Confusion around broken ankle

[DrDiva]

On Sunday I broke the base of my right fibula and tore the ligaments. Monday went to A&E who confirmed fracture etc through two crays. Yesterday got seen by fracture clinic, who decided that surgery is needed, as another X-ray of the foot done then under pressure showed it’s really unstable. I did the consent forms, started the blood thinners, got sent home to wait 48 hours for the swelling to reduce and told surgery would be Thursday or Friday.

This morning I got another call from someone who appeared not to know all this had happened, and said that surgery isn’t necessary as the A&E X-rays are simply distorted (because of the plaster 🤔), so see you Monday. She was abrupt and hung up before I could really ask what’s going on, and now I can’t get through to anyone to ask. I have no idea what to do for at home care, and I’m not convinced that a remote review overrules one in person.

Has anyone else had this? Anyone with knowledge on how to look after a fracture and ruptured ligament? Great if I don’t need surgery, but I don’t want to store up trouble for the future either!

I'd absolutely follow the advice of the fracture clinic who have seen you in person and assessed you.

Call back and speak to somebody else if you can...

I would ignore the second phone call and go as advised on Thursday
Even without an x Ray a trained eye could tell if it was broken
I hope you get your surgery.

Definitely call the fracture clinic and ask them to confirm

Well if the fracture clinic said surgery is either Thursday or Friday and haven't given you a definite day then they will have to contact you before then so I would raise the issue of the second phone call with them.

Keep it elevated and call the fracture clinic. If you don't manage to get through before you would have needed to go in for the op, I'd be inclined to go anyway. Having a wasted journey and being sent home is definitely better then missing the op, if you are meant to be having it.

I'm surprised they sent you home, I broke my ankle a couple of months ago, and they kept me in until I'd had the op (2 days later as more urgent patients kept coming in)

It may be broken but stable and not require surgery though.
I would call back for clarification

Apparently I fractured my foot in 2 places. Initial x rays sent me home. 5 days later I got a letter IN THE POST saying the xrays had been looked at again and 2 fractures. I refused a boot so I could still drive - and work as SE.... 7 months on still in pain. Explore every opportunity to get it fixed ASAP. Useful...

Thank you everyone. It’s definitely not stable, everyone seems to agree - they’re just disagreeing on what needs to be done! i would have thought in person trumps remote, but 🤷🏻‍♀️…
I will keep trying to get through to a human being (currently the telephone system just keeps jolting me back to the beginning).

Should I try to weight bear yet? Not that it would be very successful, but NHS advice online seems to suggest I should.

I broke mine 18 months ago and the service I got from the NHS was so bad (ie non-existent) that I had no option other than to seek a second opinion privately. I wouldn't send my dog to that hospital - I was sent home in excruciating pain with 4 unstable fractures and no plan.

Don't be fobbed off like I was.

Do NOT attempt to weight bear on it.

@AmandaHoldensLips im really sorry to hear of your experience. I have to say that up until this morning, everyone was brilliant, but this morning’s call has left me quite demoralised and unsure. And my poor child would probably like me to make him some food!!!! (Don’t worry, DH is doing well and even DS at 11 is pretty self sufficient, but I’m the best cook!)

I went over on my ankle and heard a loud crack a few years ago. The xrays showed it was torn ligaments, but I had to stay off it for weeks. I did so, and haven't had any trouble since. I would not try to bear weight on yours at all - give it the time needed to heal or you'll have trouble in the future.

Do NOT attempt standing if it’s an unstable fracture!!!
I broke my ankles both at the same time; one stable with bone chip and ligament torn, one unstable needing surgery.
surgery next am after accident; plate and pinned ankle better sooner than stable, plate and pinned ankle tendons tightened and my ankle much more stable long term.
personal choice at the 18 mths mark post surgery I had the pins and plate removed.

Do NOT attempt to weight bear, sit yourself down, get it elevated and keep wiggling your toes. You need to reduce any swelling as much as you possibly can. Get on the phone to the fracture clinic and follow this up.

I broke my ankle in 3 places and had to have surgery and was on my back with no weight bearing for 9 weeks.

I might call the gp - they will have had the letter re surgery that I got after yesterday.

Do NOT attempt to weight bear
Elevate and ice if you can( bag of frozen peas in a towel)

Absolutely do not put weight on it, it was 6 weeks before I could put weight on mine, and 8 before I could walk without the boot/cast thing. If you do need surgery, the less swollen the better, so don't do anything that could make thing worse until you are sure what the plan is.

Good point, @Sprogonthetyne

Absolutely don't weight bear. I got sent home from a&e in a moon boot with a fracture, and told to start gentle weight bearing. I absolutely couldn't even if I wanted to. First thing on the next morning I got a frantic phone call from the fracture clinic, telling me to not put weight on it under any circumstances as I had got a double fracture that hadn't been spotted the day before. I was just incredibly lucky that the bones stayed in alignment so I avoided surgery.
Alternate ice and heat packs, and no ibuprofen yet (it interferes with the healing) paracetamol is ok. You will feel absolutely exhausted as all your energy goes into healing the bones.

Thank you. I know the fracture is displaced as I saw the x ray. One reason why I am panicking slightly!

Don't try weight bearing

Have you got crutches?

Yes, got crutches - left over from DS’s sprained ankle!

Sounds aging but a wheeled walker is much better than crutches.

My thoughts are not to trust anyone.

Believe it is unstable.

If surgery was suggested then turn up at the hospital regarding your surgery. That person might be clueless.

I would follow up in person, go back, and insist that if there is a change of diagnosis that you want an MRI and ask it to be written on your notes ‘patient requests MRI’

Stay strong.