Christmas Broken Leg!

Commiserations Jennypops
I smashed my lower leg and ankle 2 years ago and spent 16 weeks non-weightbearing.
I used self-propelled wheelchair downstairs and outside, Zimmer frame upstairs and crutches for short distances.
Couldn't access over bath shower so strip washed ( first bath after pop was off was bliss!)
Bought cheap jogging pants from M&S that stretched over the plaster, no ironing needed and did online shop for food.
Good Luck!

I remember that walking on crutches was difficult at first but by the end of the whole procedure – 14 or 15 weeks – I had wrists like steel. I could even climb a ladder to wash the top of the kitchen cupboards. Go up and downstairs on your bum.

You can use the knee trolley round the house as well.

I always wore zip-off walking trousers when I went for x-rays etc as I then only had to remove one trouser leg. The positive reaction of the medics made me presume it was something that was not very common but it was one more thing that made life easier !
Walking trousers don't need ironing either !

Sorry I haven't replied to these suggestions earlier.Really helpful ideas, I contacted the Dr today who is going to contact occupational Health which I think will be helpful,I really like the idea of the knee trolley but wonder if it would work in the very hilly town I live in!
I have come up against one unexpected problem,I always wear trousers and only have one skirt suitable for wearing with my leg plaster,but am amusing myself browsing websites for skirts,preferably that don't need ironing as DH doesn't do that.

Occupational Health via your Doctor will sort out any short term items to make life easier for you,get on to them asap and they will deliver to you they where wonderful with supplying items for my neighbour.

What a shame- hope you mend soon. I'd keep to one floor at the moment, and instead of a commode, hire a chemical toilet, or buy from camping store. Do you have family who can then deal with ... it? Defo ask advice from the Red Cross, they are brilliant. Have you got a freezer so family can buy in lots or ready meals, etc. You could perhahps get meals on wheels on temporary basis- or there might be a private delivery service in your area. Ask Help the Aged too- they are full of excellent info. Bonne chance.

I have a shoulder bag that I put round my neck when I go up and down to take any things that I need.

So sorry to hear this Jennypops- I was lucky when I broke my leg that I had lots of metalwork and a brace rather than a cast but the problems were similar so here are my tips.

Have 3 crutches and keep one upstairs. It's easier to go up stairs on your bum hauling only one crutch up and then have 2 when you get there. Ditto coming down - one hand with crutch and one on hand rail. I also found it easier to have a stool at the top of the stairs to sit on before I got upright.

Fix up a haulage system to take things up stairs - a carrier bag on the end of a rope with the end of the rope tied to the top of the stair rail so that you fill it at the bottom and then pull it up when you get to the top.

Take EVERY offer of help especially in the meals and cleaning departments.

Life is going to be bloody awkward for a while but try and keep a sense of humour - no-one likes visiting a misery.

Or a trapeze suspended from the ceiling

Yes - good advice - I hired stuff from the Red Cross both for the fracture and the hip op. A frame round the toilet is good as you can push yourself up with it and thus feel more secure.

I was in a bk plaster for 3/12. I can't nonweight bear and swing through on crutches so I had to use a wheelchair

Buy, hire or borrow a commode. A small pastic stool (cheap) means you can sit in te shower. A wheelchair (self propelled) is useful as well! The Red Cross hire out a lot of stuff

I do have just a bit of experience of this! Mine was in plaster for 18 weeks.

When it comes to showering/bathing you can buy what we called the Giant Condom which covers your plaster and stops it getting wet. Go online and search. Here is an example www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/cast-and-dressing-protectors/?gclid=CP6PppfJ48ICFWPmwgodQEAAOQ

Stairs were negotiated on the bum - no other way really.

Is your plaster above the knee? - if not you can hire a knee trolley which I found very useful indeed - https://www.wheelfreedom.com/products/knee_scooter_hire?gclid=CJWn5fbI48ICFQMYwwod9mwARw You need to check with your medics that they are happy for you to use it; but I found it invaluable - you can scoot around much faster and your weight is distributed between both legs in a more even way, which stops your back etc, taking the strain.

I had two sets of crutches - one closed cuff so you can let go of one or other (e.g. while cooking) without them descending to the floor; and one open cuff so you can wear a thick coat.

I also put a rail in the shower so that I could hold on to that and feel more stable on one leg.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Just be thankful it is only for 6 weeks!

Oh no! I don't have any advice but I do feel sorry for you!