Need advice for broken ankle management

[Suddenlyfeelingold]

NC for this as it’s so identifying, but I am desperate. Two days ago I broke my ankle ( posterior tibia) in a leg in which I already have OA of the hip and knee. I’m in a below the knee cast, non weight bearing, and waiting to see the fracture clinic in about ten days. The ankle itself isn’t giving me a huge amount of pain now, but it’s had a significant effect on the rest of my leg. The top of my thigh, hip and knee are agony when I try to push up to standing (on the other leg) to transfer from bed or sofa to wheelchair or from wheelchair to loo and back. My arms aren’t that strong anyway, but the pain in my leg is making it impossible for me to do it - it’s almost as if my whole body is saying no. My partner is hauling me up but it’s making me so depressed. It’s particularly bad in the mornings as my leg is so stiff. And going to the loo is a nightmare - I suffer from urge incontinence anyway and the delay in getting to the toilet isn’t helping. I’m 65 and this has been a huge wake up call to increase my strength and flexibility once I recover. But for now, is there anything I can do?

You need adequate pain killers, call your GP for that.

Do you HAVE to stand up to transfer? Can you slide instead?

I have arthritis in all joints so I'm used to managing painful limbs, but obviously I am not you.

A plastic carrier bag can help with moving round, eg if you get in a car put a plastic bag on the seat, sit down with both feet outside the car and use the bag to swing your legs in / out.

Thanks for replying. I don’t know how I could slide from sofa to wheelchair as I have to keep my plastered leg off the floor at all times - I’m not even allowed to rest it on the floor when sitting. I’ll get in touch with the GP about painkillers.

I feel for you. My sister is your age has a broken leg, at the bottom and is none weight bearing for at least 12 weeks following surgery. The foot must not touch the ground at all. It helps that she was super fit before hand but it's a trial.
She has bought a knee scooter which is very helpful around the house, you rest the knee of the injured limb on it and push yourself around.
Obviously you need better pain relief which will help you move.
If possible try to keep the bits moving that you can if only with stretching.

Really you need to be sitting in a higher chair also a high loo seat. You need to ask for an appt with the occupational therapist to arrange for home aids. Something like a personal bottle might help with going to the loo,I'll find a link.

https://amzn.eu/d/01eUzjt

There are loads of cheaper versions on Amazon.

For the urge incontinence, your GP can prescribe medication which helps enormously and works quickly. I've been on it for years.

My sister used a knee scooter which was brilliant. Get yourself a grabber too so you can pick things up off the floor,they're so useful.

Get a wheelchair where the side arms come off. Then you can use a slide board and you don’t have to go up and down only sideways.

https://completecareshop.co.uk/collections/transfer-boards?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23252858851&gbraid=0AAAAADxktW-eAb2cH6opwg5szcmS_87u2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhr7ohKGikgMVRZhQBh3svB_fEAAYAyAAEgJzJfD_BwE

I haven’t RTFT but have you had occupational therapy around? You can generally self refer just by calling up the council and they will come and assess and provide you with some aids to help. Really worth doing early on and they usually respond quickly.

I broke my ankle 3 years ago, it was hellish if I'm honest and I don't have OA.

I found cool crutches much easier on my shoulders, elbows and wrists because they have moulded grips, and so made transferring much easier. I was surprised how much of a difference it did make! They're pretty expensive but were worth it. I know your OA is in your lower limbs, but I felt much more stable on them and greater stability- and the more you can use your upper body - the less strain will be on your hips and knees.

You need to see a physio as well for help with transferring and managing at home. Get on to the physio depth at your hospital or request an urgent referral from your gp. Or see one privately if you can afford it - they were great at helping me adapt because I needed some extra help and support with transferring/moving about etc.

You also need stronger painkillers for the duration while your joints are compensating for the broken ankle, so your gp should be on this. Even things like ibuprofen gel could be more effective.

As for your partner, he would benefit from some manual handling training. Again a physio can help with this. There are slidesheets and other tools that help you move a person safely, without discomfort to either of you.

It does get better!

If you have the funds, don’t wait for an OT referral but order a raised loo seat and frame for around the loo. Argos or Amazon will have next day delivery. A cushion for the sofa to raise you up may help, and maybe another frame to help you stand and transfer? You can also get special wedge shaped leg cushions to support your leg when resting/sleeping.

Knee scooter is a good shout as well. You can hire them from stride on.

it’s worth asking on Facebook or other local groups as people often buy things and stick them in the loft afterwards. Or local charity shop - ours always seems to have some sort of aids.

your local Red Cross may also loan you equipment. Try and sit as high as you can. Sit on an armchair, not sofa if able and make the seat as high as you can buy adding another firm cushion. If you have a 2 seater sofa you could put one of the seat cushions on top of the other( but don't fall into the gap you leave!) Definitely get a Mowbray type toilet seat and set it to whatever height feels comfortable.

Thank you so much everyone - I’ve only just come back on MN as I’ve been trying to sort stuff all day. OT is coming tomorrow and I’ve got the fracture clinic on Monday. Have ordered a knee scooter and spoken to the GP about pain meds, which DH will pick up tomorrow. I’ve been lying down a lot today rather than trying to push through and
the OA pain has got a bit better. Hopefully any aids that the OT can provide will help as well.