Broken tib/fib 1 yr anniv.. red, hot and painful

wickedme · July 31, 2008

It will be one year 8/18 since I broke my tib/fib. I have a rod and screws because a scoop of bone came out and it needs to be secured. It is actually one of my co-morbities because I will have chronic pain for life if I don't lose the weight. I have already made an appointment to see the ortho doc, but wondered if anyone has had anything similar with like injury??

My shin is hard and swollen in spots and red and hot to touch. Its not a blood clot, no calf pain. My ankle has been swollen on and off for 6 days. I put off calling because I thought it was just me making excuses for not wanting to exercise, but it was swollen when I got up this morning and hasn't changed.

Its probably just me and my weird body and chemistry... but if you have experienced this I would like to know how it was treated..

thanks

kjhack · July 31, 2008

How can you be sure that is not a blood clot? That sounds like a lot of the warning signs. I work for a family practice doctor and you would be sent to the hospital asap for a venous doppler us. You should get in asap. Not trying to scare you, but be very careful. If it is not a clot it could be an infection. Keep us posted. Take care of you.

BenB278 · July 31, 2008

I agree with kjhack... get in to the doctor and get that leg checked!!! No foolin' around! You will be in my prayers! Ouch! Really sounds painful!

wickedme · August 2, 2008

I went to my ortho doctor yesterday and had xrays, the redness was gone but my ankle was still swollen, on both feet!!! There was nothing out of the ordinary and my leg is completely fused. I had blood drawn and will get the results on Monday. If the swelling doesn't go away they will do an ultrasound, in the mean time I am wearing compression socks of my own free will just in case. My doctor was not convinced it wasn't a blood clot, but since the redness was gone and just my ankles are swollen he said to go to ER if it got bad over the weekend and he would meet me there.

I am going to call the lipid doc and see if it could be a reaction to meds I am taking. It is not painful anymore, I just have a KANKLE!! I told ortho doc I was having lap band (at least I hope so) and he said if I am still having issues with the hardware he would take it out next year!! I am hoping that just losing the weight will make it better. I really don't want to be cut open again, and muscle has started growing over the screws so they would have to cut them.. arghhhhh being laid up was not a good experience for me mentally.