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Hi, I broke my leg 6.5 weeks ago...I fell off an indo board in uni and broke my tib, fib and ankle (5 breaks in total), I had a plate put in my leg and 14 screws. I was meant to have my cast off 4 days ago but my bones hadn't healed at all in the 6 weeks since my operation so I am still completely non weight bearing. Wondered if this had happened to anyone else and if there are any suggestions for anything to speed up the process? I kind of need to hear some good recovery stories because at the moment, the chances of me walking any day soon are slim Thanks x
Hello, interesting that you still have a cast on and not at least partial weight bearing. My bones, and everyone else's bones were definitely not healed by 6.5 weeks but most of the time we are allowed to be partial weight bearing and start PT. It could be that your ankle was also broken and most people on this board have broken tib/fib. Realistically, it may take another 4 weeks to heal bone. I know it sounds like an eternity but that may be reality. Time will pass and you will get better. Stay positive and let your body heal. If you read my previous posts, I listed what I did to heal including taking vitamins. I had the best healing time possible for my injury. I am now full weight bearing 10 weeks after my fall. I still use crutches because my ankle is stiff and it still hurts. But I am getting better. Sending you wishes for a speedy recovery.
In 2002 I was crossing the street in a cross walk while 2 drivers blew through the lifh. I dodge the first one and didn't jump high enough to miss the second one and ince I waz already mid-air and she was going about 45 miles an hour after hitting the brakes I ended up inside the car via the front windshield and instantly went into shock and was stuck there until there until they pulled me out. Needless to say my leg was broken along with some cuts. Anyways, They put a rod in down the main fibula from my knee to my ankle and it took me 9 weeks to get my foot flat walking on crutches and another week or so to walk without the crutches. I can do everything but run and when I do a lot for 12 bours or so me leg swells. I can't run because there is a calcium buildup around the break that is pushing through the outer layer of muscle and causes me pain when I run long distances. Other than that I have full use of my leg unless I do something to cause the herniated muscle to pinch. Been 10 year's.
I got a nasty car accident 7 days ago and broke the tibia and fibia. The next day I went in for surgery and they put an IM nail through the tibia...One day after in the hospital they encouraged me to start walking around and putting substantial weight on the leg.
Now, 7 days later pain has not been so bad but the leg has been bruising worse and the ankle is swelling out of control. I am really worried because I think they failed to realize how bad the ankle was sprained when they were telling me to walk.
Has anyone noticed the ankle swelling substantially because of this injury???
the picture of the bony ankle is what it normally looks like...
I got a nasty car accident 7 days ago and broke the tibia and fibia. The next day I went in for surgery and they put an IM nail through the tibia...One day after in the hospital they encouraged me to start walking around and putting substantial weight on the leg.
Now, 7 days later pain has not been so bad but the leg has been bruising worse and the ankle is swelling out of control. I am really worried because I think they failed to realize how bad the ankle was sprained when they were telling me to walk.
Has anyone noticed the ankle swelling substantially because of this injury???
the picture of the bony ankle is what it normally looks like...
thanks so much for any insight
Rob
I had my surgery almost a year ago and my foot is still swollen around the ankle and my big toe. A week after my surgery it was really swollen. I still have days where I can't get in my shoe it swells too much. Here is what mine looked like about 2 weeks after the surgery.
Quick history - I had a compound fracture almost a year ago. I nearly lost my leg and it took six surgeries including muscle flaps, skin grafts, two sets of hardware, etc. BUT, I'm almost entirely back to nomal. Not without a lot of work and a lot of support and REST.
On to some advice/observations:
Swelling is part of the healing process, it will be there. You need to learn to manage it. It will get better, but when it's new like this you need to learn to balance how much to walk on it and when to elevate. Rest Ice Compression Elevate: RICE.
Mine was pretty horrendous and they had me starting to get on my feet almost immediately too. BUT I needed a walker for a month and it took like six weeks for me to take a real step. I offer this up as a guideline for time. This stuff can take a long time, and it is different for people of different ages, smokers, etc.
I have much experience with this before my own surgery. My youngest daughter had four external fixators. The healing on these things is measured in months. Not days or even weeks.
Back to swelling... Often the circulation is compromised in these accidents. I almost lost my leg because of it. The swelling can get pretty bad because we're not using it. The act of using the foot, pumping the ankle is what moves the fluid out of the foot. So as you're able to use it, it will help with the swelling too. Use the compression stocking! I also, rubbed it out at least once/day. 'squeezed' out the fluid, for lack of a better word. Of course you don't want to do this immediately if there is risk of blood clots, etc.
But, these things take a while. You posted after 7 days... For me? 7 days was me getting out of the trauma center and over to a long term re-hab for another 2+ weeks. I worked myself up to being able to use a walker to the end of the hall and back.
My thoughts to you:
swelling happens. it's part of the recovery. Learn to manage it with RICE.
If you aren't already, find a PT specialist to help you. They will guide you and show you what to do. 2 or 3 times/week.
LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR and PT.
Rest. Really, it takes a ton of energy to simply heal.
Thanks a ton for your advice. It all makes alot of sense. I went to the hospital yesterday because there is a red lump where the impact was. The doctor spent sometime analyzing whether it was an infection or not and we decided against antibiotics. You know what really helped was pushing on it like you said and dispersing the liquid. I did this at night and it significantly lowered the swelling.
Sounds like a real struggle you went though. I'm really glad you are getting back to normal..
I think I am going to buy a compression sock. One of the stranger things that happens is EVERY time I stand up or get out of bed the blood rushes down my leg and because there is such significant bruising on my calf it feels like a hundred needles piercing down my leg. Intuitively it doesn't seem like I can do much about that but maybe the sock will help the blood flow more consistently...or less when it is on.
What else, my girl broke her collar bone in the accident and we are debating surgery for her. The decision is hard because the bone separated exactly at 20mm - the cutoff point for surgery. I want to make sure she heals correctly so the surgery really seems like the best option but Doctors seem to suggest against it...although the really don't strongly feel one way or the other.
What else. I must say to all who read this: Take a minute every once and awhile and examine all of the things you have in your life. Be grateful for them - family, a loved one, your health, your legs, your smile, the food you eat, the nice days that you enjoy. Realize every good experience and opportunity that has been given to you. Try to be compassionate to everyone in your path...
So much worse could have happened in this experience and I have no doubt that god was there protecting us though the most awful event I have ever witnessed. The car afterward look like it had just been through a car bombing in Iraq...=
Again, thanks for sharing your experience...People who have fought through recovery have more experience than anyone else....God bless!
Hey guys I recently just broke tibia/fibula this past Thursday playing indoor soccer.even though it was a closed break the doctor said it was pretty severe and that I can expect at least a 6 month recovery. I'm a 20 year old 2nd year college student and cross country runner so this accident has me feeling pretty distressed about my fall semester and running career. I live with my dad (my mother passed away from cancer 7 years ago) and I feel absolutely terrible for putting him through the care giver role again. And seeing me in so much pain. I know its only the 3rd day but I'm feeling extremely. Anxious about my future and was wondering if anyone has or is in a similar situation.
Eric - All I can say is accept things as they are and do your best to adapt and make good use of your time. There are all kinds of things you can do even though they are different than what you are used to. Take a deep breath and be greatfull for all that you have...In no time you will be up and running long distances with more motivation than ever...
take the pain meds only when you need them...
god bless...
Rob
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Thanks x
I can give some insight
I dodge the first one and didn't jump high enough to miss the second one and ince
