Broken ankle

[tinytemper66]

I broke my ankle on Friday and I can't quite come to terms with the fact I will be off work for so long and have a fear of letting people down.
I may need an op and will find out tomorrow morning in fracture clinic.
If this has happened to you how long before you went back? I have said 2 weeks initially and then if I get a boot I may be able to work desk bound.

I have not broken an ankle recently (but apparently did several times as a child/teen and walked on them) but did have an ankle operation almost 9 weeks ago. If you get a boot, then 2 weeks sounds about right. It will slightly depend on how you get over the anaesthetic. If you are in a cast, it could well be longer, as casts are hideously hard work and horribly heavy and you do need to sit with it supported. I was in a cast for 12 days and it was a nightmare!

The best of luck going forward and you are better to break an ankle than sprain it, as ligament damage (what I had) can take a long time - or never - to heal.

Thanks for responding x
I work in a school and feel awful for my exam classes down so early on in the term.
I was on a school trip when it happened-no drunken antics just thought I was Jane Torville 🤦🏻‍♀️⛸

Sorry about your ankle, OP. I broke mine about 5 years ago and required surgery. It’s recommended that you absolutely stay off the foot for a minimum of two weeks, but honestly it’s more like three weeks. I found it quite painful. And doing things like showering were very difficult. How is your pain level? Can you put any weight on it?

I was in plaster around six to eight weeks and didn’t have a boot. I went back to work but could only do an office role. If yours was an injury at work (as mine was) my employers took me to Physio appointments and to and from work for a while so they may assist you too. Worth asking.

I couldn't put my foot to the floor on Friday and haven't tried since. I am more uncomfortable than in pain generally. Can't shower just body wash. Hoping my husband will wash my hair today.
school will accommodate me in a down stairs room near a loo. I can teach from a chair which isn't ideal but it is better than successions of supply teachers.
I may be unrealistic in my recovery expectations but I will follow Medical advice and put myself first ev n though it will be hard.

I was off a couple of months with mine but I was also pregnant. I had surgery and a cast and had to keep my foot elevated as much as possible. Even being at home on my own was hard work to be honest. Fingers crossed that yours is not so bad.

I broke my foot a few weeks ago, so nothing like as serious as an ankle break. I think for that you can expect it to be in plaster for 6 weeks, probably non-weight bearing and then into a boot for a few weeks.
I just had a boot, and while I could walk it was very difficult and I couldn't do more than a few meters. Stairs were very difficult as well.
I'm lucky I am retired but had I not been then I think I might have just managed a desk job after 6 weeks.

I think my ideas are unrealistic then. Just don't want to let staff and students down even though it is no one's fault. I have never been off for longer than three days before and that was with a migraine.
I just need to take it Day by day then.

I don't know re work but I'm going to throw so general tips at you for survival, your husband may help but he won't be by your side 24/7

These are the best links i know of for this, take whatever applies, its not medical advice but general help

www.mybrokenleg.com/tips.html

www.lifebeyond4limbs.com/coping-with-life-and-a-leg-injury/

You said cant shower if you can get a garden chair into your shower, you can sit down and shower, lay a hand towel on the seat if makes you feel more comfortable (patterns in chairs on your bum afterwards is not a good feeling)

www.boots.com/bloccs-waterproof-protector-for-casts-and-dressings-adult-full-leg-10199060 - This will allow you to shower safely without affecting the cast, dont lock the bathroom door and maybe for 1st few times esp as prob on painkillers have someone around in case you get dizzy etc

Even if can make it to class, your head may be fuzzy at times however you also have a load of students who you can assign to help with various things - its part of a learning experience for them, even if you hand them a copy of stuff to write up on a whiteboard or whatever, they can carry stuff, get things from you from other rooms, it wont do any harm - dependant on age of course, if 4/5 year olds maybe not so practical

Work out clothes you can wear with a cast potentially, capris trousers, dresses, a couple of cheap pairs of black yoga type bottoms where you can cut the side you need to and slit up the seam on that side

Have a rucksack handy for your personal effects and keep it on your back when on crutches

if operated on you may be able to get a wheelchair from local Shopmobility as my local NHS doesn't issue them for what they consider short-term problems (it was 3 years before they recognised i needed one and that was down to consultants) and get a leg rest so it can stay elevated in front of you

I know posters on another thread had a bit of a lol about my suggesting laxatives for someone who was going to have a hysterectomy, however, I would also recommend some here too as if you are taking painkillers you don't want to deal with painkiller induced constipation as well - trust me on that

Best of luck

Thanks so much-useful advice. Just-ordered the cast protector from amazon and will be here tomorrow.

I broke my left ankle in April. I was off work for just under 4 weeks (very bad break). I bought a knee scooter from Amazon that had a basket on the front so I could get around.
Ii was in a hard cast for 3 weeks, and a boot for 12 weeks with no weight bearing for 10 weeks. The knee scooter saved me.
Good luck when you go to the fracture clinic.
www.amazon.co.uk/Orthomate-Scooter-feature-pnuematic-Eligible/dp/B072LTS6KX/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?psc=1&keywords=knee+scooter&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1536506948&sr=8-1-spons

Hope the link works. This is the one I bought.

For those days that you dont want a full body wash and the effort of getting in and out of the shower because it will pull a lot of energy out of you, try this, the shampoo is apple scented and I cant remember re the body wash - it does make you feel a lot fresher

www.amazon.co.uk/Rinse-Body-Shampoo-Offer-Healthcare/dp/B00AZWPPJO/ref=pd_sbs_194_6?psc=1&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B00AZWPPJO&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=4fe8124b-f455-49bd-9e7d-c251837661fc&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=hgU5W&pf_rd_r=RS6JNP7GQEXMRBHPBJ3T&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_w=YcyQA&tag=mumsnetforum-21&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&refRID=RS6JNP7GQEXMRBHPBJ3T&pd_rd_r=185e9245-b459-11e8-b0cd-5590e01106d2

and in the frequently bought together I deffo recommend the no rinse shampoo caps as well, I give it 20/30 seconds in the microwave and massage it into my head, to be 100% honest, it makes me orgasm every single time and my hair feel clean and fresh, (the whole process takes less than 2 mins to do your hair) your hair will be wet as if you had just washed it, smells nice so you can dry and style as usual

Thanks so much for the advice and suggestions 😊

Thankfully no operation is needed. Just elevation for a week, new plaster next week and non weight bearing for 4-6 weeks. Worst bit is no driving for 8 weeks! I can go back to work after two weeks!

When I broke my ankle I was in work the next day, but I worked at a desk all day. I had to drive but swapped cars with DH who had a automatic.

Non weight bearing is very difficult, using crutches requires upper body strength and is hard on the hands. DS struggled and he is a very strong fit 22 year old. You can get padded covers for the crutch handles which help.