TaiChiJohn wrote:
I broke my ankle in pretty much the same spot the day before Christmas last year (also on some steps, with my foot twisting toward the outside of my body with my full body weight on it). Was on it for a week before an x-ray revealed the extent of the injury. However, nothing was out of place so I was put in just an ankle brace, and took time off work until my accumulated sick days were used up (about two months). Then I was put on 'light duties' until my osteopath (who specialized in ankle injuries — the Columbia hospital system in New York has great doctors!) certified me as fit for full work duties (which turned out to be "whenever you feel up to it"). So for me it was three to four months to the point where I was more or less able to function normally, and more like six month before the ankle felt able to fully cope with day-to-day tasks.

I have to say, your break looks much more severe and you have my deepest sympathy. My ankle probably would have looked like yours except I was wearing some pretty high end hiking boots at the time (from Lowa) so those took a lot of the force from my misstep.

Rest up s much as you can and give the break a chance to heal! New bone doesn't start forming until two weeks after a break so you seem to have gotten it stabilized just in time for proper healing to occur.

I didn't realize how bad the break was until I saw the x-ray. I see an orthopedist on the 11th. Surgery is possible. I still can't believe I put my full 125 pound weight on it two days in a row after. Ugh. There is still bruising all the way up to my knee.

JSouthworth wrote:
It looks a lot better than some X-rays I've seen of roller derby injuries.

Well, that is helpful.

Model Sarah wrote:
Well, that is helpful.

At least you only broke one rather than both the major leg bones, that can happen in roller derby. It could be worse.

JSouthworth wrote:

At least you only broke one rather than both the major leg bones, that can happen in roller derby. It could be worse.

Who is talking about roller derby? I literally slipped on stairs.

Frank Lewis Photography wrote:
I broke my wrist a couple of years ago. The fracture was a hairline fracture that needed surgery to repair. The surgery went very well and now I a have a piece of titanium in my wrist holding it all together. But definitely worth the effort.

Wow! I have a feeling surgery is going to happen to me. I am scared of it. I have never broken anything before.

Model Sarah wrote:
Wow! I have a feeling surgery is going to happen to me. I am scared of it. I have never broken anything before.

Nothing to be afraid of, Sarah. The surgery beats wearing a cast for six or eight weeks. Within a week of the surgery, I was in physical therapy, doing exercises to keep my wrist flexible. I have to say, everything was worth the effort. Talk to your orthopedist about the possibility of having the surgery. I'm glad I did.

In the meantime, wearing the boot offers some interesting photography possibilities. Just sayin'.

Edit: since the plate in my wrist is titanium, no problem at all getting through airport security.

Edit: I was seventy-five when this all happened.

Frank Lewis Photography wrote:

Nothing to be afraid of, Sarah. The surgery beats wearing a cast for six or eight weeks. Within a week of the surgery, I was in physical therapy, doing exercises to keep my wrist flexible. I have to say, everything was worth the effort. Talk to your orthopedist about the possibility of having the surgery. I'm glad I did.

In the meantime, wearing the boot offers some interesting photography possibilities. Just sayin'.

Edit: since the plate in my wrist is titanium, no problem at all getting through airport security.

Edit: I was seventy-five when this all happened.

A friend of mine who snowboards said that ski equipment is engineered to break your knees not ankles because an ankle break is so much worse. That is a good point about about a cast. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I just assumed I'd be in this for 6 weeks? Excuse my ignorance, I again, have never injured myself like this before.

Focuspuller wrote:
OUCH!
Foot, ankle injuries are the worst. Don't rush the recovery; the rippling effects of foot problems can cause all kinds of collateral damage, not the least of which are balance issues, acute and chronic.  I know this from sad experience.

Heal soon.

I need to be reminded of this often....

Model Sarah wrote:

A friend of mine who snowboards said that ski equipment is engineered to break your knees not ankles because an ankle break is so much worse. That is a good point about about a cast. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I just assumed I'd be in this for 6 weeks? Excuse my ignorance, I again, have never injured myself like this before.

I'm just trying to give you some encouragement by sharing my experience. I don't mean to be pushy.

Model Sarah wrote:

Who is talking about roller derby? I literally slipped on stairs.

😂 You have to excuse Dr. JSouthworth. He has trouble staying on topic.

Frank Lewis Photography wrote:

I'm just trying to give you some encouragement by sharing my experience. I don't mean to be pushy.

No, not taking it that way at all. Just apprehensive.

Managing Light wrote:
Sorry to hear about your accident. It looks much like the break my wife suffered, which ended up with two stainless screws inserted in a simple and quick procedure.  She healed quickly.

The trick to healing quickly is to NOT stress the ankle until the bone grows around the screws and across the fracture zone.

The bad news is "quickly" seems like forever to the patient.  Hang in there - this too shall pass.

Define quickly?

I literally haven't put any weight on it at all. Between a roller office chair and crutches getting around my apartment, I have learned how to do this quickly. I even decorated my Christmas tree this evening! I put off a consultation with an  orthopedist because I am scared of surgery. The 11th is the consultation. I'm glad it will be quick. The break is so much worse than I thought it was. I'm taking 600 mg tylenol and an anti-inflammatory medication that is helping a lot with pain.

Model Sarah wrote:
Who is talking about roller derby? I literally slipped on stairs.

Focuspuller wrote:
😂 You have to excuse Dr. JSouthworth. He has trouble staying on topic.

LOL

Here's praying for a speedy recovery.

Frank Lewis Photography wrote:
Be sure to keep your appointment with the orthopedist. The sooner you get this taken care of, the sooner you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.

Best of luck.

Thank you so much

Model Sarah wrote:

Define quickly?

I literally haven't put any weight on it at all. Between a roller office chair and crutches getting around my apartment, I have learned how to do this quickly. I even decorated my Christmas tree this evening! I put off a consultation with an  orthopedist because I am scared of surgery. The 11th is the consultation. I'm glad it will be quick. The break is so much worse than I thought it was. I'm taking 600 mg tylenol and an anti-inflammatory medication that is helping a lot with pain.

FYI a walker with a tray attachment helped me a lot getting around my house for weeks after bunion surgery.  Also, do not fear surgery. In my case two years ago I was speaking to the nurse one second and the next second I was in the recovery room after two hours of surgery.  No dreaming, no weird sense of time passing at all. A snap, really.

Focuspuller wrote:

FYI a walker with a tray attachment helped me a lot getting around my house for weeks after bunion surgery.  Also, do not fear surgery. In my case two years ago I was speaking to the nurse one second and the next second I was in the recovery room after two hours of surgery.  No dreaming, no weird sense of time passing at all. A snap, really.

I have been using an office chair with wheels to get around my apartment. I have crutches for everything else. If I could get my sister to do my laundry, that would help a lot. I can't get to the laundry facilities here at my complex or take my trash out. Maintenance guys said they would help with trash and any packages that came to the office, so there is that.

matt-h2 wrote:
Echoing what others have said about taking care of it and watching it in the future. Apparently all kinds of ankle injuries are correlated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis. I had such a severe case (perhaps brought on by sprained ankles many years ago) that I ended up with a total ankle replacement. Good news is that after initial recovery and PT, I got my life back, and could walk normally again.

I don't have any problems with that. Lord knows with my rare allergy to lisinopril, I have been through all the machines and tests. Never sprained anything before, much less broken...

Model Sarah wrote:
Anyone ever do this? I've been in a boot for 3 days and I'm told 6-8 weeks. Not sure how I am going to work but I need to take care of myself and I am terrible at being sick, much less disabled.

Not exactly, but close.  Diabetic with blood blister on th sole of my foot, which burst and became infected.  Three weeks in a walking boot, then nearly 14 weeks in a calf-length cast, including a month on a knee scooter to keep weight off my foot.
I'll send prayers your way for a speedy recovery!

Model Sarah wrote:
[ My insurance didn't work until I got home a week later and yep, broken fibula ankle.

Maybe your friend has homeowners or renters insurance?

Years ago someone I didn't even know came on to my property and managed to break their leg. My insurance covered their medical plus some additional compensation of some sort. This, and they were actually trespassing.

Hope you have a speedy and complete recovery.

LA StarShooter wrote:
Sorry to see your misfortune. Its crucial to see the frightening medical magicians promptly. Do not be afraid, but be afraid of being afraid. Speed up that appointment if possible. Joint damage can be permanent.

11th is quite soon!

Znude! wrote:

Maybe your friend has homeowners or renters insurance?

Years ago someone I didn't even know came on to my property and managed to break their leg. My insurance covered their medical plus some additional compensation of some sort. This, and they were actually trespassing.

Hope you have a speedy and complete recovery.

That does not matter now.

Model Sarah wrote:
Who is talking about roller derby? I literally slipped on stairs.

Your X ray pictures just remind me of some others I saw a while back, they were actually in a leaflet or program for a roller derby bout. Lower leg/ankle injuries are common in that sport for obvious reasons, people tend to get hit by roller skates in those areas.

JSouthworth wrote:

Your X ray pictures just remind me of some others I saw a while back, they were actually in a leaflet or program for a roller derby bout. Lower leg/ankle injuries are common in that sport for obvious reasons, people tend to get hit by roller skates in those areas.

I have heard of people saying things like "I blacked out" when they got injured and I never understood it. I do now. I don't remember it at all. I just remember slipping and being carried inside.

Model Sarah wrote:
UGH. It finally happened. After nearly 4 years, I finally contracted covid for the first time. I am supposed to see the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and now I have to put that off. I just have a very mild cough and a bit of a stuffy nose. (I am fully vaccinated)

I need a hug.

I highly recommend Paxlovid in addition to hugs! It makes a huge difference!