I C S Property Care

12/01/2025

Hi folks, here’s the closest to an update I can offer regarding my return to work.

As most know the first planned operation on my leg failed terribly but wasn’t acknowledged until 11 months afterwards in October 23.
A much much bigger procedure was then planned to remove all of the failed metalwork, install better and extra bolts, fuse the heel and ankle ( subtallar) and try again, but this op was postponed numerous times due to nhs staffing issues.

The Op was finally done on Feb22nd 24 and turned out to be far bigger because of the amount of damage from the accident as well as numerous surgeries over the last 10 years and especially the failed procedure 14 months previous.

I have to keep reminding myself that I’m learning to walk again just 10-11 months after the op and that the year before was wasted unable to walk at all.

I am making progress but feels incredibly slow.
I’m really restricted by pain and swelling.
I can spend the day faffing about at home in Crocs without too much pain until the evening.
I can do a couple hours in trainers about the house but a trip to Tesco etc will mean I’m done for the day and unlikely to be able to walk next day.
The good bit, and what’s giving me hope is that I can put on a pair of boots with a special insert and can manage a dog walk, painful after about 20 mins but I can manage an hour, then an hour with it elevated to get the swelling down. I can do that every day 😊

I’m hoping it’s all healing, even though far too slowly for my liking, but I do have serious concerns about the pain and swelling , worrying how extreme it is after 11 months and concerned that the pain is me aggravating something rather than just the result of me having to force everything to bend backwards to walk.

I have spoken with the Consultant who has immediately agreed to see me again for a review.
He’s a bit busy walking up Kilimanjaro at the moment but will see me later this month as soon as he is back at work, so I will have more definite news by the end of the month.

Nothing would make me happier than being able to say “I’m back”, but I’m still waiting and even worse, I won’t even know what my limitations will be once I return until the time comes.

Another update as soon as I have something definite to report.

I can’t wait x

11/12/2023

Hi everyone.
Thought it was time to post another update.
So as most know, I had surgery last November to fuse the rest of my ankle because it had all collapsed.
The recovery was just supposed to be 12 weeks, ideal over winter.
As it turned out the fusion decided not to unite so have been on a daily bone treatment with the hope of encouraging union with the bone.
A few months ago lates CT scans showed that the bones had not joined at all meaning I couldn’t walk.
The surgeon concluded the only way to deal with it was to start again, opening it all up, removing all the metalwork and large amount of scar tissue and bone and taking donor bone from my pelvis to start all over again.
The surgery date finally came through a little while ago, December the 22nd but since then and after pre op the Junior doctors announced strikes for 3 days over my op date and 6 more in the first week of January so the Procedure has been postponed without a date.
I’ve been assured it will be as soon as possible, probably with little notice and to prepare for the 22nd too incase the strikes are called off.

Really looking forward to getting back on my feet properly, 13 months crippled and housebound is absolutely no fun.
Realistically I can’t even give an estimate of when I’ll be back, but I know when the time comes it will be baby steps.

Thank you to all my wonderful customers for understanding why I had to let you go.
Maybe I’ll end up taking care of your properties again in the future.

13/05/2023

So kind. Thank you J&R 🍷 🧀 💐

09/05/2023

I thought I had better post an update on things as I’m starting to get a lot of calls about my availability and some not realising the extent of my current situation.
As most of you know I went for surgery right at the end of November to fuse the rest of my ankle.
The plan was a 12 week recovery which would’ve had me gently returning to work end of Feb.
Unfortunately the bone still hasnt fused and it is just held together by big bolts inside and the skin outside.
Sadly, this far along it’s likely the bones have healed separately rather than fusing together .

With the hope that it will still fuse in time on its own they have kept me in the air cast boot on crutches and I am having a daily Exogen treatment to encourage the bones to “ Start to fuse together over the next few months”.
I should find out in July if it has started to work.
Best case is it has started fusing and the consultant keeps things as they are for more months until it is healed and strong enough to bear weight, but that would then need more time before I could get into a work boot and get back to it.

The worse case scenario, which to be honest feels more likely, Is that in July they will find it is not fusing. In which case we start the whole process again with another operation and a bone graft, probably from my pelvis. So likely a minimum of 5 months from surgery before I’m bearing weight.At least then I will have the Exogen in place to start as soon as it is out of cast.
Either way it’s incredibly unlikely that I’ll be back on the tools this year.
I would like to take this chance to thank those people who have understood me having to step back and let others take over and especially to those who have promised to welcome me back when I’m eventually fixed.
Wonderful Zoe is still very busy doing her stuff and has had to give up some of her jobs to look after one of my larger ones long term. So please please bear with her while she’s juggling everything.

We really are doing our best to keep things together. I’m missing my customers and my work very much and looking forward to seeing everyone again when I’m eventually back on my feet, hopefully fully fixed.

The 3rd pic is the magical Exogen machine flooding my ankle with ultrasonics and subsonics. Hopefully it’s working but there’s no way for me to know until July.
🤞

Ian 🙂
PS, sorry it’s a bit gory and unpleasant but wanted to show the extent of things.
Hopefully won’t put anyone off their lunch.

28/04/2023

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03/01/2023

20/12/2022

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
I hope to see you all in March back on two legs and Zoe will be working her side of things from the new year.
Have a good one all of you 🎄

16/09/2022

Working in Beautiful Branscombe today on my 50th.
What a lovely welcome.
Oh and A beer for every year. 🍺
Thank you Nicky and Dave x

15/09/2022

It’s great to be back.
Lovely to see September slowly bringing all the green back after the drought.
One of my favourites.

01/09/2022

A lovely September morning!

12/08/2022

Great news everyone!
Following new X-rays on Wednesday and a good physio appointment I can give an update.
The fracture in the elbow is doing great and pretty much healed.
The pain and restriction I have is due to an acute radial nerve injury as well as damage to the annular joint.
So physio treatment has started and as long as I’m sensible and careful I aim to get back to work very soon as long as I get the okay from my physio on the 24th.
Thank you for bearing with me 👍

03/08/2022

Just a quick post to thank everyone for bearing with me while my arm is being sorted.

My last trip to hospital ( last week ) shows the fracture healing but it’s still very painful and restrictive.
I have an appointment with Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy tomorrow afternoon so hopefully will have a much better idea of what’s going on.
Massive thanks to my Dad and to Zoe for taking care of the bigger jobs while I’m out.
Unfortunately though it has meant I’ve not been able to cover smaller jobs, so thank you everyone for your patience and understanding.
I’m hating being stuck at home and can’t wait to get back at it.