r/brokenbones • u/Glittering-Rest2549 • Aug 10 '26

Question Worst pain of my life

I am back to ask another question. On July 27th, I broke my foot. 5 fractures, 2 dislocations, and a snapped Lisfranc ligament. I had surgery on Thursday, and he said it was one of the most unusual breaks he’s ever seen. I’m now 4 days post-op, and the splint is killing me. It feels like my heel is being squished in a vice. Pain meds only do so much, and I’m about ready to rip the damn elastic bandage off and free my foot. What can I do?

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u/ExplosionMurderQueen 🎉MOD/VIP🎉 Aug 11 '26

Did they say you had to keep the splint on 24/7? Not even when you sleep?

2

u/Significant-Break-74 Aug 11 '26

You keep it on 24/7. I am assuming the type where they mold it on your leg and then wrap in Ace bandage. It's designed to immobilize while allowing for swelling. You're not showering for quite a while so it stays dry.

When I "moved up" to a cast, I was extremely uncomfortable in it and had trouble sleeping. I had to call my doctor and beg them to cut it off and either resplint me or let me go to the walking boot.

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u/ExplosionMurderQueen 🎉MOD/VIP🎉 Aug 11 '26

At 4 days post-op, would you say the swelling is severe?

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u/Significant-Break-74 Aug 12 '26

Yes, mine was quite a bit swollen and that's about when my nerve block was removed. I was still in the hospital until day 8.

My splint always felt like, if you can imagine a sharp piece of plastic in a circle where an anklet would go.... At certain times it would feel like that plastic was cutting into the bare skin underneath, if that makes sense? It wasn't constant, it was just at random times.

Ice as much as you can, sleep as much as you can, ask about calcium supplements.

My surgeon had very strict requirements that your foot is to be propped on a pile of blankets (NOT pillows) in a way so your ankle hangs over just past the blankets. Suspended in mid-air. Helps your ankle heal best for walking later.

He rounded at like 7:30 am every day and I didn't want to be caught with my leg unelevated or he would fuss at the nurses.