How to recover from a broken ankle that has plates and screws.

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:recoverfrombrokenankleplatesscrews
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How to recover from a broken ankle that has plates and screws.

Introduction

Healing after surgery to fix a severely broken ankle. Note I am not a doctor, but a patient that wanted to share their own experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need

  • Time
  • A good doctor
  • A loving family
  • A supportive work environment

Steps

1

Step One

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Keep your body fit, eat healthy. If you do not eat healthy your body will take longer to heal. Do not take pain medication if you can avoid it as most pain medication prolongs healing.
2

Step Two

Be punctual with your appointments to the doctor, be sure to tell him of fever, sickness, or any unusual symptoms like burning or severe pain.
3

Step Three

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After you go to have the cast removed ask your doctor to give you a referral to a respected physical therapist. You will see massive bruising, and horrible dry skin, it will eventually all peel off. You will also notice your hair is discolored, excessive, or missing.
4

Step Four

If you go to all your physical therapist appointments it will improve your progress. You do not want a limp for the rest of your life do you? Do not push yourself if you see any oozing or blood from surgical incisions, if you do see a therapist be sure to have "break" days to give your body a chance to rest.
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Step Five

Your healing will take about 6 months to get back to a comfortable walking ability. You will consider soon if you would like to have hardware removed from your ankles, if you do you could improve your future use of the leg, but also risk re injuring the leg.
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Step Six

If you have time thank all the people that helped you get through this, and give something back to those that helped you through this time in your life.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • Ice helps swelling and pain.
  • If you are wearing a cast keep it dry, if it gets wet and you have sutures, you could be up for an infection, possibly even loose your leg.
  • If you have antibiotics prescribed, take them all skipping these could cause you to loose your foot.
  • If you have anti inflammatory medication use them only as prescribed (as with all medications)
  • As always follow ALL doctors advice
  • If you are instructed to do something by your doctor do it as they expect on time.
  • NEVER take medication earlier or later then prescribed, it could have unknown side effects and be a danger to your life.
  • ALWAYS follow your doctors advice, and get permission before changing your life style in anyway as described here.
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