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

[michelleislay]

oh man, that is quite the injury!!!  

love your spots of humour all over the updates here---it is clear that not anyone or anything can dampen your spirits!  

i've only been part of this forum for a short while and already i know how very loved and valued you are!!!

wishing you all the best in the days ahead, and hooray for the laptop!!!!!

xoxoxo

michelle(islay)  

[rendean]

I'm glad you are on the mend!  You fulfill what every nurse already knows, doctors make the worst patients!! They never follow the rules ;-).

The view for the slumber party sounds fantastic! If we all come, how many bathrooms do you have , considering many of us have bladder issues?

Name the date and you may have a visitor or two... Especially of airport transfers are included, lol.

Ren

[Quixotic1]

Hi, floks, here for another update.

Pain - minimal, some aching at night.  Your good wishes worked.

Loopiness - Unchanged, but can no longer be blamed on pain meds.

I saw the ortho for a follow up on Tuesday.  I admitted that I hadn't been wearing the boot because of pain.  He gave me the stink eye, but since I hadn't damaged the foot further, he stopped short of having one of the technicians flog me.  He did explain that if I twist that ankle again before it heals, the bones of my calf will splay out and will need to be screwed together.  Since it no longer hurts I am wearing the boot most of the time.

I yelled at the Urgent Care doc who didn't xray my leg.  She was very embarassed and apologized.

I am busy with paperwork, but will be back as soon as I can.  If there are any topics that really need my pearls of wisdom just send me a message for a head's up.

The cats have found a new prey and have started bringing in baby moles.  Since moles are the great bain of the area, this is considered a good thing.

Chocolate is good.  I forgot though that too much of it gives me headaches.  It's a tightrope I walk.

The incontinence issue is still a chore.  I am on ungodly amounts of this med, Oxybutinin, which causes industrial constipation, but relaxes the bladder spasms.  Now I am still incontinent, but just enough to lower the pressure in the bladder.  Thus, fewer epic floodings, but now I can't empty. I'm also having painful urethral spasms. I am treating a new UTI, probably from retention and from keeping myself too dehydrated.  I think the answer might have to be self-cath'ing to make sure that I empty 3 times a day or so, and I probably need to step up my fluid intake.

It's hard to know how much improvement there has been in my bladder issues.  Less mopping and fewer drowned mice are good, but the UTI stinks.

We are preparing for a neighborhood party to celebrate our construction of last year - the neighbors are all curious about the buildout and the elevator.  And also to celebrate my parents' 64th Anniversary.  Then the house gets reroofed with skylights to be put in the dark, northside living room.

Temps here are still in the 70's to low 80's with breezes.  Bring your own sleeping bag and you can camp out in a room with a view across the Columbia Gorge.  We'll braid each other's hair and fight for the bathroom.  I'll provide transportation to and from the airport.

STay cool.

Quix

[ynevar]

I am sorry to hear that you have such an injury.  I am very glad, as echoed by others that you did not accept the first answer you got.  A lot of times we know something is wrong even if no one else does.

Sending healing thoughts.  

-Y

[supermum_ms]

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

I can't think of more to say, it sounds really really bad and nothing i say will make the boo boo better! I'd recommend lots and lots of ice cream but i've got choc mud cake warmed in the mircrowave with a huge blob of ice cream, going around in my mind, so whats your poison?

Cheers........JJ

[Quixotic1]

Use away!

Denso