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

Iam one week out of surgery today iam 22 and it just started everytime i stand on my crutches i can feel all the blood or fluid what ever it is go straight down to my ankle i have screws and a plate also but its not so painful just an uncomfortable feeling when i stand

Hi Andrew, I know what you are saying about the pain and swelling ....I am now a month post surgery and can use my knee scooter.   I have calmed down and found things to do to keep myself busy because I have to keep my leg up most of the day and night.  It seems to be getting better every day but I still take my pain meds when it starts hurting.  One half pain pill will not only help with the pain and swelling but it helps me to rest and keep my foot up.    

 

I don't know how similar my operation is to orif, but I am 15 and have 2 weeks until I have a Peroneal Tendon Transposition operation. My pre-op appointment is this Friday, but how long were you told you had to wait before going back to school/work?

I realize that this post has not been visited in 7 months, but I've learned so much from it that I thought sharing my story might benefit someone else.

I fractured my left distal fibula in June of 2018. I would assume that fractures and breaks are very different as far as surgery and recovery time goes.

To cut a long story short, my case was mismanaged and got worse, resulting in a non union. I had ORIF surgery of the ankle witha bone graft 7 months later and had a 6 hole fibula plate inserted. BTW, I am 58 years old and my blood pressure is and sugar levels are normal. I am 6' tall and weigh 210 lbs. The post surgery side effects of anesthesia was horrible and I threw out all night, so I was not discharged till the next day. I went home in a moonboot and on crutches. Believe it or not, I live on my own! I felt needles and pins to the side of my foot on day two and awful pain in my big toe and the second toe.

The incision related pain subsided in about three days and I stopped taking pain killers for it but kept taking the anti inflammatory for about 10 days. However, if I stood up I also experienced the pain others speak of when my leg was lowered and supporting myself on crutches. I was not allowed out of my boot even when I was in bed. My stitches came off two weeks after surgery and I was sent for physio straight away -- it was only some very light elastic band stretches and wriggling my toes. I wasn't in any pain around my ankle after 2 weeks or so, but felt that awful burning sensation a the top of my feet and the boot always made it so bad that I resorted to wearing a sock 24/7. After week 3 or so, I tool liberties taking off my boot to elevate my foot while watching TV t for short periods when the burning was bad. My physio visits are about once a week and between weeks 2 and 5 I was allowed to bear weight up to 20% and more at week 5. Te physio has been happy with my progress.

Literally all of my swelling disappeared at around week 4 and I was pain free except for the burning sensation mentioned above and the numbness in my two toes stretching up to the base of the ankle. It doesn't bother me unless I touch the area and know it feels a bit rubbery. I am guessing it could be some nerve damage and I am hoping that it will get better.

I am now at week 5 and the physio has told me that I can walk around in my house without the crutches and in my boot only. I have been doing my physio very sincerely and feel my ankle movement up and down is almost normal for driving (!!) but have only been doing the total rotation for a few days now. Incidentally, now that he swelling is down, I can clearly trace the outline of the plate over my fibula. I also feel it if I move my foot nearly to the extreme left, placing some stress on the plate! It does feel goofy, but I guess I will have to get used to it. My next appointment with the surgeon is in 4 days time which will be week 6 after surgery. I will be doing an xray on the same day. I am hoping to be cleared to drive and allowed out of the boot then. My main concern now is the numbness in my toes. There are times that is is only mild but it worries me at other times. I am confident that I might be able to drive and get back to work at 7-8 weeks post surgery.

It is very easy to get depressed and feel worthless while lying in bed and waiting for the weeks to pass. It must also be natural to wonder if we will ever be the same again. I am 58, but never felt it and remained physically active. Once the pain in my ankle subsided, I started doing upper body workouts such as bicep curls and a few other variations while sitting in bed or on a comfortable chair. It certainly helps me mentally f not all that much physically!

I was warned that the area over the incision and the plate might become hyper sensitive that even my sheet brushing over the area might cause discomfort, but so far not too bad.

I hope my story has helped someone better understand the management of your ankle post surgery. I will likely share an update after my next surgeon's visit.

Thank you all for sharing your story and for those who are recovering, do get well soon and may we all be the same men and women we were before our surgery!

John

Hi My name is kim. I am 3wks post OP for compound fracture of left tibia fibula.and crushed ankle.I haven't taken pain meds since I got out of the hospital except at ight time my pain is awful at night as I also broke my l5 vertebrae. I am non weight bearing.I have aircast on left leg.plaster.cast on right leg .I have applied a little weight I know what I can handle and dont over do it I did ride fifty miles to see my daddy on fathers day which was very uncomfortable but I made it through it.I moved my toes on both feet alot and I bend and straighten my left leg while I'm laying in bed I also do the range of motion exercises alot I try to keep my feet moving hoping to keep blood flowing keep things moving so that I can walk unaided by Hunting season starts in Ga.Good luck to everyone that has suffered or is still suffering from these kinds of injuries. Just remember God gives the hardest battles to his toughest warrior's.