12 weeks post op ankle surgery
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I am 12 weeks post op ankle surgery with one plate and 5 screws. I had been in a boot the past 3 weeks and my ankle still has not fully healed, but the doctor wants me to start walking in a shoe. He said he is satisfied with my recovery even though my ankle is healing slowly, but I am a little nerveous trying to walk without the boot...don't want to cause any damage or delay in the bone healing process. Have anyone been walking without the bone being fully healed????
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moe319 christine76851
Edited
Hi Christine
i am sorry to hear that and i wish you a speed recovery. i am actually having the same situation. i am 6 weeks and 4 days post left ankle ORIF, i have 1 plate & 6 screws. I had my check up appointment 6 weeks post ORIF and my doctor told me that i can start walking and putting weight gradually 25%,50%,75%,100% on my foot while using crutches and whenever it feels comfortable i can walk without crutches ( i did walk for few minutes only with putting like 20% of weight and there was no pain, only Ligaments was tight) . The thing is that i was looking at my old Xray photo which i took right after my surgery and the new Xray photo which i took 6 weeks post surgery and they both look the same i can see the fracture is still there and the bone not healed. Well, i took another appointment which will be tomorrow Feb 27 just to check and make sure if i could start walking on my foot. i will keep you posted. I wish that you are now fully recovered and you got back to your normal life. I would appreciate it if you could update me on your situation. Thank you
Feb 27th 2021 Update:
I just came back from my appointment with another doctor. he took new Xray for my ankle and he told me the same thing that i can start put weight gradually and start walking with crutches.
HK-ankle christine76851
Posted
Hi Christine,
I am now 6 and a half weeks post-ORIF with a trimalleolar fracture. After my operation I was given neither cast nor boot, just a tubigrip for my ankle and foot. After I had my stitches removed (about 3 weeks after) a nurse told me I could put my foot on the ground when I was seated. Or, if I were lying on my bed or a couch, I could put my foot flat (with my knee making a triangle). She also told me to do gentle ankle flexing.
I then visited a private physical therapist who gave me a routine to follow 3 times per day. This involved leg raises, knee bending (all while sitting or lying down) and ankle flexing, lots of dorsiflexion. Iced my leg at least 3 times a day.
3 weeks ago went to my first public hospital PT and she told me to continue the routine the private PT gave me and added in a back leg raise routine and the ABC to work in the side to side ankle motion.
Last week public hospital PT cleared me for partial weight bearing. Just put on my shoe on my healing leg (barely fit) and start to walk with a walking frame.
It was a bit scary, but I think the fact that I had been allowed to put my foot flat on the floor before that, and that I was doing the exercises and dorsiflexion helped.
I asked "If I put too much weight on it when using the frame to walk will I re-break it or cause a serious injury?" and was told no, that wouldn't happen.
So, maybe practice putting your foot on the floor when seated can help with your fear? If you can book an appointment with a PT that can help too. They can give you exercises to strengthen your healing leg and ankle and watch you walk and give you tips.