Fractured Tibia and Fibula (Broken Lower Leg Bones) with Fixation Surgery (forehead, blood pressure)

[BikeMessenger]

Hi Joyklou:
I truly regret that we are in this situation. Nevertheless, now we have to overcome this and with the strength and hope we can get here, that can be easier.
Just as your new President says: Let's choose hope over fear!!!

I had a broken ankle last August 2nd, 2008, after a bicycle fall (open fracture, grade I). I have now a steel plate on one side of my left ankle and two screws on the another side of the same ankle. It took me about three months to walk again without crutches or cane (I was certainly lucky that it was that fast), with a lot of physical physiotherapy.
After almost 6 months of the accident, I am walking OK, with some minimal pain. I have been able to ride again my bicycle, and for that I consider myself very lucky. Certainly, this forum has been extremely supportive.
I used to work as a bicycle messenger in Mexico City, trying to start my own small company. Not at the moment of that accident. Then, I was trying to become a business consultant for small business and entrepreneurs.
I have to confess that the situation of my own business before the accident was not really in good shape... Well, you can imagine how it is now after all these months of being temporarily disabled... You can imagine how I felt when I was watching the news last October (still using a cane then) about Wall Street, Lehman Bros., etc., etc.

So, now I understand that the consequences of a broken leg or ankle involve not only your anatomy and physical and health status, but also involve your psychological and economical and laboral status...
I also had to learn and understand that in this regard I had really to set priorities: What was first? To recover physically as best as I could or to get a new job? How was I going to start looking for a new job while still limping and walking with a cane, with quite limited mobility, experiencing some sad feelings? And this has not much to do with discrimination... But how uncomfortable I would feel going to a job interview with limited mobility?

Certainly I understand your need for making payments and coping with so many requirements of a small business, because I have to cope exactly with the same stuff. But in my case, my physical recovery was top priority, and very thankfully I had some savings and some family support.

Today, I am recovered (yes, there is recovery, believe it or not, and despite my own lack of faith). I have decided to look for a new job instead of pursuing the entrepreneur stuff... Certainly, I cannot do anymore the bicycle messengering stuff... I will go back to the pharmaceutical sales, where I started a number of years ago. I feel much better, more confident to cope with whatever I have to cope.
How it would be if the accident would'nt happen??
I don't know. The would be just does not exist.

So, all these are really difficult situations and decisions I have to cope with. And never forget that everyone is different, with different needs, different possibilities, etc.

I just wanted to share this with you, hoping that it can give you some reference for the decisions you certainly have to make. In some way or another, knowing that there are so many others facing similar difficulties, gives me some support, some assurance that can improve my possibilities to overcome this adverse circumstances.

My very best wishes, praying for a speedy and 100% recovery for you and all around in this forum.


Manuel
recovered broken ankle bike messenger.

Originally Posted by joyklou

Hey all,
I am new to this thread. It has been great to read all of the stories. I have been down and out since Dec 4. I had elective knee surgery and was recovering well. Getting ready to go back to work(I am a self employed hairdresser) and then on Dec 28 I fell on black ice. Shattered my tibia and fibia just above my right ankle.Surgery consisted of 2 titanium plates and 16 screws. Spent 5 days in the hospital. Went home with a walker, wheelchair, crutches, and of course a shower chair. I had a fiberglass cast for 3 weeks. Now i have an aircast. Doc says i can only have it off when i am sitting.

I have been reading all of the different stories and I think my progress is good. I am only taking Percaset to help me sleep(not in much pain though). i am completely nonweight bearing and that is making me crazy. I do not sit well, but no choice at this point. I think i will be out of work until spring which really bites. I am making payments every month on my shop which is closed now due to my accident. I move from the chair to the wheelchair just to get a different view.

My pain is not bad at this point but still alot of swelling. Got staples out on Monday but still pretty raw.It is great to hear from others in the same situation.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
joyklou

[Vyzie]

Originally Posted by BikeMessenger

Hi Joyklou:
I truly regret that we are in this situation. Nevertheless, now we have to overcome this and with the strength and hope we can get here, that can be easier.
Just as your new President says: Let's choose hope over fear!!!

I had a broken ankle last August 2nd, 2008, after a bicycle fall (open fracture, grade I). I have now a steel plate on one side of my left ankle and two screws on the another side of the same ankle. It took me about three months to walk again without crutches or cane (I was certainly lucky that it was that fast), with a lot of physical physiotherapy.
After almost 6 months of the accident, I am walking OK, with some minimal pain. I have been able to ride again my bicycle, and for that I consider myself very lucky. Certainly, this forum has been extremely supportive.
I used to work as a bicycle messenger in Mexico City, trying to start my own small company. Not at the moment of that accident. Then, I was trying to become a business consultant for small business and entrepreneurs.
I have to confess that the situation of my own business before the accident was not really in good shape... Well, you can imagine how it is now after all these months of being temporarily disabled... You can imagine how I felt when I was watching the news last October (still using a cane then) about Wall Street, Lehman Bros., etc., etc.

So, now I understand that the consequences of a broken leg or ankle involve not only your anatomy and physical and health status, but also involve your psychological and economical and laboral status...
I also had to learn and understand that in this regard I had really to set priorities: What was first? To recover physically as best as I could or to get a new job? How was I going to start looking for a new job while still limping and walking with a cane, with quite limited mobility, experiencing some sad feelings? And this has not much to do with discrimination... But how uncomfortable I would feel going to a job interview with limited mobility?

Certainly I understand your need for making payments and coping with so many requirements of a small business, because I have to cope exactly with the same stuff. But in my case, my physical recovery was top priority, and very thankfully I had some savings and some family support.

Today, I am recovered (yes, there is recovery, believe it or not, and despite my own lack of faith). I have decided to look for a new job instead of pursuing the entrepreneur stuff... Certainly, I cannot do anymore the bicycle messengering stuff... I will go back to the pharmaceutical sales, where I started a number of years ago. I feel much better, more confident to cope with whatever I have to cope.
How it would be if the accident would'nt happen??
I don't know. The would be just does not exist.

So, all these are really difficult situations and decisions I have to cope with. And never forget that everyone is different, with different needs, different possibilities, etc.

I just wanted to share this with you, hoping that it can give you some reference for the decisions you certainly have to make. In some way or another, knowing that there are so many others facing similar difficulties, gives me some support, some assurance that can improve my possibilities to overcome this adverse circumstances.

My very best wishes, praying for a speedy and 100% recovery for you and all around in this forum.


Manuel
recovered broken ankle bike messenger.

I couldn't agree more, Manuel. I broke my tibia in April 2008. The only thing you can do is get well. Everything else just has to wait. Very hard to do anything else given the uncertainty of when you can walk. I had to take 90 days of hospitalization leave and 35 days of no-pay leave.

Will see doctor next week. Last appointment was in October 2008. I had a spiral fracture, slightly displaced and no surgery. So far so good. Only swelling at the end of the day and pain is rare and fleeting.

Wishing everyone a speedy recovery! Have patience & courage!

[seventysix]

Welcome joyklou! Sounds like your injury is similar to mine, though yours seems much more serious. I fractured my tibia and fibula but was kept in the hospital only one night after surgery. Being allowed to remove the aircast was great (two weeks after surgery). As my doctor advised, I wear it when I go outside and/or there is a possibility I could fall - but I never wear it inside. But follow your doctor's orders!

Alex the TTC streetcar driver - sounds like things are progressing. I hear you about the crutches! Have you got those "ice picks" things that flip down on the bottom of your crutches? They are pretty cheap ($10-15) and are easily attached. It makes a world of difference when I'm outside. BUT, they are really slippery on smooth floors, like tile or linoleum. I've really enjoyed going out for little 'crutches' everyday - the exercise is great, but it's also good for the mind.

All in all, I'm healing pretty well. I had a bit of a breakthrough in terms of movement. A couple nights ago (about 4weeks after surgery) I suddenly found my ankle moving much farther up and down, and the next night I could do some pretty awesome circles! I'm putting preassure on it a bit when I sit and I really feel like I could probably start walking soon. But I don't see the doctor until Feb 4th, which is 2weeks away... I know, I know: patience. The incisions are looking a lot better. The outside one is pretty much just scar now, but the inside one is still scabby. Now that I'm sure it's 'sealed,' I tried covering it with vitamin e oil and putting a bandage over it to hold all the moisture in. It worked great! I'm on the second day of that treatment... I can't wait to check it later today! haha Just from looking on the internet for a while, it seems that the old idea of letting air at a cut isn't really that great. It should be moist, not dried out; it can't heal without moisture. And scabs act as a wedge, blocking new skin that's trying to attach.

After reading the latest comments, it seems many of are going a bit stir crazy from having to sit around. Me too! One of my favourite things in life is to go for a walk. I love exploring different parts of the city, looking at the buildings, having people around... all that. But there's lots to do inside, and thank goodness for the internet! I've been 'home shopping' - some new books and a new cell phone! There's lots of free online games out there. Maybe there's something you've always been interested in but never had the time for... like learning about something historical? Or maybe you've always wanted to read some author or book? or learn about a country you find interesting, or maybe where your family came from? or maybe in the midst of Obama-mania, it would be cool to read some of Lincoln's writtings? Anyway, there's lots of stuff to do when you're sitting.. think of this as your big chance!

[scottbrd]

Hello people.Basically, on December 3rd 2008 I suffered a double fracture to my tibia playing football. On that date I was placed in a full leg cast for six weeks, until January 14th. On the 14th I was then put into a below-knee cast (PTB cast) that is still in place to this date. I'm next due back at the hospital on February 11th.For some reason (I think out of blind optimism), I have it in my mind that the cast will finally come off on February 11th - am I living with false hope? Sorry to sound dramatic and I fully appreciate that there are people worse off than myself, but does anyone in the know think my cast will come off, seeing as it's ten weeks after the injury?I'm a 21-year-old lad who is missing out on a lot of work at uni at present and am dying to get back walking, working etc so any reply with genuine help would be greatly appreciated.Many thanks all,Scott.

[KittKat]

Reading some of these stories...wow! My broken fibula is NOTHING compared to some of this stuff...but here's my story anyway. I fell while walking down a very steep hill (in flip flops b/c I'm a dumb a$$). I planted my foot wrong and broke my fibula, dislocated my ankle, and of course tore my ligaments. I had to have surgurey...with the rod and pins and all. This happened on May 31st. I personally think that my recovery went very well, and fast. I was in a splint for 11 days, after that, the staples came out and I was introduced to the walking boot...FREAKING HATED THAT THING!! Anyway, by June 25th, I was completely off my crutches and only using the boot, and within 3 weeks of ditching the crutches, I decided to ditch the boot too! I only went to 2 PT appointments in the very beginning, did the rest on my own. There were some VERY sharp pains that would come and go for a couple of months after, but all in all, it turned out MUCH better than I ever imagined that it would! Best of luck to everyone...sounds like you all need it!

[joyklou]

Kittkat,
Thanks for the imput. your story is encouraging. I hope i will be as lucky. Can't wait to get on with life.
joyklou

[seventysix]

scottbrd - That does seem like a really long time to have a cast on! But it totally depends on your doctor and their opinion of the x-rays. Maybe yours was a really bad break.. I think the PTB cast is usually used if the bone is taking a long time to heal. Is this the case? Did they offer an air cast (the removable boot)? Are you supposed to be doing knee exercises?

[axinom07]

Hi Everyone!!
Well, I'd like to welcome our newest members to our little club. As I like to say, I am sorry that you were injured, BUT I am very happy that you found our site. As I'm sure you'll find out, there are many very supportive people with wonderful advice.

Christina, WELCOME HOME! I was so happy to see you made it back safe and sound and that you enjoyed yourself. The site was a little lonely without you. Sorry to hear about the snow. Shoot we even had it down here for a couple of hours, but none of it stuck. So how did your kids enjoy the trip? I bet you couldn't wipe the grins off their faces! LOL!!

Well, I have been going to PT twice a week. I have a ton of exercises I do twice a day. They are all geared towards helping me gain back some flexibiity. They are pretty painful, especially the ones centering around the ankle. That is where most of my pain seems to have settled at. The therapist has me working on the paralell bars standing, shifting my weight from one foot to the other ( as much as I can take on the bad side) and walking back and forth. Of course I'm not putting full weight down as I'm walking. I can tell you one thing that has been so fantastic and I know I said it already, but Goodness it feels so great to stand in the shower!!! whoo hoo!!!

Anyway, here are some funny tidbits to try and make you laugh!
The female knot-tying weaverbird will refuse to mate with a male who has built a shoddy nest. If spurned, the male must take the nest apart and completely rebuild it in order to win the affections of the female.

So, you've heard the phrase, "going at it like rabbits". Well, the desert rat makes the rabbit look a little useless in the Don Juan stakes. The desert rat can have sex up to 120 times an hour.

The female Praying Mantis eats her mate after sex. During the act the female will hook her large arms around to hold him in place and start nibbling away. The sex drive is so strong in the male that he can continue to copulate even if his partner gets a little peckish before he's finished.

The mother's purr acts as a homing device, announcing to her babies that nursing time has arrived. Kittens begin to purr in return at about one week of age - perhaps as a gesture of gratitude, or maybe as a request for milk - and continue to purr for the rest of their lives.

The ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as Gods. Any cat owner can tell you that cats have never gotten over it!

Two dogs survived the sinking of Titanic, yes that's right, two DOGS survived. They escaped on early lifeboats carrying so few people that no one objected. Miss Margaret Hays of New York brought her Pomeranian with her in lifeboat No. 7, while Henry Sleeper Harper of the publishing family boarded boat No. 3 with his Pekinese, Sun Yat Sen.

Ya'll have a great day, keep your spirits up and remember to laugh!
Stay Strong!
Monica

[simms]

I have two screws in my ankle that were put in in august of 2007 and they do not bother me. My knee still does after the pulled off my knee cap to put in the titanium rod. It sucks because I never had an knee injury! I also have two screws in my tib right below my knee and they seem to be ok.

[scottbrd]

Thanks seventysix for replying.

Well everytime I go to the doctors they say it takes up to 3 months to heal so i'm hoping that is worst case scenario! Ten weeks i'm hoping will be a sufficient amount of time and the cast will come off.

The doctor hasn't told me to do any exercises but when the full cast came off my knee was very stiff and painful. Since then though, I have done easy exercises and my knee has free'd up and seems t be back to normal.

Then thing is that i'm already missing 5 weeks of University term even if the cast does come off on February 11th. If it is put back further I think this will enforce me to drop out of Uni and I simply can't do that! I hope it's realistic to say that i'll be out of the cast on February 11th.

Is there anything I can eat or do to make the bone heal faster? Sounds a bit simplistic I know but I am so keen to be out of this cast now i'll do anything!!

Thanks again,
Scott.