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Ankle Another joint - A fracture and torn ligament saga

On my stars, Jamie.
Just seeing this also.:console2:
The recovery scenario does seem daunting.

Hope you get Tootie and the house more settled so you can make decision about surgery.
In the meantime, Please No Falling.
 
@Hip4life Thankfully I wouldn't be part of any renovation work other than to supervise the work. My pup and I would be retreating to the 2 bedrooms and bathroom on the main floor while the work was done. I planned to have the workers set up a work/kitchen area in the spare bedroom so I could live okay in that small space. I have a chair lift to get downstairs to the garage for when I can drive.

Talking about a physical therapist or occupational therapist to help me with the possible use of aids is one of the things I want to discuss with my GP when I see him in a couple of weeks. I do think that may be a possibility. It is also possible that the crutches I currently have are not fit properly as I'm pretty sure we just bought them at the pharmacy when I had a knee arthroscopy in 2007. That surgery was a disaster and I didn't use them much.

I agree about not thinking that something like this could happen. It's a good lesson to go get checked out any time you take a good fall. I'm sure whenever it happened, I just toughed it out and then everything healed up the way it was. Not the smartest move looking back....:doh:

One thing I am rather amazed at is my crutch-ability at 73 compared to what it was years ago. I'm definitely weaker and shakier on them when I gave them a test run. I suppose it's possible that could improve with therapy. I hope so.

I'm hoping with some time my pup won't be so labor intensive too. She's turning out to be VERY slow in the potty training area. She's a year and a half and I'm still working with her. There is no way if I was non-weight bearing that I could get down and clean up messes on the carpet. I have a fenced back yard. She likes to go out, but often won't potty unless I go out with her. And that's down some steps, so it's not something I'd want to be doing a lot of. She's wild and tends to race everywhere, so having her zip past me and trip me up is a concern right now....even on flat surfaces.

Lots to consider, but I'm confident I'll be able to work through it. I'm just glad to have the luxury of actually working through it all rather than having an emergency and having to make immediate decisions. Like I've mentioned, I can get around just fine and didn't even realize I had this problem until the surgeon told me. I don't fall down frequently even though I do a fair amount of walking around and household chores, so I guess my body has compensated over the years for the loss of that ligament.
 
I am just reading this news, Jamie. I’m so sorry you have to go through this procedure and make so many decisions beforehand. Prayers your ankle holds out, you have clear vision while contemplating all and confidence in your final decisions.
We’re here for you always. :friends:
@Jamie
 
Renovating your home first and giving your pup time to mature sound very wise, Jamie. I tore (degenerative tear, not acute) the anterior tibial tendon on my right (good) foot and had the non-weight bearing surgery in late July (no covid patients in the hospital). The recovery was daunting even in a very open floor plan house. I read @Pumpkin's and all the nwb threads here.
Crutches can aggravate shoulder nerves, I was told, so I used a walker for the few steps to the bathroom (moved into the bedroom with the fewest steps to the bathroom).
Shower seat is a must.
Also got a knee scooter and a folding transport chair. The calf of the recovering leg didn't like the knee scooter (got pads, memory foam, etc--no); the knee replacement didn't like it either. PT in the hospital and at home trained me on it, but I was very uncomfortable on it, even though the ability to be up and about independently was welcome.
The PT showed me how to use the transport chair as a sitting scooter, but it doesn't have brakes, so risky.
Turning radius on any scooter turned out to be crucial. If you're thinking of a motorized device, renting one or two beforehand might be useful as you have time to research.
I think I would have been better with the sitting version of a non-motorized knee scooter ( Knee Rover sells one).
Thought I'd hate the boot (nwb at first, but could rest toe or heel for balance; then gradual wb'ing), but the foot loved the boot. Best of all, the boot allowed me to sleep! I only removed it to shower.
Best of luck to you!
 
Thanks for the information, @marieltha. Very helpful. I'll look into some of those aids.

I spoke with the occupational therapist that my GP recommended and she was very understanding of my situation. However, she indicated that nothing could be done until AFTER surgery. They have to wait and see how you are afterwards and then orders will be written for whatever is needed. It is pretty likely that I could get some outpatient rehab, according to her....even though my surgeon said I would be having outpatient surgery.

So, I decided to put off the surgery until I get at least some of the home renovation work done and the puppy a bit older and calmer. I'm estimating delaying for up to a year and a half. In the meantime, I plan to have the surgeon fit me with the ankle brace that he suggested. I never know when my ankle will feel weak or unstable or even hurt, so I need to be prepared for those days. I think the changes in weather affect it significantly as well. It felt really wonky today as I was running some errands before our giant snowstorm hits on Wednesday. The doc assured me the brace would stabilize things on those not-so-good days.

Then I'll use every tool I can scrape up to get a week or two at one of our in-patient rehab facilities here in Kansas City. There is one in particular that is geared toward rehabbing more active people (young and older) to get back to life and that's where I would like to go.
 
Sounds like a good plan Jamie! The step by step approach will give you time to change things as needed.
 
Just came upon this thread, oh my you're facing some challenges but sounds like you're thinking it through thoroughly. As said before, if anyone can figure this all out, it's you! :console2:
 
I just found this thread too. My goodness! It sounds like you've got a plan in the works so that's good. Can I ask what kind of dog is Tootie? My Daisy is a Labrador retriever and she's going to be 2 at the end of Feb. While she still has some puppy characteristics, jumping up on everyone and excitable, she's starting to mellow out a bit. I've been told that labs are like puppies until they are 3. Good luck with everything!
 
Oh Jamie,
What a disappointing diagnosis.. I wonder if some of your crutch strength is compromised by the shoulder issue that the radiology tech "gifted" to you?
The only perk for boarding the little devil.. ehr... puppy would be to find a place with obedience training..

Funny, on the farm growing up my dad would say that a tired horse is a good horse. He had methods for tiring them out (in humane ways) and I found it true to raising two rambunctious boys, too.
I know you have decided to wait and it sounds like a good plan. But maybe you could hire someone to walk puppy daily? For a loooong walk. Tired = good?
Again, so sorry you have another joint issue to worry about.
 
So sad to read this thread - you have so much to cope with facing surgery. I hope you can get the in patient rehab you want and that all goes smoothly when you do decide you are ready to go forward with the surgery.
Sending healing thoughts and wishes.
 
Thank you all for the kind comments about my Big Decision. I've fully embraced the "wait" decision now and things are fine. I'm very watchful of the ankle and baby it if I start to feel any twinges. I still plan to get back with the surgeon for the special brace he was talking about just in case I need to wear it now and then.

I met with my GP this past week and let him know I'm waiting. He agreed it's a good plan, given the fact that the ankle is behaving pretty well. The key factor for me was when the occupational therapist told me that no plans could be made to try and get into a rehab center before the surgery takes place. I didn't realize that. Nowadays they wait and see how you're doing after surgery. So that puts the push back on me to "make a big deal" out of my situation with my surgeon so I get his support and then repeat all that again once the surgery is done. The therapist felt it would work and she believed she could get me in the rehab center I wanted for a week or two. That would be ideal.

[Bonesmart.org] Another joint - A fracture and torn ligament saga

My puppy is an American Eskimo, about 25 pounds of pure energy. There is no moderation in her life. She's either "all on" or "peacefully sound asleep." It's actually pretty funny. But, at almost 2 years old, she actually is starting to show signs of maturing and slowing down enough to learn commands. I do remember one of my Eskies being like that. It was the only male dog we ever had and I literally had to fill a Coke can with pennies to shake at him when I needed his attention. That went on for years! He was just so high strung that he couldn't stop moving to listen to commands. Toodie is kind of like that, but unfortunately she likes the noisy Coke can and thinks I'm playing with her when I shake it. (sigh) I do believe that the year or two it will take to get the remodeling done will allow her to mature and be easier to manage in my recovery.
 
Lovely to see Toodie - I imagine she’s forgiven . Sometimes we have to exaggerate to get what we need under our health system and if being a little dramatic gets you into the rehabilitation center you need to be in then that’s what you have to do. Great your OT is on your side. I had always thought (from other friends experiences) that if you lived alone you were sent to Rehabilitate for a week before getting to cope at home. It sounds like it’s changed. Good luck with the waiting game.
 
Yes, it used to be that way. But things have changed now with all the outpatient procedures and, of course, with COVID so it is more difficult to get rehab time covered under any insurance.
 
Toodie is so cute! But Jamie, you have the patience of a saint.
 
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