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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 24, 2010 - 01:13pm PT
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Here's hoping all you smart tocaoans can give some advice while wearing an ankle cast whick extends to my knee.
A week ago I fell while climbing and broke my ankle.
Since then, the ankle hasn't hurt much, but the bruise traveled above the ankle to my shin, and every time I stand up (have been sitting with foot elevated) it hurts like hell in the bruise area. Is there any hope for getting rid of that? Before the cast was applied,(two days) I iced the whole area and it lessened the pain fairly well, but now it hurts when standing. I've tried icing the cast area, but it doesn't seem to penetrate the cast very well.
HELP!
A little background...
About thirty feet off the deck, I fell off an overhang in a pendulum fall, fell about 15 feet,slammed into the rock face, heard a pop, "That can't be good....must be the cams on the rack slapping rock....yeah, that's it...." Classic denial.
Downclimbed about 800' with climbing partner, then hiked out a mile, leaning hard on a branch, to the car. I waited two days to see the doc, because I thought it had to hurt worse if it was broken. (more denial) haha
The orthopedist said it was a clean break, no bone grit in the joint, thank God, and casted it.
So, back to the beginning...any ideas? I could sure use the advice.
Thanks in advance!
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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May 24, 2010 - 01:18pm PT
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man i can empathize..
did the doctor subscribe vicadins?
here's my tail: (note: posted previously)
the day i turned 21, i drugged my whole family.
then i marched them up to sugarloaf so's they could
witness the past time that had pretty much consumed me.
my mommy fretted endlessly about my impending peril, perched on the front edge of every moment that i entered.
"no mom. you're mistaken. it's a really safe pursuit. and friendly venue. come on, you'll see."
i start out on farley. my dad held a rope for his first time, belaying me with occasional tension, otherwise excess slack, but never just right.
placing hexes sideway, i failed to sew up that climb. all ended purty and well though, and my mom was half way convinced, peering over the rim of her port, at her beloved boy.
ah, that went so well, lets wander up and around the corner to the fracture. this is a piece of eye candy for sure, sure to entertain my yearning.
i dance on up, coaching my dad on beelaying and float thru the crux. just past the crux, on a bit of 10a finger crack, i missed a foothold rest and clung on with zeal. fumbling in a brand new #1 tcu, i pumped out. determined though i climbed up and put my paws onto the savior ledge. too weak to finish, i melted off and dropped 15 feet onto a slab.
instead of sliding down the rock i pushed off and completely f*#ked my ankle. to my mother's unfortunate horror.
i aided up to the chains on one good leg and one dumb, cause hell if i was going to bail off my shiny blue cam.
for the next 5 months i lived in true suffering, as i was camped out below highway 80 in my pickup, attending university. every morning i'd pedal my bike to and fro higher learning with one leg in toe.
the chicks were still not impressed.
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:19pm PT
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Thanks, Ricky, but I don't want to put any of that in my body. I'd prefer something more natural.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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May 24, 2010 - 01:22pm PT
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did you call yer doc to let them know of the increased pain? do that to make sure you aren't developing compartment syndrome or a hematoma isn't developing. You can try isometric calve pumps to see if the muscle pump decreases swelling in the shin area, keep the leg elevated as much as reasonably possible to decrease blood flow to the lower leg. I would first check in with yer doc to rule out any worse case scenario.
Peace
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:25pm PT
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Thanks for the empathy, Norwegian.
Nice story.
Did you cast or ice it?
Don't exactly like hearing the five months part, but whatever...guess I'm resigned.
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:30pm PT
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Thanks ron, I'll call today.
Will try the calf pump experiment.
And yes, the leg is elevated as consistently as the political threads here keep a' smoulderin'. :^)
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Norwegian
Trad climber
Placerville, California
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May 24, 2010 - 01:32pm PT
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Quitepartner,
mine was a severe sprain.
so i did not cast it. nor ice it, really. i was young and dumb.
i think the 5 month heal time had to do with the soft tissue damage.
i turned my ankle "out", with the 'palm' of my foot facing down.
the tendons on the inside ankle, which i damaged, are much more substantial than those on the outside ankle, and thus take longer to heal.
best of wishes.
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:37pm PT
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Rockjox
Funny as hell!
Yep, the military grade's gotta be the best....courtesy of their in-house pharma department.
No substances but aspirin. Too stubborn?
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:40pm PT
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Norwegian
Thanks for the well-wishes.
BTW, I forgot to thank you for the good advice a few threads ago.
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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May 24, 2010 - 01:43pm PT
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Vicodine and gradually witch to weed+advil.
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:45pm PT
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Dang Dingus, you're one tough guy! And a damn good writer too.
The pain isn't coming from the cast, it's the area where the ankle bruise migrated up the shin.
PS. She wrapped it pretty well so there's a fair amount of padding between the skin and cast.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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May 24, 2010 - 01:46pm PT
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I broke my ankle so badly (actually the tibia) I had the cast on for 5 months. The first month was hell. Whenever I'd stand up the blood racing into the tortured ankle would almost buckle me. Only thing that helped was to keep the ankle elevated. Slowly it just got better.
I'm afraid there are no quick fixes unless the cast is screwy or there's something else going on, which is wise to rule out as Ron was saying. The bone heals fast, the soft tissue, not so much.
JL
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 01:51pm PT
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Lambone, wish I could take that advice.....but no go :-)
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 02:02pm PT
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Thanks Largo.
I also remember hearing the word tibia....the pain you describe sounds about right....only it's above the ankle.
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Srbphoto
Trad climber
Kennewick wa
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May 24, 2010 - 02:14pm PT
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When your leg hurts, apply to left hand. It works sort of like a patch.
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 02:18pm PT
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Haha!
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 02:31pm PT
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I'm with ya on the pharmy crap, Pate. The pain hasn't been bad enough to justify that. So far.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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May 24, 2010 - 02:49pm PT
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I agree with others that you should at least talk to the ortho office.
It may be possible to "window" the cast at the point where you are having the pain, to take the pressure off, without having to go through getting a whole new cast. Maybe not, though, if it would affect the structural integrity of the cast. They will know.
But it really shouldn't be hurting like that.
I also agree that drugs are not the treatment for this.
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Stewart Johnson
climber
yo mama
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May 24, 2010 - 03:08pm PT
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welcome to the glass ankle club!
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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May 24, 2010 - 03:32pm PT
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Quiet Partner--
I can really empathize with your condition, having broken 3 ribs just a month ago. I would go with checking out getting re-casted, and only then using the vicodin. If you take too much vicodin, the secondary effect of severe constipation, will make you wish you had never taken the stuff. Been there, done that!
Get well quickly!
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2010 - 03:56pm PT
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Thanks to all for your concern and humor!
I just talked to the ortho doc who said it's normal, as long as the pain stops when the leg is elevated. No pain in the calf itself. Whew.
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noshoesnoshirt
climber
Arkansas, I suppose
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May 24, 2010 - 04:35pm PT
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elevation is key to relieve the throbbing.
Wiggle your toes constantly to maintain good circulation.
You'll get over it; I've been casted up multiple times and I'm still moving.
When you get out of the cast work your limb as much as feels comfortable, but concentrate on the balance muscles. I turned things into games; try to balance on your recovering leg while lacing your other shoe or washing your other foot in the shower, hit a slackline as soon as you feel OK with it. The small balance muscles are key, the major muscles will come back easily.
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JohnRoe
Trad climber
State College, PA
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May 24, 2010 - 06:47pm PT
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QP - broke my ankle a couple of weeks back and
have experienced a similar pain when the blood runs
down into the injured limb after it's been elevated. But it
seems to subside if I just wait a couple of minutes before
trying to move further. (Easier said than done when
it's a matter of stumbling my fuzzy-headed way to the
bathroom in the small hours of the morning.)
YMMV, but today I was promoted from a cast to a rigid boot
(kinda like a ski boot) and have the joy of being
allowed to take it off for a few minutes each day.
Bliss!
Best wishes for speedy healing
JohnR
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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May 24, 2010 - 11:40pm PT
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hey there say.... oh my.... :(
get well soon... :)
blessing and good cheer to you, as you get well...
sorry to hear of the pain...
god bless... happy supertopo eve, to you...
:)
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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May 24, 2010 - 11:47pm PT
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Here is a thought, Get out your swiss army knife and can open up a window in your cast over the pained area. Then ice till numb.
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Wayno
Big Wall climber
Seattle, WA
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May 25, 2010 - 04:00am PT
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I could tell you a bunch of tricks I've learned over the years from acute gout pain but that might be a different concern. Elevation is always good advice. Diet can help or retard the healing process. Eat wisely. Meditate on the pain and the location and let your mind help your body by sending healing energy. It's supposed to hurt, it's injured. Help the healing process by being consciously aware of it.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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May 25, 2010 - 04:11am PT
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Spent November and December in a cast.
Elevation is it. Listen to your body, when it hurts, stop doing that.
When It's healed more, you'll be able to have it down more.
Back to climbing for me now. Wishing you a good recovery as well
PEace
Karl
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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May 25, 2010 - 05:31am PT
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After recovering from a tibia plateau fracture, my biggest piece of advice is to use your knee and quad/hamstring as much as you can. 5 months later and my muscles are still at about %50.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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May 25, 2010 - 10:46am PT
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Elevation is really the answer, even after you are fitted with a walking sandal/boot. Any time you note swelling or pain--STOP and elevate your foot.
I had a broken ankle back in 1983 from a ground fall off the Rincon Wall in Eldorado. It wasn't fun trudging out nearly a mile with a stick for support. It needed an open reduction and an orthopedic screw.
6 weeks later I was in Yosemite climbing!
Get well!
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
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May 25, 2010 - 11:43am PT
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I was in a nuts to toes cast and on crutches for 6 months from a skiing accident (broken fib and shattered tibia, 4 breaks and then had to rebreak and reset). I still have a shorter leg, crooked spine and lower back problems.
I would agree with 1st, elevate every chance you get. 2nd, distract yourself (with planning that trip you're going to take when you're healed. 3rd, when all else fails.....I suggest something a little skunky...but that's just me.
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cliffmama
Trad climber
Noo Jerzee
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May 25, 2010 - 12:29pm PT
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Hey Roy!!!!
Maurice told me what happened. That SUCKS!
Heal fast. Is your cell phone number still the same? I'll give you call.
Jannette
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2010 - 01:05pm PT
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Wow!
Thank all you tacoans for your support and suggestions!
Elevation continues.
Tomorrow they follow-up x-ray so I'll ask them about circulation again. Thanks Radical. And about whacking a window to ice the area. Like watching an ant farm.:^)
I've avoided big pharma for the reasons several posters stated....don't want the toxicity when I can't sweat or work it out.
As to getting skunky for distraction....I threw a slab of lutefisk under the crawlspace to get rid of the skunks, but a family of Swedes moved in. ha
Again, thanks to each of you for your support!
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2010 - 01:10pm PT
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Hi Jannette!
Great to see you here!
Yes, my cell is still the same...would love to hear from you.
I hope Maurice told you what a great belay he gave...saved my arse.
It was a blast climbing with you last summer! Any chance you'll head out here again?
All the best,
Roy
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Kindredlion
Big Wall climber
4hrs too far from YNP
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May 25, 2010 - 03:16pm PT
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Hey Roy,
Way to stick it !!
Recovery can seem So Slow when your starting the process, and riddled with pain.
I just broke my Tibia 11wks ago - I came out of the cast 4wks ago and am in a removable velcro boot.
The first 3weeks are the worst .. The swelling will get under control. I was suffering from the same pains you describe - you feel like your veins are clogged and gonna burst from the backup of blood..
Elevate. and Ibuprofen. Also, when it gets really really painful, get as many ice packs you can find to surround the area - it will provide a little relief.
IbuProfen - take 800Mg's 3x a day until either the swelling is under control OR your stomach cant handle it (acute pain may occur after a couple weeks of this excessive use) The lower it to 600mg 3x and 400mg 3x etc until you have balanced the pain/swelling.
On the skunky suggestions - anything you smoke - slows the bone healing process.
Try to vaporise or eat your skunks if you are looking for pain relief with compassion.
Also carbonated drinks slow bone healing - stop any soda, or bubbly anything.
Increase your calcium drastically - choose a calcium that is plant based vs rock based.. (most calcium supplements are derived from ground up chalk - its more difficult for the body to absorb rocks than plants) Take it diligently - and eat more foods that contain calcium.
Increase your magnesium and Vitamin D. D is easy - go outside :D 15-20 minutes of full sun exposure every few days will get it for you.. Magnesium you can get from most Calcium supplements - they normally bundle it .. You can get all of this from eating a lot of green leafy veggies and anything that is green ( like brocoli, asparagus etc )
As for your soft tissue recovery.. time.. it needs to rest..
meditation is awesome! focus your intentions on healing. the littlest shifts in your intentions can have effects. for example: No longer refer to your foot as the 'broken' or 'effed up foot.. it is now the 'recovering' foot, and the 'healing' foot.
Its hard .. recovering takes us into a different place.. From a place of being physically strong and independent, a place of being helpful. To a place of inner strength, and needing others, and accepting help.
A lot of us in the our community are guides, leaders, and lights in our circles that others are inspired by. The things we do for fun; often tell the stories that inspire that same excitement in the listener.
It gives the people we love a chance to help us back. Give something back to those of us that are always giving/or not needing..
Take this time to accept what the world is giving you.
-time to breathe
-time to just be without doing. (we are human beings - not human doings)
-time to humble our selves
-ask for help
-accept help
-be thankful for that help
-be thankful only one ankle is recovering and not something way worse.
As much as I wish I could be climbing ElCap right now .....
.... not sure where I was going with that - because I would trade being laid up for the big stone without any haggling whatsoever..
MAYBE - your supposed to miss part of this season?
Don't stress about where you could be now.
Focus on where you ARE RIGHT NOW.. and try to find the joy in that.
your too blessed to be stressed!
keep your fitness as best you can
 your good humour will stay along with it...
heal on!
Adam
(getting another xray tomorow - hoping my bones have fused back together)
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 26, 2010 - 02:10pm PT
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Adam
Great advice! Are you reading from the same playbook as my girlfriend? You two sound like soulmates. (But she's mine) ;^)
Sending strong healing wishes your way too.
Roy
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bmacd
climber
Relic Hominid
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May 26, 2010 - 09:31pm PT
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Natural sugars apparently are recognized as assisting, as much as calcium does for bone growth. During my recovery I consumed a lot of Sanata Cruz lemonade, made with organic cane sugar, I craved it actually.
Prescription pain killers are fun to be on and provide a hellish withdrawal experience. Not recommended. Good luck and best wishes !
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'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
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May 26, 2010 - 09:57pm PT
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Are you in a plaster cast? They put me in one of those to begin with, then a week or so later I was amazed when they cut it off, and stuck me in a removable cast. I could take the thing off and do some careful ankle mobility exercises. Felt much better. Are you slated for one of those things?
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 27, 2010 - 01:55pm PT
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Bmacd, yeah, I like the organic cane sugar too,(in coffee) but never heard about its healing properties. Cool! Now coffee really IS a wonder drug.
No, Pete, I have a fiberglass cast for the duration. I'll probably get a plastic boot later if it's available used. Kinda expensive. :^(
Kindredlion, still mulling that advice. Good stuff.
Brokedown, how'd you break 3 ribs? I know wolves can body-slam pretty hard, but I thought they preferred teeth? ;^)
Rereading this thread, many many thanks to ALL of you for sharing your personal stories of encouragement! I told the doc yesterday that I'd been reading similar accounts on the internet and he instantly assumed they were horror stories. I put 'im straight about the positive energy here. (Didn't tell him about the political threads). Haha
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miss.julienne
climber
Capitola, California
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May 27, 2010 - 02:34pm PT
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Drink some BEER!!!!
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quietpartner
Trad climber
Moantannah
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Topic Author's Reply - May 27, 2010 - 03:52pm PT
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DONE!!!!!
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Kindredlion
Big Wall climber
4hrs too far from YNP
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May 27, 2010 - 05:44pm PT
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I wish we all could just heal each other..
"Hey I'm super fit, would you like some?"
"oh wow, thanks brah! that feels much better "
like buying each other beers, or belaying..
I would do you a solid!
I didn't get the best news from my docs. I'll post up after the weekend..
Take Air,
Adam
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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May 28, 2010 - 09:53am PT
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I broke the 3 ribs that I reported in a separate thread. Also managed to crack c-3 and c-4 in my neck. I'm now healing well. You do the same! (Heal well!). see : Eldorado Springs Climbing related accident. Bummer.
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the kid
Trad climber
fayetteville, wv
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May 28, 2010 - 10:09am PT
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break the other leg...
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