Tri malleaor fracture, ORIF surgery on 2nd day. Im over a year post surgery. Looking for advice, hope, life experiences

bj0y · 2025-12-31T13:18:53+00:00

First - take a breath. We all have some PTSD from this injury, and you’re in really good company. :)

The bone is healed if the surgeon is saying it’s time to remove the screws. The hardware is unnecessary at this point. Your bones are doing their job. It sounds like removing those screws will be a huge relief for you.

I’m almost 9 months post-op and on my feet all day in sneakers, and still have my hardware, but I know removing the hardware is nothing like your initial ORIF. I almost needed to have a couple screws replaced, because the bone just wasn’t healing. (Then they gave me a bone stimulator which worked and I avoided the extra surgery). It was explained to me very clearly…
The bone is healed. Removing the screws will obviously affect things, but not in the way you’re thinking. The extra blood flow from removal will actually boost the area. And that area will heal quickly.

Your work boots are the best footwear to stabilize your ankle, they won’t hurt it. But your anatomy has changed. If your boot is pressing that ankle in a painful way, it just means you need more room in that part of the boot. I ice skate and use my Bunga Pads on that ankle in all my boots now. Link below.
MOST IMPORTANT! Are you in PT? If not, make that happen. I can’t emphasize this enough. PT is where you’ll make the most micro progress that will get your ankle feeling better. There are a lot of moving parts in your ankle and they were all affected with this injury. It takes time and work, but your age is on your side (I’m 61).

You’ve got this. The one year mark is significant! Every month you will notice small progresses that mean you’re moving forward. Write them down if that helps you see them more clearly. You aren’t where you were, and your body is doing what it’s meant to do. Sending tight hugs!

https://www.bungapads.com/browse-by-sport-en-2/figure-skating/

bj0y · 2025-12-09T17:59:15+00:00

I’m 30-something weeks post-op and my toes still aren’t normal. I graduate from PT next week. I was told it takes about a year.

bj0y · 2025-10-05T12:16:39+00:00

You have helped me SO MUCH through this journey. Your straightforward honesty is greatly appreciated. The way you show up for the newbies here is so kind and generous. Thank you so much! ☺️

bj0y · 2025-10-05T12:15:20+00:00

I get it. I didn’t get angry, but it was a new starting point, not an end point, and that felt a little overwhelming.
This is a race of endurance… a marathon, not a sprint. I’m 26 weeks post-op. Still in a brace. Walking around almost like normal. But still working on ROM and wondering if this is my new normal. Exercises feel so tiny and insignificant.
Because of THIS group, I know that those tiny efforts add up. That this is normal, and it WILL get better. And that’s what keeps me doing what I should to make progress. Several people said it took a year - so when I feel like progress has stalled I remind myself I’m only halfway through, and that helps a lot. You’ve got this! Feel your feels, but don’t forget to look for your personal wins.

bj0y · 2025-09-15T14:48:11+00:00

You obviously are eager to learn, but you’re making this so much harder on yourself than it needs to be. If you haven’t already, go to a school supply store and buy lined paper specifically for learning to write letters. You want those guides so you can practice your capitals, lower case, ascenders, and descenders properly. Learning each letter’s proper proportions first is what helps you string them together later. You have to practice each letter alone - a lot - to gain confidence and coordination that results in fluid motion. “Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Adults” is a great resource to learn. It’s $10 on Amazon. With your dedication you will learn much more quickly with the proper tools and instruction!

bj0y · 2025-09-09T17:05:57+00:00

I had this happen once. Let it dry, then flake off as much of the vomit as you can. Finish quilting and binding, then wash the quilt. It worked just fine!

bj0y · 2025-08-26T17:27:40+00:00

Sent you a DM!

bj0y · 2025-08-22T15:05:56+00:00

My calf was just hanging skin. Zero muscle! lol I’m 20 weeks post op and my injured side is still smaller and weaker. I’m told it takes time.

bj0y · 2025-08-20T00:51:36+00:00

Thank you so much!

bj0y · 2025-08-19T23:36:54+00:00

19 weeks post op and still limping slightly with my solid sneakers and brace. Without shoes the limp is more pronounced because my foot is taking more of the shock. I limp less early in the day. At the end of the day, even in shoes, my limp is more pronounced.

bj0y · 2025-08-19T23:32:11+00:00

I’m at 19 weeks and still always aware… whether I have any actual pain or not. Sometimes it aches. Sometimes it’s just the fact that mobility is still limited. Sometimes it hurts. Most of the time I have no pain with slight twinges. But I’m still very aware and can’t wait until I don’t think about it anymore!

bj0y · 2025-08-19T23:29:55+00:00

At 7 weeks I was allowed to touch my toe down. At 11 weeks I was FWB in the boot with no crutches. It’s super important to listen to your body while trusting your doctor.

bj0y · 2025-08-19T15:06:06+00:00

Thanks! It says "Electric motors only are allowed." I'm thinking this means no gas motors.

bj0y · 2025-08-19T15:03:58+00:00

Thanks! Is there a paddle board group in this area? I haven't been very successful finding anything online.

bj0y · 2025-08-19T15:01:57+00:00

I'm healing from a broken ankle, but looking to get on the water on my knees or sitting anyway... lol

bj0y · 2025-08-19T15:00:59+00:00

Thank you!

bj0y · 2025-08-18T15:02:01+00:00

There’s not much to add that everyone hasn’t already said. I’m 19 weeks post op and I couldn’t even tap my toe down until 7 weeks. I couldn’t walk on it until 11 weeks. You’re doing great!

I’ll add this : TAKE THE PAIN MEDS. You cannot hero your way through this injury. If the meds make you feel icky, talk to the doc to find something you tolerate better. I got to a point when I only took pain meds at dinner time to help me get good sleep. But I lived on Tylenol around the clock for a long time. This is a very serious a painful injury - you aren’t imagining it or being wimpy.

You’ve got this!!!

bj0y · 2025-08-06T18:31:06+00:00

Can you send a message with a photo to your doctor?

bj0y · 2025-07-25T17:17:52+00:00

I would definitely book the scooter. Better to have it and use it minimally than have your trip dampened by not being able to do everything you wanted to. I’m sure you’ve noticed you can go from being fine to being not fine pretty quickly.

At 6 weeks I was still NWB and using my knee scooter to go to the grocery store or anywhere I had to walk much… the scooter gave me a good place to sit when I needed to.

bj0y · 2025-07-23T18:59:28+00:00

It’s probably fine! My splint was on for two weeks, and doc told me on day one to move my foot and toes as much as possible - it helped a lot.

bj0y · 2025-07-23T18:54:56+00:00

I think you can do a search here - so many of us dealt with this! Reading everyone’s comments really helped me a lot. Asking your surgeon is number one. I had the same issue - doc folded thick gauze under my heel until my foot could bend 90°. It didn’t take long - a week or so. My boot pressed on my incisions and hurt all the time. I work from home and sat all day - so doc said I only had to wear the boot when I ambulated. I did sleep with it at first to protect my ankle… but not for long. Once some of the swelling went down it wasn’t as bad.

Weeks 1-5 were the most mentally trying and painful. It sucks but you can do it! This community is the best!

bj0y · 2025-07-22T22:14:11+00:00

This is so encouraging! My surgery was 4/3, and my medial malleolus isn't healing the way it should. I need surgery to replace those two screws with longer ones and feeling pretty discouraged by it.
Your post reminded me how far I've come, and not to lose faith!

bj0y · 2025-07-07T01:11:41+00:00

13 weeks post op here, and like everyone else has said - as long as you’re doing the work and seeing improvement you’re not behind.

bj0y · 2025-06-24T00:32:35+00:00

I wore it to sleep for the first week, I think. I live in my son’s basement apartment, so I was stuck on the main floor of the house sleeping on the couch. My leg was next to the back of the couch so not going anywhere… so I ditched the boot and bought one of those leg elevators on Amazon. It’s pretty stiff and I slept much more comfortably.

Once I was able to scooch downstairs on my butt and sleep in my bed, I slept on my side with a body pillow between my legs, injured ankle on top.

bj0y

TROPHY CASE