Foot pain question...

[Amore55]

I know that jorrell and goatgal have both suffered bad foot injuries. I am wondering about anyone’s experience with broken bones and soft tissue damage? When does some of the pain subside? It has been a little over three weeks and my foot hurts so much. They say just let it mend, but that does not give me down to earth, practical life experience. This is my first broken anything. Please share any experience. Thank you. Kelly

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Keep it elevated so the swelling can go down and stay off of it mà Amore55 it's gonna take time!🤗💕🌠

[Amore55 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thanks, Jes! Trying to keep off it is like trying to hold back Niagara’s Falls! But I DO try.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I know that with my broken foot/leg, I was told to keep it elevated, and keep ice on it. That lasted about 2 weeks. It does take time, Amore55 and if you're like me, it doesn't quite heal as quickly as you want, but you need to give it time. I couldn't use the under arm crutches and used the fore arm crutches instead. They did take a while to use but they were better for me stability wise. My biggest obstacle was wearing the boot 24/7, even when I went to bed. 8 weeks seemed to be an eternity. But it did heal properly. I broke my foot at the ankle so it was considered a broken leg. The technician that did the mri/xray said that I was lucky that I didn't break my foot as it is so much more painful/complicated a break. So, let your foot heal correctly, and give yourself time. Keep on the road to recovery, my friend

[Amore55 in reply to carolek572]

I find it almost impossible to sleep with the boot on! But I know I must, so I do. Thanks for your insight. It is so helpful. Love, Kelly

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Amore55]

I also forgot to mention that shower/baths were no fun, so I limited them to every three days or so, or until I couldn't stand my 'smells'!

[goatgal]

Feet are like hands; both have many small bones. I've broken bones in both extremities, and both take a long time to heal completely, especially when there is soft tissue damage as in your case.

It has been almost two years since I broke my ankle. The bones have healed. The damage to the lymph and nerves may never heal. Though the surgical incisions finally healed early this year, and my toes no longer look like potatoes, my ankle is still noticeably swollen.

Although I wouldn't call it painful exactly, it's always a bit achy, and sometimes sends short sharp electric shocks. I try not to think about it, try not to let it affect what I want to do and how I want to live, but I do favor it. I still forget how to go down steps normally and have to force myself to descend steps alternating feet. I have to think of this movement consciously because my brain remembers how I fell. I'm torn, Kelly, about expressing this because I don't want to discourage you. My sense is that you are impatient for this to be over because of the pain. That's understandable. Although some athletes are able to come back quickly after horrific accidents or complex surgery, healing for the rest of us takes a lot longer and perhaps our eagerness to be done with this does not serve us well.

[agapepilgrim]

My tendons were torn so bad the doctor said it would have been better if I would have broken bones. My foot would have healed quicker he said. I don’t remember but I know I wore that boot forever. I remember going to Walmart and using an automated cart and putting my booted foot up in the basket. I remember going to church and sitting in a wheelchair and putting my booted foot in a chair. I remember sitting in the back seat turning sideways to keep my foot up. I remember going on vacation and staying in a wheelchair with leg extension and rolling down the walkway at the beach. It was a long long time before those tendons healed enough. Then a cane. Still pain and soaking in epsom salt in dish pan to ease pain. The. Therapy to move ankle and toes. Ouch! Then fell again. Same foot. Now hurts all the time. Not terrible. From 3-8 depending on usage, weather, socks, shoes, MS, forget to take chrondrontin,etc supplements and omega 3 supplements. I always know it’s there, along with my shoulder pain, arm muscle pain, Knee pain, neck pain, lower back pain, migraine pain, calf muscle pain😂😂😂😂😂ain’t I a bundle of good news! I’m alive! I can walk hesitantly, I can bathe myself, I can cook occasionally, I can talk, I can type until my arm starts having spasms - ever read that poem “this too shall pass”? God has seen you through much worse; He will lead you through this so someday you will be giving words of advice to those who follow and fall and trip down stairs. Hold that railing tightly. Wear a mask. Listen to your body when it says rest. Listen to your heart when it says speak. Most of all listen to your soul when it says pray.

[goatgal in reply to agapepilgrim]

You remind me of the time line: from mid September to mid October I was in a wheel chair with leg extensions. the leg was wrapped while the incisions healed. In mid October the sutures were removed and the leg was in a cast. I was still in a wheel chair with leg extensions. At the end of October, the cast was removed and a knee high boot was given to me. I was still in a wheel chair but was sent home. PT came to my house 1x a week. In January, PT ended. I was allowed to stop wearing the boot and finally out of the wheel chair because I had learned to use a knee scooter, walker, and a cane. All this time, I slept with my leg elevated on a knee cradle. So, 6 weeks in skilled nursing/assisted living with PT 6 days a week. 6 weeks at home with PT 1x a week. On my own since then.

Now, almost two years later, I still walk with a limp, My ankle still aches where the plate and screws hold my bones together. My ankle is still swollen and I wear compression stockings from morning until night. For the last 6 months, I take them off at night because the constant pressure of something on my legs has caused eczema from my ankle to knee.

Maybe a 20 year old bounces back quickly. I sure didn't BUT I am so grateful to have my life back and my garden is thriving. I picked the first mess of snow peas yesterday and set out tomato plants the day before. Onward!

[Amore55 in reply to goatgal]

Thank you for reminding me. I need to be more patient. I have always admired you, and am reminded once more why that is the case. Enjoy your garden! Love, Kelly

[agapepilgrim]

PS I had to take low dose sleeping pills to enable me to sleep with the boot on.

[Wizardsmom]

I have broke both feet once each. The best advice I can give is to stay off of it as much as possible, ice it, elevate it, and take an anti-inflammatory. Do you have a walking shoe that the doctor gave you? If so, wear it all the time. It takes time for fractures to heal. Good luck!

[Kenu]

I tore the tendons and broke my left ankle in 1985 and had tendon replacement-surgery. Was in a cast for 18 months, yes 18 long months. Now it’s my good ankle as I have drop foot on right with afo. Hang in there it could be worse 🙏😉 Ken 🐾🐾

[Amore55 in reply to Kenu]

Thank you. My goodness! 18 months! I cannot imagine. How are your doggies? Take care, stay safe! Kelly

[Kenu in reply to Amore55]

They are doing great 👍 had haircuts and the weather is starting to warm up so they are happy 😊😉🐾🐾

[Amore55 in reply to Kenu]

I’m glad! Mine need groomed too. I am going to give it my best shot myself! Look out, they may be bald! The weather is kind of hot here already some days and lots of rain. But the sun feels good.

[jodigirl750]

I have had constant issues with both feet for several years... since my diagnosis 4 years ago. Broken bones, pulled/torn ligaments. I am currently nursing pulled ligaments in my left foot for 3 months now. Boot, soft brace, now an ankle brace. I mean, Time to heal... but I still have to walk!

[hairbrain4]

The only thing I have done to my ankle is a bad sprain and torn ligiments. I was in my late 40s. It was painful and took about 3 months before I could walk half way normal. I broke my wrist last summer and it still gives me problems. It took about 4 months to be able to use my hand to hold anything. I was 64 when I broke my wrist. The older you are the longer it takes to heal if it does at all. So like everyone said, follow doctor's orders, you pay them to tell you what to do, and you shouldn't have too many problems. It's just going to take time and PT after it heals.

[jorrell]

The swelling definitely drove the pain... no agony. Elevate foot above heart and rest. Also, a compression sock will help reduce the swelling. From there NSAIDS. I can walk almost fine on my foot now, but kneeling and bending the toes upwards is exquisite when I go to stand up.

[Amore55 in reply to jorrell]

Thanks jorrell. I was hoping to hear from you! Kelly