Question:
Broke my ankle and dislocated my knee

Today I broke my left ankle in 3 places, also I dislocted my left knee. The E.R. doctor said my weight was the cause of my pain :( I am just waiting for a surg.date. The E.R. doc said it might take 3 months to heal because my ankle is somewhat cracked up in a lot of places, So will it affect me gettin surgery..I was asking because you guys are so smart...Much Love Ruschell    — Ruschell (posted on February 8, 2004)

February 8, 2004
OUCH! Ruschell, I hope that you recover fully and quickly. My goodness! Don't know if this will effect your surgery date, that's something you will need to discuss with your surgeon. Some don't like to initiate another issue that will require healing if you have something else going on. (My surgeon wouldn't schedule me for a hernia repair due to having an open wound.) Plus, you will have to watch your nutrition carefully while on the mend for the ankle and knee. Not sure if they would want to introduce you to malabsorption while that is healing. Best to ask your doc. In the meantime, eat healthy and get all of the vitamins you need to heal. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. Polly
   — Jackie O.

February 8, 2004
Ouchy! Hugs to you. It is really hard to say. I was having major problems with my arm function at the time of my wls surgery. When I went for my pre-op testing both arms were in cast! And now since my wls I have had 5 surgeries(since November) plus getting ready for another this month I am amazed to say. The wls is amazing, I have been laid up for months not aloud to workout and yet all my blood work is prefect and I have lost 112 pounds.Your leg would heal better with out all the weight and yet they want you to be mobil for surgery. So it is a really hard call. I would most diffently call your WLS doc and then find a really good orthopedic man. Mine really work well together to make sure I am doing well and healing as I should. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.
   — Autumn

February 8, 2004
Poor thing! I was thinking about this and my common sense tells me that he may want to wait for surgery because it is so important to be up and walking after surgery to prevent blood clots and that would be hard to do with a broken leg. I will pray that you heal quickly and/or he can find an alternte solution to keep the circulation moving in your legs after surgery so you won't have to wait. Talk with your sugeon. Hugs! Denise
   — denisel

February 9, 2004
Been there - done that. 3 years ago I broke my right ankle in several places and dislocated it at the same time. I also severaly damaged both knees and was wheelchair bound for 3 months, then crutches for 3 months. It took 5 ankle/knee surgeries over 2 years so I could walk again. I have quite a few screws holding my legs together. I had RNY last year and my insurance quickly approved it because they knew that those types of breaks and dislocations are seriously affected by excess weight. They didn't want to have to pay for the long term damage to my legs due to the weight. Thoughts for you - let the legs heal so you can walk. You absolutely need to walk after surgery!!! Stick it out until you can move around. See an orthopedist - a sports type orthopedist. I am minus 100lbs and I now walk very well. I have advanced artthritis in my ankle joint, but with so much excess weight gone - I am so much furtehr than the Dr's expected. My best wishes for your recovery.
   — M B.

February 9, 2004
Check with your WLS surgeon. You can do exercises other than walking to prevent blood clots. Push protein and calcium to speed healing of broken bones. Weight bearing ( if allowed) and resistance exercises help mantain strong bones.
   — dianne E.

February 9, 2004
i read on here where someone else was in a similar situation with a broken foot and they got to have it anyway. Not as soon as it was broken but it was still in a cast and healing. So maybe by the time you get your date and it is close to surgery, you will be healed enough to have it. i hope so.
   — Delores S.

February 9, 2004
I lked to thank everyone on this site for their feedback! I will take it very easy,the foot doc said i need to get lots of rest because the swelling is not going down as he would like, So I will be careful...Thanks my AMOS family Love Ruschell <><>
   — Ruschell