Tib/Fib Fractures

lmtay79

3 weeks ago, my horse jumped to the side and I wasn't fast enough. He came down on the bottom part of my lower leg. Turned the tibia into dice and put a displaced compound fracture in the fibula. The next day I had an ORIF done, 2 plates, 22 screws. Doc said I was to be completely non weight bearing for 6 weeks, and then we'll look at maybe beginning PT.

Some things I've learned so far:

1. CONTROL SWELLING: When doc says he wants you to elevate it…he means he wants you to be nearly upside down. One pillow on the couch isn't going to cut it. Failing to control swelling in these first days postop will delay wound healing & closure. He was very particular about warning me that these surgical sites low on the leg and down by the ankle can be a PITA because it's just skin & bone down there, not a lot of soft tissue & vasculature.
2. SUPPLIMENTS: Get a list of everything you've been taking and find out how long to hold off. There are many doc will want you to avoid postop.
3. MENTAL HEALTH: When you go from 10K+/day to barely hobbling to and from the bathroom….it's going to take a hit. Just know that going in, react as needed. Do not text the Ex.
4. CALORIES: This is not the time to lose weight. Don't even think about calorie restriction because "I'm not moving much". My appetite took a major hit and before I knew it I was down 9lbs in 3wks. It's been hard for me to even get to 1700cals. Your mileage may vary, but generally speaking healing a surgical site and fracture is a lot of extra work. Google says 15-20 calories per pound daily. It said pounds. Period. It did not say pounds of lean body mass.

For those of you that are dealing with or have recovered from displaced / ORIF type fractures, what did you find useful or surprising?

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