Have you had a broken leg?

[Rubyroo]

Have you had a broken leg? if so can you advise what physio treatement you had? and for how long?

I recently suffered a broken leg and now the pot is off I am having physiotherapy at Girne hospital. My treatment there has been excellent but I am a bit concerned about how my physio treatment is going. I have so far had 3 weeks of daily visits when electrodes are attached and I am told to do certain exercises at home.

Is that enough do you know? when I have asked how long I must continue to go I am told as long as it takes!

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Spud50]

It's a long time since I broke my leg skiing but in UK had similar treatment. I was younger then but went for at least 4 weeks. So unless treatment has changed it seems as though you are getting the same.

[kedikat2903]

I had physio after a broken ankle. Daily at first then every 3 days for about a month. I was told to keep doing the exercises daily at home or as often as I could. The exercises will keep your joints mobile and flexible so I would carry on doing them.

[tomsteel]

Rubyroo - I am a retired, non-practising UK-qualified Chartered Physiotherapist/Remedial Gymnast and Exercise Therapist. Your query is too general to answer and I am loathe to do so without even knowing the basics. What bone(s) was/were broken, what type of fracture, any dislocation/joint involvement, how long ago, your age, health, drugs regime etc all play a part in the rehabilitation programme, plus the question - what is the reasonable realistic outcome of the injury?

You can just go online to seek advice or IM me with information above and I'll try to offer some advice you can take to your current therapist - professionally, I cannot interfere with the treatment plan.

[Rubyroo]

Thank you all for your replies. Certainly I shall persist with my exercises as they definitely help. I am getting to the stage where sometimes I can manage without crutches and other times when I have to rely totally on them. I just get frustrated at not being able to easily do all the things I want to do!!

Tomsteel I shall message you, be great if you can advise me further once you have more information

[tomsteel]

Rubyroo - did you get my private reply?

[Rubyroo]

No I haven't Tomsteed. I hope you got my message? although it still shows in my Outbox and not the Sent one!

[tomsteel]

I do have your email and thought I had replied. The regime you describe of specific ankle exercises, plus the physio treatment is about right. You should also do some general exercise for the other joints/muscles and heart etc. Is there any pain or limp when you walk, can you stand on that leg alone yet?

No more slipping!!

[stellasstar1]

When I had a high impact compound fracture and both bones in my leg smashed up, and a metal plate put from just under knee to ankle, my surgeon told me the only physio I needed (after 6 months healing and bed ridden) was walking. It worked fine for me, and that was 12 years ago, and I never had any physio.

[tomsteel]

Proven research in at least 5 countries has indicated specific physiotherapy after surgery improves the function of the limb more quickly than if no treatment is proscribed. I have worked on surgical teams where surgeons did not advise physiotherapy, but that was only for a specific reason - generally, they all advised such treatment regimes and followed up with the therapists on post-treatment case conferences. Of course there are some surgeons who do not, some smoke, some drink, some like rugby et al.

[Rubyroo]

When I had a high impact compound fracture and both bones in my leg smashed up, and a metal plate put from just under knee to ankle, my surgeon told me the only physio I needed (after 6 months healing and bed ridden) was walking. It worked fine for me, and that was 12 years ago, and I never had any physio.

Ouch! that sounds like it was very painful, 6 weeks in bed was enough for me. I'm pleased to hear you had a successful recovery.

[Rubyroo]

I do have your email and thought I had replied. The regime you describe of specific ankle exercises, plus the physio treatment is about right. You should also do some general exercise for the other joints/muscles and heart etc. Is there any pain or limp when you walk, can you stand on that leg alone yet?

No more slipping!!

Thanks Tomsteel with your advice. I do have some pain still and I do not trust my ankle enough yet to stand on one leg! I am walking a lot more this week, though slowly, and beginning to manage with one crutch, I hope to just use a walking stick next week. I do have my moments when it all feels great and I can walk properly with no aids, I am expecting those moments will get longer and longer

Today I am 12 weeks post op. The surgeon at Girne hospital has been wonderful as have all the staff, I did not believe I could walk again so soon after my fractures

ps I checked again and have not had your email, I have sent you another!

[tomsteel]

Rubyroo - please, 2 crutches or 2 sticks use is seriously advised. If you revert to 1 thinking you are getting better, you are in fact changing the mechanics of your spine/other joints and could well then end up with other joint problems and a bad back. Also, using 2 crutches/sticks doubles the need for others to give you plenty of room and acts as your personal protection. Where do you live, what is the terrain like?

[Rubyroo]

Pm'd you Tom, thanks