Author Topic: Broken ankle  (Read 27637 times)

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Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #50 on: June 06, 2016, 07:07:19 AM »
Thank you for your good wishes folk.
We are just about to leave to drive to the hospital (Musgrave, Belfast).


Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #51 on: June 09, 2016, 09:40:37 PM »
The op went well as far as we can determine.
The surgeon spoke to Mary after the op, but she doesn't remember what he said as she was "out of it".
In fact she didn't even remember that he had spoke to her - the nurse confirmed that he did.
He's a busy guy and does consultancy and surgery in a number of hospitals. We dont get another chance to find out more until 16th when she goes for her next appointment with him.
The nurse said she had major surgery, so we dont think he did keyhole surgery as expected. He did say that open surgery could be a plan 'B'.
As a result she was kept in an extra day.
Home yesterday with a barrage of drugs.
I'm run of my feet! She is not allowed to put her foot to the ground for 6 weeks. Imagine the difficulties!

Dr George in charge :o
« Last Edit: June 09, 2016, 11:06:24 PM by ideasguy »

Offline Palustris

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #52 on: June 10, 2016, 07:52:25 AM »
Fingers crossed for a successful outcome then. Mind you, not the best time of year to be chair bound. Hope you can get her outside to enjoy the sun (if any).

Offline Eric Hardy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #53 on: June 10, 2016, 09:23:50 AM »
Anthea and I feel for you both. What an ordeal I hope after the long period of convalescence, which won't be easy for you life can return to some semblance of normality. I am afraid the garden, George, will have to take a very definite second place in the scheme of things.

Eric H.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #54 on: June 10, 2016, 10:52:38 AM »
Thank you Eric (palustris) and Eric H.
Its been too muggy this week so its windows open and a fan in action.
Its probably as good a time as any for the op. Hopefully I will be able to take her out and about when she is feeling better.
Too soon for outside. That would be real good as I could do some weeding and plant out the bedding plants crying for attention in the greenhouse :D
You are quite right Eric (H) - garden will have to take a back seat!
« Last Edit: June 10, 2016, 10:55:17 AM by ideasguy »

Offline Palustris

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #55 on: June 10, 2016, 12:59:04 PM »
Quote
garden will have to take a back seat!
Or in this case, a wheelchair seat!

Offline barryl

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #56 on: June 10, 2016, 02:41:19 PM »
All our good wishes go with you!

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #57 on: June 10, 2016, 11:34:01 PM »
Thank you Barry for your supportive email.

The girl is quite weak yet but bearing up well. It was fresher and cooler today so she felt much more comfortable.

Offline roiphil

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #58 on: June 20, 2016, 10:57:33 AM »
Oh dear look what i have missed whilst away/busy, George hope your wife is doing ok after her surgery and hope for a speedy recovery

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #59 on: June 20, 2016, 12:39:02 PM »
Thanks Phil.

Heres an update on progress.
Mary had her first checkup last Thursday.
Initial heavy/clumsy plaster packed with absorbant material was removed and a new one applied.
The keyhole surgery wounds look very clean and healing nicely already.
However, the biggest healing process is internal to the ankle of course.
Mary is now feeling stronger and we are beginning to manage better.

Next appointment is in 4 weeks from last Thursday. If all good, the plaster will be removed and she will be fitted with a special boot.  She had one before when she was recovering from the broken ankle.
With that, she will be able to walk again. We look forward to that :D



Offline barryl

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #60 on: June 20, 2016, 04:04:57 PM »
Our best wishes that it should all go well (and also for strength to the nurse)

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #61 on: June 20, 2016, 10:55:51 PM »
 ;D
The nurse was fortunate to have a relief nurse to take over for the weekend :D
Tara (our daughter who lives in Manchester) flew home to take charge.

Offline barryl

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #62 on: June 22, 2016, 09:19:45 PM »
Good news! ;D

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #63 on: June 23, 2016, 10:11:31 AM »
Yes indeed Barry.

The pain killers work very well. She is fairly comfortable.

The unexpected extra was an itch which started from a rash under the plaster.
Its a nasty irritation. Fortunately the tablets to help that have worked quite well and after a week since that started it has  subsided and almost gone.

Offline barryl

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #64 on: June 23, 2016, 08:40:53 PM »
ug; dont remind me. !! I was once in plaster for 5 months and the itching was a nightmare.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #65 on: June 24, 2016, 12:10:18 PM »
Me too, when I was 16 - tibula and fibula - football accident when another guy and I kicked the ball simultaneously.
Full plaster, no pins etc used then - so full 3 months in a cast (changed occasionally).
The itch inside the plaster was wicked :( Skin was like a crocodile hide after 3 months.

Fortunately Mary is OK again and very comfortable - thanks to constant medication.
Three weeks to go until the boot :D

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #66 on: July 15, 2016, 12:00:36 PM »
Hospital appointment and check up again yesterday.
Plaster off, XRAY and then a talk with the consultant.
We sat on eggs as he looked at the XRAY.
Then he told us that it was fusing very well and it was OK to go with a boot :D
It was such a relief. Mary was at the end of her tether sitting about helplessly.
I cant describe the excitement to see her walking again.
We met up with Simon and his family afterwards for a meal. She walked into the restaurant with the aid of crutches.

She felt quite tired later that evening, and the boot had caused a little discomfort as it has been strapped up very tight.
Feeling much better this morning.
Next appointment is in six weeks. Consultant said if she felt strong and confidenet enough it wold be Ok to try walking without the boot after 4 weeks. He wuld be quite happy to see us attending the appointment walking unaided.

Not to get too excited - we know its a very, very long healing process.
Looks good on the outside, but there is a lot of healing to do internally and it will take some time until the bones have fused 100%.
We will take it all in moderation.





« Last Edit: July 15, 2016, 12:18:52 PM by ideasguy »

Offline barryl

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #67 on: July 15, 2016, 12:14:30 PM »
Our continued best wishes for a complete recovery.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #68 on: July 15, 2016, 12:19:09 PM »
Thank you Barry!

Offline Palustris

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #69 on: July 16, 2016, 10:26:01 AM »
Excellent. Doing the Samba before long!

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #70 on: July 16, 2016, 11:46:33 AM »
 ;D Hopefully Eric;D
Still very tender around that ankle.
Steeping it each morning is a comfort, then moisturiser.


Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #71 on: August 23, 2016, 05:23:58 PM »
Mary is still making good progress.
She is now helping with food preparation - that is a big help :D and can get around the house on her own.
We went to the seaside one day but she had to be content to venture not too far away from where we parked.
She now comes along to grocery shopping and can get around the stores surprisingly well, especially if the store has a clothes department ;D

She has walked a little (twice) in the kitchen with the boot off - with the aid of crutches of course.
The consultant said she should be able to do that, so we gave it a go.
No reactions ;D

Next appointment with the consultant is this Thursday. We are hoping she will be allowed to walk unaided.
He said he would not be surprised to see her walk in to the appointment with boot removed.
We decided to wait until they do another x-ray and give the OK.
Fingers crossed!!

For anyone who happens to surf in on this, they might be interested to know the side effects.
Mary experienced a severe burning sensation around the area where the major surgery was done, particularly after walking more than usual during the day (not a lot on any given day I hasten to add).
Fortunately an ice pack eased the pain in her case.
I did quite a bit of surfing to find tips and to try and find any information posted by other patients, but could find precious little.
From our findings, we believe it is superficial nerve reaction and internal healing going on.
I did find that many patients had difficulty getting sleep because of the burning. Mary was luckier - the pains subsided shortly after she went to bed. She hasn't been kept awake at any time during the recovery process.
The other major side effect was tummy pains etc which we concluded (more surfing and talking to others) was associated with the withdrawal from morphine. email if you'd like precise details.
These lasted about a  couple of weeks but have now gone away.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2016, 05:28:26 PM by ideasguy »

Offline Palustris

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #72 on: August 23, 2016, 08:55:32 PM »
Glad the healing is on course.
My problem with morphine is that it damages the nerves and they never properly regenerate. Where I had the op on my big toe is now permanently numb ( a very strange sensation when you walk) and to a lesser extent the same on the other foot where I had the toenail removed. One reason why I have Dental treatment without anaesthesia.

Online ideasguy

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #73 on: August 24, 2016, 11:27:55 AM »
I did some surfing last night after reading your post Eric.
I found some articles which explained Marys withdrawal symptoms from morphine - sudden tummy cramps and what goes with it  ::) and feeling sick.
Fortunately she was on a low dose and for a relatively short period.

Offline Palustris

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Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #74 on: August 24, 2016, 04:57:10 PM »
Hope tomorrow's appointment has a successful outcome for her.