Any advice for someone who broke bones that need surgery to fix?
Any advice for someone who broke bones that need surgery to fix?
Broke my ankle and leg in 3 places and I'm getting surgery tomorrow. Idk how to feel or what to expect.
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Don't skip your post surgery PT. Your PT sessions have a huge impact on the outcome and can mean the difference between full recovery or being a gimp for life.
Eat lots of protein while you're healing. Your body needs protein to repair the damage caused by the accident and the surgery, without it you will be so devoid of energy, you'll wonder if you're dying after simple tasks like tying your shoes.
Don't lose heart, recovery can be long, but it does get better.
I have pets that depend on me, so I gotta take care of myself so I can care for them. PT is essential. I'm actually having a physical therapy consult today or tomorrow to figure out what mobility devices will work best for me when I go home. I can't have surgery until the severe swelling goes down in my leg. I'm looking at getting the operation early next week.
I've been given protein-rich hospital food and it has been so refreshing.
The knee scooters worked the best for me until I was strong enough and the pain had subsided enough for crutches. They're not great in small rooms though.
Good luck to you!
Edit: you can often find those scooters at the thrift store or on Craigslist. Of course that won't work if it's your femur that is broken.
I can't use a scooter right now because I have a fracture just below my knee. I have no idea what I'm going to get in regards of mobility aids pbecause I can't move the entirety of my right leg on my own. My thigh and hip and groin muscles are working overtime right now (presumably to compensate for my lower leg being broke af?) and it has me pretty much crippled.
If I'm ever cleared to use a scooter, my mom has one from when she had foot surgery.
Yeah you'll end up with some muscle imbalance. I couldn't walk for about 3 months after shattering my ankle and when they finally took the cast off, my leg was super atrophied and one of my shoulders was all fucked up from 3 months of having to compensate for half my lower body not working. The good news is all that shit is temporary, as long as you do your PT, and then focus on fitness after you've recovered enough. Ask the physical therapist, or the surgeon what mobility aids to use, they'll know. Also make sure to get the handicapped placard, you'll need it for awhile.
I'm getting a PT consult for mobility aids to use tomorrow. I will hopefully be going home until the swelling in my leg goes down. I can't have surgery until it isn't as swollen as it is. I expect to be in PT for a long time just because of the extent of my injuries and the fact I'll be getting hardware installed. Hopefully this whole thing can help me work out my upper body a lot until I can walk on my own again. I've already been using my arms so much to help me get comfy on my hospital bed. I can't move my whole right leg on my own, so I have to use my arms to shift my whole body around. The medical staff were moving my bad leg for me, but it caused excruciating pain, so I'm trying to do as much on my own without injuring myself more.
Also, my bad leg is my driving leg. I won't be driving for a while :(
Ouch! Sounds familiar, since I went through much of the same. Hang in there! If they don't give you pain meds before you leave, ask for them! I didn't ask for any and so they didn't give me any. I wasn't able to get any for another 36 hours of excruciating pain.
I've been getting Vicodin as often as possible. I'm also using ice packs to try to expedite the swelling.