open reduction internal fixation right ankle

by grant Jordan
(miami,fl)

19th FEB

I work for parks and recreation / we offer tours IE: kayaking, canoeing, biking, backpacking, camping, ect. so needless to say I am into a lot of outdoor sports!

4 months ago I was involved in a motorcycle accident that left me with a severe, open fracture to my right ankle, both bones came out tearing through ligaments, tendons, soft tissue, muscle, basically ripping my foot half way off.

i went through what was called an open reduction / internal fixation meaning they put a plate with 8 screws on the right side, and 1 screw on the left. my cast was taken off on the 19th (feb)
I was then sent back to the emergency room for what they thought was an infection for 5 more days. I started therapy 2 weeks ago, and am finding it more difficult then I imagined.

the reason being is that my foot healed in the prone position, instead of the neutral position,
every time i go into therapy they bend my foot back (very painfull) to get the range of motion back. i understand why and i am ok with that, but the problem is, is that i was getting better and the doctor had cleared me for full weight bearing, i could put some weight on it before, the last therapy, but this time she really pushed it, and i heard something pop! and now my foot is back to the black and blue stage where it was 2 months earlier, and now cant put any weight on it at all.

Is this normal? And does it get better? And should I think about orthoscopic scar tissue removal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thank you,
grant

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open reduction internal fixation right ankle

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Jun 10, 2009
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Yikes
by: Anonymous

I fractured my fibula and tore a bunch of ligaments near my ankle playing soccer a week ago, It's been exactly one week since the surgery. (open reduction internal fixation) and i have a plate with 8 screws in there too. It's been the most depressing week of my life!
Recovery seems too slow and I'm getting desperate here!
But your case seems a lot worse than mine. I have so much sympathy for everyone that has ever gone through this. no one knows our pain.

Jun 10, 2009
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REPLY
by: Grant Jordan.

that is so true, untill they go through it, no one has the right to comment on how little your injury is. i have had the comments, from diffrent people, saying " oh it doesnt look soo bad" or "ive seen worse"

just hang in there, it does get better, stick with therapy, it does work. and through time, there is less pain.

i know its hard, but try to move it much as possible, dont let the scar tissue build up in there!

Oct 03, 2009
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I feel the pain
by: Aron

I was riding a bike(regular bike)when the seat broke off. I fell down and twisted my ankle. I fractured my fibula and tore a ligament in my ankle. NO ONE knows what its like. Its depressing, its sad, its scary. I fractured my ankle when I was 11 and don't remember it being as nearly this depressing. I am so sad every day but have to go on. I'm 20 and turn 21 in four months, I dance, I love to dance and I attend as well as teach hip hop choreography. To know that I will not be able to fully be able to dance how I use to until 18 months is saddening for me. Who ever has to go through this, the surgery, the therapy, the pain, I'm with you and you have my prayers.