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Broken Ankle RANT

2K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Piaffe 
#1 ·
So this is my broken ankle rant as the title suggests. I broke my ankle in 2011 so this next April 1st it will be 2 years. I fell off the back bumper of my car (with unsolicited help I might add...although there was no drinking involved..haha). It was only a maybe 2ft. drop if that to the ground,but I managed to get an injury that they said they usually only ever see in motorcycle or hang gliding type accidents. Go figure :wink: I found out later it's because I have a condition that makes my ligaments way too loose and they snapped to easily and didn't hold the bone. Basically my talus bone (which is the main bone in the center of the ankle...also attaching it to the leg) was broke completely in half. They only did x-rays in the beginning but because it is right in the middle it didn't show up...so they told me it was just sprained so I continued to try (on painkillers) to walk on it for the next 3 weeks. My leg/ankle/foot turned purple/black and finally I went back in. They said they would do an MRI and sure enough they found it broken in half,with my main ligaments all ripped up. Long story short over the next year I was in 3 casts,2 walking boots, and custom orthotics. I finished in PT as far as I could because they said my ankle couldn't get anymore flexible (loose ligaments condition..lol...so I "got better" very fast). They said if they had caught the break in the beginning they would have absolutely put 2 screws in it without a doubt. But because they didn't catch it they decided because it is an area that can easily loose blood flow and the bone can die they didn't want to mess with it and risk me not being able to walk on that foot.
Of course they told me to NEVER run,hop,skip,jump,wear high heels, or aggravate that ankle in anyway ever again.
So still...almost 2 years later it is bruising (new bruising) OFTEN. Just short walks,a small horse ride, even just lifting something not very heavy (under 75lb.) it starts bruising, getting so cold and I just cannot warm it up. Now I have arthritis in it and I am losing good blood flow down there quickly. Usually it is white with purple mottling and ice cold to touch. I try to keep it wrapped up good. I went to a neurologist a couple months back because they though I was losing some feeling as it goes numb too. They did a lot of electroshocking and came to the conclusion that the nerves are still working adequately for now. It hurts most of the time and is SO stiff most of the time that it just doesn't work right. My doctor put me on a medicine call Verapamil or something like that also a couple months ago as it is supposed to help with my heart problems (POTS) AND encourage good blood flow. She thought it my help get some blood to my ankle. Unfortunately I have really low blood pressure and that med lowers it way to much to be able to even function properly and I was just so light headed and dizzy every time I took it that finally I stopped. So...they is mostly a frustrated rant...but if you are a health professional and have ANY suggestions/input/ideas they would be MUCH appreciated. I DO stretch it often,but because of the ligament thing it doesn't really "help" too much. They already all overflex. I really don't want to be taking any pain meds whatsoever..which is the only other thing they have suggested (a pain clinic). I'd rather deal with the pain than that. But now I ride for 1 day for a couple hours and I can barely walk for several days because it is SO stiff and sore and bruised. Ugh. It is just plain frustrating for me because I used to be really active. The last two years it has been one thing after another with my health and I just wanted to rant. At least on my stupid ankle. If anyone actually reads all that..lol..well..sorry. I try not to be a complainer,but I sure sound whiny now...haha.

Seriously though...any suggestions?
 

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#3 ·
A magnetic wrap? I haven't had anyone mention that to me yet. Can they be gotten over the counter or is it a dr. Prescribed thing do you know? I've heard of them for horses...that would be interesting...

Thanks!!
 
#11 ·
My Aunt used to, or still does sell Nikken magnets. I kinda thought it was BS but my mom had a few single magnets she gave me to use when my knee was hurting(cronic knee pain issue) and they actually really helped.
This is the info on the ones she sold Nikken Product Technologies I'm sure you can find a ton of others, I would imagine they all work on the same principle.
 
#5 ·
I havent tried acupuncture yet... That might help with the pain. I have no experience with it personally but I have known quite a few people that have used it for various things with good results. I'll look into it... Thanks :)
 
#8 ·
My PT did some shock therapy,but it didn't seem to help too much. I don't go to PT anymore anyways though. The neurologist was only doing it for testing. My regular dr. Hasn't offered any shock therapy options though I don't know if they would be the ones to suggest it or ? I don't have an Orthopedic specialist really anymore as they said there wasn't anything else they wanted to do and basically discharged me and said too bad and sorry.
 
#9 ·
may i make a suggestion for riding? does riding without stirrups make it sore too? could you just go it bareback from now on, so you don't have to be in pain? i'm no medical professional, but i had my knee cap split in three once and they said i couldn't put weight on it to ride, so i just rode bareback, no posting or anything. i feel for ya :( hope you find something that works....
 
#10 ·
I ride bareback mostly because the stirrups are killer...especially the whole heels down down and toes pointed in which is nearly impossible for me on that side. But I want to get back into showing this coming year and they definitely frown upon it in the ring...lol. So I'm hoping to have things figured out before then. I've gotten some great suggestions on here that I'm looking into.i really appreciate it everyone! Thanks :)
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the link Rachel1786...I'll definitely look into that.

Cacowgirl- I usually do try to wrap it in an ace bandage and if it's cold add in some instant handwarmers. It definitely does help the stability...especially if I use my orthotics and tight riding boots. Unfortunately it doesn't help the pain at all...in fact it makes my ankle hurt way,way worse from keeping it in a position that it does not naturally want to be in...which definitely distracts from riding and kind of is making it not fun anymore :/ If I could find a solution that keeps it in place and takes away (or at least lessens) the pain I would be in heaven...lol :)
 
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