One of our brothers has fallen...
Discussion
I had my screws etc. put in after an apres-ski injury in about 1999, they are still there. They don't cause me a lot of bother, occasionally large changes in temperature cause a dull sensation that I wouldn't even call an ache, but I'm not even sure that's real. They don't cause airport metal sensors to go off, presumably the iron content in surgical steel is quite low. They did say at the time that I could have them taken out, but it was only generally done for elite sports-people. The consensus being I think that operating on a previously traumatised site was more of a risk of annoying scar tissue etc.
The first world problem was that my ski-boots weren't as well fitted the following trip!
The first world problem was that my ski-boots weren't as well fitted the following trip!
Cheers for that. idiotgap.
Nice to hear from someone living with plates and screws long term. I'm still concerned about the correct functioning of my toes, but even there I've seen visible reduction in the swelling and discolouration that occurs when I stop elevation of the foot. I'll ask after that too, next Thursday when I head back for my next "Trauma" appointment. "Trauma" sounds cool, but I prefer "Fracture Clinic" to be honest...
Nice to hear from someone living with plates and screws long term. I'm still concerned about the correct functioning of my toes, but even there I've seen visible reduction in the swelling and discolouration that occurs when I stop elevation of the foot. I'll ask after that too, next Thursday when I head back for my next "Trauma" appointment. "Trauma" sounds cool, but I prefer "Fracture Clinic" to be honest...
yellowjack said:
idiotgap said:
Sounds familiar, I too am slightly bionic.
Wow!I think you've beaten my tale of woe, hands down. Way more screws than I've got. Only three for me, further up the Tibia. The lower part of the plate is "wrapped" around the distal end of the bone, keeping a couple of large splinters pulled in to heal.
Question for those who have/had plates to repair breaks. Do the medics ever take them out? I only ask because 'the internet' suggests it's unlikely that plates/screws get removed, while the team at the hospital mentioned removing this one. I'm back there in a week anyway, so I'll get it "straight from the horses mouth" for my specific circumstances. Just curious as to whether anyone had had a repair plate removed after bones had healed?
Very useful discussion on the pros and cons here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqMMv0lAqiw
WinstonWolf said:
I had one nail removed from my femur because it was poking through the condyle (bad but necessary), the other one and some screws have been in there for thirty odd years.
Very useful discussion on the pros and cons here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqMMv0lAqiw
Thanks for the link, WW.Very useful discussion on the pros and cons here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqMMv0lAqiw
Seems I shouldn't fret about having it removed unless it causes any trouble then. I'd hope not to break the leg again, but even if I did, and bent the plate, I'd have been in line to have surgery anyway. I was thinking that I'd rather have it all left in place anyway if it wasn't causing issues, so I'm happy to see that opinion confirmed.
Just got to hope that this damned cast comes off soon, and I can get my rehab started. Bloody Strava records locally are dropping like flies! I really need my fitness back, and to get out and get my crowns back...
An update?
Last Tuesday I received a 'cc' copy of the Registrar's letter to my GP. Seems there are a few things he didn't discuss with me. Such as the "there's still a gap in the Fibula, but it will 'hopefully' heal by itself".
No mention of that in his hurried consultation.
Anyway, that was three weeks ago, so now it was time to see how things had changed. Back to clinic on the Thursday. Fracture Clinic itself was near empty, but the X-Ray waiting area was swamped, with warnings of a 30 to 40 minute wait. As my wife was with me, and it's her domain, an offer of a sneaky queue-jump was made, but declined (we both felt that it was inappropriate given the number of other patients already waiting). As advised by the receptionist, we headed off for a coffee instead. On my return to the department (I went back alone, my wife really didn't fancy sitting in the waiting room at her place of work), I was pretty much straight in to the X-Ray room, pictures swiftly taken, and back to collect my wife from the coffee shop.
Fracture clinic, by now, was entirely empty, so we were straight into a cubicle, and saw the consultant surgeon himself. He was pleased with progress so far. The Tibia plate is holding things together and healing nicely. The Fibula break was clean and diagonal, and is also healing, although it's a millimetre or two off perfectly aligned. The result is a little "hook" of bone outside sticking up, but it was not enough that he was willing to risk more surgery to re-break and re-set it. Progress was such that he was happy for me to go "up tp 50% weight bearing" now, so it was off to the plaster room.
Ed in the plaster room was ready with the saw, and off came the pretty pink cast. A registrar took a peak at the scar, and noted no problems, a dry dressing went over it again "for comfort" and then some Tubigrip bandage in place of a sock before I was fitted with a black plastic and neoprene velcro boot. The size Medium was very tight on my ankle, but Ed assured me the next size up was VERY large and would look like a clown shoe, while the toe area would almost certainly trip me up. I persevered with tight...
So.
The good? The cast is off. The boot is removeable. The healing is progressing.
The bad? Back on the Dalteparin jabs for another 28 days (the registrar should never have taken me off it!!!) My ankle barely moves, my toes still don't work properly, and my foot looks and feels like it belongs to someone else.
The ugly? My miserable face when I was told about the jabs, the scar isn't too pretty, and the manky layer of thick, yellowy skin all over my foot that I've been picking at since I got home.
Still, to give it a positive spin, "all round to my place - the pork scratchings are (quite literally) on me!"
Last Tuesday I received a 'cc' copy of the Registrar's letter to my GP. Seems there are a few things he didn't discuss with me. Such as the "there's still a gap in the Fibula, but it will 'hopefully' heal by itself".
No mention of that in his hurried consultation.
Anyway, that was three weeks ago, so now it was time to see how things had changed. Back to clinic on the Thursday. Fracture Clinic itself was near empty, but the X-Ray waiting area was swamped, with warnings of a 30 to 40 minute wait. As my wife was with me, and it's her domain, an offer of a sneaky queue-jump was made, but declined (we both felt that it was inappropriate given the number of other patients already waiting). As advised by the receptionist, we headed off for a coffee instead. On my return to the department (I went back alone, my wife really didn't fancy sitting in the waiting room at her place of work), I was pretty much straight in to the X-Ray room, pictures swiftly taken, and back to collect my wife from the coffee shop.
Fracture clinic, by now, was entirely empty, so we were straight into a cubicle, and saw the consultant surgeon himself. He was pleased with progress so far. The Tibia plate is holding things together and healing nicely. The Fibula break was clean and diagonal, and is also healing, although it's a millimetre or two off perfectly aligned. The result is a little "hook" of bone outside sticking up, but it was not enough that he was willing to risk more surgery to re-break and re-set it. Progress was such that he was happy for me to go "up tp 50% weight bearing" now, so it was off to the plaster room.
Ed in the plaster room was ready with the saw, and off came the pretty pink cast. A registrar took a peak at the scar, and noted no problems, a dry dressing went over it again "for comfort" and then some Tubigrip bandage in place of a sock before I was fitted with a black plastic and neoprene velcro boot. The size Medium was very tight on my ankle, but Ed assured me the next size up was VERY large and would look like a clown shoe, while the toe area would almost certainly trip me up. I persevered with tight...
So.
The good? The cast is off. The boot is removeable. The healing is progressing.
The bad? Back on the Dalteparin jabs for another 28 days (the registrar should never have taken me off it!!!) My ankle barely moves, my toes still don't work properly, and my foot looks and feels like it belongs to someone else.
The ugly? My miserable face when I was told about the jabs, the scar isn't too pretty, and the manky layer of thick, yellowy skin all over my foot that I've been picking at since I got home.
Still, to give it a positive spin, "all round to my place - the pork scratchings are (quite literally) on me!"
The Dalteparin can only be good. When I fractured my hip in Saudi I had none and a blood clot resulted which necessitated warfarin for 10 months, they only stopped it two months before OCD on here replaced the bodged hip.
Two years later I am over 5000km so far for the year... you will mend it just takes time
Two years later I am over 5000km so far for the year... you will mend it just takes time
). At least you have the Tour to keep you entertained. Speedy recovery mate!So here we are again.
94 days since the injury, and yesterday I received the latest 'cc' of the Registrar's letter to my GP (written on day 75).
Initial experience of physio has been positive, although I'm not allowed even a Theraband yet. Just "light duties" mobilisation for now, although I'm keen to get on with some proper "work" in the gym at the physiotherapy dept. Initial appointments for physio were weekly, but that's been dropped to fortnightly while we await the next fracture clinic verdict, due the first week of September.
That's it really. My right hand is sore, blisters on the palm of my hand (and not what you dirty-minded lot are thinking, neither - no sniggering at the back!). I've had a couple of three-mile days on the crutches lately, probably managing an average of 6 miles per week in addition to the run-of-the-mill getting about around the house. But sadly, no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting back on a bike goes. Not yet anyway...
94 days since the injury, and yesterday I received the latest 'cc' of the Registrar's letter to my GP (written on day 75).
specialists letter dated 2nd August said:
...X-ray today showed healing on the Tibial side, however, there is no convincing callus on the Fibula. On examination he had a really stiff ankle with less than 5" of active movement. The scar has healed with no infection. The ankle was stable on examination.
He will use the boot for five more weeks but he can increase his weight bearing to 75%. I have referred him to physiotherapy to help him increase his ankle range of movement.
We discussed VTE and, as he is mobilising more now, we think that he has a low risk of getting DVT so we stopped the injections.
I will see him again in five weeks' time, with a fresh X-ray on arrival to assess the healing process...
This bloomin' crutches nonsense is getting tedious now. But at least I can get my ankle flat on the floor and stand without needing something to hold on to. So I can cook again, and do the washing up. Also able to bathe without assistance/supervision again, although I still need the Zimmer frame to haul myself out of the bath. He will use the boot for five more weeks but he can increase his weight bearing to 75%. I have referred him to physiotherapy to help him increase his ankle range of movement.
We discussed VTE and, as he is mobilising more now, we think that he has a low risk of getting DVT so we stopped the injections.
I will see him again in five weeks' time, with a fresh X-ray on arrival to assess the healing process...
Initial experience of physio has been positive, although I'm not allowed even a Theraband yet. Just "light duties" mobilisation for now, although I'm keen to get on with some proper "work" in the gym at the physiotherapy dept. Initial appointments for physio were weekly, but that's been dropped to fortnightly while we await the next fracture clinic verdict, due the first week of September.
That's it really. My right hand is sore, blisters on the palm of my hand (and not what you dirty-minded lot are thinking, neither - no sniggering at the back!). I've had a couple of three-mile days on the crutches lately, probably managing an average of 6 miles per week in addition to the run-of-the-mill getting about around the house. But sadly, no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting back on a bike goes. Not yet anyway...
yellowjack said:
So here we are again.
94 days since the injury, and yesterday I received the latest 'cc' of the Registrar's letter to my GP (written on day 75).
Initial experience of physio has been positive, although I'm not allowed even a Theraband yet. Just "light duties" mobilisation for now, although I'm keen to get on with some proper "work" in the gym at the physiotherapy dept. Initial appointments for physio were weekly, but that's been dropped to fortnightly while we await the next fracture clinic verdict, due the first week of September.
That's it really. My right hand is sore, blisters on the palm of my hand (and not what you dirty-minded lot are thinking, neither - no sniggering at the back!). I've had a couple of three-mile days on the crutches lately, probably managing an average of 6 miles per week in addition to the run-of-the-mill getting about around the house. But sadly, no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting back on a bike goes. Not yet anyway...
Wear cycling gloves when you're out and about on your crutches...94 days since the injury, and yesterday I received the latest 'cc' of the Registrar's letter to my GP (written on day 75).
specialists letter dated 2nd August said:
...X-ray today showed healing on the Tibial side, however, there is no convincing callus on the Fibula. On examination he had a really stiff ankle with less than 5" of active movement. The scar has healed with no infection. The ankle was stable on examination.
He will use the boot for five more weeks but he can increase his weight bearing to 75%. I have referred him to physiotherapy to help him increase his ankle range of movement.
We discussed VTE and, as he is mobilising more now, we think that he has a low risk of getting DVT so we stopped the injections.
I will see him again in five weeks' time, with a fresh X-ray on arrival to assess the healing process...
This bloomin' crutches nonsense is getting tedious now. But at least I can get my ankle flat on the floor and stand without needing something to hold on to. So I can cook again, and do the washing up. Also able to bathe without assistance/supervision again, although I still need the Zimmer frame to haul myself out of the bath. He will use the boot for five more weeks but he can increase his weight bearing to 75%. I have referred him to physiotherapy to help him increase his ankle range of movement.
We discussed VTE and, as he is mobilising more now, we think that he has a low risk of getting DVT so we stopped the injections.
I will see him again in five weeks' time, with a fresh X-ray on arrival to assess the healing process...
Initial experience of physio has been positive, although I'm not allowed even a Theraband yet. Just "light duties" mobilisation for now, although I'm keen to get on with some proper "work" in the gym at the physiotherapy dept. Initial appointments for physio were weekly, but that's been dropped to fortnightly while we await the next fracture clinic verdict, due the first week of September.
That's it really. My right hand is sore, blisters on the palm of my hand (and not what you dirty-minded lot are thinking, neither - no sniggering at the back!). I've had a couple of three-mile days on the crutches lately, probably managing an average of 6 miles per week in addition to the run-of-the-mill getting about around the house. But sadly, no sign of any light at the end of the tunnel as far as getting back on a bike goes. Not yet anyway...
WinstonWolf said:
Wear cycling gloves when you're out and about on your crutches...
I do - I've wrecked one pair already, and well on the way to wearing out another pair. Too much weight on them, and having to wash them frequently so that they don't stink. I've also got handlebar tape on the handles of the crutches, but that needs changing now too, as it feels a bit "slimy" when the temperature rises.Sorry if it puts anyone off their lunch, but the weather we've had almost all through my "confinement" has been so hot and sweaty that it's been increasingly unpleasant. I saw another patient at the physiotherapy clinic the other day, and she had some great big padded handles on her crutches, like oversized BMX grips. Sadly, I was on my way into the appointment and she was leaving so I never got a chance to ask her where they were from...
ALawson said:
Not like those, no. I've got some stuff from Limbo (a dry-bag for my leg when in the bath, for example) but the grips this woman had were proper chequer-grip rubbery/foamy handles with a 'cuff', just like old-school BMX handlebar grips but much bigger. My crutches have the 'Days' grips from that link.I'm not going to worry about it too much, because in 2½ weeks time I'm hoping the medics will allow me to go to 100% weight bearing, and so I'll not need crutches for too much longer. And if not, I can cope with the discomfort for another month. The skin has hardened up now and between the mitts and handlebar tape there's not too much slippage unless I really get a dab on.
I think I was just having a whinge really...
On the most recent GCN tech show (I think it was) where they do the Hack/Bodge bit, some guy had chopped the sole out of an old pair of SPD shoes and attached it to the bottom of his cast with velcro straps so he could do turbo sessions.
Get on it
Hope the recovery goes well though, get well soon
Get on it
Hope the recovery goes well though, get well soon
lufbramatt said:
On the most recent GCN tech show (I think it was) where they do the Hack/Bodge bit, some guy had chopped the sole out of an old pair of SPD shoes and attached it to the bottom of his cast with velcro straps so he could do turbo sessions.
Get on it
Hope the recovery goes well though, get well soon
I've never used a turbo trainer. Ever. Had a few offers to loan me one though, which I might just follow up when the surgeon says yes to moving to the next step. For now, there's some concern that the Fibula isn't healing anywhere near as well as the Tibia. Physio says ~"don't worry, it's a non-weight-bearing bone anyway" but I really want a full recovery. To that end, I'll be heading the advice of the medics all the way.Get on it
Hope the recovery goes well though, get well soon
In better news, today I managed to slip a trainer onto the right foot. Laces loosened all the way, and no hope of tying them in a pretty bow, but I got them on which is a massive step forward. I previously couldn't even dream of getting a two-sizes-too-big slipper onto the injured side. Swelling increases as I'm stood up, so I can't keep the shoe on for long, but it's a start...
Marginal recovery gains!
I broke my femur years ago. It was nailed but that was removed about a year later. No problems since, though apparently it's noticeable to some that leg is marginally shorter now.
Broke my wrist going over the handlebars riding to a university lecture many moons ago. Still have the plate and screws in from that, not to mention a zip like scar as I think the YTS kid sewed me up so the others could make last orders at the boozer.
I broke my femur years ago. It was nailed but that was removed about a year later. No problems since, though apparently it's noticeable to some that leg is marginally shorter now.
Broke my wrist going over the handlebars riding to a university lecture many moons ago. Still have the plate and screws in from that, not to mention a zip like scar as I think the YTS kid sewed me up so the others could make last orders at the boozer.
Was reminded of this thread by another PHer's injury thread, and looked it up.
Shocked to see that I just stopped updating it and let it die. Very rude of me, really.
I might fill a few milestones in to close it off, but for now? It took until November 2018 to get back on a bike. In the December I (rather foolishly) completed the Rapha Festive500. I've moved to Bournemouth from Farnborough, in order that my wife can be closer to her mother who is in a care home here in her home town. Oh, and I fitted the 2019 RideLondon/Surrey 100 in too. I've managed a fair amount of cycling and exploring (VeloViewer tiling in the main) from my new home down here, but I'm still out of work.
I never did get any copies/photos of my X-Rays, but managed to find a couple of pictures I put up on Strava, of when the cast first came off and I went into the boot, and a few weeks later...
Sorry to all who may have felt it rude of me to just drop the thread like that. Ankle works pretty well, all things considered. I can run (although very slowly) 5k and 10k distances fairly regularly, and up to 12 or 13 miles on one or two daft occasions. And cycling is good from an ankle point of view. I can ride better (and more pain free) than I can walk, and have managed up to 120 mile rides a few times, although more often than not it's between 60 and 80 miles for me.
Reading back through the thread was genuinely nice to see the comments and good wishes from everyone, so thanks for that!
I hope all of you are well, and injury free, and that you had a good Christmas. Here's wishing a Happy New Year to you all!
Shocked to see that I just stopped updating it and let it die. Very rude of me, really.
I might fill a few milestones in to close it off, but for now? It took until November 2018 to get back on a bike. In the December I (rather foolishly) completed the Rapha Festive500. I've moved to Bournemouth from Farnborough, in order that my wife can be closer to her mother who is in a care home here in her home town. Oh, and I fitted the 2019 RideLondon/Surrey 100 in too. I've managed a fair amount of cycling and exploring (VeloViewer tiling in the main) from my new home down here, but I'm still out of work.
I never did get any copies/photos of my X-Rays, but managed to find a couple of pictures I put up on Strava, of when the cast first came off and I went into the boot, and a few weeks later...
Sorry to all who may have felt it rude of me to just drop the thread like that. Ankle works pretty well, all things considered. I can run (although very slowly) 5k and 10k distances fairly regularly, and up to 12 or 13 miles on one or two daft occasions. And cycling is good from an ankle point of view. I can ride better (and more pain free) than I can walk, and have managed up to 120 mile rides a few times, although more often than not it's between 60 and 80 miles for me.
Reading back through the thread was genuinely nice to see the comments and good wishes from everyone, so thanks for that!
I hope all of you are well, and injury free, and that you had a good Christmas. Here's wishing a Happy New Year to you all!
Stairs you say ? Broken leg ? Snap ! (Literally!!)…did the tib/fib combo in Jan 2019. I I was all set for a few hours on the bike but buggered those plans as I went over a few steps from the bottom of our 2nd floor stairs. A phone call to the Mrs & 999 & a uncomfortable bum shuffle down 2 flights of stairs to await either blue lights & morphine or Mazda 5 to whisk me to A&E. 30 minutes of waiting & my lovely lady was home to transport me to Wythenshawe hospital. I was operated on the next day & had 6 weeks of non weight bearing. Turbo training resumed thereafter & I was back in the road at 12 weeks. The metalwork remains in situ & thus far there are no problems. Don’t notice it & can run, ride, mtb & get on the motorbike. Hats off to the surgeons, bloody amazing job ! 
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Ysyv9gJ7.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/TGJdfJbj" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/TGJdfJbj.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/8s6g3Kf9" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/8s6g3Kf9.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/TGJdfJbj" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/TGJdfJbj.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/8s6g3Kf9" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/8s6g3Kf9.jpg)
Edited by andySC on Thursday 30th December 22:52
andySC said:
Stairs you say ? Broken leg ? Snap ! (Literally!!)…did the tib/fib combo in Jan 2019. All set for a few hours on the bike & went over a few steps from the bottom. A phone call to the Mrs & 999 & a uncomfortable bum shuffle down 2 flights of stairs to await either blue lights & morphine or Mazda 5 to whisk me to A&E. 30 minutes of waiting & my lovely lady was home to transport me to Wythenshawe hospital. I was operated on the next day & had 6 weeks of non weight bearing. Turbo training resumed thereafter & I was back in the road at 12 weeks. The metalwork remains in situ & thus far there are no problems. Don’t notice it & can run, ride, mtb & get on the motorbike. Hats off to the surgeons, bloody amazing job !
Scary stuff. And your repair looks like more metalwork than mine. Amazing what surgeons are capable of, really.
Interesting that both of us had dramas getting an ambulance and both had to make our own way to A&E. The way NHS managers and the media are going on about it you'd swear ambulance shortages were exclusively a new thing, caused by Covid and nothing else. EDs and ambulance services have been under immense pressure like this for decades. Crazy to think that you can be lying on the floor with your leg sticking out at a jaunty angle and simply be told "no chance mate, get yourself in" when you call 999 or someone calls for you.
Indeed…I was told 2 hours to get the ambulance to me even though I was definitely going into shock …. but once I’d put myself on the floor & elevated the bad leg I was ok. I was on my own in the house so had to try & keep a cool head & get down a few flights of stairs to unlock the front door. My Mrs still has the recording of the voicemail I left her “Kaz, you’ll have to come home. I’ve broken my leg”….
Edited by andySC on Thursday 30th December 23:00
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