Hobbling around in pain isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, so whether you slipped on ice or you fell at work, breaking a leg is no small matter. It’s painful, it’s frustrating, and it often comes with weeks or months of downtime and inconvenience.
The good news, though, is that you will get through it, especially with the right approach. Recovery does take patience and a lot of planning, so if you’ve recently found yourself in a cast or on crutches, we’ve got some tips to help you to bounce back better than ever.
- Know your rights.
This one isn’t particularly fun, but it is an important tip that we need to give you. If your broken leg happened due to somebody else’s negligence, like a car accident or a public hazard, it’s worth speaking to an injury attorney. They’ll be able to help you to understand your rights, better, manage insurance claims, and advise you if you’re entitled to compensation. The earlier that you get advice after the accident, the more prepared you’ll be to handle any paperwork or challenges that might come your way. Even if you’re not planning to take any initial action, having that professional insight can be a big relief and help you to fully focus on your healing.
- Listen to the doctors.
Not all doctors’ orders are exciting and it might be tempting to test things out before you’re meant to, especially if the pain starts to ease. But your bones take time to heal and pushing yourself too soon can set you back significantly. Whether you’re told to wear your cast, wear a boot, use crutches, or avoid weight bearing for a set period of time, stick to the plan and hang in there. Healing on a schedule means that you’re going to be more likely to avoid those long term issues or re-injury later on.
- Move when it’s safe.
Once your doctor or physiotherapist has given you the proper all clear, it’s OK to start some gentle movement, but again, try not to wait there too much until they’ve told you you’re allowed. Leg lifts, light upper body exercises and small stretches can help, but you may want to avoid swimming if you’re wearing any kind of cast, you won’t be allowed to immerse it in water just yet.
- Be ready to use assistive devices.
Crutches, walkers and knee scooters are not glamorous, but they are game changers when it comes to getting around safely. Try not to be embarrassed about using them because these are essential tools to support your healing and independence. You wouldn’t refuse to wear glasses if your vision was failing, so don’t refuse to wear crutches when your leg is healing.
- Eat good foods
Your body will be working overtime to repair a major injury, and it needs proper nutrition to do it well. You should also maintain good hygiene while you go through this transition. Protein can help with tissue repair, calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, and hydration keeps everything else running smoothly. Just because you’re stuck not being able to run around or move doesn’t mean you can’t look after your body and heal it while you can.
- Prioritize your rest.
You need rest, but lying on the sofa all day can quickly become very boring and lead to a low mood. Try to strike a balance by creating a gentle routine that includes meals, activities, rest periods and hobbies. It will help you to feel much more in control and less like the days are dragging on. So audiobooks, puzzles, journaling or even new TV series can go a long way.
- Attend follow up appointments.
Just because your cast is off or you’re weight bearing again doesn’t mean that your work is done. Physiotherapy and follow up x-rays are vital for making sure that your leg is healing properly. Don’t skip these appointments because while it may save your time in the short term, it could lead to complications in the long run.
- Ask for help.
This is probably the hardest tip because the last thing you want to do is burden anybody else. But it’s important to realise that you yourself are not a burden. In fact, it’s important to remember that asking for help is going to get you exactly where you need to be sooner than later. If you don’t ask anybody around you for help, you’re going to find yourself having to deal with the pain and any of the issues that come with it by yourself and this could have been avoided.