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3 weeks post ankle surgery

Posted , 10 users are following.

jordan67345
jordan67345

Hi

So I am now 3 weeks post ankle surgery as I broke my ankle falling over with my 1 year ok. They put a plate and 6 screws in. Went to my 2 weeks check up to get stiches out and change from a back slab to a full cast. They didn’t do any X-rays. My question is to you all have any of you had same operation and weightbeared this early. I sometimes have no choice but to weight near example getting into car,shower,picking up child, cooking tea. Also i can’t use crutches as I am 37weeks pregnant. Can anyone give me reassurance that o wouldn’t have damaged my ankle and would I know if I had done something to the plates and screws??? 

Thanks

Jordan 😁

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Jerry137
    Jerry137 jordan67345

    Posted

    I would be very, very careful.  Those bones take 6 weeks to heal which is why they tell you not to weight bear until after 6 weeks.  They will also take an X-Ray at that time to confirm the healing.  I would do my best to stay off your injured foot until that time.
  • heidi20884
    heidi20884 jordan67345

    Posted

    I too am 3 weeks post op, I put a little weight on my broken ankle (two plates, lots of screws and band like thing). When I went in for my two week follow up they took and x-ray and said “still not healed but no surprise as it’s only two weeks” . Got to say I’m surprised they didn’t xray you to make sure everything was ok... I didn’t get a cast just a boot which I only wear if I go somewhere. I have no idea why some us get a cast and some of us don’t?  I’m not gonna lie I’m very happy I don’t have a cast, but I do elevate, ice my ankle every day, take otc meds (Tylenol) , use one crutch and occasionally a knee roller. I can’t work as my job requires walking and balance, so I am staying off my ankle for the most part although I can put a little weight on it without too much repercussion but like I said I’m being very careful and not overdoing it as I want the best possible outcome. It’s very frustrating and for you even more so, please be patient and enlist as much help as you can considering you are pregnant and have a one year old.  My heart goes out to you and I pray you heal quickly.
    • simi2018
      simi2018 heidi20884

      Posted

      My ankle was broken down for 8 weeks.It was fixed with screws and plate(trimaleollar fracture), without cast, because ligaments were partially ok.After 8 weeks, I can walk, bearing partial weight with crushes without boot.
    • anne011218
      anne011218 heidi20884

      Posted

      Hi Heidi got a plate and 9 screws, trimalloelar fracture. I didnt have a cast too, i just wore the boot when i was out and about for extra protection.  youre 3 weeks post op and use only one crutch? how do you stay off your foot with just one crutch? im 15 weeks post op and i just started using one last week.. was non weight bearing for 9 weeks 
    • heidi20884
      heidi20884 anne011218

      Posted

      I’m not putting full weight on my left ankle, most of my weight is focused on my right side and because of that I use the one crutch on my right side. I use my left foot for balancing mostly although I can put some weight on it, but bear in mind that I constantly elevate with a post elevating leg rest pillow I bought on Amazon and I ice with a circulating  cold therapy unit. I also utilize compression wraps for my left ankle and I’m pretty pleased with my progress thus far as I am applying the RICE theory, with that being said time will tell as I see my Doctor -May 29th (just over 6weeks) where my progress or lack thereof will be identified via x-ray. Perhaps because I have two plates on both sides of my ankle my recovery might be a little different (not really sure). Anyhow, I am pacing myself and am being very careful to not put too much stress on my left ankle.
  • anna62340
    anna62340 jordan67345

    Posted

    Hi Jordan, I also had an op and have plagr and screws. 12 days after the op I had an xray; my back slab was removed and I was put in airboot. I walked in it with a walking frame but developed a sharp pain. Went to hospital next day and was put in plaster again- for one week. Then 2and a half after the op, the plaster went and I was again in air boot. Doctor said that I CAN actively bear weight. So I do. But when I went for my physio appointment, the physiotherapist thought that I should not bear weight. So I am confused. I thought that first of all letting me walk in airboot 10 days after the op was very early. I am also concerned whether my ankle has been healing ok with ne bearing weight. It seems to me that medics have different views when patients can bear weight but on this forum I have seen many conflicting stories from patients talking on this subject.
  • eunique53
    eunique53 jordan67345

    Posted

    Hi, Jordan.   I am over a year past my surgery, very similar to yours.   My doctor told me no weight bearing at all until I had a walking cast/boot.  I also could not use crutches, but  I got a knee walker.   It was a lifesaver.  I was able to stand and balance while cooking, able to get in and out of shower, and obviously loved whizzing down corridors, 😂. I couldnt have made it without it.    I would think stability for you us crucial, so maybe you can get one too,   Here in the states we could rent or buy from a medical supply place.   Might be covered if doctor requests it.   Hope this helps.   

     

  • stephanie96027
    stephanie96027 jordan67345

    Posted

    Don't know if you see my story back I walked on mine after surgery and woundup been doing the plate in towArd my leg and they're still not sure if they're going to have to remove it yet because it's your taking my leg is hurting it and it got infected and all this stuff so I try not to walk on it or basically you'll have to start all over

  • anne011218
    anne011218 jordan67345

    Posted

    Hi Jordan, i would try stay off my foot for at least 6 weeks until your sure that your bones are healing. you dont wanna weight bear too early and have a non union. hope you heal quick.
  • kpower
    kpower jordan67345

    Posted

    They didn't cut me after my ankle fracture, still, I had to wait about 6 weeks (and go through a series of 3 sets of x-rays in meantime) before my orthopedist even let me partial weight bear on injured ankle. During those 6 weeks my ankle was weightless and immobilized in CAM boot.

    That experience was what I thought was first class conservative medical treatment for ankle fracture. But I am reading more stories on this forum of patients whose practitioners are incredibly turning them loose for weight bearing much, much earlier than I could imagine is safe for broken bones trying to heal.

    I suspect that a number of patients (not all) have misunderstood their doctor's instructions on weight-bearing. Perhaps too some of these doctors are not being explicit in their instructions to ankle patients-- leading to confusion and guesswork on part of patients.

    If it were me in your place I would demand a set of x-rays that show my broken bones were ready for weight bearing. Otherwise, I would stay off that busted ankle for at least a few more weeks just to play it safe. A worst scenario is that putting weight and movement stress on an unmended ankle will make it worse and difficult to heal permanently.

    Good luck to you in any case.

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