Broken leg - any tips?

[Weegiemum]

So in my usual inimitable style, I've done it well. Fell by slipping on water spilt on the floor and got wool wrapped around my leg, cutting in, ended up with an open compound fracture to my tibia, it took 2.5 hours in theatre to repair and I've been in hospital for 10 days, got home this afternoon.

I'm not allowed to weight bear at all for the next 5 weeks, I've got a "walking" frame that's really a hopping frame, going to have to live downstairs for a bit. It's not exactly sore but it's very awkward, I'm pretty much chair bound. I'm going to be stupendously bored on my own at home all day.

Can't shower as the shower is upstairs. Feel manky! No idea how I'm going to do all that needs done eg cooking, washings. Mil has been holding the fort and has put lots of meals in the freezer for us, which helps, but she's going home tomorrow. Dh works long hours and occasional nights (c. Once a week). Dc are 14, 12 and 10 and so can help a fair bit.

I suppose I'm looking for tips/ideas about dealing with the practicalities of a plaster cast (it's an old fashioned plaster of Paris one, getting changed next week), and ideas to keep me amused. I don't watch much telly, I do knit and sew, read a lot, but 5 weeks of that and not getting out much is looking pretty horrid - I'm just so glad to be home, though!!

[TrustMeImLying]

Oh dear, hope you are on the mend now.

I had 8 weeks nwb with a broken femur a couple if years back. I found that when I finally got out of hospital I was actually really tired just trying to do basic things (going to the loo, making a drink, etc) so slept a lot.

Once I was feeling better I just tried to do different things through out the day to keep me amused. I got some of those puzzle books, downloaded lots of games to the ipad (brain training games, puzzle games, whatever took my fancy really). Also, I'm not sure if you work, but I arranged to do a couple of hours from home with a laptop which kept me same.

It's really not easy and you have my sympathy

[FrancesNiadova]

Welcome to the club! I'm currently non-weight bearing, having had my ankle fused on 28th April.
3 years ago, I tripped & gave myself a dislocated trimalleolar fracture of the ankle. A helicopter ride & 10 days in hospital & like yourself, I came home not really ready for the changes that I would have to make. The pain since has been dreadful, I would have had it fused sooner, but breast cancer got in the way. Anyway, I too am foot up, non-weight bearing & bored stupid!

My tips are......
Get yourself a supportive wedge cushion. I bought one, about £30 from a pregnancy site.
I've bought a wheelchair from Angel mobility,it was £69. It isn't the most robust chair ever, but it's cheaper than hiring one & I'm going to try to sell mine afterwards.
Washing, I use vernacare washing foam. They use it in old folks homes to prevent bed sores. I bought a plastic garden chair, put a bath towel on it & use the shower hose to wash my hair whilst I lean over the sink. I use a flannel, sitting in the plastic chair, to wash the rest.
I've borrowed a frame from the hospital to stand over the loo to help.
When I could drive again after the original accident, I changed my car for an automatic, (it's my left leg, like yours, so you can get away with an ordinary auto)
After the original accident, I went back to work by taxi. I got help with taxi fares through access to work, funded by the government.
Get yourself a flask, my DH leaves me a hot flask of coffee & my lunch in a cooler bag.
When you are mobile again, get a flask mug. You can make a cup of coffee, but you can't carry one. Bowls of soup are a no no!
Wishing you the best of luck. I find the boredom crushing during the day when DH & DCs are out, so I'm crocheting a baby blanket for a friend.
Oh, 1 final thing, when you are 1st mobile ask for quality physiotherapy & aqua-physio if possible.
Good luck, keep me posted,

[FrancesNiadova]

Here's my cushion, & leg! It's from, "Restore. Memory foam products," but bizarrely, I bought it from a pregnancy website.

[fridayfreedom]

When dd broke her ankle we bought a plastic cover which the hospital recommended so she could use the shower. Put a rubber mat in the shower tray. She needed help to get it on but it worked well.
She went up and down stairs on her bottom.
The red cross loan out wheelchairs short term. And commodes if you don't have a downstairs loo!

[Sharptic]

Well, I feel for you! Hope you make a quick recovery

I had a really minor ankle fracture recently, those non-weight bearing weeks were the most frustrating of my life! I

So, tips. When really bored, I pulled up a chair in my (tiny) kitchen and prepared food or cleared out cupboards. The worktop made it easier to get around in than any other room.

Just strip wash, it's OK.

All other jobs were a nightmare. Don't compensate by using your good leg. Hopping around is tempting, but I ended up injuring the other leg, plus in a&e due to overdoing it, walking on the cast and getting a painful blister under it. Don't be tempted to over do it!

The new cast you will get will probably feel much lighter and comfortable.

Get well soon

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I broke my tibia several years ago and had at the time experimental surgery. I was none weight bearing till surgery two 7 weeks after surgery one, but was lucky as I was able to be non-weight bearing on crutches so could get up and down the stairs.
I found just existing the first four weeks completely physically exhausting, I was in hospital for the first week and then home. I was often asleep when the district nurse visited. I found a Parker knoll recliner the best kind of chair my parents already had one.
Surgery two was not so bad I was pretty active within 4 days, but for the success of the procedure had to go fully weight bearing with 72 hours of surgery two.
Ultimately my fix was a three surgery 15 month process.

[mawbroon]

Sympathies. I broke my ankle in three places just over 4 years ago and had to have it pinned and plated back together. The baby I gave birth 6 weeks later helped to pass the time LOL

It was horrible at the time, and I felt like my life would never be the same again. But here I am, and apart from the odd twinge now and again, I have pretty much forgotten about it.

Have you got a downstairs toilet? We only have an upstairs one, and my midwife organised a loan of a commode for downstairs.

Are you in the Weedge as per your name? If you were anywhere near me, I would offer to pop by and help you out.