Broken leg...how much longer will he have pain?

[4our4kids]

DH had a spiral fracture of his right fibula. Surgery with 7 screws and a plate yesterday. He will be 17 days out from surgery when our departure arrives. Will he even be able to enjoy it or should I just rescedule? He isn't a ride guy and we would rent an ECV but just wondering if he will still have pain at 2 - 3 wks out of surgery. Dr said we'll see how he is in 10 days.

I don't do well without a plan. Anyone with some insight on how he may be feeling?

 

[casjen]

I have never broken a bone, so I can't speak for that. But I sprained my ankle and foot on 1/21 and I am still in pain. I am o.k. in my walking boot, but out of it there is pain.

Is your DH typically a fast healer? I am not, so I knew to expect a slow recovery. Are his pain meds now easing his pain to a point he is comfortable moving about? If so he will probably be o.k. with his meds in 3 weeks.

I feel great on my ibuprofen but I'm trying not to take it everyday.

 

[CoffeeCup]

Several years ago I fractured my right tibia and had a metall rod and screws inserted. I can deal with pain better than with pain meds, so I didn't use any after the first 2 or 3 days. I went back to work less than a week after surgery, and I used crutches and a wheelchair. I am a high school teacher, and I could sit much of the day, my students helped me as much as they could, etc. However, I did too much too soon, and I stayed extremely tired for several months. When I came home every afternoon, I didn't have the energy to do anything. I healed much faster than expected, but my leg stayed very swollen for a long time. The walking boot caused me more pain than the broken bone, and there were times during the first month when I was in tears because of the pressure from the boot on my swollen leg. Also I felt very "fragile" and vulnerable in crowds. You didn't mention your DH's age or general health. I was in very good health, but I was in my early 60's when I broke my leg. I've had many high school kids back at school and going full steam in a week or two. If he is healthy, young and in good physical condition, he may be fine. Even so, I can't imagine going to Disney World 17 days after surgery, and I think your DH would enjoy the trip much more if you could reschedule it a few months later.

 

[mccathy]

Hmmm... my son had surgery on his feet last spring. After about a week we were down to just plain tylenol every once in awhile. (before that it was tylenol with codene every 6 hours and motrin every 6 hours - alternating). After ten days I took him on our first big trip to the zoo - he did great - all day long - with his feet elevated. It was HOT and he didn't complain at all. I'd say after 2 or 3 weeks we weren't using much tylenol at all.

Of course - I've heard that kids complain less than adults and heel more quickly. Also - having pins in your feet due to a surgery and pins after a messy break are different too.

I would worry about crowds - are you going to be there during spring break time? With pins you need to be careful not to have the leg get bumped - or that will hurt.

If he's not going to miss going on rides - I might consider keeping the trip. My husband has a broken foot right now - so I know what you're going thru at home - all the cleaning, all the cooking, taking out the trash - whatever needs to be done - you're doing it. It might be nice to get away and let others cook/clean for you. Make sure his ECV can keep his leg elevated - if that's what the doctor wants.

See what the doctor says after ten days and see how he's feeling.

 

[Talking Hands]

A few years back I was at WDW less than 2 weeks after breaking my tibia, fibula and the 5th metataursal. I was still had some pain but for the most part didn't need pain meds. The one exception was the day a guy smacked my leg. My advice would be careful of careless people, get and ECV and enjoy. I was in my 50s at the time.

 

[dclfun]

Have you asked his orthopedic surgeon? I would be concerned about swelling since he won't easily be able to elevate his foot. I'd think the pain would have subsided for the most part after nearly 3 weeks, but then again I've never had that kind of surgery so I don't know. IMO better to ask his Dr.---Kathy

 

[PatsMom]

I was back at work two weeks after my surgery to fix the tibia and fibula. But I was very careful to elevate my leg - if I forgot for some reason, it would swell and be very painful. He might actually do better with a manual wheelchair that has a leg rest to elevate his injured leg.

 

[4our4kids]

Thanks for the replies. My husband is 53 and generally in good health. Although I think you need to be an athlete to be able to use crutches all day! It's very tiring to use them. He is still using pain meds and can keep it under control. His biggest adjustment is not going to work. He was a work-a-holic and under such great stress and he couldn't see it. Now he is afraid to go back to work and get back into the same work pattern. Anyway thanks for your replies, Disney will probably be on hold, no big deal. Right now it is a matter of getting him better and I think the mental changes and challenges are going to be the biggest!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Please ask his doctor if the trip is possible. He may say no.

Swelling is a big issue after surgeries such as his. Yes, there is a lot of pain. No - when it swells and hurts, he is NOT being a big baby!

How difficult will it be to make the trip at a later date? Listen to him if he needs to do this.

Don't force an injury. I know how disappointing it can be to postpone a trip, but maybe it's the best thing to do right now.

to your and your family.

 

[baler31]

Ask your health care professional but personally I would reschedule.