slow recovery from broken ankle

[Moonshine15]

I broke my ankle 18 months ago in three places and had surgery on it, I’ve had physio on it but it still hurts and I walk with a limp

Just wondering if anyone else has taken so long to recover from something like this

[Scotsman53]

What are the medics saying? Have you been referred to a pain management service?

[HondaCBR1100]

I had spinal cancer which wrecked my L3/4/5 vertebrae in Dec-21, cancer has been dealt with but still doing physio to recover movement. Combination mobilisation and strength building exercises. I had OK physio with NHS teams/people but the best advice I received was from a professional sports physio. I am no athlete but they talk sense and have "upgraded" my exercises as I have made progress to make sure progress continues. As of this month I no longer need any pain killers:-). Keep going and good luck, Peter

[completely-zero654 in reply to HondaCBR1100]

Dearest HondaCBR1100, you have been so very brave and battled your way through this and I for one am very proud of you for getting as far as this. Well done and keep up this good work and who knows you just might be that athlete, show them that you can do it but take your time and you will. x

[completely-zero654]

I so sorry that you are still in pain with this ankle, what kind of things did they try at physio?

When I first had inoperable back problems my G.P first sent me to physio where I had, like yourself I guess the normal set of excersises which unfortunately did not do anything then they gave me acupuncture everywhere imaginable, head included but even after this the pain was still there then I went on to a lot more things in hospital injection ways, nothing worked so have ended on taking more than 20 tabs daily but before this I was only on a few so before the rest of the tabs I went to pain management which was a course of 6 weeks, it consisted at first by someone there a physciatrist sorry for spelling), and the nurse who looked just like an ordinary woman dressed in every day clothes who held a group of us in agony and we talked about our ailments etc., did various excersices which were hard, I thought so and ended up like some sitting or lying down, but again I am so sorry to say it did not work for me but one thing I did learn and that is to take things/life more slowly and try to avoid getting worried about things, which is impossible for me, otherwise you end up with more pain and take from me as have been like I am for over 25 years.

With all this said going to Pain Management as Scotsman53 said himself which are wise words as it may work for you.

Take care and I wish you well xxx

[Hidden]

Hi I can relate to this, I still have significant nerve pain in my foot

[Festival66]

Hi Moonshine15, I’m sorry to hear you are still in so much pain following your ankle break. My situation is quite different to yours in that I was born with a severe case of bilateral talipes and have had surgery on and off all my life with my first being when I was 6 months old and my last one to date was last year. I am still in a lot of pain, have copious amounts of medication but I still have my exercise sheet from Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital from when I was 6 and also my rehab physio exercises following my amputation from 16 years ago, all of which I do religiously 3 times a week as I know how important keeping the joints moving and blood flowing is.

I find that doing exercises in water, ideally warmer water help. Have you tried hydrotherapy - May be worth a shout.

Also I did a pain management course about 20 years ago, didn’t get rid of the pain but helps me manage it better and not overdo it on good days only to suffer twice as much the next few days. As my circumstances have changed plus I have since had to have my knee replaced due to wearing it down trying to cope with a baby and toddler and being an amputee unable to get a prosthetic due to the circumstances around me losing my leg, plus I have also had back surgery and have many days where 1my stump has chronic phantom pains I am enrolled onto a new pain management course. It may be worth you giving it a go as they teach you ways to cope with your pain, techniques that may ease the pain while it continues to heal.

I’ve tried lots of other techniques like acupuncture, hypnosis, acupressure none of which helped with the leg/foot pain but acupuncture helped with my knee and back pain so may work for you.

I think because we use our feet/legs daily it takes longer to heal properly and I also believe that we as individuals heal at different times as we are all unique.

I really hope your ankle mends fully soon and you become pain free, but if it should continue always work with the mindset that it will heal properly - so do the exercises you have been given and find ways and techniques to help you cope and manage with the pain x