*Note: this website is not intended to provide medical advice. Your doctor is a much better source for medical advice. This information is based on firsh-hand personal experience and research*
Surviving at home:
- A shower stool will help you shower (link). A garden stool is not recommended, because the plastic leg could bend or slip causing you to fall. The stool should have rubber at the end of the legs
- Always wipe the bottom of your crutches before leaving the shower room.
- If your hands hurt from using the crutches consider getting a crutch with shock absorbers, or ergonomic crutches (link)
- Replace the rubber at the bottom of your crutches if it cracks. this could be a safety issue.
- A gripper (link) will be very useful in allowing you reach, grasp and grab all those out-of-reach items. If you are on a wheelchair you will be very happy you got one.
- Use a big bag or drycast (link) to keep your cast and brace from getting wet while showering.
- Use a small bowl of water and a towel to wash your foott while you cannot wash them in the shower.
- Hinged braces will fit over tight jeans, but wide sweatpants are much more comfortable and will fit right over the
brace. Make sure to get a pair that is wide enough to go over your brace (link). - An electric massager can help relieve muscle tightness and spasms. Use it gently (link).
- keep a set of dishes and healthy snacks on the counter for easy access.
- Use your wheel-chair and a tray for taking food and dishes from place to place. A cushioned tray is perfect for holding with one hand as it rests on you thighs, leaving your other arm free to maneuver the chair (link).
- storage bowls with lids (link) will also work to help transfer food, especially if its liquid.
- Always keep at least one bottle/box of painkillers in your pocket.
- In most areas It is possible to get groceries delivered home, but it’s best if you have someone else do the groceries.
- A backpack (link) is very useful for moving things around while on crutches or going shopping. Just make sure nobody in the shop thinks you’re trying to steal!
- Holding plastic bags while on crutches is not very comfortable
- prepare a library of entertainment. You have a lot of free time on your hands. This is a chance to watch that show you always wanted to watch, all 300 episodes of it. consider registering to a service like Netflix or Amazon prime or similar.
- keep a positive attitude
{adinserter AmazonManual}
Hastening the recovery
- Don’t overdo it. Your body needs rest
- Smoking will prolong the recovery and might cause complications. Try to avoid it.
- Alcohol, Caffeine and salt should be avoided
- Eat well, supplement if you feel you need it. Make sure you eat enough protein(link).
- consider taking a multivatamin. Studies have shown this helps the healing rate and reduces the rate of nonunion (link)
- Do your exercises
- Do you exercises
- This is not a mistake.. Do you exercises
Legal
- Consult a lawyer to understandweather you should be filing an insurance claim.
- Keep all receipts for all medical expenses, and other expenses caused by the injury.
- Keep a detailed log of how the injury affected your life
General
- If relevant, ask for a “disabled parking” authorization from your OS. This can be very helpful.
- If someone offers help, they mean it. You should take their offer.
- A “clicking” or “cracking” feeling in your knee or ankle is normal and are caused by joint instability
- Find a doctor to give you a second opinion
- Talcum Powder is very useful in preventing itching while using a cast or a banbdage
- don’t use long objects to scratch an itchy spot inside the cast or under your bandage. This carries a risk of damaging the skin or surgical wound and could cause an infection.
- When replacing your bandage, make sure to wrap it from the foot all the way up to the knee. This will prevent the edema.
- If you have edema, A medical pressure sock will help. wear it for a few weeks, but not during sleep.
- Drink a lot of water. this has a lot of medical benefits when recovering from a fracture.
- painkiller can cause constipation. Consider using natural laxatives (link).
- Some studies have shown that ultrasound may help bone healing. This is not yet medically established.
- It’s very easy to announce that things are getting better prematurely. sometimes things go up and down and get better before the become worse. Be hesitant to announce to friends and coworkers that everything is OK now.
Hope is was all helpful. If you have any more tips or tricks, post them below or email me at [email protected]
Shlomi
I have a type3 tpf. I’m losing my mind. It’s only been 13days.
Thank you for the website and helpful hints. The Internet, despite everything, can be a great tool. Very grateful for this site.
YOU must have questions!
I know what u mean abt the wait in the ER! I went to “Ortho Fast” an immediate care for ortho My fracture was Jan ’15. Still have symptoms but wtf think I always will…
I’m an OR nurse w over 30 yrs experience so if u have any other questions, I’ll do my best. Good luck to you
I feel the same way abt this site. It’s great to be able to share your feelings, ask questions of ppl who have been thru the same thing.
A problem I’m having now (almost 2yrs) is when I wear socks, my right sock turns constantly to where the heel is on top and my fracture was on my left leg.
If I’m wearing anklets they completely come off of my right foot. Sounds minor but it’s not bc I’m a nurse and always on my feet! I’m sure somehow my gait has changed due to fracture.
My final exam w doc, I felt completely blown off so I’m hesitant to go back w this issue…. But I’m sure it’s an “issue”
What do u guys think?
Probably a few days but idk. I didn’t have surgery
How long will I stay in the hospital after surgery?
First the shock of the injury, then tbe interminable waiting in the ED Dept, then the nurse’s less than confidence inspiring ” I think this external splint goes on like this”?? The off home to wait for specialist appointment in TWO WEEKS!! Apart from that don’t weight bear. Then after an exhaustive Google search and a big pause to get rid of the self pity..I FIND YOUR SITE!!! OH bliss and God Bless you, am now off to apply new knowledge and hope to be able to supply help in due time, again grateful thanks for your time and generosity in building your site.
You are blessed. I wish I found this site sooner. I’m 7 months into it now. If you have any questions. I can share my experience.
Colleen
[email protected]
It’s your decision, but I used a two step plastic stool and did fine!
It was MUCH better and I could sit under the shower, shave my legs etc…,
I don’t think TPF knees are ever the same after that. Well wishes to you in your recovery
I learned a lot..but how long will I be in the hospital after surgery????
nice to know you are healing well . did you undergo surgery? consult your dr, though I am healing since October and cannot fully bend as my non injured leg. I did not take surgery though!
hope it helps and strong healing to you from me!
karim
well. I fractured mine over a year ago and it still snaps and clicks on stairs. I still have some level of discomfort occasionally. Ck back w your doctor if you are concerned tho.
HI I am just wondering if it’s normal after two months if my knee is supposed to have a lump and the bone is still a little bit sore.. and is more sore when I bend my leg more that 60 degrees?
I’m very worried it’s healed funny as I have been walking a little earlier that I should be.. any tips or advice?
Bones form a callous when they heal, so that could be ur lump Idk for sure tho. Feel bettet
** better
4 mo. out, no surgery. Numbness, possible neuroma on affected foot. Recently feeling pain on right side of knee. Going to see foot specialist and get MRI of knee and foot. Anyone else experience similar symptoms?
Hi Cathi, I was hit by a car in early December. Had surgery for TPF, and torn meniscus. Also had torn ACL. I am 13 weeks out of surgery and just this week began to weight-bear 100% using a cane. I noticed that I have a pins and needles (numbness) feeling in certain parts of my foot. When I asked the doctor about this, he said that it could be from the actual accident itself but also from the surgery as sometimes nerves are cut. It takes a long time for the nerves to get back to normal. Also, the lack of walking for so long can result in this feeling as the blood is finally flowing to the area. I have pain on the right side of my knee, at times, also. When I asked the physician’s assistant about this, he said it was normal. I have a plate and some screws in that area so I believe that is why. I have a lot of swelling above the knee, although it was worse shortly after the accident. I would speak with your doctor about everything that is hurting you and get a second opinion if you are not satisfied. Best of everything to you!
Hello Barbara
Your pain and discomfort is so similar to mine! If feel off by bike at high speed. The fibulae and tibia collided with a twist. I’m 7 months now. Just started trying to walk. The right side of my knee hurts when I exercise . My PT said it’s the tightness of the joint. I have trouble getting the leg completely straight and the knee flat.
Colleen
Hello again Barbara
So funny how similar. I finally had surgery in Dec like you. With 7 screws and 2 plates. Also had meniscus repaired . I’m weight bearing now but I still need one crutch especially at night. Hope you are healing well. Feel free to contact me on this sight
Colleen
Idk. Depends. It takes a little while. I think my knee is still a little swollen and like I said, still get some discomfort so chin up and do your part. Wt bearing is very weird at first. You’ll sware you will never walk right again but you will, I promise.
Funny, I’m an OR nurse and when I heard TPF, I about fell off the exam table!
Hang in there. Watch your snacks, trust me ☹️
when will the injured knee start yo look same as normal knee?
How many weeks approx ?
Kay
Depending on how bad ur fracture was and set and all that. Mine still looks different and I fx mine LAST January
I was surprised at how after maybe 4 weeks how much easier wt bearing became. I still get pangs in my leg/knee but all in all leg is not so bad. Good luck in your recovery