Week 3 to 6 Post Orif Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture

Those 2 weeks after my surgery where the worst of my life as I explained in my recent post. After the sutures where removed on weeks three I felt much better. The pain on a scale from 1to10 was about a 4. I still elevated my foot and I practiced my flexing.

My foot was so stiff during these weeks I thought I would never be able to move it. I felt a tingling burning sensation on my little toe. The best way to explain it is when your foot falls asleep and you step that feeling you get of little pricks that was exactly what I felt. Per the Doc it was normal and the feeling should return. It can also be because of all the trauma and surgery he had to cut little nerves.

I wasn't able to sleep it wasn't because of pain but more to worries about money work and the weather. I live in Chicago and we have pretty bad weathers with lots of snow and ice.

At week four I was more relaxed my foot was regaining some motion. I was able to wiggle my toes but they still were stuck together. I was able to rotate my foot clockwise and counter clockwise with a little pain. At that time it was Thanksgiving week so I was able to distract my mind a lot. I withdrew from the pain medications totally. I also started taking ZQUIL. It helped me relax a lot I didn't feel groggy at all I woke up every morning wonderful.

I also trained my bladder to stop urination pass 10pm I didn't want to wake up in the middle of the night unable to focus and fall. One other tip I forgot to mention is make yourself with the help of others a little space in your living room bedroom to have everything at hand. I usually kept a Bath and Body works bag with all my lotions and my lovely CeraVue lotion it works miracles on dry ugly skin. I kept my sketch book pencils, medications, and some magazines people brought over so I can read by my bed.

Week 5 I was even more comfortable. To tell you the truth I never wore the big ugly boot. What I did was use the black sleeve it came with and walked extra careful taking my time with the crutches. I only wore it if I had to go outside. Which I never did only to see the Doc. I kept doing my range of motion exercises everyday I saw a little bit of improvement. I was now able to flex my ankle and the wound was looking even better the steri strips had fallen. and I was able to shower.

I ordered a shower stool on amazon and thank heavens for my prime membership I was able to get it in 2 days. I recommend getting the long stool not the round ones they can get really slippery. I also got a shower mat. And don't forget the shower head. The first time I showered I was so scared. I had my husband sit in the bathroom with me. If you have a tub you can sit on the edge and scoot your self back onto the stool with your back facing the shower. Also don't scrub your leg the first few times I just let the water run down my leg and scrubbed the bottom very gently.

At week 6 I felt like my self again. I did still experience a little throbbing from time to time. Also when it was really cold outside my leg felt it. My quick solution was an electronic heating pad and icy hot. A lot of people hate the smell including me but the relief it brought was a million times better. I also had my follow up with the doctor. Like usual I was sent for xrays first then he went into the room and said he was really happy with my recovery but still no weight bearing. According to him I have a piece of bone that is till healing on my tibia which has only a screw holding it in place and he wanted to give it 4 more weeks hopefully by that time I was going to be able to put weight on it.