Advice for open fib-tib rehab?

I'm new here, but I've lurked for a few years. I had a bad break last week, and since I've been home a couple days, I've had enough of Epicski (as I'd read every thread; it seems like), so thought I'd read over here for a while and ask the advice of the maggots.

I'm only in day 8 of this boot top injury, but want to get on it to keep things from rusting up. I have a rod and screws: no cast. I have some fair range of motion in the ankle and knee, and can almost (almost) stand on it with equal weight.

I've been moving my foot with the aid of a belt, doing leg lifts and extensions as far as the knee will let me, and until I see the ortho doc here next week, I have a few days to come up with a rehab plan of my own.

Suggestions?

Post a copy of the X-ray

Sorry to hear about the breaks. I did the whole tib-fib break thing around new years.

Did the doctor tell you that you could put full weight on your leg? You mention that you "almost" can. My doctor said no weight for the first two weeks. He then said roughly "20 pounds" of weight for the next month. Just curious as to what they told you.

I'll try to get a picture for you, drmark. I haven't even looked at it yet (not brave). I'm just a woman who's a little squeamish about my own stuff. I have the disc with x-rays on it, and I'll have my husband download it tonight.
The doc at the hospital said I could 'do no damage by walking on it', so walk on it whenever I want to. It's still too painful, but I can balance on both feet equally if I'm just standing. I can't take a step yet because my foot doesn't bend far enough to step.

I will have alot to say after I look at the picture.

I'm sorry. I can't open the CD without Ambassador Viewer. Thanks, anyway.:(

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Originally Posted by Venus Flytrap

I'm sorry. I can't open the CD without Ambassador Viewer. Thanks, anyway.:(

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How about you lose the very small print so it's easier to read without my glasses.

Not that I have anything to offer but down the road, who knows as long as I can see it.

Ok, L7, I've got the size down to ONE. How much smaller can I get it, and where can I change it? It's frustrating trying to please everyone on this site. Ya'll are worse than Epic.:rolleyes2

without looking at the x-ray and based on your description of your motion and weight bearing status.

ONe of the easiest things to work on right now is maintaining your ROM in your ankle and knee and maintaining your strength in your quad.

So that means gentle towel stretches for the calf/achillies and some quad sets and straight leg raises for the quad.

After that talk to your doc about pool therapy. Pool tyherapy would allow you to work on your gait in a semi-weight bearing environment, This will let you walk almost normally and work on strenght without over-stressing the healing bones in your leg.

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Originally Posted by Venus Flytrap

Ok, L7, I've got the size down to ONE. How much smaller can I get it, and where can I change it? It's frustrating trying to please everyone on this site. Ya'll are worse than Epic.:rolleyes2

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I think size 2 is normal. No idea how you're posting in size 1 if you're not changing the setting - but it's on the toolbar right next to the font selection.

Hi Altagirl,

When I open to post, the default setting is at 3 and Times New Roman. I select 'arial' and '1' each time, and evidently it is still not as small as everyone else's font. :confused: :confused: I don't get it.

Vinman, thanks for the advice. I'm currently doing the quad and calf stretches, and leg lifts. Pool therapy sounds wonderful, and I'll ask about that as soon as the stitches and staples come out. :cool:

No you don't get it. It's too small. Stop changing it to 1 and leave it at 3 (maybe it's 2) so people aren't leaving nose prints on their screen trying to read it. I switch mine to arial too but I think that only shows on your computer. The size shows on everyone's.

This is itsy bitsy one This is slightly small or normal 2 This is slightly large or normal 3

edit: looks like 2 is the default, 3 seems reasonable and 1 is just too damn small.

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Originally Posted by L7

No you don't get it. It's too small. Stop changing it to 1 and leave it at 3 (maybe it's 2) so people aren't leaving nose prints on their screen trying to read it. I switch mine to arial too but I think that only shows on your computer. The size shows on everyone's.

This is itsy bitsy one This is slightly small or normal 2 This is slightly large or normal 3

edit: looks like 2 is the default, 3 seems reasonable and 1 is just too damn small.

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When I'm looking at my computer, my type is the same size as everyone else's. Is everyone using size 1, also?

I tried using a bigger size in a few early posts, and got jonged for it. I don't know who to please!

This is times new roman 3, and I'll keep it this way, I guess, but it's way larger than anyone's here.

Now your print looks the same as everyone else's. Mine all looked the same when I typed it but now that it's posted the size 3 looks a bit bigger than the rest and 1 is still tiny. Everyone else I think uses 2 or maybe some 3, might vary with which font you use too. Something must be funky with your computer it seems.

At any rate your type is now easy to read and not bigger than others. Not trying to jerk you around it just was tiny and hard to read.

As for tib fib Vinman generally will steer you straight or steer you where to get set straight live in person. Don't know who the dr. dude is but he seems willing to help so that can't be bad.

I wish I could post those x-rays. The pain is not getting better, it's getting worse across my ankle. The bone went through about 4 inches above it, and I'm sure that a lot of muscles and tendons were involved, but this is getting tiresome. I did better 3 days out of the hospital than I'm doing now, at day 10.

I'm calling my ortho tomorrow. I'm normally not a wuss, but enough already!

If everything is ok, then the pain should be subsiding.

Then everything is not ok. I'm in constant sharp pain in the ankle area. I can no longer put my foot down on the floor without pain, I sleep in 90 minute spots, wake in pain, even though I'm still taking the same dose of oxycodone (10/325 every 4 hours).

I feel I've gone back to the pain level at day 2 in the hospital. This is not good.

I called my doc and got the secretary. There's nothing she can do till my appointment tomorrow, I can't talk to the doc and he wouldn't give me any stronger meds anyway as I'm at the top.

I guess I have to stiff it out till tomorrow.

Try to at least talk them into giving you oxycontin. Its time released over 12 hours so it helped me alot with the sleep issue and waking up in pain like your experiencing. Nothing worse than having to choose between pain and sleep. Explain that your having this problem. I would think they would give it to you.

My pain seemed to spike at home similar to your's. Once your off the drip its hard to get the pain meds dialed at home. They just quit giving me the drip and shoved me out the hospital door before my pain was really under control. That's actually when I asked and they gave me the oxycontin. Maybe your a little too active too soon? Best have it looked at again though.

If your pain level is increasing and your doctor won't squeeze you in today, you should find a different doctor. It probably hurts more now because you were most likely on stronger drugs when you were in the hospital, and I bet you were less active. Your doc should see you anyway to rule out the possibility of infection.

I had a similar experience: a week or so after one of my ankle surgeries, my pain suddenly spiked, and I couldn't sleep or get comfortable at all. My doctor told me to come see him ASAP, suspected an infection, and put me on antibiotics. Within a couple of days, the pain was back under control.

definitely heve things looked at ASAP if your pain is increasing.

I have been on anti-biotics for the last week, and took the last pill today. My bronchial infection seems to be under control.

I have an early morning appointment tomorrow. I'm going to ask for oxycontin, and also have them take x-rays to make sure something has not 'slipped'. I feel a sort of 'separation' when I move a certain way. It's a new development.

I want to thank everyone for their enlightening responses. This is as serious an injury as I've ever had, and I'm in uncharted waters. Maggots Rock!

Saw my ortho doc today. He said all looks good, no sign of infection, and the ankle pain could just be from swelling.

I'm to keep the status quo for now, no weight bearing whatsoever until my next appointment in 3 weeks when we will assess again. Stitches are out.

The fibula was not 'set' at all.......it's just free floating, and will heal eventually. This is the 'separation' I've been feeling, and not to worry.

No physical therapy for now except for what I'm already doing.......stretches and lifts. He said my knee ROM is GREAT! That makes me happy, as I've been exercising it quite a bit while lying down. I can extend it flat out, and it goes a little past 90 degrees when bent.

Thanks for all your help.:cool:

Glad to hear all is doing well. It is liekly you'll feel the fib kind of floating like that for a few more weeks until the bone starts to knit together.

I saw the x-ray they took today and it freaked me out a little. It IS floating in there, loose and still broken (We gotta keep em separated), and that is exactly the feeling I was getting. You'd think they could tie it together with some degradable suture or something......shudder.

Is this your boy in the picture, Vinman? He's sure a cutie! He has a devil-may-care look about him that will likely keep you hopping when he turns 16. :D

So how has your leg been healing? Any positive news?