Shaun's Fractured Fibula/ Compound Ankle dislocation playing Baseball (WARNING- Graphic Fracture Image)

by Shaun
(St. Petersburg, Fl)

Tibia protruding: Compound Ankle dislocation

Tibia protruding: Compound Ankle dislocation

Hello, my name is Shaun, I am 27 years old and I was just reading a few stories on here and I decided that I would share mine...

On May 31, 2009, I was playing a baseball game on my summer team here in sunny Florida. On this day, I was playing 3rd base. Next thing I know, I find myself chasing a pop foul ball toward the fence in foul territory and it was right then, that my left foot fell into a hole left by a fence post causing my fibula to fracture and a compound dislocation of my ankle/tibia. I went to the ER immediately where I had emergency surgey within a couple of hours. The surgeon repaired 2 or 3 torn ligaments and set my ankle and tibia back into place.

The Dr's main concern I believe, was infection from the compound dislocation, in which my tibia broke the skin. During the 1st surgery, the Dr determined that the swelling was to severe to repair the fractured fibula and he decided to wait 48hrs to go back in and asess the swelling. The swelling was still too severe, so I did not have my 3rd and final surgery until 2 weeks after the incident. I did wear a External Fixator for the weeks leading up to the last surgery, which was really weird and uncomfortable if you have never been through something like this.

Today, July 26th, I am all fixed and on the road to recovery. I wore a hard cast for 2 weeks after the 3rd surgery, before the Dr put me into a AirCast/Boot. I am non-weight bearing for 12 weeks total, and I have 7 weeks out of the 12 remaining. The crutches are HELL. I am going into my 4th full week of physical therapy, which I am doing 3 times a week. Because of the non-weight bearing, the therapist are only able to do Range of Motion excercises, which is extremely painful but well worth it. I am able to move up and down, but side to side is still very stiff.

I can only hope that everything goes as planned and I can get back out doing what I love the most, PLAYING BASEBALL and did I mention, ENJOYING LIFE.

I ecourage anyone to comment or reply to my story. Any tips, suggestions or related experience will be greately appreciated. Thanks for listening and I HOPE this NEVER happens to anyone. :)

Take a peek at the pic of my leg as I waited in the ER.

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Shaun's Fractured Fibula/ Compound Ankle dislocation playing Baseball (WARNING- Graphic Fracture Image)

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Jul 31, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		I left out a few BIG concerns.
by: Shaun

I know they say, that every person/case is different. But I am definately concerned about the life long effects of this injury.

Will I be pain free again one day? And, will I walk/run with a limp for the rest of my life?

When I origanlly posted my story, I was only trying to include the positives to help encourage others to stay positive. I can go on and on with negatives from this experience because there are many evry day.

Please comment or share your experience with a similar incident. I am interested to hear anything. Take Care....

Aug 12, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		outcomes after injury
by: Bart - SII

Shaun, thanks for sharing your story. The fact that you can focus on the positive aspects and want to share those rather than the negatives is indeed a rare gift. The positive attitude and motivation will help a lot with your recovery.

It will be quite some time before you are "normal" again, and likely you will have some type of limitations. The keys to successful recovery after an injury like this is to be patient, but not ever stop working to get better. Most people take 12-18 months to get back to "normal" after an ankle fracture with ORIF. So you will have a long road ahead of you.

The final outcomes vary significantly from person to person. I have seen several young (under 30) patients with similar injury (ankle fracture with fixation) who were eventually able to resume activities similar to what they were doing prior to injury. But it took a lot of time and hard work. I have also had patients who were similar who never got all the way back - because they settled for what they had and decided they couldn't get any better.

It does come down partly to motivation - and having a good therapist who doesn't let you settle for "good enough".

Best of luck in your continued recovery.

Check out the ankle questions section of the site - there are lots of posts on injuries similar to yours.

Bart
Sep 03, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Go Shaun!
by: Jenny

Shaun, my injury was very similar to yours actually and its posted here. I was on crutches for 10 months last year and now on them again, and yes they're hell. I had an external fixature on for 4 weeks after my 5th surgery, I've had 7 in the 19 months since my injury. I've had a lot of problems with getting back my dorsiflexion and I now know I won't get it all back, I'll be grateful if I have enough to alleviate the pain on my knee. I think cartilage damage will be something you will worry about long term.
It will always be painful, particularly when its cold, physio is always torture, and you may need more surgeries later on. But keep at it, there's no point feeling sorry for youself except to go on. Its like climbing, once you're up there, there's no going back except to reach the top.
Oct 21, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Whats Your present situation brother?
by: Karan Grover

Hello, I was surfing on the net when I came across a post by "Shaun, From St. Petersburg, FL".

Actually on Sept 13 2009 in an accident, I got exactly injuries mentioned in the post. I got a Dislocated Tibia and fractured Fibula. I had surgery same day and both the fractures have been fixed. Lateral malleolus has been fixed with one third semitubular plate. For medial malleolus tension band wiring has been done.

Also I left with a wound without skin on it from where my Tibia bone came out. After 15 days of surgery I got a plaster on my ankle with an open window in the plaster at the wound location for cleaning and dressing of wound.
Now after a month doctor suggested me to walk with full load bearing on my feet with supports "if required" to balance. The wound is healing since am able to see that tissues are generating and covering "Periosteum" (is a membrane that lines the outer surface of all bones). Am recovering and am able to walk without any support also. Am not walking normally but yet am able to walk without support. This light weight plaster will be there for another couple of weeks.

I know what this guy Shaun felt that moment… I would like to know about his present situation cause it’s gonna to be same with me also. Any contact detail, email whatever if I can have, I really want to contact this guy.
Any help from your side to contact Shaun???

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