Experiences of close contact cast versus surgery for a displaced ankle

[Inastatus]

I broke my ankle 5 days ago. I was treated at an urgent treatment centre who sent my X-rays to orthopedics who came back and said they wanted to pin my ankle because the bone is displaced, however I’ve been told the ligaments are ok.
I’ve got a cast on and waiting to hear about a surgery date but I am getting increasingly anxious about it and would love to try and avoid surgery if at all possible. I’ve been looking at close contact casts as an alternative and wondered if anyone had an experience of having one? I’m worried it will feel too claustrophobic or that it will rub or even worse, it will fail to realign the bone and I’ll end up needing surgery anyway!
Which will be the lesser of two evils?

Even if they think it’s a good idea (which they probably won’t if they’ve already said it needs fixing) you will still most likely need a trip to theatre to do the MUA. Worth asking the question but they will likely say it’s not the best option unless you have medical stuff going on that’d make an orif more high risk. (Anaesthetist thoughts rather than orthopod…could be wrong!)

@Greybeardy - thanks for replying. I’m not scared about having the anesthetic, more the op itself, having a plate and pins etc. I’ll talk to them to see if it is an option.

Podiatrist here.
Without knowing what bone(s) is/are fractured and your full medical history it's impossible to give an opinion.

This is something you need to discuss with the Orthopaedic surgeon who is handling your case.

@Footloose88 - thanks. I’m not really asking which route to choose as I know that’s a conversation I need to have with the surgeon. I was really wondering if anyone had any experience of a close contact cast. It seems like it’s not a common treatment and orfis is the usual treatment. I’m just terrified of having bits of metal put inside me!

ORFIS (Open reduction internal fixation) involves sterile metal components being inserted to keep fractured bones in place and help them set .

A TCC (total contact cast) can be used for Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Charcot Neuropathy and foot fractures.

That's why I suggested you speak to the surgeon who is handling the case.

The bits of metal you will come to see as really helpful as they'll keep your ankle strong and less likely to break again if you twist/ sprain it.

@LoafofSellotape Will I be able to feel them though?

I have an intramedullary nail through my tibia with screws following a Tib fib fracture. Immense relief of pain as soon as they did the op. It’s been a long haul with physio etc but I’ve had no pain or discomfort from the metalwork at all,
I can’t even imagine the thought of not having that there to stabilise my bones.

I have had a close contact cast.

i broke several bones on my ankle and the soft tissue was so mangled as part of the accident metal wasn’t possible.

mine was fit six months.

it was a grade A pain in the bum.

if you have another alternative I’d take it.

@Octavia64 - 6 months! 😱 you poor thing! Hope you are all healed now.