NWR: Surviving a leg cast and crutches

Allycatgirl · October 2015

I hurt my ankle pretty bad yesterday and was somehow able to get an appointment with an orthopedic doctor today. Long story short, I'm going to have to get a full leg cast (from my foot to 3 quarters of the way up my thigh) on Monday. Five weeks later, they will take it off and put one to just below my knee on. I'll have to wear that one for four weeks and be on crutches all 9 weeks.

Does anyone that has had to wear a cast or use crutches have any advice? This is my first time injured and I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Thankfully, my fiancé has agreed to stay with me to help out and my wedding isn't until July so I should be fully recovered by then (hopefully).

PS: What color should I get?

lyndausvi · October 2015

Oh no. I hope you recover quickly.

What color cast? Well my favorite color is purple, so.....

I was on crutches for 6+ months back in HS. The first few days/week suck. Your hands hurt, under your pits hurt. Some people put towels under their pits. I didn't bother though. Then you get use to it.

Don't put the crutch too far out in front of you. Good way to lose your balance. Watch out for water on the floor, your crutch becomes like a skate on ice.

ohmrs2014 · October 2015

I'm jealous, I didn't get a say in what color my cast would be.

Anyway, I was so sore for a few days after breaking my ankle, not only from the fall but the crutches as well. I actually put some old towels on the underarm area of the crutch for added support until I got used to them.

Keep it elevated as much as you can as well, the swelling under the cast can be no joke. Mine actually caused some pain and discomfort.

Showering for me was interesting. I sat sideways in my bath tub with my legs hanging over the edge and basically sponge bathed myself and I would get some help washing the casted foots toes.

If I think of anything else, I'll add later!

And good luck OP!

littlemushroom · October 2015

When I was in a boot from breaking my big toe, I did like ohmrs and sat on the side of the tub and sponge bathed.

For my hair, I went to a local inexpensive salon and had them wash it (just wash, not dry). I went every 2 to 3 days. They charged me anywhere from $2 to nothing to do it. I just tipped the person who did the wash. I only did this for the first couple weeks, until I got my balance worked out with the boot/crutches and could do it myself in the kitchen sink.

Hope you have a speedy recovery OP! And I vote for a pretty blue for the cast.

kaos16 · October 2015

You'll get used to the crutches. . . maybe practice around the house a bit to get a feel for them before you start maneuvering out in public. A big tip though, the top rung of the crutches that goes in your arm pit area is not something you are supposed to lean on. If you wedge that part into your armpit to move you can actually cause nerve damage in your armpits and get tingly arms. Please make sure that you are fitted properly for the crutches and shown how to use them. It's astounding how many people use them incorrectly....it can be dangerous. The last thing you need is an injury on top of the one you already have.

Get better soon!!

princessleia22 · October 2015

ohmrs2014 said:

I'm jealous, I didn't get a say in what color my cast would be.

Anyway, I was so sore for a few days after breaking my ankle, not only from the fall but the crutches as well. I actually put some old towels on the underarm area of the crutch for added support until I got used to them.

Keep it elevated as much as you can as well, the swelling under the cast can be no joke. Mine actually caused some pain and discomfort.

Showering for me was interesting. I sat sideways in my bath tub with my legs hanging over the edge and basically sponge bathed myself and I would get some help washing the casted foots toes.

If I think of anything else, I'll add later!

And good luck OP!

Regarding the showering issues... I haven't had foot/leg injury, but had back surgery that couldn't get wet for a month and picc line in my arm that couldn't get wet for 6 months. I bought a dual shower head that had a regular head and a handheld one with a hose. It was a godsent for washing my hair and cleaning up, because you have much better control over directing the water where needed and avoiding areas that can't get wet. They are fairly cheap and easy to install... and now it's super convenient for washing the dogs. Also, get a small waterproof stool or chair that you can set in the shower, that way you can sit in the shower and keep your leg out, without having to maneuver it up over the edge of the tub. And my last advice, is plastic wrap and medical tape. With my arm, I was able to seal it off pretty good with wrapping it in plastic wrap & taping the seams, so I didn't need to worry so much about it getting wet. If you go this route, name brand wrap is actually stickier than generic and works better.

Allycatgirl · October 2015

Thanks for all the advice...I already bought a shower chair that should be delivered Monday. I'm already really hating the crutches though. They are suck an arm workout.

PS: time is running out for color suggestions. Right now I'm thinking either pink(so girly) or black(maybe too hot)?

charlottesmom0626 · October 2015

Allycatgirl said:

Thanks for all the advice...I already bought a shower chair that should be delivered Monday. I'm already really hating the crutches though. They are suck an arm workout. PS: time is running out for color suggestions. Right now I'm thinking either pink(so girly) or black(maybe too hot)?

I would go with black. It will look cleaner longer, and if you need to do anything work related you can wear black pants (possibly? if you can?)

ericasm0703 · October 2015

I broke my leg a month ago in a work-related accident. Ultimately (thankfully) I was put in a boot, and I refused to use crutches. If you're between pink and black, I would go with black...but I'm not one you would find wearing pink unless it's for breast cancer awareness. Best of luck; I really feel for you!

Allycatgirl · October 2015

Thanks all. Just an update, I went with black. I thought it would be the most versital.

It's going to take a while to get used to. It's as hard as a rock and heavier than I thought. Luckily, my ankle isn't hurting too bad.

TheCheeseWench · October 2015

kaos16 said:
You'll get used to the crutches. . . maybe practice around the house a bit to get a feel for them before you start maneuvering out in public. A big tip though, the top rung of the crutches that goes in your arm pit area is not something you are supposed to lean on. If you wedge that part into your armpit to move you can actually cause nerve damage in your armpits and get tingly arms. Please make sure that you are fitted properly for the crutches and shown how to use them. It's astounding how many people use them incorrectly....it can be dangerous. The last thing you need is an injury on top of the one you already have.

Get better soon!!

SO MUCH THIS!!! Your axillary nerve runs under your armpit. It controls your deltoid muscles and more. It is more easily damaged than one would think. In my car accident my arm was injured to the point that the swelling alone pinched off the nerve. Improper use of crutches can do the exact same thing. It took months to use my right arm again for anything. Just be sure to use your crutches exactly how they are meant to be used, and do not use them for underarm support. I have been told that it will take 12 - 18 months to get all of the functionality that was lost back. I was lucky as Hell to get as much back as I did in time for my wedding (after 5 months). I still don't drive.

Best wishes for speedy healing!

arrippa · October 2015

Allycatgirl said:

Thanks all. Just an update, I went with black. I thought it would be the most versital. It's going to take a while to get used to. It's as hard as a rock and heavier than I thought. Luckily, my ankle isn't hurting too bad.

I hope you heal quickly.

lnixon8 · October 2015

Plan for everything taking you twice as long to do. You do not want to be rushing on crutches and hurt yourself or (as PP said) slide on water if it rained Maybe look into getting handicap parking sticker? I was in crutches in college and often didn't know how many buildings didn't have elevators.

Will your FI go to the library for you pick you up some books and movies? I always forget how many great old movies I love until I'm at the library- stuff that isn't on netflix. My county's library webiste you can pick a branch and see exactly what is in stock, whats being returned tomorrow etc so even if you two have different tastes you could just send him/her with a list.

Any crafts you always wanted to try? I started arm knitting. It's something I would have gotten way too frustrated with, except for the fact that I had to spend so much time on the couch.

Hope you feel better!

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