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)
Hey all!
So a little bit about my story is I got into roller skating a few months back, was finally starting to get the hang of it then I had a really horrible fall that broke my tibia 💔💔 its been almost 9 weeks tomorrow since surgery and Im down to one crutch but this isnt easy. Ive never had an injury so to have my first one at almost 27, be out of work indefinitely (I'm a waitress so idk if I'll even be able to go back anytime soon), and watch my body go through all these changes is kind of traumatic. My question is though, has anyone experienced extreme atrophy of the glutes? My pants fit so loose back there now. I try to load up on protein but I guess thats not doing much unless I'm actively working out. Will it go back to normal once I start walking again or is it just a matter of targeting those muscles? Is this even normal? I know about muscle atrophy in the quads and calves but haven't heard much about the glutes so I'm a little concerned lol
Hi guys I broke my ankle last Monday and had a surgery Tuesday morning. The whole medical team including EMS Doctors nurses were amazing and I almost didn’t feel that much discomfort. My nerve block pretty much lasted until day 5 so I was lucky enough to not feel the excruciating pain everyone talks about. The medications did mess with my gut health as I already have underlying gastrointestinal problems. I took Oxy only for first 2 days and did ibu 600 and Tylenol 1000mg for the rest of the time even though I wasn’t hurting I was scared of what would happen after the block wore off. On Sunday I removed it but the pain is pretty controlled so I’ve been taking only Tylenol as required since yesterday. Last week I wasn’t able to sleep much but once the nerve block wore off I can get some rest and I feel like my anxiety isn’t as flared as it was first couple of days.
Today it has been a whole week since surgery. My partner has been my primary care taker so I haven’t done any movement except using the bathroom. I’ve been elevating my foot pretty much all the time. Now I wonder if it’s even necessary? But from tomorrow his schedule is pretty tight so I’ll be on my own. I have started feeling the pain now whenever I get up especially with all that blood rush. I got a scooter but we live in very small space. I feel like I was pretty much numb most of the last week but now my brain fog has worn off and reality is starting to hit slowly. Idk what to do I’m NWB for 6 weeks and in the cast for 2 weeks. Everything feels so weird. I’m finding ways to keep myself occupied but what the future holds really scares me. Also I need to travel internationally around mid October idk what all I need to be prepared for. Like I don’t know what I’m looking for while posting this here my thoughts are all over the place. Any kind of advice would be appreciated!
I hydroplaned into a tree in May 2025. This was my last x-ray and the MRI from date of accident.
experiencing nerve pain almost 6 months post hardware removal:(
edit: this is after hardware removal not the initial break. Removing the metal took away a lot of aching but still pain :(
ORIF on my ankle last week. When I run my fingers on my upper outer calf, I can feel it on my inner ankle. Weeeeird.
Hi all!
I fractured my ankle and had surgery on 8/7. I go in for my first post op appt on Wednesday and I’m really nervous.
They said they’ll take off the stitches and put me in a new boot.
A few questions:
How bad does it hurt when they remove the stitches?
They told me once I’m 4 weeks post op I can start 25% weight bearing and so on so forth until I’m at 100%.
How was your experience with that?
I’m just so scared of snapping my ankle again just by the pressure. I know it’s ridiculous but a genuine fear.
Any peace of mind would be most appreciated. 💖
9 months post ankle ORIF – still painful walking, hardware irritation?
Hey everyone,
I had ORIF for an ankle fracture on Nov 29, 2025 (so about 9 months ago now). Bone healing has been confirmed on X-rays, and I’ve been full weight-bearing without aids for a while. But I’m still dealing with pain while walking that’s frustrating me.
Current symptoms:
• Pain level around 6-7/10 every step of walking,
•Morning first step till night every step is painful
• Swelling by the end of the day, especially after longer walks.
• wheni lie down i dont feel pain
My surgeon mentioned the middle syndesmotic screw might break as part of normal healing, but the pain feels more like it’s coming from the plate area. I’ve tried icing, NSAIDs, and physio exercises, but it hasn’t fully resolved.
Has anyone been in a similar spot this far out?
• Did the pain fade on its own, or was it hardware irritation needing removal?
• How long after removal did you feel real relief?
• Any tips on pushing through vs. resting more?
I’m 36F, 160 cm, 94 kg, and otherwise healthy. Just want to know if this is “normal” at 9 months or if I should push harder for hardware removal. Thanks in advance for any stories or advice!
Hey guys!
I fractured my distal radius with ulnar styloid involvement in a car accident, then had a radial ORIF August 6th. Follow up the 19th unsure of next steps as I’m currently in a backslab. It’s my dominant hand, I’m a full time bedside nurse who does paper charting LOL
I’m not looking for medical advice, obviously will follow the professionals! I know everyone is different but curious on individual experiences.
- How long did it take to go back to regular activities?
- Did you have numbness? The top of my hand and thumb/index have been numb/tingly since surgery. How did this affect physio and stuff?
- How long did it take you to write again?
- What about holding weighted items?
I have a feeling it’ll be a long road.
Hello, tomorrow will be 3 weeks since my elbow ORIF with tension band wiring. I’m in my brace now, so unless I’m doing my PT exercises the pain isn’t too bad. I can even can get somewhat comfortable at bedtime too (especially compared to before the brace) but for some reason I’m still not sleeping. I’ve been getting anywhere from only 2-4 hours a night and when I do wake up I’m extremely anxious and usually can’t call back asleep (like right now).. I’m not usually one to have anxiety ESPECIALLY not to wake up with it.
I’m so out of it right now from days of not sleeping much yet & still waking up feeling panicky and unable to go back to sleep. I’m not sure if my senses are getting overstimulated a lot easier all things considered or what.
I’m just wondering if anyone else has had post op anxiety??
My wife had ORIF a year ago. She's walking, driving, and working again. However if she moves the wrong way it causes her sudden pain that makes her scream loudly but she says she's fine. The gear is still in. I ain't gonna pressure her to take it out and wait til she's ready because the doctor says the bones will break again and she does not want to be bedridden again. I'm the one posting because she finds this sub traumatic for her. I wanted y'all to know you will get better.
Hi! I am 4 days post op an open reduction and internal fixation of right lateral malleolus and open reduction and internal fixation of right syndesmosis surgery. My doctor said that I will transition into a boot with fwb at post op appointment in 2 weeks. Since looking further into this surgery, I don’t see people fwb for at least 4 weeks. Is this timeline like normal or realistic? I’m supposed to law school and am already missing orientation so I’m trying to remain optimistic but😔
Hi All,
Glad I’ve found this community as I think it may help me and looks like it’s full of reassuring stories! For reference I am 28 M.
Last Friday night I slipped on some shoddy stairs and broke my left tibia and fibula a few inches above my ankle. I’m in the UK so was taken to A&E where they did an x-ray, CT scan and admitted me for surgery. I had the surgery Sunday afternoon and appears everything went well. I have a plate and a number of screws in my tibia, as well as a rod for my fibula. I’ve had my leg in a light dressing plus a moon boot since Monday morning, no cast. So far I’ve been told strictly NWB for 6 weeks with a view to being walking again at 3 months. I believe the fracture on the tibia was described as a spiral fracture. I was discharged Tuesday after physio did some work with me on crutches and have been home since. On Wednesday evening I had some severe sickness as well as diarrhoea which seems to be improving day by day, though I’ve had a much smaller appetite since. I should also have a post op appointment in about 10 days which should include another x ray and a consultation for next steps, perhaps some physio.
At the moment I’m on the following meds:
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Codeine phosphate
Lansoprazole (to line the stomach for regular ibuprofen)
Aspirin
Stool softeners (if required)
I have a few questions if anyone would be so kind as to answer!
Thanks all in advance, happy to answers any questions!
Have posted here before and it was nice to hear some perspectives. Previously I asked about the progress in my bonegrowth, got some hopeful responses on that.
I’m about 5 and a half months post-op from a pretty serious both-bone forearm fracture radius and ulna.
The issue is the radius. At earlier follow-ups the ulna looked like it was healing well, but the radius still showed a visible dark line / unclear consolidation. My surgeon said it was hard to tell from X-ray whether the radius had fully healed, so I had a CT scan done yesterday.
My doctor said she couldn't say much about this right now. A new CT scan next month should indicate some more.
I’m posting the CT video here because I’m trying to understand what others have experienced with this kind of picture. Has anyone had a radius/ulna ORIF where one bone, especially the radius, looked delayed at 4–5 months but eventually healed without another surgery?
Quite anxious about the progress. Ofcourse hoped for a quicker healing process.
Does anyone have lifelong plates/rods? My surgeon said mine will stay in forever 😭 until I get an ankle replacement
Hey y'all, I plan on making a follow up appointment with my ortho next week but has anyone else had a plate positioned this way? The plate that is attached to my ulna sticks up above the end of the bone. I also have intermittent pain on the ulnar side as well. My surgeon didn't seem concerned but I am nervous this will impact my rehab or R.O.M. My surgeon also only gave me a script for occupational therapy and not physical therapy.
This imagine is from July, on the xray taken two days ago the bone looked to be sticking up more than this. I didn't get a picture because I had my 6yo with me and forgot.
External fixator hardware due soon
Yow guys . My first post here . I've been in this page since April . Had my accident that time and I can admit it's been very informative. I was driving a motorcycle and some bloke rammed me while I was passing the robots. Currently not full weight bearing but I can bear a bit . Is there any caviar I should expect coz I'm due soon to remove this hardware this month and put on a cast then it'll be a pressure boot . I'm asking coz some days it's painful too much some days it's not . Just need an opinion from someone who's had this hardware before. And during the removal after it's been removed do u get pains later on ? How severe are they ?
I will definitely chat with my med team butttt I was wondering if anyone has used acupuncture for stiffness and what your experience is. I'm 7 weeks from surgery and still pretty stiff (but it's been a week since I've been cleared for weight bearing and slightly improving each week in pt.
Edit: okayyyy I'll just be patient and do my PT🫣