[FrustratedFriend]

Hi, I just joined this thread in hopes of finding some advice.

My friend that lives with me has Neuropathy. He was diagnosed about two years ago now. He cannot feel from his knees down and is losing sensation in his hands. He moved in with me earlier this year so that he would not have to move back to Missouri and go into a nursing home.

At the end of August, he took a fall and broke his ankle. The orthopedist we saw afterwards said that normally it would require surgery, but due to the advanced nature of his neuropathy and the risk of infection, surgery was not an option. Instead, because the bones were lined up, they decided to let it heal conventionally.

The problem we're facing is that the doctors seem to ignore our cries. My friend is 6'5". He is overweight, but is working on losing it. He cannot use crutches. He had to walk with a cane before the break. And I cannot stress enough how hard it is for him to walk now that he's casted. The doctors just keep repeating "No weight on the foot" "Don't walk on it" "You can't even use it a little". But if he doesn't use the foot, he cannot get around. Because he can't use crutches, he had a walker. The nurse yesterday told him to "bunny hop." It's like they want him to break his other leg too...

Please. Is there anyone who can offer some advice? The house isn't big enough for him to use a wheel chair everywhere. He can't "bunny hop". And none of the doctors seem to understand or even care what he's going through.

[Littlepaw]

This is one of those situations that kicks you in the pants. But He can get through this. I went through an extended period of non-weightbearing for my left foot. Three surgeries, the original injury, etc. it went on and on.

If avoiding surgery is the goal and keeping off that foot will accomplish that then get creative. It is challenging but can be done. A walker with a seat can be used with the knee of the affected leg on the seat or you can scoot backwards. I also rented a scooter with a narrow profile that allowed me to get around and even make dinner! With a two story house, I could only use it downstairs. On the second floor I just dragged myself around on my butt. Wore through a few pairs of pants that way. So fun! Hoisting yourself up on things gives great upper body strength.

Bunny hopping does sound like another injury waiting to happen. Better to wear through your pant seats and wait out the limited weeks it will take to heal.

I am so sorry your friend is going through this. You are truly awesome for taking him in. I hope he heals up soon!

Sending hugs and healing love,

[FrustratedFriend]

If a surgery would be easier on him, I think my friend and I would agree to go that route at this point. Unfortunately, the Orthopedist said it just wasn't an option. And given the fact that he's gotten abrasions on his toes from the casts, his risk for infection is already high as it is.

He is getting a walker with a seat. My mom is going to the medical supply store to have his prescription filled for one, but we're not sure if it will need to be ordered given his weight. When we get it, I think your suggestion of sitting and scooting on it is a good idea. Sitting on the floor isn't much of an option though, as he has a hard time standing up from the floor. We're working on his upper body strength, but it don't think it's near good enough to handle that.

And yeah, like, I'm still reeling from the fact that the nurse even suggested it. I had ACL surgery a few years ago and if someone had told me to bunny hop, I would have smacked them. :/

Thank you so much for your suggestions and blessings! They've given me some ideas to help him along and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that right now. It's been really hard dealing with the doctors and nurses and never getting a real answer or solution.

[KnowNothingJon]

I wish the both of you well. It makes me smile that he has such a wonderful friend.

[FrustratedFriend]

Thank you. C: He's a part of my family and I want to do everything I can for him. I'll pass on the well wishes!

[Littlepaw]

Glad to help! I remember those challenges well.

Abrasions from casts are concerning. His doc may need to check that it isn't too tight. Also elevation is important since there just isn't much room for swelling.

If the cast is fiberglass, they tend to rub through the padding since the edges are so sharp. A piece of moleskin wrapped over the edge does a nice job of making it nice and softy.

[FrustratedFriend]

I know it's not a plaster cast, since we were told at the hospital those are only used for compound fractures anymore. But the edges are sharp, so it could be fiberglass. I just know that it looks and feels like a hard plastic almost. The nurse folded the batting over the sharp edges, also.

The problem is when he gets up to go to the bathroom. Even with the walker he has now (it's just one of those metal frame walkers, nothing special), he can't get to the bathroom without using his bad foot. He only uses it a little to keep from falling, but because of the angle they cast his foot at, his toes were being pushed up into the cast and just the batting rubbed them raw. :/ The only time he gets out of bed anymore is to go to the bathroom or go to his appointments. But they make it seem like he's walking around the house or dancing the salsa every time we go in. He has to go to the bathroom. And for the most part, he just uses a urinal cup. So the only time he gets up is to do number two.

I've been researching walking casts, but I'm not sure if the doctor will agree to try one or not. Again, he wouldn't be leaving the house or running around with it. We just need something that protects his ankle, but also allows him to move around when absolutely needed. With his size and condition, the walker idea you mentioned has been the only reasonable idea that would keep him off the foot completely.