Official medical term: tibial spiral fracture with slight displacement. In other words, I broke my shin bone. The big, long, leg bone.
Have decided to keep a diary for two reasons: 1) To encourage myself when I see some progress 2) To encourage others who may have the same injury because I really can't find anyone with exactly the same condition (people I read about broke both tibia and fibula, or had spiral tibial fracture without displacement).
It happened on 13th April. After three rollerblading lessons, two of which later led to sinusitis attacks (nausea, headache, dizziness, blocked nose, low blood pressure), I foolhardily went for our last lesson after a two-week lesson break. This time round, I promised myself I would skate for shorter period of time because of the sinus attacks it triggered previously (possibly due to the hot sun).
Feeling nervous about the slightly descending slope, I began skating then promptly realised that I had forgotten how to brake. As I was heading straight for a 1-metre-high wooden signboard, I held on to it to break my fall (something I'd been told never to do to avoid injury), I heard a "Twack!" sound as I twisted my leg above the boots before falling. "Take it off! Take it off!" I screamed, after sitting up. My husband and the skating instructor didn't think it was serious yet. Luckily, they were able to put ice on my right shin almost immediately. Had to be carried to the car and subsequently, to the hospital. Three hours, two doctors, two-x-ray later, I discovered I had a fractured leg. The doctor recommended surgery but bandaged my leg (splint) which surprisingly, didn't hurt, maybe because I'd taken Panadol?
Official medical term: tibial spiral fracture with slight displacement.
In other words, I broke my shin bone. The big, long, leg bone.
14/4/2008
Went for a second opinion. Got the same recommendation from the orthopedic surgeon. Leg was put in a cast from above knee downwards. Excruciating. I was screaming. Luckily, it took less than a minute. Or was it a minute? Whole leg was swollen and blue-black. Nurses commented I looked pale. Well, had been having sinusitis almost every day for a month.
Regret, regret, regret!!! My motto is "Try anything". Now, I think it should be "Try anything. If it suits you!". Sigh. Should have stuck to a skate-scooter I think. My body is just not meant for certain sports.
Did I enjoy the lessons? Yeah, I was proud of myself. It was strenuous but fun. As a couch potato who almost never...alright...never exercises, I thought I'd redeem myself by joining hubby and son for rollerblading lessons. Alas...in-line skating is NOT the same as rollerskating..(I used to rollerskate weekends as a teenager)..It's harder. Plus, that was then..this is now (I'm 36). And it helps if you're shorter (like my 7-year old son. I'm 1.61m) as you're nearer to the centre of gravity. Reality bites!!! Too much.
21/4/2008
A week later, saw the doctor again. About time because my ankle felt like it was resting on broken glass. I had to take Panadol for the throbbing, pressure sore a few times. At first, I'd been told I'd recover within 6 to 8 weeks. This time, the doctor said the tibia is an area which does not receive much blood supply so recovery could take 4, 5 or 6 months. (My reaction: "When am I going back to work?"') My tibia (shin bone) is slightly displaced. Surgery would mean the bone would grow in the exact position. No surgery would mean it would grow back, not perfect but "acceptable".
Hearing stories about people who regretted putting in screws and rods because of the pain it causes, I didn't want to go for surgery. Plus, my cousin refused surgery (which doctor said was her ONLY option) but she's fine now after weeks in a cast although her knee will never be as strong as before, after two injuries. Of course, that was a good excuse to avoid the scary surgery.
Before they casted my leg for the second time, I was given an injection (Voltaren, a painkiller). What I will never understand is why they didn't give the injection time to work (5 minutes when the nurse said it'd take 30 mins) before they cut open my fibre-glass cast and put a new one on. The swelling had gone down making the first one loose. That's why they had to put on a new one. It was another excruciating. They moved the leg here and there around the ankle and shin area to make it straight. I was moaning in pain. Wished I was unconscious. Thankfully, it took a few minutes. The male nurse was comforting as he was very jovial. Told me to exercise and keep my spirits up. He'd broken his leg a few times. Had even gone fishing in a cast.
After a few days, the pain lessened. So, am not taking any medication. But doing research, I got myself worried sick because:
a) Tibial fractures are notorious: the bones take a long, long time to unite. At first, I considered getting a bone stimulator device. But it costs a few thousands and what if I got a second-hand one from overseas and it was faulty?
b) What happens if a part of my bone sticks out permanently? Is it going to cause long-term pain?
c) Would I have to go for surgery if it doesn't heal properly?
Of course, there were cases where people had gone for cast 'cos the angle of displacement was less than five degrees. Luckily, according to research, it doesn't cause arthritis but may cause ankle problems. In which case I'll get those electro-magnets ready! They're proven to help. Well. some say they do. Some say they don't.
Will my right leg be shorter? Was told it was anyway when I went to buy orthopedic shoes last year. No wonder I've always felt my left leg was stronger since I was small. Doctor said it's easier to set if the tibia AND fibula (supporting leg bone) are both broken. I just hope I don't limp!
Studies show surgery for those with tibia shaft injury makes the leg stronger but then, it doesn't say if the patients are hurting due to the metal parts. In some cases, they weren't allowed to take it out and were asked to wait for two years even though it hurt.
Luckily my sister recommended a TCM specialist who could answer my questions. The bone, if it juts out, will cause pain only if it hits a nerve, in which case, it could be massaged (to correct it or something like that). You're still young, don't worry, she said. She saw my X-ray so I was assured since she didn't say something like "I think you better go for surgery!" She said, well, since I'd already opted against it and managed to endure the cast for two weeks....
No water retention (great) she said. She taught me how to massage my face, scalp, torso and legs to keep circulation going (to do daily) and told me it would be good to walk around once a day. Would help circulation. I realised that already when I walked on crutches from my room to our house entrance and I got SO tired. The reason why I've stayed put in my room so long was because on the fifth day of my injury, I nearly fell. Let one crutch go and stepped on my injured leg before someone caught me. Which got me worried that the bone would get more displaced (thank God it didn't but my leg did begin to hurt more. Didn't know if it was due to this or because the cast had gotten too loose as swelling had gone down). That's when I learnt crutches are dangerous. The reason why I don't like crutches: Can't multi-task. Nearly missed footing several times 'cos I was thinking about other things!
The TCM doctor told me to try to catch the morning sun (better than the evening sun) from 7am to 9am if I could - vitamin D for the bones, to be patient and stay positive. No spicy food because it creates wind and causes sinusitis. Shucks! No overloading on all sorts of vitamins and calcium because it would send my kidneys and liver into overdrive.
So..now I've consulted a naturopath (gave me homeopathic tissue salts for the bone and stress)..a TCM specialist..and two orthopedic surgeons. That's four doctors. Yeah, I know, I'm paranoid. Anything goes to heal faster (except for surgery). The older I get, the more paranoid I get about pain. That's after one sinusitis-cum-tonsillitis operation, three child births (one emergency Caesarian operation, two labours without epidural because the nurse tells you to hold on for "a little while longer" by which time it is too late to ask for it, post-delivery bleeding (forgot what it's called), pelvic injury where I broke a bone or ligament, several bouts of mastitis (40-41 degrees Celsius fever twice) and a sprained back (twice - couldn't get up till next day and pain was like labour pain). Yes, I'm a real coward about pain.
Pros about having a broken leg:
1) No work deadlines! Yippeee!
2) Discover the joys of Korean drama serials (better than expected!) which otherwise I would never have the stamina to watch
3) Get to see my three adorable kids more and get more hugs!
4) Get more sleep. Have been seriously sleep-deprived for the last seven years...because of 3 kids and work
5) Can watch TV and read all I want (but sadly, have to ask someone to get them for me)
6) MAYBE less dark circles under the eyes
7) I WILL recover unlike other illnesses. At least I don't need to have it cut off. It's not life-threatening. Thank God!
8) Really become an authentic couch potato and people can't criticise me for it
9) Will eat healthier food and more protein (veggies and fruits) than I ever had (to build bones) in my whole life
10) Zero shopping = Zero money spent
11) Surf Internet as much as I want
12) Can get away with ordering people around
13) Can finally, MAYBE, finish a diploma for trainers I'm working on. Provided I can overcome crick neck from having to use notebook lying sideways or get a suitable small table for bed that won't put weight on my legs/thighs
Cons about having broken leg:
1) Suddenly, lifts are terrifying things because you worry your leg will get caught in between the doors.
2) You need help to get around in crutches and to go the toilet. Bathing is a hassle because you can't get the cast wet. Until you find a plastic cast cover.
3) Have to endure pain (although at the moment it's not hurting much thank God). Sigh.....
4) Have to endure pressure sores and itch caused by the fibre-glass cast
5) Electricity bill will go up. Fan/air-con constantly aimed at the cast to let air in so it won't itch. A necessity because of the very humid weather in Singapore.
6) Medical bills
7) Get frustrated and depressed more often because tired of having to endure this condition
8) Poor circulation and back ache
9) Will put on weight easily so have to eat less
10) Have to forgo family holiday
11) Will get to hear my children squabbling every day
12) Road to recovery is lllllllooooooooooonnnnnnnnggggggggggg
13) Leg will never be the same. Maybe ache more. Ahhh....main thing I can walk!!!! That's the main purpose of havin' legs. Thank you God!
Sigh..the cons will always outweigh the pros. But what can I do now? Worry for what? Just gotta have faith. HEAL...HEAL... HEAL... Actually one study I read did say the ones who believed this, healed faster. Hmmm...I should have my own affirmation then:
I am healing well :) Every day I'm getting stronger. My bones are going to join up perfectly. Yes, they are!
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