by I went 56 plus years without breaking anything more serious than a toe. Ending that streak was not how I wanted to end 2013 or begin 2014.
I misjudged a step and got what we thought was a badly sprained ankle. The radiologist begs to differ.
There is a fracture of the medial malleolus without significant displacement. There is also a possibly spiral fracture of the distal fibula without significant displacement or angulation.
My knowledge of human anatomy is somewhat lacking so I had to search the Interwebs for some pictures of these bones. Translated to plain English, I broke the ankle bone on the inside part of my leg and probably broke the other leg bone near the end.
The nurse, physician, and X-ray technologist at the urgent care center where I went this afternoon were all really nice and really great. They did a really quick job of splinting my leg once they confirmed it was broken.
I am fortunate that it isn’t worse and that it doesn’t hurt more. While I was offered some powerful pain meds, ibuprofen seems to be keeping the pain and discomfort at bay. My biggest problem is learning to use crutches without causing myself more harm.
I have gained an even greater respect for those in our armed forces (or anyone, for that matter) who have suffered much more traumatic injuries to their lower limbs. Being forced to rely on crutches for even this limited period really puts the inconvenience of it all into perspective.
I am lucky to have the Complementary Spouse who is a highly experienced registered nurse caring for me. She makes sure I am doing things right and avoiding doing stuff that would make it worse.
I go to the orthopedic doctor tomorrow to get my “real” cast. With luck, I’ll be able to ditch the crutches sooner than later.
UPDATE: First, let me thank all who have sent their good wishes. I really appreciate it.
Met with the orthopedist this morning. He said my bones were very strong which kept the break from being worse. He also noted that the force had to be pretty strong to have broken my leg.
The doc said no surgery was indicated and that I could get by with an orthopedic boot instead of a cast. The boot will make it easier as I can take it off when needed.
All in all, while I wouldn’t have wanted to break my leg, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could be.
So sorry. I wish you a quick recovery!
Ouch! Heal fast, John – we need to grab lunch soon!
Get well soon!
Hang in there pal!
Bummer. I sympathize with you, as I made my very first ER visit myself this year. Best wishes on your recovery. Jeff P. in MS
Son used to be in Civil Air Patrol. Christmas party one year the Colonel came in on crutches with his left leg in a cast to the knee: "I've got more than 200 jumps! Day jumps, night jumps, everything! I slipped on the ice, slid under the car and broke my ankle in two places!"
Head first, next time.
A co-worker did something similar while walking along his driveway; a one-inch lip resulted in a stumble and both ankle bones are rotationally broken. Plates, screws, pain, etc.
Very sorry to hear of the troubles, for both of you, and best on the recovery.
Another reason to have an independent disability policy, or HSA of some description.
If there is any saving grace to the whole thing, it happened before the end of the policy year and I had made both the deductible and out-of-pocket max.
Yeah, that could be rather tough. At least you've got the braces on the ready to support such a condition. It would be better that it's strenuously healed and dealt with, but this is a good step towards getting back on your feet.
Kristal Byrnes
You got me beat for sure. I almost made it to fifty, then in a freak accident in the back yard one day I broke my ankle. I go my entire life being especially careful to never get hurt and I fall off a tire swing in the backyard and snap goes the bone and off we go to the emergency room.
Alejandra Goll @ US Health Works – Tacoma