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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

3 young kids and broken 3 foot bones after a fall

27 replies

Salrose123 · 19/12/2022 21:13

So quick back story, slipped and fell yesterday. Had x ray today which shows 3 broken bones, have been told can take 4-6 weeks to heal. Hospital have given me a moon boot to wear... Can anyone tell me if heals in less time. My home is currently a tip, kids are 2, 5 and 7 and struggling to get them to sleep
DH gone to work on nightshift... My question any way to heal my broken bones faster even if private physio sessions....

This seems like a bad dream but then again I've never posted to mumsnet in a dream....

OP posts:
LeadingStar · 19/12/2022 21:15

You're going to have to get good at hopping. Sorry OP, have you got crutches? Can you invite any helpful friends/ family to come and visit?

DenholmElliot11 · 19/12/2022 21:18

Sorry for your accident. did you slip on the ice?

I don't think you can make bones heal quicker, no. It's time that does the healing.

oldestmumaintheworld · 19/12/2022 21:19

Sorry this has happened. I've been in the same boat. My Mum had to come and stay for four weeks. You are going to need help with washing, cooking and taking care of the children. Can someone come to help? You will also find it difficult to walk when the boot comes off.

W0tnow · 19/12/2022 21:20

Oh. I did exactly that when my children were 2 and a half (twins) and 4. My husband was on the other side of the world. The good news was that the moon boot meant that I could be fairly mobile. It was my left foot so I could still drive.

It will heal when it heals. Physio won’t help the bones knit faster I’m afraid. The pain was a lot less after 4 weeks.

Livedandlearned · 19/12/2022 21:20

You can't make bones heal faster.

glasshole · 19/12/2022 21:20

This happened to me in May. I was hobbling around the house just fine after 2-3 days and could still stay in top of cues with plenty of rest breaks etc.

W0tnow · 19/12/2022 21:21

Oh. And careful with your back. The boot makes you lopsided so you walk funny. You might bet lower back stiffness, so stretch it often.

glasshole · 19/12/2022 21:21

Just to add the moon boy means that it's actually very easy to walk around. Just clunky

Jibo · 19/12/2022 21:28

I've done this too and I'm afraid the healing took a lot longer than I was originally told - been over a year and I still have pain.

Take Vitamin D and if you can afford it rent an Exogen machine, but the most important thing is time and rest.

Jenasaurus · 19/12/2022 21:30

I have done this myself, on holiday in Cyprus, tripped up a high kerb walking to Pathos with my family, they all carried on walking unaware I was on the floor in pain, a man on a moped stopped to check I was OK, then I carried on gingerly walking in pain to the beach bar, said the pain was too much, we got a taxi back to the hotel, the next morning I could only slide my foot backwards or was in intense pain. My ExDP got me a wheelchair from reception, went to a clinic and had it plastered, then cut (as was flying home that day) and a boot, I found it easy to walk around on the boot, but it depends on which bones are broken.

I cant remember how long it took to heal but know it was considerably less than when I broke my fib and tib 2 years earlier so hopefully you will feel more able to move around soon x

suzyscat · 20/12/2022 00:52

The herb comfrey is sometimes known as knit bone because it's meant to be good for healing broken bones - like it knots then together. I'd eat plenty of calcium rich foods too.

I would say resting it and giving it chance to heal would be most important but that doesn't sound plausible.

What an awful thing to happen at the start of the holiday. FlowersFlowersFlowers

The best thing you can do is lower your standards and delegate. (In terms of resting) Can DH get the kids ready for bed before a night shift? Even if it's early they do watch a film etc. Try and keep the basics in reach and get the 7 & 5 year old fetching and running about. Do they or you have any friends that could take them for a play date/ wear them out a bit in the day?
Do picky teas that the kids can help set out.

Good luck!

Pelo22 · 20/12/2022 01:08

Rest it and elevate it as much as you can
Eat well, multivitamin and vitamin D
Painkillers

SeaToSki · 20/12/2022 01:12

Calcium and vit d supplements, elevate and use wam compresses to increase blood flow to the area and see if you can stretch to a cleaner for a couple of weeks and a local teenager to act as a mother help while you direct from the sofa. And dont bang it against anything. Anytime you jar the healing bone edges, it sets back the healing process

Salrose123 · 20/12/2022 02:00

Thank you for your responses really appreciate them, I have to manage till tomorrow then my husband will be off work and will be able to help me alot more xx

OP posts:
glasshole · 20/12/2022 12:43

Jibo · 19/12/2022 21:28

I've done this too and I'm afraid the healing took a lot longer than I was originally told - been over a year and I still have pain.

Take Vitamin D and if you can afford it rent an Exogen machine, but the most important thing is time and rest.

Actually this is a good point. I was told 6 weeks minimum but needed the boot for almost 10 weeks and even then i could drive for another 12 weeks as bending my ankle to any extreme at all was agony. So no emergency stopping. I can't use ladders or did with a a garden spade even now as the arch of my foot is like NOPE!

Hellopello · 20/12/2022 12:51

Be gentle with yourself and only do what is necessary

Don’t hop too much on the other good foot- my daughter did and then injured the other foot

AuntieMarys · 20/12/2022 13:02

Ouch! I broke 5th metatarsal 3 years ago. Was back at gym after 17 days later just doing upper body. ( dh drove me)
Did a proper walk ie 2 miles after 3 weeks. Got rid of the boot after 9 weeks and drove then.
Bone healed fine..I hope I never do it again!

Salrose123 · 20/12/2022 13:08

DH bought me crutches so that's helping just meal times are a struggle, as hurts when on my feet more than ten mins xx

OP posts:
Poachedleggs · 20/12/2022 13:25

And If you smoke stop, as smoking can increase the time for bones to heal by a third

Mischance · 20/12/2022 13:30

You can hire a knee trolley - I did this when I broke my foot - and lots of tendon damage too,

You just have to suck it up and wait for it to heal - physio not appropriate as it needs to be immobilised to heal.

Feet are a bit complicated so don't try and rush it.

I will not tell you how long it is since I did mine and I am still using a stick!

Salrose123 · 20/12/2022 17:17

Thank yo the iwalk knee crutch looks very good, might have to invest in one xx

OP posts:
Salrose123 · 21/12/2022 15:04

Me again, feeling sorry for myself, have an appointment with fracture clinic just one more question what painkillers best for broken bones, can't stand for more than a minute without feeling a burning feeling

OP posts:
LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 21/12/2022 15:13

Salrose123 · 21/12/2022 15:04

Me again, feeling sorry for myself, have an appointment with fracture clinic just one more question what painkillers best for broken bones, can't stand for more than a minute without feeling a burning feeling

When I fell down stairs last year and broke my foot I was given dihydrocodeine and paracetamol. I was in a moon boot for 12 weeks which was a nightmare with 18 month old twins at the time - my sister came to stay for 2 weeks to help out over the Easter holidays and MiL did the first 10 days after the fall too.

Salrose123 · 21/12/2022 17:45

Thank you I will request this combination tomorrow at fracture clinic, wow 12 weeks have you fully recovered now, hope you have xx

OP posts: