Sheefa Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 All I can say is I thank my lucky stars I'll be out of them in a couple of weeks and haven't got something more serious. Only had them for a week so far following my left ankle operation and got another 2 to go. I have to be completely non-weight bearing which is so difficult. Showering is a nightmare and wherever I make a drink i.e. the Kitchen, I have to sit there and drink it as I can't carry it anywhere! Plus, I haven't been out for a drink in a while and all the good 4-5 years down the gym is going to pot as my calf muscle is wasting away! On the plus side, using crutches really does build up the upper body throwing your weight around. Not all is bad. I'm working from home for 2 weeks too which is a bonus as I've mostly been playing Rainbow 6 Las Vegas 2 on the Xbox 360 Have to do the same again in July for the right ankle and that will probabl;y be nearer 5-6 weeks non-weight bearing Anyone had similar experiences? Any good tips? Anything to help keep me sane? Thanks Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I've never had to be non-load bearing on my knee, but I can feel your pain... Just be glad, after one of my ops on my knee (Similar to yours, but not as intrusive), I woke up in my room (I was private), tried to get up, but felt my leg in some sort of machine (Turns out it's something they strap your leg into and it slowly bends and straightens it to make things better), but I wanted a p!$$, (And wasn't with it), so I undid my leg and jumped out of bed... Jumped out of bed being the major thing... Funk me, OW... If you want, I'll direct my Dad to this thread, and get his opinions if you like? He needs 2 crutches just to get about (And does a bloody good job too! (For a big fella) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I know exactly how you feel - mine was on for about 12 weeks! Do you have one of those weird sock things for the shower? That was strange. I think the worst was when I went to see my dad and the entrance of his apartment block had been clean and polished, I was like Bambi on ice, quite scary actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 My only advice is don't rush to get rid of the crutches, I broke my femur in 2001 and stopped using the crutches far too soon, I still walk with a limp now and that was over 7 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Yeah, watch the holes where you put your crutches down.... I broke both ankles on a night out many years back, and spent the 1st week in pain because I kept falling over the crutches. Take it slow and steady...build up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
and1c Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I was on crutches for 8 weeks several years back after a sports injury (tore my lateral mensicus and they repaired it with stitches....causing LOTS of pain and a long recovery time but great end result) The best tip I could give you is to get a friend or relative etc to lay things out in easily accessable places for you in the house. Like jugs of water in the room your in with a glass and so on. If your making your own food, you need to figure out a system to get the food ona tray to where your going! I used a tray like a sledge and pushed it with my other leg into the sitting room where my xbox waited Also, do shoulder relaxation exercises (roll them gently) and treat them nicely as they are doing an abnormal amount of work compared to what they are used to! (they will BEEF up though! or mine did anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtwinturbo Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Wrap some bandages or something else soft around the handles, otherwise you'll end up with blisters which gets very annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Thanks guys, some good tips. Pot - I believe the machine you had to use was the CPM (Conituous Passive Motion) one. I think they advise people to use it for 6 hours a day! Luckily my ankle doesn't need this, just regular movement. You fully recovered now mate? Charlotte - 12 weeks !! That's crazy, well done for gettin through that. What happened if you don't mind me asking? I don't have a shower sock. I'm private and they've given me nothing really. I wrap a plastic bag round the bandage to shower. I also have some nice DVT prevention stockings I have to wear on my right. and1c - Sounds nasty. I will probably have a similar rehab time on my right as damage is more extensive I thinh and i'm going to try and get a cartilage transplant instead of microfracture. Good thing is upper body is fairly strong from RAF and Gym training so haven't struggled much. Redtwin - Good idea. I'm going to use my cycling gloves. The crutches kill my hands in the morning but feel better after an hour moving around. Cheers all. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Best of luck i was non weight bearing for five months i broke FOUR out of the five metatassal bones which are all screwed up and plated now. my shoulders and hands hurt like hell so i know how you feel. The only thing to watch out for is any really bad pains in your leg .i had severe pain in my calf muscle about 5 days after the operation and it turned out to be a DVT. not the end of the world,but you have to take warfrin for six months. good luck greg:doctor: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Charlotte - 12 weeks !! That's crazy, well done for gettin through that. What happened if you don't mind me asking? I don't have a shower sock. I'm private and they've given me nothing really. I wrap a plastic bag round the bandage to shower. I also have some nice DVT prevention stockings I have to wear on my right. I broke the tibia and fibula bones in my leg as well as my ankle (fell stupidly down the stairs). Had 5 ops in total and have some pins and a plate thing. It was a bit of a nightmare! I was private too and I think although I can't remember, I had to buy the sock thing, but it was cool for floating my leg in the bath. Are you at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Best of luck i was non weight bearing for five months i broke FOUR out of the five metatassal bones which are all screwed up and plated now. my shoulders and hands hurt like hell so i know how you feel. The only thing to watch out for is any really bad pains in your leg .i had severe pain in my calf muscle about 5 days after the operation and it turned out to be a DVT. not the end of the world,but you have to take warfrin for six months. good luck greg:doctor: Jesus Snake, sounds crazy mate. Yes, I've got the stocking to stop DVT and am wearing it at night. Cheers I broke the tibia and fibula bones in my leg as well as my ankle (fell stupidly down the stairs). Had 5 ops in total and have some pins and a plate thing. It was a bit of a nightmare! I was private too and I think although I can't remember, I had to buy the sock thing, but it was cool for floating my leg in the bath. Are you at home? Ouch Charlotte. Do you have any pain now or is it OK? Working from home thankfully otherwise I would be bored out of my mind. Going to get the right ankle done in August Ithink so that will be 6 weeks or so NWB. I tell you what, Sport has been my downfall. These injuries wouldn't have happened if I didn't try and stay fit and healthy, instead it's caused more problems. I so hope I recover fully without any symptoms. Here's hoping. The pain I had before was 24/7 dull throb in both ankles and anything to alleviate that slightly is a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Pot - I believe the machine you had to use was the CPM (Conituous Passive Motion) one. I think they advise people to use it for 6 hours a day! Luckily my ankle doesn't need this, just regular movement. You fully recovered now mate? That's the one, I only had it when I was in hospital, sadly I'll never be fully recovered, I have to go in for an op every 4-5 years, so it's just routine now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Did anyone else get blisters on their palms or was it just me? I feel your pain Greg (not literally). I was on crutches for about 3 weeks after my knee op and they were a real PITA. I got rid of mine before I should but unlike Gav I seem to have gotten away with it. Take your time and relax. I'll have a drive down if you want a brew in the comfort of your own living room..... H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binkatt Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Had crutches for 14 weeks after rebuilding my ankle lol, got blisters on my hands so wrap something soft on the handles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Ouch Charlotte. Do you have any pain now or is it OK? No pain now thankfully, still get the odd twinge but nothing to right home about. Some very attractive scars on both sides of my leg though. Did anyone else get blisters on their palms or was it just me? Yes! At one point I just had bandages on both hands to try and stop the blisters thing. Annoying though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 That's the one, I only had it when I was in hospital, sadly I'll never be fully recovered, I have to go in for an op every 4-5 years, so it's just routine now... Thinking that's what will problem happen to me mate. Ankles and joints are a right PITA! Did anyone else get blisters on their palms or was it just me? I feel your pain Greg (not literally). I was on crutches for about 3 weeks after my knee op and they were a real PITA. I got rid of mine before I should but unlike Gav I seem to have gotten away with it. Take your time and relax. I'll have a drive down if you want a brew in the comfort of your own living room..... H. Ah H, that's nice of you bud. A bit far for you to travel but if you're free that would be sound. I need to see some people to keep me sane!! Only another week or so to go hopefully before I get a walking boot. The longer on crutches the better in the long run so I may just keep using them for another 2 weeks. Had crutches for 14 weeks after rebuilding my ankle lol, got blisters on my hands so wrap something soft on the handles. Ouch mate. What happened?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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