11 weeks post ORIF ankle surgery
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hello all, just looking for some insight on recovering from ankle surgery. I suffered a fractured medial malleolus and fractured talus on may 21. I had orif surgery done on june 10th (needed to reduce swelling and normailze white blood cells). I have a plate and 6 screws in there now. I was put in a camboot before the surgery, then in a splint for 3 weeks after the surgery, and now in the boot again.
Per the doctor's orders, I started weight bearing about 6 weeks after the surgery, and started walking with the boot (with a severelimp) at about 8 weeks. I started physical therapy at 9 weeks and the therapist said i should use atleast 1 crutch as the limping will be bad for my hip and gait. After a week of PT i moved closer to work (I started on august 22nd) and therefore switched therapy places. 2 sessions in, the new therapist tried a balance exercise, which didnt go well. and said i should use 2 crutches again because i picked up some bad habits from limping/relying on 1 crutch. Using 2 crutches will help me walk straight again apparantly. The reason for the limping is because i still feel pain when i have my full weight on the bad ankle. it just feels like it cannot support alot of weight. I got really depressed as moving to 2 crutches felt like a step backwards.
When walking with 2 crutches i still put most of the weight on the ankle, just use the cructhes for balance, and to walk straight. I have very little to no dorsiflexion, and is actually painful when i try to stretch it dorsally. plantar flexion is ok, but dorsiflexion is what really bothers.
Im actually confused because the doctor said i can move from the boot to a sneaker this week, but the therapist advised me otherwise, as it will not only be painful, but I will be limping again. The doctor said next time i see her (september 2nd) i should be walking with no crutches and in a sneaker. I dont know whose advice to follow. I was going to start practicing walking with the sneaker this weekend, but not so sure anymore, as the dorsiflexion is painful when i try taking a step with the other foot.
It will be 11 weeks post surgery this friday (8/24). and i really thought I would atleast be walking with no crutches by now. I am really worried at how much longer it will take to walk with sneakers and no support.
So im just loking for some motivation and advice from people that went through similar issues.
Thank you in advance
0 likes, 19 replies
tracey51252 victor95142
Posted
Hi Victor
How are you coping now? I fractured my medial malleous and fibula on 22nd of august - ORIF on the 23rd. I have 2 titanium plates and a diastasis screw. The screw is to be removed on 28 November. I had a cast for 6 weeks and then a moon boot. I started physio the day I had my cast off. I am walking now without crutches or the boot but not without pain and swelling. I still can't touch the wall with my knee while my toes are against the wall and heel on the floor. That's my goal - to touch the wall with my knee.
Is your ankle still swollen and painful?
nancy15469 tracey51252
Posted
I have the same fracture plus dislocation and I have had the same problem in physio as you trying to touch wall with knee. How long did it take to acccomplish this task?
nancy07663 victor95142
Posted
Hi All, just had an ORIF of my right fibula with a plate and screws, tore tendons as well. In a splint and dressing for 3 weeks, then will be in a boot. Pain really bad and no weight bearing for 6 weeks. No showers for 3 weeks. Needless to say, super depressed. Using a knee scooter for bathroom and move from bed to living room chair. Any words of wisdom/encouragement you can share with me. Avid PickleBall player and golfer. Anyone have this injury? If so, how long before you could do these activities? Any problems with walking or limps? When were you cleared to drive? Thanks in advance for your response .
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karen37155 victor95142
Posted
Hello there, I am in Australia, and i think our medical system is slightly different. I broke my ankle in 3 places and have a plate on the outside of the ankle and screws on the inside. I was in plaster, then a boot at about 8 weeks my dr put me in a sneaker and advised physio.
my physio put me back in the boot and advised the use of 1 crutch. but after another week i weaned myself off both and now wear a sneaker. I did have to pad one side as where the screws are is very tender.
i find my foot is quite swollen most of the time, and when it feels really tight i put it up for a while.
My GP advised me to walk more, but more than what? i don't know. I just have to listen to my body and hope i am doing the right thing. I do a km every morning, but that is very much less than i used to walk and i am impatient to be pain free and mobile again.
I am doing physio, and have an app with a series of exercises to complete each day , however if my ankle is sore from walking etc, I just do the easy ones.
My advice is, listen to your dr, they have the additional training and expertise and if you stuff up, you will only end up back there anyway. Physio's are good, but i don't feel any better or further advanced from using a physio. I'm not sure that i will go back, its a big expense and I think I will manage with the app and by myself. My research suggests we will both be like this for a while to come yet, so try and be patient.
Good luck