Back to normal?

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, I have been really busy with university work, getting back to normal & raising money for the Diabetes UK Big Collection Weekend next month. This has all been a challenge with my leg situation! Even though it is now eight weeks since I had my ex-fix removed it is still a long haul until I am fully back to normal.

The professor told me at my last appointment that the tibia usually carries 60% of the body weight however as I have recently had fractures and the ex-fix removed mine is currently only 15% and is at risk of re-fracturing if I was to fall over. I was also informed not to carry any weight or to continue with the use of the treadmill at the gym. This was because of the risk of re-fracturing or damaging the bones. I have been told my leg should be back to normal by December this year, so fingers crossed!

I moved back to Stoke on Friday and have started back at university today! I can honestly say I do not know where the time has gone since breaking my leg! Although it has been a long and painful process it has still flown over! So if you have an ex-fix, I can say there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I am still using crutches now and then, mostly when I am out and about for balance. I am no longer using them around the house or shall I say flat now that I am moved into my new home! I am really looking forward to getting my life back on track now that I am getting my confidence back. I have my occupational health appointment tomorrow and after that I should hopefully be able to get back to my university hospital ward placement! 

Another little treat is being able to wear my jeans again! It is definitely the small things we take for granted! 

The un-itchable itch

I have lost count of the restless nights & irritable days that the ex-fix causes. One thing that is most annoying besides pain is the itchiness caused by the wires & pins. As healing makes progress the itchiness seems to get worse! Especially around the bottom wires of my ex-fix.

The above image is one of my top row of bottom wires that has become increasingly irritable. The skin that surrounds these wires is very tight & this causes redness & sore skin. The wire is not infected.

                                   

This image is of the bottom row of wires just above my foot. As you can see the skin that surrounds the wire is red, tight, sore & is pushed up around the wire this is known as 'tenting'. If you look at the top wire in the picture you can see there is a washer, this applies pressure to the skin once the foam dressing is applied & should prevent 'tenting'. 

                                   

These are the top three pins just below my knee. This picture was taken at 19 weeks as you can see the skin around the pin sites has healed well. There is some 'crust' present around the pin & it is important that this is removed when the sites are due to be cleaned. This is to prevent the skin from growing up the pin. 

                                       

Here you can see all three pin sites. These pins haven't been as bad as the wires for itchiness & irritation but as the weeks have gone by they have become more irritable. 

Since having my ex-fix removed the itchiness has increasingly become worse. I can only imagine this is due to the wounds & skin healing. 

I thought once having my ex-fixed removed I would have the best nights sleep! However I have yet to have a good nights sleep. I have gotten so used to making myself comfortable with my ex-fix now without it, it actually seems wired!  

As my leg is still recovering & is still painful at times I think I will have a good nights sleep once it is fully recovered! I will keep you posted! 

:') 

What do you think?

Whats your experience of having an ex-fix?

Can I have my well deserved bath?

The time has come to remove my dressings from Wednesday when they dressed my leg following the removal of my ex-fix. 

As long as all the wounds have scabbed over, I can have a proper bath! :')

So fingers crossed!

If the wounds haven't all healed over then I will have to have my usually awkward bath with my leg hanging over the side & will need to re-dress these wounds. 

So the moment of truth...

The top three wounds haven't healed over so these will have to be covered again but all the bottom wounds have :')

My ankle & foot are still swollen but this should go down as I am able to mobilise better.

19 week long hairs!

:o

The top three pin site wounds have been covered with sterile gauze & micropore tape. The bottom wounds have healed over so it is safe for these not to be re-dressed. 

Looks like I will have to wait a little longer for that well deserved soak! 

What do you think?