Ankle Is this normal?

[Celle]

Hello @Khooper - and

Please will you tell us the full date of your accident and repair, so we can make a signature for you? Knowing the exact date will help us to advise you appropriately in the future.
I think the date was February 26th, but I'd appreciate confirmation of that.
Thank you.

 

[Khooper]

@djklaugh

thank you for the advice! My cast comes up to about an inch under my knee. I did read online somewhere the recommendation of putting the ice under the knee because that’s where the nerves come from that run all the way down the leg to the foot? I’m not sure how credible this information is though, I have to look into it more. Great thoughts on the record retrieval! Thanks so much!

 

[Khooper]

Hello @Celle ,

The date of both my accident and surgery was last Thursday, February 25th. Thank you!

 

[Celle]

Thank you for your surgery date.
I'm sorry you had the accident and needed the surgery.

 

[Khooper]

Thank you @Celle, me too. There are always ways that it could be worse but it definitely sucks to be so unprepared for a complete life change. Just another life experience that makes me stronger and grateful Thank you for the support it makes such a difference!

 

[Celle]

It's uncomfortable and hard to deal with right now, but try to remember that this will only be temporary.

Your bones will heal and you will be able to get back to leading a normal life. Until then . . . .

. . . . hang in there.

 

[Khooper]

@Celle , thanks for the encouragement! Well it’s day six and I haven’t started twitching or talking to the wall yet...so far so good

 

[FCBayern]

I did get some minor relief icing both the back and front of my knee while in a cast. It wasn't much, but I was looking for anything I could get.

 

[Khooper]

Thanks @FCBayern. I haven’t been getting any noticeable results with icing the back but I will keep on trying. I totally understand wanting to try anything

 

[Khooper]

Good evening/morning/afternoon,

I hope everyone is well. My appointment was today to get staples removed and casted. It was quite an educational (uncomfortable) visit but I was finally told and shown what happened to my ankle. I took pics of my X-rays which is neat to have. Anyways, they confirmed it was a trimalleolar fracture. They gave me an air cast (so much better than the splint) and set me up for another appointment April 12th.
I wanted to ask if anyone might have some tips or suggestions for this second, air cast portion of my recovery. They said to start bending my ankle and that I can take it off and put socks on it. I’m still pretty nervous about everything and I always feel better after talking to people on here who have first-hand or similar experiences rather than just being told what they do.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read and reply!

 

[FCBayern]

I was told to try and write the alphabet with my foot @Khooper. I did that as gently as possible, trying to gain range of motion (ROM) without aggravating my ankle. It seemed to help as long as I didn't push too hard.

 

[Khooper]

@FCBayern

Thank you. I can see how this would be more affective with ROM than the up and down motion I was told to work on. My goal is to endure the least amount of pain possible when it comes time for PT.

 

[FCBayern]

My goal is to endure the least amount of pain possible when it comes time for PT.

That's a perfect goal in my mind @Khooper. If you do something and it causes pain or swelling that day or the next, you know you've done too much. It can be a tough balance, but listening to your body and ankle will give you your best, least painful result.

 

[Khooper]

@FCBayern

I do think I’m having issues with that balance so it’s nice to hear your recommendation of not overdoing it. I took the cast off to exercise my ankle today ,for the first time, and the entire process gave me anxiety. It’s not the pain that bothers me, it’s the foreign/ lack of control feeling that makes me panic. Whenever I try to get my foot to a 90 degree angle my immediate and automatic fear is that I’m going to pop something out of place, even though logically I know everything is connected and safe. I wonder if maybe it’s a mental response from the accident, watching my ankle dislocate and then lay unattached was a pretty surreal experience. Did you experience similar panic? Or am I just over the top?lol. Not too sure how I have convinced myself that I am a unique tragic case, while everyone I read about or talk to experiencing the exact same/similar thing, are so much more level-headed and rational . Completely out of character for me.

 

[Jaycey]

@Khooper I think what you are feeling is a perfectly legitimate response to having an accident and surgery. Many of our members report feeling a bit of PTSD post op. Surgery is a major event. Then add your accident - major trauma.

Can you perhaps get some help from a good physio? Someone to get you off to a good start with your exercising and support you a bit?

 

[Khooper]

@Jaycey

Thank you for your kind and patient reassurance. It really does help my thought process to learn that I’m not going crazy and that other people have reacted similarly. I can’t imagine where my mind would be right now without you all and this forum.
Do they offer sedation physio by chance lol. That’s sort of where I’m at when it comes to the thought of anyone coming within a meter’s radius of my leg right now. It did cross my mind ,after these sleepless painful nights, that I would be much better off watching and learning from a therapist on YouTube, avoiding human contact with my leg all together . Unfortunately I am still sane enough to know that this is not how it works. My surgeon says that we can begin to discuss PT in a month at my next appointment so I’m praying that I’m much more receptive to the idea by then.

 

[Jaycey]

Many areas are having online consultations due to Covid. Maybe you could start with someone online until you feel more confident? Or just start with removing the cast for a few minutes and then putting it back on.

Did you experience similar panic?

Not with my hip surgery. But several years ago I went in from a routine heart scan and ended up having to stay 7 days waiting for a place in a heart unit. Then there was a ride in an ambulance to the unit and one more night after a procedure I wasn't planning on. I suffered anxiety for months. I still get anxious every time I get called for my yearly heart consultation.

Just keep reminding yourself that you have a shiny new ankle. It might feel a bit weak right now. But with a bit of focus you will be enjoying life soon.

 

[Khooper]

Thank you so much @Jaycey!
I haven’t even considered the possibility of an online consult. Could be perfect this early on to help build my confidence. Great suggestion, I will look into that today!

 

[Jockette]

Do they offer sedation physio by chance lol.

That is a awesome idea I might go for, myself!

I also had some level of fear from my partial knee replacement. Even though we have anesthesia during surgery, which eliminates feeling anything, and someone pointed out to me it also gives us amnesia of the surgery (something I never considered) but I wonder how much our brain retains of the actual surgery, which might be where our fears come from. For months I was afraid someone would bump into me, in a store I would stop short if another shopper came anywhere near me, and even driving, I was afraid cars would bump into me (which I think is really over the top, but that’s how I felt.) Those fears went away with time.

 

[FCBayern]

I know everything is connected and safe. I wonder if maybe it’s a mental response from the accident, watching my ankle dislocate and then lay unattached was a pretty surreal experience.

I can completely relate with your mental response from your accident. For months I had dreams where I recalled the SNAP of my fibula as my ankle dislocated. It can be tough to get past those memories, but like any bad experience it will fade with time. Our minds are amazing things that know what memories to block over time. You mentality know that things are fine, but a little concern is very normal. Deep breath, it will all be be OK.