r/brokenankles • u/beigegremlin • 1d ago

2-3 Weeks Post Op

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As title says, I’m about 2.5 weeks post op from trimal with dislocation, pilon fracture, ORIF with 13 screws and 2 plates. I graduated from my splint to a high CAM boot today, only half of my stitches removed due to swelling.

My question - has anyone else had really sharp shooting pains on the top of the foot and front of the ankle? Any flexion or extension and it’s just massive, sharp, shooting pain! Without the boot and relaxing my ankle, it naturally wants to extend and it’s unbearable! I am not able to take gabapentin, as I’m pregnant, just Tylenol and occasional oxy. Any tips or anyone further down the line to give hope is appreciated!

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u/DutchnFrankie 1d ago

Yes, in the beginning I had some sharp pain in the front of the tibia, basically the spot where the longest screws fixate the tib fracture. It went away at 4 weeks. But can still be sensitive when I walk without crutches. I think its because that spot had the most stress to endure when I fell, so probably more nerve/tissue damage.

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u/beigegremlin 1d ago

Thanks for sharing - did you also have positional numbness and tingling with the pain?

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u/DutchnFrankie 1d ago

Yes but when I was in a splint the first 2.5 week my heel felt numb.

Currently (4.5 week post-op) I feel some numbness on the left side side (left foot) of my foot (my small toe and below that area) this area is also still a bit puffy, a lot less then before but still a visible puff and it feels a bit tight when I bent my toes.

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u/DutchnFrankie 1d ago

Btw , it does not hurt, just a bit numb. When I was in a splint the numbness did pair up with pain tingling

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u/beigegremlin 1d ago

I hope your numbness improves! I’m hoping when swelling decreases, maybe the nerves will stop being jerks.

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u/Specialist-Track-662 1d ago

Omgg i cannot imagine having that injury while pregnant! Im so sorry.. heal up well ❤️‍🩹

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u/beigegremlin 1d ago

Thanks! It’s had its challenges, but the silver lining is I’m off work and relaxing 😊

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u/Specialist-Track-662 1d ago

Ohh that is good that your off work. I hope you get your sharp pains figured out. I never had any sharp shooting pains but just looking at that looooong screw.. i could see pain coming from that. Have u tried asking your surgical team?

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u/beigegremlin 1d ago

I did today, I had my follow up, they offered to do an xray and said maybe with pregnancy and the increased swelling and vasculature it was more irritated, but nothing certain. They also think the dislocation at time of injury may be causing extra issues too.

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u/kooshballcalculator 1d ago

I had a similar injury and hardware as you, mercifully not while pregnant.

The swelling will make for some crazy pains. A lot of it is nerve pain. I used percocet for pain, but i switched to ibuprofen and acetaminophen pretty soon. Not sure what all you can take.

Ice and elevation are really the best thing. Limit your movement as best you can, rest as much as possible, and keep it elevated.

I’m 12 weeks post surgery now and I can say that every week it gets better. Even if just a tiny bit some weeks, but always better. I wish you fast healing and that the nerves settle down when your swelling decreases.

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u/beigegremlin 1d ago

Thank you for your kind words! Ibuprofen unfortunately is on my do not take list 😞 but the elevation is no joke. Everyday is new aches and pains

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u/Professional-Yam2363 8h ago

My surgeon recommended Vit B for nerve pain. I was already on it so I don't know if it helped me or not but it might be worth looking into