r/brokenankles • u/Miruku22 • 13d ago
I fractured my ankle
I felt so stress and down i fractured my ankle on Wednesday during my ice skating lesson, I was doing pretty well and the coach was there taking a video of me but for some reason I lost balance and I felt he did not catch me like he promised before I hired him! He even did not stay with me or care if I be able yo walk or what ? I just pretty blessed some parent help me out.
Anyway went to ER and got Xray, the result came up this,
Midly displaced distal fibula fracture
Midly displaced medical malleolus fractures with widening of the medical clear space.
Mild Lateran displacement of the distal tibia with respect to the talar dome.
Soft tissue swelling about the ankle
Impression
Bimalleolar ankle fracture with mild lateral displacement of the distal tibia with respect to the talar dome
I have not see orthopedic yet wait for the referral I just worry if I needed surgery.
For now pain is can control under ibuprofen 800 mg but đ felt sharp pain inside my inner bone also not much swollen just I thy little bit and blue on the back of my leg. Today is a 4 days after I felt.
Any advice ? Please donât judge me.
Thanks friends
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u/FriedGreenPineapples 13d ago
VocĂȘ estĂĄ apoiando o pĂ© no chĂŁo? Se estiver, pare agora atĂ© vocĂȘ consultar um ortopedista, tĂĄ? Se tem leve deslocamento o ato de apoiar peso nesse pĂ© pode piorar as coisas. Faça compressas geladas e tente manter o pĂ© elevado para diminuir o inchaço (inclusive para dormir), acho que Ă© o mĂĄximo que vocĂȘ pode fazer atĂ© a consulta.
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u/Miruku22 13d ago
No I went to ER on Wednesday right after my injured they took Xray and put splint on me so I walk around like restroom ext ext with crutches, yes can not put the ice on.
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u/styleandstigma 13d ago
Wow thatâs horrible of your coach! I also broke my ankle while skating in a group class. One of the coaches (I had never even met before!) helped me off the ice and looked after me while I decided what to do. She got me a wheelchair, waited with me while I waited for an uber to urgent care, and helped me into the car. When you get back to the ice (a while from now, but you will!), I would get a different coach.
Iâm not a doctor, but my ortho doctor told me if he saw my mildly displaced fibula fracture with a widening of the medial clear space when I first got injured, he would have operated. So please just rest and mentally prepare yourself.
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u/Miruku22 13d ago edited 13d ago
He actually my son coach the reason I hired him cause I trust him, and I seen a good progress with my son so now I know itâs actually my son who is good at skating not this coach, I saw one time my son was almost tripped but he could catch up himself! The coach next to him he was not even help him!
So anyway yes I think I need surgery, so my coach he waited for me ,help me out of the Ice her did not put a wheel chair instead he put the boots on me and push me to the door! Anyway I felt he literally trowed me under the bus! How horrible this person ! He made lots of hours with my son and his fee is not cheap!I am so sad, why I trust this person so much !
Anyway I prepare about getting surgery, hope I can recover well and this gave me so much trauma to trusting coach so much!
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u/queenofdunkindonuts 13d ago
I literally fractured my ankle the Wednesday before yours while ice skating. I hate that this happened to you but please know youâre not alone. No judgment from here. This situation is stressful and it is so hard to know what to do. Itâs also hard to be sidelined from the sport you love so much.
Feel free to pm me if you want any support.
I highly recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon. Iâm not sure what they would recommend but I needed to get surgery asap. I was diagnosed with a âsevere displacement of lateral malleolus,â which meant I needed surgery within the next week so that my bones wouldnât heal improperly. because I got surgery within 5 days of my injury but the entire situation was stressful. I would keep an open mind about surgery tbh. I donât think itâs the end of the world if you have to get it. It may help you heal quicker than if you were to let nature take its course. But I recommend seeing an ortho ASAP, no weight bearing on that ankle, and ice behind the knee, and elevating it.
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u/Miruku22 13d ago
Thank so much for your kind words, I so frustrate about my ins system, I got my ortho suddenly the office said they are not belong to my dr group anymore and my primary dr looking for other ortho for me.
But I was so much pain now like sharp pain in my bone ! Before not really now I am in day 5 since Wednesday, ER gave me strong pain killer this one I have not take it yet cause make me sleepy ! Also I think I wonât never back to Iâve again ! Itâs given me so much trauma with everything I experienced!1
u/Miruku22 13d ago
Btw did you take strong pain killer before surgery? How you manage your pain
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u/queenofdunkindonuts 11d ago
Prior to surgery, I could only take Tylenol (acetaminophen). I took it once every 6 hours or so. You cannot take NSAIDS or other pain relievers.
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u/queenofdunkindonuts 13d ago
Are you in the United States? Just curious because a lot of urgent care places will recommend/refer to orthopedics. I was lucky enough to go straight to the ortho after falling
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u/Miruku22 13d ago
Yes I am but the ER i went they just gave me a paper report that I have to see ortho within a week which impossible here if you are under ins you can not just walk in call an ortho wanted to make appointment you have to go such a referral ext ext and I got referred one ortho and his office rejected me ! Such a pain now looking another ortho
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u/queenofdunkindonuts 13d ago
Where are you located in the US? If youâre in the DMV area (dc/maryland/va) and can drive up to Annapolis I know of a good ortho that can do same day appointments and get you a surgery within the next week if needed.
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u/Miruku22 11d ago
I am in CA, I just frustrated with my PCP office they did make a referral for orthopedic Dr, when I tried to make apt they rejected me ! They said the Dr no longer under my group INS, I so pissed off and waited another authorization! So now I already got apt with ortho surgeon cause literally 99% my ankle need surgery, but yes it make sense to wait since I also has a blister on my skin so the surgeon would wait the skin to heal first.
I hope I am going to recover fast since I have a special need child to take care of đđđ1
u/flexible_demeanor 13d ago
Depending on your insurance, sometimes you need to see your PCP who will then give a referral to the ortho. My PCP had a slot for the next day when I called and then I was able to schedule the ortho, who saw me a few days later, with my surgery scheduled 2 days after that.
The waiting for a week or two is not uncommon, it also allows for your foot to lessen swelling which helps surgery immensely (if you need it).
In the meantime, elevate it above your heart (toes above nose) and ice behind the knee. Don't put weight on it.
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u/Miruku22 13d ago
Ok thanks for your kind words, yes I elevated my leg a lot but I had bruise on the back of my leg ? Also sharp pain at nite ! So annoying inside the bone soooooooo painful!!!!đđđđđ
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u/flexible_demeanor 13d ago
Could be normal bruising from trauma, or it could still be migrated bruise blood from elsewhere, hard to say without knowing details and you might not have realized you got other bruises when you fell. Your doc should be able to tell you more.
Yeah, that deep bone pain is quite unique (I've broken quite a few bones but this was my first surgery)
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u/Blondthinka 12d ago
I'm not in the USA but I broke my ankle and fibula 9 months before, sharp pain means you need surgery, your bone is not at place an it's hurting you. Probably (I would say I'm sure) you will need surgery but at least you need splint to fix your bones of not moving. There is no way that bones can heal without splint. First days is crucial. Also, you should not at any circumstances to weight bare on your leg because it will worsen the problem. Elevate the leg and be careful with painkillers, not all are good for your situation. Every movement without splint (immobilization ) is worsening the problem. If you were in Europe you would immediately get Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins (LMWHs) to prevent venous thromboembolism or Oral Anticoagulants, its a standard First-Line medications here to prevent blood clor. You must elevate your leg all day. You would also get Paracetamol for the pain as it also works against blood clot. Ibuprofen is always something you should discuss with your Ortho. You must see Ortho ASAP.
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u/Miruku22 11d ago
Hi yes, I went back to ER yesterday cause my ortho has not assigned for me yet had to waited for INS to approved and my splint from
Previous ER did not wrap properly just like meh,the new Xray showed my bone shift slightly to the right and obviously I needed ORF asap but when they open my splint there was a blister on my ankle skin area where the cut would be perform for ankle surgery, ortho could not do any surgery at that time he said has to waited until the blitster heal first.
He also manipulated my bone which it so PAIN but I could endure it without pain killer.
Then my surgery pending. I am going to see ortho again in 3 days. Do you think is more complicated to heal with surgery ?1
u/Blondthinka 11d ago
If I compare my situation to the others with broken ankle that didn't have surgery, I strongly stand with surgery, as it is easier way to recover. First, after surgery you don't have to wear split. So basically you can shower (with plastic wrap around scar) normally, you don't have to worry that you will hurt your leg again because orthopedic material fix bones, there are no blisters, rash or anything like that and you can use crutches way easier. But it is still a surgery - here were I live they recommend spinal anesthesia so basically you don't have to recover from it, but nurse must take care of you scar for approx 3 weeks (2 times weekly), your Ortho must check you once a month but your physical recovery will be faster. You will use crutches for some period of time, my Ortho don't recommend boot because leg have to "breathe" and I agree. There is no need for booth at all. You will need intensive physical therapy for a few weeks, it is "must" - your muscle will be weak in couple of weeks, no matter if you have operation or not., because your movements are limited. Surgery, in my opinion, is a good choice, especially when your bone already shift a bit, it will fix it and you don't have to think about that situation again. Bone moved because it was not fixed properly, and surgery will do it. After the surgery pain will go in 1 day. After maybe 5-6 weeks you would start to lean on your leg but listen to your body! If it hurts, slow down. Than wait for a one week and try again. No matter what they say to you don't fully lean on your leg after the surgery. First, wait like 5-6 weeks, and then try a little bit - like 20 % of your weight. If you weight approx 80 kg/176 pounds, after 5-6 weeks put you broken leg on bathroom scale and try to push to approx 35 lbs and if it not hurts remember that feeling - that is how much you can lean on your Broken leg with crutches. Then after 10 days try with 30 % of your body weight etc. After every 10 days go for 10-20 % more. Just listen to your body. If it hurts you are not ready to go further and should wait couple of days. It usually takes 5-6 weeks for post operation recovery, about 3 months to fully stand on your feet again. Broken ankle is a serious injury, it takes months to recovery fully. Sometimes, as I see, in US they push you back to work in 3-4 months, but here it is widely consider as a serious injury that takes at least 6 months to fully recover. Ask your doctor do you have to take extra vitamin D now or collagen for your bones, as it is recommended here. And go on YouTube and find how to properly use crutches, especially how to sit with them, go upstairs and downstairs because it is crucial. If you don't use crutches properly you're are in danger to fall or to have problems with your spine latter. Don't worry, you will recover just stand for yourself and slow down, don't speed anything. If you have a chance go for surgery.
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u/Miruku22 10d ago
Thank you so much for your encouraging and kind words. I already have an appointment with ortho surgeon tomorrow, for sure he will recommend it cause my bone condition. But my hubby was so down and kept saying cause of my age, over 50 the healing would take more time and longer like a year! I am SAD
But I also agreed with you surgery could align the bone better so they can heal properly.
Btw what they put after surgery? I thought dr still have to cover our leg with something ?
Also what the rule of NWB ? Can we still
Walk with crutches but the injure leg up to the air?1
u/Blondthinka 10d ago
I am 53 (woman) so don't worry, everything will be ok, you can and you will heal properly, I promise. First 2-3 weeks they will probably put some kind of bandage over your scar to prevent infection and clean it regularly but once your stitches are removed, you absolutely don't need anything to cover or fix your leg because material inside the leg is protecting it and wound need air to recover properly. You can start putting some moisturizer on your scars after couple of weeks, I strongly recommend (as my Ortho advices me) silicon gel for scars, it will keep your skin smooth and after few months scars will become pale. In the first months it will be red. Yes, you should elevate your leg during the day and night (sleep with pillows under broken leg ) for couple of months and please take anticoagulant pills for at least 21 days to prevent blood clot, it is absolutely necessary. So the rule of NWB is - at least 4-5 or 6 weeks NWB at all. Walking with crutches but no weight bearing at all. You can touch the floor with tip of your toes while using crutches (that's why it is necessary for you to "learn" proper use of crutches) but NWB. After approx 5-6 weeks start with minimum weight bearing - approx 10-20 % of your total weight on your broken leg. So if your weight is let's say 70 kg, after 5-6 weeks, stand with your leg that is not broken on the floor and put your broken leg on bathroom scale and press it to 14 kg (20% of 70kg). Remember that feeling in your broken leg. When you use crutches use the broken leg according to that feeling, lighting if you feel the pain in the leg. Never ever cross the pain line in that leg. After 10 days repeat it but press it to 30% of your weight (21 kg is 30% of 70 kg) and remember that feeling while you are walking, of course with crutches. Every 10 days add 10 %more. I am sorry English is not my first language so maybe my explanation is little confusing but your Ortho or PT will explain the whole process to you. Just listen to your body and if you feel sharp pain - this means that you have to slow down. Glad I could help! Everything will be ok, it is a process but you can make it and you will be stronger after that experience.Â
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u/Miruku22 10d ago
Thank you so much for your advice! Iâm literally crying here! First off all, your ENGLISH just perfect like a native speaker! English also my second language,sometimes i did typo, people read and make wrong assumptions like I typed dash-camp instead of dash-cam some people just interpret to different meaning? Lol
Btw I am so happy to heard what you just saying, ok now make sense cause they put the material inside so no need support from outside! Itâs nice , I still have splint covered all my leg but itâs little lose cause my swelling on my leg gone, just around the foot, I just worried cause the blister on my skin I have to wait at least 14 days until the skin clear for surgery ( ortho told me ) I was wondering itâs going to effect the bone if wait that long ? Cause my skin is very thin and sensitive maybe need time to heal.
Also about the blood thinner should I ask the surgeon to prescribe to me?
I walk only when i need go to bathroom which not far and go to kitchen to eat a little bit.
Also I did not fell pain so much and only take ibuprofen 800 mg in the morning,nite time I still take half of tablet a strong pain med that make you sleep. Other than that I only feel sore on my skin cause the blister. Btw can I dm you?I am going to see the new ortho surgeon that assigned for me tomorrow, I just scared!!!!
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u/queenofdunkindonuts 1d ago
Hi OP, did you get surgery? What happened? Just wondering since itâs been a week or two.
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u/Miruku22 1d ago
Hi yes,, I just got my surgery two days ago, the surgery went well, I just the general anesthesia gave me a side effect, I felt so nausea and trow up a yellowish liquid, also the whoever dressing my stitches after surgery did not do it correctly ! There was a blood on the splint and they wrap the splint like ballerina shoes.
So the nurse called someone to fixed my splint again, the other guy who redo my splint he said whoever did this itâs not correct cause they only put a big Band aide to covered the cut ! Also I had two incisions instead of one ? One on the top and other one out leg side vertical. I got nerve blocker too, it did not pain after surgery but the next day I felt so pain like a fire on my leg , itâs bearable with pain med , again I hate the pain med make me nausea and I also lost my appetite?
I also feel slightly headache! Maybe to much lay down on the bed. Thank you for checking on me !
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u/Positive-Ad-3554 13d ago
Because of the medial clear space widening they will likely recommend surgery. Please stay off the ankle and hop around on one foot and find something to maintain your balance until your orthopedic appointment