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Anyone else had a shattered heel before???

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I was in a car accident in October of 2014 and I shattered my heel and broke my femur. I now have a metal rod in my leg and 7 or so screws in my heel.
Well my heel did not heal as well as the doctor would have liked, the bone had actually shifted to the right a little, so I had to undergo surgery again.
I am now off my foot for another 6 weeks.
My pain level really isn’t that bad, and even when I started to walk last time around my heel never hurt, it was really just my ankle.
I guess because I hadn’t used my muscles in so long is why it hurt.
I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through almost the same thing, and if they were able to get full motion back?
My doctor said the side to side might be difficult to get back completely.
I am 22 years old and I am now worried that I will limping for the rest of my life.

2 comments

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    9 10

    ashley–find the best ortho specializing in heel/ankle surgery you can find. I shattered my calcaneous about one yr. ago requiring 11 screws one and one third inch long, few smaller ones, titanium plate and 3 pieces of cadaver bone. See healthboards for good forum on this problem. Lots of healin heelies out there. My plate could be removed but necesitates the same 8-10 inch incision and I fought off three serious infections in healing last time so it’s staying. Looking at xrays, the screws are now my heel–looks like hardware store so there for good. was riding horses in two mos and walking in 4 mos–very fast compared to most but have major setbacks aslo. a 2-5 yr process. I walk w/o limp b/c I changed how I walk, no longer on my toes as big toe basically immobile, a problem for many. have days when nerves still shoot like they did 6-8 mos ago but it gets better with time. My achilles tendon tends to swell to inch + wide setting off nerves. Heel, as most rarely hurts. Your heel however has more to do with movement and flexibilty of foot than your ankle as such–something I would have never known had I not been on top of 12-14 ladder when I descended “hard or fast way” out at our ranch. Have had many injuries including breaking neck twice, have shoulder beyond replacement surgery and never would have imagined how insidious this injury can be. get best doc and best pt and do all you can yourself to start rom (range of motion)–pain often will be in inside ankle area where fluids build up causing pain. Many have to subtaler joint fused to alleviate this–you want to avoid if possible to keep as much flexibility as possible. I got on stationary bike as soon as possible–had next to bed and had reclining type where legs not dangling as swelling is persistant for some time. Went to my mtn bike for early am rides to start day as soon as able. short rides, just to loosen up things–set the tone for the day for me. at your age you should be able to walk w/o a limp but must accept will never have the flex. Of a normal foot as this is not merely a broken ankle, much worse. each step forward at times bring you back to bed with foot elevated for day or two it seems but must move fwd.even if have some bad days. next week, I believe I am going on a different net service but have my domain address at ranch in use at all times now if this direcway no longer works and you have some questions.
    take a peek at healthboards–wealth of info and some fun folks too.
    happy heelin’–marty

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    9 10

    i was in a head on collison 1year ago I shattered my heel and broke my ankle amd had a tib fib platue fracture I also had mutiple internal injuries I went through 6 surgeries I still have alot of pain but I am much better I am a nurse and working 8 hours I still limp slightly but it is much better I still haven’t found the time like I should to work out there for my muscle are still weak that has alot to do with limping you will get better if you put forth determination and effort I do not listen to what md say because every situation is different and alot of times thay do not even do believe that you will get better and I believe you will work work work write me back

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