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1-Week Post-Ankle Surgery: When will I be able to lower my leg without massive swelling and pain??

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andrew15830
andrew15830

I (34 yrs old) am now 9 days post-ORIF surgery on my left ankle (plate/screws for spiral fracture and repair of torn ligaments) for a Weber C fracture/dislocation (surgery was one week post-injury). I now have a splint-type cast and go back to the surgeon for my first follow up next week (2 weeks post-op) and will be in a removable cast for 4 weeks, and then in a boot. I am non-weight bearing until I am in the boot.

I have been off pain meds for several days now and have minimal pain when my leg is elevated. When I put my leg down to get up to use the bathroom and shower, etc, my leg and ankle immediately swell from what seems like blood/fluid going down there by gravity. Putting my leg down results in almost unbearable pain within seconds, and is only relieved by elevating the leg again.

My question for those who have gone through similar ankle procedures is: how long should I expect until I will be able to be upright without this massive pain from lowering my leg?

I am not able to use my knee scooter yet and am now in bed with leg elevated 99% of the time because of this. I know that once this stops (or at least the pain is reduced) I can be more mobile and upright, which will certainly lift my spirits. Any advice folks can give based on similar experiences would be most appreciated.

2 likes, 89 replies

89 Replies

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  • fang01436
    fang01436 andrew15830

    Posted

    Hi, are you recovered now? How long did the bone break fuse? I have the same problem, the moment my leg is down, it is swollen and unbearable. when I elevate it, it feel better.
    • deepus4u
      deepus4u fang01436

      Posted

      Hi,

      I have the same problem. Im ok when my feet is elevated but cannot put my feet down and have terrible pain. Unable to even take few steps(hops). It takes around 15 mins for the pain to reduce a bit but cannot do much and back to bed in elevation again. Have you found any answers to this yet or did you check with your doctor? Im trying to contact the surgeon to see if this is normal.

      Are you feeling any better now and how long did it take for you to lower your feet. I am so strugling and trying to find if there is anytjing i can do to reduce the pain. Im on codeine and less pain when elevated but it doesnt seem to help for putting my leg down. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

      Thanks in advance

    • deepus4u
      deepus4u

      Posted

      Forgot to mention the initial problem. I had an ankle surgery for 2 fractures and plates and screws fitted a week ago
    • james0704
      james0704 deepus4u

      Posted

      I had posted my experience above and since then, the pain lasted a few more days. I tried a few things, based on other's advice, and it made the pain more bearable. Firstly, when my foot was elevated, I wiggled my toes and flexed my foot back and forward as much as I could, which activated my calf muscle. This seemed to help get the blood pumping and circulating back up my leg. I did this as often as I could when my foot was elevated (every few minutes or so). Secondly, when I got up from sitting or lying, with my leg elevated, I didn't just put my foot straight down, as I had been doing. This is what I was doing and I could feel the blood rushing to my foot and then the pain would kick in. I tried lowering my foot very slowly, very gradually, and wiggling my toes at the same time. I still felt the numb pain but it wan't as severe. Keep persevering, and be patient, I'm sure the pain will eventually dissipate. I took pain killers for a day or so but tried to avoid them. I just don't like taking tablets! After four weeks I started physiotherapy and putting weight on my leg (with the boot on) and with crutches eventually putting more weight on, and moving to just one of the crutches, then none. To progress, I felt it was important to do my physiotherapy exercises every few hours or so. At seven weeks, I removed the boot and began walking without any aids. I am now just over eight weeks and walking quite well. I get swelling in the evening but an ice pack and elevating helps the swelling go down. My orthopedic surgeon told me that it takes a second for the injury, an hour for the surgery, and a year for the full recovery, i.e. the swelling. At eight weeks my physiotherapist told me to start going back to my sports, which at the moment is only golf. It is a gradual process. When you start walking again, it feels like a huge achievement. Keep your foot elevated, keep patient, and once you start your physiotherapy, keep doing your exercises. Good luck with your recovery!

    • deepus4u
      deepus4u james0704

      Posted

      Thanks a lot! Its a huge relief. Was thinking there is something wrong and may be any other complication as not many of them have the pain when they lower the foot. Thanks for sharing your experience. This forum is such a help an support. Trying to be patient. Im expecting my doctor to come back to me regarding this and will update here. Thanks again
    • vickil
      vickil deepus4u

      Posted

      You need to take anti-inflammatory tablets such as naproxen, this was great for me. My healing is ahead of time at just 13 days post op. I have no pain and minimal swelling when my leg is down. I do still raise my leg 80% of the time. If you wiggle your toes vigorously every hour. And bend an straight your leg more oxygen goes to the pain and fixes tissue quicker!
  • vickil
    vickil andrew15830

    Posted

    I understand this post is a year old now, but I am now 13days post surgery. My pain has been manageable without painkillers since day 5 . I did have to visit the plaster room to have my cast changed as the cast had become loose and was banging against my incision scar. Before my cast change I also had swelling while getting around but it wasn't really painful as I had plenty of room on my cast. Could anyone please give a timescale as to when you can run , I'm a keen rugby player and cannot be out for ages!

  • Agikyo
    Agikyo andrew15830

    Posted

    Hello Andrew,

    I know this conversation was about a year ago, but you are the only one who I found on the net with exactly the same problem! I`m 36, had my ankle surgery 8 days ago (ligament) and my leg is most of the time elevated and when I want go to the bathroom and lower my foot, the blood is rushing into it so fast, I can feel it and it feels very swollen, it feels like it is going to explode. It feels actually that the blood wants to come out on the wound where my ligament surgery was. Even my toes change into a darker colour from the blood. When my foot is up, the toes are same colour on both foot. I just wanted to ask you what happened at the end? Did something turn out why did this happen? Is your foot all right now? When did this stop happening? I really hope that you will answer me and maybe could give me some advise? Thank you in advance!

    • briano1984
      briano1984 Agikyo

      Posted

      Hi agikyo

      I found this threat and wanted to see how you recovered after your injury?

      I disclocated the left ankle, broke two bones and had plate and screws put in during surgery to repair the syndesmosis ligament.

      When elevated it is ok, still some pain but manageable. As ppl have stated above, once lower leg to use crutches, the pain is intense.

      Any advise would be great.

      Thanks

      Brian

  • damaris53122
    damaris53122 andrew15830

    Posted

    Andrew I’m at exactly day 7 post surgery. I broke my right Ankle  ( I am non weight bearing and had plate, screws and ligament repair as well)  I am experiencing the same thing. The pain is manageable while elevated but once I bring it down it hurts instantly. I am still taking pain meds as needed tho. I have been using the scooter right after surgery.  Why do you say you have not been able to use it yet? I had one that I rented that was comfortable for a week so I ended up buying one from Walmart site and it is so cheap that i think it is causing knee pain. Last night was a tough night I was so irritable and just could not get comfortable.  I don’t know how I’m going to stay in bed and keep my leg elevated.  I feel ache in my knee and the side of my cast .. I believe it’s where the stitches may be. I think I may have to go back on pain meds regularly. I am wondering if I am not suppose to be using the knee scooter. I just feel safer on it to get around the house because i do not have any help at home. 
  • rajuA
    rajuA andrew15830

    Posted

    My wife slipped from stairs and had ORIF ankle surgery (Bimalleolar fracture).

    Date of injury: Dec 2 2017

    Date of surgery: Dec 7 2017

    Please share your experience on what to expect.

    As of now she is on pain medication and Ice pack (cyro ice wrapped around ankle).

    I will keep positing her progress.

     

    • rajuA
      rajuA

      Posted

      Max pain during 3rd and 4th days.

      Keeping leg elevated is helping. Ice is really helping.

      First Doctor appointment Dec 11:  New dressing.

      Not able to use ice machine because it is compressing and that is causing extra pain.

      Slowly reducing Narcotic pain killers (from every 6 hrs to every 8/10 hrs).

      Next Doctor appointment Dec 20: 

       

    • rajuA
      rajuA

      Posted

      Dr's visit: Dec 20: Staples/ were removed. 4 weeks cast was put on.

      Stopped all pain medications.

      Able to use stairs (by sitting).  

      Next appointment: Jan 17, 2018

       

    • tha_doe19942
      tha_doe19942 rajuA

      Posted

      my doctor let me put boots after two weeks and now i’m on pwb with that

    • colleen08457
      colleen08457 tha_doe19942

      Posted

      I had my plating  surgery 12/ 11 , I was in agony for 2 1/2 day’s. Now it’s as if I never had surgery. Staples are still in , but I feel a lot coming out as I’m healing. Dr didn’t show concern. He took me off blood thinner last week, and put me on aspirin. So I’m sure he’s got intentions of getting these staples out , and into something more permanent. This soft cast is bulky , and heavy, cramping my right leg. And straining my back 😩

    • colleen08457
      colleen08457 rajuA

      Posted

      I didn’t get a scooter, or non weight baring leg crutch. Just my walker , and crutches. And of course I’m wearing back on RA treatment, I’m flaring in my arms. Last thing I need to act up on me. I noticed the first few days after surgery, getting up to go to the living room, bathroom, etc . Taking my leg from elevation and basically sitting on the side of my bed. I’d feel the blood rushing to my leg , ankle, foot. Not pain, just tingling sensation. Thank God it only lasted a couple day’s 🙏🏻 . Had my second surgery December 11 , plating, and what not. I go for my second follow up since surgery December 28 . Feeling pretty good considering the surgery was pretty traumatic for me . Any surgery is a challenge due to my immune system being compromised from RA . Hope she’s feeling better 🙏🏻

    • rajuA
      rajuA

      Posted

      Dr's Visit Jan 17, 2018

      Cast was removed.

      On boot now. No weight on foot yet.

      No pain but if I have too much activity I am seeing swelling

      Next Dr's visit: Feb 14, 2018

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