Anyone had a cast for a broken ankle ? - Help required

[lifeturnsonadime]

Hi I broke my ankle last week and had surgery to fix (bad break in 4 places).

I am at home with Plaster of Paris cast, before I phone the hospital can anyone please tell me how loose the cast should be? I can move my entire foot in the cast and it slips a bit when I walk on crutches.

This isn't right is it?

You need to ask them. I know that isn't the answer you want, but nobody could assess it based solely on your description. There has to be some space - ankles are b*ggers for swelling up and there has to be space to allow for that, as temperature, time of day, seating / lying position and all sorts of things can make it swell, or not.

Have you been given the all clear to put weight on it though? Because that seems unusual only a week into this, so you shouldn't know whether it "slips a bit" when you walk as you wouldn't normally be encouraged to walk on it!

@Moondust001

You need to ask them. I know that isn't the answer you want, but nobody could assess it based solely on your description. There has to be some space - ankles are b*ggers for swelling up and there has to be space to allow for that, as temperature, time of day, seating / lying position and all sorts of things can make it swell, or not.

Have you been given the all clear to put weight on it though? Because that seems unusual only a week into this, so you shouldn't know whether it "slips a bit" when you walk as you wouldn't normally be encouraged to walk on it!

I was going to say the same thing. Mine wasn't designed to walk on. I was in hospital for 3 and a half weeks and then non weight bearing for about 8 weeks.

My DH had a similar break and was also non weight bearing. Caused all sorts of problems as neither of us could use crutches for various reasons.

I did similar a long time ago and iirc had to use crutches and a wheelchair for 12 weeks. Thank goodness we lived in a house with a down stairs bathroom at the time.

Give the hospital a call. It may need re-setting if the initial swelling has gone down but they will probably need to see it (at least via a video call) to tell you if you are OK or not.

If you are struggling with getting around and your breaks allow it then I highly recommend a knee scooter. I hired one a few years ago when I had similar injuries to what you are describing and it was the best money I ever spent. I have to admit I am somewhat evangelical about them now! 😂

I've been on holding on the phone for more than an hour before posting this . They were supposed to arrange for physio to come today but haven't.

I am non weight bearing and struggling with crutches.

I think the reason my ankle now feels unsupported is because the swelling has reduced.

Just frustrated that I can't get through to anyone and obviously can't drive myself anywhere to get it looked at!

@JackieWeaverIsMySpiritAnimal

Give the hospital a call. It may need re-setting if the initial swelling has gone down but they will probably need to see it (at least via a video call) to tell you if you are OK or not.

If you are struggling with getting around and your breaks allow it then I highly recommend a knee scooter. I hired one a few years ago when I had similar injuries to what you are describing and it was the best money I ever spent. I have to admit I am somewhat evangelical about them now! 😂

Ooh those look good, I'll probably look at hiring one next week I think, I'm desperate to get a bit more mobile.

It's a bit depressing to be in this state straight after lockdown!

Do they work on grass?

Moondust I haven't been weightbearing at all. When hopping on the crutches it's making the cast slip about on the non weight bearing foot which really doesn't seem right to me.

@lifeturnsonadime mine worked fine on grass as long as I was prepared to put in a bit of effort with my "scooting" leg but it wasn't so good for going up or down steep hills. They also fold flat enough to go into the boot of an average family car.

I found that whilst I didn't struggle with mobility whilst on crutches, it was the loss of independence that really got me down. For example, I managed to get to the kitchen and hopped round to make a cup of tea, but then had to stand at the kitchen counter and drink it because I couldn't carry it. Similar issues with collecting printouts at work. The scooter had a basket on the front and I paid a few quid extra for a cup holder attachment, both of which made such a difference to my life!

Sounds good to me. Thanks for posting this.

I am struggling a bit with mobility due to a historic hip injury on the 'good leg', how much do you have to rely on good leg to use it.

I'm struggling with crutches as my 'good leg' hip is in agony which is why physio should have contacted me today. I am just about getting about on a zimmer but still finding that exhausting. Do you think that the lack of a proper 'good leg' will make the scooter pointless?

I have also considered hiring a lightweight wheelchair and now wonder which would be best.

I think you might be ok. On carpet and solid ground it didn't take too much effort with the good leg at all. Check the terms of the company I linked to, but I think you can return it within the first 4 days and only pay £30 so it might be worth at least giving it a go.

We borrowed a wheelchair whilst I was investigating other options (I have dyspraxia and it quickly became clear that crutches were not a good option for me) but even though it was self-propelled I found navigating round the house in it to be very difficult and quite tiring. The knee scooter also put me at a better height for things like kitchen counters and provided a handy footrest for the bad leg when I was at the stage of meeting friends in cafes, etc.

We still don't talk about my birthday night when the landlord of the pub I was working in locked-in after hours for staff drinks and set up an obstacle course on the dance floor so that the staff could do time trials on it!

This is another option which puts little pressure beyond the usual strains of walking on the good leg. I was too scared to try it due to my coordination issues, but a friend got on very well with it and travelled halfway up the country by train for a job interview on one!

I had a broken ankle five years ago: fractured in 3 places , and I had pins and plates put in.
I remember the cast feeling loose at this stage, when the initial swelling went down, but you shouldn't be putting weight on it.
You're right to check this out with fracture clinic, though: I had a new plaster applied after I returned for suture removal, and remember that plaster feeling much more secure.

Just to add my sympathy as well, OP: I cried every day with frustration at losing my independence, and thought I'd never be right again.
I knew that people have far worse problems, but I was a terrible patient.
Every time I started crying, the dog ran upstairs: I think I made everybody suffer with me.
Things will get better for you.

thanks for all your help, I got hold of the consultants secretary this morning who helped me sort it.

It was too loose, now replastered and feels much more secure.

Looking into those aids, the Pegleg looks like it might be the best for me.

Thanks for all of your sympathetic comments.

Glad you got sorted.

@lifeturnsonadime I just thought I'd check in and see how you are getting on? Did you manage to get assistance from the physio in the end?

Hoping you are more comfortable now and have found a way to be more mobile.