This week marks the six month anniversary of my ankle fracture:
a trimalleolar fracture that resulted in surgery and metal plates and
screws being put in my ankle.
If you came across my blog by searching for “broken ankle” because you have just
experienced this yourself, I’d first like to send you warm and empathetic thoughts. It
hurts like hell, doesn’t it? And it’s a bit traumatic. But believe me when I say that things
will get better.
three month update.
Six months later I am walking pretty well. I have a slight limp, but my guess is that if you
do the physical therapy you won’t have a limp at six months. I didn’t have medical
insurance, so couldn’t get the physical therapy. My limp is lessening though so I hope in
another month or two it will be gone completely.
I used a cane from month four-five. I don’t use it much now but I keep it around for certain
things like shopping at the mall with my daughter or anything else when I am going to be
doing lots of walking on a hard surface. I’d say I am without it 95% of the time
I still have ankle pain every day - though it is MUCH, much less than the first two months.
My ankle still swells every day. I’m not sure when that will end. Some days it is bad enough
that I put ice on it, some days it isn’t that bad. My right ankle (the broken one) is still bigger
than my left ankle. (See photo above) Maybe it will always be this way.
If you have friends and family to help you, things will be easier for you. (I couldn’t have
made it without my 18 year old daughter - Thanks Del! And my dogs were my constant
companions - Thanks Nosey and Seamus!)
If you don’t have much support I’d advise surrounding yourself with your favorite books
or watching seasons of your favorite tv shows on Netflix. During my non-weight bearing
time I watched all of PBS’ Bleak House, Battlestar Gallatica and the first four seasons of
Rescue Me. I also read lots of Henning Mankill and Jasper Fforde.
The time I spent with Esther Summerson, WIlliam Adama, Tommy Gavin, Thursday Next and
Kurt Wallander saved me from a slow death by boredom.
So things do get better. Keep the faith. The first three months are the hardest but then things
look up considerably. Warm wishes going out to you for an easy recuperation.
Now... if I could just find a job...
