Broke my ankle in 3 places

[Craw]

Hi everyone,

I have not posted on here for quite a while but read posts regularly.

I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago and although I have had various problems my RA has not been so bad since I retired 2 years ago.

Unfortunately while on holiday in Spain I slipped and fell and broke my ankle. I have 1 break and 2 fractures. I cut my holiday short and came home for treatment.

They said normally they would operate but because of the RA they want to avoid this if they can.

I have been going for xrays every week for 3 weeks and they say the break looks stable, but if that changes they will operate.

I am finding it really hard to cope as I cannot put any weight on my right foot, I am hopeless with the crutches so I managed to get loan of a wheelchair for in the house.

My bedrooms are upstairs which is too hard for me to get up and down. I did try going up and down but its too hard.

I have a downstairs toilet but no shower so finding everything really hard.

The rest of my body is joining in with a sore left hip and knee, don't know if it's a flare up or the strain of trying to balance on the left side while standing up.

Any tips or advice would be grateful.

Thanks

Mary x

[sylvi]

Ask your hospital for a tall walking frame. I broke my ankle three years ago and had pins and plates and was non weight bearing for six weeks and they gave me a walking frame like the older generation use but just taller. It made it easier for me. I already had a stair lift when i broke my ankle so things were easier for me. I hope it soon heals and your back on your feet(sorry for the pun)again.xxxxx

[Craw in reply to sylvi]

Thanks Sylvi, I have not heard of a tall walking frame so I will look into this.

The wheelchair is good as I can get into the kitchen and toilet no bother.

I

[Gigi71]

I do feel for you. A few years back I had two triple foot fusions, not at the same time but I had the time to plan for this. I was unable to weight bare for 3 months. Through my GP I had care nurses to help me wash and dress they used to come in for a short period. My family brought a bed down for me. Like you I had a downstairs loo and no shower. I had a enhanced toilet seat. I also had wheel chair from the Red Cross and a Frame from the hospital. You can also get a perching stool on loan this can help if you need to wash at the sink. I managed simple meals in the kitchen although the nurses can do a breakfast or microwave meal for you. When I dislocated my shoulder I had them in twice a day for personal care. With all the cuts it may be more difficult to arrange this help, they are from the NHS. Good luck x

[Craw in reply to Gigi71]

Hi Gigi71, my husband brought down my granddaughter's single bed and set it up in the livingroom so that helps.

He also bought a stool so I can wash at the sink in the toilet, but it's having a shower that I miss.

[Gigi71 in reply to Craw]

I don't think there is any short term answer for that other than patience. I also cannot bear not being able to bath or shower. I recently dropped a round paving slab on my leg, I was trying to move it and it fell on me and not away from me as I had hoped. It cut me and there was just so much blood and a bruise started to appear on my shin area that turned into a haematoma . I went to a local minor injuries unit for treatment, how it didn't break something I'll never know. I have a limbo, a cast/bandage protector so I can get into my bath. The shower is over my bath. I am still having to go to the surgery to get it checked and redressed, these things are just a pain. Am getting more feeble as I get older lol. I hope you heal soon. Take care. X

[Craw in reply to Gigi71]

Hi Gigi71, you were so lucky it didn't break your leg. It could have been a lot worse.

I am quite clumsy but it doesn't stop me trying to do things and it drives my family mad, they are always saying just wait and we will do it.

[Gigi71 in reply to Craw]

Hi Craw. Your reply made me smile, I am just the same, my family and friends are forever telling me to ask if I need help. I worry about my sons as they have busy lives with long hours at work. I have a partner, but we have our own homes and my independence drives him nuts. I have a great sister who will do anything for me, so no real excuses. With wobbly feet I have to be very careful, but my brain still thinks oh you can do that. All the best X

[Fifi2]

I feel your pain , I fratured my ankle 8 weeks ago .at one point everything ached .i was told because of the RA it would take longer to heal .ive been out the boot for 2 weeks now .Im in a lot of pain at the top of my foot but I’m guessing that’s normal

Wishing you speedy recovery

[Craw in reply to Fifi2]

Hi Fifi2, thanks for replying.

I know what you mean about the pain as it's so bad especially trying to get to sleep.

I have a cast on up to my knee but above the cast I am bruised half way up the back of my leg, it was quite tender but that is going away now.

[charisma]

Hi Mary, that is very tedious and painful. I have had just one fracture due to effects of RA tripping me up. That was just a few months after diagnosis.

Holding a stick hurt my hand, and walking in a big boot set all other joints hurting due to boot being so much higher than any shoes I could wear.

Glad your husband helps. Being careful will promote healing but it does seem to stretch before us like a LONG sentence! Take care.

[Craw in reply to charisma]

Holding the crutches hurt my hands and my upper body was painful so the wheelchair is a useful.

[oldtimer]

I hired a K-9 - this is a kneeling wheeled device that is very speeding for getting around on one foot! They do have some in our physio department but I encountered a physio who had never come across such a device (she has now!). So I hired one and she was amazed how I could get around on it.

It transformed my mobility as I cannot manage crutches at all with my hands.

[Craw in reply to oldtimer]

Hi old timer, I have never heard of a K-9, I will look this up.

The wheelchair is great and I am lucky that our house is quite new so all the areas are wide enough for a wheelchair.