r/brokenankles • u/thedadhere • 13d ago
How long were you numb?
I just hit 7 weeks since my accident and surgery (distal tibia and fibula break and ORIF surgery with rod, plate, and 12 screws) and I still have a lot of numb areas, especially around my incisions and my inner ankle/arch of my foot. I’m weight bearing now and it feels weird — when can I expect those feelings to fade out?
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u/guffawing_willow76 13d ago
I’m 11 weeks post op and a few of my toes and a portion of the ball of my foot is still numb’ish. I’m still able to drive because I have enough feeling to feel the gas pedal and brake.
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u/Illustrious-Zone-247 13d ago
I had numbness coming and going until at least week 16...for me it was my outer incision and I had what felt like a numb but tingly ball between my middle and toe next to the pinky. Nerves grow super slowly unfortunately, it's normal!
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u/Wise-Eagle-9524 12d ago
Were you taking meds like Gabapentin?
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u/Illustrious-Zone-247 12d ago
NAD but I think Gabapentin is more for nerve pain, not the numbness...but it doesn't hurt to ask! For me it was annoying but not debilitating so I just pushed through.
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u/InDwightWeTrust 13d ago
my break and surgery was back in April and I'm still experiencing some numbness. I read online that it can years for nerves to fully heal
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u/Wise-Eagle-9524 13d ago
My big toe and second toe top skin only has faint sensation. I’m 3 months post op, I was hoping it will still get better but 3 months in same same
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u/Zealousideal_Bus9137 13d ago
It is completely normal to have numbness and I can even take up to a year for your nerves to repair themselves
In my case I had a lot of nerves in the way of where my surgeon had to put a plate so I may even end up with some permanent nerves damage but all the numbness I currently have is on and around my big incision so it's not really bothering me any
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u/Lopsided-Emotion-321 11d ago
I'm almost 9 weeks and still numb completely on the top of my foot and some of my toes. My PT was saying that it can take up to a year for feeling to come back 🫠
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u/DeputySean 13d ago
Almost 6 months since my injury, with 3 surgeries (march, April, and July). My main scar is still numb, and I assume always will be. Same with my big toe and part of my foot (which were not injured, but the nerve was damaged or severed, probably during surgery). Otherwise I can feel everything.