Sat late afternoon I broke my ankle. I had gone down the flight of steps to the basement with a large laundry basket in my hands - something I've done I gjuess at least 10,000 times through the years. At any rate, something happened on those last 2 steps and when I landed and heard that snap/pop, I KNEW meant either a bone or bones were broken...I had to scoot on my butt up the steps. (13 steps) and then scoot to the front of the house. Now I love my mother but DEAF EARS could not hear a thing, and finally she found me in the living room (same room that my sig is in). As I scooted up the stairs, I found that if I used both hands to scoot, my foot would literally fall apart, so I had to use one hand, and I could use the other to hold my foot together. I called an ambulance to come and get me and we (my mother and I) went to the hospital, where the wait actually wasn't so bad. I have to call an orthopedist today - in a few hours, and hopefully, he will squeeze me in today. My mother really is trying very hard to be helpful, honestly...but she is NOT helpful. Hell, she is 92, can't hear, and doesn't want me to yell...but to talk in a "normal tone", which she CANNOT hear. But this isn't about her (I don't think ). I'm up writing on hf now because I CANNOT sleep. I have some pain meds...but there is such burning and stinging in my toes, with my (left) broken foot propped up, it awakens me everytime I get the slightest amount of sleep. yay for challenges, huh. Also, I've fallen a total of 5 times on the DAMN crutches just in this house...and I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. No, I have NEVER had to use crutches before, and they are not my friend. Have any of you had to use crutches and found it almost impossible? At this point, I'm getting literally scared to go from room to room except to scoot on my butt. At least I'm not having to hold my foot together and can use both hands to scoot. The ER doc said I broke 2 of the 3 bones in my ankle, and only the orthopedist they have me set up with will be able to tell if I'll need to have surgery to stablize these bones. However, he said he felt it was "highly likely I'd need the surgery". Yeah, when I do something I do it right! In fact, what I have is called an "unstable fracture". I literally had not the slightest idea how AWFUL using these crutches would be...and how easy it would be for me to fall. I'm not falling on throw rugs, or anything I can say "well, THAT is why I fell". In the meantime, by this point, it seems my back is getting jammed, if that makes sense. I know it hurts, and I'm not even bothering to try to go to sleep...posting here on hf.
Wow.... Not good! No experience with crutches here, other than messing around with some years ago when I didn't need them. They seemed easy at the time, but I wasn't injured and not on pain meds either. I hope they can fix this without surgery and you heal quicker than doctors think you will.
Oh man--I'm sorry this happened to you. If you're falling with your crutches,maybe they are too high. Adjusting them to a lower position will help,I think. ------
I can't believe they didn't teach you how to use the crutches. Jerks. They have to be adjusted properly to you, about 2" below your armpits with the hand-holds set so your elbows are bent. And then there's a method to using them. Unfortunately I can't remember how to tell you how to do it the way the physical therapist told me. I can understand why your back is being messed up, because you're walking completely unevenly on those crutches. How about you get on Google and look up how to use crutches? You can't keep falling down like this, you'll break your neck next time! Ah, here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzUQb79_Rw"]How To Use Crutches Properly - The Nebraska Medical Center - YouTube Oh, and good on you for caring for your mother at home.
Unfortunately dial-up won't let me watch any utbe vids; but I do appreciate it, MADwoman. (love that username, especially since I feel close to there now - MAD as in psycho and/or nuts, not just angry ) They gave me a 2 minute lesson on using the crutches after they shot me up with Diladid. LOTS and LOTS a good that did. My son did at least have the sense to lower the crutches since they were Jammed slap under my armpit when I was standing STRAIGHT up and my arms STRAIGHT down. Oh - and the referral by the ER doc saying I "should be seen in 1-2 days at the most" turned into me talking to one of the rudest, most curt and unfeeling (YOUNG) receptionists ever at that orthopedist's...and as she INFORMED me, I would be getting a call back from them after their doc had "reviewed those x-rays"...and that turned into me getting an appointment for Thursday. lol <That is one of those might as well laugh as cry things. Needless to say the ER did NOT give me enough pain med to last until Thurs. When I called the (orthopedist) doc I was again referred to his team of pit-bulls that one must go through and they INFORMED me "you will just have to call the ER back" since technically you aren't our patient yet. Then upon calling ER I was INFORMED that they did NOT call in refills, and regardless of what the ER doc said OR my diagnosis and I would have to come back up there if I was to get any more pain meds. Can you say another $1000, or more? Oh well...talk about character. It seems I am determined to get MORE AND MORE of it no matter what...and here I keep being convinced I've got MORE than enough character. But what do I know other than what the sound of snap-pop means when you hear it from inside your own body?
Lynn! Oh no!!! Bless your heart! That sounds traumatizing!!! I can tell you how to use crutches. Four years ago, I had a minor knee surgery and was on them for a few weeks. Hell, I was going up on down flights of stairs to a night club on them. Put the cruthces a little step out in front of you, then take a little hop up, into them. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat... You can do it, Lynn!!!! :grouphug:
Lynn...are you keeping Jack away from you? Isn't his issue that he attacks you if you fall down? You need some help in the house! And you need someone to drive you to that flipping doctors office so you can just sit in until they see you. You can't bear that pain with no meds!!! Makes me so damn mad! I'm really concerned for you, Lynn...
i would think there are some text sites that would give details of the proper use of crutches, i know i had a 15 minute lesson at the hospital and before my first surgery i was going down several steps at a time. i was younger and in the best shape of my life though so i would stick with safer steps nowadays. as for the pain meds i would think if you showed up at the docs and insisted on being a patient you could get in that way, unless your insurance only allows referrals. but if thats not the case i would go to the doc and scream bloody murder that im in pain and i need medication, it would be cheaper than the hospital and they would be willing to give you what you need just to get you out of the waiting room.
Hope you get well soon! man them crutches are the pits Had them a few years ago.only for a few days tho..
So sorry this happened to you. It must be really painful. I have no crutch experience. When I had my hips replaced they had me using a walker. I got pretty good at that. Thursday is a long ways away to wait for pain medication. Thinking of you and hoping you don't have to get surgery. Isn't it amazing how you can do something a thousand times and then the next time..... Too bad we can't have do overs. That is usually how i throw my back out, doing something that I normally do every day. So sorry. Be well and remember to take care of yourself.
I had a surgery a few months ago that had me off my feet for two full weeks, then on a walker for a couple of months, then crutches for a couple of months, then a cane for a couple of months. I had to be taught how to use each device by a physical therapist and I had to practice a lot. It's not as easy as you would initially think, at least not knowing what it's like until you're actually forced into it.
How are you doing today? Did you get to see the doctor? Thinking of you. This kind of thing is just so hard, it affects everything you need to do. Be well.
I saw the orthopedist doc Thurs...as scheduled (2 days short of a week) and the blood blisters were so bad under the splint they had to cover it up (prior to popping them ) b/c I told them I was going to get sick if I had to look at that. (Couldn't have that!) Anyway, they said the blood blisters - and one lozenge type water blister came from a "high impact injury"...I was SERIOUSLY HEADED DOWN THOSE LAST 2 STAIRS! and to land on cement...well, they told me the blood came up because the bones were wanting to come through, but the blood came first. I did say I held the ankle together, right? Yeah, if I didn't, it sort of fell apart...so it was 1 hand, one step at a time, up 13 steps on my butt. The surgery for the 2 broken bones is tentatively sheduled for Aug. 20th, but the doc told me that honestly he would be surprised if it happened before the 30th. The "soft tissue" has to heal first, before cutting into my leg...or it'll never heal and etc etc. YUCK!!! I really don't want an amputation...so I guess I better get off of here. The doc wants me FLAT down with my leg propped up with 2 or 3 pillows. I guess that is why they gave me so much meds...but still...I can only lay down and dream very EFFED up dreams. So, if/when I'm "gone" for a while...y'all will know why, and it is NOT because I want to be "gone". Man...you talk about doing over just a few moments of your time...I'd definitely go over those few!!! My mother is trying very, very hard; but she is 92 yrs old and about as deaf as a door knob. When I yell she gets ANGRY :devil: and when I try to talk normally but E n u n c i a t e, she gets mad at that, too...saying I need to talk normal. When I talk normal, I can call her a blooming idiot and she doesn't understand a word I say....so what I AM saying is she is driving me stark raving insane with this. NOTHING is being done in this house...and that furthur makes me feel like, well :devil: < for just starters. Oh, and thanks Aerianne and Spectacles, for sending me good wishes and vibes. I'm going to need all I can get.
Lynn, if I were closer or didn't have to stay here and hold the other 9 family members together, I'd get up there and help you out. This is so unfortunate. My heart really goes out to you. We love you, Lynn. Hang in there! :sunny:
Wow Lynn , I'm so sorry to hear this ! This really sucks . It sounds like a very bad break ! Almost a compound fracture . You must keep of of it . However are they concerned about blood clots ? This is awful . When can you have surgery ? I never knew a person had to wait so long . For soft tissue to heal ? Make sure you got the best orthopedic surgeon you can get . I'm guessing your going to have screws and pins put in . Crutches are a total bitch my dear . I have had to use them for breaks and sprains too . It takes time and will always be a pain in the ass . It's harder for the ladies I think because they don't have the upper body strength we do . It's something you will learn as best you can . I suggest a wheelchair ! And crutches only when you have to . Because you must stay off it . You can buy or rent a wheelchair , or with doctors note your insurance company will pay for it . And deliver it from one of those home medical equipment places . Make sure the getting good pain meds too . Sometimes these assholes want to give people motrin or weak ass narcotics cause their scared to write a decent freakin pain script . The mom hearing thing is A drag too I see . How about a bell , light , buzzer or some shit . Hell , how about a shock collar . Lol , just funnin with ya my friend . Get ya to laugh a little bit . She is pretty old bless her heart . Is there anyone else who can stay with ya full time , or rotate shifts even ? Get some help in there if you can for you and mom . Demand it ! I know sometimes you ladies don't like to " impose" on people or ask for any help . I think sometimes you guys could be on fire and wouldn't ask for a hose to put you out . But honestly Lynn, you need to get some help for this . If nothing else ask your doctor about getting an home health aide in there for you . Because this isn't going to be a couple day thing . Much hugs and love to you my dear . Damn , I'm really sorry to hear all this . Please keep in touch . You will be in my prayers .
Thinking of you and sending you positive energy. You sure have more than enough on your plate. It seems like a long time to wait for the surgery. My orthopedic doctor only operates on Tuesday's and Thursday's, the rest of the week he is in the office. In my case the surgeries were scheduled a couple months in advance but seems like it would make sense for them to keep spaces open for emergencies, like yours. Papa has some good advice above. I hope someone can help you out until and after the surgery. Thinking of you.
