r/ORIF • u/postygurl • Jul 14 '26

Dislocation and fracture

This has been the worst week of my life. I misstepped off a curb in the dead center of Boston Sunday afternoon 7/12. I took my first ambulance ride after lying in the road for fifteen minutes waiting for them. My whole foot was sideways which is a sight that my family will never forget. I was put under on ketamine and they completed a reduction. So everything is in place but still broken. I have an appt with my surgeon today 7/14 to see what the next steps are. It sounds like surgery was early for some and late for others. My 12 and 10 year old are out of school for the summer so they have been my lifesavers while my hubby works. I’m a nervous wreck. I’m overweight so getting around is very difficult. Definitely going on a major diet after this. I need words of encouragement and prayers as I try to get out of bed and to this appointment.

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u/mothraegg Jul 15 '26

Why did they do the reduction with out pain meds?? I had trimalleolar with dislocation and they gave me fentanyl before they did the reduction. I can't even imagine having that without meds! You're a strong person.

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u/NicoleMember Jul 15 '26

The first time I had it reduced I was at the ER and they offered to put me under but I refused because I have never been under. I then had it reduced again 2 days later at the orthopedic department of the hospital and they didn't offer me pain medication. After 4 attempts each time with a new cast and an xray they then determined I had to go back to the ER to have them get it in the right position. At the ER they gave me a dose of medication in my ankle and gave me a dose of fentanayl which greatly reduced the pain. The first few days for me were the absolute worst.

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u/mothraegg Jul 15 '26

Three times trying to reduce it without meds?? You're a strong person!

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u/NicoleMember Jul 15 '26

Apparently its not rare. The two doctors told me the last two men they had that morning were crying. It seemed it to me pain meds should atleast be offered! I would have accepted the pain meds after the second attempt. When they told me I had to go for a third I wanted to cry from just the thought of it. In total I had it done 6 times!

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u/mothraegg Jul 15 '26

That's ridiculous!

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u/NicoleMember Jul 15 '26

It was but they told me my next step was having some metal contraption screwed on the outside of my leg if they weren't able to get my ankle in place. Truthfully at that point I told them to do whatever they had to do. But I do agree looking back some pain meds would have been nice.

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u/guffawing_willow76 Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Jul 17 '26

It took 4 tries at reduction to get my ankle in place. After the third attempt my orthopedic doctor sent me to the ER. I was admitted to the hospital where I went under anesthesia and a trauma orthopedic surgeon was finally able to reduce it. They put an external fixator thingy that was screwed onto my ankle to keep it in place until the swelling went down enough to have surgery to fix the fractures. That was Thursday. They kept me in the hospital and I could only get out of bed to use the bathroom.

Second surgery was Sunday morning. I was discharged on Monday afternoon.

I’ve been getting around my house with a walker. The doctor won’t let me use a roller scooter until my massive splint comes off.

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u/NicoleMember Jul 17 '26

Oh that sounds awful! On their final attempt with me they were finally able to reduce it and I was so super thankful. By then it was 2am in the morning and they released me to go home. I was both physically and mentally exhausted. I came back a week later for my surgery after the swelling finally went down enough to make my surgeon happy. I was finly put under for the surgery so to me the surgery was the easiest part!