X Ray - 1/5/11 Day of the Fall and today 1/28/11

Taken 1/28/11

Something to make you laugh.

This was a comment from Squido

"Well had my 6 week x ray today and talked to doc (GP). I was wondering why I had so much pain still. Doctor showed me that the 1 plate with eight screws has only 6 to be counted and a hole with 1 screw sitting 1/2 inch away. The doctor said to phone OS right away and not to put any weight on ankle. I knew there was something wrong, now I know. I always new I had a screw loose just didn't think it would be in my ankle, ha ha. "

Have my OS appointment tomorrow. Will keep my fingers crossed. Can't wait. Updates will follow shortly. 

Broken Ankle Week 3 - 20 Days Post Op

Today is my first day at work. I am sitting with my foot elevated at the office. Feel exhausted but everything is managable. Found it difficult to concentrate for a few hours but hopefully in time will get into the swing of things.  Everyone here is really supportive. This coming friday is my appointment with my Orthopedic Surgeon (OS) that's when we will know how the bones are knitting together.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and will update this blog as soon as I know any new info.

Video of ORIF Surgery

Exactly what they did

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKeJd0j2J4E

Broken Ankle Week 3

Today is the beginning of my 3rd week of recovery. I stopped taking all pain medications all together and it's just calcium / vitamins for me.

My PT started me on a new exercise. Rolled towel underneath my leg. I have to extend the leg and push on the towel as if I am pressing grapes into wine. Today did 100.

The back muscle of my leg is beginning to atrophy, which is normal and will be regained in due time. If anyone else experienced this please let me know.

There is a wonderful store Cambridge Naturals close to where I am staying and I highly recommend the following remedies: Arnica for bruising both in a cream form and taken orally and Symphytum also known as Comfrey helps in rapid knitting of the bones.

Any other suggestions, recommendations are always welcome. For all of us in the same boat, lets hang in there...time and appropriate care helps heal. Happy healing.

Broken Ankle Week 2

This week started with a shower. It was nice to be clean and ready to face the week. Swelling is going down significantly. Physical Therapy has me on the following excercises: Wiggling my toes every hour. Pumping my ankle back. Stretching my leg with the belt. Raising my leg in the air 20 times 3 times a day. Bending my leg at a chair, which so far is the only painfull excercise. I am continuing doing walking laps in crutches in the hallway. Diet is consisting of a lot of milk, bananas, sardines, spinach soup and chocholates. If I do gain weight and heal my ankle it will be a small price to pay in the recovery process. I am taking tylenol, daily food based vitamins, Glucosamine/Chondroitin for healhty joints and Calcium with Vitamin D for quicker absorbtion. When I left the hospital they gave me two air casts because my leg was so swallen. I am normally a size 6, but the swelling was so bad that they put on a Large Air Cast. This week as the swelling went down i downgraded to size Medium. Also as the swelling went down my leg is more sensitive. I can feel my whole foot and the bruising on my leg is significant, but every day it's going down in size by little bit.

Broken Ankle Week 1

I broke my right lower leg/ ankle on January 5th 2011. Happy New Year! Slipped on black ice after a night of trivia. Was rushed to the hospital and had to have the ORIF of my right distal tibia and fibula the next day. This blog is to record my symptoms / feelings week by week for anyone who broke a leg. I know that each person will have their own individual experience. This is mine.

Week 1 . Day after surgery, lot's of pain. Would push the pain button and couldn't sleep. No appetite just pain medications. Could sense the tingling on my toes of the operated foot.  The next day 7th - Laid in Bed all day, noticed needed less and less pain medication. In P.M Got crutches and attempted to walk in the hospital room in crutches. 8h of January - released from the hospital. Trip home went okay. No stairs just an elevator so no problem. January 9th - Started physical therpy and started doing laps in hallway. January 13th - a week since my surgery. Took my first needed shower. I was floating in a cloud of stinkiness, it was one of the best showers i have ever taken. My friends got me a shower chair and a  removable shower head, which came in quite usefull. Stopped taking Oxycodin as it was giving me hallucinations. Can manage my pain by taking tylenol regular strenght at 10 a.m and 10 p.m. and can bend my knee 85 degrees.
This injury is really going to teach me patience. Taking everything one day at a time and appreciating each day as it comes with whatever it has to offer.