RedReader Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Well Ive managed to break my ankle and apart from being fed up keeping it elevated on the sofa the reality of 4 - 6 weeks in plaster is starting to sink in. Has anyone got any reassurance or hints & tips as Im now starting to panic about how Im going to wash my hair or have a shower/bath THanks RR x ps The girls will be ok as DH has agreed to look after them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I broke a bone in my foot once & was plastered for a few weeks,up past my ankle. Just get one of those nasty rubber shower head converter things,& pop it on to your kitchen sink or bathroom sink,to do your hair. Its easiest to strip down wash for a while. You can get some nice body wipes in boots,or try the baby wipes,maybe? Take care to rest it & if you have crutches be careful on them - I threw my back out with mine I can tell you now,there will be nothing like that first bath you have once the plaster is off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Oh no - I hope you're OK - it gets easier after the 1st week put a double bin bag around the leg and tie it at the top - trying not to get it too wet in the shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 i have my wrist in plaster at the moment. The hospital gave me a leaflet about special waterproof covers for the cast so you can go in the bath. you have tobuy them but its worth the money. order before 3pm and it will be with you the next day. www.limboproducts.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Oh no! It is awful being in plaster and I hope you aren't in too much pain. I broke my ankle about 5 years ago now and was in plaster from my toes to my knee! Once released from hospital, I slept downstairs and washed in the kitchen sink. When I finally plucked up the courage to bump upstairs on my bum, I would then sit on a chair to have a wash and then lean over the bath to wash my hair. It was quite difficult as the pressure would build up in my foot and I'd have to keep stop starting. I then borrowed a rubber thing to go over my leg so I could at least get in the bath *bliss* Wet wipes were a god send for me as it was a very hot summer (I broke it at the start of the summer hols ) and sitting for much of the day is quite hot work. And a nice smelling hand cream, just because it feels and smells nice Try to void fizzy drinks as it stops the bones from healing quickly as it doesn't allow then to absorb calcium. I also took a calcium tablet once a day (I'm sure from their size they were intended for horses ). If you are on painkillers, take them, even if its not hurting as much. Its much more difficult to stop the pain if it has built up, better to keep on top. Also, don't allow your knee to bend back the other way as having your foot elevated with the weight of the plaster can cause the ligaments to stretch a bit too much. Put a cushion behind your knee. Take it easy on the crutches. You are lucky you can use them straight off. I couldn't and had to use a zimmer frame for a few weeks, and after using both, it is not easier to use a frame. I joined the local mobility place near to me so we could hire a wheelchair, which was a huge help, just to get out an about. All I would say though, is try and take it easy. It feels like a long time, but in the big scheme of things it isn't. Read, sleep, do puzzles, crosswords, sudoku etc and look forward to one hairy leg at the end of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I got really inventive with thermos flask for hot drink, and a microwave on the table, as carrying stuff is a real issue!! I'm really sorry you've done this, I can still recall the pain, vividly. Good books, and any offer to take you out, even for a drive, as it's a long time stuck otherwise!(how much daytime telly can a person cope with!!) Friends took me to the library, and the supermarket, just to get me out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sorry to hear it. I broke my ankle, and found it a real pain (no pun intended). From my own experience, make sure you keep it elevated and watch out for any swelling or feeling of cramp. I got what I thought was really bad cramp, and it turned out to be a huge DVT, a piece of which broke off and so I had an embollism. It was a scary few weeks, and I wish I'd been more careful in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Try one of These. I used one when I broke my knee and another when I broke my writs (separate incidents) and they are a lifesaver - means you can have a normal shower. If you are able to get a plastic garden chair into the shower then you can sit down and shower off. A small trolley helps you carry things around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyfeet Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 The Limbo product is really good. We found another one last year when DS broke his arm just before we went on holiday on Lloyds pharmacy website, and it was brilliant. Dawn x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
