Since other folks recovering from ankle and leg injuries occasionally end up on this blog, I thought I would post a few thoughts on healing and recovery.
Get help
First off, get help. Friends, family, a rehab center. Whatever you have to do. Get somebody to give you a hand, and accept the help. I definitely credit my quick healing in the past (and hopefully this go-round as well) to the amazing help I've gotten from my family.
When you're this banged up, driving is obviously out, so you'll need somebody to cart you around. But help for all the other daily tasks (that we normally take for granted) is just as important. If you have to stand up to do dishes, cook food, do laundry, etc., your foot is down and probably swelling quite badly. Not good for healing. Accept the help.
Really elevate
Really (really!) elevate your foot. Not just propped on a chair. Keep it at or above your heart. This probably means a recliner and lots of pillows. One of my docs early on emphasized the importance of keeping it so elevated, and I've found it makes a huge difference. One of those camping recliner/lounger chairs works well if you don't have a typical recliner (and is much cooler in hot weather). Something like this (shameless plug for REI) is a good place to start: http://www.rei.com/product/812204/rei-comfort-lounger-chair
Stay active
Stay active. Do push ups or sit ups or whatever. Get outside if you can. Roll around the neighborhood or local park in your wheelchair or knee scooter. Get out and stay active. Once you're in PT, do everything your PT tells you to, and then do it again (and maybe a third time for good measure).
Knee scooters!
If it's an option for you, use a knee scooter rather than crutches. Crutches are useful for tight spots and stairs, and not bad for around the house, but otherwise knee scooters are (without question) the way to go. Just make sure you get one you can steer. I spent hours on the phone with my insurance company getting a knee scooter sorted out this time around, and it was definitely worthwhile. More here: http://twobrokenankles.blogspot.com/2009/10/knee-scooter.html
Shower covers
Get one of the cast covers for the shower. They're not terribly expensive, and they are much (much!) better than any home made alternative (usually trash bags and duct tape). The one I have is much like the original one shown here: http://www.medcareproducts.com/castcovers/ Oh, and you'll need some sort of plastic stool for sitting in the shower as well. Again, a small and worthwhile investment.
That's all I've got for now. Let me know if you have any questions!
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How did you get in the shower with two broken ankles? That is the only task I cannot master with my two casts!
ReplyDeleteHi Ans1!
DeleteIt was a challenge, that was for sure. And it's been a while, so I don't remember exactly. But I usually started on the floor, with my back to the tub. Then put my hands on the tub edge and hoisted myself up so that I was sitting on the edge of the tub. Then slid backwards onto the shower stool i had in the middle of the tub. And finally swung my legs around into the tub. Not terribly quick or graceful, but it got easier with time. I hope that helps!
Good luck!
Hi there! I don't know if you remember me commenting a while ago.. I found your website while I was laid up in hospital with two broken ankles after a car accident in September last year. I'm sorry to hear about your fusion, I'm hoping my ankles won't go the same way - although my left ankle had a lot of cartilage removed during my surgery.
ReplyDeleteI've no idea how you dared to get in the tub! I ended up having sponge baths because I worried about damaging my cast or legs!
I second the exercises part, when it comes to Physiotherapy you really have to put the work in! My Physios were thrilled with how quickly I progressed because I was doing my exercises almost all of the time! There's not much else to do during the day!
I wish you a speedy recovery from your fusion surgery and your chest pain. I hope the fusion brings some relief but also doesn't hold you back. Nice to see some updates from you! x
Hi again Gem! I hope you are healing well!
DeleteWhen I was originally hurt, it was one of the hottest summers on record in this area (temps well over 100 degrees) and my house had no AC. I had to take showers, sponge baths simply wouldn't have been enough!
I was also lucky in that one of my ankles wasn't broken as badly as the other, and I was able to push down a little with my heel. It wasn't much, but it was enough to allow me to maneuver (carefully) into the tub.
I also had a great deal of luck with the cast covers I mentioned in the post above. They're not perfect, but they work remarkably well.
Recovery this time around seems to be going well; just very slow. It's definitely trying my patience.
Thanks for checking back in!
Hi Jim
DeleteJust wondered how you are doing now? Hope you've had a lovely summer & were able to enjoy it. I'm in the UK so it's pretty much rained most of the time (not that I'm complaining, I love the cold weather!)
Anyway, hope you're well & looking after yourself :)
Hi Jim -- wishing you a full recovery As for healing hints, rubbing your ankles and feet with peanut oil really relieves with the swelling. In about a 1/2 cup of organic peanut oil add about 5 drops of one or all of these essential oils rosemary, wintergreen, lemongrass, cyprus, ginger, lavender, peppermint, pine. I use all of them and massage my feet with this concoction at least once a day or more and it makes my feet feel so good. Try it! Colleen
ReplyDeleteIt's very considerate of you to share those tips to other people. After all, nothing beats experience when it comes to explaining things. When I was recovering, I turned to broken ankle recovery tips and it was able to help me well. Cheers to proper and great healing.
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DeleteYour poor BF :( My Husband was there for me throughout my broken ankles & I could not have done it without his support. I did get agitated easily because of the situation. It can be quite isolating. I think he will really appreciate any help you can offer him.
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DeleteI believe my chiropractor worsened my stress fracture. I have a tibial stress fracture...causing pain I thought was my knee. The chiropractor said my leg was out of alignment, pulled my leg and whacked the sides of my knee to put things back. I told him this was hurting...but he didn't stop. The pain got worse, and I had an MRI from the sports doctor and found a severe stress fracture. No more chiropractor for me.
ReplyDeletebroken ankle recovery exercise
Thank you for this blog! I broke my ankle in June of this year and am still recovering. It's been crazy. I started my own blog to help with my healing. Check it out if you like! http://rebelandgrace.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThis blog through it words has given a key to proficiency.
ReplyDeletebest-knee-scooters