Celia Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I broke my ankle (tibia) 3 weeks ago, and pulled a ligament as well. The orthopedic surgeon was a man of very few words, so I'm really shy on details. My break wasn't seen on an x-ray initially, and I was sent home with crutches. But when I couldn't bear any weight on it the next day and went to see my family doctor, he sent me for a CT and then it was seen and casted (on a weird angle to help the ligament and the doctor said that would hopefully prevent the need for surgery). The cast was on for 3 weeks, taken off just yesterday and now I'm supposed to begin bearing weight on it. I'm just wondering from those who have BTDT, should I be able to bear at least some weight on it now without it hurting terribly? I can put it on the floor to balance, but anything beyond that it horrible. Should I go back to my family doctor and ask for another scan, or give it a while? I was so happy to get my cast off, but it hurts quite a lot more than when it was casted and I'm concerned it was too soon as he originally said 5-6 weeks, then took it off at 3 without much of a comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Call your doctor's office and ask for his/her nurse. I would ask them the question and let them decide if you need to be seen again. In some places they will have a designated triage nurse who answers questions like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Talk to your ortho's office and ask them for more specifics. They may want to see you, or they may tell you if you aren't improving in X period of time, the'd like to see you. If you follow their recommendations and you are still having a lot of pain and stiffness, I would ask for a referral for physical therapy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 :grouphug: Celia :grouphug: , Call the doc on those issues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Typically after a cast, the dr puts you in an orthotic boot. Keep it elevated and ice often. Three weeks is extremely fast for a bone to heal. Did you have a follow up X-ray or ct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 My ds is just finishing up with a fractured ankle. He was in a cast with crutches for about 3 weeks then another 2 weeks in a walking cast. It took a couple days before he could walk comfortably, though, and he had to use a crutch at first for balance and to keep the full weight off his ankle. He did experience some pain at first. Not horrible pain, though, because of support from the crutch. (BTW the ortho recommended he use one crutch at first.) After he got the cast off he got a brace for his ankle and a referral for therapy. It took another couple days to adjust to walking without the cast. He was told to wear the brace always except shower and bed. After a couple more weeks he was told he just needed the brace for school and being out of the house where he might do more walking. In all he will have 5 appts with the ortho* (he's had 4 so far) and about 4 or 5 weeks of therapy (just finished week 3). He's had xrays at each appt to be sure he's ready for the next phase of treatment. If my ds's treatment is typical (which I have no idea if it is) then it sounds like you're skipping a step. Like you're going from full cast and crutches to nothing and walking unsupported. You might benefit from a brace and some therapy. Or at least using one crutch for a few days until your ankle is a little stronger. I hope your recovery goes well. I've seen how tough it was for ds; I can't imagine how much more challenging it would be for a busy mom to go through. :grouphug: *He would have had 6 appts with the ortho except his fracture was due to a car accident and his ankle was xray-ed and casted in the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks ladies. I did think 3 weeks was a little quick. There was a follow-up x-ray, but the doctor said that he couldn't see the break as it was diagnosed by CT. The muscle stiffness is getting better at a rate that seems reasonable, and I'm getting a bit more range of movement each day, but I still need both crutches to walk as weight-bearing is impossible. Best I can do for that is to have it rest on the ground to balance. He said to come back in a month for follow up if I wanted to. I'll either call today, or perhaps I'll leave it till Monday and see how it goes over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks ladies. I did think 3 weeks was a little quick. There was a follow-up x-ray, but the doctor said that he couldn't see the break as it was diagnosed by CT. The muscle stiffness is getting better at a rate that seems reasonable, and I'm getting a bit more range of movement each day, but I still need both crutches to walk as weight-bearing is impossible. Best I can do for that is to have it rest on the ground to balance. He said to come back in a month for follow up if I wanted to. I'll either call today, or perhaps I'll leave it till Monday and see how it goes over the weekend. I have never known anyone who actually broke a bone, to be told to bear weight on it after 3 weeks, unless they were wearing a boot. I do know of two people who were given a boot and no crutches, but the boot kind of took the place of a walking cast. If your doc didn't give you a boot, then I would call the ortho- today. If your doc couldn't see the break on an x-ray, and ordered a CT in order to see it, then he should have ordered a CT for the follow up. What kind of idiot knows it didn't show up on an x-ray, and then thinks it will miraculously show up on one later? I obviously don't think much of your doc! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Apparently he is a very good doctor, Unicorn, but I was thinking exactly the same thing about the CT, and wondering if I was missing something here! Because It could only be seen on the ct I reasoned that maybe it was just so minor that 3 weeks was possibly okay. It doesn't feel okay though. Yes, you're right. I'll call today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 ankles take a notoriously long time to heal. Still, I'd make an appointment, anyway. But again, they take a really long, long time to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 oh shoot. Their office is close foe a week. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 If it was a small fracture, it's quite possible that it healed completely in 3 weeks. At least, my son's broken hand healed in 3 weeks and he was totally released to do everything, including Judo & back handsprings. There was nothing visible on the x-ray (I was skeptical and the doctor showed me). However, sprains/ligament issues take longer to heal than breaks. Months, even, for a bad one. All this to say, my guess is that the bone healed completely, and all the pain you're feeling is from the ligament issue. I would get an ankle brace for the week to help stabilize it, and talk to your doctor when the office reopens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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