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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

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  • colleen08457
    colleen08457 andrew15830

    Posted

    Follow up tomorrow 12/2018at my Orthopedic Surgeon, hoping once he gets these staples out , he’ll get me in a boot so I can use a leg crutch. The walkers a pain at times. I see videos of healthy people getting along really good at 7 weeks. Unfortunately my immune system is compromised due to aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis . So my recovery will take longer. I just want independence in my life again 😩

  • anacris
    anacris andrew15830

    Posted

    I'm in pain! 40yo had surgery almost 6 days ago from twisting my right ankle the day before. Don't know how many screws and plaques I have but it was broken in the left and back side and schatered in the right.

    The burning pain was unbearable the same afternoon after the morning surgery, I have the hlf cast/ splint. I was sent home over oxi and Tylenol, plus nerve, muscle and aspiring medication. Some times they work. Most of the time I'm in pain. Had some discharge also. Like many of you is a living hell to stand up. So I decided to stay in bed and just stand up to go to the bathroom.

    My pain medication is almost done.

    • colleen08457
      colleen08457 anacris

      Posted

      You will have drainage from your wounds, more so if your taking a blood thinner . The pain for me let up a lot by the third day , after my second surgery. I see my orthopedic surgeon this Wednesday. He put me in a boot two weeks ago, but still non weight bearing. I’m hoping for some positive change, maybe walking in my air boot. I’m 47 , this is the first ever broken bone for me . It’s frustrating, but it will get better for you. I especially have challenges, because of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I need my arms for crutches, and my walker. My RA flare starts in my arms. But my treatments are finally starting to control it . I saw the X-Ray two weeks ago of my plating , screws , and rods. Interesting to say the least. I completely shattered my Tib , and Fib bone . I honestly thought it was beyond repair. But Dr knows best. I hope you feel better soon 
  • tricia09818
    tricia09818 andrew15830

    Posted

    I fell and broke both bones on my ankle(bimalleolar  fracture)Jan 2. I had surgery the same day,2 screws in the tibial  side and plate and 5 screws on the fibular part. The pain putting my foot down first thing in the morning was awful. I had a postop  visit on the 10th. My heel had been burning in the cast and I found out why. There is always  a bit of bleeding after the surgery,and the blood pooled in the heel. It was stuck to the plaster. Boy was I glad to get that off. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt having the stitches removed, although not as much as I had feared. I got off the narcotics after 8 days. I'm in the boot(no weight bearing yet). Just the last couple of days there parts of my foot that just burn-all night last night no matter what I took. Seems like the ankle bone on the inside is really tender. I am 20 days postop. I'm really looking forward to having this discomfort gone.

    ?Are any of you (or did you)have trouble sleeping at night? Seem like the first two weeks, that all I did,day or night is sleep. Now I can only nap with lots of awake periods during the night, not at all in the daytime. Also I get these twinges in my foot like it kinda jerks. Anyone else?

    • anacris
      anacris tricia09818

      Posted

      Hi Tricia, our injuries and times are very similar, my surgery was on January 2nd and now is the 26th I'm in the Aircast boot since the 17th but I take half of it, or completely out some nights to sleep, but never coma out of bed without it. My doctor is really hard to talk to, she's always rushing.... So I just being told that I could take it of for getting a bath and do excersise. But sometimes the boot hurts so bad in my scars and press the veins on top of my foot that I really felt it was doing more damage than good. Anyway I leave bed so little. My little son says my foot looks like a zombi! I was trying to do some things like going to the kitchen to get some food, or help my 16yro son with dinner ( it's only me and the kids) but last time I put my the tip of my toes with the boot on the floor I ended up with pain and pinches I got really worried and never came back. I really would like to know if I'm doing something wrong. I will start fisiotherapy soon but the stairs are a big problem for me. How do you manage the foot in the boot while walking to the bathroom, kitchen, etc? When you sit down?

    • tricia09818
      tricia09818 anacris

      Posted

      My dr told me I could “toe touch” the floor with the foot in the boot. It really helps with balancing myself. I’ve accidentally put my foot down twice without too much weight on it and yep it sure hurts. But I’m sure no damage. I took my foot out of the boot last night to sleep, for the first time. Slept the best I have for ages. I kept the foot up on a pillow but got to stretch my leg out. My calf and foot are cramping up these days. I have to crutch everywhere I go and I have a bar in the bathroom to help myself get onto the toilet, if I didn’t id have to put one hand on the sink and one on the bathtub.

      To take my clothes to the washer I stuff everything I can under my sweatshirt and crutch out to the kitchen. I’ve had to figure out how to do things. The stairs are scary but I only have two steps on the front porch. I put my crutches down on the step closest to me and carefully go down to the next.

      Keep your head up. It’s so hard not to get super depressed. My next post op is Feb 7, then I start physical therapy. When is yours?

  • tot01621
    tot01621 andrew15830

    Posted

    I’m at 6 1/2 weeks post surgery. I’m now in my boot. My problem is that at like 5 weeks my wound was still open under that cast so now I’m on antibiotics 3 times a day and I’m still elevating. I too get pains as swelling as soon as I put my leg down .
    • tricia09818
      tricia09818 tot01621

      Posted

      The one wound of the screw into the tibia just stopped oozing today. I think they took that stitch out too soon, it oozed blood for 3 days, then just some serous  fluid.  
  • nellie_11380
    nellie_11380 andrew15830

    Posted

    I am 8 days post op...ankle surgery.

    My pain, had decreased but today I am feeling shooting type pain periodically from where I believe the incision is, as well as some of the hardware. Did anyone experience this?

    I also am unsure if my cast is snug enough, my swelling has gone done significantly and my gut tells me, it should be tighter.

    Any words of advice would be helpful...really having a sad day today!

    • tha_doe19942
      tha_doe19942 nellie_11380

      Posted

      Hello nellie, add friend on me on facebook ‘Tha Doe San’ , i can help and tell u based on my experience, 3 month post op now, that shooting pain is horrible and normal, i’m sry to hear abt that..
    • colleen08457
      colleen08457 nellie_11380

      Posted

      8 days post op , you should start getting used to the blood rushing to your foot . I have had three surgeries since breaking my tibia and fibula . The second surgery was the most traumatic for me . And I dealt with that feeling for about a week . The accident happened in November 2017 . Im back in sneakers , doing PT . Having some issues , but totally beats being in the boot . Be patient it’ll pass quickly 😊

  • mauricio_65459
    mauricio_65459 andrew15830

    Posted

    Hi!! I got surgery in my Ankle,two weeks ago. Uhuuuh..... two screws!!! Boot, mild pain, my leg are away too thin and Swells a lot and purple plus the pressure sensation, when I try to walk, use toilet. I feel such as I'll never heal again. Everybody's with the same situation will, but I'll cannot. I feel very stress, depressed, and incapable for everything. But, I wish u the best. Please, share your today's situation to encourage us about this recovering time!!!

    • irene18088
      irene18088 mauricio_65459

      Posted

      Be patient! Your leg will be getting red every day when you lower it and use it. Swelling and using ice is a daily thing for me.Please dont get depressed. In less than 6 months, you'll be doing great. I have 5 plates and 18 screws in my ankle after breaking my fibula and tibia and I'm doing great after 1 year but mine was really bad. I had 2 surgeries. Dont give up. You will be fine.

  • tot01621
    tot01621 andrew15830

    Posted

    Sorry to say you’re going to have this problem for a while. I can now after 4 months walk without pain but the swelling is the same. Everyday and sometimes twice a day I still have to elevate  and ice my ankle. My doctor says give it some time.
  • nicolepaige
    nicolepaige andrew15830

    Posted

    Hi Andrew. I’ve just been reading your issue as I have exactly the same problem. I’ve just had foot and ankle straightening surgery on the 21st May 2018 (a week today) and my foot is fine when I have it elevated but as soon as I lower it to get on my crutches, a shooting pain goes down to my foot and it’s so so painful but when I elevate it again, it instantly goes.. I’m having my cast changed to a coloured one in a week so I’m not sure if this is going to be better for me?  how long did it take for your pain to go when you lowered your leg? 
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