SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350 
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 13, 2015 23:17:30 GMT
About 10 weeks ago, I fell down some stairs and shattered my tibia and part of my knee (tibial plateau fracture). It was really bad. My doctor says they rate these fractures on a scale of 1-6 and mines a 6 (worst). I had surgery and now have a huge plate in my shin. I had to be 12 weeks non-weight bearing, so I've been using a wheelchair at work and out an about and a walker, hopping on one foot, at home. Basically, I've been sitting for 10 weeks. I do go to physically therapy and the strength and bend in my knee and quads is good, but being non-weight bearing there is only so much I can do.
I have a doctor's appointment next week and anticipate them telling me I can start doing partial weight on my leg. I will be given the option of walker or crutches, maybe even a cane. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm pretty nervous about it and was wondering if there is anyone that has been there. Any words of wisdom?
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Post by christine58 on Dec 13, 2015 23:41:55 GMT
Not as bad as you but when I broke my leg in a fall on black ice---I was on crutches...no walking cast for me. When the cast came off, it was a very weird feeling to say the least. I had to take my time going from still being on crutches to gradually being able to walk without crutches.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 13, 2015 23:46:47 GMT
Not as bad as you but when I broke my leg in a fall on black ice---I was on crutches...no walking cast for me. When the cast came off, it was a very weird feeling to say the least. I had to take my time going from still being on crutches to gradually being able to walk without crutches. That's what I'm thinking. It will just be a really weird feeling. I'm nervous about it because it's unknown. I've gotten used to teaching in my wheelchair and now I'm going to have to get used to something else. |
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Post by shelby on Dec 13, 2015 23:53:49 GMT
I found the under your arm crutches to be so hard to use. They had me use hand crutches and then move on to a walker then to a claw cane. I liked the claw cane because it would stand up by my chair and I could use it as support when standing up. Sorry you have had such a long healing time. Hope all goes well and you are back to normal soon.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Dec 13, 2015 23:54:02 GMT
I would ask your Dr to have them start you do wt bearing in PT. They can put you in the parallel bars, and start you out gradually. I would stick with the walker until you feel you can comfortably walk without a limp, then progress to crutches or a cane. It is going to feel weird, but that's ok, you sound like PT has prepared you well for when they give you the ok. You might be surprised at how well it goes.
PS..ALL Ortho's tell their patients that their injury was THEE worst they have ever seen. It's sort of funny, because we hear it all day.
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Post by christine58 on Dec 14, 2015 0:01:43 GMT
Not as bad as you but when I broke my leg in a fall on black ice---I was on crutches...no walking cast for me. When the cast came off, it was a very weird feeling to say the least. I had to take my time going from still being on crutches to gradually being able to walk without crutches. That's what I'm thinking. It will just be a really weird feeling. I'm nervous about it because it's unknown. I've gotten used to teaching in my wheelchair and now I'm going to have to get used to something else. LOL...teacher here too...fall happened in the school parking lot. It felt strange..like the cast was still there. I also had some swelling after the cast came off so I had some ice packs with me at school. Just be patient....I was afraid for a long time that I was going to fall again. PT helps too!! |
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Dec 14, 2015 0:14:57 GMT
I'm sorry, that is tough. I have had a horrible year of not being able to walk. I finally had surgery on my foot in September, and I am still struggling with getting back to normal. It is really hard to go from avoiding walking on your foot to walking on it. It feels "wrong" at that point and you go out of your way to avoid pain.
In the last year, I've used a walker, crutches, and a cane. I highly recommend a cane for getting around in public. It's easiest to navigate with. I sometimes still grab the walker around the house, but it's too "in the way" around town.
Speedy recovery!
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Post by librarylady on Dec 14, 2015 0:33:27 GMT
I have two friends who prefer those walking poles to a cane. The poles look like ski poles, but are for walking.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 14, 2015 0:46:43 GMT
I would ask your Dr to have them start you do wt bearing in PT. They can put you in the parallel bars, and start you out gradually. I would stick with the walker until you feel you can comfortably walk without a limp, then progress to crutches or a cane. It is going to feel weird, but that's ok, you sound like PT has prepared you well for when they give you the ok. You might be surprised at how well it goes. PS..ALL Ortho's tell their patients that their injury was THEE worst they have ever seen. It's sort of funny, because we hear it all day. LOL, I'm pretty sure in my case it's pretty true. I'm sure it's not the worst ever, but it's pretty bad. The injury happened at a cabin about 2 1/2 hours from our home. I actually had to be taken by helicopter to the closest big hospital because the closest big hospital able to handle my surgery was 2 hours away. The doctor doing my follow-up isn't the one that did my surgery. At my 6 week post-op appointment with the new doctor, I saw the PA. She was ready for me to get up and walk right then. I stopped her and told her that I was under the impression that I was non-weight bearing for 12 weeks. She went an talked to the doctor and returned with a different story. She said often with my injury, they do recommend some weight bearing at 6 weeks, but mine was so severe that I was on restriction until 12 weeks. My PT recommends I stick with my walker and then move to a cane because she is worried about my balance with crutches, so that is probably what will happen. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Dec 14, 2015 0:55:15 GMT
That is why I mentioned to talk to your Dr/PA before you start the wt bearing, and have you do it with PT. Often the ortho/PAs don't have a clue about how you are going to do. They will just say, Yep, looks good, your good to go. Like you can just get up and walk! This way the PT that has spent the most time with you, and knows how you handle things can work with you on it the right way. Good luck.
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Post by ntsf on Dec 14, 2015 3:17:57 GMT
my dh has been through this many times...and you just take it slow and know it will be different... he has used crutches for years..he takes off the padding from the tops, keeps them off the armpit.. and does well. he had both legs with compound fractures...and has had the worse level of injury. still dealing with consequences 35 yrs later.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 14, 2015 3:53:28 GMT
my dh has been through this many times...and you just take it slow and know it will be different... he has used crutches for years..he takes off the padding from the tops, keeps them off the armpit.. and does well. he had both legs with compound fractures...and has had the worse level of injury. still dealing with consequences 35 yrs later. Hugs to your husband. This has been tough and I definitely would not want to go through it more than once. |
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Post by scrapmaven on Dec 14, 2015 3:58:55 GMT
YOUCH. I haven't been completely non-weight bearing, but have been told to use my walker instead of crutches, because of the risk of axillary nerve damage caused by crutches pushing against the underarm.
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