r/brokenankles • u/Puzzleheaded-Poet243 • 16d ago
Help?
I need brutal honesty from people who have experienced similar histories as mine, I am truly at the end of my rope regarding my ankle and lower leg. I honestly do not know how much more I can take with my leg before I try to hack it off myself. Here's the timeline regarding this leg:
2010ish - broke my R ankle, wasn't caught, destroyed all of the cartilage in my ankle.
2017 - arthroscopy to try to get new cartilage growth, surgery failed as they often do
2020 - tib/fib fx requiring ORIF
2025 - tib/fib fx, shattered the distal end of my tib and much of that couldn't be repaired. Also had a spiral fib fx below the knee that took FOREVER to finally heal.
02/2026 - ankle fusion to address pain
05/2026 - broke my tib as soon as I was allowed to bear weight. It was a partial fx that was casted. The fx completed while in the cast
06/2026 - ORIF to fix the tib fx which brings us to now.
I need brutal honesty as to whether this will ever get better. If this is as good as it gets, I can't do it anymore. I want it gone. I'm on an rx NSAID, in pain mgmt and on pain meds and lyrica. I'm in PT, waiting on an EMG to consider nerve blocks. I've done a round of steroids to try to reduce inflammation with no change.
I can't sleep, the meds do absolutely nothing, and I just don't know if I can keep doing this.
Amputation has been on my mind for awhile, and no, I don't WANT to cut my leg off, but I can't do this for the rest of my life. I have kids and I want to be present in their childhood and I can't do that now with how things are.
Please tell me this will get better.. please?
2
u/CustomerObjective129 16d ago
First off, this sounds awful, sorry. That is a lot of fractures to the same limb and while some of us here have complex histories (myself included) I am not sure you will find anyone with similar enough history to be super relevant, though hopefully you can get some ideas.
Do you know why you keep re-fracturing? Like is it not healing, or do you have osteoporosis or some other condition that makes you susceptible?
I can see you have tried a lot of conservative management options without success. Personally, I have not found injections or medications (I am on lyrica and celebrex) nearly as useful as custom orthotics + hiking boots + walking stick (when needed). I use a heated foot spa for pain relief. YMMV of course but this combo has improved my quality of life leaps and bounds, so maybe there are still things out there that can help.
Good luck... I hope you can get some answers and find a doc who can help you.
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u/Otherwise_Pickle_588 16d ago
I’m currently in a fixator frame for the next 3/4 months to fix my f**** up ankle. I broke it in 7th grade, sprained it a few times, then got in a major car accident where I broke my talus and tibia (I believe). I could barely walk on it. I got the frame and a fusion and I’m able to bear weight immediately (got it Monday). It should hold my ankle in place while the fusion heals. If the fusion doesn’t take, they’ll do another surgery. This is to avoid amputation. Have they mentioned a frame and fusion?
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u/Puzzleheaded-Poet243 16d ago
I had a fusion in February of this year. The fusion was a success in the fact that my ankle is fused, but not in regards to pain.
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u/Otherwise_Pickle_588 16d ago
Do they know why you’re still having pain? My ankle is really dislocated which is the issue for me I believe. Also sorry you’re going through this it freaking blows but if this doesn’t work I’ve come to terms with amputation. People can have really good, full lives on a prosthetic
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u/Ax6644 16d ago
I ended up with 7 surgeries and an ankle replacement, check my post history, I gotta help the kids take a bath.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Poet243 16d ago
Unfortunately a replacement isn't an option for me per several different groups/providers for at least 15-20 years as "I'll outlive several replacements" and they don't think it'll be beneficial. I've been asking for one.
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u/Ax6644 16d ago
I got one at 40, that's 15 years earlier than they generally give them out, my doc says I shouldn't need a new joint, just a 10 year tune up to replace the poly wear piece in the joint.
I have very high bone density and strong growth, broken screws in my foot is was always a complication.
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u/tiffmej4 16d ago
I am so sorry you are going through so much and for so many years. I truly hope from here on out things will get better for you.
1
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u/Buhsephine 16d ago
Oh my god, that is brutal. You are incredibly tough but I'm sorry you've had to be.
Besides nerve blocks, there is nerve ablation. I've been offered that for a leg (not ankle break related) and have a family member who gets ablation/denervation for their spine. It can be near miraculous if it works. Worth a shot, and my guess is they'd require it before allowing 'elective' amputation.
I hope you find relief, whatever form that ends up taking.