u/ramkuma1

56M. Syndesmosis repair, total tear of deltoid ankle ligament, broken fibula. PA says xrays are great, full range of motion restored, no soreness, no swelling. I attribute much of this to 20 years of weight training before the accident. Now, I will address the knee which gave out due to two months off leg muscles which weakened knee support. The stage 4 arthritis in the knee was apparently hidden by strong legs before the accident. No injury occurs in isolation! Thanks to this community who largely helped me through in my worst moments.

How do you cope with regretting the one false move that resulted in a change in your life forever? Constantly thinking about what could have been. Still in shock. (complete tear of deltoid ligament, syndesmosis repair, chronic knee mess up, 13 weeks post op)

At 12 weeks post op for syndesmosis and total tear of deltoid ligament, my ankle feels at 95%. I think being in great shape before the accident--fell from a ladder, ankle caught in between rungs and took full weigh of my body falling backwards--helped a lot. Be aware of how much this takes a toll on the rest of your body and mind. I am now down again with knee giving out. I had arthritis in the knee before, but I think the weakening of the muscles due to non weight bearing for weeks and the stress on my knee during recovery put it over the edge. I basically have no structural integrity in the knee, and this happened after I thought I was near full recovery. My knee doctor says go to PT, but frankly, given that I literally can't walk, I don't know how much good its going to do. The one two bunch of back to back injuries has broken my spirit. After 3 months of hell recovering the ankle, I thought I was there.

At what point is just better to get a knee replacement vs. constantly monkeying around with a meniscus injury?

I had meniscus removed in my knee when I was 27. 30 years later it's come back to haunt me as a scrap piece of cartilage is jamming my knee joint preventing me from walking. Going to have another surgery. The only thing that keeps me from getting bad arthritis is weight training. At what point can you just dodge all this at the pass and get a total knee replacement? Could I be considered?

I was doing incredibly well 10 weeks post op--walking full weight bearing with minimal discomfort. And then the last couple of days my knee has been locking up and giving out. Turns out my doctor did not report to my physical therapist a past surgery where my meniscus (cartilage at knee joint) was removed. My PT said that had he known that we would have gone much slower. As a result, we were pushing too hard and now I am back on crutches with no clear path about how to address the knee. I go see my surgeon tomorrow morning. I am devastated. And frustrated that you always have to go behind people to make sure they are doing their job. A report to a PT from a doctor, at minimum, states past surgeries on the affected leg.

I sold my FIHFX target fund because I did not realize when the asset mix is rebalanced to become more conservative as you get closer to the target retirement date they sell assets internally and pass the capital gains on to you, even if your fund as a whole lost money. I have read that iShares has an equivalent EFT called ITDC which presumably avoids that tax drag. Is ITDC with iShares safe? I did not know if there was a possibility iShares could go out of business and you would lose your money. I know you could lose money in the market but what about the solvency of iShares. I just don't want to lose my money if the backer of the fund goes out of business. Be easy on me here, I am learning. Thank you.

Since I've gone full weight bearing my knee on the affected leg has had a tendency to lock up. I guess overcompensating for the ankle injury. Today it's been actually giving out. Has anyone had this issue?

After realizing its not as easy as "VOO and chill," I have decided to get a money manager. I just found out that my FIHFX target retirement fund is subject to capital gains taxes even if I lose money because its not in a retirement fund. Too many surprises. There is too much I don't know that I don't know.

Can someone explain in the simplest terms possible why an ETF if better for saving you on taxes than a mutual fund? I have tried to understand it and its all over my head. Currently I hold FIHFX but I understand the tax implications are higher with mutual funds. What is the ETF equivalent of FIHFX?

When you were given the green light to go full weight bearing in a shoe with a brace, did you still take it really easy, or did you just try to live your life like you lived it before the surgery. I'm not talking about doing Athletics or anything like that but just living your day like you used to walking around as much as you wanted etc. I had a lot of catching up to do and it was good to be active again I've been tiling my kitchen, going for a walk in the park, and moving books etc. Just want to be sure I'm not overdoing it

Deltoid ligament reattachment. I am getting a lot of tingling at the site of the reattachment 10 weeks post that I never had before. Anyone else?

Anyone have an idea why my work 457 target retirement fund is up 8% for the year, but my Fidelity FIHFX target retirement fund is DOWN 1% for the year?

This man was such a warm presence in my life. Its hard getting older and experiencing the death of so many people you love.

https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2026-07-23/bill-mcglaughlin-beloved-exploring-music-radio-host-dies-at-82

I have been walking with brace in shoe full weight bearing for two weeks and both legs are very sore, especially the knees. I have to take a hot bath every nigh to alleviate the pain in both legs. Anyone else?

I'm struggling to walk with a decent gait and without a limp 9 weeks post-op maissaneuve fracture.Full weight bearing. It's really messing up the rest of my legs. Knees and hips are hurting at the end of the day for overcompensating with the ankle. Anyone else?

Does anyone notice how unforgiving the search engine is in VCP card look up. Seems like it can't register years or make of card, only ball player name.

There's a girl in my physical therapy place that wears this hairstyle and it looks fabulous. Totally sexy. I didn't even know it had a name---Wolfcut. I thought it was just an urban white girl thing.

At what point in your recovery did you doctor say you could start driving again? What did they say you had to be at?