Broken ankle and housebound, how are others passing the time if you are laid up?

[Inastatus]

What are you up to today if you are laid up for any reason? I’ve broken my ankle and not allowed to bear any weight on one leg so am pretty redundant at the moment unable to do anything round the house. I’m getting around by hopping with a walking frame. I might consider a knee scooter once I’ve had my hospital appointment next week and find out whether or not I’ll need surgery. DH is running around after me and I feel guilty - I can hear him hoovering and I’ve never wanted to do housework so much in my life!!

I’m sat on the sofa with my leg up watching morning tv which is quite depressing. I’ve been half heartedly doom scrolling on my iPad and occasionally read or have a go at a jigsaw puzzle. What else can I do to occupy my time? Any good Netflix recommendations/games/activities?

Start tracing your family history?
All the best for a speedy recovery

Watch some documentaries about things you know nothing about.

Go through all your unread emails and delete as necessary.

Research and order birthday presents needed for the next few months.

Try an app called Happy Colour. Many free hours of ipad painting by numbers there.

Getting annoyed at all the adverts saying if you exercise and eat well, you'll have an active old age. I was one of the most active I know and now doing literally nothing.
Also getting annoyed I can't wfh in my job. At least I'd be less bored.

I broke mine last year and needed surgery, recovery is long and definitely effects your mental health.
I hired a cleaner for two months, so no guilt about that.
I started a new Facebook group and started finding all the local businesses, events, green spaces, gigs , trades people in my local area. I wrote history pieces about my local area, researching using local groups , hunting photographs and gaining oral history from older locals.
I also bought a knee scooter and a special ankle cushion to keep it raised properly. Knee scooter was my sanity , definitely get one - good luck !

I’ve broken my wrist so not quite as immobile as you but still fairly useless at anything that needs 2 hands. I’ve discovered the American Office is on Netflix which I absolutely love and am now rewatching the whole thing. It’s fantastic!

Playing scrabble on my iPad.

Not fun but satisfying is sort your admin out. Bills, savings, investments, wills, ‘should the worst happen’ file, get it all straightened out and up to date. Delete/shred all the out of date stuff.

I badly broke my ankle last January.
I had to have surgery, plates & screws.
I was immobile/non weight bearing for six weeks. Good job I’m fit!

I just had to “get on with it” and soon discovered who my friends and caring neighbours are!

I am very self contained so I was happy with streaming tv programs and reading. Jigsaws were a great distraction.

I have since worked hard to gain strength in the affected leg.
I found regaining balance after weeks of not using the leg really affected my balance but I’ve worked hard at it and have made a full recovery. Be prepared for that.

My NHs physio clinics was really helpful so I hope you get that too. My physio frowned on my idea for a knee trolly. Didn’t agree with them at all.

Good luck OP. It took me about 3 months to begin to feel like my “old self” again in mind and body. Do not underestimate how you’ll feel. 💐

I was in your very same scenario a while back, only that I had surgery straight away.
I did watch a lot of TV. Read. Did some working from home, reading a bit I needed to do for a new project. I used to ask for the dry laundry to be brought to me and I folded it, while they put the other load in.
Or peel and cut veggies for lunch/ dinner. I was so happy when I could walk around with crutches and got into the kitchen, to do the bare minimum, but I felt so much better.
It will be a while till you can bear weight, but it will pass.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!

@MushMonster - thanks. Are you fully recovered now?

I am in the same situation. Broke ankle badly 6 weeks ago. Non weightbearing for another few weeks. I am home alone so the knee scooter has been invaluable. I am reading a lot in the shade in the garden. No other advice unfortunately. It is reassuring to read PP who had same injury and is now fully recovered. I can’t wait. All the best OP

@PashaMinaMio thanks. I was doing yoga/pilates/gym before this so hoping that will help my recovery. Will definitely get physio.

@Partialretiredpensioner - aww, broken ankle twin. Sorry you are in the same boat 😟 Did you have to have surgery? Hope you are back on your feet very soon.

I bought a book on how to solve cryptic crosswords.

It was difficult to start with but I eventually learned and I'm proud of myself.

Yes lots of plates and screws in there!

Oh yes, but I do have 13 screws and around 15 cm of plate in it LOL
Same as some of the previous posters.
I broke both tibia and fibula at the joint and smashed by fibula quite badly. I do not have a limp and I spend a lot of time on my feet and it does not even hurt.

@MushMonster - it’s good to hear that it doesn’t bother you any more. I’ve read a lot of horror stories which make me feel quite anxious so it’s nice to hear a positive outcome.

Definitely recommend any Harlan Corben series on Netflix or The Pitt on now TV

@CheekyLimeCat - thanks. DH and I have actually just started watching ‘I will find you’ I’m hooked.

Can you not use crutches to get around?

Jigsaws. Books.
Also get yourself a long handled bag, a flask, mug and biscuits. Make tea in flask. Carry flask mug biscuits in bag over shoulder (crutches and bag get easier with practice) so at least you can sit in front of book/tv/jigsaw with a drink and a biscuit.

That is also such good news for me. I smashed all 3 ankle bones woke 1 in ‘smithereens’ but the op went much better than they expected. If I can recover as well as you have I will be over the moon!!

Apple TV - For all mankind. 5 seasons of excellent watching.

Currently addicted to marble sort game

programmes (no idea what you’ll have seen!) dept q, the dark, Elle
youtube - trek trendy for travel videos, food wars food tours for America/London food videos, the Welsh twins for light entertainment (beauty/skincare)