Ive decided to post this after doing a search and finding no threads relating to this.
Bit of my story:
Been waiting to see foot/ankle surgeon for a torn brevis tendon…consult is May 29…unstable ankle, giving way etc
Last week while going down the stairs my ankle decided to ‘give out’ and I fell down the stairs. That resulted in a sprial fibula fracture and avulsion fracture of the malleolus. same ankle that requires the tendon repair.
Lucky me!
Had ORIF surgery last Fri and have been living a nightmare since. Has anyone else on here gone through this or something similar? I have never experienced pain like this in my life. I’m not sleeping, not eating (absolutely no appetite) and can’t seem to get the pain under control. I’m NWB and the last 4 days have been spent flat on my back in bed .
Foot doc as been absolutley amazing with me…we’ve been corresponding quite regularly. Truly an amazing person. He suggested getting a “game ready” cold therapy unit…looked at it online and going to see about getting one this week.
Between the fracture healing time and the pending tendon repair…seems I’ll be a good 3 months in a cast.( my leg will look like a shrivled up spaghetti noodle by the time I’m WB and not in a cast anymore) I jokingly say “anyone wanna buy a bike”…its just collecting dust now.
Surely someone on this board has gone through something similar and can share their experience with me.
It sucks right now but, it will get better shortly. I shattered my Tib/Fib in a skiing accident back in 05 and ended up with compartment syndrome, a four compartment fasciotomy, a 12"x 3" skin graft, a few hundred stitches, and a lot of stainless replacement parts as part of the deal.
Your legs will shrivel up but, you’ll build the muscles back up once you get back on your feet. It does take time and a lot of effort but, you’ll do it. Ask your doc if you can do some moderate exercises with your leg when the pain subsides. It’ll help keep the muscles/tendons flexible and will make it easier when you’re finally able to put some weight back on it. I did a lot of exercises in the pool once all of the surgical wounds were healed and it helped quite a bit.
I’m not sure what meds your on but, for me at least, the pain meds killed my appetite. I was in the hospital for two weeks and doubt I ate more than a few breakfast sausages, some cookies, and about 12 gallons of 7UP.
One piece of advice - keep an eye on your appetite once you get off the pain meds. I spent 6 months nwb on the couch eating pain meds, pizza, cheese doodles, and beer. Not a good combo
And don’t sell your bike. You’ll be back in action before long. It just seems like a very long time when you’re an active person and get stuck on the sidelines for a while
Similar happened to me in 1998 when I fell off my horse. It was a nightmare for about a few weeks after my surgery. I asked my Dr to give me a removable cast so I could bathe in a tub and work on flexibility. That was my saving grace once I will cleared to walk, granted my leg was about the size of my arm but at least I had full range of motion. I have a gnarly scar but I took the time to allow it to heal before I even thought about running on it again.
Wow…your experience makes what I’m going through seem like a cake walk.
I’m taking oxy and ibuprofin for pain. Nauseous all the time.
Cheese doodles and beer …lol…I’ll pass on that. 2 things I’ve never put in my mouth. Pizza on the other hand…
Since Sat all I’ve had is water and some yogurt…will likely see if I can force a protein shake in today.
I’ve heard that the first 2wks or so is the worst and that things start looking up after that. First follow up appt is next Tues and am assuming I will get to ditch this monstrous surgical splint/dressing and be put into a fiberglass cast. Then my understanding is 4wks in fiberglass then to a removable cast for a few more wks. I am hoping once I go into the fiberglass cast I’ll be able to at least get in the pool for a bit every day. I certainly don’t see any biking or running in my immediate future…
This NWB sucks huge and sure as hell makes the situation far more miserable. How long did it take you to build the muscle back up and get to the point where you were able to compete again?
A removable cast definately makes the go alot easier. I highly doubt my surgeon will allow that for another month or so. I’ll be stuck in fiberglass for awhile. But can get a water proof one (I hope) or will just get a waterproof cover for it .
I tell you, anyone who says a broken ankle is not a big deal has never had a broken ankle…its a hellish experience and the most painful thing I have ever gone through.
I’m not sure how the tendon repair will go or when I’ll be able to get that done…I’m assuming it’ll have to wait until after the ankle is healed…then I’ll have another month or so in a cast…yippee, something to surely look forward to…lol
Hoping to get the tendon repaired with the foot doc on this board…we’ll see how that all works out now.
I was in my plaster cast for about 4 weeks. Once it was removed and the staples were taken out I asked for a removable cast. All they did was cast my leg, cut it off and smooth the edges with soft sticky stuff and then it was held together with 2 ace bandages. It was pure bliss since I never really got teh itchy dry skin either.
I was in my plaster cast for about 4 weeks. Once it was removed and the staples were taken out I asked for a removable cast. All they did was cast my leg, cut it off and smooth the edges with soft sticky stuff and then it was held together with 2 ace bandages. It was pure bliss since I never really got teh itchy dry skin either.
If I had the oppurtunity/ability to take it off that’s exactly what I’d do and surely my surgeon will figure me out lol
The first two weeks are by far the worst. Once you get past that, and the mental blow that comes with the injury, things get better quickly.
The nausea will probably go away once you’re off the Oxy. Pain meds have a way making people nauseous - morphine did that to me.
Being nwb does suck though. I think it took me close to a year after my accident before I was able to build my leg muscles back up but, I did take it pretty easy as there was a lot of tissue and nerve damage in addition to the fractures. I doubt it’ll take you that long. It’s amazing how much motivation you get working your way back after an injury.
The first two weeks are by far the worst. Once you get past that, and the mental blow that comes with the injury, things get better quickly.
The nausea will probably go away once you’re off the Oxy. Pain meds have a way making people nauseous - morphine did that to me.
Being nwb does suck though. I think it took me close to a year after my accident before I was able to build my leg muscles back up but, I did take it pretty easy as there was a lot of tissue and nerve damage in addition to the fractures. I doubt it’ll take you that long. It’s amazing how much motivation you get working your way back after an injury.
Oh boy…an entire yr. That had to have been rough. I have a pretty aggressive PT that I had been seeing for my torn tendon/ligaments so I’m assuming once I’m able to do PT he will push me pretty hard and get me back to preinjury condition sooner rather then later.
I’m sure it’s far to early in the process for me to even attempt to estimate how long it will take me…with just a tendon repair and ankle stabilization I anticipated about 6 months to get back from that…considering what I’m going through now, I dont know if I’ll even want to go through with the tendon repair (brostrom procedure).
Not only a major blow to the body but a mental (as you said) blow as well. Being someone who never sits still and is always active to being pretty useless and doing nothing but holding the couch down watching tv , sitting on facebook and texting on my blackberry…thats about all the activity I get …I’ll be a pro texter in no time…lol
The mental part of it is just as bad as the physical injury imho. Sitting around all day wears on you after a while so it’s pretty important to find some stuff to keep you occupied. I used work as a freefall photographer filming skydivers and first time jumpers so I had hundreds of hours of film and thousands of photographs to sift through while I was injured. I spent a lot time one the computer editing videos and working in Photoshop etc.
You’ll find something constructive to do after while…if not you’ll go freakin’ nutz lol
The mental part of it is just as bad as the physical injury imho. Sitting around all day wears on you after a while so it’s pretty important to find some stuff to keep you occupied. I used work as a freefall photographer filming skydivers and first time jumpers so I had hundreds of hours of film and thousands of photographs to sift through while I was injured. I spent a lot time one the computer editing videos and working in Photoshop etc.
You’ll find something constructive to do after while…if not you’ll go freakin’ nutz lol
Does it ever. I guess once I get past this first week or 2 and “accept” my new reality my mental state will improve. The last 2 days I seem to cry at the drop of a hat (such a girl). Totally out of the blue…nothing will provoke the crying (well, sometimes the pain does) and sometimes I find myself being an absolute grouch and wishing everyone would just leave me alone. All they’re trying to do his be nice and keep me company or bring me something . I’m not sure which part of this process is worse…the physical pain or emotional pain.
I’ve had a sprial tib/fib fracture and a medial malleolus avulsion fracture, just not at the same time. The tib/fib incident had me in a hip-to-toe cast for months longer than the malleolus fracture, but thankfully neither required surgery. The required surgical repair of my distal radius fracture was considerably more painful and I atttribute that pain, and yours, to the sensitive nature of our hands and feet. I don’t like taking pain meds, but in cases like this I do subscribe to a better living through chemistry philosphy. I could never be a heroin user, the opiate based pain meds make me itch like crazy. While I can definitely feel your pain, unfortunately I have no pearls of wisdom to share.
Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery!
(I prefer active, but my family knows I’m more accurately described as accident prone.)
Yeah, the crying isn’t going to help You’ll have to toughen up a bit because physical therapy is not a painless process. When I went to PT after I jacked myself up I met lots of people with all manner of horrific injuries that made mine look like a paper cut. Seeing others struggle with their injuries really brings your own situation in to perspective. Just talking to them in the gym was probably the best therapy I ever received.
I’m not a fan of pain med’s either…morphine and codeine give me horrendous belly pain. This is the first time I’ve ever had oxy…I find it makes me feel as though I’ve had one too many but so far hasn’t caused any belly pain, just alot of nausea and 0 appetite. A nerve block that lasted for 6 wks would be nice…lol
Considering the amount of time you were in a cast how long before you were back in your pre injury athletic condition? Will be a long, slow process I’m being told. Possibly up to a yr.
Nope, you’re right…the crying doesnt help…but thats what girl’s do…we cry…lol It will pass soon I’m sure.
Tonight will be my first "outting’ since surgery, farthest I’ve strayed from the bed is the bathroom and just having the leg down for that brief period of time is torture, the throbbing and pain is hell if it’s not elevated…I’m expecting the 3hrs out to be a less then pleasant experience. However, it’s an event that I can not miss and would really regret not going. And as the good foot doc said…it’ll do me good to get out
I’m not a fan of pain med’s either…morphine and codeine give me horrendous belly pain. This is the first time I’ve ever had oxy…I find it makes me feel as though I’ve had one too many but so far hasn’t caused any belly pain, just alot of nausea and 0 appetite. A nerve block that lasted for 6 wks would be nice…lol
Considering the amount of time you were in a cast how long before you were back in your pre injury athletic condition? Will be a long, slow process I’m being told. Possibly up to a yr.
Talk to your doc if you’re having issues with the meds. He might be able to put you on something like Tramadol or if you’re really lucky, Dilaudid lol. Good pain meds without the itching or nausea (at least they worked well for me)
Considering the amount of time you were in a cast how long before you were back in your pre injury athletic condition? Will be a long, slow process I’m being told. Possibly up to a yr.As most active people know all too well, you lose conditioning exponentially faster than you (re)gain conditioning. And XT2 knows of what he speaks, PT can be an arduous process. However, if you approach it with the same diligence you would for your next tri, it will pay dividends. Now, having said that, and having had way too many fractures, my best advice is to heal-up completely before trying to return to your prior exercise routine. Be diligent about your PT/rehab. The last thing you need is to go back to square one due to a re-injury.
The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.*
I know it’s not easy, but be a patient ox.
A favorite line of mine from a Tom Selleck movie, High Road to China.
Nope, you’re right…the crying doesnt help…but thats what girl’s do…we cry…lol It will pass soon I’m sure.
Tonight will be my first "outting’ since surgery, farthest I’ve strayed from the bed is the bathroom and just having the leg down for that brief period of time is torture, the throbbing and pain is hell if it’s not elevated…I’m expecting the 3hrs out to be a less then pleasant experience. However, it’s an event that I can not miss and would really regret not going. And as the good foot doc said…it’ll do me good to get out
You’re allowed to cry The first thing that goes through your mind is usually "Damn, I’m going to miss “insert race name here” or "How am I going to be able to “insert common household chore here”? I had just moved to Seattle (from Austin, TX) two weeks before my accident and I was stuck in my nice 3rd floor apartment. Taking out the garbage was a bitch lol.
Not the same injury but something similar. Tibial plateau fracture Feb 2012. ORIF surgery-plate and 7 screws. 13 weeks NWB. First two weeks post surgery were pretty rough. PT, no resistance trainer rides (getting on the bike was interesting), and swimming once my surgical wound was healed, were crucial although painful at times.
You’re right the mental part is hard. I couldn’t work for over three months and no income was stressful.
Fast forward one year and I’m scheduled to race a sprint tri June 1st. Exactly one year after getting fully off crutches. My running is slow and awkward at times but relatively pain free. Swimming and cycling are as strong as ever.
Good luck and be patient. I know, easier said than done!
same ankle that requires the tendon repair.
