Home Care Tips for Your Broken Leg: How to Minimize the Hassle

With the current medical treatment for uncomplicated breaks of the lower leg bones (tibia and/or fibula), you will be at home for several days with your leg in a temporary splint. After the bones are set you will be sent home in a better splint or cast, with more visits to your doctor in the future. DIY home health care isn't going to be easy, but these tips can make the next 2 or 3 months less frustrating for you and your caregivers. Caution: If any of my suggestions conflicts with what your doctor told you to do, follow the doc's advice. Your doctor has seen your x-rays. I haven't.

If everything goes well, there's nothing to do for weeks but sit around and heal. You will be bored out of your skull. Here's your chance for reading that stack of books or finishinishng the quilt you started three years ago. Send a minion to get books and DVDs from the local library. Surf the Internet ... you will have hours for newsgroups and forums. Subscribe to Netflix. I hate to mention work, but telecommute to work if you can, and participate in conference calls.

GET HELP: Parents, significant others, roommates, children or friends can be recruited to help you through this. You will need their help the first month, and a chauffeur for a couple of months longer. This isn't a license to be a slacker, but don't go all heroic and try to handle anything that is temporarily impossible.

PAIN CONTROL TIPS: A cast or splint forces your leg into awkward positions, stretching muscles and ligaments. Even if you are a no-drugs type, pain relievers and a muscle relaxant at bedtime may be needed to help you sleep. If this is your first major injury and first experience with Class 3 prescription drugs, you may be surprised to discover that even prescription pain killers do not make you 100% pain free. They will make you more comfortable.