email: Mihal.Freinquel@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Let's be done with this already!

Today I went in for my final follow-up. First, i got my hardware back! It's cool and weird...haven't figured out what I'm gonna do with it yet...


Then we looked at my x-rays...below is a before (left) and after (right) the hardware removal:


As you can see, the picture on the left has a plate all the way down the outside of my ankle as well as the one on the back. Since the one on the back wasn't bugging me, and it provided some stability, we left that in, and took the side plate out, as well as the 5 screws associated with it. This whole time I've been saying I had 2 plates and 8 screws, but turns out it was really 9 screws! Oy vey. 

Anyway, next month will mark 1 year from my first surgery. I can't believe what a crazy year it's been - amazing how such a seemingly small thing can have such a gigantic impact. I still have some range of motion to regain - I'm back at yoga and even starting to incorporate some traditional home workouts. I'm not saying goodbye to you guys forever - don't worry - I'll continue to check in. And feel free to keep emailing me with questions!!

Mihal

14 comments:

  1. An idea how to use your hardware: pins!

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  2. Just checking on you. I wrote you and was featured on one of your postings a while back, I think as the third email. My surgery was on October 29 and I don't quite have full range of motion. When I first wake up or stand up, its painful and I limp for the first few steps. I can go down steps now with both legs, but have to hold on with both hands bc my ankle won't yet allow my knee to bend completely over my foot. Not that I was ever a runner, but I can do a mean trot after my two year old if needed. There is a lady at my office who said she was running and wearing heels six weeks post op, and after hearing this today, I'm telling myself that she must have amnesia or I am a real wimp.

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    1. @K Cardenas: I remember that stage really well - I used to spend 2-3 mins in bed massaging my ankle before getting up to avoid that painful limp. As for the stair-knee-bend issue, that stiffness goes away too - though I still sometimes feel a pull going down stairs. My suggestion is to go on walks, stretch it constantly (downward dog in yoga is a great one) and find a person who can give you great massages. You don't want that tightness to linger too long - your body wants to be loose again, you just have to train it :)

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  3. Hi, I came to your blog via a 'broken ankle' site. I see that you are still active so I will give it a try. I am 3 wks post op at the moment. I dislocated my ankle and due to this I had also 2 breaks. I am not so scare about bone healing but I find ligaments and cartilage (which it is all screwed due to the dislocation) trickier. I was wondering if you also damaged those and whether you did something in particular to help them out. How far are you back to 'normal'? Can you run a bit? Jump? :D thanks a lot. Warm regards,
    Marina.

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    1. Hi M! What's the site that led you to my blog?

      I didn't specifically screw up my ligaments/cartilage, but during surgery everything gets a little traumatized. Even now, though my bones are healed, it's the muscles that still need to remember how to get loose. Massage is essential though. I can run, but I don't do it - I'm fine though if I need to hurry up to cross the street or whatever. And I can jump, though it's still kinda scary.

      Best of luck to you! Have patience with yourself.

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    2. Hi Mihal, thanks a lot for your response. I tried to look back where I came across your blog but I could not find it. I was reading so much back then when all I could do was lay in bed.
      I now at the point where I can start bearing some weight and building up just on my foot no boot. The pin is out but the plaque with the million screws are still in, let's see how that goes :) I got one of those socks that help with circulation and I think it really helps a lot, I wouldnt be able to hold my leg down long enough to exercise it as I should otherwise. So into the rehab phase no. Exiting, but what do those muscles hurt! :D
      Are you back to normal by now? Do you manage to sport and such a stuff?

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    3. You should read the rest of the blog, I gave an update recently :)

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  4. Hi Mihal , I just started weight bearing in the air boot and was just wondering how much time a day did you try to walk on it ?

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    1. Hey Miguel -

      I didn't have a set amount of time. I walked as much as I could indoors - around my apartment and around the hallways outside. But I also coupled that with elevating and icing, which is still really important. The more active you can be without over-doing it, the better. There will be some days when maybe you push too much, then the next day just ice and rest extra. It's good to play with your limits.

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    2. Thankyou, I was jus worried i would over due it

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  5. Hi, I realize you were writing all of this two years ago, about the time I broke my ankle. I had all hardware removed 4 weeks ago and am still in a fair amount of pain and it's still pretty swollen. Trying not to be bummed out, but...sometimes it's hard! I just want an ankle that works again. I hope you're feeling much better now!
    Also, what'd you do with your hardware? I'm thinking through ideas now. :)

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    1. I know, hard not to get bummed. Keep icing and elevating when you can! I actually have no idea where my hardware is now. I had ideas about turning into a necklace but eventually I was like, WHY WOULD I WANT TO KEEP THIS STUFF AROUND I HATE IT.

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  6. Hi! I'm 3 days post op from my hardware removal surgery from my trimalleolar fracture in March of this year! I'm still not up and walking yet and am worried! I tried to read through your blog and said you were up walking on post op day 1! Any advice? I'm terrified to get stiff and lose the mobility I worked so hard to gain!

    Thanks!

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    1. 3 days is only 3 days girlfriend! Everybody is different! And so is every injury. Did your surgeon give you an idea of what to expect? Regardless - yes, you may lose a little mobility, but trust me, it's nothing like last time. You'll get it back again way faster.

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