I am almost a year from my ankle break and my ankle still gets quite swollen and stiff. It sometimes pops when I walk, too. I don’t get the sharp shooting pains much anymore but sometimes I get a painful ache. Oh, and the scar itches like a s.o.b. I don’t hardly limp anymore although going down steps is still scary and difficult for me. I am extra careful. I will never wear anything with a heel again. I call shoes that have heels ankle-breakers. I was wearing burkenstock style shoes when I broke my ankle and I will never wear those again either. I wear flats, tennis shoes, or boots. I don’t miss heels at all.
I feel bad about the way I behaved when I was bedridden and wheelchair bound. I think it’s definitely a test of one’s character. I failed. But despite last year, I am a better, more informed, more resolved person. I don’t want to break anymore bones but I have learned valuable lessons.
Last but not least, breaking my ankle changed my mind about having kids. I was horrified and scared to death of giving birth but when my orthopedic surgeon had to re-set my leg in his office he told me afterwards that “childbirth will be a breeze”. Hearing (not to mention feeling) a bunch of your bones snapping and crunching like that is kind of life-changing. for me it was, anyways.
Im an ankel breaker too (Webber B fracture of the Fibia).I have had 2 weeks of work so far (I have a Desk Job), I broke It on NYE. I think ill go another week it starts to hurt if I have it down for more than 3 Min.
hey! i found this website beacause i fractured two bones in my right leg and have a dislocated knee. i desperetely need to go back to school as this year is my important examination year.. … i’m onli 16 but just a fall over the carpark crub cause mt to crack my bones!!! SIghs!
Hey Heather!
I am 54 years old, and my name is Rhonda. I am an administrative assistant and very active. On January 3rd I fell and broke both the tibia and fibia, two inches above the ankle. I knew immediately I had broken them. The pain was horrible, and my leg looked deformed. I had started my car, gone around it to feed my kitty, and caught my foot in some boards we had stacked up. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. I felt like I was gonna pass out, and broke out in a cold sweat. No one was around, so I scooted over to the car and held on to a post under the carport, and got into my car. I drove to my brother-in-laws house and blew the horn. He took me to the ER. They sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who operated the next morning. I ended up with 2 steel plates and 15 screws. I have a six inch incision on the outside of the leg, and two – two inch incisions on the inside. A piece of the bone broke off and went into the ankle joint, so I also have an incision of about and inch and half where they went in to get the piece.
I had surgery three weeks ago today (on my birthday of all days). I had a plaster cast, and now a fiberglass one. I am praying he will take it off and put one of the velcro ones on. He said no weight bearing for 6 weeks. I plan on trying to go back to work as soon as I can. It swells terribly right now when I hang it down. I cannot use a walker because I had a rotator cuff repaired in my left shoulder a little over a year ago. Using the walker made my arm hurt worse than my leg. I am now using a small computer chair on wheels that I go throughout the house on.
I have been so depressed. I suppose the only good thing is it is winter, and I don’t have to go out in the snow, and cold weather. I watch television, read, work on my computer, and talk occasionally on the phone. Still I get so bored. I sure don’t wish this on anyone that is for sure. I am taking some college courses online, and had to drop out of my most recent classes. I start back on Monday, so that will keep me busy.
My Sister In Law broke her leg the very same way about two years ago. She was laid up for a while as well. He leg doesn’t give her any problems now. How long was it before they let you put weight on your leg? Did you have to use a walker then? I will be so hesitant to put weight on it once they say I can.
Now about the childbirth. Of course all women endure pain differently, and today there is no need for pain with an epidural. I had natural childbirth, and it was horrible. The only thing I can tell you is, the broken leg was terrible pain, and the after effects last much longer than childbirth. But for me, the actual pain at the time was 100 times worse than breaking my leg. Like I said, all women are different though. I too heard my bones break. It is not something I ever wish to hear again.
I most certainly know what you went through. It is a terrible experience. I am counting down to the day when I am up and walking around again.
I am glad I found your website Heather. It is good to correspond with someone who has faced the same thing. This way I feel I am not going through it alone.
I would love to hear from you, either here or at my email address. I check my emails several times a day.
Thanks,
Rhonda
The email addy is girlie.07@hotmail.com.
lita 8th feb 2008
on jan 28th at the end of our evening out I slipped hurt my knee badley, grazing my eye and forehead. And pulling my husband down he cut his head & had it superglued. I broke my patella (knee) it was very painfull .I hate sitting about as im a very active person so i am clonking about with my full leg cast.
Has anyone attempted exercise with full cast eg. sit ups dont want to put weight on .
full leg cast
having broken my patella a couple of weeks ago i walk with crutches sometimes & sometimes hobble about but i have terrible back ache does anyone have this problem???
YAY, I just got my cast taken off!
But what?
I cant walk yet!!!
I need physio to losen my tendons and the joint! Dam you! Yet another 6 week delay!!!
Having broken my foot badly in a car accident that also caused a super ankle sprain and then falling on the stairs while in a cast and breaking my wrist and getting my wrist in a cast I can empathize so much with these posts. Just remember one thing, once you injure your foot/ankle/wrist/ect it is so easy to reinjure those joints. This Christmas I was putting up decoration at the entry to our neighborhood and stepped into an uncovered underground sprinkler control box and wound up with another super sprain. Aye yi yi. I know that ankle will never be “tight” again and that it will always be prone to injury. So fellow cast wearers beware and be careful.
But now for a question: My mother, 85.,broke her ankle for the 2nd time in early October. By mid January she was finally done with casts, boots, braces and physical therapy and not complaining of pain unless she walked too much. Then in early Feb she began to complain of a sensation of cold in her ankle. Soon she said the cold was traveling up her knee and soon after that she said it was to her mid thigh and that the sensation was beginning to be almost as bad as the pain she’d had with the broken ankle. Now she can’t sleep unless she takes a pain pill and she hates meds. Today I took her to her ortho surgeon who treated her broken ankle and he told her that it wasn’t due to the broken ankle and is referring her to someone to treat her for arthritis in her spine. He said it is sciatic pain even tho it starts at the ankle and moves upward as the day goes on and it doesn’t raditate from the back or hip downward. Mom thinks the doc is wrong and says she KNOWS it’s due to the broken ankle. I’m taking her in for MRI anyway to have a closer look at the spine since the ortho took xrays that show arthritic changes in her spine. He also said her hip is in good shape so it’s not the hip joint causing pain altho she has a “sore” area he discovered upon examination. Ne said that was further indication of sciatica. Mom awakens without the pain and it never starts until she gets out of bed. So have any of you experienced this extremely uncomfortable icy cold sensation in your ankle that moves up ward as the day goes on? Would appreciate anything you can tell me. Thanks, ash in Texas.
I broke my ankle skiing in Bulgaria on February 8th. On xraying it, I was told I had to have an operation. I got a plate in and 4 screws. I was given a half cast and bandage which I had for 2 weeks with painkillers.
On visiting my Doctor in Ireland, I was told the plate and screws were permanent, the xray showed that my operation was a success.
My second week was the most painful but after that, the soreness had eased and I stopped taking painkillers.
I am now 4 and a half weeks on and am looking forward to getting the cast off. However I think I also damaged my knee with the fall. It has been xrayed and while nothing is broken, I am still not able to bend it normally. The Doctor said it might go away and he will not be able to check it properly until the cast comes off.
Heres hoping my cast comes off on March 20th and my knee will be okay.
Lita
just had my cast off my leg today YIPPEE cant believe it, but i cant bend my knee yet , but im working on it.
Hi
I broke my ankle and had to have a plate placed on the inside of my right leg, and also had an infection from the operation. I had a cast on my leg for 5 weeks, then I had to return to A&E due to my knee and thigh badly swollen badly as well as my foot and was given antibiotics as I had a second infection from the operation. At the end of 7 weeks the cast was removed and the consultant told me I had to exersize my ankle 20 times every hour and pointed to my husband and told me he was my physio therapist. I could not beleive this and left the hospital. A week later my instep is still badley swollen when pointing it to the floor and have to elevate it still. As I work for myself I am anxious to return to work however due to the swollen foot can not bear weight yet. And when I question the swelling all I am told is that it will be like this.
hey fellow idiots,its not so cool to be in bed all day,its already been almost 3 months for me,im going in for an operation at the end of april,to see if my left leg con bee saved.i have had an external fixator and a plate on my fibula,the problem is the tibia was compressed to distruction just above the ancle joint,their is no longer an ancle joint.i also snapped my right foot,list frank style.its hard and i see no end in sight.as a father of three young kids its not easy watching the days fall away.any advice out there?
bazhulk@msn.com.
I broke my ankle jumping for joy out of a kebab shop having finally find some food I could eat. (I have a medium-difficult diet due to severe allergies). I had been drinking what turned out to be far more than I thought I had. I face planted the pavement after slipping on the two steps unexpectedly placed outside the shop, in the rain. I broke only my fibula however, so I feel very lucky indeed! I did it AGES ago (seemslike) and I’m still in plaster, albeit purple. I can’t wait for it to come off and I found your blog by searching for physiotherapy- I’m quite scared that the cast will come off and it will still be all swollen and black n blue and stuff. Not good. I too miss my heels and your blog has given a fabulous lift! I’m longing to read more.. shall find you elsewhere if you are a tecchie
being on this site really cheered me up! I am not alone. Broke my left ankle 4 weeks ago. Was out walking dog with my 5 year old daughter when i slipped, heard a sickening snap and realised i had done something quite bad!!! My ankle was broken in a few places and i had surgery the following day with plate and screws inserted. i have 4 children and being unable to do everyday things for and with them is cracking me up!! my husbank is fantastic and i have 2 brilliant sisters who have done housework etc but my loss (albeit temp) of independence has been unbearable!!! However also realise it could have been a whole lot worse.
Just discovered your web site. Enjoyed reading it and wish you each of you a speedy recovery. I shattered the smaller of the two bones in my ankle on March 9, 2008. Am still in a non walking fiberglass cast. I am 64 years old, first broken bone, and I would not wish this on anyone. It is awful. First the pain when I did it was so bad I did black out for a second or two, then I had to drag myself down two steps and through my basement to get to a telephone as I was home alone. That pain was horrible, and I think I was in shock. How I did it was simply walking downstairs with a container of water to put two 10 pound shiz tsu puppies out in the yard. One, who we refer to as the ADHD puppy came down the stairs behind me so fast, rammed into my leg like a 10 pound bowling ball, and sent me and the water flying. When I hit the landing tile I further went flying across the now wet tile with all the weight on that ankle. I keep telling myself that I am lucky I did not break my back or fracture my skull… but non the less it is almost impossible to comprehend so much damage and pain from a fall of only four steps. I had surgery and have pins a plate and I believe a rod in my leg. He said they were pulling bone fragments out all over the place. In reading your e mails, I can see other peoples accidents have happened in just such quick and silly ways. Not that I am counting, but it is four more sleeps till my next orthopedic surgeon appointment and boy am I hoping that this non walking cast comes off. After the original pain and trauma the worst has been the loss of independence. I have now spent almost two months living in two rooms of our ground floor suite, not being able to drive, walk or basically do anything. I cannot get up the stairs to live in our main house upstairs as there are too many stairs to negotiate, and cant cope with the puppies and the stairs. I have felt like someone has put a ball and chain on my leg and locked me in a cave. This is my first ever broken bone,,,, and I never never never want to break anything else again. Good luck to everyone.
shattered tib fib with compound. fell off of 130 foot escarpment and made the news.
hi everone broke my ankle on the 27,march i broke it in two places just above the ankle joint . Although not as bad as most of you !! It has been a nightmare .I slipped on something at work and had a piece of the oven in my hands so i ended up slap on my ankle the pain was awfull my husband came for me and drove my car back home , then took me too the hosptial where after xrays i was told my ankle was broken twice .Put in a tempory cast for 10 days then put in a lighter one for five and a half weeks .Well in the morning it comes of and i dont no what happens then wish me luck jan x
Wow,
Finally a site for all of us who are broken!
I broke my patella in several pieces on March 31st – common theme in most of these entries – I was wearing flip flops too! The horrible foamy flip flops they give you post – pedicure. Six weeks later I’m still sitting around waiting to heal.
What I realize after reading all the entries – it could be much much worse!!!
Any advice on how to NOT gain weight while laid up???
All the best to everyone!
wow may 08 and you’re still getting stories
mine is particularly stupid and uninteresting as i was only walking to college and slipped down a 2 foot hill, broke my fibula from slipping over. sent a friend to reception who sent the first aider and she said it was just a twist and made me walk back over the hill and up the steps so if it wasn’t broken in the first place it was by the end. it was my mum that took me to A&E where i got myself a yummy doc but then didn’t seem so lovely when he manipulated my foot back the way it should be.
waiting untill thursday in a non wieght bearing cast to see if i need surgery. its only been a week and i’m already bored but your blog has made things easier. i know what you mean about asking for help … I CAN DO IT! is the famous phrase screamed in my house at the moment haha
Hello All,
Broken ankle +++ 17 screws, 2 plates. 16 months ago. Post traumatic arthritis has set in. Very painful at times. Is there anyone else that has had some time pass & what are the results?
Heels are never going to be an option for me. I am grateful my leg is attached & working.
Thanks in advance.
Now May 26 and things are looking up. Cast is off,,, as of about three weeks ago,,, and gradually things are getting better. I took the borrowed wheel chair, one walker and the bath seat back to the red cross today, but kept one walker just in case. The crutches are propped against the wall. Mostly now, I am simply using a cane to assist in walking. Going to physio of course and doing physio excercises at home. Have started to drive again, although am avoiding main highways.. (it is my right driving leg) and actually went grocery shopping yesterday on my own for a few items…. and the grocery cart kept me upright…. Yesterday was a good day, but today my leg and foot are aching and do not want to bear as much weight as yesterday. I guess it is just going to be like this for a while. However, just wanted to pass on that things do seem to be getting better (up and down) but a positive progression over all. So there is light at the end of the tunnel I think. Keep up the work and your spirits good people.
just stumbled across the site, but it’s nice to know others are out there with broke bodies too. i had a bad care wreck about 7 weeks ago broke my right fibula and my left tibia and fibula in multiple places. oh let’s not forget about the acetabular fx (hip) that’s non-operatable. i work in surgery and very well use fixing everybody else’s legs, but it sucks that i’m on this end know. frustration sets in pretty regularly. But 4 plates and 52 screws later my legs are starting to feel better…..but let’s not jump the gun….i still have 1 more surgery in 1 month….good luck me.
just stumbled across the site, but it’s nice to know others are out there with broke bodies too. i had a bad car wreck about 7 weeks ago broke my right fibula and my left tibia and fibula in multiple places. oh let’s not forget about the acetabular fx (hip) that’s non-operatable. i work in surgery and very well use to fixing everybody else’s legs, but it sucks that i’m on this end know. frustration sets in pretty regularly. But 4 plates and 52 screws later my legs are starting to feel better…..but let’s not jump the gun….i still have 1 more surgery in a month….good luck me.
hi everyone i have been back at work 2 weeks cast of 4 weeks lot better but still limping .Am told it could take weeks to get right !! good luck to you all x
Hi Fell about 20ft from a ladder, landed on my left foot and shattered my heel and broke my ankle. My accident happened on 05/13/08 surgery on 5/30/08. Two incisions were required a small one on the inside of my ankle and a very large one aprox 6 inches and about 1/4 wide on the outside of the heel. The pain has been unbearable. The worst of this ordeal is being a prisoner not able to do much of anything. Tired of sitting on my butt waiting for this to heal. I was to be xrayed on 5/13, but the stitches on the large incision are not ready to come out yet. one more week before xrays The doctor say at least 4 to 6 weeks before it can take weight.
Hey all you broke legs and anklets! April 15 2008, i broke (compound) right ankle and shattered left ankle, tib and fib, just by walking down 2 satirs.Of course when i came down on left foot to “balance” it shattered. Took me 2 hours to crawl between pass-outs to get to phone. Last week, after a couple different casts, both were removed, and heavy walk boot put on let. Had been using knee walker to strengthen right ankle. Pain is getting worse, almost unbearable at times. Hope to find someone to communicate with… that’s been thru this…no one seems to understand my whining! Let’s all heal together, haha!
I fell when I was climbing about 4m but I was traversing so swung and slammed into a rock wall breaking and dislocating my right ankle on impact, I screamed and cursed alot!!!! Then my ankle popped back in. I climbed out and spent 3 hrs climbing down the mountain on my bum. 5 hrs later I got to A & E.
When I popped (dislocated my ankle) it overstretched my ligaments so tore them and I broke the bone off the bottom of my tibia due to over extension. I also hairline fractured my right foot. I’m in a walking cast because the bruising and swelling is so mega. 6 weeks non weight baring then physio and learning to walk again/exercising. I work as an outdoor ed instructor. I have no insurance for my own injuries as I can’t afford them. I get free care on the NHS but need to pay for my own physio at £30 ($75) for half an hour and I’ll need several a week. I get sickie pay for one month, then nothing. Living with no savings is gonna be soo much fun.
Hello all,
I think i feel rather relieved only to have broken a bone in my ankle, compared to most of you. This is the miost pain i have ever been in and i have been on crutches 5 times now. I think im accident prone!
Well my story is that me and my partner are doing up our house we are having the central heating done and was living at his parents whilst we did it up. So at the weekend we decided to go and get the house looking something like so we could move back in. I went upstars and took the bedding off whilst he was in the garden cutting the lawn, i went into the spare room to get the clean bedding tripped over a floorboard that was up and ended up falling straight through the ceiling. I tried to hold myself up with my arms and was screaming for help the more i trie to hold on the more i was falling the underneath of the floorboards could take no weight at all. So i screamed and shouted some more – next thing i know ive landed downstairs in the living room. I screamed like crazy for what seemed like forever. My partner came rushing in and called for an ambulance. After gas and air some tablets and morphine i was feeling a little out of it – im so glad i was the pain was terrible.
I am so lucky to only have broken a bone in my ankle! I could have been a lot worse!! So here i am 3rd week off work bored out my brain and still in a lot of pain. Get my cast off on the 18th July so not to long now. I was in a back slab for nearly 2 weeks because of the swelling. It is starting to feel a little easier but i only feel comfortable when i have it up. The doctor signed me off for 8 weeks but im hoping to go back on Monday. Not sure how i will get on a little rusty on the crutches and still in pain in other parts of my body.
Havent been upstairs since im living downstairs at my mums. So if anyone fancies a chat email me claire_louise_johnson@hotmail.co.uk
Hope everyone gets better soon x
In response to Amy (post 72) I know what you mean with the I CAN DO IT! When I got back from the hozy I went to watch telli in the lounge. My mum was constantly pertering me asking if i wanted stuff and I was like I can do it, leave me alone.
Then I hopped from the lounge to the kitchen and poured my self a drink next thing i’m yelling is: Muuuummmm could you carry my drink through to the lounge please….?”
It’s annoying what you can’t do but so gratifying when you realise what you can do. I carry a bag with me everywhere with a bottle of drink in, and also so I can put things I want in it.
First, I’d like to thank everyone for contributing helpful info regarding ankle/leg injury. This site was very valuable in letting me know what to expect when I severely twisted my ankle. What I actually did was widening of the ankle mortise, blew both ligaments in the ankle, and broke the fibular. Which required surgery to fix the ankle. Oddly enough, the surgeon wasn’t concerned about the fibular break as it was far enough from the ankle to heal on it’s own.
I like to add more info to this site for others.
SWELLING
What I didn’t know and no one told me what that maximum swelling occurs 12-72 hours after the injury. So it’s imperative that you get off your feed and elevate your leg to minimize swelling. The emergency room didn’t diagnose my ankle injury and just said that I’d broken my leg. Dummy me, I felt so good the day ofter that I sat at the kitchen table and worked from home the next day. And only started elevating it on day 2. It wasn’t until I saw an orthopedic trauma surgeon 5 days later that I learned this important fact. By then, my foot was very very swollen and we had to wait another 5 days for the surgery. There’s a greater risk of infection after surgery if they operate while you’re still swollen, which is why they wait.
PINKLY/PURPLEY/BLUE FOOT
Normal. My surgeon said that the heart pumps oxygen, nutrient rich blood to the legs. The heart performs to the pumping action to the leg. When you’re laying down with your leg elevated, gravity assists the body in moving the blood back to the heart. If you put your feet down on the ground either sitting or standing, the act of walking or moving your feet help move the blood back to the heart. This is type of edema, but caused by the injury. As you become more weight baring and start walking or moving the foot, this gradually decreases in severity. Also, if you sit down and don’t have good support, you can pinch the blood vessels in the upper legs, which also cause the pinkly/purpley/blue foot as well as swelling. Again the blood isn’t being pumped back to the heart very well. To correct, just elevate the foot.
HOW LONG FOR THE SWELLING:
That’s going to depend upon your own body’s ability to heal itself. Swelling will continue as long as the body heals itself. If you go non-weight baring after the injury, the ankle ligaments will begin the healing process. But they heal without the ability to bare weight. As you begin walking, you stress the ligaments, which causes small re-injuries, which causes more inflammation and healing. This goes on until full recovery. I’m told that takes 4-6 months for my type of injury.
I may think of other items later, but for now hope this helps.
what a relief to find this website. i broke my ankle (two spots; tibia & fibula) on friday (6/27/08) and underwent surgery (ORIF) to be released (haha) this tuesday (7/1/08). i am non-weightbearing and on crutches… in a house full of stairs! i’ve sectioned myself off to my room upstairs, next to the washroom until the surgery and incision pains subside a bit.
i’m going to be exploring the site so my answer might be in a post somehwere, but the nurses had warned me about TINGLING and NUMBNESS.
i have what i describe as ‘reduced sensitivity’… i can feel touch and move my toes, but i feel like i can’t get in a comfy position that provides long-term relief from a tingly my-foot-is-falling-asleep sensation. is this ok? i mentioned it to the nurse and she said it was fine, all prior to my release… she said it is only a concern when it is of the most ‘extreme’… how do you know?! haha… any advice appreciated.
Hi, and thanks for putting up this site. I broke my ankle (fibula) only on June 30th 2008. Felt the snap snap (distinctly remember 2) of the bone as I fell (yes, i was wearing flip flops!) and the whole 911 scene enfolded. I was smart enough not to have moved, and so when I got to the hospital, the leg looked pretty normal, no bruising, no swelling, not even very much pain unless I moved it. I was casted right away and left the ER, with only very vague instructions. No weight bearing, and keep it elevated. Great. See the doc in 10 days. (Why?) Take vicodin if you need it. (ok…) So…I get home and have ABSOLUTELY no idea how I am going to get in the house. I ALSO had carpal tunnel surgery 11 days before this and cant use a regular crutch. UGH.
Well. 2 days later and I have figured out the mobility issues, gotten a wheelchair from a friend and a platform crutch,which scares the heck out of me. I’m 46 and don’t have the upper body strength to feel steady at all. But anyway, I am getting along…
My QUESTION is,…every so often when I move the leg even a little, I feel snaps and cracks and crunches. I have more pain, it kind of stings like there is something cutting my skin (although there was nothing there before the cast went on) and I feel all of this a few inches higher than the break was on x ray. Am I just feeling something that is to be expected and is no big deal, or do i take myself directly back to the ER to have it checked out. No heat, no fever, bearable most of the time. Anyone got any feedback?
Well summer, fall, and winter gone!!!! Yep Like the rest of you broke the old ankle (Tib, Fib ) Four screws, two on each side, Broke it in my back yard riding my motocross bike. I have 5 motorcycles, and had been riding my street bike all day 7/6/08. well had not rode any onf the motocross bikes in a week so i was taking them for a spin around the yard. first my brand new one then, then another one. Well the second one i was riding; i had done some work on a week before. I had to take the back wheel off, and by doing that the preasure in the rear barake had gone away. I had forgot to pump the back brakes back up so they would work the next time i rode the bike.
The front brake on the bike worked really really good, Well long story short i went to use the rear brake (none there) grabbed the front and grabbed it tight like i was the street bike all day. The front wheel locked up and here i go. Up and over, I bet i rolled for 30 feet or more. I remember thinking “am i ever going to stop” I was only wearing shorts, t shirt and shoes. I mean what kind of motocross racer wrecks in his back yard just taking a engine spin right.. ( ME I GUESS) Doc said 10 weeks before weight bearing. Just got the boot yesterday 7/11/08. I can move my foot up and down already, and can pinch my toes really good. But the scares where the cut me open are killing me unless my foot is proped up. Iam lucky that i don’t have to miss work. I have a office job sitting at a desk. There are only two of us that do my job, with no back up and we work on rotating shifts 4 on 4 off, so work letting me keep my foot elevated in another chair with a pillow. and it my left ankle so i can still drive a automatic car. ( had to swap with my mother). I didnt have much discoloration when he gave me the velcro boot. So all i can do is wait. Good luck to all of us… It is by far a life changing event.. and it only took one second to get this way…
wow there’s alot of breakin’ going on
Hi Sally here,broke my left ankle on may 20th 2008,fell off my bicycle while trying to keep fit,ha!ha!Had surgery after having my foot put back into position and now have plate and 5 pins.Got rid of the air boot a week ago after 7 weeks no weight bearing and am struggling to get around without crutches.Have fat foot syndrome and my doc does not believe I need physio.Any ideas on walking made easier or is it that I must just make it happen and grit my teeth!
I think I am wondering if I will ever walk normally again without looking at my leg all the time.Ijust found this website today and just loved reading everyones experiences and am amazed at how many people like me have had such simple accidents creating so many questions and problems.Luv this site,thinking of you all out there!
Slow Moving Sally.
Hi Everyone,
I shared my story (no 43) last year with you.
Now my hospital doctor recommends that I have all the 8 pins and the plate removed.
Part of me wants to remove them as they are protuding but part of me just wants to leave them as they are.
Has anyone had their metal work in the ankle removed and what has been your experience?
Hina
Update on story from May 3 2008. Re: badly shattered right fibula. Coming along well. Walking again for some time now, although it had felt as if I would never walk again. I get around the house and property just fine… but still have some problems when I try walking to/in places where I use a longer stride. I also cannot stand up onto the toes of that foot. I do still limp, but that gradually seems to be getting better, but again it feels like a small price to pay, to someone who at times thought she would never walk. So, it does happen…but it takes perseverance and patience. Good luck to you all.
Hi Everyone Broke my ankle whilst visiting my sister in TN. Got held hostage for 3 1/2 weeks. I finally am home with my husband.
I broke both sides and dislocated it after falling down two small steps in the middle of the night while trying to take my two chihuahua’s out.
Surgery a plate on the outer left side and two pins on the inner. Thanks for this blog. It has helped reading about your experience and others who have posted.
To Hina Message 89. I have been wondering if they will remove mine. Even with my foot still swollen I can tell they are there as the protrude a bit. I have been lucky the Dr. allowed me to wear a boot the whole time so I can see my foot.
I did see a surgery on youtube where they removed a screw. It did not look to bad.
Hi Cherise,
Thanks – I had a search round youtube and found some interesting sites (even more ankle blogs), however there is very little about individual experiences after removing hardware. Anyway I will keep searching.
I hope you feel better – keep the ankle elevated and ice it (even whilst the the ankle is in a cast).
Hina
On August 6th 2008, I left my house fierce and fabulous in my black dress and pumps. I returned to the house in fierce pain. Yowsers!! Why I waited this long to break something is anyone’s guess.
Have you guys heard of the rollabout? It’s the best thing since sliced bread! No more crutches. You can rent them in the states and insurance will pay!
8 weeks got rid of the crutches. i’am supposed to walk in the boot for three more weeks, but thats a no go. i t feels like it is going to make my heal explode. so at work and in the house i wear just regular tennis shoes. If i’am going to be on crazy terrian i wear the boot. My ankle is fine, it’s my foot strangly enough that hurts. can take a full stride yet, but hey it’s on been five days of weight bearing, and walking. Still have a long way to go in therapy, those stretches hurt like you know what.
Has anyone else ever had the sore foot when you started walking agin? Mine hurts right where you foot bends just behind your toes..
good luck to everyone, be patient it gets better..
Hello fellow ankle breakers,I slipped and broke my ankle at an Arboretum on holiday 28 Aug,Embarasingly a helicopter was sent out for me,but could’nt land close enough,so a mini tractor took me to the Ambulance,I have a weber b fractue 7 screws and a plate,am now at home and finding the plastic cotton wool padded cast has loosened and bumps against my stiches,A plaster cast goes on 15th,so am trying not to move around and aggrivate the wound till then.
I am 58 and self employed and run my own business and live above the business,I need hand rails x 3 as there are numerous stairs here,does anyone know where I may get disabled stair rail fittments,?Homebase and Wickes did’nt have anything.
Best wishes to you all,lovely to find this website,as life can feel a little like being in a timeless vacuum at present,although spirits are good.
Hi
It all happened on October 4th 2008.The day of my SAT’s, Thursday I had gotten a call from a girl who does my job on the weekend asking me if I could cover her shift Saturday Night.I usually don’t work weekends.So being a Team Player and that I can’t say no to anyone I agreed to work her shift.Which call this Sabrina the tennage witch esque but I had a creepy feeling and I didn’t know why.If only I knew.Bwaha.
So Saturday morning I took my Sat’s which went surprisingly well.So I started getting ready for work and I still felt weird.I was creeped out when I was folding the towels and at the end of my shift when I stepped into my destiny.At the end of our shift we check the pools for dirty towels in the golf cart.So the boy that I WORKED with gets into the golf cart to drive I get into the passenger seat and we go and check the pools and on the way to park the cart the boy who is driving fast turns left and…I fly out of the cart onto the pavement I scrapped my knee, elbow, my ankle was swollen 5 times it’s size.
After two trips to concentra and 2 orthopedic doctors later.I was told I had an Unusual fracture and had a broken ankle and fractures in 5 places.Monday I had 4 screws put in.Yeah.It’s weird saying it out loud.
it was fractured in 5 different places.
hi sympathie with you all my son has aspergers syndrome and hs dyspraxia he slipped while in college on a stairwell on a ” none slip area ” they insisted that he move his…ass at once and never called a paramedic or ambulance in stead they called a taxie and put a disabled young man in it with out even a representtive or a first aider and told him at get on with it basically… we beat the taxie to the hospital they sent him to the wrong hospital as they couldn’t deal with the break he had as he had a displace fracture that needed three pind and a metal plate they then told us to go another ten miles to the next hospital as they couldn’t deal with it and to go straight away as they were expecting us so we had to take another taxie as they said that it would take four hours for an ambulance to transfer him… when we got there we had to wait anothet three hours as the other hospital had lied and had not radio through …so we were last in line…sprains went first,, they then sent him home and told him to come back four days later… we waited an hour over our appointment time…when they finaly got round to exraying him …they met me half way back to the out patients ..after ringing my other half….12 miles away…asking if i was home???? i’d only been in xray 5 minutes….superman eat your heart out….they then met me half way back to out patiebts to say he needed an emergency opp as it was displaced and needed pinning ….lol… five hours later they finaly found him a bed…. even the aneathitist was quicker…he met us in the waiting room while we settle in for the night…before they had found us a bed… our appointment was at 11am and it was 5pm before they admitted him..now we have to wait for twp weeks for the stitches to come out…and the perminent cast on….one week later we still haven’t got an appointment??????? so i truly sympathies with all of you good folks out there and I hope that you all recoer…recoverd well god bless all
Hi there, my names chris an australian who dislocated my ankle and broke my leg skydiving i found your blog site ‘googling’ while i lay here incarcerated like everyone else after a dislocated left ankle. My question is, for anyone who has had a similar injury.. aswell as the dislocated ankle i broke my fibular and had 9 screws and a plate that will stay in, i also have a screw that goes through the tib and fib to hold my ankle in place (that comes out in 10 weeks from the surgery).. anyways, one surgeon is saying NO weight bearing once im in the boot (at the six weeks mark) and the other surgeon is saying YES weight bear after 6 weeks.. one thinks there a chance the screw could break the other thinks not very likely in the 4 weeks from boot on to screw out! What is evryone elses experience?? did they weight bear with the screw in.. obviously thats what id like to do?
Hi, My name is Jeff. I broke both my ankles and both wrist in a fall from the ceiling. I was doing a side job for a company. I was on a 24′ extension ladder and due to many mistakes the ladder fell. I held onto the truss while help on the way but couldn’t hold on long enough. I fell twenty feet onto the concrete floor and shattered both my heels and broke the radius bone in both arms. I’ve been in bed since the accident (10/18/08) and still have at least 5 more weeks to go before I can bear weight. They had me in a nursing home for a week (that sucked) before I begged them to let me come home.
Hello to all my fellow-breakies, its nice to know that it’s happened to other people. I fell off a roof fell twenty feet and broke and dislocated both my ankles. I could not bear any weight for 8 weeks which means I was either in bed, on my knees or in a wheelchair. I have definitely come to appreciate the simpler things in life that we tend to take for granted like walking, and showering. It’s just about been 4 months and I am finally walking without crutches. I am very lucky to even be alive let alone walking. My doctor said I would be on crutches at least until Christmas most likely longer, and I ditched the crutches in the middle of November. My doctor and physiotherapist are very impressed with my recovery and I believe I did so well by staying positive, which is really hard when your in that position but I think staying positive is the most important part of healing. My doctor also said something to me in the beginning that really helped which was that bones are natural healers and they’re very good at it. It kind of became my motto for a while. Anyway to everyone out there who’s been in my shoes or who are in my shoes remember to stay positive, its very important! Oh and one more thing, when your working on a roof, make sure you are harnessed in, I cannot stress that enough people!
Hi every one I know how you feel to be like this I had really bad experience on November 18, 2008. After fighting with my soon to be ex-husband police arrive because my husband told them I wanted to kill my self. Stupid me when the officer ask me if it was true I say yes twice to his questions. I did not knew that they can take you to a mental hospital, He wanted to arrest me, I refuse, because I got scared another police came and broke my ankle when he was putting me down. I had surgery and I am in bed all bored.
Can anyone tell me about their experience when the doctor ok’s weight bearing? I have about three weeks to go before my doctor hopefully ok’s a little walking. I broke both ankles (post # 99).
Hi,
I’m filled with sympathy for you double-breakies. Both ankles, OUCH, OUCH!
I broke my fibula and tibia on October 28 getting bucked off a horse. The same horse bucked me off in April and I broke my elbow (radius and ulna). How moronic to have gotten back on, clearly I need to stay away from this horse! I’ve got pins on one side, and a plate and pins on the other.
I was given an air boot last week, but my huge puffy ankle really hurts and the boot feels too tight. I pulled out the liner and put on a fuzzy slipper and velcroed the thing back on. Anyone have advice for fat ankle/boot fitting? When I lower my foot to crutch around the thing swells fast and I get immediate pain-in-the-boot. I can’t bear weight on it for another 3 months (shattered fibula). I do not want to give up the boot (after calling the doc, they said perhaps back to a cast), but I’m so loving to have a real bath and air on my skin. Anyone out there have this happen and hopefully a remedy for this?
Please keep posting Hina, so we can know how the decision goes for removal or retention of your hardware. Lots of us are facing that decision I imagine. It would be great to hear from folks who have done both.
I hope you guys are feeling better. Take care, Joanne
I have broken my ankle, Fibia and Tibia, playing soccer. I had an operation on Nov 6, two days after accident. I have plate,six screws around my ankle and one in Tibia. i had cast for 10 days and fro 3 weeks i have a boot on. my main concern is am i going to keep screws and plate or have to take them out, i guess this has to be decided by doctor and results of healing, but it will not hurt any advice from you guys.
I’m in lots of pain and i’m taking painkiller every 12h, soon as i stand my leg gets swollen and turn blue, followed with pain.
This website is great i hope sharing experiences will help to someone.
Hi gang,
I received the ok from my doc to start weight bearing on 12/16/08. (Broke both heals in October) He said to walk as much as pain allows. Wow. I found that wasn’t much walking. He issued a bi lateral walker which I hate. He doesn’t want me to put weight on my wrist as they were broke as well. I dumped the walker and switched to crutches and now I can walk as fast as my grandmother! After eight weeks in bed it is nice to have some independence back.
Going back to work 12/21/08. Not sure if I’m ready but I don’t seem to have much choice. Can’t pay the bills if you don’t have any income.
Take care and Merry Christmas!
This is a response to Joanne (entry 103). If you are in the US, you can choose any boot on the market, and they all cost the same to you, the patient. There are lots of cheap, bad boots, and docs tend to give you bad ones because they can make more money with the cheap ones. You may have a bad one which tends to be flimsy and uncomfortable. Do some research and insist on getting the best one you find. I would recommend VACOCast (www.vacocast.com) from Germany. it has a beanbag inside that molds to your foot…very comfortable. It is the one that costs docs the most but costs you the same.
107. Shelli- December 29, 2008
Thanks to everybody for their interesting posts. On December 15, 2008 at 5 am, I was carrying our overweight dog down the stairs to do her business. I was on the last step when my heel slipped and all I remember was hearing 2 snaps and then excruciating pain as I lay on the tile in the foyer. Thirteen days before my 42nd birthday and I had managed to remain unbroken! Luckily my husband had heard me fall and drove me to the E.R. I had managed to break my ankle in 3 places. I had, like many of you, broken my tibia, fibula, and had another break somewhere in the middle. They set me up at the hospital and on the 22nd had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. He said I would have surgery the following day with 2 screws and a plate on one side and 2 screws on the other side. I had surgery on the 23rd and when I came out I found that they had put in a plate and 9 screws on one side and 2 screws on the other. So, here I sit in this lousy bed for 23 hours a day. I tried showering once and realized that was more trouble than it was worth. A bath is a little easier but still a pain in the ass. So, here I sit, bored out of my mind. I decided to look up stuff on the internet to see if anyone had any stories and I came across this site. I am relieved to see that the feelings that I am experiencing are not uncommon among us broken folk. I wish you all a speedy and painless recovery.
Hey i broke my ankle on the first of december. i got myelf ran over like a idiot. iam lucky that i only broke my ankle, dont remember any of it which is lucky too, could have been worse. i had to get a operation to pin it back together. the bad thing is am only 18 and missed out on clubbin with my friends over christmas and new year. i get my cast off on the 27 of january and i cant wait !
I’ve managed not to braeak a bone in my life…hockey, football, baseball, SCUBA driving, bike riding, motorcycling, golfing…..did it all and broke no bones !!!
On December 22nd 2008, I returned home from my Florida home about 7:00pm. The nxt morning at about 7:00 am I FELL DOWN THE STAIRS and broke my ankle. I broke the bones beside my ankle and then the ankle dislocated. Called 911.
That night at about 7:00 pm the doctor operated on my ankle and put on a cast. I managed to escape from the hospital at about 10:00 am on the 24th 2008.
So here I am, 60 years 6 months old, nursing this leg. “no pressure on your leg” was the battle cry !!!
How does one get around in a three floor home? Here I am crawling on my bum, up and down stairs and hopping to the bathroom with my walker. Taking a shower is an event!!!
I get this cast off on February 2nd 2009 (two weeks) some X rays, and another cast. Back to Florida on the 3rd.
LOVE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS.
Tony “The Retired Tiger”, ask your doc to put you in a VACOcast instead of another cast. You can shower in it, and it will allow you to bear weight earlier (with your doc’s permission) than a normal cast.
Thanx Matt.
Well everyone is posting their stories, so I will share mine, I broke my ankle in 3 places on Jan. 8, 2009. I missed the last stair coming down the stairs. I was 23 weeks pregnant when it happened. I had surgery on the 13th an (ORIF) with a plate and 10 screws, and now I am recovering. My Mom has come to stay with me and help out with my 2 year old. Getting around is becoming more and more difficult the bigger my belly gets! I am now 27 weeks pregnant, and the baby is doing great. Just hope I can walk by the time she comes. I spend most of my time in my chair with my leg up, and when I do move about the house, I use a rolling office chair.
Hello all my fellow fracture friends!
I broke my fibula on January 8, 2009. I was leaving work and slipped on a patch of black ice in the parking lot- 7:30 at night. My ankle turned completely inwards like Gumby. Didn’t hear the snap- but went down like a ton of bricks. Could not stand up. Thought of crawling back to the building, but luckily my screams for help were heard by my boss and was physically hauled back to the office. Went to the ER- got x-rays showing distal fib spiral fracture and got a heavy plaster cast for three days until I could see the Ortho surgeon. No surgery Thank God. Got a fiberglass cast now for six weeks minimum, NO weight bearing. Trying to hop around on a walker and crutches. Very difficult due to the fact I am 57 and the oldness factor.I am lucky to have a husband who is a good helper, and I have been sleeping on the main floor of the house on a sofa bed. I have two computer chairs with wheels that are height adjustable. Lifesavers. I sew, so I fashioned a tie-on carry bag to the crutch. This way I can put in water bottles and automobile coffee cups with screw on lids and make it to the computer chair with little spillage. Going up and downstairs is the hardest. Have to skid on butt. Hints: get one of those grabbers that the seniors use when they have arthritis. Helps when reaching for stuff. Wear pj bottoms for sleeping- so the cast wont tear up your good leg. Get a shower chair and a cast protector so you can go into the shower… Get a long handled brush to wash with- wrap the washcloth around the brush and you’re all set. Wash your hair over the kitchen sink. Gals- paint your toenails some wild color so when you look at your busted up foot at least you can smile. Best advice: Elevate, elevate, elevate. Swelling does nothing to help you heal. Try not to do too much. Use your healing time to catch up on all of the chores you wanted to do when you ” had some spare time” such as—going thru old boxes of photos, cleaning out the kitchen drawers at your chair height..counting and rolling up your spare change. write a daily diary–practice how to sing–.reading all those books and magazines you never had time to get to–mending all the little rips and loose buttons ( if you know how to sew)…and count your blessing that your injury was not worse..many people who are now permanently disabled as a result of their accidents would gladly trade places with you just being laid up for three or four months, instead of a lifetime-I would bet that Christoper Reeve would — Good luck to all of you- I hope to get my cast off in two weeks and get into a removeable walking one–any hints on adjusting to that phase will be appreciated!
This is such a great website. Thanks Heather! Just what I needed. I guess this is God’s way of slowing me down. I can’t stand not being able to do anything for myself and I’m so bored – and it’s only the first week! I broke my right ankle (tibia and fibula) last Friday night, yes after a few cocktails, and slip off my last step of stairs. What a dumbass I feel like! I never get to go out (I have a 6 month old baby home) and the one time I do go out this happens! Ugh! I didn’t go to ER until Saturday because I didn’t think it was a big deal – iced it took advil and went to sleep. But when I woke up I was in the worst pain ever. So off to the ER I went – no surgery for me yet – I think I need it but dr. was too tired (he had 5 ankle surgeries before me)so he justed put a cast on it and said to come back in 1 week. So now I guess I am stuck in the house for at least 6 weeks, but worst of all I have a 6 month old baby girl who I can’t play with for the next 2 months. Thankfully I have my family to help me out taking care of her. Any Hoo – hope you all are getting better soon.
Oh and to all those new breakages – I use the walker much easier for me because I cannot coordinate crutches – I’m clumpsy as it is! However if you go with the walker… be prepared to be made fun of. I’m 30 walking around with a walker. (I got one of those deluxe ones with the wheels and a seat with storage underneath) lol . I never thought I would be so excited about something like that! But it is so convenient
My family gets such a kick out of this. I went out with my walker for a cigarette and my dad says “now all you need is a slot machine in front of you”. They are sooo supportive! lol
Hello, I’ve just found your ankle story. Please keep this up on the internet. I’m tech savy, but no where close to your level. The reason I’m saying all this is that 5 weeks ago I broke my ankle and desperately need to find out what others have been through. It already has been a long road (that I didn’t walk) and I can now tell it is going to be a lot longer than expected. The swelling and pain are still a huge problem. I’ve got 4 more weeks before the cast comes off and then weeks of physical therapy before going back to work. I’m not as young as you were (I’m 46), so the walker has been my transportation device. Even though I’m pretty slim and not terribly out of shape, I found out that crutches are too risky for me.
Anyway, thank you so much for posting your story. I’ve only started to read your postings and look forwared to reading them all. (And reading the many comments by others who have gone through this.)
Best regards – hope you are now completely healed.
Hi! Shelli again. Previously from Post #107. Well, a little refresher. I broke my ankle in 3 places on December 15th, 2008. Had surgery on December 22nd and came out with mucho metal on both sides of the ankle. I am reposting because there have been some complications with my healing. I had my cast removed probably mid February and aside from being nice and flaky, my ankle looked ok. Well, after I had surgery, the Dr. said that when I got out of the cast that he would be putting me in a boot and that I could return to work shortly thereafter. Well, I got the cast off and I inquired about the boot and he says no boot. Then my instructions were to use both crutches for 1 day and then 1 crutch for a few days and then go ahead and walk with no crutches. Did that. He had given me a few more weeks off of work until my next visit. Well, not only my ankle, but my leg started to look more swollen than before and at the urging of friends and relatives I called the Dr.’s office and spoke to the nurse only to be told that swelling is to be expected. Everything I read online also said to expect swelling. Well, a few more weeks and more comments from many people about the size of my leg prompted me to call the Dr. back. I explained that it was pretty swollen, twice the size of my other leg. The nurse once again said that it was normal. Which brings me to yesterday, Monday, March 23rd. The Dr. takes one look at my leg and asks how long has it been swollen like that? I said pretty much since after I got the cast off. I told him that I had called his office twice and was told that it was normal. I then ask him, is it not normal? He says, no it is not. So, now he is concerned about clotting and has me taking one baby aspirin a day to prevent clotting. I also have to wear this tight as hell support stocking from the time I get up. And I think the worst part is he wants me to take 2 hours out of my day to lay flat on my back with my leg elevated. I have done everything by the book in as far as taking it easy and keeping my leg up. When I went in to the Dr. yesterday I was fully expecting to be released to go back to work. Now, another 6 weeks of NOTHING. I got a letter from my employer stating that I am only allowed 100+ days off, whether I am under a doctors care or not and then I will be terminated. So now, I am also in jeopardy of losing my job. So, the moral of my long and drawn out story is, if you suspect that something isn’t right, don’t let some nurse that had 30 some years experience and you fully trust blow you off twice. I should have been more pushy but I trusted that they were the specialists and they knew more than I did.
Thanks Shelli. Good to know this. While swelling (from everything I’ve read) seems to be a very big part of this whole healing thing and I’m experiencing a lot (and it’s very unpredictable), I’m never to sure what is too much and what is normal. That’s why I started reading these personal blogs, because I was trying to find out what seemed to be happening to others or at least have something to use as a gauge. Boy, your situation is really not good. I certainly hope I don’t (none of us) have anything close to what you’ve had to experience. I hope you are healing better now. I know about the scary job question – you never feel good being out. All the best – Melissa
I broke my ankle in 3 places, missed the bottom step, and crack. Pain like you would not beleive. It happened on Feb 25th. Went to emergency room, and was operated on next day. I had a heavy plaster cast on for 2 weeks, and a fiberglass one on after that. I have two more weeks to go, I don’t know what to expect after that. I use a walker, and my arms killed me when I had to hop to the bathroom many times a day. My arms do not hurt anymore, but it is so hard getting around. I am so tired of hopping. I was told it would take 3 months to walk normally. The pain is still there, and my toes swell up if I hang my legs down to long. I am going to be 69 years young in April, and I very much want to go to church on Easter Sunday. I know that I am going to be afraid to put all of my weight on my right foot, with God’s help, we all will be on the road to recovery. Take care all.
hi, i am a mom of 6. i broke my ankle in 3 places on april fools day. i had surgery the next day, 6 screws, 2 pins, 1 plate. i live 5 minutes from the hospital, and had great care. i am thankful to God for all the good care. well, now it is a week and a half later, – sunday. and i did go to church with crutches and a stinky wheelchair. now i know what its like to be handicapped. (somewhat). well anyways, i am considering finishing my 2 classes at the college. i can either blow all my work so far, or get over there once a week. one class is anatomy and physiology, which is real hard, and i have a b so far in it. anyone have any reasons why i shouldnt do this? is it just an energy/uncomfortable thing, or can i do something bad to the healing process? thanks for any input. from, stopped dead in my tracks, and wondering why.
Hello everyone. I never knew a broken ankle caused so many problems. I slipped in front of our cities Public Safety Buidling and the guy who was supposed to sand the walk- saw me laying on the ground- abulance pulling up and he turned around! Don’t worry- can’t sue city hall. I feel ripped as I am going financially behind quickly not being able to work.My foot went 90 degrees backward- it was weird and I knew right away I couldn’t walk on it. I will say the medical part went quickly. I was lucky that the doctor was in and put in 8 screws and 2 plates within four hours. I did meet a very odd PT person the next day when we looked at how to move. I got a walker. She showed me how to use it and then proceded to want me to walk 75′.Sorry hopping over 50 when you are 6′4 and 300 pounds is not something I am going to do. Especially when there wasn’t a place to sit if I got tired. Then the wheelchair guy ripped us off a bit- welcome to the medical system. I went home and was lucky my wife could help me for the first 9 days under family medical leave with pay. Thank a democrat for that opporunity, I would have liked more time but did appreciate what was given. I got the splint off and cast on. I hate the cast. I can’t repeat that enough. The cast is horrible. I can’t sleep well. It hurts. I tried to call the doctor to have my cut off date moved from Monday at 8 am to Friday- anytime- sorry- Good Friday- he isn’t working. Thursday- he is in surgey all day. Wednesday- well that is almost a week now- sorry. In my job my mind is going 100 mph on a slow day. Lots and lots of decisions and interactions. I am extremely busy. I also have a second job that is online. so yes- I would say I am really really busy all the time. Well folks- here is our common denominator. Bored. I have seen everything on tv. I have two dvr’s and record for the entire week so I have things saved. The internet has somewhat saved my mind. I am hopefull that after I get my boot I can start to walk, and sleep. I have a feeling there will be some pains of the screws and plates. I have no idea of what will happen with the boot- I was hoping to find more info on the net but it is all over the place. The common denominator- boring. Also I think a lot depends on how bad yours is broken. Mine – both sides-all tendons. Well here we go- I will check back to see all of us one legs. Thanks for listening- it’s not like I have anything to do.
Hello
I was having a lovely walk through the gardens of a nearby stately home with my husband when coming to a narrow stream, he crossed effortlessly and I had to choose the stone with a winter’s worth of slime and fall sideways awkwardly. I could hear the break and so could everyone else nearby. I was lifted out of the stream by husband and kind passer by and awaited the ambulance which came after 20 minutes. Being in a dip, it was awkward even for a 4×4 ambulance to get close enough so a helicopter was called. The paramedic crew were amazing and I was so embarrassed to be needing them for a non life threatening injury but there was no other option. To my amazement, a crowd formed and pics were being taken! I can quite honestly say that I couldn’t do that but at the time it didn’t bother me -I just wanted to get to hospital and get it sorted. Turns out the ankle is broken in three places with torn ligament so my running days are on hold for a long time. I have a good laugh about it when friends and family come round but for the first time in my life, I am experiencing waves of sadness/depression. I feel so guilty as I know there are far worse things in life. At 47, I have a busy job at a golf club, two daughters and a grandson of 18 months. I love walking and run nearly every day so it feels that life is on hold at the moment.Sorry this isn’t very humourous but you are all a tonic on this website so I hope I can be the same eventually.
Wish I had found your blog weeks ago!! I broke the inside of my right ankle and sprained the outside while trying to wear 6 inch stripper heels drunk at a party. NOT SMART at all. Worst pain ever, and I’ve had a baby! LOL
Saw the doctor 2 days after I fell and he put me in a splint until I could see the surgeon. Saw the Orthopedic surgeon a week later, and had surgery 4 days later to put in two screws. Had my 1st post-op appointment 2 weeks later and he put me in a walking cast but still was NOT allowed to walk on it for another 4 weeks! I have 11 days left until I see my surgeon again, and I’m worried I will still have to be in this damn walking boot.
I’ve cheated a few times and have walked a couple of steps with my boot on it seemed to be ok until last night. I’m not sure if it was the few steps I took putting my daughter to bed or the foot stretches I did before bed but my ankle hurts when I move it. grrr is there hope I won’t need to walking boot in 11 days?
What type of PT do you do for a broken ankle?
Thanks!!
Forgot to mention about the most wonderful device ever!! It’s call a Turning Leg Caddy and is like a scooter that you rest your injured led on and push off with your good leg. I was given crutches but fell twice within the first 4 hours of having them. Then I was given a walker wich was much better but still difficult to walk more than a few feet… A week later my huband was at the grocery store and saw an older man with a cast using this caddy. He asked where he found it and went to rent me one. It’s been a lifesaver!! Best part is most insurance companies will cover the rental with a doctors note. : )
I was debating shortly if I should save this post for tomorrow(since i have nothing else to do ofcourse) but I enjoy telling my story way too much. First i want to thank everyone for sharing, this page has been a lot of fun to read.
It was a hot rainy night in Phuket Town Thailand and I was at The Blue Marina Bar where me and some strangers had just popped the top off a bottle of black label “johnnie walker”whiskey. I speak fairly good Thai and was the only white guy there so everyone was eager to get me walkin sideways. Let me tell you it was the shit, I never had so much fun in my life.
At about 4am one of my new buddies dropped me off at my hotel,so there I was all alone now. I remember Walking into glass doors ,trippin all over, talkin half thai and half english to myself…WTF. It was time for bed but somehow I lost my room key…F%^&..what do I do now?THere was no front desk at this hotel(15.00/night). Well I remembered that the roof line went just below my room window(on the second floor). I stumbled down the hallway to a window that was un-luckily open. I looked out and jumped,falling thru the roof so fast I didn’t have time swear about it. Next thing I know I’m waking up on the floor of the BMW dealership crawling around. I fell twenty feet and luckily only broke my fibula in half 3 inches above the joint but my tibula is a mess. It broke into many many pieces at the base. It was so bad they had to use an external fixator.I’m 5 weeks post op and the healing is slow but thank whomever for the internet.
BTW-two surgeries,x-rays.hardware,12 days inpatient , personal nurse24/7,morphine,food and cruthches will set you back 4,000US in Thailand.
CHEERS-I hope you enjoyed my story and wish you all a speedy recovery.
i broken my ankle in 3 places. the tib,fib and the growth plate while the other bones where shattered to pieces.went straight to hospital from school by my mums car though and am still disgusted
.had to have urgent surgery with 3 metal plates and 12 screws in 3 sides to keep it in place. after 8 weeks gone by in a cast/pot the doctor examined it and said that i could go without any support around my ankle except my crutches.thankfully because am at a young age this should help the recovery i heard.
and now am 2 days from my cast/pot off and am trying to walk again.
thanks for reading
Hi everyone. My right ankle was smashed on Jan 2, 2009 in a bad motorcycle accident.
I had many other injuries but the ankle is the one that limits me now. I have two plates and a bunch of pins and screws in there. I remained bed ridden for three months largely due to the combination of broken pelvis and the ankle.
Now its late May and I sometimes still use a booty as it gives more support for walking. The amount of swelling seems to remain at the same level. Pain levels are quite high though and I am trying to spread the Vicodan out as far as possible. I am told that due to the severity of the injury that it may take as long as a year from date of accident before I become largely pain free and sweelling subsides completely.
For those of you who had traumatic breaks with dual plates and pins et al……how long did it take you to become more or less pain free ?
Hello again folks. I couldn’t remember the site so I had to google it. I am still here- not walking. Old males heal the slowest. I can put 60 pounds on it now, but it is tough. My toe is still still numb and hurts. Now my good foot is saying hey- you havn’t walked on me in a while- I can shut down too. It is like when I was a kid and in spring walking barefoot on rocks. Ouch ooo ouch. March 2 was so long ago. Not a lot is changed- still bored silly. I do all the excercises as directed- this seems to never end. At least now with PT I can get some good bending in. The foot feels like there is a sock in a boot all bunched up and pushing in odd places. Still swollen – despite elevation and ice. Can’t wait until walk date. Small things like bathroom, shower, and just standing – it can’t come too soon.
hello all
well my name is klarissa and i broke my left ankle. I dislocated it and then broke it in 3 spots. I sprained my right ankle and Its horrible. I am from out of town visiting my family when this all happened 3 days ago. My husband had to go back to work. So its me and my kids here at my family’s house. I have the best family ever to take me in and help me and i’m so appreciative but Im so depressed i miss my honey and so do my kids. I have to be in bed and off of my feet for weeks and I don’t know how to do this. I want to shower and walk to the kitchen for my own cup of water. I won’t ever take my feet for granted again. This has been a whole out of body experience for me. So I love this site and will keep updating. If anyone has any advice or help words that would be awesome.
Hi everyone
I broke my left ankle, on both sides and dislocated it. The worse feeling ever as I know you all know that. I was playing baseball,was in the outfield and was running for a ball when another player called it. So of course I backed off, my foot stopped but the rest of my body continued and then SNAP….fell to the ground with some choice words. At the ER I was told my ankle looked the the letter S as it was dislocated pretty bad. Thankfully with drugs I dont remember the doctor putting the bones in place, although my husband told my later that he heard me screaming while he was in the waiting room. I had surgery the next day. Being stuck on the couch with my foot elevated is so very hard for me as I’m I’m sure you are all aware of. I am the sole worker in our family so I an used to being busy and independant. My accident happed May 11/09 , 2 days before my birthday. Not exactly what I wanted for my birthday. May 26th, I got the 30 staples taken out and did more xrays. Its funny how the xray tech wanted me to flex my foot as there was no way in hell i could. Man, was I ever sweating bullets. The only good thing about that trip was I got to choose my own color for the next cast. Pretty green….keep you updated with the prgress
Hi! I broke my left ankle May, 28 2009. What a nightmare it has been. I’m 47 and feel down the stairs off of my deck. I had a bad disloacation and bad break. I had surgery the same day and had screws put in. The next day I was able to come home. I have been taking Oxycodone for pain. I have been weaning myself off of it. I now just take half a pill at nighttime.
My first week was spent crying, sleeping and in pain. I go from the Lazyboy, bathroom and bed. This has been the worst, painful, controlling, isolating thing that has ever happened to me. I will get my cast off Friday and will be put in a boot. I still will not be able to bear weight for another 8 wks. I know if will be a long haul. Can anybody tell me how long it took for the pain and swelling to go down. I just want to be able to put my leg down. The elevation is what bothers me. If it is not elevated the pain and swelling is awful. My leg is elevated 95% of the time and it still hurts to walk to the bathroom and back. I’m using a walker. Crutches going down stairs, but I can not go far I have to have my leg elevated. This is my main problem @ this point of recovery. I wish everyone the best of luck. I know how you all feel. I never want to go through this again and can not wait to be a least 50% better.
Hmm broke my ankle just over 6 weeks ago practising a football ‘trick’, you roll your foot over the ball one way and when your foot hits the ground you transfer all your weight the other way and drag the ball back the other way thus sending the ‘defender’ the other way. However at the critical moment I found I was standing to the edge of a hole so there was nothing to press on to send me the other way. Anyway it all went horribly wrong with me off balance and my foot on the edge of this hole and everything got horribly mangled as I fell, I could feel my leg bending where it should not, then I heard the fatal ‘click’ and I had that “oh shit” moment knowing I would hve to have my foot in plaster.
Anyways it was doulbe fracture the minor ankle bone (fibular?) a minor injury compared to a lot of the injuries listed here but a pain in the ankle (and ass) nonetheless. I was only in the cast 5 weeks 2 day
I could have done with a bit longer because it was starting to feel ‘good’, it was back to feeling like a cripple when they took it off!!
A problem I have is I have a sleep disorder where amongst other things I would kick my foot very violently unwillingly, which I don’t think helped much, thats not good for broken bones and rather painful. Anyways after a few days I was confident enough to hopple across the kitchen to ’save time’, unfortunately I over estimated my abbility and kind of lost balance and paiinfully ‘ripped’ my ankle a bit so it is back to ’spassland’. A day or two on and I think it is improving again, I will have to wait and see what it is like tomorrow, but I have to take more care, I am only doing mild physio exercises as it is pretty painful for some of them and I don’t want to do more damage than good. I am just worried that it wil heal up OK, I am sure you all have that worry. The medical staff seem pretty blaise aout it, when I express concern to the doctor in the few seconds I got to see him he reassured me by telling me that he had broken his ankle a while back! I felt like saying “but this is my ****ing ankle not yours!”. Then a brief visit to the physio nurse who showed me a few ankle exercises, who would say reassuringly ,when I tried to do what she said, “Yes, that’s it!”, despite me barely being able to move my ankle a millimetre!! Also “you are walking now” when I had managed to hobble about 6 feet very slowly and precariously. “That’s not my fooking idea of walking I though!!”
Anyway I will try and post how I get on cos I was trying to find out how long these thing take to get back to normal, but I guess everyone is different. I am sick of being virtually house bound. I did manage to hobble to the neaest shops on my crutches in my cast a few times, but the third time I did it, using one crutch I got a load of pain when I got back, which seemed to set me back a long way, so I gave up on that idea for the time being.
However the swelling seems to have gone down a lot now and it seems more flexible, albeit painful if I make a wrong move, so I will see how it goes. I know a lot of people are a lot worse off than me, looking up at Carol Ann’s post mine seems like a minor injury, hope you get well soon Ann. Take care going down stair on crutches I went down on my ass the first week or two, you don’t want to fall down again! Best wishes.
Ankle feels better today, the bit I ‘ripped’ seem to have healed up again so I can hobble a little without a stick, but I won’t be untill it is a lot stronger incase I ‘rip’ it again nd set me back.
I never bothered with pain killers my self as I have had problems with them before but then I didn’t get much pain really, not if my footed was rested anyway, sometimes a bit of an ache but that got a lot better if I got my foot rested up. I found atfer about 10 days I saw an improvement
I felt well enough to go 1/3 of a mile to the loal shop, over a railway bridge at that time although I don’t know iif that was a sensible thinig to do or not, there is the chance you stress the ankle more etc I think rest is best for broken bones, if you are getting anything more than mildishpain I think you should not do whatever you are doing.
So I don’t like the idea of pain killers much, they may take away a bit of pain but the damage is still being done anyway so better to be aware of the pain and do something about it (if you can), obviously I am not a doctor but you may find you doctor is pretty crap anyway ;O)
Hi All, I dislocated my ankle and broke tib and fib on May 10th, I had an op to pin my fib on May 15th and was in an open cast for 2 1/2 weeks, I then had a fibreglass cast put on that was removed on 17th June. My doctor has advised that I need to have a screw removed that goes through my fibula into my tibia at a diagonal angle in 4 to 6 weeks but in the mean time I can start trying to move my ankle up and down and round and round but I can only weight bear between 10 and 50 percent of my body weight through my foot. Has anyone else had this sort of advice fron their doctor as this all seems a bit early to begin weight bearing when it is not yet 5 weeks since my op and after reading all the other comments on this site it appears that evreyone else has been told that they must wait at least 8 weeks before trying to put any kind of weight on the ankle. Also I have a lot of numbness in the top of my foot and some burning sensation in the skin has anyone else experienced this as when I mentioned to my doctor he just looked confused and avoided giving me answers.
Can’t believe all the people on this site who have broken their ankle or worse! I broke my ankle on June 4 — fell on the stairs. I had surgery a week later, getting a plate with 6 screws. I am in a splint; no weight-bearing for 4-6 weeks. This has been hell. I am in my mid-40s and in terrible physical shape (overweight and no upper body strength), so this has been very hard. The pain is manageable with drugs and ice, but the immobility is unreal. I struggle with even simple things like going to the bathroom or moving from the bed to a chair. I am worried about how long this ordeal will be, if I will ever fully recover again, and what kind of complications I’ll experience. Reading about others’ experiences is helpful in that it answers some questions, but it also gives me more to worry about. One day at a time… I get the stitches removed in 10 days, at which time I am supposed to get a cast.
hi has anyone skated or jogged after this ankle break. my accident was in 2003. i want to rollerskate but i am scared.
It is very helpful to read the experiences of other people. I too feel lucky that it wasn’t worse. I was into the 3rd day of a 3 month sailing cruise from Brisbane to The Whitsunday Islands. We had gone from Brisbane to Mooloolaba where the boat was anchored awaiting the best conditions to continue on. On the 3rd night, June 3rd, 6 dinner guests were having a bon voyage dinner nearby at my brother’s home. At 9.30pm we were all gathering outside to say our goodnights. It had been raining and was still drizzly. The driveway has a slight gradient before it flattens out at the top and is covered with small shiny aggregate pebbles. The car was parked up the side. As I walked around to go to the passenger side my left foot slid across to my right side and ended up under my right leg like some extreme yoga pose.It was like slipping on ice or wet marble. I heard the snap first, then the pain began and I started screaming. My brother was trying to straighten my foot. “Where’s that blood coming from?” I could hear someone saying! The ambulance was called and it took me to Nambour Hospital sucking on a morphine stick. In emergency I was given ketamine while staff straighened my foot which was turned around. The ketamine gave me hallucinations. I had an operation within 12 hours as it was a compund fracture and the wound needed to be closed. The tibia and fibula were broken and a bit of bone at the back was snapped. I stayed in hospital a full week and have a plate and eleven screws. There were also staples which were taken out a fortnight later. It was my first broken bone. I am 64 years old but had been going to the gym with a personal trainer to get ready for the sailing trip. I am very grateful that I had been doing this as I am sure it has made using crutches easier although I am still frightened of steps.
Last night I watched the science show ‘Catalyst’ and they were talking about a girl who had broken bones in a car accident when she was young but had a sudden spontaneous break of an apparently healed bone several years later. She entered a trial program of stem cell injections and is fully recovered now. I hope this kind of treatment becomes universally available for people who have problems healing. There were people in her trial for whom doctors had even considerd amputaions as they were just not healing. Apparently, two thirds of the trial participants had positive results.
At first because of swelling and concerns re the open wound I had a back cast. It is now June 26th and I have had a the proper cast on for a week. I have people who are being very good to me but of course there is a lot of spare time to get bored and worry. I’m reading ‘Message in a Bottle.’ Someone lent it to me.I am hoping to resume the boat trip at the beginning of August. Am I being overly optimisitc?
Oh yes, and I was wearing joggers at the time. I really don’t know what to wear to be safe on wet surfaces in the future.
It seems like a club of comrades in arms out there. It’s such a good use of the internet. Happy hoppalong and scoot along to us all.
Howdy, all! As everyone on here, I too have had a bit of some bad luck and broken my heel bone, ankle, and tibia. I was visiting my friend in San Antonio and we decided to “go float the river”; basically, you rent an inner tube and float down the Guadalupe/Comal River for 4-6 hrs. As we were floating we approached a dock on the side of the river and many of the tubers were climbing out of the river onto the dock and either swinging from a rope or jumping right from the dock into the river. Let me just say the river was deep enough and I assumed if about 50 people ahead of us made the jump/swing with no injuries or accidents then it was probably safe. Umm…yeah, not the case when I jumped. I didn’t get the running start i needed and landed a little too close to the side of the river and hit a pretty big river rock with my left leg. To make matter worse there’s no way out except to finish floating the river. So an hour and half later i was out and taken to an urgent care clinic. The Dr. confirmed the break(s) and said I would have to consult with ortho surgeon. My friend wheeled me on to my flight and after two hours of pain and swelling I landed back home in El Paso. After all is said and I had surgery on June 17 and had my stitches and splint removed on June 29. I was put in a airboot and will have my second follow up appointment on July 18. I too am going crazy, staying home and “crutching” myself from recliner to bed is getting easier but having mom and family look after your every need is nice but it makes me feel so helpless. Additionally, I am a huge Boston RedSox fan and had finally found time to get to Fenway to catch a game on July 4. To me it was almost a life time dream to catch a game and to visit Boston. Now that trip has been cancelled and I am super bummed about not being able to go to Boston.
Moral of my story: stay in your tube! ;o)
Hope y’all are feeling and getting better; chin up, buddy.
What a great site. Broke muy rt ankle (fib) on June 26, & had sugery on June 27. A plate w/screws & pulled legiment. I am bored & want to do things for myself. I also want to desperately want to go back to work. Thx to all for these posts.
I hope everybody is doing better since their injuries. I broke my ankle on June 7th playing football when someone landed on my ankle. I knew something was wrong when my right foot pointed west,when I was facing northeast! Accidents happen,but the worst thing is not having insurance! So now I have to deal with that apart from my recovery. Now I’m just looking at these blogs to try and determine a timeframe based on everyone elses recovery time so I can get back to work and start chipping away at this medical debt. I’ve learned to maneuver well in a wheelchair and also in crutches,but I miss the simple things,like taking a shower without having to hold onto dear life! Now I can only look forward to going to class twice a week at the community college which gets me out of the house. Times like these make you realize who your REAL friends are and how family is still and always important. Their is a brighter side I can look at though,due to my fathers diabetic complications last year,he unfortunately had both of his legs amputated below the knees. He will never walk again,but for the most of us,walking will eventually become a daily activity again. So I have my next appoinment Aug 11th,and I am anxious to how much more I have to wait before I’m active again. For now,I wish everyone the best of luck,keep your heads above water,and we should realize how lucky we are that it could have been worse. God bless.
Hi,
My story, I’ll keep it simple, hope it helps those of you behind me.
Broke my ankle on a dodgy step in a newly rented house. Dislocation, 3 breaks, operation next day, plate & 5 screws and pin. I was in a temp cast for a week which was removed, stitches taken out, and recast in fibreglass. The removal of stitches was fine, just stings, but the pulling of the foot from pointed into a right angle for the second cast was teeth clenching as the achilles had shortened in a week. Foot was evil looking, colours of rainbow, made me nauseus.
Next was 6 weeks of basic bedrest as I was hopeless on crutches. I was lucky to have a family to help me but there were moments where I became bitter and twisted, I had to learn patience, loss of control and there were bad days and good. No pain killers (i was on morphine tablets) after first 2 weeks.
Cast off. Bones healed, told by doc now up to me – should be throwing away crutches in a week. I went home full of determination and self belief.
Crap! Doc had referred me to physio who agreed that throwing away crutches wasn’t going to happen in a week!! It’s been two, I am partial weighbearing, had physio 3x and can walk with one crutch short distances but need 2 for balance outside. My foot still turns blue/grey as muscles too weak to pump blood out of foot. It aches and looks like a pigs trotter sometimes just minutes from using it. Mornings are the best, it’s the only time I look normal.
I’m still determined, I constantly bend,stretch, hobble. I’m getting a skateboard to roll my foot back and forth on while sitting and it won’t bend upwards and I can’t lunge forwards yet. But I am improving so have faith. I think realistically I may be walking in a month, maybe healed in 6 as its a slow process but we’ll get there. My scars are angry at the moment, been advise to rub area around them but it’s still pretty bruised even after 8 weeks and still looks like a Frankenfoot.
Keep positive, you will get there – Ali
Compared to most of you, my break is a piece of cake. I’m sorry for everyone who has a more difficult experience. Mine has been bad enough. I broke my right ankle on June 28th when my foot twisted off a step. It was not dislocated, and my ’saddle’ was not damaged, thank the Lord! I was in a cast for three weeks, which you all know was no fun and very difficult. I never understood what people on crutches were going through. I guess experience really is a great teacher! Now I am rejoicing and walking in a walking cast, thanking Him fervently and continuously for freedom and mobility. I still can’t drive, but we will see what they say in three weeks. I am thankful God meets the needs of those who have put their faith and trust in Him through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ. In the Bible, please read Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, and Romans 10:9, 10, 13. He does answer prayer!!
29 M Soldier Currently in Afghanistan, looking to chat with a lady whose had a ankle injury.. Would be awesome if someone had pics in their cast or boot. Hope to hear from someone soon:)
my email is michiganinfantry1@yahoo.com oops sorry
crap crap crap and double crap broke my ankle last wed acting like a 18 year old (i,m 31 with three kids and a house that is falling down around me now)i jumped over a pallet to look at my brothers new puppies,lay there for ten mins before i eventually hoveled to the house white as a sheet where i was met by my mother and sister in law stuffing their faces with my nice fish supper and wondering what kept me so long. so i have learnt three lessons never jump over a pallet and if you do don,t wear flip flops and never trust any one with your fish supper ha ha!!.
Well, here’s my story. I am 49 years old, and my husband and dog Baxter (german shepherd) decided to do the six mile loop trail in the high Sierra’s that looped from Woods Lake to Round top Lake to Winnamucka Lake and back. We got a late start, around 3:30 p.m. Had a great hike up to Round Top Lake, the portion with the most elevation gain to about 9,000 foot elevation. Almost to Lake Winnamucka, looking down at it from the highest point made it look so close! My husband decided to take some pictures of wildflowers a few feet off trail. I was holding Baxter’s leash, when I heard a woman scream behind me when she fell on the trail. I was putting my foot down at the same time on ground that was softer than I expected and turned to see if she was ok, at the same time Baxter decided to go see Dad down the hill. I heard the crack, then my ankle went floppy underneath me. It was 5:00 p.m. at least two miles from the car, and pure downhill hiking to go and beginning to get cool as the sun started going down. We asked the couple behind us (she was fine) to get help as there was no cell coverage up there, but had no idea how that would turn out. Meanwhile, my husband found a guy who was skiing on the ridge, last person on the mountain, and they decided I had to get to Lake Winnamucka (looking very far away now) where it was more protected in case I had to spend the night. I was not happy with this decision. I was happy to just sit there in the dirt and wait for the rescue crew that I hoped would come eventually. At least there were very few insects or critters at that high elevation to give me fits. We were in shorts, no first aid gear, no flashlight and totally unprepared for an injury such as this.
So, limping me down the mountain with the aid of ski poles, I traveled about a quarter mile which took about 2.5 hours on some very scary terrain, they laid me on the trail at Lake Winnamucka at about 8:30 p.m. There happened to be a Pediatrician camping at the lake with a bag full of first aid supplies, (my angel at that point, Chris you were wonderful!), who at least stabilized it with an ace bandage and gave me some Motrin. He was going to give up his sleeping bag for the night because at that point it was getting ice cold, and my teeth were chattering from both cold and shock, and went back for it when we heard radios and saw flashlights coming up the mountain. Oh, what a welcome site, 8 strapping young men came to my rescue with a fancy stretcher with a big wheel and morphine! They triaged the situation, and decided to call in a helicopter because they figured it would take about four hours hiking at night on the stretcher to get me out of there. So, they hiked me down about a quarter mile to a meadow where a helicopter landed and took me to the hospital in South Lake Tahoe. At that point I was thinking it better be broken after going through all that! Well, sure enough, fractured fibula. Thought I got off easy, but after seeing the ortho a week later, he had me in surgery the next day to stabilize with a plate and screws because there was apparently some hefty ligament damage as well.
So here I am two weeks later in a splint, waiting for the cast next week. It was my right ankle, so I can’t drive. I wanted to throw the crutches out the window as I feel they are the most limiting primitive devices, not even allowing a person to get a cup of coffee by themselves. But, I have been liberated now. We stopped by the medical supply store on the way from the hospital and rented a kneeling scooter. For those of you dealing with long periods of non-weight bearing from an ankle or foot injury, you need to get one of these! I kneel with my bad leg on the scooter, and push with my good leg. It has brakes that lock so that you are stable. I literally zip around with this thing, and when you have the brake on, it makes you stable so you can do things with your hands while standing. Well worth the $95 per month rental it costs. Don’t mess around with those torturous crutches any more than you have to, go try one of these things, you will love it!
I broke my ankle just on sunday. what do I do i am having a halloween party and we are going trick or treating please help because i cant just cancel on my friends
yea got my cast off 3 weeks ago! the last 6 weeks were to say the least awful!!! my eldest son(who has autism) kept asking when it was coming off cause he wanted his old mummy back! ok so i was slightly moody anyway it felt like i had no foot when they removed the cast (what a site) I absolutely appreciate being able to walk now even though i am slow and limping a little. can any one tell me how long it will take for the swelling to go down and for my ankle to feel strong again i,m still really nervous when i,m walking or if any one goes with in an inch of it.
BROKEN TIBIA, 23 YR OLD GIRL, PLEASE HELP!!!
Hi,
I recently had an accident while visiting friends away from home and fell down a flight of stairs. This happened exactly 24 days ago, since I was visiting friends away from home I had to go to the ER they were unable to cast me and I was left untreated for days.
When I finally went to the surgeon he could not even cast my leg ( I was put in a a split until about 2 weeks ago) until the swelling went down. I have been in an uncontrolable amount of pain up until about 6 days ago. My DR metioned compartment sydrome when the pain was still extremeley severe but has now said there is only about a 5 percent chance I have it.
I am only 23 years old, I live in Manhattan and am usually extremely active. I used to practice Bikram yoga all the time. WHEN WILL I BE OKAY AGAIN? I am used to wearing high shoes and have never had a break in my life. This has been one of the most depressing things I have faced and am insure of how to deal with this as most research I have done about broken tibias involves surgey…
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
THANKS
I broke my ankle in 3 places May 28th tore ligaments bone cihps what have u. I am still nervous only wear flats,which I hate cuz I am only 5″ 3″ but it does get better. Still have pain and swelling but getting better all the time. It was the worst thing I have ever been through and I have broken 2 ribs before ,this was worse. But keep in mind it DOES get better.
Hi Heather,
I broke my right ankle clear across and have been bedridden since Sept. 21st. Per my doctors I will be out for 6 weeks.
I started home therapy this week and will start 4 weeks of 3 times a week of clinic therapy this coming Monday.
My doctors told me after a week of clinic therapy, I will be able to drive myself back to work. I’m a little concerned about that. Can one week of therapy really get me off the crutches and out of the boot? I’m thinking not but hope I am wrong.
Hey all
My names Adam im 20 years old and i broke my ankle September 24th and had surgery the 29th
-I have a plate and 6 screws due to a double break/dislocation/ligament tear. I am wondering if the ligament damage is long term. I am an avid snowboarder and am getting more mad about the situation the more it snows. I was living in Bend Oregon at the time, attending college and living an awesome life, unfortunatley i had to move back home until i can walk again. I hate not knowing when ill be back to normal. I am enrolled in PT twice a week, but cant seem to get past a certain point. Why wont my ankle stretch, it seems stuck in the same spot each week, is this normal? Im trying to do as much as possible to get this ankle stonger so i can ride, any tips on how to speed up the process?