To ask about your recovery after breaking your leg?

[Staringatthetiles]

Not really AIBU … but I am desperate for some advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I am 4 weeks post surgery from a broken Tibia/Fibula. It was quite a bad break and Ive had plates and screws inserted. However, I’m still in immense pain, non-weight bearing and feeling a bit sorry for myself after being stuck in the house for then last 4 weeks.

I know everyone’s recovery is different and of course the break itself too. But hoping some of you lovely lot could share your recovery stories. How was your pain? How long to be able to drive/walk/return to work? Have you had a full recovery? And any tips and advice?

TIA

Anyone?

Broke my fibula, had surgery, a plate and 6 screws were inserted 48h after the accident.
I seriously didn't feel that much pain. Surgeon prescribed 10 days of painkillers post surgery, I just took a bit of paracetamol before bed for a week and that was it.

I was off work and spent most of my days with my leg elevated. A soon as my leg was down, it was throbing a bit.

After the cast was removed, I was basically walking within 12 hours. Was a bit tender and swollen at the beginning but totally fine after a month. I still have the gear in my leg now, I can feel it but it doesn't cause any issue whatsoever.

Was in my mid-late 30s at the time.
Had a wonderful time being stuck at home (tiny parisian flat).

I broke my tib/fib about 15 years ago. My first every break, well, bar toes. I too had internal fixings, one I had to have removed due to infection.
Once I had my operation and the breaks were stabilised I think the pain pretty much went. I had a lot of swelling of my leg was down for longer than a few minutes. My overall recovery was long ( broke it on July 31st-left hospital after a weeks iv antibiotics Nov 22nd).
My friend broke her ankle a couple of years ago and was still in a lot of pain after her op. I am in no way saying this is your case, but she now has a chronic pain condition in her leg.
I would speak to your dr about what is happening with your leg and see if maybe the break hasn't aligned as much as it should have as that can cause issues, especially pain. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

I broke my tibula and fibula and had a metal rod fitted. The pain was awful at first. I think a lot of it caused by the swelling. I probably has around 8-12 weeks off work and I started working at home before going back to the office, as taking public transport was very disappointing.

My mum came and lived with my partner and I during that time. I'm unsure how I would have coped both mentally and physically otherwise. I really did get down - the mixture of meds, pain, circumstances etc.

Please ensure you see a physio soon, as they can help (if you're not yet seeing one).

I look back on it and it seems like a very short period of time, but at the time it seemed like forever, especially during the painful time.

Hopefully you're now through the worst of it. There was a forum called my broken leg which was a support, as it's good to know you're not the only one.

Good luck with your recovery and hopefully every day it will get a little better.

I broke tib/fib and dislocated my ankle a few years back. My foot was pointing the wrong way round when the paramedics got there and there was blood everywhere. I had a plate and 6 screws put in that evening.

I was non weight bearing for 8 weeks (sleeping downstairs, using a zimmer) and then in a walking air cast for 4 weeks. I've got permanent skin damage and need an elastic stocking on the leg to prevent swelling.

It happened due to a neurological illness I have that put me off balance and caused the fall. So recovery was complicated by the issues of working on my body perception and balance to stop it happening again.

My leg has honestly never been the same. I get a lot of pain at the site of the break but I'm not sure how much this is normal and how much typical of my illness. I struggle with mobility, needing a stick.

I broke my fibula in my mid-30's, plaster cast for 6 weeks followed by a boot for another 6. No surgery. While that part of recovery dragged on somewhat, it wasn't actually painful for me. What did hurt was the soft tissues in the ankle when I started walking on it again, for about a year afterwards. Most of the time it was fine but I'd get horrible electric-shock twinges every so often, until they eventually just went away. Lost some muscle mass but it soon came back and I didn't have a noticeable limp like some people do.

Thank you all. The swelling is horrendous and especially when my foot isn’t elevated … even after just a few minutes it swells enormously and turns an horrific purple colour.

At the moment, I am just spending my days watching tv (although falling asleep through most of it as I’m still taking morphine and I’ve also been prescribed gabapentin) with my foot elevated on pillows.

Not my leg but fractured my spine and broke my tail bone. No metal work but took about 12 weeks for the pain to ease off. I hope you start feeling better soon.

I broke my tib and fib with a dislocation about ten years ago. I was none weight bearing and on crutches about 8 weeks and the swelling was horrific.
Struggled walking after that with a moon boot for about 4 weeks. I suffered with bad swelling about a year after and managed to get one of my plates removed and some pins due to infection (still have one plate and 6 pins).
I can honestly say it wasn't right for about 2 years after. It's still not 100% and has a slight weakness to it. Swells up if I do too much but it will get better for you, it's just a lengthy recovery. Wishing you well ☺️

Should have added I didn't return to work until about 18 weeks post op as still walked with a limp when the moon boot came off (12 weeks).
Literally spent the first 8 weeks in the couch with my foot elevated with painkillers.
You will get quite a lot of muscle wastage in the leg that's injured so won't be able to just get up and walk around normally straight away, it'll take a bit time to strengthen it up when you can walk unaided again.

I broke my fibula in April this year. I didn’t have surgery and it sounds like it was way less serious that your injury. I was surprised by how much the recovery seemed to drain me. It wasn’t just the misery of being cooped up, reliant on others and unable to do all the things that usually contribute to my wellbeing. I also had the sense that there was a massive physical effort involved in healing. I saw a video of a meeting that I’d had a few weeks after the accident and was genuinely shocked by how drained, old and grey I looked. Fortunately, it’s fine now and I’m back to feeling like myself- just a bit more cautious when walking down the stairs!

Broke tib and fib and had plated and screwed lots of rest and elevation for first 8 weeks and keep going with painkillers
got some quite good foam supports from fleabay

Plaster off at 8 weeks but another 3 before i started to get going properly
Started seeing my own Physio weekly at 8 weeks for around 3 months and then tailed off
Physio was worth is weight in gold
9 months later all appears to be well

I broke my tib and fib 18 months ago. External fixator surgery to stabilise enough to fly home. Then plates and pins surgery here. Non weight bearing for 3-4 months. Zimmer frame to get around. I hardly went outside as I was terrified of falling over (my balance is awful now). Then Covid hit, and got one physio session, then left to my own devices.

It was hard going. Looking back, I was in a haze of pain and oxy. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning and it was so difficult hopping with zimmer to the toilet/shower. I was exhausted and off work for 4.5 months.

I can walk about no probs, but there is a dull sensation now. I limp when I’m tired and my leg/ankle is still swollen. I can’t zip up my ankle boots. The thought of wearing heels or even a wedge sandal actually makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’m terrified of going over on my ankle. I’m going on a sunshine holiday soon and have no clue what to wear on my feet, as I now live in trainers.

Sorry OP, it’s not a very positive tale. Does anyone know if private physio could help reduce the swelling?