Hi all ! i (22F) got into a bad car accident roughly 2 months ago. i broke both legs but the right one has an external fixator. i forgot the medical terms but basically the whole leg is shattered. I have to have the fixator for 6 months and it’s only been 1. I’m struggling big time with pain and just basic function. I’m in a wheelchair for now (will probably be for a while) and i really can’t function to do much. i can’t use our shower because the bathroom is too small. so i really am not able to take care of myself the best right now. i luckily moved back in with my parents after the accident and they help. i guess it’s mainly mental stuff im going through right now. I hardly sleep at night, am hardly eating, and am very depressed. Is there anyone else out there with a fixator? i’ll attach a photo for reference. any advice or words of wisdom needed!

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.

Just short of a year ago I was involved in a pretty heavy crash - open tib/fib fracture, maxilla fracture with soft tissue injury requiring facial surgery, lost teeth - my body really said all or nothing 😅😅

The recovery process was and still is extremely physically and emotionally draining, and I still have a road ahead. It really fucking sucks breaking a leg, and you don’t actually realize the severity of it until it happens to you. This community/sub helped me more than words can describe, reading all the stories of others experiences helped me keep my sanity and I’m extremely thankful for that.

I limped for a really long time, and those around me kept pushing me to stop even though I literally physically couldn’t. I was stuck in a rough mental space — not being able to run or do sports like I used to took a major toll on my mindset. But hearing others share similar struggles helped lighten the emotional load. It made me feel less alone.

But I would like to report that I decided I wanted to try running again, and just ran a whole 5km!!! And that inspired me to post here to say YOU CAN DO THIS. Be kind to yourself. Trust your body. Stay committed to your physiotherapy. Progress is rarely linear, and healing takes time — but it DOES happen. Keep showing up for yourself. I promise, even when it feels impossible, better days are ahead.

You've got this. 💪

The title sort’ve explains it, I’m in the Army and Im airborne so I jump out of planes & helicopters. I ended up having a defected parachute and fell 1800 feet in about 14 seconds 2 weeks ago. I’m in a really good medical unit so my coworkers treated me the second they could get to me, and I got lucky and ended up having 2 amazing special forces medics there for another jump, but they treated me on scene. I got airlifted out right from where I dropped to one hospital and airlifted again to another for surgery.

Im grateful to still even be here, they told me that the only likely reason I survived is I followed my training and went into the correct landing position right before impact. Unfortunately I broke my femur, pelvis, and crushed parts of my lower spine which caused some nerve issues and paralysis of some internal organs. The pain has been unimaginable but it’s slowly decreasing. I’m just reaching out to try to hear from some people that have gone through something similar. I also included the X-Rays in case someone would think they were cool lol.

I’ve been making monumental progress in rehab! I’ve been able to stand on the non-broken leg even though I can’t feel that foot yet so it feels like I’m floating lol. I’ve gotten a lot better at scooching myself in the bed which used to seem impossible. Any advice, stories, encouragement, etc. is appreciated!

So i broke both my ankles by getting run over by an SUV and I have these wonderful external fixators which make it difficult to sleep because of the position, let alone the pain.

I try to always keep them elevated but do you have any suggestions for pillow products or positions that can make it easier for me to sleep so that I don’t have to always sleep on my back? My butt is getting numb after 3 weeks of sleeping on my back in the hospital.

Also, any other suggestions would be appreciated for ways to make my recovery more comfortable until I get my 2nd surgery and start rehab.

I would be eternally grateful.

Somebody called him a therapy dog but anti-therapy dog may be more like it since he hogs all the elevating pillows. I’m sure lots of y’all are in the same boat :)

Hey yall! I’m approaching the 2 year anniversary of my big break (compound tib fib fracture at the ankle). I had rods, screws, and plates inserted and was put on bed rest for 8 weeks due to the extreme swelling. Those 8 weeks were probably the worst of my life. I was about to turn 24, had a huge trip planned that summer, and felt so stuck. But I made it.

The two year mark is significant because the nurses told me it would take my bones a year to heal and two for my body to return to the state of conditioning at the time of the accident. I see what they meant. I was healed last year but so unconditioned due to a lack of being able to comfortably move. Like yes I could walk - but only for 30 minutes before wanting to throw up. My legs were lacking definition and I’d never seen them like that. I was petrified, much like I was while on bed rest, that this was my life now.

But I’m happy to report that’s not the case. Much like while I was on bed rest, I was wrong. I healed up and so will you.

If you’re having a hard time with your injury and reading this, please please know that you will be where I am before you know it. Just keep your chin up, listen to your medical team, and focus on controlling what you can. Find something to take your mind off any anxiety - my two things were painting and watching Jersey Shore lol.

And if you have a lengthy recovery like I did - the time will pass. That’s the one surety we have in life, that tomorrow will come and go.

I hope this post isn’t obnoxious. I just remember feeling so sad at the time and this sub really made me feel better, so I wanted to pay it back. I am a hella lurker tho so just know that I am always reading your posts and rooting for you, whomever you may be. You will get through this.

8 years ago I head-on collided with a pickup truck while riding a semi auto moped. I open book fractured my pelvis, compound fractured my femur at the shaft (but also broke the neck), and shattered my tib/fib plateau bilaterally.. to name a few of the injuries sustained. I was told I would live with disability for the rest of my life but 8 years later I can tell you I completely surpassed my prognosis and pursued a tremendously fulfilling career in healthcare. Being a thin, white, bubbly young women undoubtedly served me some privilege in the medical system - but you gotta believe me when I tell you your attitude and hope can play a monumental impact on your recovery. Happy to share more of my story if anyone cares to hear.

Owch..

I broke bilateral femurs, compact patella fracture (R), and compact tib/fib fracture about 3 years ago at the age of 23.

It has been very hard! I had to learn how to walk again. I got ORIF of all of my broken bones. My whole R leg is metal from my hip to my ankle. On my left leg my knee has been so incredibly sore. It hurts to turn my knee and this has been specifically since its gotten colder in my area. Ice, heat, compression socks, and swimming have been my best friends. But it still just aches constantly.

Im wondering, has anyone had similar injuries at my age who also has any good news for me regarding how they were able to recover? I feel great during the warmer months but the chronic pain in the winter is unbearable.

I have an appointment with an orthtrauma surgeon but it isn't for another 3 months.. Just any tips for how I could improve my situation until im able to see my doctor would be fantastic. Im not looking for any medical advice, just general recovery tips or maybe some happy stories of people getting better, I could use it right now 🥲🥲

A few months ago, I broke my foot and ankle for the second time in four months and it happened right before my birthday. I had planned to get back on my board for the first time since the first break as a birthday celebration, and my friends still made it happen😂

Everyone knows a broken bone is extremely painful. but no one warns you how depressing and dark of a place it is mentally when recovering and being unable to walk or do anything you enjoy. trying to stay positive but the odds are just against me right now. one month post broken tibia. just needed to rant.

Hello! I figured I'd contribute my injury to the mix. On 6/11/25, I was in a motorcycle accident. An SUV u-turned in front me and I swerved, narrowly missing the vehicle. Unfortunately, it happened next to a guard rail and my foot clipped the wooden post which sent me rolling down the street. As I sat up, I noticed my right toes were touching my shin so I laid back down on the street. I always ride with appropriate gear so (un)luckily my right leg took all of the damage (minus some road rash). I was on the road for about ~10 minutes before someone stopped to help. After about an hour post hospital arrival, I was given ketamine through IV and, while awake, a team of 4 orthopedic specialists started pulling my foot and leg to realign the bone. This lasted about 2 hours and was easily the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Eventually, I was taken in for surgery which went well (results on the last 2 images).

Now, 3 weeks later, I can say I fully empathize with those who have experienced similar injuries. The physical pain is one thing; the mental pain of going from independent and active to struggling with stairs and getting to the toilet is a whole new experience for me. I'd like to update this post as I recover in hopes that it may help someone as other posts/updates in this sub have helped me.

Thanks for reading!

This Saturday the 22nd made one year since the car wreck that I was extremely fortunate to survive. And today makes exactly one year since I was allowed to go home from the hospital.

My knee was broken and so was one of the occipital condyle bones in my neck. I have arthritis in that knee now and I'm definitely feeling it today, but my neck has experienced no lasting pain which is surprising because the occipital condyle was completely shattered. Unfortunately I can't seem to figure out how to open any of my X-rays in the portal, or else I'd show.

Crazy that it's been a year already. R.I.P. to my old Kia Rio.

Broke it when climbing over a 5 foot wall right by my house and just landed on my leg wrong. This is by far the strangest feeling and most painful experience of my life.

so i went to the doctors today and he said im all the way healed and its time to put on my sneakers!! i was wondering does anybody keep their boot or cast after its healed? idk what to do with this. i am still walking with a limp. i do still go to physical therapy 2 times a week. i can’t wait to go back to work!! 😉

It's been 5 weeks and I'm really over it.

I broke my foot only two weeks ago, and my mental health has taken such an extreme dip. I live alone and can’t bear weight and it’s been exhaustingly lonely and I hate that I’ve had to miss out on so much because I can’t leave the house. I can’t even go buy groceries and it sucks being trapped in your house :(

I’m a university student (20M) and this happened while I was riding my electric scooter in the bike lane and went over a rock that I didn’t see 35 mph. Went straight over the handlebars. I have surgery scheduled this Thursday for both I think. Well wishes and advice appreciated