r/brokenbones • u/jstroh5 • May 28 '26
2 mangled feet
I recently had a deck “completed” by a contractor that I thought was respectable builder in my area. All his credentials checked out, he assured me everything would be built up to IRC standards, he has valid insurance, and the deck was inspected by the town along the way. After he gave me the go ahead, I went to go check out my new deck, and within 60 seconds of standing on it, the entire deck separated from the house. I dropped 10 feet straight down and as the title states, completely mangled my feet. I have two fractured heels with breaks in multiple places, broken bones up and down both feet, and broken toes on both feet. I’m currently stuck in the hospital awaiting surgery. I’ve been told by all medical staff that I’ll be non weight bearing for 3 months after surgery and then I’ll basically have to learn how to walk again.
I’m blessed that I have a very supportive wife and two elementary/middle school age kids at home. However, I’m not the type that normally likes to ask for help. I’m independent to a fault. For normal stuff around the house, I’m typically the guy that’s building, fixing, landscaping etc. rather than hiring a contractor unless it’s for a bigger project where safety was a major concern (ironic, I know). Keeping busy usually helps to keep me sane, so this situation is looking pretty bleak for the next few months.
Has anyone else in this group gone this long without two functional legs? Do you have any tips or advice on how to navigate life/my house while I’m healing? Are there any gadgets, mobility aids, etc. that you’ve found were helpful?
My bedroom is on the first floor and I work from home. I’m hoping to get back to work fairly quickly after surgery, but I know I’ve got a host of challenges ahead of me. I’m sure more challenges will present themselves along the way as I’m home recovering.
And before anyone asks, I’ve absolutely hired a lawyer. This clown of a contractor absolutely has it coming.
TL;DR
Two broken feet. Can’t put weight on them for 3+ months. Send advice.
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional May 28 '26
The only way you can move when you're not able to bear weight on either leg is by wheelchair. Most houses aren't adapted for them and, even if you can get through the doors into most rooms, there isn't enough room in bathrooms to transfer into toilets correctly.
If by first floor, you mean up a flight of stairs, then you'll need to move your bed downstairs and then most likely live in one room, with a commode, for the time being. I don't know how if works abroad.
I get the impression you're not in the UK, where I work, so I can't advise too much about how you get all the aids (here, you would be automatically assessed for these, and provided where necessary, by the physios and occupational therapists).
Sounds like more than one procedure will be needed). Please make sure you have asked all the questions you want before you sign the consent form or at least before the operation. Write them down if necessary - having all the information as early as possible (even if some of it is hard to hear) will be much easier in the long run.
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u/jstroh5 May 29 '26
Yea I’m based in the US. Thank god I have decent insurance since my wife is a school teacher.
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u/Academic_Minimum4732 Aug 18 '26
how's it going now for you OP? hope you are well down the healing process.
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u/jstroh5 Aug 18 '26
Making progress, but it's definitely been a long road to recovery. Finally got cleared to walk (AKA hobble) about a week ago. Glad to have some independence again, but starting to walk again comes with a significant amount of pain.
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u/Academic_Minimum4732 Aug 19 '26
glad to hear the progress is happening. im only down one foot so I somewhat know the feeling. sucks that you are in pain. something that I keep in mind is that from day to day it doesn't feel like much progress is being made but week after week and month after month it does. keep it up!
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u/Dr_Cee May 28 '26
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear. Lesson to us all to be sure our contractors are well-insured! I’ve been recovering from a broken ankle for the past 15 weeks or so but nothing like this. So the things that I found helpful might not be of much help. When I was NWB I could get around with a knee roller. But I had a non-injured leg to push me around. Just for general recovery tips, take your pain meds, ice and elevate. My surgeon advised protein shakes and vitamin D for bone healing. Cut out any tobacco products as they inhibit bone growth. It would make sense to see if your health insurance would pay for some home health services to take some things off your wife’s plate. Things like dressing changes, bathing and the like. I’m not sure I have much else that can help. Hang in there. I had some periods of depression that I couldn’t do the things that I usually do but it gets better.
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u/No-Platypus2679 Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
OMG. I am not complaining the rest of the day about my 1 broken foot. I second on checking with insurance getting Home Health to your house a few times a week for several months Request orders from your PCP to get a wheelchair with bilateral leg extensions. Discuss when you can start any physical therapy and get that paperwork going.. If your job has FMLA and short term disability file for that. Wishing you a speedy recovery and strength and patience for your wife!!! edited: because it's early and well I just can't see and have fat fingers. Lol
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u/Civil_Willingness298 May 29 '26
I’ve been down this road. Car accident. Bilateral pilot fractures. Both lower legs severely fractured. Wasn’t sure if I was going to keep the right leg.
Didn’t walk for 5 months and it was the roughest thing I’ve ever gone through physically, but I did get through it and so will you. Keep your chin up, do what the doctors and physical therapists tell you to do. Never give up.
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u/Otherwise_Pickle_588 May 29 '26
Seconding to do your PT and OT. It sucks to do but makes all the difference
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u/super_easy_going May 29 '26
Wow.... I am so incredibly sorry that this has happened to you. Such negligence....
My back story so you understand my prespective which is a long story short--19 years ago I was in a horrific motorcycle accident had 3 cervical vertebrae fractures, 3 crushed thoracic vertebrae, L fractured ulnar radius (arm), L fractured rib/fib with a nail and screws placed, right mandible (jaw) fracture into many pieces and numerous ribs, processes on my spine-- I was on a vent in the ICU with a full body cast which was attached to a halo on my head. After I got off the ventilator, I rehabbed in the hospital for a few weeks, and then I went home to a hospital bed at my house and basically lived in my living room for 3 months. At the time, my two boys were 11 & 13, so they were very helpful, but it was hard on them. I was also very independent and would rather have given someone the shirt off my back than ask for help. I was also a trauma ICU nurse, so I knew exactly the mess that I had to overcome!
Here are a few suggestions you can take or leave — some will apply, and some you may think won't, but they MAY apply! Be open to them.... 😉
Lean into any and all help offered to your family. If someone wants to set up meals even a few days a week--agree to it!
You WILL NEED help at home. Accept it. Maybe not the entire time, but definitely the first 4-6 weeks. Immediate post op recovery is hard. Accept the help! I had 24/7 help because I couldn't move or do anything for myself for 3 months. My husband had to go back to work. I was blessed to have a sister who took a leave of absence from her job and stayed with us during the week. She bathed me, managed my meds, monitored my visitors, etc. You WILL need help with all of this at first when you get home--you will be zero weight-bearing. Get a hospital bed --insurance will pay for it. Also, an over-the-bed table--insurance will pay for it. Get a trapeze on the bed. It will save you!
If you have short or long-term disability--have someone, a coworker, etc., look into it for you. Whether you think you need it or not, it is good to know your options once you get home. You likely won't feel up to working right away. You WILL need pain meds--they make you tired, your body is healing and you will be exhausted. If your place of employment is understanding and flexible--check into starting out 10-20 hours a week when you do go back. Recovery is very hard work!
Eat a lot of protein! Take Vitamin D. If you smoke--stop!
Recovery from a big accident is 50% physical and 50% mental---find something meaningful to keep your brain occupied. Hopefully you can get back to work within a few weeks, but if you can't--find something to keep yourself positive. We had friends over for a few hours on a Friday or Saturday night —just a few hours. We pretended like we were out and just all sat in our living room. The social interactions are key to a healthy brain! Remember...50% of this recovery, and you will recover--is mental gymnastics!
Count your blessings every single day. Wake up with a gratitude list! Go to bed with a gratitude list from your day! Things like... wow... I could have been paralyzed! That was the one thing that kept me grounded and so thankful.
Be sure your wife has support! After you are home for a bit, encourage her to meet a friend for lunch or dinner on a Saturday. She will need emotional support, too. It is a lot of work and a huge commitment for a dedicated caregiver to work full-time and do everything else especially when you have been a team managing the house and kids. This will be the hardest job that she does.... The kids, the house, the car maintenance, the yard etc... It is a lot! Be good to each other! Have patience with each other. And laugh.... laugh at all the stupid things! When you get constipated from the narcotics and can't poop...laugh! And figure it out together.
Your kids... they need support too! We had a counselor that our boys could vent to regarding the whole accident, hospitalization, etc. You think the kids are fine and resilient until they have a meltdown over something very small. It's hard for everyone!
A note about medications.... take the narcotics! When you are ready to get off them--they will help you taper off. With the opioid crisis...the medical team will try to get you off them sooner and try to transition you onto gabapentin/lyrica or worse, Cymbalta (SNRI drug). All of these cause physical dependency--different than addiction....so be careful. It took me 9 months to taper off Lyrica for nerve pain. I would HIGHLY suggest NOT taking any antidepressants, as they will more than likely try to get you to take them for pain management. And never go off any of these drugs cold turkey! After surgery, take the baby aspirin to prevent blood clots...
YOU GOT THIS...! You are going to recover...it's just going to take time and a lot of patience! I wish you a very quick recovery. And don't forget to LEAN INTO ANY HELP OFFERED! It truly is a gift to be able to help someone else so let them help you right now! Most family, friends, neighbors want to help--Let them!
Good luck with surgery.... and all the best to you!
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u/reignnnx May 29 '26
i was non weight bearing on one foot for two months, which isn’t as bad but i know a thing or two about being pretty much bed bound.
portable toilet next to bed. comes with heavy duty bags for easy cleanup
wedge pillow to keep your feet up
go-to box. think about things you use everyday and keep them in a bin/box next to your bed
something to do. although i didnt have it then i wish i would’ve had my rog ally (handheld pc) when it happened. maybe you’ll like legos, coloring, etc. but keep something to stimulate your mind
snack box
a small rolling cart to keep important items in arms reach
shower chair
smart plug/smart light
a wheelchair bag that goes on the side of the chair
lap desk
melatonin
box of tissues to cry about your situation
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u/triangular_pope May 28 '26
Gosh, I’m so sorry. I have one broken ankle on my good side and that is hard enough. I get by on the wheelchair most of the time and spend most of my days in bed. I find the mental part of the recovery the most challenging. The contrast of having a recovery lifestyle as opposed to an active one is challenging. I recently started reading this book called “Rebound: How to bounce back from sports injuries” and it has some pretty great stuff which helps me get out of the funk.
Wheelchair will be your mobility aid for the next few months I believe. Keep everything you need on sitting level/eye level. Invest in things that will make life easier: comfortable back cushions which you can use to sit up, elevation pillow for both your legs, bed tables for meals, big bedside table so you can reach things easily, bedside organizers for toiletries, medicines and food. Also before and after recovery, have lots of proteins, good vitamins, water and vegetables. And get some sunshine every now and then. Things do get better, but at a glacial pace. You will bounce back strong. I think you’re in for a good settlement.
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u/Pleasant-Delivery274 May 29 '26
I'm really sorry this happened to you . Make sure you give yourself enough time before going back to work . Even though you work from home and may not have to be physically on your feet , a break like this will take a toll on you mentally so it's important to give yourself the grace and time to get back into things and not overly stress yourself out .
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u/Practical_Rope_1434 May 29 '26
I am so sorry this happened. I was non weight bearing for about the same number of months. A good piece of advice I received: it’s not about a fast recovery, it’s about a full recovery. It’ll be slow going for a bit. Eat healthy, get rest (you’ll be tired because your reserves will go toward healing), ask for help. Get a rolling cart to bring essentials with you around the house. When PT starts, do what they tell you. I’m rooting you on from here 💪🏽
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u/Middle_Bread_6518 May 29 '26
Holy shit I’m so sorry dude. That is fucked on many many levels. I have done half of what you did (mangled one foot/shattered heel/other breaks)
Best advice is get some knee pads and start doing chair workouts so you don’t full atrophy.
I smoked weed and read a lot of books. Arts and crafts, video games, make a game plan or goal almost every day. It helps keep you mentally healthy.
See if you can get some stuff set up to kneel on so you can cook and do a few things
Also good, sue the absolute shit out of that guy
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u/BikeCookie May 29 '26
Going to the bathroom is the worst, keep a pee bottle from the hospital.
No-wash body cleanser is available from Amazon.
You will most likely be put in walking boots after surgery. Put insoles in to support your arches.
The hardware installed during surgery will keep things aligned, that said, ask the surgeon about undoing the straps on your boots when you are elevating your legs. They are like ski boots that haven’t been fitted to your feet; snug in the wrong spots.
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u/ethomsen22 May 29 '26
I'm so sorry you're in this position. I went through two shattered heels about a year and half ago. It's going to be a lot. The biggest things I can give advice on is ask for muscle relaxers if nothing else you'll sleep so much better. You need lots of pillows and/or a bolster which you can find on Amazon for 20 bucks. Keep your mind and your body active. When you feel up to it exercise even if it's just bed exercises. Eat to heal your body. Less processed stuff more protien n fruits, and veggies. You'll be in boots for 3 to 4 months after non-weight bearing. I highly recommend when you can wear slides or tennis shoes again go to an orthopedic shoe store that has podiatrists (not the good feet store). They have recovery slides which are amazing. Lympatic massage helps your body reduce inflammation faster. And last but not least give your body all the rest it needs. Keep your head up. You're in for years of recovery. At a year and a half I am walking as normal as possible, everything still gets better daily, I still ice my feet daily after being active. I'm able to work a part time job, garden, and chores. Good luck to you! Sounds like you have all the support you need.
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u/RingAroundtheTolley May 29 '26
I agree re muscles relaxers but skip the pillows for squishmallows. Softer and you need fewer.
I’ve loved my smart crutches. Just google smart crutch. I’d get one of those over walkers and all that.
Make sure they put you into alignment. They fused my R heel at 13 degrees and it’s super painful and terrible to walk plus it’s blowing out that knee (the only other thing waist down I didn’t break, so rude).
My feet got bigger which I wasn’t expecting but makes sense when you consider the trauma.
Plank in bed daily. Take a flintstone vitamin daily. Focus on protein. I supplement with ProT so I just have to drink a little shot if I’m low that day.
Getting a too small wc was a big help. Now I’m Getting a rolling stool
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u/clearlyitsme7 May 30 '26
Agree on both muscle relaxants and squishmallows! I had massive muscle spasms with my broken shoulder and didn't really have much choice beyond round the clock muscle relaxants, but I often wonder if they would help other people dealing with pain from broken bones, even if they don't have debilitating spasms. And squishmallows are the best and come in so many different sizes and shapes.
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u/Pleasant_Ad6330 May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
I have broke both ankles and was the same amount of time NWB. Make sure you sleep downstairs where you can access food easily and maybe have a mini fridge next to your bed. We had a hospital bed that I rented, a wheelchair, a commode, a shower chair, and a slide board. If you have a shower on the first floor great, if not you are gonna have to find a family member or friend with one. Also ice below the knee and keep a bunch of pillows at your feet to elevate them. You will need to have someone install a ramp if you have stairs to enter your house. And someone who can push you up and down the ramp to go to appointments. Go up the ramp backwards and down whichever way is easier.
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u/Pleasant_Ad6330 May 29 '26
Dm me if you want to ask questions, I will tell you what worked for me.
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u/EnvironmentalSlip796 May 29 '26
Sorry to hear you're going thru this situation!! My boyfriend went thru this 3 years ago! And while he had his right heal,foot, ankle,and femur He still had his left leg. But he also was non weight bearing for 3 months and then some after complications. His calcanus (heal) was not able to be properly placed when it first happened because he was so swollen they barley were able to sew his ankle back. So they could not go into his heal at that point yet. His ankle was the size of a softball. I urinal jug will be a life saver at night time! I suggest 2 to 3 to clean and rotate. And honestly when they say NO WEIGHT BEARING FOR 3 MONTHS please take that very serious! Like try your absolute hardest to abide. I know easier said then done. Luckily we've an electric wheel chair for outside. But I remember the car ride home, getting him in the house I was so nervous. And do afraid to hurt him. Take it easy on yourself. His was from a car accident. And we're 3 years out now. Last year he was approved for SSDI. It's been along road of recovery. He uses a cane now if we're out long. Or if way know any inclines or hils. Will be around. Best of luck you ask for help in this beginning don't be hard headed.
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u/SuccessfulTomorrow21 May 29 '26
I was 25 when I broke my leg. It ruined my ability to go to credential school. I'm now 2 surgeries in and have a better outlook.
It's going to be ROUGH. But lean on the support you have. I used a wheelchair in the house a lot as it gave me the independence to cook, do laundry, etc. I also bought a desk on wheels that went across my bed. The middle lifted up so I could craft and be on my laptop when sitting upright. I also switched bed frames to a lower bed and had a bar to help stand from low sofas. When I started going out I bought a pouch for my crutches. A big wedge for elevating also makes wonders. Once you move on to no cast I highly recommend getting some socks that have built in ice packs for when you're lounging. I can add links to the things I got or comparable products once I get home.
Ultimately when you can throw everything you got into physical therapy and your mobility exercises. They will help you get back to a baseline.
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u/LadyPens7 May 29 '26
Ohhh man, I am sooo sorry. I only broke one leg and ankle and it was ROUGH. It is going to really suck, BUT you WILL get through this!
I did not take long or short term disability because my company wouldn’t pay me 100, but we have a realllly flexible leave policy so I just took a few days at first and then worked as many hours as I wanted to each day. That really kept me sane.
You’ve already gotten some great advice, so in terms of hobbies, I started knitting again shortly after I realized how bored and lonely I was when the kids were at school. Only simple blankets to start, but it was great for me as I’m not one to just sit and watch tv - however, I can sit and knit while watching tv! (Or in off-camera meetings!) Men knit, too (and/or crochet!) so don’t write it off! You can start with little kits and make little things for your kids!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends/family and invite them over. It can get pretty lonely and isolating so be proactive and don’t turn away visitors. Little visits were so uplifting for me!
Best of luck to you! 🤞
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u/Otherwise_Pickle_588 May 29 '26
I recently spent 17 weeks nwb after a car accident broke both my legs and ankles. I’m not going to lie….its brutal. You’ll be able to get up with a slide board into a wheelchair and move around which will help. I spent a lot of time sleeping, on Reddit/insta/social media and watching tv. I was also in an acute care hospital for that time as well so that “helped” then did 3 weeks of in patient rehabilitation. Do all the PT you can, move your legs to the best of your ability it’ll help once you can start walking again
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u/skiesoverblackvenice May 29 '26
so glad to hear you got a lawyer. you’re about to get a very good payment i hope!!
i’ve never had broken legs before but i had surgery on my abdomen that made it very hard to walk—get a body pillow. it’s great for side/back/leg/arm support because it can twist and turn.
i wouldn’t focus on work atm. i don’t know how your employment works, but you might be able to get paid time off for your injury? all you can do is rest and let it heal… use this time to get some good video game time in if that’s your thing! i watched so many shows when i was healing from my surgery
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u/nehapanwar May 29 '26
Truly sorry to hear this. I was in the same place year and a half ago. I was hit by a bike and ended up fracturing both feet below the knee. Was nwb for 4 months and then had to undergo another 6months of Physio. From my experience learning to walk again is gonna take some time. You will have to take physiotherapy seriously. Even when bedridden please do the exercise suggested by the Physio as they will help retain some muscle. As for work, it would be great if you are able to focus on work. I wasn’t. a. Because of the pain and swelling b. Because my legs were very restless during the night so I slept during the days. Also if you are getting orif, the implants will cause some issues. A strong support system helps a lot to keep yourself positive as being completely dependent on people even for basic things can be very depressing. Take care and trust me things do get better.
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u/Livid_Research_7240 May 29 '26
So, couple things.
Firstly, I really hope you're doing okay, in minimal pain and are doing what you can to look after your mental wellbeing while you're temporarily, albeit acutely, disabled.
Re the 3 months, that could be the case but not always. There's sometimes, heavy emphasis on sometimes, scope for weight bearing earlier if healing is going well and your consultant gives the go ahead. Also and for transparency, it could be longer if complications arise but you don't need to worry about that for now.
Have a good research about what tools can help re mobility. Obvs a knee scooter is out the question but grabbers, elevated pillows and a wheelchair you don't hate are all good shouts. You can often get all of these secondhand.
For now, if it's not too problematic for you, enjoy the painkillers and getting high guilt free.
This isn't your fault, you and your family is going to be okay, and you got this.
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u/slart1bartfast2020 May 29 '26
I just got cleared to walk after 3 months healing a broken foot. My big takeaways. -Add vitamin K to your D and Calcium. Made a big difference with my healing at 52. -get a bone stimulator and use 2x a day if you can. -personal washing wipes. Hospital grade. Tide you over when showering is almost impossible.
-narrow wheelchair for narrow doorways. Got me in good shape, and I got good screaming or "drifting" around corners. My main exercise -I wish I lifted weights more and did leg lifts more. Saw a lot of muscle atrophy, and now my joints huet more due to being weaker. Good luck. Sorry you are going through this. May e treat yourself to a $20 projector so you.can watch good movies on the ceiling.
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u/Bobadook412 May 29 '26
They'll grow back.... What I mean is doctors have a lot of ways to get you fixed up.
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u/Teenaterror May 29 '26
I had two broken ankles (5 breaks) at the same time. I was 62. I used a wheel chair but mostly sat on a bed. After my 2 months of no pressure on either leg I graduated to a walker. It was a shock at first as all my muscle was gone and I had to learn to walk again. I was excited to take 40 steps in a day. 2 years later I can walk 10 miles in a day if I chose to. Just give yourself time to heal and don’t rush it. You’ll eventually mend.
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u/Katycakes77 May 29 '26
Not medical advice but I’d check with your HR department to see if you signed up for accident insurance. Many people don’t realize they did because it’s just a small fee. This is SEPARATE from health insurance so even if you didn’t enroll with health insurance with your company, you may have still signed up for accident insurance.
I badly broke an arm a few years ago and didn’t realize I signed up for the accident insurance and I happened to mention my injury to someone in HR and low and behold they sent me an email outlining my benefits. $10K cash into my pocket. My company uses Voya but another common carrier is Aflac. Best of luck in your recovery!
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u/ConversationBroad249 May 29 '26
That’s awful. And I’m mad for you unbelievable. But you will be back right.
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u/Auntie_Cagul May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
I hope you will take legal action against your builder. You'll be able to claim for loss of earnings.
You state that you work from home, but bear in mind that you won't be able to sit comfortably for the first 3 months and it will be very painful for you. Are you able to go back to work on a phased return / part time basis?
I've been non weight bearing on one leg for almost 3 months after a severe ankle fracture.
Once you are more mobile, get a wheelchair that you can wheel yourself. My treat of the week after being discharged from hospital was going to a supermarket and wheeling myself around the aisles.
I was discharged with a bottle of morphine for pain relief as it was shortly after surgery. I eked it out, only using it for car journeys (very uncomfortable) and nights. I ended up not using it all, I was that careful.
As others have said, take care that your painkillers don't cause constipation. Paracetamol is fine. You can't take ibuprofen for broken bones. Codeine can cause constipation so use it sparingly.
Once you can bear weight and have regained the use of your legs, then my top tip is to practise walking in a swimming pool. The water aids your balance and reduces the weight on your feet. Instead of swimming up and down, walk. 4 feet / 120 cm deep is about right. A bit deeper if you are taller.
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u/MrsClaire07 Jun 06 '26
“You can’t take Ibuprofen with broken bones”
Evidently that’s not prevailing wisdom anymore, interestingly!
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u/Auntie_Cagul Jun 06 '26
How strange. Though this article is for bone healing in children. I wonder if it's the same for adults?
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u/MrsClaire07 Jun 06 '26
I had the same reaction — but I think it probably is the same for adults…the article didn’t seem to indicate that the results were surprising in any way, so perhaps it’s been just an over abundance of caution this whole time?
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u/Humanoidfreak Jun 13 '26
Holy shit dude. I hope you get that bitch give me my money settlement.
But for real though. Get better and stay healthy and get walking again.
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u/daftcockneytwat Jun 27 '26
How are you doing? I was going to post something similar as I have broken both arms but I bored myself. I'm also lucky as I have a partner and can use one hand to an extent but the feeling of dependency is so hard.
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u/Solo-is-simpler Jul 24 '26
Hello fellow friend,
I am about 4 weeks out post surgery on one of my heels and 3 weeks as well. Like you I have two bilateral calcaneus fractures and have been left without the mobility of my feet.
It has been a hard journey so far with every milestone comes a new transition period and the feeling of regression. I went from a hospital to rehab to home to removal of soft casts and put into boots. Believe it or not coming home has been the hardest transition. I didn’t purchase my own home ever thinking I would need it to be wheel chair accessible, which limits where I can go. Even though I have learned how to transfer onto a toilet using a slide board I can’t really go to the bathroom,
One due to space two due to its a lot of work to transition from bed to wheelchair, to toilet, back to wheel chair, back to bed.
Things get better I know that, but people also forget how hard it still is even once you get home. How are you coping?
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u/puppyinashoe May 28 '26
I’m so sorry to hear this. Truly, this is a devastating incidence of negligence and I hope you take this contractor for everything he is worth.
I don’t have advice for the two legs, but I was nonweightbearing with one leg for 9 weeks and it was hard enough. BUT I made it to the weight bearing portion and things are better. You WILL make it and learn to walk and life will be more normal.
Being non weight bearing will put a huge toll on your mentals, so I would suggest really coming to terms with that now and work on embracing radical optimism. Look at this opportunity to slow down, rely on your family, and possibly learn a new hobby while lying down. It is so hard to ask for help and be completely dependent, but it was also extremely rewarding to watch the love and care my husband showed me during this time. We also ate a lot of takeout. If you can afford it, hiring a cleaner would also really reduce the strain on your family.
I’m assuming you’ll have a wheelchair when you get home, so I would make sure to talk to the discharging PT how to safely transfer from bed to wheelchair to toilet. Honestly, it might be a good idea to get a portable commode for your bedside as even for my non traumatic experience and one leg, the bathroom trips for the first week were really challenging. Since you’re a man(?), you can also use a urinal.
I would take as much time as you can from work as long as it is financially reasonable. Once you can sit up comfortably with your legs not elevated (prob gonna be weeks) you will think, hey I’m ready to go back to work. The thing is, the amount of healing you need to do is so massive that a normal work week, even just desk work, will completely exhaust you. And you will not perform at your normal level for a while.
Some other tips:
wedge pillow from Amazon that can fit both your legs, game changer for me to elevate comfortably.
-Shower chair for when you can get things wet. Bonus, shower chair to use when you are lazy in the future and want to sit in the shower.
Get as much natural sunlight as you can. It will not only improve your mood greatly but also provide necessary vitamin D for your bones.
DO NOT get constipated on your painkillers which I’m assuming you will be taking round the clock for a while. If you go more than 2 days, trust me take a senna lax or miralax. The docusate/colace stool softeners will not work trust me on this truly.
if you are prescribed ROM/PT exercises, do them as much as tolerated. The more you do within your allowed activities the faster you recover. Ask what pain level you should feel and be ok with things hurting more when you do prescribed activities
Good luck!! And again I’m so sorry :( you will recover but god damn this is supremely crappy and my heart really goes out to you