May 16th, 2019 started off as a day full of promise… and yard work. It ended up being the day I went from being independent and strong to (temporarily) losing every and any ounce of independence I had. We (my fiancé and I) planned on getting some landscaping stuff done, and to keep the dogs occupied and out of the yard, we put their little pool up on the deck. Which, hindsight is always 20/20, and this was just a pretty dumb idea but made sense at the time.
Broken Ankle: The Injury and the Aftermath
Long story short, the deck ended up getting all wet and became slippery. I was wearing shoes with zero traction (thank you Birkenstocks) and in a split second pretty much shattered my ankle. As I fell, I heard the break and when I looked at my foot, it was facing a different direction than it should have been. I knew instantly it was bad, and life was going to change drastically for a while.
What happened is called a trimalleolar facture, a fracture of 3 different bones in the ankle/leg joint. Essentially, what that means is that every bone that anchors your foot to your leg is broken and the foot is disconnected from the leg. It’s the worst fracture you can get, and in addition to that, I had an additional fracture on the back of the ankle/foot that was “crunched up” in a bunch of pieces as well.
The pain was so horrific that they had to start an IV to get me fentanyl right there on the deck as they did a reduction (the first of two that needed to be done that day) to put my foot back the right way. That pain didn’t stop or get better for about a week and half, even though it felt like years, and even though they were rotating IV morphine and fentanyl at the hospital and loaded me up with a pain pill regime to take down a horse.
I got home from the hospital with a plan to see the surgeon the following morning, and at that appointment surgery was scheduled for May 22nd. The pain was so severe during this time and my ankle was so unstable that every time I moved, got up, with each hop on the crutches, any bump we drove over in the car… I was screaming and sobbing in pain.
I felt bad for me, but I felt worse for Justin who had to watch me be in anguishing pain without being able to do anything to make it better. I also couldn’t sleep, except for maybe an hour after I took each round of pain meds, so adding the exhaustion that set in after about two days from being up and crying constantly didn’t help my cause much.
We (ok, Justin) picked up a used knee scooter during this time but I had to wait a few weeks to be able to use it, because prior to surgery my ankle was just so unstable that it hurt worse to have it hang off the knee scooter than it did to use the crutches. Everything during this time was difficult, especially not being able to carry anything, go up the stairs, or take care of myself. Not only was the pain all consuming, but losing my independence was an even worse kind of pain for me and would continue to be over the next few months.
Using crutches meant I couldn’t carry anything, and when Justin wasn’t home, I had to learn how to really plan out and think through every single trip off the couch I was going to take. I started using my backpack to bring back my water bottle, or any food I needed had to be put in a container that could then go in my backpack, meaning plates and cups couldn’t be used. I felt so guilty that in those first weeks I couldn’t help with any of the cooking, cleaning, caring for the dogs, or pulling my weight around the house. I couldn’t even get into the shower myself.
Justin’s immediate future changed just as quickly as mine did when my injury happened, and he had to take on all of those responsibilities on top of working full-time and now caring for me and our two dogs. He even slept downstairs on a chair for weeks to make sure he was close to me in case I needed to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night or needed pain meds. And in that first week and a half when I couldn’t sleep, he stayed up with me. While I felt awful that he was doing this, he was simultaneously my light and biggest blessing during all of this.
Trimalleolar Fracture Ankle Surgery
The morning of surgery I was so, so nervous and scared. It was partially the surgery and being intubated I was worried about, but it was also about what my life would be like after. The only thing I wanted was to be “normal” again and have my life back. At one of my appointments, my (wonderful) PA asked how I was doing and I burst into tears, which happened more than once a day anyway, and through my sobs said “I *sob* was just *sob* in *sob* Poland *sob* by myself *sob* 2 weeks ago *sob*”. I just couldn’t believe this was happening to me.
The instant loss of one of my favorite qualities about myself was devastating but going into surgery I just was thinking about all of the simple everyday things I so easily took for granted prior and was wondering if I’ll ever get back to just being me. Going to the store, driving, daily walks with my dogs, running up the stairs to grab something or flip laundry… all of it things I wanted so badly to be able to do again.
After surgery when the pain block wore off, I felt like someone had taken a chainsaw to my foot. Painful is not a powerful enough word for what I experienced. There were periods where I thought I was going to pass out because it was just so horrific and intense. Every time my surgeon or PA called to see how I was doing that first week, I would always burst into tears because I didn’t have the words to explain just how much pain I was in.
I was in a huge padded splint/cast and told underneath all that padding was 3 long incisions, one on each side of my ankle and one going along the back from my heel halfway up my calf. Inside of those incisions my surgeon placed 3 plates and 12 screws. I couldn’t feel ice packs through the huge cast, so they had to be placed under my knee instead.
After My Broken Ankle Surgery
Around a week/week and a half after the surgery, I was in less pain than I had been since my injury first happened, and was starting to wean off the pain meds. The cast came off around this time (5/30) to let the incisions have some breathing room and I got a boot to wear when I was moving around. I didn’t need to wear it as long as I was laying around with it propped up, which is about all I did for 2 weeks straight. I was able to put ice on it once the cast was off and that helped quite a bit.
Because of this, my swelling started going down quicker than anticipated, which I think helped with my healing. However, with each follow up appointment (which were very frequent), I was continually crushed by being reminded of how long it would be before I was cleared to bear weight again, and eventually walk again. Especially with my wedding coming up in just two months.
It was going to be at least another 6 weeks before I would be cleared to walk. During this time, life honestly just got really hard and pretty dark for me. I missed being able to just get in the car and drive to where I wanted to go by myself. My outings consisted of Justin going through the painstakingly cumbersome process of getting me out and into the car so I could at least take a drive to Starbucks to get out of the house and then repeating the process of getting me back into the house. I either sat on the porch, or laid on the couch.
I got to know my mailman and FedEx driver better than I thought you could know a mailman. Even once I started using the scooter, the physical exertion of doing anything made me extremely tired and completely worn out. This was so emotionally challenging for me and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry over something at least once a day. My body had just gone through a pretty intense trauma, and my mind was really unhappy about it.
Getting in the shower one night caused me a total emotional breakdown because everything had to be so planned and thought out. My every move, Justin’s every move as he tried to help me, where everything needed to be, and then my fear of slipping and the logistics of where my one good foot needed to go to prevent that, and THEN how badly I felt that Justin had to do and get absolutely everything for me that I needed. I was so frustrated, overwhelmed, upset and just tired of everything having to be this hard and being this much of a burden.
I was not the person I was just a few weeks ago, and even though I tried to be positive about it, it got harder and harder to do so and I hated that everything was such a challenge when I was so used to just doing everything for myself, and doing it so easily.
Post Surgical Depression
During this time period, we also had a ton of crappy life stuff pile up on top of us too. I was trying to plan our wedding that was happening in July but couldn’t actually do or go anywhere and thought about just cancelling it almost once a day because I was so sad about my injury was going to impact our wedding day, and knew I wouldn’t be walking by then. I had to cancel our pre-wedding trip to NYC that was supposed to happen the first week of June, and cancel a trip to California to see my best friend a few weeks later because my surgeon said I wasn’t able to fly for at least 10 weeks. Justin’s best friend died, and while we were back in Justin’s hometown (a 6 hour drive that I couldn’t help with at all) at his funeral, I got a phone call that my uncle died. Then two weeks later, my Nana had a stroke the week before our wedding.
This all just 6 months after Justin’s younger and only brother passed away. I truly had just spiraled into a place that didn’t look anything like me or my life and I was angry and sad. Every week it seemed as if something new and awful happened like clockwork. I was angry all of this was happening to us at the same time, but more than anything, I was angry at my stupid broken ankle because I wasn’t able to help or do the things I would have had I been able to walk, or be the support to Justin or my family I would have been if I wasn’t so consumed with trying to recover or so limited by that recovery. It felt like I was drowning in waves that just kept crashing into me, not able to get a breath before the next one hit.
Post-surgical depression is a real thing, especially prevalent in orthopedic surgeries that inhibit movement and activity. I was/am already dealing with some PTSD stuff from Tyler’s passing, and was really not mentally ready to gracefully handle something like this type of injury and surgery with zero notice that it was going to happen to me. Being laid up is SO unlike me, and like I mentioned, two weeks before this happened I was in Europe for a month by myself, as an example of just how much I value my independence.
Not being able to be active isn’t something I know well, and I got really depressed that it all changed in one split second. I found myself just so irrationally angry with people I’d watch walk down the street as I sat there, thinking about how they just don’t even know how great they have it to be walking on their legs like it’s NO BIG DEAL! I can laugh about it now, but I was so miserable and just… down. So much so that I couldn’t bring myself to work or even open my laptop. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or see anyone either. It was rough and I was physically and emotionally exhausted and beat down.
I knew it was temporary, but it didn’t make it much easier in the moment. It was so hard to feel stuck in my house with no motivation or ability to do anything but stare at the four walls for days on end. It also made me incredibly aware of how difficult this world can be for someone who is differently abled, too. Everything we did had to be planned out to a T. Do I need the scooter? Crutches? Or both? How far is the parking from the door, what car do we need to take depending on what I need to bring? How long will we be gone and what medications need to come with? What clothing options do I have for where we’re going or the weather that Justin has to get from upstairs being I can’t get pants on over the cast? Is the elevator close by, or is there a ramp near the main door? He’ll have to drop me off at the door to get me out and then go park because there’s no parking space without another car next to it?
Things that were no big deal if you had two working legs, like parking on a street next to a curb, for example, were now big productions for me, as well as making sure every place we went was easily accessible to get into (which, surprise, this is not often the case). The pain was pretty much gone 3 weeks after surgery, but that’s when the laying around thing became really the most difficult, but it was usually an easier option than trying to go do anything either.
Because of the combination of not doing anything all day, and just how bad I was feeling emotionally, I started to have a really hard time sleeping. I wasn’t burning off any energy during the day and I ended up just being up all night or sleeping for a few hours, being up for a few hours, sleeping for a few hours, so on and so forth, which made feeling normal even harder because I was so tired but also unable to sleep, pretty much ensuring I couldn’t be productive at all either. Continuing the cycle of just feeling really, really crappy about the whole dang situation. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad for me, I just hope to give an accurate description of what my recovery has been like.
Driving, Rehab and Walking After Breaking My Ankle
Once I got my stitches taken out, I finally felt like we were making some progress. I still couldn’t put any weight on my leg, but it meant that my incisions were healed enough to be a sign to me that we were moving further away from the injury and closer to being healed. It also meant I could take a shower without the shower-cap-for-the-leg plastic contraption I had to wear to prevent the incisions from getting wet. It was the grossest, but also best shower ever! Because my foot hadn’t touched the ground in so long, so much dead skin came off but it was the first time I had felt actually clean in like 6 weeks. Thank the lord!
I also had this idea in my head that once my docs told me I was full weight bearing again, I’d be just… back to walking! Back to being myself! Of course, I knew/thought it would hurt and that I’d need PT, but I guess I just thought that would be for some ROM (range of motion) work and I overestimated what my capabilities would be. Because even when I did get the all clear to put weight on it again, which happened on July 2nd, I still couldn’t walk. My surgeon even told me, “just because I say you can walk, doesn’t mean you can walk.” Welp, didn’t see that one coming.
At that appointment, what I really wanted to know also was about driving. When could I drive?! That is one of the things I missed the most. Driving myself just meant freedom to me, and not being able to meant that I was still dependent on someone else. So the day I was cleared to be FWB, my surgeon also told me that I was cleared to drive based on studies of reaction time vs. length of time post-surgery and that my ROM and strength with my foot flexing forward was good, but that he couldn’t be the one to make that decision for me. I had to be the one to decide that I was comfortable and confident that I could react and control the vehicle. I was super nervous about this and waited a few days after that appointment to get behind the wheel.
At first I just practiced with the pedals and going backwards and forwards, and then around the block, and then for the first week after that I avoided the highway and just took the back roads. My first time on the highway my calf muscle tightened up and spasmed a bit because my right foot was the one this happened to, my leg had atrophied so much and not been used for holding down a pedal for so long, so that was a bit scary, but it went away quickly and never happened again.
But pretty shortly after that, I was back behind the wheel with no limitations and on the road to freedom! What’s interesting about this is that I still couldn’t walk unassisted and was in so much pain when I put weight on my leg, but I could drive just fine and when I was, it was like my ankle wasn’t even broken and I hadn’t just had major reconstructive surgery.
Also, at that appointment, I was cleared to begin swimming laps, water walking and getting back on my Peloton bike (but taking it easy on the bike). That week I began physical therapy, but I also signed up at the YMCA and could not WAIT to start doing some activity again. At first, I was told to only do 15 minutes in the pool, and truly that’s all I could handle.
Because I still couldn’t walk on my own, I was wearing a brace, my boot and using crutches. This meant that the process to get to the pool to only spend 15 minutes it in looked like this:
Put on brace, boot and get crutches and make sure I have everything I need (including swim shoes for the traction being I can’t walk well) in a backpack. Get out to the car. Sit down in the driver’s seat and hurl the crutches into the back seat. Take off the boot, and the brace, and take my other shoe out of the backpack to put on to drive. Drive to the gym. Park and take off the shoe, put the brace back on, the boot back on, put on the backpack and get the crutches. Hobble incredibly slowly into the gym and to the pool. Pull a chair as close as possible to the edge of the pool near the ladder to get in and out. Take off boot and brace and put on the pool shoes. Lower myself down to the ground and half crawl-half scoot over to the side of the pool and get in. Swim or water walk for 15-20 minutes.
Get out (carefully and nervously), dry off and fearfully make sure EVERYTHING is dry before trying to walk because I’m so worried about slipping on water being that’s how this happened in the first place and repeat the process to get home. This was a 2+ hour process for just a few minutes in the water, and it was exhausting, but it was so worth it and I was determined. I could do something on my own!! I was focusing on healing my ankle! I increased my time in the water every 3 days by about 5-10 minutes, once I was able to see how my ankle felt the next few days to make sure I wasn’t overdoing it.
I had to do this process of putting on all my “gear”, getting to the car, taking it all off, driving, putting it back on where ever I went, too. I got pretty good at it, especially during the week my Nana was in the ICU and I was up at the hospital 2x a day.
I could feel myself getting stronger each day, even if just a little bit. The pain and swelling returned once I was FBW again, but that was due to not using it in so long, the muscle atrophy that happened to my calf, and increased with activity as the day progressed. The swelling made it feel like how your foot feels if it falls asleep, like pins and needles, but you can’t get rid of it. Even if I lightly tap my shin bone, I can feel the pain from the swelling in my toes.
I wasn’t taking my strong pain meds anymore, but I did have to start taking ibuprofen or Tylenol at night before bed. However, I finally was able to sleep in my own bed again after sleeping downstairs on the couch, so I could be close to a bathroom that was accessible for me and my scooter. I went from using two crutches with the boot and a brace to just using one as a cane with the boot and brace.
Each day kept getting a little easier, with a little less pain. Like I previously mentioned, the swelling increases as the day goes on and as I use it, so the pain I still have is always towards the end of the day and is always correlated with the amount of swelling. Sometimes I can’t even get my shoe on that foot because it blows up to the size of a football.
Road to Recovery
After getting the all clear to be FWB on 7/2, I reduced the number of devices and equipment I needed to walk or do daily activities over the next few weeks. 7/20 (my wedding day) was the first day I was able to stand unassisted long enough without the boot or brace for support to take a shower standing up (goodbye shower chair! I will not miss you!), and then quickly after that was getting rid of boot and brace and crutches.
By the 22nd I wasn’t using a crutch as a cane support, and then by the 25th I was walking without the brace or the boot. By the 31st I could go up and down stairs normally again instead of one step at a time. I still have a pretty significant limp, but like everything else, it’s getting better and a little less noticeable a little every day.
I’m still getting incredibly tired and worn out with activity, and can’t stand for more than a few minutes at a time, which makes a lot of things like cooking, cleaning, and standing in lines difficult still. But my capacity is getting better and better, and I’m feeling better and better. My balance is still a bit shaky and I can’t walk very far, but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made, even if I can only stand on the one foot I had surgery on for a few seconds. I’m still a bit embarrassed when I go anywhere in public because of my limp and how slow I am, but that embarrassment is usually overshadowed by how thankful I am to be out of my house and doing the things I want or need to do. Who knew getting gas at the gas station was such a privilege!
I’ve done a lot of naturopathic things to encourage and support my healing and recovery, and will outline all of those things in a separate post. Overall though, what I needed was time. Which was the hardest thing to give myself when all I wanted was to feel like me again and have my “old” life back. However, this injury has changed a lot of things about me and given me a new perspective and appreciation for both my health and the people in my life.
I’m still a bit angry that this “set me back” so long and at all of the things that happened during this time that I wasn’t able to take part in, or be there for. But overall, I’m incredibly blessed and lucky that I have the support system that I do in my now-husband, the wonderfully talented and amazing surgeon and PA I have and the friends and family that sent food, checked in on me, and made sure we made it to the other side of this. Things are looking up and I’m so grateful for the support (and patience) from my community.. You guys! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Timeline of Ankle Surgery Recovery:
5/16 broke ankle, couldn’t walk
5/22 Ankle surgery and put in hard cast
5/30 Hard cast came off, incisions re-bandaged and put in a compression sock and boot
6/24 Stitches came out
7/2 Cleared to be FWB, begin PT and light exercise (stationary bike and swimming)
7/5 Driving practice in the driveway and around the block
7/7 Highway driving on my own
7/14 Walking a few steps with boot and brace, but needing crutch/es to get around the house and in public, still using scooter for long distances
7/20 Able to take shower standing up without use of shower chair with no brace/boot to stabilize ankle
7/22 Using just the boot and brace to walk
7/25 Walking on my own, without brace and boot, but with a limp
7/31 Walking up and down stairs normally, instead of one step at a time
8/13 Walking with a barely noticeable limp
9/30 Walking normally with no pain. Swelling only with a lot of activity
10/20 12 days walking around Europe with little to no issues or pain
11/10 Last follow-up appointment with surgeon
04/15 (upcoming) First post-injury solo international trip to Switzerland to hike
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Semma says
So glad I found your post. I too have a trimalleolar fracture. I recently bought my dream home in Los Angeles, as I wasn’t familiar with the lay of the land, I tumbled down the outdoor stairs leading to the garage. I’m 2 weeks post fall, one week post surgery. My husband has been my caregiver, but I am in tears most days at the loss of my independence. I can’t even uses crutches now as every time I stand the pain is excruciating. It seems just dangling it hurts. I’m a little OCD and I am losing the plot at how dirty my home is getting and how I can’t wash myself properly. I so wish this didn’t happen but am hopeful thanks to your post that this too shall pass.
Nancy Elliott says
Wow these stories blow me away. I belong to the trimalleolar fracture club, too, 5.5 weeks post surgery. I was lucky that I had the surgery the same day as the break (fell into a 5 foot deep hole). I had very little post surgical pain thank goodness but had a lot of pain weeks later at the surgical sites. The whole sad loss of independence thing is SO real and very humbling. Hope everyone in these stories heals well!
Krista says
I want to thank you for your post. I am now out 9 days from Trimalleolar right ankle surgery. I broke mine ice skating with my 7 year old. I have looked and looked for posts in which people have gone through this. Your post was the only one I found. I cried reading through it. I feel so many of the things you did, and you understand! I see my surgeon in 2 days for my first post-op apt and anxious to hear what he’ll say. Today is the first day I hobbled to the the table To eat dinner with my husband and three kids (ages 14,7, and 4). I’ve been bound to the couch with ice packs under my knee. I’ve had horrible pain and tonifht is the first night without any strong meds.
Thank you, Thank you for sharing your experience, your fears, your depression, your gains, and set backs. I now know that I’m not alone in this!
Glen Dell says
Thank you for sharing your journey so openly. I am only at the 4th week post surgery stage of NWB with the same injury and experiencing the same emotions and frustration with loss of independence . Reading that this is normal and that there is light at the end of the recovery tunnel has given me a positive lift. Greatly appreciated. Kind wishes.
Erin says
I just had this break and surgery last Tuesday. I was in CA visiting from AK when it happens so I’ve had an extra level of stress around being so far from home. I am grateful for your post as I felt like I have found a kindred spirit.
This is proving to be an overwhelmingly difficult experience and I too am struggling with daily crying bouts. Thank you for your honesty.
Mandy says
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am three weeks post surgery and hope to be up and moving around soon. Yes, the depression is real. I think I have cried everyday since my accident happened on October 5. Who knew how isolating, lonely and boring this could be? I will forever be sympathetic to others who are not mobile and work to make public places more friendly for handicap persons. Congratulations on your marriage and I’m so sorry for the losses you suffered during your recovery.
Leigh Pullen says
I am so glad I found this post!!! Accident date: 10/6/19. We took our girl roller skating, I went down, snapped my ankle & have a trimalleolar fracture. Surgery was on 10:8 so today is one week. If my meds wear off, it feels Like my ankle exploded & is on fire. I have crutches and a borrowed leg scooter. My house is a death trap- our driveway is sloped; to get in thru the garage are 3 big stairs & to get in the front door our concrete walk has three steep steps that are 6” each. So in order to get anywhere, which is dr only at this point, it’s a dice roll of getting up & down those steps & praying I don’t injure myself further… I’m not overweight or anything, but I’m not that fit either so to jump that high on one leg is dangerous. We’re going to probably do a ramp this weekend… I’m impatient- I already feel like I should be all healed now and doing more, there’s guilt in being laid up, etc etc…. reading this post is a great outline and to remember it takes time & to be patient. Thank you!!!
Traci says
Hi,
I just wanted to say “Bless you and thank you” for your post. I have suffered the same fracture. My surgery is coming up on Oct 15th. I have been through the whole ordeal of feeling awful from the obvious pain and most importantly losing my independence. I slipped on water too. I am a Nurse, so becoming the patient has been difficult as well. Thanks again for the post. It has made me realize I am not alone!
Jessica Olivares says
I just had a bimalleolar fracture on 8/31 I’m a little over 3 weeks post op your story really helped thanks so much for sharing
paleobailey says
I’m so glad it was helpful. It’s a tough recovery, but I’m wishing you all of the best!! <3
Michele says
I just had trimalleolar surgery November 14th. Just over 5 weeks. I’m still in a lot pain and very sore. Hoping to get a boot on Christmas eve and get this cast off. I too wonder if I’ll make a full recovery. I hate not being independent right now. Glad to hear most people on here have done well. The surgeon said it’s a full year to recovery.
Lee cap says
I had trimaleolar fx 1-4 19, and surgery around 1-23. I can relate to all that has been shared. I’m avery active, physically fit, independent 58 yr old female. Had several months of therapy 3x weekly.( alot if tissue massage which I learned to do myself) I only missed a few days of work, because I could work from home fir 1st 3 weeks. Returned to work in electric w/c then knee scooter. Enfaong in wirk really helped my state of mind- but thus was physically and emotionally challenging thing I’ve experienced. Started driving end of april. Resumed longer walks end of may, yoga in june (I believe yoga really made a difference in healing tissue and bringing me to where I am today- full function, no discomfort. If you’ve had this injury, you will recover- though many days I wondered if and when I’d walk again. I had tremendous support from my husband and co- workers to help.me get through this! Please reach our if you need support/encouragement!
Jane says
Well done! Excellent, I had a trimmileonar fracture as well on 21st May, 2019 4 months today, I had all of your pain, minus the beareavements. The isolation and depression and negativity I felt at times were unbearable. I literally within the last couple of weeks am going to the pool for excersise only, just annotate swim, which is infuriating! This injury is certainly life changing beyond my worst dreams!
Xx
paleobailey says
I agree! I’m glad you’re getting into the pool, swimming made such a difference in my recovery. Wishing you the best <3
Tammy Maher says
I have the same fracture, which happened on a layover at LAX from Maui to Chicago. I took a nice ambulance ride to Marina Del Rey Hospital where I stayed for 4 days. Tried to get out on a flight but United wouldn’t “ upgrade” my tickets to first class (even though I was willing to pay). Tried to buy new ones but they didn’t have anything available for a few days.. ended up on Amtrak from LA to CHICAGO.. so, my surgery is scheduled for Monday, Sept 23rd.. can’t wait to get it done. I agree that the pain is excruciating and I had a Lis Franc injury 2 years ago!
Thank you for sharing your experience!!
paleobailey says
Oh my goodness! I can’t imagine being away from home when this happened. I bet that was the longest Amtrak trip of your life. I hope you were able to rest comfortably and had some hefty pain meds! The time between when mine happened and my surgery was so awful, every bump we drove over in the car was horrendous so I just so feel for you! Good luck on your surgery, wishing you a speedy and easy recovery! <3
Judy Hall says
I too broke my ankle in three places (distal fibula, medial malleous and posterior malleolus )
distal fibula – fracture at the end of the fibula bone
medial malleolus – is a break in the tibia, at the inside of the lower leg
posterior malleolus – a fracture of the back of the tibia
I had to comment as I was reading your story is so close to mine that I think we should be soul mates.
My hubby has had to take care of me the same as yours. My story is a little different as I have some other issues. I was released the same night (11.00 pm) as my surgery and was three hours away from home. I stayed at my cousins that night who had a lift at the back of his house to his first floor (he is disabled and unable to do stairs). It had been raining and I straight from surgery (still groggy and attempting to use crutches with already huge balancing issues) hopped onto the lift. As I was losing my balance my right cast leg fell hard onto the lift. Everyone was horrified but of course with the nerve block I didn’t feel a thing. A couple of minutes later there was blood over the lift and obviously must have been the stitches coming a part. Exhausted and after calling the hospital I decided to stay there for the night. The next morning my cast was damp and covered with blood at the bottom so I enjoyed another ambulance ride. Four hours later we left the hospital and three hours later we arrived home. and after much issues got into the house and into the reclining chair. A week and an half later I finally got some help from our CCAC and PSW’s started to come in. My hubby has health issues himself so it was especially hard on him as like you I could not do anything. My family doctor referred me to a surgeon here and the fun began.
Two weeks later I was at the followup appointment with the new surgeon and explained that I had fell three times trying to get into the bathroom. SO she forbade to use the bathroom and I have had to use a commode. My wheelchair would not make it into the bathroom so I have had only sponge baths from the beginning of August 2019 to my first shower September 09 . 2019. Nothing humbles you more then having someone wash you.
I am now able to bear 100% weight with a walker with no wheels and made my first trip down our ramp yesterday September 10th. My hubby could not hold the wheelchair going down the ramp so I have been housebound since June 17th until yesterday. I went to my fracture clinic appointments in a wheelchair from a company that takes people back and forth to appointments.
I am depressed with the money for crutches, wheelchair rentals, commode rentals, walker rentals and paying for the air boot.
I still have a ways to go and hope that the appointment on September 13th will bear good news that things are healing and I can take this boot off to walk a little. Wish me luck.
Your post was honest and I loved it. Thank you so much for telling it like it is. So much more happened to us that I believe I could write a novel BUT the end I believe is in sight and I am so grateful to be able to finally do some things on my own.
Judy
Barb Daniel says
Two and a half weeks ago I sustained a tri- malleolus frracture after tripping on a step about 2 inches high. My depression and my lack of independence is now at an all time high after being in hospital with external fixors for 2 weeks until they could do my surgery. My foot was swollen and refused to budge even with lots of ice. I am home now but everything is so hard to do, my husband is now my carer and has picked up the slack, but there are some things that I don’t like him to do. I am so inspired by your story and recovery and it’s good to know that I will come out the other side. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but I am trying to stay positive. Sending best wishes xx
paleobailey says
Oh Barb, I’m so sorry to hear this – it’s such a hard injury. I totally understand there being some things you just don’t want your husband doing, too! Wishing you all of the best <3
Kristie says
I am so sorry you had to go through this, but it is obvious that you’ve found your strength to handle it. I’ve had multiple foot surgeries and the recovery was very frustrating, but every time I’ve come out stronger and I so appreciate my mobility. Each time my foot has gotten better and I joke that the one with the most surgeries is actually my best foot, so hopefully this ankle will be the strongest in the future. Hopefully a year from now you’ll be back to your old self! I’m also so sorry for your losses in your families. You have a great spirit and you’ll conquer this! Thank you for your great website, my husband and I have loved several of your recipes, especially the Beef and Broccoli. When we ate this last week, my husband looked up at me and said, “Wow, we don’t need to go to a Chinese restaurant.” Score!
paleobailey says
Oh thank you so much for this kind message! I truly appreciate it! <3 - B
Margaret Riffe Holbrook says
I’m 69 years old and had the same trimalleolar fracture surgery. It has been a terrible ordeal. Not even mentioning all of the many setbacks that have happened. My surgery was 5/10 and I still have two areas of the incision line I healed due to skin necrosis from the surgical cast being to tight. Now the lateral plate on the fibula needs to come out because of terrible pain and two screws backing out, poking just under the skin. I can’t get it removed yet because my husband was diagnosed with advanced leukemia during my saga. I have to be halfway able to care for him. Another surgery now would leave six holes in my ankle bone where the screws would be removed, making another equivalent healing regiment until the holes refill with new bone! My ankle would be almost as unstable as the original injury. My husband and I are still grieving the unexpected death of our beloved 34 year old son. I certainly understand depression on top of depression. I am hurting terribly, but my husband is fighting for his life. And I, of course, am fighting with him. I jokingly said to a friend earlier that I now completely understand why horses are shot after breaking a leg. That was even before all the additional circumstances. I keep praying and remembering that I believe in The Great Physician. Prayers for you, too.??♥️??♥️???
paleobailey says
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear this. I know you can get through this, but I also understand how dark and gloomy it can feel while you are getting through it. Thank you for sharing this with me, I’ll be praying for you and your husband <3
Phyllis says
Hello Margaret Riffe Holbrook,
I am wondering how your lateral plate removal went.
I had surgery for bimalleolar fracture on 4/1/2020.
I have a plate and 7 screws on the outside of my right ankle and 2 screws on the inside of my ankle.
It has been 19 weeks since surgery and I am very frustrated.
I have pain in the ankle every day. I still have a significant limp because of the pain and swelling and lack of range of motion.
I can feel some of the screws and the lower edge of the metal plate below my ankle bone.
Did you have issues with the metal plate rubbing on your sneaker or shoe?
How do I know if I need removal of the metal plate in the ankle?
Erin says
I am glad to see you are recovering! I am sorry this happened to you!! I have had a tib/fib fracture of my right ankle as well (I have 2 plates and 8 screws in my ankle) and the depression is REAL! The loss of mobility and independence is devastating! I remember someone bringing me a bowl of cereal in bed and I spilled the milk, and just sat in the puddle sobbing! It is a long road to recovery, but you are handling it like a champ!! I know it has been a long couple of months for you, but you have a great support network, and I do want to say thank you for your openness and honesty through it all. I think it helps you, and maybe someone else going through a rough patch! Sending positive vibes and well wishes ❤️!
paleobailey says
Oh gosh, I SO relate to that story. I had so many moments like that as well. Truly not something I’d wish on anyone and I’m so sorry you experienced it as well! Thank you so much for the kind comment, I appreciate it so much <3 - B
Annie D says
You’ve gone through so much in a short period of time, and for that you are a fierce warrioress! All the continuous healing vibes to you!
paleobailey says
Thank you so much Annie! Your support means so much to me <3
Brooke says
Wow! I am so sorry that you went through all of this, Bailey. I know this has been a particularly difficult and traumatic season in your life, but your determination and outlook are inspiring and I know you are coming back stronger and more resilient than ever. You are really lucky to have such a supportive husband, as I’m sure he is lucky to have you. Sending love. Xx
paleobailey says
Oh, Brooke. Thank you so much for this. You are truly one of the most supportive and encouraging people I know and I appreciate you. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Sending you hugs, and good thoughts for all of the things you’re needing most right now <3
Kath says
Bailey, I’m so glad you are back up & out in the world again (and on IG)! I am so sorry for your losses too, and wish you the best in continued recovery.
paleobailey says
Thank you so much! It’s been a long few months but I’m ready to be back in action! :)) Hugs – B
Jim Tobey says
Hey Paleobailey
I just read your story thanks for the time line I just did last Friday I have my 1st surgery today and the 2nd one next Friday I am a 64 year old male….Your story now tells me what I can expect I am like you very active I umpire baseball games every weekend and ref school basketball games during the week and rec games on week ends So this injury is going to make me vey inactive Just like your story it only gets better..Hell yeah not overnight but over weeks I guess you just let your body do what it wants because the pain will be there today but tomorrow it will be a little less They made the auto parts store but we don’t have the body parts store yet lol
Thanks for sharing your story yours ended and mine is on chapter 1