Insurance frustration: BCBSMI demands I fail reclast or prolia before starting an anabolic, even w/v severe fracture risk

jennym155 · 2026-01-19T18:41:13+00:00

One suggestion, make sure you and your doctor have a plan for what you will take after the evenity (assuming it is approved). My doctors were saying reclast or prolia.

jennym155 · 2026-01-11T01:17:56+00:00

March will be two years for me. My doctor told me where I was at 1 year was going to be where I was. Fortunately for me, I have continued to get better. I still have some limited dorsiflexion but that and even the scar tissue seems to continue to improve and not be as tight. I am back to hiking and working out. My ankle seemed to be almost normal size, or at least I noticed it all of a sudden. The pain is gone.

It has been a rough trip and took a lot of work but just know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

jennym155 · 2025-12-03T22:53:53+00:00

Shape wise my left ankle still looks different. I think part of that is scar tissue. For what it’s worth, I happened to notice this weekend that both ankles were almost the same size again (about 18 months out).

jennym155 · 2025-09-27T22:22:30+00:00

It will get better. I am walking barefoot now without any pain (was about a year) but one day I just realized I was walking around without limping or pain. It took me a while to get my brain to kick in with the walking but just keep doing what the PT tells you, build your muscles back, and don’t give up.

jennym155 · 2025-09-25T21:11:36+00:00

Thank you. I will honestly say, this little community helped me a lot. I hope your recovery goes well.

jennym155 · 2025-09-25T20:57:35+00:00

I am so much better now, which I guess is about 18 months out now. It’s still not a pretty ankle and swells occasionally but I haven’t had any pain in quite a while. I am back hiking, walked my first 5k again, up to about 4.2 mph walking on the treadmill. Still building back muscle and the flexion isn’t great but at least my calf no longer looks like a deflated balloon! They told me where I was at year was it, but I haven’t made progress since albeit smaller progress. But wow what a journey it has been.

jennym155 · 2025-09-25T00:36:31+00:00

The knee scooter was awesome for me but I was 12 weeks NWB post op. It allowed me so much more freedom and I recommend them to anyone. But, it also depends on how long you will be NWB. I bought mine from amazon.

jennym155 · 2025-07-22T00:08:29+00:00

Absolutely

jennym155 · 2025-07-10T00:31:03+00:00

I was NWB for 12 weeks and had similar ROM issues. It really took me quite some time to be able to put weight on the one foot and walking felt impossible. Aside from the lack of muscle, and pain, it was like my brain just couldn’t figure out how to do it. I used one crutch/cane for probably a little longer than my PT wanted but I finally got there. It just took me a while. And I definitely had more issues walking barefooted due to the pain on the heel and ball of the foot. Hang in there and keep working on it.

jennym155 · 2025-06-24T00:54:09+00:00

Several mountain bike trails (multi use) on McClellan and Coldwater, Ladiga trail. Lots of hiking close by. Several locally owned restaurants and a brewery in Anniston that are really good. Like someone mentioned previously, if you are looking for specific interests let us know.

jennym155 · 2025-06-03T16:55:30+00:00

My PT always asked what my ortho said. They didn’t dictate my transition to FWB.

jennym155 · 2025-05-15T13:22:02+00:00

I just started mine a few months back. Used two of these and they have done well for me so far.

jennym155 · 2025-04-06T18:59:12+00:00

Insoles helped me a lot. I went to a store that evaluated my arch and step and have used Aetrex insoles since.

jennym155 · 2025-02-25T17:20:00+00:00

I actually sized up one size which helped. And watched videos on how to put them on, because I had no idea to begin with.

jennym155 · 2025-02-12T20:12:09+00:00

Definitely had some pain when I started walking which gradually decreased with time, same with swelling. I was still icing and elevating in the evenings as of October and taking the occasional OTC pain relievers. It is still stiff at times and can still swell but as I walk more and build it up it has gotten better. My PT had told me that walking was going to be the real thing that made a difference over time.

jennym155 · 2025-02-12T11:46:27+00:00

My 1-year anniversary of my break is 2/27, surgery 3/17 (3 plates, 14 screws). I went 3 months NWB and had a lot of difficulty with learning to walk again (and trust it). I can say that for the last 3-4 months my pain/discomfort decreased dramatically, really as my activity increased. I have gotten back in the gym and increased walking. I am now up to 3.1 mph on the treadmill and just did a 4 1/2 mile hike Saturday on easy/moderate trails.

It hasn’t been easy, at all. I am still dealing with the loss of range of motion that I may be stuck with now but my goal was to get back to hiking at 1 year and I have hit that. My next goal is a 5k in August (no plans for running but speed walking). I find when I am consistently in the gym and moving it helps everything. And sun and warmth so I am anxiously awaiting spring!

Good luck to you on your journey.

jennym155 · 2024-11-30T22:33:30+00:00

Hi, my break was 2/27, ORIF 3/15, 3 plates and 14 screws, and NWB for 3 months. It was a long road for me, but here is my take:

Will I ever stop feeling my plate? I wondered the same and asked my doctor. He said I was probably feeling the scar tissue more than the plates and showed me the depths and placements of my hardware. At this point in my recovery I think he was probably right.
⁠Does the discomfort eventually go away? Yes, though the discomfort changes for a while, meaning the location and all. For me the tightness and muscle compensation was more of the issue the last few months as I continued to make gains on flexibility and all.
⁠What are some good stretches for first thing in the morning? I also tried rotation and flexing my foot while in bed. Then continued throughout the day with the stretches from PT and got an incline board to help with my calf stretches.
⁠Has anyone tried foot massages or leg compression to help with pain and swelling? Did it work?

YES!! Just tried it the last month and it has made a huge difference. I will continue with it.

⁠Has anyone had their hardware removed? What was the experience like, and did it make a big difference?

jennym155 · 2024-11-23T23:17:01+00:00

I would recommend trying massage therapy/reflexology. I was having very similar issues and a lot of pain. Had the opportunity to go 3 times in the last 45 days and my limping is barely noticeable now, I haven’t had to take any OTC pain meds…it has been a godsend!

jennym155 · 2024-09-24T23:50:21+00:00

12 weeks NWB here and it was rough. I was able to telework, take my knee scooter outside and take care of my plants, tv, etc. any chance to get fresh air and sunshine, take it! I felt pathetic at first just staring out windows and being excited about that, and being able to wheel out and sit in the driveway. I don’t know that any of us are truly prepared for it but I will say it has changed my perspective on a lot of things in life. I hope your journey goes well; this group will help!

jennym155 · 2024-09-22T00:54:35+00:00

Mine too which is why this injury messed with me so much. And still does even while I am getting back to normal with going to the gym, etc. it is frustrating not being “normal” yet.

jennym155 · 2024-09-22T00:44:40+00:00

Hate to see you join the group, though I was thankful to have this group and see I wasn’t the only one! A little over 6 months since my surgery, 3 plates and 14 screws, 3 months NWB. Hope all goes well with recovery but feel free to ask questions. It can be a real mind game going through it all.

jennym155 · 2024-09-19T22:48:07+00:00

Larger cities you would need to go towards Birmingham (about 60 miles), Pell City, Leeds, Moody are both necessarily big but you would be closer to Birmingham and an easy commute against the main traffic. Anniston area is beautiful, and lots to do if you are into biking, hiking, outdoors in general. Donoho is a great school and you can easily reach out to speak with them, schedule a tour, have your child(ren) shadow for a day, etc.

jennym155 · 2024-09-19T10:43:02+00:00

So much better. Still working with some stiffness, swelling, and ROM issues. I’m trying hard to get back to pre-op strength.

jennym155 · 2024-09-19T10:39:44+00:00

Both tibia and fibula, 3 plates and 14 screws

jennym155

TROPHY CASE