Broken Heel Bone and Physiotherapy - advice please.........

[Listmaker]

Hi there

I broke my heel bone three months ago and had surgery to pin it with three screws. I've been non-weight bearing and then partial weight bearing. I've got to have one of the screws out next week.

Last week I saw the consultant and he said to start putting a lot more weight onto it even walking round the house without crutches if I could (still in my big black boot).

I am struggling to do that as it is quite painful and just generally terrifying. I don't know if the pain is an 'OK' pain and I should just carry on through it or if it means I should take it slower.

They've been pretty vague about physiotherapy and it's only been mentioned because I've asked about it. I can get some private physio through a work health insurance policy but only 10 sessions.

So does anyone have any experience of this/is anyone a physiotherapist and can advise? Any idea if 10 sessions is enough or should I wait for the NHS route? Should I wait til after the pin removal operation to start physio? And so at the moment just do what I can etc?

Will the consultant refer me to physio when he thinks the time is right? Presumably after the operation has healed a bit - I'm not back in to see them until 4 weeks after the op so would hope to have some physio in that time to help me move forward?

Basically I'm desperate to return to more normal life and getting looking after my family and driving etc again so am impatient!

Thanks for reading this far........any advice or stories of similar experiences would be most welcome.

Anyone?!

I had a broken ankle pinned and plated a few years ago.

Firstly, re the weight bearing, after 3 weeks non weight bearing, I was told to put weight on it as much and as often as I could, which I found to be a bit vague! So, I just did what was comfortable. It didn't take too long for me to put all the weight on it which made life a whole lot easier, or rather a lot less difficult!

Secondly re physio, I was not referred. They told me that for my type of injury, physio didn't make much difference. We had a self referring system for the physio here, so I went along there for some sessions, but I found it hard to fit in the exercises as I had newborn ds2 to deal with 6 weeks after surgery.

I do remember feeling like I would never walk again and bursting into tears when I saw somebody running for the bus because I really believed I would never be able to do that, but it worked out fine and I can do everything that I used to previously!

Thanks mawbroon.

I hate the vague instructions as I want to progress but am also frightened of doing something that will cause more damage!

I guess if they don't refer me through the NHS I will ask them to refer me for the private ones and take those 10 sessions at least.

I know that one day I will be fine again and all this will be a distant nightmare - just can't wait for that day!

At least I don't have a new born - that must have been a real challenge! My teenage DDs can be helpful (when it suits them) at least and can entertain themselves!

Lots of physio departments allow you to self refer. Worth looking into.

How many weeks since your fracture?

if it's 3 months since your last surgery and the consultant is recommend you increase weightbearing, then crack on with it. use your leg as normally as possible.

Oh yes, it was a challenge all right, but I was "only" in plaster/moon boot for 8 weeks. It must be hard for you to have been out of action for 3 months!

When are you getting the pins out? I had mine out 9 months after the original surgery and it really helped with flexibility. I know yours is a totally different injury, but hopefully, once you've healed a bit from the incision to remove the screw, it will help you progress more quickly.

Thanks all. It's 12 weeks today since the surgery. I am having one of the pins out next Tuesday - it doesn't seem to be causing any pain but they think it's just a little bit too long and the head of it is right on the back of my heel and can be sore so may cause issues in shoes (the way I've had mine fixed is fairly new - usually it's a much bigger incision and plates etc - I was lucky that I had the top foot man I think in the UK to fix it).

I am doing better - just had a little walk and was very nearly 'walking' - just having a shooting twinge at the bottom of my ankle on the top of my foot which makes putting more weight on painful but the movement of walking seems to be coming back which a week ago seemed to alien!

I think I need to wait til the screw is out and the wound healed a bit to really push it so will do what I can and try and be patient!! Waited this long after all!

Good luck!

I would suggest go from two to one crutch first. Use the crutch in the hand opposite to ur bad leg.

Thanks Holiday - I am trying that a bit - few steps at a time.

Who knew walking could be so tricky eh?!