Fractured Tibia and Fibula (Broken Lower Leg Bones) with Fixation Surgery (Walmart, period)

[mike perry ia]

ok just a quick question.how do u put 40% weight on your leg? also,can u use one crutch or a cane to do so? i am on my 3rd week and so far i am not allowed to put any weight on it. will start pt on mar 30th for 30% bending of the knee.i am afraid that will be painful. right now i am using a walker and sorta afraid of crutches....mike

[Bhosler877]

Mike I am 40% weight bearing with two crutches. PT said to take your house bathroom scale, figure 40% of your body weight then try and I do mean try the best you can to stand on scale till get fill of what 40% is and when walking try to get that feeling. It is very hard. I am two wks with 40% and they have not increased me yet however I have tried to use only one crutch and its impossible for me and cannot even visualize when I will be able to use a cane. My balance is not good because of ankle being stiff and not wanting to bend. But I do great with two crutches. I was at first on walker because I was very unstable and then each week got better for me. Yes it was very painful at first but now after two weeks no pain but soreness, stiffness and strangulation from plate,wires,pins,screws. Good luck.

[cristina1]

Mike, my doctor had me tape a book shut that was the same thickness as my bathroom scale. Step on the book with the good leg, and then step on the bathroom scale with the bad leg. As bhosler said, figure out 40% of your weight and apply pressure until you hit that mark on the scale. 40% is really a lot more than you might think. I can't comment on the pain issue because my pain was horrible, but that turned out to be from the infection in the bone. After just three days on the antibiotics, I am walking a whole lot better, and PT hasn't even started doing anything strenuous with me yet.

[Nannyof2]

Originally Posted by Bhosler877

Its been 9 weeks since my accident. Shattered tib/fib and shattered ankle walking into work on ice on unsalted pavement in handicap area. My fracture is completely healed just need to wear medical support hose 12 hrs on 12 hrs off. I am just starting to bear 40% of weight on my left ankle. Buying a slip on shoe here in Toledo Ohio was a challenge could not wear velcro was causing pressure pts could not feel. Has anyone experienced the strangulation of metal at times. Last 4 days the ankle has stiffened up so no matter what stretching exercises they are having me do got to ride stationary bike for first time Friday at PT but this metal strangulation at ankle drives me absolutely insane do not know what to do about it and PT or ortho dr not concerned says its normal just want to go in with wire cutters and snip it off. Since my accident each week gets better but the thought of not knowing when can even start walking with only one crutch seems to far out to visualize. Those of you who are just starting out even though I do not write much reading what everyone has gone through has helped. Everyone hang in there and get better. I was just so thankful Ohio didnot have any snowfall since I fell 1/14/09. Take care my prayers are with each and everyone of you.

Hi Bholser
I am curious about what you mean my metal strangulation at the ankle?

My accident was on 1/15, so very close to yours. My first surgery was on 1/16 and then a second surgery on 1/28 so I am a little behing you in that aspect, you can back up on here to read my whole story... I also posted my x-rays on my profile if interested. I have screws and plates in my ankle area, my break was just above my right ankle. 2 plates, 16 screws total.

Anyway I wondered about the metal strangulation because my ankle is so stiff also. I started PT 2 1/2 weeks ago and I am gaining some flexibility, but it seems so slow. I also get to the point where the ankle just seems to stop and won't go any farther, not really painful, but like something is blocking it from moving. I am about 30% WB at this point, but supposed to be up to 50% by my next ortho appt. on April 2.

Thanks for any insight! I too appreciate all the help this site has given me, it is so wonderful!! To everyone recovering, keep the faith and God Bless!

[Bhosler877]

Hi Nanny its hard to describe to metal strangulation. Feels like I have a built in ankle brace that just keeps tightening at times. When I move feel the metal tightening maybe its just the ankle but it just feels like put a brace on and tightening it that it is just there with tightening motion. Wish I could describe it better because it just drives me insane like that plate pins, screws if were not there the ankle could move better. But I still am able to bear some weight on it. cristina I like that book idea seems like that would be whole lot simpler trying to balance yourself.

[cristina1]

Bhosler - the book idea works GREAT. I'd recommend it to anyone who is partial weight bearing.

[mike perry ia]

Originally Posted by Bhosler877

Mike I am 40% weight bearing with two crutches. PT said to take your house bathroom scale, figure 40% of your body weight then try and I do mean try the best you can to stand on scale till get fill of what 40% is and when walking try to get that feeling. It is very hard. I am two wks with 40% and they have not increased me yet however I have tried to use only one crutch and its impossible for me and cannot even visualize when I will be able to use a cane. My balance is not good because of ankle being stiff and not wanting to bend. But I do great with two crutches. I was at first on walker because I was very unstable and then each week got better for me. Yes it was very painful at first but now after two weeks no pain but soreness, stiffness and strangulation from plate,wires,pins,screws. Good luck.

thank you so much that makes sense and good luck to you also!!

[mike perry ia]

wow i cant wait,lol. i have some numbness in my foot and cant wait for pt to start as that will seem to be on the way to recovery..do any doctors recommend taking in more vitamin d or any supplements?

[Nannyof2]

Originally Posted by Bhosler877

Hi Nanny its hard to describe to metal strangulation. Feels like I have a built in ankle brace that just keeps tightening at times. When I move feel the metal tightening maybe its just the ankle but it just feels like put a brace on and tightening it that it is just there with tightening motion. Wish I could describe it better because it just drives me insane like that plate pins, screws if were not there the ankle could move better. But I still am able to bear some weight on it. cristina I like that book idea seems like that would be whole lot simpler trying to balance yourself.

Thanks for your reply, that sounds tough....I truly hope that improves very soon for you!

[Nannyof2]

Originally Posted by mike perry ia

wow i cant wait,lol. i have some numbness in my foot and cant wait for pt to start as that will seem to be on the way to recovery..do any doctors recommend taking in more vitamin d or any supplements?

Goodluck starting your PT..........some Dr's recommend vit d along with calcium, the vit D helps the body absorb the calcium, but check with your Dr or possibly your PT.


I too am not crazy about crutches at this point. I just don't feel secure with them, so for now I am sticking to my walker. I am at about 30% - 40% WB at this point.