Originally Posted by
Brian Jones
The external fixaters completely immobilized the legs - no movement. I believe that was for the first month.
The internal hardware, along with running up the tibia, was on both sides of the ankle. The distal ends of both tibias were shattered into eggshell slivers - I think 8 pieces in the left; 12 to 15 in the right. I'm still not clear on how he built them back together - real Humpty Dumpty shit and I dont think the Ortho was really sure whether it would take it or not.
I have reduced range of motion in both ankles. Squat shoes, aside from being a damn good idea for folks without busted up legs, helped quite a bit - particularly during the beginning.
Pain is constant. It ranges from acute, specific pain that I give between a 6 to 8 on the pain scale; focused right at the ends of my tibias. I know there are some shards floating around in there that screw with me. There is always a constant dull pain; like a toothache, in both of them. I've gotten used to it. Reminds me of a nonstop low bass hum except painful. Then there are nerve flash pains, phantom pains, electric shock in feet . .a bunch of stuff. If you would not have asked I would not have told you but since you did, I am going to be honest. And no, I take no type of pain medication. None. Sometimes during mid set it will feel like an ice pick gets crammed into my ankle but you just roll through it. In a weird way, I guess I have almost come to welcome it sometimes; almost like the way some of us can't get off the pain train of tattoos . .it helps me focus at times. Weird huh? I've never told anyone that before.
I still don't have full range of motion - and I have to do some form of squatting every day. If I don't then I stay stoved up and gimpy all day. But if I go out, drink massive coffee, put on my tunes and do my regular work sets on training days and 70% x 5 x 5 on off days then I am good
May be a bit more than you were looking for but I am always hoping that if there is someone that can find a reference point or some commonality with the the things I have gone through and continue to grow stronger with, that if they can see a light of recognition with themselves, or if something in my experience gives them a spark . .it is worth the rambling to me. There are folks out there that need all of our help - we just need to keep our eyes open and our heads out of our asses long enough to find them.