It's been about 8 months now since I had ankle surgery. There are a lot of positives and negatives I've been experiencing.
Overall, my ankle feels okay. It still doesn't have the flexibility and range of motion that my other ankle does. And it actually cracks a lot! That was kind of surprising to me, especially since I'm 8 months out. That seems like a long time to still be experiencing cracking, doesn't it? It mostly cracks when I wake up and start walking in the morning. I do a few stretches, and that's when it cracks.
Running goes pretty well now. I can definitely feel my one leg is just a little weaker than the other. My ankle does hurt a little when I run, but usually it takes about 15-20 minutes before that starts happening. It mostly hurts after a run. I don't limp anymore after I run, but that might be because I stretch it a lot after running, and sometimes apply ice (my ankle still swells up a lot).
There was one weird thing that happened to me the other day. Since I'm a college student, I tend to spend hours at my desk doing homework. It might just be me, but I have a habit of sitting cross-legged (like a "pretzel" as some people say) on my desk chair. After a couple hours, I got up and took a step with my bad ankle. I immediately felt a sharp pain shoot up my leg and my ankle froze in place. It freaked me out so much, I quickly sat on the ground and grabbed my ankle to start massaging it. I have no clue what happened. Maybe circulation got cut off or something? Either way, it really hurt! So remember to move your ankle every now and then, and try not to sit in weird positions!
That's all for now!
P.S I apologize, I keep forgetting to make videos about stretching! Hopefully I'll have time this weekend!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Thank you!
I started this blog thinking it would be a personal blog for myself to keep track of my progress. After these past few months though, and after seeing the page views increase exponentially, it makes me happy to know people are reading my blog and hopefully learning something about this kind of injury, surgery, and healing process.
I'd like to thank those of you who have taken the time to comment and write to me about your own personal stories. When I found out I had to get surgery, I immediately got on the internet (I know, not the best idea...there are some scary stories out there, right?), and had trouble finding personal stories of this kind of surgery. I'm glad this blog has been of help for others or has at least given some basic information about the healing process after ORIF surgery.
I haven't had to live through much pain in my life. I'm only 19 years old and this was my first broken bone. I think the most pain I experienced in my life prior to this was probably when I had to get a tooth pulled when I was a kid. I now have much more sympathy and understanding for people who have to use a wheelchair, crutches, wear a boot or cast for months, and get any kind of surgery like this. It was a scary thing for me to go through, and I'm sure it's scary for others.
So for those of you who are going through this, know that it does get better. Sometimes I might be pessimistic about my injury and healing process, but I think that's a natural part of the healing process--the mental part. Being positive and having positive people around me really helped. Some days are much harder than others, both mentally and physically. It does get better though. Maybe not 100%, but I'm thankful I can walk and run and do everyday activities. Keep your heads up! My thoughts go out to all of you readers who are experiencing this. Feel free to ask any questions, and best of luck!
I'd like to thank those of you who have taken the time to comment and write to me about your own personal stories. When I found out I had to get surgery, I immediately got on the internet (I know, not the best idea...there are some scary stories out there, right?), and had trouble finding personal stories of this kind of surgery. I'm glad this blog has been of help for others or has at least given some basic information about the healing process after ORIF surgery.
I haven't had to live through much pain in my life. I'm only 19 years old and this was my first broken bone. I think the most pain I experienced in my life prior to this was probably when I had to get a tooth pulled when I was a kid. I now have much more sympathy and understanding for people who have to use a wheelchair, crutches, wear a boot or cast for months, and get any kind of surgery like this. It was a scary thing for me to go through, and I'm sure it's scary for others.
So for those of you who are going through this, know that it does get better. Sometimes I might be pessimistic about my injury and healing process, but I think that's a natural part of the healing process--the mental part. Being positive and having positive people around me really helped. Some days are much harder than others, both mentally and physically. It does get better though. Maybe not 100%, but I'm thankful I can walk and run and do everyday activities. Keep your heads up! My thoughts go out to all of you readers who are experiencing this. Feel free to ask any questions, and best of luck!
...6 1/2 months later...
Just another quick update...
I'm a couple weeks away from 7 months post-operation, and I feel as though I've hit a plateau, at least in the sense that I don't feel like my ankle flexibility is improving anymore. I still try to stretch it everyday, both with a resistance band and by stretching against a wall...even so, my ankle doesn't bend like my other ankle and I don't feel like I've made any big improvements in flexibility in the last month or so.
As far as muscle growth, I have made some progress. While living in the wilderness this summer I got the opportunity to run on gravel roads instead of pavement. This wasn't the best idea for the first month or so of the summer when I still didn't feel very stable running. Towards the end of the summer though, I grew accustomed to the gravel roads. I also got practice running up and down hills. Initially this was a big challenge. Going up and down inclines and declines didn't seem to agree with my ankle, so I would have to walk. This was actually better for me since my doctor recommended starting off with walk/runs anyway. After a month or so (around July), I built up more muscle and my flexibility got better so that I could run up and down hills somewhat comfortably. I started to run about 3-5 times a week, sometimes for 15 minutes and sometimes for up to an hour (run/walk if it hurt my ankle). When I left Sawbill just a week ago, I was up to running 3 miles non-stop, or run/walking up to 6 miles, both with mild pain afterwards. Stretching really helped after going for a run. If I didn't stretch, I would limp for a while, so stretching really cut down on that kind of short-term pain after a run. Most days I went for a run though (or did any kind of workout really), my ankle would feel really stiff late at night. Overall, running really helped me build up the muscle I lost from being immobile for so long after the injury, and I think it has aided immensely to the healing process and in regaining some flexibility as well.
On a side note, I've been back home for a few days already and I'll be moving back to college on Sunday. I've done quite a bit of shopping to get some furniture for my house at college, and my ankle hurt a bit more than normal after a long day of walking around the mall. Other than that, things have been good here for the most part! I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer!
I'm a couple weeks away from 7 months post-operation, and I feel as though I've hit a plateau, at least in the sense that I don't feel like my ankle flexibility is improving anymore. I still try to stretch it everyday, both with a resistance band and by stretching against a wall...even so, my ankle doesn't bend like my other ankle and I don't feel like I've made any big improvements in flexibility in the last month or so.
As far as muscle growth, I have made some progress. While living in the wilderness this summer I got the opportunity to run on gravel roads instead of pavement. This wasn't the best idea for the first month or so of the summer when I still didn't feel very stable running. Towards the end of the summer though, I grew accustomed to the gravel roads. I also got practice running up and down hills. Initially this was a big challenge. Going up and down inclines and declines didn't seem to agree with my ankle, so I would have to walk. This was actually better for me since my doctor recommended starting off with walk/runs anyway. After a month or so (around July), I built up more muscle and my flexibility got better so that I could run up and down hills somewhat comfortably. I started to run about 3-5 times a week, sometimes for 15 minutes and sometimes for up to an hour (run/walk if it hurt my ankle). When I left Sawbill just a week ago, I was up to running 3 miles non-stop, or run/walking up to 6 miles, both with mild pain afterwards. Stretching really helped after going for a run. If I didn't stretch, I would limp for a while, so stretching really cut down on that kind of short-term pain after a run. Most days I went for a run though (or did any kind of workout really), my ankle would feel really stiff late at night. Overall, running really helped me build up the muscle I lost from being immobile for so long after the injury, and I think it has aided immensely to the healing process and in regaining some flexibility as well.
On a side note, I've been back home for a few days already and I'll be moving back to college on Sunday. I've done quite a bit of shopping to get some furniture for my house at college, and my ankle hurt a bit more than normal after a long day of walking around the mall. Other than that, things have been good here for the most part! I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
5 Months Post-Surgery
Five months sounds like a long time. While it seems like I broke my ankle forever ago, some of the stiffness and everyday pain still exists even five months after breaking it. I've been trying to stretch it everyday, but no matter what, it's still stiff and sore late at night and in the morning when I get out of bed. In fact, I still limp somewhat especially after waking up in the morning and taking my first few steps of the day. It's sore, it hurts, it doesn't feel "normal."
This was one of my main fears after breaking my ankle and getting surgery - that this pain would persist and would never go away. I still have 60 or 70 years of life to go! Is it really going to be this bad for the rest of my life?
I can run. Kind of. I can run small distances, then I limp after running. I cannot sprint without limping. The plate pinches and feels weird when my ankle moves certain directions. Not to be a pessimist, but I hate having metal in my ankle. I hate how big and swollen my ankle is. I hate feeling the metal and screws in my leg. I hate being paranoid of falling and slipping all the time now.
Nonetheless, time goes on and hopefully this injury will improve even more. At least I can walk.
This was one of my main fears after breaking my ankle and getting surgery - that this pain would persist and would never go away. I still have 60 or 70 years of life to go! Is it really going to be this bad for the rest of my life?
I can run. Kind of. I can run small distances, then I limp after running. I cannot sprint without limping. The plate pinches and feels weird when my ankle moves certain directions. Not to be a pessimist, but I hate having metal in my ankle. I hate how big and swollen my ankle is. I hate feeling the metal and screws in my leg. I hate being paranoid of falling and slipping all the time now.
Nonetheless, time goes on and hopefully this injury will improve even more. At least I can walk.
Friday, May 31, 2013
(Almost) 4 Months Post-Surgery! PLUS running for the first time!?
I recently started working on running. Running for the first time felt very weird and unnatural. I almost have all my calf muscle back but I still limp a tiny bit while running, especially at the end of a run. Right now, my physical therapist said it's okay to run but to not overdo it. So I've been doing intervals of about 2 minutes running and two minutes not running. This is really flexible though, and sometimes I will run for longer or walk for longer. Overall it's going okay. I can't sprint or anything. It almost feels like fake running. It definitely doesn't feel like I'm running normally, but that will come with time (I hope)!
My ankle still swells up a lot, especially at the end of the day or at the end of a run. I'm walking a lot everyday for my new job, so my feet get really sore too. I'm still doing stretches, calf raises, and working with the resistance band. I also try to remember to take my calcium and multivitamin pills everyday. My flexibility is still not quite there. Moving my foot up toward the ceiling is getting better, but pointing my foot downwards is still pretty bad. That also might be because of the swelling though.
My limp is completely gone except for a few minutes after I go for a run. And at that point it's just a minor limp that lasts for maybe 30-45 minutes max. Once I stretch, then my ankle is fine again (although very swollen).
The scar is healing nicely. It's pretty noticeable though. I wore capris for the first time the other day (I'm up in Northern Minnesota, so it's still been pretty cold here) and one of my coworkers commented on my scar. He knew I had surgery, but when he saw the scar he said, "Woah, that's a big scar!" The scar doesn't bother me too much I guess. The part that bugs me is that whenever I see it I start thinking about my injury, which I never want to re-live. But I'm proud of how far I've come. It's been a tough road for sure, but things are looking up. I'm so happy to be somewhat running again and working on strength. Overall though I'm just glad I got through those really tough 3 months and I'm able to walk again. There are so many things I take for granted, but the ability to walk and run will never be one of them again.
My ankle still swells up a lot, especially at the end of the day or at the end of a run. I'm walking a lot everyday for my new job, so my feet get really sore too. I'm still doing stretches, calf raises, and working with the resistance band. I also try to remember to take my calcium and multivitamin pills everyday. My flexibility is still not quite there. Moving my foot up toward the ceiling is getting better, but pointing my foot downwards is still pretty bad. That also might be because of the swelling though.
My limp is completely gone except for a few minutes after I go for a run. And at that point it's just a minor limp that lasts for maybe 30-45 minutes max. Once I stretch, then my ankle is fine again (although very swollen).
The scar is healing nicely. It's pretty noticeable though. I wore capris for the first time the other day (I'm up in Northern Minnesota, so it's still been pretty cold here) and one of my coworkers commented on my scar. He knew I had surgery, but when he saw the scar he said, "Woah, that's a big scar!" The scar doesn't bother me too much I guess. The part that bugs me is that whenever I see it I start thinking about my injury, which I never want to re-live. But I'm proud of how far I've come. It's been a tough road for sure, but things are looking up. I'm so happy to be somewhat running again and working on strength. Overall though I'm just glad I got through those really tough 3 months and I'm able to walk again. There are so many things I take for granted, but the ability to walk and run will never be one of them again.
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| A photo from my first time running since pre-injury. May 17, 2013. :) |
Sunday, May 12, 2013
3 months and 1 week Post-Op
My ankle has been doing pretty well now. I only start to limp a little after a long day of walking, but otherwise it's pretty unnoticeable. I also saw a physical therapist in my hometown hospital last Friday and she gave me a bunch of exercises to do. I have a stretchy resistance band to work on my ankle ROM and strength, as well as some stretches using the wall, and basic leg lifts/calf raises. She also measured my range of motion angles and said I'm doing really well.
Right now I'm about 3 1/2 weeks since I last used crutches. I can kind of run. Not really full strength or full length steps, but it's more of a fast walk with slight hopping like a running kind of motion. I haven't tried jumping on my feet yet. I think I still need more strength. Just standing on one leg, I'm very shaky and can't stay balanced for more than 10-15 seconds. The physical therapist said I can try running increments right now just to build up muscle, but no more than a couple minutes at a time. She also said it will probably take a month or so to work back up to a normal jog pace.
Below are some photos (don't mind my hairy legs, I can't really shave over the scar yet). The screw removal surgery was about 1 1/2 or two weeks prior to these photos, so the scar healed over a little bit. They just made a tiny centimeter incision over the old incision, so the bottom part of my scar is in the beginning healing stages while the rest has had over three months to heal.
Right now I'm about 3 1/2 weeks since I last used crutches. I can kind of run. Not really full strength or full length steps, but it's more of a fast walk with slight hopping like a running kind of motion. I haven't tried jumping on my feet yet. I think I still need more strength. Just standing on one leg, I'm very shaky and can't stay balanced for more than 10-15 seconds. The physical therapist said I can try running increments right now just to build up muscle, but no more than a couple minutes at a time. She also said it will probably take a month or so to work back up to a normal jog pace.
Below are some photos (don't mind my hairy legs, I can't really shave over the scar yet). The screw removal surgery was about 1 1/2 or two weeks prior to these photos, so the scar healed over a little bit. They just made a tiny centimeter incision over the old incision, so the bottom part of my scar is in the beginning healing stages while the rest has had over three months to heal.
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| Post-screw removal scar (about 1 1/2 weeks post-operation) |
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| Scar 1/12 weeks post-operation |
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| Scar post-screw removal |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Surgery #2 Follow-up
Today I had a follow-up appointment with my surgeon (post-screw removal surgery). They took the wrapping off my leg and removed the two small stitches (which was a lot less painful than the staples the first time around). This was probably my last appointment at the hospital in my college town since next week is finals and I'll be moving out next Wednesday.
After they removed the stitches, I talked with my surgeon and asked him what kinds of exercises I could do. He just said to keep stretching it, maybe do the bike/elliptical at the gym, etc. He said I can try running (which doesn't seem like good advice...right?) and I'll be back to normal running in 3-4 months...so around July/August?
My leg is feeling really good! The last time I used crutches was Saturday in the morning for breakfast. I had an orchestra concert Saturday night, which I walked to without crutches. Sunday I felt pretty good as well, so I didn't use crutches that day. And finally for the first time since February, I was able to walk to classes without crutches on this Monday! I even walked back to campus from the hospital today after my appointment was done. It's about a 10 minute walk and the weather was great today (in the 70s!) so I thought I'd just walk back to my dorm.
My ankle still feels sore/stiff but my limp is getting less noticeable. I still walk slower than normal but I feel my calf getting stronger and my range of motion is a little better. Right now I just have a sterile strip over my most recent incision (where the stitches were) that will fall off by itself, and I have a big bandaid over that.
So I guess from here on out, I can start working more on flexibility and walking! It's a great feeling to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially now that I'm off crutches FOR GOOD)! I have two physical therapy appointments in my hometown when I get back from college, then I leave for the BWCA on May 14th. This year went by so fast! Let's hope this healing process goes quick too.
After they removed the stitches, I talked with my surgeon and asked him what kinds of exercises I could do. He just said to keep stretching it, maybe do the bike/elliptical at the gym, etc. He said I can try running (which doesn't seem like good advice...right?) and I'll be back to normal running in 3-4 months...so around July/August?
My leg is feeling really good! The last time I used crutches was Saturday in the morning for breakfast. I had an orchestra concert Saturday night, which I walked to without crutches. Sunday I felt pretty good as well, so I didn't use crutches that day. And finally for the first time since February, I was able to walk to classes without crutches on this Monday! I even walked back to campus from the hospital today after my appointment was done. It's about a 10 minute walk and the weather was great today (in the 70s!) so I thought I'd just walk back to my dorm.
My ankle still feels sore/stiff but my limp is getting less noticeable. I still walk slower than normal but I feel my calf getting stronger and my range of motion is a little better. Right now I just have a sterile strip over my most recent incision (where the stitches were) that will fall off by itself, and I have a big bandaid over that.
So I guess from here on out, I can start working more on flexibility and walking! It's a great feeling to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially now that I'm off crutches FOR GOOD)! I have two physical therapy appointments in my hometown when I get back from college, then I leave for the BWCA on May 14th. This year went by so fast! Let's hope this healing process goes quick too.
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