Broken Ankle - No Weight Period
Discussion
Unfortunately broke my ankle a few weeks ago whilst walking the Pyrenees in France. Required a plate and some screws to be fitted to support the break.
Finally got out of hospital after 5 days and had another 3 days before heading for home (incompetent and terrible service from AXA travel insurance - another story)
Had a split cast fitted for flying, attended doctor and A&E on my arrival back to get referral to UK fracture clinic.
Had that appointment on Thursday past, 11 days after my return to U.K. Checked by consultant with a full cast put on up to my knee. X rays of plate are all OK and he is happy with operation carried out. Would all healing fine after staples out. So no concerns.
Cast due off on the 13th July but due to him being the only fracture consultant and being on holiday have to wait a further week.
Got agreement that a load bearing cast would be fitted and I would not start putting load onto the ankle for a further few weeks.
Bit of a ramble above but just wondering what advice anyone has that has went through a similar procedure, don't want to be too adventurous and delay any recovery when cast is taken off so any advice or pointers appreciated.
Good or Bad
Thanks in advance
Finally got out of hospital after 5 days and had another 3 days before heading for home (incompetent and terrible service from AXA travel insurance - another story)
Had a split cast fitted for flying, attended doctor and A&E on my arrival back to get referral to UK fracture clinic.
Had that appointment on Thursday past, 11 days after my return to U.K. Checked by consultant with a full cast put on up to my knee. X rays of plate are all OK and he is happy with operation carried out. Would all healing fine after staples out. So no concerns.
Cast due off on the 13th July but due to him being the only fracture consultant and being on holiday have to wait a further week.
Got agreement that a load bearing cast would be fitted and I would not start putting load onto the ankle for a further few weeks.
Bit of a ramble above but just wondering what advice anyone has that has went through a similar procedure, don't want to be too adventurous and delay any recovery when cast is taken off so any advice or pointers appreciated.
Good or Bad
Thanks in advance
Edited by tighnamara on Monday 19th June 12:12
Ok my go at it....
Late Nov some years ago, bust tib/fib and severe dislocation of ankle, 1 plate and 10 pins.
Cast off in early Jan and replaced with air cast:
http://www.physioroom.com/product/Aircast_AirSelec...
Jan - Feb spent using that and a crutch...
End of Feb till mid-March spent hobbling around without crutch but still in air cast.
April I only use air cast if I feel the need to or I accidentally hurt the ankle.
Feb - Mid March, I'm at torture camp and they make me do movements and stretch the ankle to get movement back, give up after 4 sessions as I have surpassed the movement they are expecting in my ankle so there is no point going anymore.
May I'm completely out of any cast and the only thing I can say from then onwards is get yourself swimming and do something like breast stroke to maximise the movement.
Also have OH there to scrub foot when out of cast to get rid of dead skin, it will stink... But will feel amazing as the itching drove me crazy.
Late Nov some years ago, bust tib/fib and severe dislocation of ankle, 1 plate and 10 pins.
Cast off in early Jan and replaced with air cast:
http://www.physioroom.com/product/Aircast_AirSelec...
Jan - Feb spent using that and a crutch...
End of Feb till mid-March spent hobbling around without crutch but still in air cast.
April I only use air cast if I feel the need to or I accidentally hurt the ankle.
Feb - Mid March, I'm at torture camp and they make me do movements and stretch the ankle to get movement back, give up after 4 sessions as I have surpassed the movement they are expecting in my ankle so there is no point going anymore.
May I'm completely out of any cast and the only thing I can say from then onwards is get yourself swimming and do something like breast stroke to maximise the movement.
Also have OH there to scrub foot when out of cast to get rid of dead skin, it will stink... But will feel amazing as the itching drove me crazy.
Du1point8 said:
Ok my go at it....
Late Nov some years ago, bust tib/fib and severe dislocation of ankle, 1 plate and 10 pins.
Cast off in early Jan and replaced with air cast:
http://www.physioroom.com/product/Aircast_AirSelec...
Jan - Feb spent using that and a crutch...
End of Feb till mid-March spent hobbling around without crutch but still in air cast.
April I only use air cast if I feel the need to or I accidentally hurt the ankle.
Feb - Mid March, I'm at torture camp and they make me do movements and stretch the ankle to get movement back, give up after 4 sessions as I have surpassed the movement they are expecting in my ankle so there is no point going anymore.
May I'm completely out of any cast and the only thing I can say from then onwards is get yourself swimming and do something like breast stroke to maximise the movement.
Also have OH there to scrub foot when out of cast to get rid of dead skin, it will stink... But will feel amazing as the itching drove me crazy.
Thanks, sounds as if I got off lightly, no dislocation of ankle. Late Nov some years ago, bust tib/fib and severe dislocation of ankle, 1 plate and 10 pins.
Cast off in early Jan and replaced with air cast:
http://www.physioroom.com/product/Aircast_AirSelec...
Jan - Feb spent using that and a crutch...
End of Feb till mid-March spent hobbling around without crutch but still in air cast.
April I only use air cast if I feel the need to or I accidentally hurt the ankle.
Feb - Mid March, I'm at torture camp and they make me do movements and stretch the ankle to get movement back, give up after 4 sessions as I have surpassed the movement they are expecting in my ankle so there is no point going anymore.
May I'm completely out of any cast and the only thing I can say from then onwards is get yourself swimming and do something like breast stroke to maximise the movement.
Also have OH there to scrub foot when out of cast to get rid of dead skin, it will stink... But will feel amazing as the itching drove me crazy.
Think swimming is a definite to help the recovery, will have a look at the physio.
The ankle is, in my opinion, the most complex joint in the body, particularly given the forces that it has to cope with. There are three bones that make up the mortise joint and the joint space (rather like the shut lines on a car door or bonnet) are critical. If there is any misalignment within the joint from a poor repair or other pathology then the ankle will give you a lot of grief. There aren't ankle replacement yet so my point is take care of your ankle and don't try to rush things. Take it easy and follow the professional advice you're given. Good luck, or should that be 'break a leg'?!
SiH said:
The ankle is, in my opinion, the most complex joint in the body, particularly given the forces that it has to cope with. There are three bones that make up the mortise joint and the joint space (rather like the shut lines on a car door or bonnet) are critical. If there is any misalignment within the joint from a poor repair or other pathology then the ankle will give you a lot of grief. There aren't ankle replacement yet so my point is take care of your ankle and don't try to rush things. Take it easy and follow the professional advice you're given. Good luck, or should that be 'break a leg'?!
Thanks, have been told to take my it easy but frustrating.Have a 50th birthday away to plan for the last week of my cast being on so hopefully be in a position to put weight down then.
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