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Me & my IM Nail Part 4 (5mths on) >>>
Since the last update a month ago I don’t feel like I have made as much progress as I should have or maybe hoped for. When I was initially told there would be a 6 months recovery period, I really thought I would be able to beat that, but it seems I am exactly on track to meet that timeframe.
I’ve been a little disappointed with myself as there were a couple of weeks this month where I could have tried harder. Work and life meant I wasn’t able to get to the gym like I wanted to do, but even so I could have done more physio at home. However, reflecting on this now I realise I have been pushing consistently hard recovery-wise for over 3 months, so having 2 weeks where I wasn’t 100% focused on it was probably a good thing.
I won't be visiting here for another 4mths
I still have my limp, which I really hope would have gone by now, but it is much less pronounced than it was before and I can walk long distances (45mins plus) without it causing discomfort. So I know the limp is due to disappear soon, I just have to keep at the physio and going to the gym to build up the muscles.
Since the last update I have also been back to the hospital for another check up and the consultant is very happy with how I am healing with the IM nail. He even suggested I could probably start having a go on the treadmill. My physio has not suggested this so I was a bit sceptical but felt positive after the visit.
I hate waiting! It's normally over an hour for the X-Ray and then another hour for the consultant
I met up with a guy I work with from time to time who had broken his leg 18mths ago, but I didn’t realise he had an IM nail put in too. It was really good to quiz him about his experiences. The first thing you will be pleased to hear is that he is about to run a marathon in the next couple of weeks.
He is into his running and told me he pushed too hard when recovering and this actually set his whole recovery back by over a month. He was advised when able to start running again to start with 5mins and then to build it up one minute at a time. However, after a few goes he felt good and ignored the advice and ran a bit longer and then did a 40mins run but after that he couldn’t run again for a few days as it would be very painful and sore.
I went to the gym 3 times last week and felt good about that, particularly as last Monday I went on the treadmill to jog for the first time. That felt very weird! As you are not sure how your leg will perform. I took it very easy and did a 5mins jog at very slow speed. I was able to do it, which was good, but still ran with a bit of limp and was unsure whether that was right or not?
The observant of you will have noticed that the person above is not me ... I have better, but hairier legs
On Wednesday I jogged for 6mins at a slighter faster speed and then 7mins on Friday going slightly faster again. I haven’t felt any bad after effects from doing this and so can continue with confidence.
My physio gave me a new, stronger rubber sexual aid (Green) to continue with the ankle exercises which I have to be honest and say I have not really been doing, even though I do keep them near me when watching TV at home. The physio has also got me standing up and down on tip toes and standing on just my left leg (the bad one). I’ve been doing a lot of these as it is very easy to fit into normal life … whilst brushing teeth, making a cup of tea, waiting for a bus/train, etc.
Standing on one leg helps to build up strength and although I could do this before the physio asked me, I was very wobbly and it was hard to balance. Whereas now I can do it with my hands in my pockets without needing to put my arms out to balance. It’s not as good as my right leg, of course, and it still wobbles a bit (the muscles around the ankle and knee move about to maintain the stability of the leg).
Standing on tip toes is something I’ve been able to do for ages, but a month ago I tried walking on tip toes and that was a very different story. I could barely manage it and it was similar to when I first started walking, or rather hobbling. A month later and I can now walk on tip toes better, but with a major limp.
The guy I worked with also recommended that I keep up with the rubber sex aids as when he was able to start running he gave up on the ankle exercises, but wished he’d continued.
I haven’t reached my goal of losing my limp, but have jogged on the treadmill for 7mins which is ahead of what I thought I would be doing. So I hope by the next update the limp will have gone and I will have jogged for at least 20mins on Clapham Common.
I also still have the bruise from where the tibia broke which I think is also a reminder that as much as you can push your physio and exercises, you can’t speed up how quickly your bone heals.
<<< Me and my IM Nail Part 1 (2mths since the op)
<<< Me & my IM Nail Part 2 (3mths on)
Me & my IM Nail Part 4 (5mths on) >>>
May 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Interesting document. My IM Nail is from Stryker.
http://www.osteosynthesis.stryker.com/medias/pdf/t2_tibia_optech_b1000005g3709.pdf
May 23rd, 2010 at 5:18 am
I broke my tibia and fibula too this winter (middle of Feb), and had the nifty nail implanted. I’m still hobbling pretty badly, and hoping to be walking decent distances soon.
Its good to hear you’ve been recovering! But I’m a tad peeved with my docs who have been giving me contradictory information on recovery time (I was told everything from weight bearing immediately after surgery to 4 months before weight bearing).
Now hopefully I can run a bit at 4 months too…
June 9th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Very intersting to read how someone else has got on recovering from this procedure. I broke my tibia in 2 places and my fibula once after an accident playing football in March. Had the op on the Mon 2 days after the break and was amazed how good, if a little swolen and purple, my leg was. After a 15 min test drive on the crutches I was allowed home on the Weds. It was tough going for the first week but after that progress has been going great and now 12 weeks on I have returned to work. It’s still early days as regarding my physio but every day I feel an improvement and am still hopeful of playing footy again at some point next season even at 37. I am really glad I you have put this together as it is very interesting seeing how other people cope with this ordeal.
June 12th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Thanks for your comment and best of luck with your physio!
November 4th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Hi Jake,
I broke my tibia in August whilst on holiday in Devon. I fell on the coastal path near Branscomb and had to be airlifted to Exeter hospital by helicopter! I know it’s a great story to tell but I’m really fed up with the whole thing now :0) I just wish I’d found your blog earlier. As you correctly state there’s not much info out there about recovery after an IM nailing. Your injury was almost identical to mine and lots of your comments resounded with me. For example I too have a bruise where the break was which never seems to go. I laughed about your comment re the damn crutches always falling over. That used to drive me mad as well. I’m at the stage of walking without crutches now but have frequent pain and a terrible limp. How you managed 7 flights of stairs when you came out of hospital beggars belief! Just wondering how you are now and whether there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Sue aka Hopalong!
November 5th, 2011 at 2:07 am
Hey Hopalong!
Did you see my reply to your other post (Part 4 of the IM Nail saga)? I didn’t realise you had a helicopter ride to hospital? That is very grand indeed!
Seems like you are dealing with things in good spirits.
To repeat my reply on the other page:
‘Yes, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel so please keep up the good work, battle through the soreness and really concentrate hard on your physio exercises. Even when the limp seems to have disappeared, it is really helpful to keep it up so that you don’t get muscle imbalances when you walk or run around. This can lead to very pain shin splints or other complications.
For me it is nearly 2 years since the accident and my leg generally feels good. It is not the same as it used to be and after I jog (I go 2-3 times a week) it does feel stiff and sore just below the knee. I am contemplating having the IM Nail removed and need to arrange a meeting with the consultant to talk through the options and risks.’
Jake