To ask for your ‘positive’ broken ankle stories

[Saladmakesmesad]

Posted something similar the other day when it had newly happened but hoping for a bit more traffic here, hope that’s ok.

I broke my ankle in a fall/blown by the wind down a steep path on Saturday. All traumatic and painful, A&E etc. Went to fracture clinic on Tuesday and they said it’s a Weber B fracture at outside and back and ‘borderline’ for surgery but too swollen to do anything with so put in a hideously heavy back slab cast for a week and then re X-ray and decide ORIF (repair) surgery or not.

I’ll be non weight bearing for at least 6 weeks (and that starts from when I get my proper cast on I think - which could be a couple of weeks away if I have surgery. I’m struggling with the crutches as I have a crap back, I’m struggling with the thought of the weeks of pain and debilitation ahead (we don’t have a downstairs loo) and having stupidly googled I’m now struggling because it seems like every ankle break ends up in months of pain, complications and misery.

If anyone has any fairly straightforward ankle break stories, please share them to balance the evils of Google!

Regarding wheelchairs you can hire them from the Red Cross for a donation. I had one after my first and third surgeries, they say 6wks but if you ring and say you still need it you will let you keep it longer - I had first one for 4months and was so grateful to be able to get out and about more (though the number of disagreements we had about DH wheelchair pushing skills were spectacular 🤣)

www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/borrow-a-wheelchair##

I hired a wheelchair too-it wasn’t expensive and I really liked it (as much as I enjoyed any aspect of not being mobile!) I couldn’t get on with crutches at all, but that’s probably just me!

For stairs, a physio recommended that I sit down facing down the stairs and hoist myself up backwards with my hands and good leg. I found that easier than hopping up stairs

I went up stairs on hands and knees and came down on my bottom, it was the easiest way.

I had a Webber b at the end of September. Borderline for surgery, 3 weeks full cast no weight bearing followed by 3 weeks full time in a walker boot weight bearing and 2 extra weeks of boot for walking outside and off for pottering.
Driving after 8 weeks, started dog walking again then too, had some limited range of movement and some aches, still have some twinges but it is fine now and has been for ages. I can walk for a few hours and generally do what I did before.

Just seen that the knee scooter won't work for you at the moment.

In that case may I recommend that you get hold of a second set of crutches and keep one set upstairs and one set downstairs? It is so much easier than trying to get yourself and the crutches up and down the stairs.

I hope you are feeling a little better now after reading some of the positive stories and good advice on this thread.

Thank you all and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come back to this. I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed. But I really appreciate all your kindness, stories and advice.

I had fracture clinic on Monday and they said the X-rays looked better than a week before but they were concerned that if the ligaments are torn the fracture would be unstable and need an op. So I had a CT scan Tuesday and now have to wait to see someone at the bigger fracture clinic for an analysis of that and a decision about surgery. I’m pretty upset to still not know re surgery and also that it if happens it’ll be 2+ - probably around 3 - weeks on from the break. The pain is better and I’m finding mobility easier (though still unbelievably hard) but it feels like if I need surgery next week it’ll be reset and I’ll have wasted 3 weeks’ healing and have to go through it all again.

I do now have a full cast on though so that’s lighter!

No so great broken ankle story.
Broke tib and fib. Disclocated whole ankle so foot faced in wrong direction. Two weeks in hospital. Operation with screws and plates. Three month non weight bearing then a further three months in a boot.
Nearly 2 years later I have arthritis in the ankle and planter facilias(sp) all a result of the break. Lots of pain on walking for more than a short while. Swells daily which is controlled by a foot brace.
The only highlight is that orthopaedic shoes are not as ugly as they used to be and the charity shop made a few quid when I donated all my nice heeled shoes and boots.

I’m sorry you went through that and continue to go through that.

Poor you! I have broken my ankle twice.

First one was a hairline fracture in the fibula. Was allowed to walk on it as soon (about 3 weeks) as able . I did attend physio classes and I think it was about 3-6 months before I didn't notice it at all (just stiffness not pain). It healed fine and I am not sure which ankle it was now :)

Other one was much more serious - dislocated ankle and broke 3 bones. I was in hospital for a week waiting for the swelling to go down before having an operation. I think I have pins, screws and a plate. I was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks and that was really hard as I was rubbish on crutches. The pain got a lot easier though after about 2 weeks and I was able to get the knee scooter thing which was excellent. As soon as I was weight bearing, although I was still on crutches, but it was a lot easier. I think I was on crutches for another 6-12 weeks maybe and driving was possible from about 12 weeks but a bit painful if I left my foot on the clutch for too long (I think if I had broken the right one, I wouldn't have been able to drive as an emergency stop would have painful; but equally if I had an automatic, I would have been able to drive sooner). I could walk around perfectly well from about 4-6 months after - but sport took a bit longer. I did physio and started running (gently) at about 8 months - and started training for a long distance hill walk about 9 months after the accident. At the beginning, my ankle swelled really badly after a walk of 2 hours +, but six months later I did a long distance 30 mile-ish walk and it was fine. I found out about 10 months after the accident that I wasn't going to regain full flexibility in the ankle which was a bit upsetting at the time but I have been able to run, ski and climb mountains since then - and the only time I notice the limited flexibility is in certain yoga positions. A lot of people my age have much worse trouble with knees and backs etc so I feel pretty lucky.

One think I would say is that the swelling lasts for quite a long time (maybe up to a year for a bad break) - and although that isn't actually limiting to day to day life - it feels like you will never get better - but then all of sudden it stops, and you feel much more normal again. And the non-weight bearing bit is definitely the worst, even if your total recovery takes longer.

And really sorry you didn't have such a good outcome
Dontsweatthelittlestuff

I slipped on ice and broke my ankle fourteen years ago. My top tip is to ask for a zimmer frame to use in the house, as it's a lot more stable than crutches, and won't be as painful on your arms. It's also a lot easier to carry (light) things by using a string bag knotted across the front. I also recommend a large flask with a shoulder strap so that you can carry hot drinks easily and a 'grabber' for picking up the things that you will - inevitably - drop on the floor..!
Listen to what the doctors and physios tell you, keep your foot elevated as much as possible, wiggle your toes a lot - and it will heal
My cast was off after six weeks, and I paid for a few physio sessions (money well spent) so that I walked correctly in my airboot and elbow crutches. I was back at work part-time 3 months after my accident, and full-time a month later.
One word of warning - expect quite a bit of pain in about a week or so, as I was told by my doctor that the bone hurts as it begins to knit together. Use normal painkillers for a week or so and this should pass. All the best

I broke mine in 3 places 16 years ago when we were on holiday in Scotland. The GP on Mull back-slabbed it and I spent a night in hospital on pain relief then got the boat back to the mainland for an X-ray. DH then drove me to Paisley for surgery where they put in a plate & 6 screws. They left it back-slabbed again & I flew back to Devon 3 days later.

I was in a non weight-bearing cast for 6.5 weeks. I watched a load of crap on TV and got very frustrated that I couldn't work or do much for/with 2 small daughters (3 & 4.5). Once the plaster came off, they didn't tell me to keep icing the joint so it was very swollen for weeks. The first physic was lovely and we took things gently and I could see and feel progress. Then she was moved on and I got a dragon, although with hindsight, I probably needed it. She took me to the hospital gym and threw basketballs at my head to make me stop holding on to the parallel bars. I used to have to play catch with her whilst I stood on a wobble-board. It did work in the end.

I broke it mid-April and thanks to hiring an automatic car, I was back teaching in one school by the middle of June using my crutches. However, I was not then teaching whole classes; that school had everything on one level and my lovely line manager would get my lunch and coffee. I ditched the crutches for most things by mid-July and then in August went on a camping trip which was like the most intense physio session.

Now it's misshapen. I don't wear heels and it swells up at the end of the day, especially when it's hot or damp. I can teach full days though and it doesn't really bother me. Good luck OP

Bless you, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I broke my fibula and tibia, had surgery and was in a cast for 12 weeks. Get yourself the knee scooter as others have recommended.

Thank you for the recovery stories. I’m really anxious about potential surgery 3 (ish) weeks on from a break when it seems like everyone with surgery had it much sooner.

On a more positive note I do drive an automatic already so although I am not ready yet, I imagine I will be able to drive sooner than it it was a manual (left ankle is broken). And I hope when things are settled that I can work from home.

I broke my foot last year and was in air cast for about three months. I came on go recommend a knee scooter but I see others got there first! Also worth buying gel or foam covers for handles of crutches which makes them slightly less awful to use. It’s tough... but it does pass xx

Broke my ankle playing sport. Also got done for speeding. Magistrate looked at my cast/crutches combo and asked "how long til that comes off" and then banned me for the same time. Which I thought incredibly reasonable. Rehab for ankle took a while but all shiny new now (and with a better respect for speed limits)

If you can kneel on a chair you should be ok with the knee scooter. It really is a game changer. DH has put a bicycle basket on mine. Other useful things: a grabber, wedge cushion for your back, leg cushion for comfy elevating of the leg and a proper cast cover for the shower.

If you can kneel on a chair you should be ok with the knee scooter. It really is a game changer. DH has put a bicycle basket on mine. Other useful things: a grabber, wedge cushion for your back, leg cushion for comfy elevating of the leg and a proper cast cover for the shower.

I can’t kneel on a chair yet unfortunately. Maybe in a week or two. I did buy a cheap wheelchair off eBay inspired by this thread. It’s great for carrying a plate from kitchen back to sofa and will help me go out but I’m mostly using crutches as I’m freaked out about the DVT risk of not moving enough.

I’ll look into the other things thanks! I’ve got a bath cover for the cast but haven’t dared try getting into/out of bath yet (no shower).

@daftoldbat What a great judge! Love that.

I had a really nasty weber B break my usual rushing about and not looking where i was treading and missed my foot and fell and heard the crack tried to stand up and couldn't. Having everything to hand such as a table next to you .I was no weight bearing for 3wks so had sleep downstairs with a commode
I had to have a metal plate and screws put in, staying in permanently as i had also torn the deltoid ligament so it was an unstable break .Op i am the biggest baby out when i have a ga petrified of the cannula but i am here to tell the tale .I not going to lie it knocked me off work for 6mths but i am back full time doing the job i always have .My ankle will swell if i stand a lot and aches if it's really cold but tbf i have got used to it.
Having things to hand is the key , on a little table next to you .I couldn't get upstairs for the 2wks i had back slab on so had a commode downstairs with all my toiletries to hand .If you need the op good tip i was given you will highly lightly be put on blood thinner i had to self inject for 6wks , well i didn't too much a baby , DC or DH did , ice the spot to freeze it first takes the sting out as the blood thinner bloody smarts but that will stop it .
I had a wheelchair to get out off the Red Cross and then i had a walking cast on for 4wks .Had a brace for a while after cast come off and physio .My operation was 2 days after original break , surgeon wanted to do it immediately but there was no beds so i highly lightly took someones spot which made me feel really guilty .You will get there op my party piece setting airport scanners off .Good luck .

Thank you for sharing your story. Great tips too. I haven’t got a commode but bought a ahem camping bottle off Amazon. I’ve yet to use it but it will happen...

If I need to have surgery I wish it had been at the start. Now that I’m feeling a bit better I really don’t want to go back to that. And reset the clock on non weight bearing.

@FixTheBone Any insight on potentially leaving me at least 2.5 weeks between break and surgery, probably more depending on time from any decision on Monday to actual surgery? I’m finding the week’s wait from CT scan to next appointment really weird and anxiety provoking. I did raise it and they said ‘Well that’s when the appointment is’. Then I asked if that might mean they have to re break it and he said ‘There’s a certain amount of un-knitting we’d have to do, yes’.

Ruptured my achilles and was non weight bearing. It was magical. I couldn't do anything. The kids were absolutely marvellous even though they were only little. We all snuggled on the sofa when they came home from school. I spent weeks reading and watching movies.

Worst thing was not being able to carry anything. A flask is essential. If you have to make your own hot drink you can make it in the flask, put the flask in a bag and hang the bag from your crutches. The worst thing was going up and downstairs.