Update on Pain and Loopiness

[Quixotic1]

As you all know, I have been gimping around complaining to all who would listen about the ankle that went "Pop!" under me last week.  Even though I told the Doc-in-the-Box that the worst pain was on the side of my lower leg up by the knee, she only would x-ray the ankle which was super swollen and four shades of purple.  I've been walking around on it for a week.

I saw the orthopedist this am.  I have a Massionneurve fracture.  This is a complete rupture of the ligaments of the inside ankle (with or without a fracture of the medial malleolus) which then allowed the whole ankle and foot to externally rotate - so that the big bone (tibia) and the little bone (fibula) criss-crossed one another.  This then resulted in a spiral fracture of the fibula near the top.  All the fascia in between the bones was damaged.  No wonder the calf hurt so much.  The UC doc should have listened to me.  

My ankle is unstable, but in perfect alignment and the fracture is non-displaced.  So I have a walking boot on with orders to stay off of it and keep it elevated.  If it heals in place over 6 weeks or so, then all is well.  If it stays unstable then I will need a couple screws in the ankle.  Here is a picture of the fracture that looks a lot like mine.

http://rad.usuhs.edu/medpix/master.php3?mode=topic_images&recnum=6626&quiz=#top

The fibula only takes about 17% of the weight of the load on the leg.  That's why I have been able to walk.  I would think it would heal if we leave both ends of the bone in the same room.  The ankle rupture may be more problematic.

I'm still needing more pain meds, but that should subside once it stays immobilized for a while.  I will buy a little laptop to use in my recliner so I can be on the forum with you guys.  Lots to say.

I see you all are holding down the forum beautifully, but I want to be wanted and will be here soon.

Keep the peace

Quix, the Gimpy

[sllowe]

Gimpy-Q! You don't do anything small, do you!!!!

Hope the pain lessens and I'm glad you got a good orthop.

-Shell

[jensequitur]

ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch!

How is this going with the bladder probs?  I can't think that it's convenient...

Take it easy, stay still - we want you back all healthy and happy!

[johnnymutt]

Quit hitting yourself, Quit hitting yourself !! Yikes Quix, you had my leg bouncing with that surprise report. Jen had it right when she said ouch!

I hope you have a short recovery Quix. Really sorry to hear that you have that to deal with as well.

Be well
Johnny

[fig65]

Ouch! I can almost feel the pain just reading your post. So sorry to hear about your injury. Get lots of rest and I hope you recover quickly!

[Mike_Shuswap]

Holy smokes!!!!! That's gonna leave a mark!

I hope you'll look after yourself and heal up soon. Try to keep both ends in the same room, I'm sure this would help.

Will the ankle be able to heal up with rest and imobilization? I hope that's the case!

I also hope you get that laptop soon...believe me...you are wanted here!

Mike

[Quixotic1]

Thanks, Everyone.

Jen - it is very inconvenient to have the incontinence and now the walking boot.  I worry about peeing into the boot and stepping on mice and killing them.  So many new things to worry about.  I am staying pretty dehydrated and the new meds are helping prevent epic flooding, but I still need to be Johnny-On-the-Spot with regard to the john.

Mike - Yes, there is a good chance the ankle will eventually heal, but in reality, it might take longer than 6 weeks.  It will be weak for a long time.  I really would not like to be screwed.

Q

[jensequitur]

Phew... poor little mice!  Sounds like you might as well camp out in the bathroom...  :-(

[essdipity]

Horrors! Talk about hot-footing it to the bathroom! You may have invented a whole new dimension.

Please take care. We want our Quix to be happy and well, or as well as this stupid disease allows. You are first among equals here, always a bright spot in our days.

Hugs,
ess

[essdipity]

PS  Screws are interesting to see on x-rays, but otherwise so inconvenient :-)

Always having to explain to MRI techs that you won't be blasted into orbit. Always hoping air travel won't decide you're an alien. Luckily titanium doesn't do much!

[Erin0313]

Gimpy Quix,

   You paint a vivid picture of the injury with your words. I didn't even have to see the x-ray to cringe - OUCH!

  Sorry that you are suffering. I hope that the pain gets better fast now that you have your cute boot so that you can rest and heal.

Take care of yourself - thinking of you
Erin :)

[michelleric]

Enough already Q!  Good lord, you have been through the ringer, and the jumper and now the possibility of being screwed. Just too much... Time to jump ship!

Sending big healing vibes to you and thinking of you while you are in that recliner. I wish I could come over and give you a hand. Sorry you are so far away,
Hugs to you,
Michelle

[supermum_ms]

Hey Quix,

Well when you do things you do it properly, no half measures for sure! Oweeeeee! A lesser man, whoops woman, would of been screeming blue murder doing the damage you did, it wouldn't be your bad leg by any chance?

I can't remember but for your sake i do sort of hope it is, because I have this mental picture of you dragging your bad foot and hobbling along with your now black and blue broken foot, have you thought about getting some wheels, maybe a segway, you'd get to the loo faster. I haven't a clue how you'd get around otherwise, its mind boggling lol.

Now be a good girl and keep that foot elevated and rested, and btw your always needed and very much wanted!!!

Cheers........JJ

PS no more tap dancing on mice for you! :-)

[LATW]

Ouch!

LA

[Lulu54]

I just looked at those pictures -  how the heck can you get those bones to cross each other like that?

Your immediate triage work on yourself sure sounds like it helped - does that prove that the physician can heal herself?  I always wondered who gives the doctors orders.

Good luck with procuring a laptop with great speed.  As you can tell from the response more than one of us is wishing you would spend more time here.  Your insight and humor are missed.

be better,
Lu

[Quixotic1]

JJ - Yes, I have neatly confined all damage to one leg.  The doctor thought it was quite clever of me to have the rigid great toe, the weakness, the spasticity, the old post-viral ankle effusion, the purple mottling, the tight Achilles tendon, the ankle sprain and the fracture all in one limb.

After the fall I was yelling (screaming like a girl) and my sister found me on the floor in a complete arch of my back.  She kept asking, "Is it your back?"  And I kept saying that it was my ankle.  The spasticity was in full contraction at first.  Pain is a potent stimulator of spasticity.

A Segway sounds way cool!

Lulu - I don't think those bones really can criss-cross, but the attempt is what fractured the top of the fibula.

Quix

[Sailorsong]

Quix,

   Ouch...And I thought I had the conner on all of the bad luck. :)

   A quick question comes to mind...Have you had your bone density checked lately? I ask this because when I did a spiral fracture of my left middle finger my then current PC had a bone density done due to the type of fracture. This showed I did have a low bone density.

   I do hope that your will heal up quickly and have no lingering problems in the future.

Dennis


  

[tonyad]

  Hope you get some pain relief soon.
Being confined w/ leg propped up sounds like No Fun.....And as you said, throw in
the bladdre issues....Oh My!

    hoping you will not have to go in such a hurry that you try and move to quickly as to injure (sp) your leg / foot more !   I know ther e is a modesty thing there but perhaps you could get a bedside (chairside) commode so you won't be up and hurrying to bathroom.   Just a thought.

    Hope you heal quickly,
~Tonya

[supermum_ms]

Quix,

Only you could describe your plight as 'neatly' and your Dr describe your plight as 'clever' lol. I'm sure your allowed to scream like a girl, when you do that to your self, i'd be surprised if Conan the barbarian didn't squeal under the same circumstances.

I'm all for getting a segway, who says we can't have a bit of fun, a segway has the added bonus of looking cool too.

Take care!!

JJ

[twopack]

Yuck.
Bummer.
Miss you.
Need you.
Head to dry dock for repairs.

Mary

[Udkas]

Wow, ouch!!, sounds tremendously painful.

I hope it heals the way it should.  Are you still taking the Vesicare, I really need to go back on it, but it made me so, dry (and er constipated)..

I haven't been on the forum much, so I haven't kept up with it all, just hope you have a speedy recovery, Drs make the worst patients, so I do hope that you do rest up like you are meant to.

Cheers,
Udkas.

[Quixotic1]

Well, for a update....

Dennis -  That's a very good reminder to all of us to get a Bone density scan (DEXA scan) now so we know if we are at greater risk of fracture.  Also, theoretically all the steroids we get can further thin our bones.  From the research available it looks like periodic steroid pulsing does NOT lead to significant bone loss, but chronic steroid use does.  Also the greater inactivity often seen in MS does lead to loss of bone density.

I had a DEXA scan a couple years ago and my bones rival those of a healthy 35 year old woman.  I am unusally dense.

I now have my new laptop, but need to get it loaded with my files and such.  Working on my lap is a whole different posture.

My leg is actually more painful now that a large amount of the swelling is down.  The swelling was acting to immobilize the injured parts.  Now they can move more freely and it all aches deeply.

Udkas - I am on double dose Oxybutinin now.  I am doing okay with it as long as I stay on the dry side.   No real side effects.  I don't think I'll be trying Vesicare.

Quix

[missy72450]

I hope you feel better soon.

ILOVE MY LAPTOP!!!!!!! I think it was my best purchase. I can relax in my rocker and use it It does not make me spell any better though....LOL.

Take care.

[Inny2009]

Wow, you really had a doosie didnt ya! My goodness. Well, the good news is you got a laptop out of the deal, bad news is your in pain. Im sorry that you have this to deal with! Keep yourself rested and take care of that ankle/leg/foot of yours!!

gentle hugs to you,

Inny

[Sparkysarah]

You are always wanted and are so helpful with all that you are able to give on this forum. However right now you need to rest and look after yourself.

2 Years ago I ruptured all the ligaments in my left ankle (by tripping over a forklift truck as one does!!)  I could not believe how long it took to heal. I was in plaster for 5 weeks and then had physio for what felt like months.

I really empathise with you and hope that your recovery is not prolonged.

With love and hugs

Sarah xxx