Anyone have experience with an injury like this?

Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 11:19am
I was riding a pit bike last month and put my foot down off a small jump. Ended up snapping my fibula and had to have surgery. Doctor says in a couple weeks he wants me to walk on it and if the biggest screw snaps they will leave it in forever!! If not then I have to have it taken out! WTF!!! Has anyone been through this before or even heard of this? I'm not looking forward to walking on it! I almost think I'd rather have them take it out.

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swedishfishmx 11/19/2011 10:38am
11/19/2011 10:38am
I'd get a 2nd opinion before doing that. Seems odd.
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/19/2011 10:44am
11/19/2011 10:44am
The Doctor I've been going to did the surgery and has been there from the beginning. I don't really like him either and I can tell he doesn't give a shit. Do other Doctor's mess with another Doctor's work though? I mean with surgery work like this?
blair683
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blair683 11/19/2011 10:46am
11/19/2011 10:46am
Yep they will do anything for your insurance card
Hando
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Hando 11/19/2011 11:05am
11/19/2011 11:05am
I'd def get a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

Some doctors have no social skills or empathy..

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shiftmx_22 11/19/2011 11:06am
11/19/2011 11:06am
Ya definitely get a second opinion. At the very least another doctor would tell you if "walking on it to see if it breaks" is absolutely ridiculous or not.
I did have a buddy that had screws in his ankle and when the doctor tried to pull the screws out, one snapped so he just left it in. But walking on it and snapping it seems like it would be a bit different.
moscrop940
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moscrop940 11/19/2011 11:10am
11/19/2011 11:10am
Chris I snapped both tib fibs at the same time...i would definetly seek a second opinion, walking doesn't seem like something you should ne doing right now. If the other doctor says the same thing then so be it, but I know I was told to stay off mine for a long time...and if you have any questions man let me know
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/19/2011 11:17am
11/19/2011 11:17am Edited Date/Time 11/19/2011 11:23am
Yeah it just seems crazy to me. Where I broke it doesn't hurt at all but on the opposite side of my ankle is still killing me and they won't give me anything except ibprofen! I broke it on Oct. 7th and he waited a week for surgery.

I'm going to get a second opinion now for sure, but do I ask my Doctor for medical records or not? It's probably in their system though.

moscrop940, how long did yours take to be 100% again?
neysbo
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neysbo 11/19/2011 11:19am
11/19/2011 11:19am
You need to post those x rays on thumper talk in the Health and Fitness forum and get Dr Marks opinion
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SteveS 11/19/2011 11:27am
11/19/2011 11:27am
Chris O'Neal wrote:
Yeah it just seems crazy to me. Where I broke it doesn't hurt at all but on the opposite side of my ankle is still killing...
Yeah it just seems crazy to me. Where I broke it doesn't hurt at all but on the opposite side of my ankle is still killing me and they won't give me anything except ibprofen! I broke it on Oct. 7th and he waited a week for surgery.

I'm going to get a second opinion now for sure, but do I ask my Doctor for medical records or not? It's probably in their system though.

moscrop940, how long did yours take to be 100% again?
Find out how your second opinion doctor wants to get the records. Sometimes they'll just have you sign a form and they'll request and get the records themselves.
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jreed530 11/19/2011 11:28am
11/19/2011 11:28am
I had the exact same injury and screw a couple years ago. Our xrays look almost identical Mine was dislocated aswell as broken. They left the big screw in for two months and said absolutely no weight. I was told anymore than 10-15 pounds could snap the screw, and they would have to drill it out from the other side. Which is bad because a hole all the way through may never heal? The doc said that the screw was basically holding my ankle in place so the joint couldn't move . After the two months they took the long one out and left the rest in. Once the hole healed it was fine. To make a long story short I'd get another opinion.
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steve_97060 11/19/2011 11:30am
11/19/2011 11:30am
Chris O'Neal wrote:
Yeah it just seems crazy to me. Where I broke it doesn't hurt at all but on the opposite side of my ankle is still killing...
Yeah it just seems crazy to me. Where I broke it doesn't hurt at all but on the opposite side of my ankle is still killing me and they won't give me anything except ibprofen! I broke it on Oct. 7th and he waited a week for surgery.

I'm going to get a second opinion now for sure, but do I ask my Doctor for medical records or not? It's probably in their system though.

moscrop940, how long did yours take to be 100% again?
where ever you go for your second opinion should arrange for the records, ask them about it when you make your appt, but definitely go get a second opinion..
moscrop940
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moscrop940 11/19/2011 11:35am
11/19/2011 11:35am
Uhh for my legs to heal it was about 3 moths, but I had to stay in a wheelchair for 5 because my feet and ankels were broken two.

If you only broke them just over a month ago that seems far too soon, not to mention you didnt barely break your leg, you fucked yours up like I did.

But Chris my other suggestion is wrap your arm around a friend, and lightly try to put pressure on your leg, and when I way lightly, I mean extremley lightly, but it will be a decent test to see how you progressing, thats how I knew I was coming along. But please be careful if you do try that. I just bought that up because if you cant put even the slightest pressure on it, you can tell the doctor that your not ready, and because you actaully tried to walk he cant say shit, you know your body ten times better then he ever could.
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/19/2011 11:37am
11/19/2011 11:37am
jreed530 wrote:
I had the exact same injury and screw a couple years ago. Our xrays look almost identical Mine was dislocated aswell as broken. They left the...
I had the exact same injury and screw a couple years ago. Our xrays look almost identical Mine was dislocated aswell as broken. They left the big screw in for two months and said absolutely no weight. I was told anymore than 10-15 pounds could snap the screw, and they would have to drill it out from the other side. Which is bad because a hole all the way through may never heal? The doc said that the screw was basically holding my ankle in place so the joint couldn't move . After the two months they took the long one out and left the rest in. Once the hole healed it was fine. To make a long story short I'd get another opinion.
When they took the screw out what was the process for that? Did they put you under? Was it painful?

Also, I'm going to a sports Doctor but which Doctor should I be searching for? Orthopedic? I'm searching my provider list now for one.
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Sherwood 11/19/2011 11:41am
11/19/2011 11:41am
Chris O'Neal wrote:
The Doctor I've been going to did the surgery and has been there from the beginning. I don't really like him either and I can tell...
The Doctor I've been going to did the surgery and has been there from the beginning. I don't really like him either and I can tell he doesn't give a shit. Do other Doctor's mess with another Doctor's work though? I mean with surgery work like this?
They will. Get a second opinion.
jreed530
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jreed530 11/19/2011 11:59am
11/19/2011 11:59am
Chris O'Neal wrote:
When they took the screw out what was the process for that? Did they put you under? Was it painful? Also, I'm going to a sports...
When they took the screw out what was the process for that? Did they put you under? Was it painful?

Also, I'm going to a sports Doctor but which Doctor should I be searching for? Orthopedic? I'm searching my provider list now for one.
When they took my screw out it was just like a normal surgery. I was put under and the whole nine yards . But after surgery was a lot easier. I was sent home almost immediately after I woke up. There was some pain but nothing compared to the first surgery. They treated the hole where the screw was like a fracture just to be safe. They let me put minimal weight on it with crutches for a couple weeks. After that it was a couple more in a walking boot . I was fully cleared probably a month to 5 weeks After the second surgery. My whole ordeal started in July and was over by mid november.

My doc is an orthopedic bone and joint specialist.
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/19/2011 12:13pm
11/19/2011 12:13pm
Dam looks like I won't be racing Skiercross this season Sad I was hoping to be ready to race on Feb. 22nd.

moscrop, I can actually put a little pressure on it. If I'm standing I can put it down and just rest it enough to stand but barely any pressure at all.
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wildbill 11/19/2011 12:17pm
11/19/2011 12:17pm
often, the best surgeons have the shittiest bedside manner.
See who the big $ athletes are using.

Not a prob here, mnt. B brings em in.
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/19/2011 12:28pm
11/19/2011 12:28pm
Dr Mark over at thumpertalk just responded with this

"I don't take out that screw for at least one year. If it breaks, then I don't have to take it out. The Doc is on the money here."

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Tim507
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Tim507 11/19/2011 12:31pm
11/19/2011 12:31pm
Log onto thumpertalk and post your stays for Dr Mark to see, he rides and likes dirt bikes. I have a similar break, tib fib, and more on the same leg, sent mine via us mail for his comments
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stackman17 11/19/2011 12:56pm
11/19/2011 12:56pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2011 12:57pm
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I was told absolutely no weight for 3 months. Then walking boot for 3 months. All hardware is still in place. It can get sore at times, but at least I can walk. BTW, emergency room doc in Austin that I never saw again. Came home to my ortho for follow up and to have my wrist plated as well, damn arenacross catapult!
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Faceaz 11/19/2011 1:16pm
11/19/2011 1:16pm Edited Date/Time 11/19/2011 1:16pm
I 2nd the 2nd opinion LOL..

IMO you aren't going to snap that screw, just have them take it out. The healing process will take a little longer with an additional surgery & a void in the bone that needs to heel, but seems better in the long run..
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MXMattii 11/19/2011 1:27pm
11/19/2011 1:27pm
Ask 2nd opinion!! Don't hesitate to ask a 2nd opinion!
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Muezh 11/19/2011 3:34pm
11/19/2011 3:34pm
ya know what really sucks is that you're not the first person I know of to bust themselves up on a pitbike.
Even with what Dr. Mark says I'd still get another opinion.
good luck. hope you heal quick.
bummer.. no crossfit for a while either... lol..
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 11/22/2011 10:47am
11/22/2011 10:47am
Has anyone heard of stuff you can buy at the GNC store that helps you heal faster? One of my friends is a body builder and he was talking about it.
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Sondy132001 11/22/2011 10:51am
11/22/2011 10:51am
Chris O'Neal wrote:
Has anyone heard of stuff you can buy at the GNC store that helps you heal faster? One of my friends is a body builder and...
Has anyone heard of stuff you can buy at the GNC store that helps you heal faster? One of my friends is a body builder and he was talking about it.
Take calcium & magnesium also it'll help.

S
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mark_swart 11/22/2011 11:07am
11/22/2011 11:07am
Maybe the doc was just messing with you? Or maybe he's a stick-and-ball snob who thinks all MXers are trying to kill ourselves. I'd ask for clarification.
When I broke my collarbone I drank a lot of milk. It can't hurt to make sure you give your body the right fuel to do the repairs.
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jtruck 11/22/2011 11:09am
11/22/2011 11:09am
I hurt my lower leg once and didnt go to the doctor,I walked on it till it got better, I just didnt move my ankle. Later that summer I broke my the same leg tib and fib, after looking at the xrays the doctor asks when did you brake your fib before. It healed up fine with doing nothing. I guess i got lucky. I would say you can walk on it carefully.
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peelout 11/22/2011 11:14am
11/22/2011 11:14am
definitely get a second opinion.

i split my Tib from my knee to my ankle. it didn't sliver off so i never needed surgery. the first doctor wanted to cut me open the next week. the other two doctors told me to stay off it and wear a brace. i wore a brace for about 5 months and never needed and never got the surgery. it's fine now, slow recovery process, but it healed just like normal.
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NeWskoolmxer 11/22/2011 11:14am
11/22/2011 11:14am
I broke my tib and fib about 4 inches up from the ankle. Snapped both in two and shattered the tib in a spot in a bunch of little pieces in December of 2010. I went to the hospital and they said they wanted to op there and I chose to go to my local ortho. He said no surgery necessary and put me under and manipulated it all in line again and I was in multiple casts over about four months. I am very glad I chose to not have a bunch of screws thrown in me.
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Falcon 11/22/2011 12:40pm
11/22/2011 12:40pm
It sure seems like screws and hardware are the popular thing right now. I don't know if I'd trust just one opinion, especially if you aren't sure. You owe it to yourself to have another physician check it out.

What did they do back in the days before titanium medical hardware was invented? You know, way back in... 1992?

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