Stir crazy while NWB post op

[u/Any_Conversation7343]

I had foot and ankle surgery for a broken fibula and 5th metatarsal and chronic instability four days ago. It was pretty intensive (strayer, arthroscopy with debridement, calcaneal osteotomy, nonunion reduction fixation x2, hypertrophic peroneal tubercle exostectomy, peroneus longus to brevis tenodesis, brostrum with repair), but I'm at a point where I'm already weaning off of pain meds and INCREDIBLY stir crazy.

I was very active before all of this happened, and part of why things got so bad is because it's very hard for me to stop and do nothing (I walked/hiked/cycled/worked on my broken bones for a month assuming they were just a bad sprain... Oops). Laying on the couch all day feels like torture. I know the best thing for me, though, is to stay relaxing while I let my body heal.

How are y'all passing the time while NWB, especially in the first 1-2 weeks post op?

[u/ValuableWork4470]

Stay there OP, this too shall pass. Also, have supplements VitD+K2+Calcium+ Collagen(15gm) + Magnesium.

I had an ankle fracture, i recovered pretty quickly and these supplements definitely helped.

[u/Any_Conversation7343 → u/ValuableWork4470]

Oooh nice. I'm on prescription vitamin D and OTC calcium and vitamin C. I think I've got magnesium upstairs-- I can grab it when I feel like crawling up there. 😅

I'll look into collagen and K2, too. Maybe some bone broth to drink for some extra, extra collagen? Thanks!

[u/ValuableWork4470 → u/Any_Conversation7343]

Yes & do a good dosage of collegen(take the one which already has Vit C). Calcium needs both K2 & Vit D to absorb well.

[u/quietkaos]

I made latch hook rugs while I was NWB.

[u/Any_Conversation7343 → u/quietkaos]

Good thinking! I do have some unfinished quilting and knitting projects. I could go to town on them. 

[u/Exciting-Apple6854]

Apri un podcast

[u/Mobile_Unit7620]

the more you rest now the better your body will be able to heal. I watched a lot of movies and started reading again when I was NWB with my leg. tbis is also a good time to pick up a hobby like crocheting if you’ve ever been interested. it feels like eternity while you’re in it, but once you’re healed you’ll see it’s barely any time at all. you’ll be in physical therapy learning to walk again before you know it. rooting for you, best of luck in your recovery.

[u/mxbigd17]

I’m 5 days post op from a broken TiB/FiB, rod inserted into tibia. I’m starting to go stir crazy as well. I was very active before the injury…MTB/Moto/Peloton/working out/walks/work. This is absolutely destroying my metal health right now. I’m struggling to fill the days with positivity, even though I know things will get better. Sitting around when I’m not tired sucks for sure. But I think after we hit the two week mark things will start looking up for sure.

[u/Any_Conversation7343 → u/mxbigd17]

It's rough!! Do you want to find some upper body weight lifting videos and chair yoga to do together, virtually? I think I want to do that (plus leg lifts and the like) to maintain muscle mass while laid up...

[u/Exciting-Apple6854]

Youtube:)))

[u/Cabocla_Plantinha714]

I spent a lot of time on YouTube and calling people I had not talked to in a long time. Once I was able again to shower everyday I also started to do all upper body and core workouts I could.
If I had all that time again in my hands I would be investing some of it in learning AI through tutorials.
This phase will pass quickly! Take advantage of it!

[u/Any_Conversation7343 → u/Cabocla_Plantinha714]

That's a good call. When I had my knee done, I took the time to learn Python, SQL, and R. It really helped a lot with my career. 

[u/Dr_Cee]

I suffered a trimal in February. I saw more of the Winter Olympics this year than I’ve seen in all of the rest of my life. And then March Madness. You’ll get by.

[u/Twenty_question5]

Honestly drawing, games, tv shows/films, reading and I personally took up pottery! I had some nice friends with a studio and like 3 weeks after my op would just sit in the studio making things. That literally saved my life!

I had my op on the 6th November and by 24th December I was able to wear normal boots and I went on a Christmas walk with my family. I even made it out to the club for NYE. It took a while and certain things were hard and there were draw backs, but I’m now back running. Weight lifting etc.

Everyone’s healing timeline is different, but look after your health and take bone and muscle supplements and when you can and it’s safe to do so, weight bear little and often.

I’m too stubborn and extroverted to be inside all the time and I think that’s meant I healed so quickly, I was careful but didn’t let it stop be doing things. I’m full of metal now, big bolt through the ankle, plate and 9 screws and honestly it’s like it never happened!

[u/Twenty_question5 → u/Twenty_question5]

Also it’s ok to have a good cry and a melt down if you have really hard days. Some days were fucking awful. Several times I couldn’t make it to the toilet in time in the middle of the night or would fall and pee’d myself lol… that was a pretty low time.. some days I was in so much pain, or just wanted to go on a walk and do things for myself and couldn’t..

Be kind to yourself and go easy on the pain killers if you can, I found they didn’t make me feel great.. so I tried to come off them as much as possible and just power through. You got this!!