Need "wrecked" ankle advice, please!

[yoopermom]

Christmas Eve am I was putting one last load in the car when I fell. Was afraid to look down .

Ambulance to e.r. an hour away where they consulted with ortho at green bay hospital. Terribly dislocated ankle and "shattered" tib n fib.

Yesterday had surgery in gb, seven screw and two plates, and tomorrow will go either to rehab or home w/home health care.

So who wants to give me advice?
1. Because of my severe scoliosis I'm not able to balance on crutches and I have to be totally nonweight bearing for 6-8 weeks.
2. Mentally/ emotionally I'm a terrible patient. I hate being dependent and housebound.
3. What can I do, if anything, to heal faster/better?

And tomorrow is my 50th birthday, we had a whole week of fun planned, sigh....

I need a plan, please help!

TIA!
Terri

 

[Tink575]

It's just my personal experience, but I think you'll heal faster going to rehab rather than being home. There is more opportunity to have PT and less chance that you'll overextend yourwself trying to do things like you'd be tempted to do at home.

 

[yoopermom]

We are waiting for them to,check with insurance in the am, but are hoping for rehab, too.
Terri

 

[Southernmiss]

Christmas Eve am I was putting one last load in the car when I fell. Was afraid to look down .

Ambulance to e.r. an hour away where they consulted with ortho at green bay hospital. Terribly dislocated ankle and "shattered" tib n fib.

Yesterday had surgery in gb, seven screw and two plates, and tomorrow will go either to rehab or home w/home health care.

So who wants to give me advice?
1. Because of my severe scoliosis I'm not able to balance on crutches and I have to be totally nonweight bearing for 6-8 weeks.
2. Mentally/ emotionally I'm a terrible patient. I hate being dependent and housebound.
3. What can I do, if anything, to heal faster/better?

And tomorrow is my 50th birthday, we had a whole week of fun planned, sigh....

I need a plan, please help!

TIA!
Terri

Yikes! First, do what you are told with rehab or PT. I've seen people with the "knee scooters" is that a possibility for you? The knee rests on the "seat" part and you scoot with your good foot.

I badly sprained an ankle last year at work--never went to dr.--mistake! I still feel twinges from that foot when I'm on it for a while. I rested it, iced it, compressed it and stayed off it as much as possible.

Good luck and wishes for quick healing for you!

 

[adisneyaunt]

So sorry to hear of your fall and injury!
just wanted to wish you the Speediest recovery.
Good luck!!

 

[Lilacs4Me]

I am so sorry!

I broke my ankle when DD12 was 9 months old and DS16 was about 5 (in kindergarten). It was horrible! DH couldn't take time off work, and neither could I. It happened at work on a Friday afternoon, and I was back to work Monday. I was a teacher at DS and DD's preschool/daycare at the time and missed the last step while carrying DD down a flight of 4 steps out of the building to go outside. My latchkey kids were already outside with my aides, and I had run over over to help the baby teacher get her 3 babies out when it happened. Ouch! Saved the baby, sacrificed the ankle.

I wanted to die it hurt so bad lol, but You do what you gotta do when you gotta do it....

I got really creative, but I was able to use crutches, so that made it a little easier. However, I was alone with infant DD a lot at home, too, and I couldn't carry her around with using crutches! So I brought her stroller into the house and used that to push her around and as support while I hopped into the kitchen/family room. Then I'd put her in a playpen and hopped back to the kitchen where I'd put a chair to kneel my bad leg on while I washed dishes or prepped a quick meal or made DD her bottle.

You won't need to do these kind of chores of course lol, but I just wanted to give you examples of ways that I adapted to my daily activities. I hate asking for help, and I didnt even have the luxury anyway, of getting help when DH wasn't there.

I'll tell you....id rather hurt pretty much anything than hurt my leg/ankle again. I value my mobility way too much!! Sending you good vibes for a very speedy recovery!!

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

I can not use crutches either, rent a knee skooter . it gave me so much freedom.

 

[leebee]

IF a knee scooter won't work, what about a walker? It's much easier to balance on a walker than on crutches.

My DH is home now, totally non-weight bearing on his right leg due to having a high tibial osteotomy. He constantly complains about having to sit around and be useless. I understand his frustration, but we knew going in that he was facing this sort of recuperation. I finally had to have a heart-to-heart with him and basically say, suck it up, buttercup. It is what it is, I understand you don't like feeling helpless, but being a bad patient won't change reality, it just makes it harder for everyone else. He understood what I was saying and has changed his outlook about being laid up. It's been easier on him, just acknowledging that he's in tis position but the only thing that'll change it is being a good patient, doing what the doctor says, and not pushing it. Besides.. I've let him help with things like wrapping presents and folding laundry!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear this happened! That will be difficult if you can't use crutches for 6-8 weeks of no weight bearing!

I've ordered some things for my mother out of this catalog, maybe you'll find something helpful.

http://goldviolin.blair.com/home.

Save the celebration for when you're feeling better later!

 

[yoopermom]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts. Right now we are still working on pain control which isn't going too well.

Tomorrow is another day....
Terri

 

[usnuzuloose]

I am so sorry. I am praying for you. I would use the knee scooter. At least you can still be mobile in and out of the house. I wish those would have been around when I broke mine many years ago. Did they give you something for the pain? Just make sure to elevate also to keep it from swelling. And take advantage of some time to relax. Nothing wrong with that. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

My mother recently broke her leg right under the knee and tore her ankle to shreds (she fell while hiking on a mountain). The crutches didn't work for her as she couldn't keep her balance very well with them and due to the placement of the leg break the scooter caused pain every time she tried to rest the leg on it. She ended up using a wheelchair until she was cleared for putting weight on it.

The accident happened in September and she couldn't put weight down for 2 months. She just had a second surgery to take the hardware out of the ankle so she can have range of motion back. She can put weight down but she has to be careful with how long she is up.

 

[Disneylover99]

No real advice. I'm so sorry. Try to stay off of it the best you can and have a happy birthday tomorrow.

 

[anniemae]

healing hugs.

 

[nancygirl1]

Take this for what it's worth...A friend had a double hip replacement and took mega-doses of vitamin C during her recuperation and healed very quickly. Her doctor said that he had never seen anyone heal so fast. It really was pretty amazing.

 

[YoYoAurora]

I don't have any advice for you other than do your PT faithfully. I'm praying for your speedy recovery.

 

[PlutoPony]

Had a nasty break of a femur, toe touch weight bearing for 8 weeks (essentially non weight bearing). In the winter too. I LOVED my walker and heartily recommend one. It wasn't hard to get around with it given my restrictions and best of all I felt totally SAFE moving around with it. Kept me from running into thing that could hurt me, worked well to give me good footing on slippery floors, snow, etc. In general I had peace of mind using it. Fortunately it was a left leg so I could drive early on, once I was off pain meds. I was also very fortunate to get a week in a really good rehab hospital. Not only did they get me started with PT but more than anything I learned how to do things safely in my house while my movement was so restricted. It was a lifesaver for me....I'm really independent and didn't want any more help doing things than absolutely necessary. So this saved my sanity. If you end up going with in home therapy, make sure you get a good OT to help figure out how to manage. They are worth it. Also get a grabber to pick things up you can't get to safely. As for healing quickly - find a balance between doing enough (esp PT) to progress - which will come with some pain - and doing too much which sets you back. It may be a bit of trial and error but realize everyone goes through it and adapt as quickly as you can.

Post more questions as you have them and will be happy to answer as you go. Best of luck to you!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Take this for what it's worth...A friend had a double hip replacement and took mega-doses of vitamin C during her recuperation and healed very quickly. Her doctor said that he had never seen anyone heal so fast. It really was pretty amazing.

The doctors recommended the B's for my sister. There is one B vitamin that helps with nerve repair.

My sister had reconstruction of her ankle (club feet at birth) and had to be non weight bearing for many, many weeks. Plus the weight bearing part was long as well. Her surgery was extensive though.

Accept the help at first is my advice. You can get set up at home with making yourself independent.

You can rent a "bar" that you can grab to get yourself up in bed. Also a shower chair is a must. I do recommend supervision in the shower when you are non weight bearing. Don't bathe alone.

What about a walker? That can help you get up from a chair without putting weight on your foot. You would not use it to walk however getting up from a chair or getting out of the CAR is not easy when you are non weight bearing. A walker can help you there.

A potty riser may help you as well. It is so you do not have far to go down to sit.

A wheelchair is something that you need as well. Doctor's appts and going places are safer the less you have to navigate a treacherous parking lot or long walk.

Good luck with the recovery.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Christmas Eve am I was putting one last load in the car when I fell. Was afraid to look down .

Ambulance to e.r. an hour away where they consulted with ortho at green bay hospital. Terribly dislocated ankle and "shattered" tib n fib.

Yesterday had surgery in gb, seven screw and two plates, and tomorrow will go either to rehab or home w/home health care.

So who wants to give me advice?
1. Because of my severe scoliosis I'm not able to balance on crutches and I have to be totally nonweight bearing for 6-8 weeks.
2. Mentally/ emotionally I'm a terrible patient. I hate being dependent and housebound.
3. What can I do, if anything, to heal faster/better?

And tomorrow is my 50th birthday, we had a whole week of fun planned, sigh....

I need a plan, please help!

TIA!
Terri

Rent the knee scooter thing. 5
Or a walker. I had crutches and saw someone with a walker and thought--why didn't I think of that???

I had friends help with driving. Humble yourself and ask.

Follow doctor's orders. To the T.

As stir crazy as you feel, once you have your freedom, this time eventually becomes but a blip in your history.

Highly recommend physical therapy after.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Oh--you can also rent a wheelchair! I did that and life was easier in some ways!