March 2005, we went on a company skiing trip. I had never skied before but a took some lessons togheter with a colleague and was reasonably confident about my skills. Well, after about 5 minutes on the mountain I broke my fibula near my ankle when I accidently launched myself over a small bump in the piste. Though I felt some pain at that point I was still able to make it down to the base of the mountain. Only when I took of my skiing boots I felt that something was not right at all. The egg appearing on my ankle joint was also a indication that things might be more serious than I would like them to be so it seemed wise to visit one of the local physicians.
Though the fracture seemed innocent enough to me on the x-rays, the Austrian physician immediately told me I had to undergo osteosynthesis upon my arrival back home in the Netherlands. This was a huge shock to me. I had only undergone surgery one time before when I had my tonsils removed and even though it happened nearly 20 years ago, I can still clearly remember the unpleasantness of it all.
However, when visiting the surgeon back in the Netherlands I was told that the fractured bones were still in a reasonable position. At that time, I still had the transportation plaster (allows for swelling) from Austria around my leg and this would be replaced by “real” plaster a week later. If the bones would maintain their current position an operation would not be necessary. So, a week later the plaster was replaced and new x-rays were made. Unfortunately the bones had indeed shifted and I was told operating would indeed be necessary to prevent my ankle joint from wearing down too much… Damn.
A week later I went to the hospital, I cannot recall ever being more scared than I was at that time. I was shown my room and a few hours later my bed was rolled towards the operating theatre. At that point I had already decided I would go for a (local) spinal anesthetic instead of general anesthetic. I was scared the anesthetic puncture would hurt but in fact it did not. Of course, I felt the sting but it did not hurt any more than any other local aneshetic would. When the feeling in my legs was gone the doctors started doing their thing and I was out on the recovery with a big smile before I really knew what happend.
Even though the nurse wouldn’t let me at first, the doctor later said I could go home that evening. Also, I had to be very carefull not to stand or otherwise put any load on my fractured leg for at at least 8 weeks. This was actually the most damaging part it seems because when I could finally start using my leg again it felt so flimsy that I was too scared to do anything with it for about another two weeks. It was only when my father (a physiotherapist) pushed me into doing regular excercises that the strength in my leg started coming back.
Now, a half year later I can walk with reasonable comfort but it’s still not the same as before the accident. People notice there’s still a slight twitch in my walking rythm and now and then I can feel some pain too but overall things are still progressing so I’m hoping the last stiffness and pains will also fade away.