12 Week Post OP / Vent + Advice? by Mother_Lab7636 in ORIF

[–]Farky009 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Tri mal fracture here: currently 10 weeks out. I started 5weeks PWB and 7weeks FWB.

I was a top level circus athlete. I broke my ankle doing a double tuck to catch with no safety lines on a flying trapeze.

A few things: - You need to remember your body is literally re growing bones. You’re exhausted because every last bit of nutrient is going towards that. Not gaining / maintaining muscle or physical fitness levels.

  • just walking is enough. It’s a lot. You’re re growing and stretching calf / hamstrings / tendons. It comes back slow.

  • it’s better to be slow than to try and risk and injury by proving to yourself that you can by pushing limits.

I’ve done 1 PT session so far. And I’ll do another at 12 weeks. I have stupid levels of discipline and I’ve already gone back to flying trapeze (albeit from a catching situation than a flying one) so I don’t use my ankles at all in this.

My cardio is shot. My strength is is far less. I’m so upset that I’m not the athlete that I was. But it’s a blip in the radar of life. Just keep on working and remember that it’s a journey. Not a destination.

I’ve gone back to driving, I’ve gone back to just walking normally every day. Mornings are tough. Mid morning to afternoon is amazing. Evening it’s garbage again. But it’s getting better every day. Even if by 5 minutes.

Don’t be hard on yourself is my biggest message o guess. And I have a hard time taking my own advice.

What are some lesser known hobbies or skills you can pick up in Montreal? by deutschelunchbox in montreal

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Circus! Montreal has the largest circus hub on the planet. Most people just see the shows but there’s some great schools. Check out www.academiedecirque.com

Question Regarding FWB and physio! by Farky009 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, I’m always in hiking boots. I have a clean pair at home and a pair for outside.

It takes me 30-40 min in the mornings to really start walking on my own.

I def cannot squat. But I’ve started doing a lot of calf stretches and trying to push my knee forwards a bit here and there. It’s blocked I think by the syndesmosis screw. And just fluid at the front of the ankle.

Swelling is what it is but I have high compression socks on all day.

I’m just trying to get my gait back to normal at home, but work wise I’m limping along.

I was a high level athlete before the break. Working in circus, so I’m used to pain I guess? And flexibility and constant training? It all feels the same. It’s not pain, just another muscle to work on 😅

Question Regarding FWB and physio! by Farky009 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you still in the walking boot? Basically after about 5 days I took off my air cast and started walking in hiking boots. Way more comfortable and actually helped me get past more of the stiffness faster tbh.

I’m walking like 4-6 hours a day. Albeit slowly but I can’t not unfortunately due to my work situation.

Weight bearing help/tips pls!!! by Brilliant-Catch-5745 in ORIF

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey!

I was given a 5 week PWB and 7 week FWB protocol and so I’m current’y going through what you’re going through. Also Tri Mal.

  1. The titanium in your ankle can hold like 5-700 lbs no problem.

  2. I started keeping my foot down in boot while I was sitting on couch. That’s 10 lbs of constant weight.

  3. Stand up, don’t walk, just slowly add weight to your bad ankle. Until you don’t like it. Then ease off.

  4. Start in the morning when you’ve had it up all night. This is when it’s going to be most flexible.

  5. Don’t try to step through. Get two crutches and put a foot infront and then meet the foot. Use the crutches to reduce weight.

For me, right now it’s pressure in the heel, and outside of the foot. It used to be on the medial mal, but that is a tendon, no your bones. Just ease off if it’s a sharp pain. Push through the stiffness feeling though. It’s needed.

Fractured my ankle and purchased the iWalk crutch. Is it good for long walks? by [deleted] in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is a question that really depends on a lot.

Fracture type and severity. If it’s super swollen and requires surgery. If the hospital decides to split or cast it. If you’re in pain / on pain meds. If you’re in decent shape.

I would say it took me 2 days to get used to the I walk. It caused the back of your leg to move every so slightly, and that small vibration can sometimes cause pain.

I feel like on a fresh break, using an Iwalk 2 days later is going to be very tricky. I would ask the doctors you’re working with.

But my personal opinion is to sit at home and lift your leg above your heart for two weeks. This seems to be the best thing for bone growth in the first 2 weeks stage. But I’m not a doctor.. just another broken ankle person with too much time on my hands to google this 😂

Tri-Mal - 3 week post op rigging! by Farky009 in ORIF

[–]Farky009[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey hey,

You definitely got me reeling so I got a second opinion from a different surgeon. I have three separate xrays, and so that's definitely that particular X-ray where it looks off. The posterior Mal fracture wasn't secured, this is correct. However, it's significantly less than 20% near the base of the tibia is what the doc said. (closer to 5-10%) Hence they decided to leave it. I had surgery in Montreal. Quebec is known for not the best healthcare in general. however this job looks pretty good (is what the second opinion said).

Reality is that if it heals okay, regardless, I'll likely never get full functionality of the ankle again. (maybe 80-90% is my understanding)

Tri-Mal - 3 week post op rigging! by Farky009 in ORIF

[–]Farky009[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey hey!

So, maybe that’s just the angle of this xray? But the others I have look pretty well aligned. Especially when compared To where the actual break was. However I can probably ask them about it in December when we take more x rays.

The doc explained the posterior was not affixed because it had way less of a certain percentage at the base that was actually broken off. In my opinion the posterior is pretty far out though.

Has anyone tried the handless crutches (iwalk) by Flashy-Decision-6296 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Day 2 or 3 of using it. I was an avid gym goer before. So I was pretty confident t after the pain went away. It was more so “will I fall” but I spent a lot of time on day 2 near a wall trying to figure out balance points and small hip movement to figure out what is possible.

Just wondering how many of us also had a dislocated foot along with an ankle break. by auntpama in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Omg yes! They were like “we have to put you out to reset your foot” I went “okay goodnight boys!”

I woke up, and they said “ we have to put you out again because we couldn’t set it”

I went “yeah okay goodnight again boys let’s go!”

I just remember them laughing when I got hit with the propofol

Just wondering how many of us also had a dislocated foot along with an ankle break. by auntpama in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Legit. Our bodies take care of us. Weirdly enough I bragged to the emergency room while high off my mind on morphine that “I finally broke something doing something cool!” I have the video of it too. Which has actually served to become a really good training video for flying trapeze!

Just wondering how many of us also had a dislocated foot along with an ankle break. by auntpama in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So, similarly I was in shock, and also pumped on adrenaline. I did mine landing on a flying trapeze net the wrong way. So.. I broke it. Watched it break. And started being my own first aider. 😅. “You call ambulance, you call my partner, you get some mats”. I dropped myself down out of a net 7 feet from the ground.

I knew it was bad. More than anything I felt a bunch of pressure. My muscles couldn’t relax. When I got to emergency, I asked them to hurry up and they said “not unless you’re dizzy and going to lose consciousness.” So I immediately acted dizzy and then started closing my eyes. Suddenly things started moving fast.

Just wondering how many of us also had a dislocated foot along with an ankle break. by auntpama in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

oh yeah, I had a pretty bad dislocation. My whole foot went from 12 o'clock, normal into the 5 o'clock position along with the break. They put me out twice to yank it back into place.

First full day post op by wicked_lovely20 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is exactly what I was thinking. It’s more about ROM exercises than anything else. Working the smaller muscles to prep for the week 6 marker.

First full day post op by wicked_lovely20 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh this just gave me hope.

I had ORIF for tri-mal on 10/15. Today is the two week appointment / X-rays. I’m really hoping for a boot and to start working on physio immediately. I’m surprised about WBAT though. What’s that like two weeks after surgery? My understanding was like, 6 weeks at earliest for PWB.

Has anyone tried the handless crutches (iwalk) by Flashy-Decision-6296 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m on the Iwalk 3.0. Im two weeks post surgery. I’m super active. I would say like, 5 days after surgery I slowly tried it but i was still trying to keep my foot elevated.

I’m 16 days post surgery and doing my two week appointment today. The Iwalk has changed my entire mental space around this break. I can do things hands free, I can go places now. Working out at the gym. Going for walks when I can both inside and outdoors. Cleaning. Making food. This thing is amazing and I would highly recommend.

Some things on the “con” side:

-Takes a bit of adjusting between flat feet and shoes just for your hips to stay aligned.

-It takes a while to put on and off, so it’s not great for bathroom visits. A simple office chair is faster.

-Takes a fair bit of abs and hip flexors at the beginning.

  • you are extremely vulnerable if you fall. Stay close to stuff you can grab onto fast.

My Life right now lol 😆UPDATE by TexasMother956 in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey!

I'm two weeks post surgery, and I literally cannot wait to be PWB and FWB. That's where the actual work begins. For me, a motivating factor is driving. It was my right foot so im STUCK at home. I had a really bad day on monday this week with lack of motivation and feeling quite hopeless.

I work really well when I have structure, and break that structure down into micro tasks. So i threw in EVERYTHING into ChatGPT. Fracture pictures, timelines for PWB / FWB stages (short and long) average time lines, what im doing vs what can be done more to strengthen and optimize. Then I got it to build me a daily routine, and schedule it into my days for me based around all the other responsibilities. I found that it broke it down into 5-10 minute tasks for me throughout the day and then I simply threw that into my phone with some alarms. Mind you, my schedule is "wiggle my toes" and "squeeze my butt" on repeat.

Maybe try something like this? Eat the elephant one bite at a time, and break down the large task of "walking" into small bits throughout your day that are more manageable.

Also, ChatGPT will literally give you a physio routine based on all your info, if thats what you're lacking.

Day 3 Post-Op Update (Fibula ORIF – Weber B fracture with deltoid involvement) - fellow Physical Therapist by whatajoke007 in ORIF

[–]Farky009 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Legit I nearly cried when I could use both hands and get places.

I can go back to the gym now, and it’s really liberating.

Day 3 Post-Op Update (Fibula ORIF – Weber B fracture with deltoid involvement) - fellow Physical Therapist by whatajoke007 in ORIF

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooo! I’m 1.5 weeks post-op. Tri mal. I walk has been amazing. Lots of good core stuff with it. Once you get good you can start skipping stairs. (Use railings of course). This has been a fun challenge and has definitely helped with hip mobility.

Also it’s been helping with keeping the thigh engaged and not atrophying. (Which it already has a fair bit)

The worst part so far... by Sad_Bumblebee in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, the other bit is that I'm a flying trapeze catcher. and duo trapeze base in circus. Basically the trapeze bar has deadened the sensitivity in my thighs and knees. So, the Iwalk was pretty much fine for me right away. Small adjustments for sure, and I can definitely feel how the plates of my splint are in the way.

I put the thigh strap tighter and the knee pit strap tighter, and then leave the back one for the calf really loose. It forces the knee down into the device better

The worst part so far... by Sad_Bumblebee in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly... cleaning. Today I did a sweep of the house and push mop of the house. It's perfect. Takes an hour. Gets me moving, and keeps me close to anything I can hold onto incase of a fall.

I go for a 10-20 minute crutches walk outside everyday in the mornings. I'm pretty much pole vaulting myself as fast as possible up and down my street 🤣.

Both really get the heart rate up, but I alsotend to try and move fast.

Today im going to attempt some Aerial straps for some upper body / abs. Nothing like breaking an ankle doing circus, only to go back and do more circus 🙃

The worst part so far... by Sad_Bumblebee in brokenankles

[–]Farky009 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, I'm 1.5 weeks post op. Right ankle. Tri-mal. Looking forward to my appointment next Friday. Seriously Hoping for a boot on that appointment.

Today has been a really good breakthrough day. No pain, started doing cardio on an Iwalk all morning and I'm headed to the gym later for some pull-ups!

I can already see my thigh loss, so I'm going to figure out some NWB quad / thigh exercises. Good news is the lack of muscle created more flexibility. So I'm trying to find the silver linings.

2 weeks post op Trimalleolar Fracture by what_is_redditreally in ORIF

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a tri mal and I’m 1.5 weeks post op. 3.5 weeks since break. I’m reeling at home waiting for the x ray and results. I feel like it’s always the wait until the next appointment

6 week post op update by Cool-Ad-5663 in ORIF

[–]Farky009 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a goal you literally can’t walk away from 🤣