4 months post op- getting back to normal questions!
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Hi all! I’m 4 months post op from talus fracture ORIF/ligament repair/ bone autograft. In short, I’m walking, can start running any day now (still nervous about that) and pretty much done with PT (in person.. I’m doing exercises and such at home now) and driving etc. I’m not wearing a brace anymore but still have some minor swelling and stiffness. So my questions for y’all are
-When did you guys start wearing anything besides like sneakers and supportive boots? It’s about to be warm and summer and I really want to wear flip flops and such (obviously no high heels for a long time)
-Is it weird getting a pedicure? Can I get one? I’m nervous about them with my scars and such.
- when will the awkward purple scars and ankle swelling subside? I’ve heard it takes a year but I was really hoping shorter than that.
And anything else you guys have for advice is greatly appreciated!!
0 likes, 2 replies
kpower victoria06671
Posted
Hi Victoria,
In my case I went to regular shoes right after the moon boot was dismissed, which was about 8 weeks after my ankle injury (they did not cut me open).
But I wore a sturdy ankle brace in shoes whenever I left the house for work, shopping, etc. (for protection to prevent re-injury-- that's really just cheap insurance and peace of mind). However, once your ankle is mostly healed a brace should be shunned for the most part-- it is after all a crutch.
My view on turning to comfortable but no-support footwear like flip-flops, sandals, and flats for recovering ankle patients is this: you do this at your own risk, and don't feel sorry for yourself if your ankle gets in another mishap accordingly.
We all want our lives back as soon as possible and a return to our familiar routines without delay. But sometimes traumatized ankles have other ideas.
Eventually, if your ankle heals completely, and if you keep doing ankle exercises to keep it strong, aligned, and resilient then I would say by all means enjoy the freedom and comfort of minimal footwear (and especially walking bare feet in grass or sand). If you are still struggling to get your old ankle back then I would say NO, not for now.
As far as persistent swelling goes-- this is a problem that vexes many patients in recovery-- sometimes for months and even into years in worst cases.
Patients have shared on this board many approaches to mitigating swelling. There are really too many to mention here but some that I like are: icing (one patient even bought a cold therapy machine to do it industrial-strength style), elevation whenever possible, compression socks, calf ankle pumping (helps to flush stagnant and dirty blood and lymph from swollen tissues), and hot/cold alternating compresses to stimulate circulation down there.
Edema, or swelling, is essential in early stages of injury to protect tissue and rush immune cells to damaged areas to begin healing. However, tenaciously persistent swelling long after injury is counterproductive. There are probably as many causes for chronic ankle swelling as there are patients.
Best wishes to you.
helen28798 victoria06671
Posted
My doctor expects me to be walking unaided and in normal shoes at my next appointment on April 20 which will be 11 weeks so i’m thinking you should be good to try normal shoes if you’re at four months. in.
Flip flops might be out for a while for stability reasons and possible tripping but try them at home first and see how you go. My physio tells me to try things inside first and err on the side of caution when going out. Have moved from non weightbearing up until March 23rd to partial weightbearing with a walking frame and now walking in two running shoes with a cane. Swelling is an issue and my physio said to expect it to swell for at least 12 months.