Ankle break on son

[SpideyMom]

Hi

So last week my son broke his ankle. To be fair his ankle was absolutely huge, I would have been amazed if nothing was wrong but an xray confirmed he had indeed broken his ankle which was referred to as a stable break. Everyone was amazed how he had continued to use it until the next day when he couldn't get his shoe on. He has been given a boot and will be seen in the fracture clinic this week to see how we proceed.

It was confirmed that (thankfully) only the ankle was affected. He can actually bare some weight on it now before it starts to hurt. But this is what worries me. I saw the break on the xray. The boot seems to be helping him massively. What if that say he can heal without keeping his ankle stabilized in the boot? Removing the boot early really worries me. He is a very active, very clumsy child. He doesn't sit still. He is either running or jumping. Doing this on an already broken ankle is going to cause more injury surely. Is it likely they will keep him in the boot until it is healed? I dont want it being removed early and us ending up with another break.

Thanks in advance

When i broke my foot they told me keep the boot on for 4 weeks try and walk of it was still sore pop it back on for another week.
I don’t really understand your concern. The doctor will tell you how long to keep and boot on for and you do as you are told. I could walk with my break and it’s wasn’t really sore after a few days but I did as they told me and kept the boot on for the 4 weeks.
If it’s a simple break they might not even want to see you back unless there is a problem/ongoing pain.

They won't do nothing for a broken ankle on an active child, he will probably get a cst, the boot will just be while the swelling goes down. If for some reason they don't give him a cast they will.advise keeping the boot for 4 to 6 weeks.

Sorry my concern is because he is able to bear weight on it. I admit I am very naive when it comes to broken bones but as he is able to bare weight on it I assumed it would mean the boot would be removed. It was discussed the other day that they may put a cast on or just keep him in the boot. Obviously my fear is because he can walk on it that the boot will come off before its healed, an may lead to more injury

You were told what the plan is so I don’t understand why you are making up a new one in your head

They won’t leave him with any support but research says, in certain uncomplicated breaks, partial weight bearing aids a quicker return to full function

The key word is partial

Unfortunately my anxiety doesn't help. But now I feel silly for asking.

In the last 2 weeks I have been in the hospital with him 5 times after being told to make my way to hospital. I dont have the most understanding employer. I had only been at work 30 minutes on Friday before school called to tell me he needs to be collected due to his ankle. My boss didn't react the best and told me this is becoming too frequent now. Of course I still left as my child will always be my priority but I also left feeling shit thinking what the hell can I do. I am his only parent so everything comes down to me.
I've never experienced a break to the ankle, especially one on such an active child. He is handling it so well. His boot only comes off at night. You can feel where it is but the swelling has come down alot.
I know I sound silly but because I have no experience of this I just assumed as soon as he can bare weight on it any cast or boot will come off and I fear it would be to early and we will end up back in hospital with a worser injury.

Sorry for my question. I will wait to see what the hospital says this week

They wont leave him with nothing to support it
It will be a cast or boot
You can discuss any further concerns with them at his appointment after they tell you the plan
Try not to worry

Hey,

Don't feel silly for asking a question, honestly I've posted about all sorts and some people are more anxious than others and that's ok.

Try not to worry too much if there is a plan in place, but if you feel concerned or worried call the hospital or your GP and ask. There's no harm if it puts your mind at rest.

With regards to your work, with the lockdown situation and hardly any help it's been difficult and i hope that your work can understand it isn't easy. Like you say, he's your priority what are you going to do, leave him at school? It's rubbish but these things happen, don't beat yourself up it's out of your hands.

At fracture clinic they would e given you a plan
When do you take him back?
He will still require pain relief if he’s sore or uncomfortable.
You need to write down all your questions for the drs when he goes to clinic and continue pain meds when he needs them, the boot keeps things stable but it still can hurt. Speak to school about this too. It’s hard but hopefully he’ll be more comfortable soon and you can ask the questions to the person who has seen your child’s x ray and knows what they are talking about.

So the fracture clinic now takes place over the phone.
The orthopaedic doctor has reviewed his xrays and is happy its a stable break so doesn't need casting. So it's the boot for 6 weeks and then weaning him off it over the following 4. He can only take take boot off for bath and bed. He only needs to go back if he has any pain are we feel it isn't healing.

Thanks for your replies