Well, that answers that question

[gwyn]

Since I fell down the back porch stairs at the beginning of June, I've been wondering if I might have done more damage to myself than just a sprain. I barely have insurance now, as a freelancer, so going to the doctor is a big deal because I have to somehow come up with money to pay for everything. But I couldn't ignore the fact that it's been four months and the thing still hurts, still can't take weight for too long, and still has a knot in the front that never really goes away.

Turns out I have a "severe left ankle sprain with avulsion fracture from the fibula" -- basically a little piece of bone that breaks off at the bottom of the fibula when the ligaments rip sideways. Yay.

The good news is I don't have to have surgery. My doc thinks it's healing, just very, very, very slowly, and could become more of a problem if it doesn't heal soon. So I am going to physical therapy and should wear my brace as much as I can, but I don't need a boot, she thinks. I just don't know where in hell I'm going to come up with the $$ for the PT. Bleh.

I really hate my clumsiness sometimes. I have all these fingers and toes that were broken but not properly treated and they healed wrong, so I know I need to do this. I just wish I didn't put myself in these kinds of stupid situations.

Comments

[umbo]

*hugs*

[kass]

Aw, hell, honey, so sorry.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

I remember when I didn't have insurance for five years how I'd have to weight going to see the doctor who anything other than my blood pressure checkup.

But at least there's no cutting involved...

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah. But of course, any kind of national health care is bad for America.

[spasticat.livejournal.com]

Goodness, and you've been walking on it all of this time. Yikes! I highly rec Tylenol Arthritis for the pain. I take two on bad days and its' extended release. I feel like I should be paid as a spokesperson for the stuff.

With the PT...get printouts for the exercises, that's what my gal did for me, and so I only had to go once a month. Well, and I was going to the county hospital which doesn't have the staff to provide weekly PT. But I had my printouts!

Hugs and may it all heal quickly.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's the last time I listen to anyone about bones and sprains. Every time I've had a break heal badly, it was because some know it all told me it wasn't broken, and now I have a mess of a body with all these injuries that are catching up to me.

[spasticat.livejournal.com]

Both my surgeon and my post surgery docs told me I'm going to get arthritis in the breaks I have in my arm. Good luck in finding the right combo of meds to help out and that the PT works. (hugs)

[kerithwyn.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. You deserve a much better kind of break.

Ditto on the PT--once you have the exercises, most of them you can do at home without special equipment. Like those neck and back exercise printouts I've been ignoring. But if you do them, they really work.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

The thing I'm liking so far is the ultrasound on the ankle. It always feels so nice afterward. The exercises, I don't like so much.

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Ugh, that sucks. Sending you healing vibes...

I have one of those boot things from when I tried to use it for my plantar fasciitis, so if you do want it (not sure what kind of boot you meant), let me know.

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

When I had to have PT for busted elbow, while in an HMO, I was cheked with instruments, given directions, sent home with printouts, and told to come back in 3 weeks. They don't have you come in repeatedly unless it's really needed, it costs them instead of becoming more billable hours like an independent office or chiropracter.

Side Note: Oh dear, plantar fasciatis is another one of those slow-healing, easily-re-injured problems. I ended up going with the Birkenstock Birkobalance inserts in my shoes, which are relatively cheap (compared to custom orthotics).

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

So far, there's been no discussion of a boot, so I'm happy about that... hopefully this thing will heal with the exercises and time. I'm kind of tired of it hurting.

Hey, I found out my Nook Color will work on other networks, just not mine. I'd love to meet up sometime and maybe you can show me some ropes on it, and we could talk BPAL or vids or something.

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Sure, that would be fun! Not that I am a Nook super user, heh. Let me know when/where...

raveninthewind84 at yahoo.com

You going to Will Call tomorrow? I haven't decided. It's not the best night for me and I'm tired, but I haven't been in a few months so am tempted.

[slavelabour.livejournal.com]

I know this isn't really helpful but {hugs} so many {hugs}.

[gamiila.livejournal.com]

Turns out I have a "severe left ankle sprain with avulsion fracture from the fibula" -- basically a little piece of bone that breaks off at the bottom of the fibula when the ligaments rip sideways.

Exactly what happened to my ankle too, only mine didn't get diagnosed until after it had (sort of) healed crooked and I did need surgery. I feel for you (literally: my ankle still hurts 7 years after sustaining the injury, and 4 years after surgery), so I'm sending you all the best healing vibes I can muster.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Arg. Yeah, that's one of the things I'm most afraid of, is that the bone's ossified in this spot and I will always have a bad ankle. So I'm very carefully doing everything they're telling me, even though it hurts like a sonofabitch.