Broken Leg - any hints?

**Saule** · 04-10-2011, 03:10 PM

DH managed to fall down the stairs and break his leg - yes, it could have been worse, I am still irritated, as I had told him to stay away from the stairs - anyway, I have never dealt with any broken limb. I am sure the physical therapists, etc., will be helpful, but I am hoping that someone here will have some practical tips of what has been useful or helpful in your experience in dealing with this especially after he comes home.

**cupcake2652000** · 04-10-2011, 03:24 PM

I am recovering right now from a broken leg. If possible get him a walker, crutches, and a chair for the bath tub. I did not have a cast put on my leg as I had a rod put in it with screws but if he has a cast I hear there are these bags you can buy at Walgreens that seal it to take a shower and not get it wet. Just know its really frustrating not being able to do anything. I just started driving again yesterda and its been 6 weeks. I have a 3 month recovery time. If you want to know anything else more specific let me know.

**Saule** · 04-10-2011, 03:41 PM

I have the bath chair, will get crutches eventually and a walker, I'm sure. The bag thing I used too, when I had surgery on my feet that had to stay dry. He has a cast - casted this morning.

**Darlene** · 04-10-2011, 03:46 PM

My biggest tip is to keep it elevated as much as possible to help keep swelling down.

**sunshine** · 04-10-2011, 06:52 PM

Grabber - so he can reach as many things as possible on his own, water bottles and sling to carry it - so he can get his own drinks, lots of pillows for propping and positioning in chairs and bed,and maybe some earplugs for you - so you can't hear him whinning? :p

**MissSeetonFan** · 04-11-2011, 11:49 AM

Amen on keeping it elevated. Also, he should wiggle his toes as much as possible. It may not do much while he has a cast on but it will get him a head start when the cast comes off and he has to relearn moving his foot and ankle around.

Make sure he is taught how to do stairs on crutches just in case he needs to do them once in a while. When I broke my ankle, I had to do stairs every day because I lived on the 2nd floor. To go to the doctors office and other necessary meetings, I had to do them. (I lost about 10 pounds because of the enforced exercise.)

And this is for after the cast comes off. The foot and ankle will probably be stiff. The pt will tell him to move them constantly to regain mobility. I was told to trace the alphabet with my foot. I also figured out that doing the alphabet backwards helped just as much. That means tracing the letters from bottom to top and right to left instead of the normal way that you write letters. For instance, start the "C" at the bottom of the open end and trace it down, around, going toward the left, up and then right and down.

**Libby** · 04-11-2011, 12:20 PM

Things I've learned via dealing with DF who is recovering from a complex broken ankle:

* keep it elevated when resting, try to wiggle toes 2x/hour

* don't stay seated/laying down all day - try to get up once every 2 hours to keep your muscle strength in both legs though he can't really use the broken one right now (do gentle leg lifts with the casted leg)

* due to the sedentary lifestyle he will now take on (resting etc) up the fibre in his diet as well as water to help the fibre pass through - TMI I know but constipation can occur and this could lead to other problems - DF's brochure from the hospital actually lists this as a 'to do' especially if pain killers were prescribed.

* keep as close to your daily schedule/routine as possible - as much as you can given your situation. Routine/consistency is key however adapting them to include much needed rest/naps is important too.

* try to create a wider pathway through the house if needed. Everyone walks differently with crutches, some normal, some wider etc. Things you thought weren't in the way could very well end up being so - be prepared to adjust things temporarily.

* this is more for you - learn to watch him struggle - its hard for one to accept they're not able to function as they used to and ask for help. This will be a challenge for you. Some people like to be babied and some like being independent. Offer help only after you've seen him try to do something and is struggling. (depression could set in, this is normal as he realizes hes limited in his ability but don't let him wallow too much - don't want it to set in right?)

* lastly: have patience (easier said then done sometimes right?)

One other thing I keep hearing from all the patients in the fracture clinic that I take DF to 'use it or lose it' is a great motto/mentality for a better and possibly speedier recovery. (hence all the suggestions to keep body parts moving)

Don't forget - always follow the doctors instructions b/c they're tailored to your DH & his specific break. If you're unsure about something, DO NOT hesitate to call the doctor and ask what to do or to have them clarify instructions etc.

**savvy_sniper** · 04-11-2011, 01:09 PM

Tell him to listen to the doctor, do as he is told, and let you help him; especially in the beginning. He needs to allow time for his leg to heal properly and not injure himself further.

Good Luck!

**Saule** · 04-11-2011, 10:41 PM

I am already trying to make wider walkways through the house - a challenge. He will hopefully go to rehab tomorrow, to start with activity - he has been very surly and uncooperative so far. They are giving him a lot of pain killers and a lot of antibiotics, plus iron because of some anemia - just another complication..... I do have one of those grabbers, we'll give it a try - I got it for myself for high shelves, actually. I do know about elevation, motion and the alphabet stuff, I did it myself after some foot surgery.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to share what worked for them! It will be an adventure!