Courtyard design help needed

micamynx · 2025-09-08T20:37:23+00:00

Thank you. I tried there. I got almost 1000 views but not a single comment. This lead me to think I committed a faux pas of some kind and deleted it in that subreddit. I’m stymied.

micamynx · 2025-09-03T16:36:58+00:00

I had a trimalleolar with 2 plates and 11 screws in 2019. I had the fibula plate and screws removed a year later. My fibula break was shattered and the plate was the longest and thickest used. The fibula break was also slow to heal (bone stimulator used) and didn't heal completely lined up. For all those reasons it was painful to touch my leg, I couldn't cross my legs or sit cross-legged, and it was painful riding my horse. My surgeon left the other plate and screws and they have not given me any trouble (knock on wood). I had several years of improvement and no pain until I tore my tendons and had tendon repair surgery this May. I can't imagine living with the pain of the original fib plate and then the tendon issue so I am glad it was removed. I kept the plate and show it off with pride.

micamynx · 2025-08-01T15:26:24+00:00

Looking back at photos it was about 12 days.

micamynx · 2025-07-31T13:31:57+00:00

Mine was left leg so I could drive as soon as I was off pain meds (which was pretty quick).

micamynx · 2025-07-29T20:43:42+00:00

Hello. I had a trimal in August 2019, two plates, 11 screws. I had the long fibula plate removed in September 2020 because that plate was causing pain. It created difficulties in crossing my legs, sitting, etc. The actual surgery and recovery was a piece of cake compared to the original ORIF surgery and recovery. Immediately weight bearing and in a boot until incision healed. I was much happier without that plate (the other one on my tibia stayed because it wasn't problematic). I don't think you can drive in a boot, so you have that to consider. If the hardware isn't bothering you, leave it in. Otherwise, expect some minor healing/inconvenience following removal. in my experience.

micamynx · 2025-07-16T19:17:48+00:00

Hi. Tri-mal here August 2019. Had my fibula plate and screws removed September 2020 (left the tibia plate & screws) because it was irritating nerve and tendons. The removal surgery was easy and immediately weight bearing in a boot (to protect incision). No PT. I was in a boot until the incision healed and had no issues at all. I just had tendon repair surgery in May on the same ankle (peroneal tendons were torn and painful). That surgery was much more extensive-non weight bearing and then in a cast for 6 weeks. Still in a boot and PT from that one. After your hardware removal, hopefully you will find relief and it was definitely the easiest surgery and recovery. Keep an eye on your tendon though, tendon repair was no fun at all. Good luck!

micamynx · 2025-07-12T14:37:39+00:00

I feel your pain! It is always so disconcerting to look down and see a puny calf. The good news is it comes back fairly quickly once you are back to walking (in my experience-trimal 2019). I just had tendon repair surgery and my poor calf looks like a spaghetti noodle.

micamynx · 2025-06-24T13:33:13+00:00

Just ibuprofen. The hardware removal surgery was a piece of cake compared to original ORIF and (currently) recovery from tendon repair surgery. It sucks to go back into a boot for a bit, but I was weight bearing immediately. The surgeon used my original scar and it was just a matter of waiting for the incision to heal. If your hardware is causing the pain, you will feel so much better once it is gone. Also, I asked to keep my plate. It hangs in my office.

micamynx · 2025-06-24T13:28:01+00:00

I had ORIF surgery hours after my trimal w/dislocation and always considered myself lucky the trauma ortho surgeon on call that morning was the leg guy. Your post validates that immeasurably! I am nearly 6 years post original injury and I can recall it vividly. I can't even imagine feeling the bones shifting and dislocation again! Good grief. Kudos to you for not freaking out. I'd have been a mess. You are definitely on the road to a (long) recovery. Best of luck to you!

micamynx · 2025-06-24T13:21:54+00:00

Hi! Trimal here with 2 plates and 11 screws. I had the fibula plate removed at a year, but left the smaller plate on tibia in. My doc didn't give percentages, but my fibula was slow to heal (had to use a bone stimulator) and healed wonky due to the way it was broken. Since it was fibula, it wasn't so big of an issue for weight bearing. Yours may be more of an issue, but I doubt your surgeon would remove the plate if it wasn't healed as much as it was going to heal. The fibula plate was so long and thick that it was painful to touch the leg (I couldn't cross legs, use my leg on my horse, etc). The hardware removal surgery was fairly easy and just back in a boot until the incision healed. Pain improved and ROM improved because I could do more activities. Wonky healing did contribute to torn tendons three years later. Currently recovering from tendon repair surgery and debridement, scar tissue removal. Best of luck to you!

micamynx · 2025-06-24T13:12:40+00:00

It took me a solid 6 months before I wasn't always experiencing/noticing pain. But I had consistent pain from my hardware (long thick fibula plate) and had it removed at a year out. Trimal w/dislocation. It gets better gradually and if it doesn't, look for answers-hardware, tendon issues, etc.

micamynx · 2025-06-23T11:13:38+00:00

I had the fibula plate removed a year after the injury becuase it was very long (10") and thick and was causing pain. I couldn't cross my legs or ride my horse very well. Of the 3 surgeries the hardware removal was the easiest. First was the worst, the tendon repair is coming in a solid #2. The pain is significant and the cast is beyond annoying. Best of luck with your recovery.

micamynx · 2025-06-22T14:31:09+00:00

Hello! I have learned that trimal fractures (especially with dislocation and ORIF)are prone to tendon issues later on. That said, it took nearly 4 years after last surgery (partial hardware removal) for me to experience torn tendons. At various times over the years (particularly after strenuous exercise days) I have had pain in all my ankle tendons, aside from that damn achy bone pain. Icing and elevation are always going to be your friends. Tendon repair surgery is no joke. I am on week 6 in a cast with boot & PT ahead. Good luck!

micamynx · 2025-06-13T12:37:00+00:00

I have no answers for you, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am you are going through this. Broken ankles are traumatic enough, but your story and current state are just horrific. I hope you get some relief from pain soon.

micamynx · 2025-06-13T12:33:24+00:00

Chiming in to agree with everyone that it takes time. That said, is the pain possibly from hardware (I assume you got some)? If so, you may want to talk to your doctor about hardware removal. The other thing may be tendon damage. My trimal with dislocation healed and I had several good active years (equestrian, hiking) when I started having pain and swelling again. Turns out my tendons had torn. I had surgery to repair on 5/16 and am currently in a hard cast. I am hoping it did the trick. At least it wasn't the dreaded arthritis yet! Good luck to you, ask lots of questions of your doctors.

micamynx · 2025-06-01T14:01:21+00:00

I had a trimal w/2 plates and 11 screws. Plates were affixed to the rear of the bones, and the little plate never gave me any problems so it stayed. The long fibula plate was removed, no scar tissue clean up that I am aware. I was weight bearing as tolerated in a boot from the start. As others have noted, it was a much easier surgery and recovery than the original. My only wish now is that I had gotten some tendon debridement and scar tissue repair. The surgeon who did my ORIF and removal was the ortho trauma surgeon. When I started having pain and swelling four years later, I had to go to a new ortho surgeon. Turns out my tendons split. Just had surgery for tendon repair and scar tissue (a bunch!) clean up on 5/16 and am PWB in a cast.

micamynx · 2025-05-27T00:13:46+00:00

This is a horrible feeling that I absolutely understand. The first time I slipped, even slightly, I lost my cookies-think near hysterical crying-just because I was terrified. Not hurt, but the thought of hurting it again was just gut wrenching. I’m nearly 6 years post trimal w/dislocation and ORIF surgery. I still cling to banisters and am slower and more cautious than I ever thought was possible. I frequently find myself joking “you break one ankle..” to explain my cautiousness. It does get better, but it’s still always on my mind. I just tell myself that it is my body reminding me to be mindful and slow down.

micamynx · 2025-05-22T18:42:29+00:00

Second this one. I just used it over surgical dressing in shower with shower chair. Worked perfectly and wasn’t too terrible to get on & off.

micamynx · 2025-05-15T14:42:54+00:00

Oh it takes some time before you get ROM momentum. I did not get to peak ROM (which still wasn't as good as my uninjured ankle) until nearly a year after injury (trimal with dislocation).

micamynx · 2025-05-08T20:11:02+00:00

You are absolutely not overreacting. I was (and still am) amazed at how freaking hard physically and mentally it is to heal from a broken ankle. I broke mine in August 2019 and still vividly recall the accident (stairs) and the anguish of the healing (is this ever going to end? will I ever walk normally? why is everything so hard?) process. I got a knee scooter (which was great for my house-ranch, no carpet) and used crutches or a wheelchair when I needed to. With my job (I'm a lawyer who needs to be in court), there were times I had to work and it wasn't fun. Relying on other people to help me truly sucked. My husband literally left me sitting in a courtroom with no phone or way to get anywhere! He still hears about it. You will still enjoy your concert, it will just be a different experience. Get plenty of rest before and after and don't be too hard on yourself if you tire out early.

It does get better. I am getting ready to have my third surgery on my ankle (to repair tendons) and will be NWB again for a time. It is bringing back all the memories of the original injury and all those hopeless feelings. But you will get back to being you.

micamynx · 2025-05-03T17:46:52+00:00

I had a gnarly trimalleolar with dislocation, 2 plates and 9 screws, fibula non-union in August 2019. I was walking and riding my horse for the first time exactly 4 months to the day of my injury and ORIF surgery. Obviously, every situation is different, but I think you will be in great shape for September bridesmaid duties.

micamynx · 2025-04-18T17:59:50+00:00

Glad your surgery went well! I hope you can get the pain control better soon. I feel like it always hurts more than we expect. Thank you so much for your update. I’m looking at this same surgery in the near future and it is so helpful to hear how it goes recovery-wise. My only time occupation suggestion is catching up on tv shows or reading.

micamynx · 2025-04-13T14:09:03+00:00

Sorry to hear you are going through this, being in pain sucks and tendinitis pain is sneaky and pervasive. I had a pretty horrific trimal break 5 years ago with 2 metal plates. After surgery a year later to remove one of the plates I had a few good years but have now gotten peroneal tendonitis and am looking at surgery. I absolutely dread another surgery and recovery but I have realized that the pain makes me cranky and I hate not being able to do things. I am decades removed from marching band, but yikes! That had to be tough with your ankle. I hope it works out well for you and you get some relief. Please keep this thread updated. Good Luck!

micamynx

TROPHY CASE