Broke my Tib/Fib 1 year ago

[MrJake]

On the 30th of January it will be 1 year since I broke my Tibia and Fibula. It was the worst experience I've ever had, I have a titanium (i think ) rod inserted in my leg now. Amazing how long recovery is, the area where it was broken still looks bruised, I am not in any pain but I still don't have the mobility in my knee or ankle on the broken leg than I do have on my good leg. I don't have a limp or anything it's just when I kneel down I can't go as far on the leg that had the operation.

Anyone have any experience they can share?

 

[The Fruity Hare]

On the 30th of January it will be 1 year since I broke my Tibia and Fibula. It was the worst experience I've ever had, I have a titanium (i think ) rod inserted in my leg now. Amazing how long recovery is, the area where it was broken still looks bruised, I am not in any pain but I still don't have the mobility in my knee or ankle on the broken leg than I do have on my good leg. I don't have a limp or anything it's just when I kneel down I can't go as far on the leg that had the operation.

Anyone have any experience they can share?

Exact same. Had the rod removed after 2 yrs as it was slightly protruding from bone, touching muscle/ligaments at knee.

The most important thing is therapy. Massage and physical therapy. When the leg broke, my foot was twisted sideways, stretching and damaging ligaments. The broken bones pushed against the skin but luckily didn't pierce it. The sharp ends did damage blood vessels and other bits and pieces. When I stood up the blood would flow down but couldn't return up, leg looked like a bowling pin. After a massage, the blood would flow again.

Even after 5 yrs, the muscles still pull on one side, I go for deep tissue massage to loosen the muscles. I didn't realize how much it pulled until I saw my footprints on the beach, one foot almost 45 degrees while the other was straight.

When I kneel on the scar, it feels like I am kneeling on a lace. Again, massage or physiotherapy on the scar helps keep it softer. I try to stretch for 15 mins every morning before work, use golf balls under arch of feet after work to break up stressed and tight muscles in the feet, it helps loosen muscles all up the leg.

I had a jagged V shaped break. Luckily I had a good surgeon at St. Mikes and walk fine now. The only problem I have is standing for any length of time, walking distances is no problem. I also need to sit with my leg extended anytime I fly or sit for prolonged periods of time.

I consider myself fortunate it happened here and not some other place!

 

[S.C. Joe]

Wreck my nice 70 car in 1987, broke my upper jaw, hip and lower leg-near the ankle--both those bones, the Tibia and Fibula--one bone holds your weight the other helps turn your leg--from what I was told.

So here I was in ICU laying in bed and I was told about my leg and hip but didn't find out my about my jaw till a week later--it hurts more once you know they later told me. Doc came in and said I needed pins and screws in my leg. I yelled out I didn't want that in me. Doc served back in Nam and was like OK, I set it like I used to back in the war days in the battle flied. The nurse goes aren't we going down to surgery, nope-we set it right here.

He gasp my leg with both of his hands to set it and then put in right into a full cast--took 15 mins, lol

I had to wear that full cast for 3 months before a walking cast went on. It was 8 months after my crash that I felt fully recovered. My leg did hurt for many years but only when I used it hard, wrapping it tightly help alot. Often times I wrap it tight before bed time and during the night I removed the wrap and before getting dressed for the day I wrap it again if it didn't seem OK

About 15 years later it became --fully healed, it got better and better over the years. Today its pretty darn good--I have other pains but the leg is alright and if not, wrapping the leg overnight does the trick. Still if I twist my leg a certain way or something it can really hurt. I learn to walk up stairs with my foot fully on the step. The heal needs to take your weight--no placing your foot halfway on the step--or you feel the pain either right then or later on.

Sounds like your problem is different then mine--oh I did use a crane when it hurt--20 something and I'm using a crane like an old man but it help prevent the pain from being really bad

 

[MrJake]

Sounds like both you guys had it way worse than me, I guess I should be thankful. TFH your description of kneeling and feeling like your kneeling on a lace sounds exactly how I feel. So even 5 years later it still feels like that? I was kinda hoping eventually that would get better. You've had 2 surgeries so maybe that's why you still have issues?

Best of luck to both of you guys.

 

[S.C. Joe]

I really glad I have no pins-screws, rods. 25 years and I need no more surgeries.

I lucked out getting an army doc and back in 1987 they were not as worried of being sued or in trouble. I didn't sign no papers or anything. Just yelled at my doc and he just took care of me right in my bed. He also had me moved out of ICU--was like this guy doesn't need to be here

3 days later he was yelling at me cause I was still in bed whining away. If I was in Nam they have my butt out of bed by now

 

[The Fruity Hare]

Sounds like both you guys had it way worse than me, I guess I should be thankful. TFH your description of kneeling and feeling like your kneeling on a lace sounds exactly how I feel. So even 5 years later it still feels like that? I was kinda hoping eventually that would get better. You've had 2 surgeries so maybe that's why you still have issues?

Best of luck to both of you guys.

I had actually fractured it about 6 months before I broke it but didn't realize it at the time. I had the GF massage for me, didn't help obviously, but eventually the pain subsided. A few months later I was considering parachuting in Cuba. In hindsight, I was probably very, very lucky I didn't go as that could have been catastrophic had I broken it in Cuba instead of here.

Always trying to see the positive even in bad situations.

 

[Rono]

Not yet, but I will be breaking both tibs and fibs in 1.5 years when I have my second cosmetic leg lengthening surgery done.

 

[MrJake]

Not yet, but I will be breaking both tibs and fibs in 1.5 years when I have my second cosmetic leg lengthening surgery done.

Wow, some serious recovery time there, good luck.

 

[Smash]

Back in grade 6 my teacher broke his tib/fib in a skiing accident. He was off for 1.5 years and when he came back to class he limped

Good luck

 

[Rockslinger]

Back in grade 6 my teacher broke his tib/fib in a skiing accident. He was off for 1.5 years and when he came back to class he limped

I think medical science has improved a lot since then. In fact, Bobby Orr would still be playing in the NHL if they had the medical knowledge and equipment we have now back then.

 

[buttercup]

I think medical science has improved a lot since then. In fact, Bobby Orr would still be playing in the NHL if they had the medical knowledge and equipment we have now back then.

The man is 64 yrs old. we should be so lucky . .

 

[Rockslinger]

The man is 64 yrs old. we should be so lucky .

Gordie Howe was still playing into his 60's. Of course, I meant it would have extended Bobby Orr's career by another X number of years. I think he was only 29 when he had to hang up his skates.

 

[Enlightened One]

Somehat related. A year ago I thought I had severely sprained my right ankle/foot. Two days later I was inspecting the swelling with my hand and felt something sharp just beneath the skin. After x-rays, ultrasound, bone scan, etc., it was determined by the ortho that I had two broken, not fractured, bones, and a severed tendon. Underwent reconstructructive surgery and spent the next several months in wheelchair, casts, crutches and finally graduated to an air cast. The recovery was/is worse than the original injury! Am still in physio and somewhat limping and favouring the foot. I have a constant, dull pain. Worst part of this is that I have not felt comfortable to Hobby since my mishap. I have been lurking and living vicariously though my Terb familly. That, however, is about to change, as I feel I can get back into the swing of things shortly. All this from jumping off the second stair while decending a staircase!!!

 

[Keebler Elf]

How much rehab are you doing?

I have a family member who replaced her knee and it's all about the rehab. She's doing great (better than new!) but others who don't follow the rehab program have a limp and/or pain for life.

 

[Rockslinger]

I have a family member who replaced her knee and it's all about the rehab.

Knee replacement seems to be very popular and at increasingly younger ages. My neighbour's son and a female co-worker had their knees done in their 40's. Another co-worker had a hip replacement done in his early 50's. Why is this happening. Overweight?

 

[S.C. Joe]

A poor diet all of your life likely doesn't help. Too many sweets and donuts and not enough fruit, vegies, milk to make strong bones. Then top it off with lack of exercise, you get bodies breaking down at an early age

They are finding that even what your mother eats while she is pregnant with you, effects your body later in life

 

[wigglee]

I think medical science has improved a lot since then. In fact, Bobby Orr would still be playing in the NHL if they had the medical knowledge and equipment we have now back then.

Hello?????? He is a 64 year old man....even Howe had to retire before that!