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Original poster

Broken Legs

59 replies

ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:25

Hi all, DS15 recently broke both his legs. He broke his fibulas just under the kneecap so is in two full leg casts from his toes up to his thighs. Hospital and fracture clinic weren't much help with advice on how to get about. They sent him home with just crutches although insisting he should be non-weight bearing until the casts come off and on bed rest for the next week or so. We have rented a wheelchair from the red cross but as he is currently stuck upstairs the only use for it is to move him from the bedroom to the loo.

I really do think it would be good for him to come downstairs somehow for just a change of scenery instead of being constantly stuck in one room but I have no way of getting him down the stairs. Really DP is strong enough to carry him down, but our stairs are quite narrow and I wouldn't want to risk hitting his legs against the wall or god forbid DP falling and getting hurt as well.

On top of this, he keeps getting quite hot and cold, does anyone know what the best clothing would be for him, at the minute he seems to constantly be changing his clothes to try and keep a comfortable temperature. Particularly socks, his toes either seem to be boiling hot or freezing cold, any ideas on how you can deal with that?

Really just looking for any advice in general for anyone who has been in a similar situation with their kids, any help would be welcomed.

OP posts:
Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:28

The temperature changing is a bit concerning. Does he have a fever? How does he feel?

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:29

Such a shame at the beginning of the holidays

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:29

Wait - he only needs the cast on for a week?!

determinedtomakethiswork · 08/07/2023 15:30

How awful for your poor son. I would be worried about his temperature changing. I broke my shoulder recently and didn't have any change in temperature so I don't think it's normal with a break.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/07/2023 15:31

Can he bump down the stairs on his bum,very carefully?! I'm not even sure it's possible with two legs on casts...

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2023 15:32

Can he sleep downstairs?

Beginningless · 08/07/2023 15:33

Oh poor kid, that sounds grim. Could you contact your local occupational therapy dept for advice?

LeSlogo · 08/07/2023 15:34

Could he manoeuvre himself up and downstairs on his bum? It'll be the safest way as he'll be able to protect himself. You could hold his legs at the ankles if necessary. Big socks that'll go over the cast. Failing that, cut some partway down to enable them to fit over the cast.
He'll be bored which will exacerbate the discomfort - games, chat, company, favouite food and painkillers as necessary
I hope he heals well, poor kid

Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:36

I've checked his temperature multiple times and its all normal, I think it might be more of a psychological thing with the tightness maybe? Not too sure.

He's been told to stay on bed rest as much as possible for the week, but is in the cast for 6 weeks sorry if I wasn't clear.

I'm not sure how comfortable I'd feel with him bumping down the stairs, might just be me worrying. But then it'd be how he'd get back up after going down the stairs like from the bottom step to the chair.

Sleeping downstairs isn't really an option, the sofa isn't very big and our toilet's upstairs so it'd mean somehow getting him up there.

OP posts:
Whinge · 08/07/2023 15:36

toomuchlaundry · 08/07/2023 15:32

Can he sleep downstairs?

I was wondering the same thing. If you have a dowstairs toilet then relocating downstairs might be the best option. He will have access to more rooms, socialise with friends and family and also get some fresh air.

iminvestednow · 08/07/2023 15:38

Just out of curiosity, how did he break his legs? That’s quite unusual!

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:38

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/07/2023 15:31

Can he bump down the stairs on his bum,very carefully?! I'm not even sure it's possible with two legs on casts...

Even if it was. Please no

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:39

how long does he have bed rest ahead of him?

Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:40

iminvestednow · 08/07/2023 15:38

Just out of curiosity, how did he break his legs? That’s quite unusual!

One of his friends older brothers recently got a quad bike, they both decided to mess around with it and it ended up plowing into him, sent him flying.

OP posts:
Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:43

Beginningless · 08/07/2023 15:33

Oh poor kid, that sounds grim. Could you contact your local occupational therapy dept for advice?

Thanks for the advice, my heads been all over the place and didn't even think about it.

OP posts:
Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:44

He needs a week bed rest and then be up and about on crutches / wheel chair.

how long to go?

how will crutches work if both are broken?

TheHairyHazelnut · 08/07/2023 15:44

Do you have a room upstairs you could temporarily change into a living room? Even if just for him to get a change of scene but maybe also for the rest of you - shifting the TV and sofa up there for a couple of weeks?

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 08/07/2023 15:46

The temperature changes will be due to his lack of movement, he's not moving about which will make him cool but the ambient temperature is actually quite warm so he warms up quickly.

The easiest option will be a thin blanket he can throw on and off.

If he is able to do so then he should make sure to wiggle his toes regularly to increase blood flow which will help keep his toes warm.

Only take him downstairs if he can stay there for sleep and bathroom or if you know you can safely get him back upstairs. If he cannot be cared for downstairs then there isn't really a good option other than trying to keep him occupied in his room for this temporary period.

Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:47

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:44

He needs a week bed rest and then be up and about on crutches / wheel chair.

how long to go?

how will crutches work if both are broken?

Hopefully only 6 weeks, honestly the crutches I don't know. When I asked how that was meant to work I was looked at blankly as if I was asking a stupid question.

OP posts:
Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:48

TheHairyHazelnut · 08/07/2023 15:44

Do you have a room upstairs you could temporarily change into a living room? Even if just for him to get a change of scene but maybe also for the rest of you - shifting the TV and sofa up there for a couple of weeks?

The only way I can think of doing that is completely emptying DS2s room and I think I'd lose the will to live with the tantrums that'd cause

OP posts:
Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:49

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 08/07/2023 15:46

The temperature changes will be due to his lack of movement, he's not moving about which will make him cool but the ambient temperature is actually quite warm so he warms up quickly.

The easiest option will be a thin blanket he can throw on and off.

If he is able to do so then he should make sure to wiggle his toes regularly to increase blood flow which will help keep his toes warm.

Only take him downstairs if he can stay there for sleep and bathroom or if you know you can safely get him back upstairs. If he cannot be cared for downstairs then there isn't really a good option other than trying to keep him occupied in his room for this temporary period.

Thank you so much, I've been telling him to wiggle his toes as much as possible, he does say that it can be a bit sore when he does but his toes are a good colour so I'm not really worried

OP posts:
Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:58

He doesn’t need to be on bed rest for 6 weeks! You said a week best rest. So how long to go?

Original poster
ABC12342 · 08/07/2023 15:59

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 15:58

He doesn’t need to be on bed rest for 6 weeks! You said a week best rest. So how long to go?

Sorry I misunderstood what you said, 3 more days on bed rest.

OP posts:
Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 16:03

Ah ok - in that case, I wouldn’t stress. He can suck up 3 days in bed being served his food, watching tv and gaming!

Fillyourshoes · 08/07/2023 16:04

I’d get his windows wide open though

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