Fractured Tibia and Fibula (pain, ankle, cold, tibula)

[Rosie Struthers]

I slipped on some ice in my driveway 4.5 weeks ago and broke my tib and fib. I had surgery the day after the break and had an external fixator put on/into my leg. I have to keep this device on for 9 weeks, during which time I lay on my butt with my leg elevated for the most part. When I do get up for more than a few minutes, my foot turns really purple and throbs. My leg is completely non weight-bearing for now. After the 9 weeks I'll have a walking cast put on and am told that will be there for about 2 months. I can relate to those people going crazy with boredom. This is so tough. So I've started going to the gym again a couple days ago. I work on upper body and a bit of upper leg exercises. It makes me sick looking at how my bad leg has shriveled up to nothing. Any hint of a muscle has disappeared. I'm hoping what I'm doing isn't hindering my leg in any way. My Dr. didn't really give me any idea of what I could do, other than "make sure it's not bumped or bearing any weight". Anyone know if what I'm doing is ok??
Does anyone know how long you're supposed to keep your leg elevated at night? Why does my knee hurt so much? When your foot turns purple after being up, does that mean you should get your leg elevated as quickly as possible, is that actually hurting your recovery time by being up for a while? So many questions.....

[pumpkin71403]

I broke my Fibula skydiving on the 9th of May, I was told to keep it up as much as possible so I sleep the whole night with it up. As for the knee pain if it is constantly straight or in a weird position you are going to have pain. Try using a pillow under your knee so you have a little bend in it. That has helped me a ton. Having a purple foot is ok. that just mean that the blood is rushing back into that area. If it becomes blue then I would worry. I don't think it is hurting your recovery time.... I would be careful going to the gym. Make sure you are not putting any strain on your bad leg at all. As for your muscle shriviling up that is normal from not using it. The muscle doesn't go away.. you just lose some of the bulk. You will get that back in time. Don't rush your injury it takes time for everything to heal.

[sharmaamit99]

Originally Posted by Rosie Struthers

I slipped on some ice in my driveway 4.5 weeks ago and broke my tib and fib. I had surgery the day after the break and had an external fixator put on/into my leg. I have to keep this device on for 9 weeks, during which time I lay on my butt with my leg elevated for the most part. When I do get up for more than a few minutes, my foot turns really purple and throbs. My leg is completely non weight-bearing for now. After the 9 weeks I'll have a walking cast put on and am told that will be there for about 2 months. I can relate to those people going crazy with boredom. This is so tough. So I've started going to the gym again a couple days ago. I work on upper body and a bit of upper leg exercises. It makes me sick looking at how my bad leg has shriveled up to nothing. Any hint of a muscle has disappeared. I'm hoping what I'm doing isn't hindering my leg in any way. My Dr. didn't really give me any idea of what I could do, other than "make sure it's not bumped or bearing any weight". Anyone know if what I'm doing is ok??
Does anyone know how long you're supposed to keep your leg elevated at night? Why does my knee hurt so much? When your foot turns purple after being up, does that mean you should get your leg elevated as quickly as possible, is that actually hurting your recovery time by being up for a while? So many questions.....

You will be ok in some time but i cant tell you how much.
I have gone thru all this & let me tell you stop ur gyming. Once u start bearing weight on ur leg start it again.

Ur foot turns purple coz the blodd rushes down when u stand up. Keep it elevated as much as u can.

Thanks & Best Luck for a speedy recovery.

[grich002]

I fractured tibia in 5 places and broke ankle and wrist. I like you, have approached this with a fitness must resume attitude. My doc was amazed my progress in two months. But the pain is fairly significant. Especially a few hours after working out. Ibuprofen doesn't touch this pain and unless I take an oxy hydrocodone combo , I will not sleep. It's a damned if u do damned if u don't deal for certain. How are you doing now?
Gregg

[stacy2011]

Hello I'm a 16 year old football player. I broke my fibula and tibula at practice on oct 15 (tuesday).its a week later and I don't really have pain. I'm in a full leg cast now but I sleep without my leg elevated because it more comfortable and I really don't need the pain meds the doctor gave me. My doctor said that it would be about 12 weeks to my recovery. I was wondering when I would be walking again and will I be back to normal in sports?? If so how long??

[seastar311]

Stacy, I broke my tib and fib clean through some years ago. No surgery, just a full-leg cast like you have. In a while you'll get a walking cast (below the knee) and will feel much more normal. At 12 weeks I still had a limp and some twinges of pain, but not bad. Now I workout all the time and have no signs that the leg was ever broken. It took awhile though, so be patient. That's great that it's not hurting you! Best wishes!

[grannynancy]

I broke my fibula clean through about 4 years ago and have a plate, never had a cast. I turned 50 during my recovery but it was still pretty fast with a lot of PT.

I still have pain on that ankle when I walk a lot or when it is cold and rainy and it tends to swell [the ankle IS larger than the other one] a bit more but otherwise is just fine. I just walk through the pain.

I was off it for 8 weeks then progressed to a walking cast and crutches.