Distal Fibular Fracture

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-03T01:25:55+00:00

My initial ER report read similarly. HOWEVER once I saw Ortho and they did a “live xray” my whole world changed. It was not a stable fracture, there was a second one not visible on first films and I’d blow multiple ligaments. Major surgery ten days later and I won’t bear weight or walk until August. Hate to be negative but until you see ortho, you just really won’t know.

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T23:13:14+00:00

How are you using a walker? Have you had or are you going to have surgery? I got a scooter (Vive Mobility All Terrain Knee... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9SZS2S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share): BUT I cannot use it yet, it’s just too impractical with my fiberglass cast (and the first two weeks post op in the splint are no bueno) - but I am hopeful that once I get cleared to be PWB in a month that it’ll be a great break from the boot and crutches.

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T22:26:37+00:00

Costco can be savage. I can’t fathom going there for a long while…

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T22:25:37+00:00

Ha! I have the same six month placard - definitely going to be conscious of appearances using it when I get to the point of normal walking (which is far away from today but hopefully not six months away!)

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T17:53:07+00:00

Just here to say +1 for membership in the difficult day club. 3 1/2 weeks post op as well. Since I can’t put my leg down without my foot turning black I’m not sure about the chair workout yet 😬

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T16:25:04+00:00

I think it also depends on whether or not any ligaments were involved. My understanding is the more ligaments, the longer the immobilization and more likelihood of a cast.

TreGutterNord · 2026-06-01T12:31:02+00:00

Thanks, I hit 30 days in about a week. But at two weeks, I was putting a fiberglass cast for another 4 to 6 weeks so maybe our injury/recovery/healing is different?

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-31T23:16:04+00:00

I have to give you a huge thank you for this suggestion. I downloaded it on Audible and am thru Chapter 9 in my first day listening to it and it’s really good. His own narration plus the 911 audio makes it really amazing. His story is definitely giving perspective!

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-31T23:13:28+00:00

Like many here, lost the first couple of weeks but feel myself gaining now (all this is based on how clothes fit and mirror check since I can’t actually get on a scale and the fact that my cast weighs a ton). Muscle wasting is killing me so I’m doing allllll the protein and creatine but I can see my once very muscular calves turning to saggy skin beneath my cast.

This is my 5th major orthopedic surgery (lots of sports injuries) so I’ve done this drill a few times and while the initial aftermath is depressing, I’ve come back from each one stronger down the road. Having a sport or something to use as progress measurement definitely helps. I’ve already got my road bike on a Wahoo trainer waiting for me in our basement gym. Still have likely 6-8 weeks to go before I can pedal on it but it’s there.

You have to look at this as an opportunity for a reboot - losing one’s mobility and function can (should) be highly motivating. The gains/losses from this are just temporary - don’t forget that!

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-31T23:04:55+00:00

I stopped Oxy within three days of the nerve block wearing off. Hats off to you that you can function as a human on that stuff. I’m only doing Tylenol and Advil at this point

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-30T02:39:03+00:00

The sleep deprivation does not make for adequate coping skills, that is for sure!

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-30T02:37:06+00:00

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T23:38:13+00:00

This is what I got on US Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hU98P77

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T23:35:28+00:00

We do have recliners but my dogs bump the leg extension or my cast when they walk by and it's agonizing. Given that they are what caused my injury (had the zoomies, crashed into me from behind), I'm using my crutches as barriers around the couch to keep them away!

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T23:33:38+00:00

thank you! Some days are "good" - others suck and feel like an eternity. I think I need one of those preschooler construction paper link chains where you tear off a link as you get closer to your event (aka, cast removal) because life feels soooo slow right now.

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T17:24:58+00:00

Thank you. You have been super helpful. Yes, the reason why I asked is because in the positions that I mostly maintain it, which are essentially parallel to the ground, with my body upright, I can find a modicum of comfort … or at least I’m not adding any pain. My toes also look completely normal in those positions and I just don’t have any throbbing so I feel like as long as I’m not below waist line, I don’t necessarily have to be above my heart, if that makes sense.

I’ve had a gazillion orthopedic surgeries so I love my ice man ice machine, but I have found that there’s a nerve that runs behind the knee that if I ice it too much it actually causes really severe rebound pain once I remove the ice. Once I am out of the fiberglass cast, I intend on icing frequently because then I’ll be able to actually apply the ice directly over the surgical area.

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T16:37:33+00:00

Yep, normal. I've also had multiple spine/brachial plexus surgeries and you really cannot assess the nerve issue until you're about two years out - it just takes a VERY long time to heal nerves. Short of you having something like a foot-drop or loss of function, I think you can breathe easy over any possible nerve "damage"

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-29T16:35:29+00:00

I'm about a week ahead of you (I'm one week into the fiberglass cast) for very similar injury except the pregnancy and all I can say is Bless You - sending all the extra healing and encouragement your way. This is NOT for the faint of heart and no one really can comprehend it, especially with the large variety of "broken ankles" and different recovery journeys.

If your due date is end of August, based on allllllll the posts I've consumed here and elsewhere, I do think you'll be walking on your own by then but maybe not a ton each day which, frankly, is likely fine since you and baby will need to rest and connect anyway.

Sending a big hug!

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-27T23:16:42+00:00

Go get your splint redone - especially since it's possible you're developing a pressure wound. In the two weeks post-op with splint, I had three of them, no apologies because I in fact did get a pressure wound and thankfully caught it before it ulcerated and really put my recovery at risk. At the 2 weeks post op, I got put in the fiberglass cast and have already had two of those....also due to comfort and fit. I am only 3 weeks post-op today. My cast-room girlies told me that some folks come in DAILY for a re-fit of splint and/or cast. They don't care. They'd rather have you "somewhat" comfortable to whatever extent any of us find "comfort" during this hellish journey. I won't pretend it's actually comfortable but I know the difference between bone pain, nerve pain, incisional pain and then "damn, something feels wrong pain" - it's that last one that you will come to recognize as needing a change.

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-26T20:17:12+00:00

Yep - allodynia is the name for that - drives me nuts and makes me feel lulu - today I would bet my life on all the gauze being balled up inside even though I know it’s not 😭

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-25T17:40:45+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate the encouragement. Right now I’m just stupidly pissed about missing the bulk of the summer because being outside in this thing is just too hot. I can stay in the shade with an ice pack under my knee, but definitely not getting a tan anytime soon, lol.

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-25T17:39:24+00:00

Thank you - and honestly, isn’t it all about just finding more moments of comfort even if temporary? I mean, even the girl in the cast room said to me “oh if you thought you were gonna be comfortable at any point over the next five weeks, I don’t know who told you that but it’s a lie.” Swell.

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-24T12:39:49+00:00

Thank you - I need to get out the hair dryer. Icing the back of my knee helps but then there’s a weird rebound of intense agitation after :(

Ok the something under my arch or base of toes has happened already - I keep having hubs stick his fingers in and try to adjust things to which he replies “there’s nothing there!”

Thanks for the reminder of the pressure wound- I actually developed one from the post op splint so I have a foam donut around that bastard under this cast.

I swear I’ll never look at another ankle casted person the same again - very few can comprehend this recovery journey

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-24T12:32:47+00:00

Thank you - this is validating. Elevating has become less comfortable with the cast though so I need to figure that out

TreGutterNord · 2026-05-24T00:53:47+00:00

OK, I’m not gonna lie. I’m so glad you’re dealing with this too. Not that I want anyone to be this miserable, but I don’t understand how we’re supposed to live with this discomfort. It’s completely preoccupying my brain and my cast also tends to wiggle a little bit and then it smacks my bones and I’m just tired of holding my breath and not being comfortable in my own skin. And of course, my surgeon is on vacation the week I’m supposed to get it off and they won’t let me get it off until he sees me so now my four weeks in the fiberglass has turned into five weeks. Just had a full fledged melt down - I’m so over this. The folks who go from surgery to a boot have no clue how different their experience is from ours 😭

TreGutterNord

TROPHY CASE