I fell in November. Friday will be my 7th week in a non weight bearing cam walker boot. ( I can't use it to walk) I had been having issues with vertigo.
Anyone here have an ankle fracture (trimalleolar) and can advise me on their experience?
I can't use crutches since I am still too unstable. I have tried to tell orthopedic surgeon that even at 55 years of age, I can't bounce around on a weaker, (left)lyme affected foot/leg that wasn't fractured. Hoping I can start putting wieght on this (right) this weekend.
Has lyme affected your healing ability?
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Breaking up the post for easier reading for many here -
[ 01-07-2015, 05:15 AM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
I had that. terrible.
I didn't drive for 4 months.
it was a while ago though, and my sx weren't as they are now, so I cannot say about lyme hindering healing.
I did do some things that clearly helped heal though.....
eat one half raw pineapple each day. also take extra bromelain.
take glucosamine & condrointen . if you smoke, quit. also take lots of calcium.
I forget what else, but I can look and see if you want.
long list.
I was no weight for 8 weeks. I also dislocated my ankle with the break and had a spiral fracture up my leg with 13 screws and a plate.
it was not fun. and taught me a lot about relying on others and giving up control
fast healing to you!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Yes, Lyme has certainly affected my ability to heal.
Vitamin K2, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Boron, Zinc, Fish Oil (Omega-3 EFA's), Glucosamine/Condroiten, Vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory herbs (such as Bromelain, Turmeric/Curcumin, etc.) can be very helpful for healing fractures.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You say that you "can't use crutches since I am still too unstable. I have tried to tell orthopedic surgeon that even at 55 years of age, I can't bounce around on a [walker] . . . ." (end quote)
A big part of the problem is that you are in Oregon. Doctors in Oregon win all prizes with simply not being willing or able to understand what lyme does to a person -- and to their vestibular system as well, not to mention that, indeed, it most certainly affects healing.
Lyme can weaken bones to begin with.
But, as to your trying to get the doctor to understand the vestibular / balance issues, just do not even try. The Oregon Medical Board has drummed it into MDs that anyone who even utters the word "lyme" is faking it, a big baby or worse.
There may be the rare doctor who knows this is not true but, still, even in the best case, they don't have the training to understand how this works / doesn't.
It seems that your orthopedist can help only to a certain degree.
I would normally suggest a vestibular assessment - and that might find some measureable, documentable constraints with your inner / middle ear but even most specialists really are not as informed as they should be and
none understand what lyme can do, not just with the vestibular but with the brain's sensory system.
Still, there are some very important skills that a vestibular therapist can teach you -- but because they won't have all the training they need you will still need to think for yourself as to when they tell you some things.
Take the helpful tricks for safety and just wing it, so to speak. You know your body. Do not push it.
For broken bones, it's important not to add stress or they just won't heal. They must be nurtured.
If there is a way you could get some passive physical therapy on the affected part - and then do what you can with the rest of your body (separately as best possible) you may just have to write your own plan.
As I recall, you do have an ILADS educated LL ND, so I hope they can offer some good advice. If you do not have a LL ND or lost contact, it's important to make that connection again - a LL ND is your best avenue in your state. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- FWIW, I could neither use crutches as some points of injury and a walker, well, I fell on the street using a walker because I should have NEVER been using one to begin with . . . my sensory system would freeze up and my motor skills just got me all tangled up.
Vertigo has been a major issue for me and, for that reason alone, a walker can spell disaster. When my body tried to correct, it would just suddenly push me to the ground - because of the inner ear dysfunction.
When I broke a bone in my foot a couple years ago, it simply disintegrated at the breaking point, much to the doctor's shock. Luckily, no surgery was required but the doctor was smart enough to tell me that if I kept trying to move it, it would never heal.
I had been trying to exercise my foot (no weight on it, though) and he explained it must remain very still for the bone to heal. It was a very long time before I could walk but the kind of shoe that helped was a very flat style, Birkenstocks.
When I could place some weight after a while, the Birkenstocks would provide equal weight distribution, I could avoid bending it and just carefully, advance that foot without moving it and without putting pressure on the injury.
I was told it should heal in one year. It took me two to get to full healing and no pain at that place. The first two months were the most important to be very, very careful, though.
You may not quiet yet be ready to rock and roll but it could be that the footwear you choose for this next step can make a huge difference.
Back to the walker issue:
If you have any trouble using a walker, don't do it. Don't let anyone bully or shame you into it if it's not working for you.
If you can use a walker at all, though, figure out how it can work best for you, safely. It makes more sense around your home.
Don't let it "lead" you, though.
How this likely will go: you would put your weight slightly on the foot for 5 seconds, a couple times a day. That's it. Very slowly. Specifics to how you can bend nearby joint or how much pressure for how long will be very - specific - to your situation.
See if you can rent a wheelchair for a while when out and about or use other inventive (yet safe) ways to maneuver at home.
Again, a LL ND is your very best source for detail and suggestions for other specialists they may know personally - PTs who have knowledge of vestibular issues and also with lyme. They are few and far between but the LL NDs in the state are the best bet for finding them. -
[ 01-07-2015, 04:06 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Regarding the vertigo you mention, there are many factors. More detail here:
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Would you be a candidate for physical therapy of any kind? I had two accidents last year and PT helped me heal through both of them.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Lyme patients are often low in vitamin A and zinc, both of these can help people heal faster. Maybe your LLND can check your levels for you? Also, C, E, selenium help heal.
I had horrible vertigo that eventually kept coming back. The only thing that took it away for good was taking parasite meds.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
hmmm I have been craving food with vit A.. I wonder if I am low on that.
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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Ultrasound therapy with a physical therapist can be very helpful. Just remembered that. -
Posted by OtterJ (Member # 30701) on :
Thanks. I saw the doctor and parts of tibia are not joined-- yet. the doctor described them as kibbles and bits. I have a plate on this side of the ankle with 8 screws. My ankle keeps swelling and am off this ankle for another week and then with walker and 50% weight bearing. My vertigo will get better if I am able to walk with two feet and not pogo around on one. I have no growth hormone and this may be a factor in healing. Taking vitamins, and am hopeful.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :