6 Weeks Post Ankle Surgery...need help!!!

I broke my fibula 5 weeks ago while out running and slipped on ice.  5 screws placed just above ankle a few days later.  Walking in aircast boot 1 week now with no crutches.  For the first 2 weeks following the accident, slept on the couch with foot elevated high and iced several times a day. Obviously the foot is still swollen and will be for 9 - 12 months, but I encourage you to ice as often as possible and keep your foot elevated.

How mobile are you ? I am now 17 weeks post ankle surgery with plates and pins and I still cant walk for more than 10 minutes without recourse to a crutch. I was in a surgical boot 24 hours a day but had PT during that time. You have been fixed in a cast so would be less agile and flexible and would have severely diminished muscle and ligament strength. . Are you having Physio!I have found suegeons can be extremely cavalier and unsympathetic. Go with your instinct and get a second opinion if you are concerned. Good luck

I have found the doctors, particularly surgeons, or unsympathetic, sometimes dismissive and generally over ambitious about what we are able to do. I'm nearly 17 and when I reminded my doctor he returned with the statement 'nonsense'. I have found it particularly hard and 17 weeks on and I'm still suffering and tomorrow I'm going for a second opinion and an MRI because I still cannot walk that feeling that I am walking on bare stumps and for a second opinion. All I can say is listen to your body and trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right you're back to your doctor or change him for a second opinion

Hi, I am 11 weeks out right foot fibula ORIF (3/15/16), plate and 10 screws.  Had NWB all the way till a week ago due to having to have 2nd surgery to remove large screw on 5/16/16.  Then was told can WBAT with boot.  My question is how much swelling is acceptable when you start to WB.  I barely had any swelling after 4 weeks from first surgery, could clearly see both ankle bones on either side for the past 7 weeks.  Rarely used ice but again, I was using a knee walker and NWB.  Since I started WBAT (Weight bearing as tolerated) about a week ago ankle has swollen up to the point I can't see those bones anymore.  Having much pain as well.  Wondering how much swelling and/or pain is acceptable and how much needs a call to doctor?

Hi Peter I broke my fibula and has surgery 5 weeks ago. I am on non weight airform cast. But I am still in aggravating pain in my foot. It feels like needles are prickling in my toes and my feet any advice?

Hi Erica. I'm 4 months out, but I remember that fear and for me the fear was much much worse than the actual pain. That said, don't expect too much. I'm still very swollen and stiff and still have pain and that's 4 months out. My doctor says it's normal and from what I've read it is. I had 7 screws and a plate so mine may have been a bit worse than yours. The bottom line though is that there isn't anything to worry about - you'll recover and it will only go as fast as you can tolerate. As for PT, they def push you and while there is some pain, for me it's not too bad.

Thank you so much for responding. I broke my ankle roller skating.....Are you walking good yet? I have a cruise with my husband in September should we cancel ? Do you have like spasms at night? I do .... They wake me out my sleep! This boot is so unbelievably heavy..... Im a small woman so it makes moving so difficult! My knee and shen hurt . i wonder if its because the weight of the boot or having my leg constantly elevated . my nerves and fear are just taking control.

I am walking, but by the end of the day  I'm pretty swollen. I'm told that the swelling will likely last 12-18 months. What I've learned is that everyone is different. I had lots of shooting pains and a lot of burning and found it very difficult to sleep at night. The sleeping has gotten much better. As for your cruise, it seems like a long way off, but again, everyone is different. I expect you should def be walking by then, but I'd ask you Doctor about what you should expect at that time.

Hi Erica.  I just read your post and I also broke (and also dislocated) my left ankle roller skating.  It happened May 10th (2016).  I had to have surgery to put in a plate/screws.  I had the surgery May 13th.  I am still in that boot but can sleep without it at night.  I am on #8, of my 12 physical therapies sessions.  I'm still using a walker and still afraid to put full weight on my left foot - even with no pain.  I'm just scared.  I guess everyone does things at their own pace, but I'm behind on the walking part.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise!!  I'm sure by Sept., you'll be all better or atleast, definitely good enough to go and have a good time.  Best of luck!  :-)

Beth

How is your recovery going?

Hi Luke, my recovery is going pretty good.  My situation is a little different from the average person.  I was born with short calf muscles and was a "toe walker" and eventually as I got older (I took ballet when I was a child), I was able to put my heels on the ground and bend my knees a little.  Due to that, I'm not walking right and using a cane.  I was told my ankle my have "frozen."  I was in the boot a long time and I can't point my left foot or move the ankle to the right or left.  I can wiggle my toes.  I just finished 6 weeks (twice a week of physical therapy) and becasue my ROM is still not back, they are having me do another 6 weeks of PT.  At this point, when I stand barefooted or with socks on, I can't bend my knee.  My calf is just too tight.  I can bend my left knee with no problem, if I'm sitting or whatever.  And unfortuantely, I can't throw my left leg under my right while sitting, like I use to, becasuse that ankle just won't give.  Thank you for asking.  Hope you're coming along in your recovery, as well.

I had similar surgery as everyone else. Dislocated ankle and broke bones on both sides. Just got cast off today and given a walking boot. Doctor said WBAT but what is that ? How much should I wear the boot ? I don't look to walk around much the first couple of weeks. Do I still wear the boot ? I'm hoping to find a rough timeline here.

Sadly, ur doctor should have given u the information so that u would not need to ask these questions. That's what these forums are for right!

WBAT is just that. As much weight as u can tolerate. Did he have u begin with any percentage of weight bearing first? I was first released to 25% weight bearing. (Take ur weight. Multiply by .25. That is 25% of weight. Put affected leg onto scale and begin putting weight onto leg to determined weight. This allows u to experience what 25% weight bearing feels like.) I stayed in boot. Used walker for support to avoid really exaggerated gait. After 3 weeks, I was released to WBAT, and given prescription for 12 physical therapy visits.

Just for what it's worth, cast wise after surgery seems to be a big variable. I was put in walking boot after my surgery. Real fun sleeping in that thing. I was non weight bearing for 8 weeks before I was released to the 25% weight bearing. And I couldn't take boot off for extended periods of time until I was released to partial weight bearing. I'm thinking it may be okay to take boot off, but do check with doc.

Hopefully u were told to begin moving ur ankle to start getting some movement going. Lots of things will be stiff and sore, and just seem immovable. I was told to write the alphabet with my foot. Move ankle in circles. Forward and back. Physical therapy will do so much more. I strongly encourage u to ask about massage as part of therapy. 20 years ago I broke RT ankle and massage was big part of therapy. This ankle (left), the clinic I went to didn't do massage and it has made such a big difference. Regrefully, hubby just doesn't do a good job, and I can't reach to apply pressure or movement in the direction I want.

I guess, bottom line, check with ur doc. My progress seemed dependent on xrays and how well everything was healing.

In case u have tried putting full weight on foot, let me be the first to tell u it won't break again! So many of us have been convinced the ankle would break that first time.

During this time, be kind to yourself. Ur ankle will still swell so take time to elevate and ice. Know that this is a long recovery period. To get to ur new normal may be year plus out, but it is amazing how quickly progress can happen. This is also a psychological recovery. The time just to get near normal seems to take so long. Don't despair. It really does get better. Best wishes in ur recovery!

Hi Barry

I was still no weight bearing when I progressed from cast to boot.  The boot was great in getting my heel down after casting, and it was great to be able to take if off when sleeping, as fracture clinic allowed. Once the heel was not an issue I wore the boot very little indoors, just when going out for protection.  Now I am more stable and healed, but still can't fit a normal shoe I've gone on to an orthotic shoe ordered online from Complete Care Shop.  The boot caused a slight knee twist/push reaction, so it was good to stop using it, at appropriate time. Hoping to be able to get into a normal shoe and back to driving soon. (now nearly 5 months post surgery on right ankle distal tibia pilon fracture)  I think you have to see what the boot is doing for you and weigh it up. physios are good at giving the right exercises to progress the muscle strengthening and re-balancing and I massage the foot myself to try to move the swelling but that is quite slow.  Good luck with it! 

Your reply was indeed a big help. I'll take my boot off when I go to bed now. Patience has never been my forte but I suppose there's no time like the present to learn. After 6 weeks of no weight at all on the ankle I'm ready to move past this. Oh well.

Again, thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I was in a cast with my ankle when I was 16 although is was just sprained. Apparently a broken ankle at 45 is not the same thing. Wow. Such a long recovery time. History says I'm a quick healer with a high pain tolerance. Fingers crossed. Pray for patience.

Hi Barry. I fractured my tib and fib and ankle 10months ago. I had operation to put a nail through my tib and screws in ankle.i was non weight-bearing for 8 weeks and then had to start walking without any protection. To say I was anxious and apprehensive is an understatement. But determination and perseverance gets you through. I still get discomfort now from the metal work and swelling and tingling in my foot. I started driving again after 4months and went back to work at 6and half months. I had a weeks holiday in January and when I went back it felt like I was starting all over again. I have an ice pack that I put on my ankle. I can honestly say it's not been as bad as I thought it was going to be, although I now feel my age as it has slowed me down a little. Everyone not is different and pain intolerance is different for everyone. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Oh I only slipped on the 3rd stair form bottom of stairs and could never have imagined it would have broken my leg as bad as I did. Stay determined and strong as you will get there.

Yikes ! 4 months to drive and 6 months back to work ? That's like forever. I just never thought it would take so long. Oh well. Thanks for the feedback.

When u start back driving is dependent on which ankle u broke. If it's ur gas/brake leg, u want to wait until u can make a hard brake. Someone pulls in front of u and u can smash on ur brake. Preferably, u should not be wearing any walking boot either, but I've seen some people suggest they do. Yikes! Some have said boot is off while driving and back on outside car.

And I have also seen some people comment about how quickly they returned to work. I know I could not get back that soon, and I work from home, but make home visits as a case manager. I could not take everyone back when I returned because I couldn't get into their homes. Even sitting at my desk was tiring and my ankle pretty unhappy at the end of the day. I am almost 1 yr out and dependent on my day, my ankle still talks to me. But my recovery has not been the best and I have some nerve damage, so my 1 year is not a happy normal. Here's to u taking a smooth path to a great recovery.

Hang in there Danas Mom. Sounds like the worst is over. You're this much further from where you were and that much closer to where you're going. Peace.

Here's a question to anyone reading this post. As I said before I have had surgery just over 3 weeks ago. It will be 4 weeks on Wednesday. I'm trying to ROM exercises. As it is it's pretty difficult. I can move my ankle from side to side and I think I'm just dealing with stiffness. I can somewhat pull my foot up towards me and put it away a little. I'm fully expecting that to come back. What's kinda scared me today is I can move my toes upwards To my head but when I try curl them down the big toe twitches a little and then everything stops. No matter what I do there's no movement past the initial twitch of the toe. Anyone else experience this. I have numbness in my right foot and afraid that there may be nerve damage. I was also told that I would be NWB for 12 weeks. Wondering if doctors estimate time for NWB changes with how you heal or if it's usually fairly on the money.

Hi, After ORIF surgery for right foot tibia, malleolus and talar dome injury, I was NWB for 12 weeks, and the decision for the extra 6 weeks was made at 6 weeks when the cast was removed, and from the x-ray findings. Whilst NWB I had some tingling pain and sensations like electric shocks.  I found that while NWB my foot swelling didn't reduce much, but as soon as I was allowed to put weight through the foot the swelling started to go down, and the movement improved, but painfully.  I tried to do physio stretches and ankle rolls from 2 months but couldn't do them very fully.  At 6 months, I am hobbling using 1 crutch just to relieve the pain in walking, andI have still got restricted movement, but no nerve damage. Hoping to be back driving in a couple of weeks.  Time is the best healer, but you need patience.  I hope it goes well for you.

It's definitely a long road ahead. Rom excersises are difficult. Not much moving on own so pulling with a towel underneath food. Pins and needles are rough to deal with. Last couple of nights I've slept out of boot which was good because that boot is heavy. Can't believe you just started to drive now. That's really scaring me. Bad enough my mobility is gone for this long but 6 months is a long time. I know patience is needed and I find these forums helpful so hopefully I can stay positive. How are you these days. Do you experience pain swelling. I'm in construction. Always cloning and up high on New buildings in city. Wondering how ankle and bones will hold up under pressure and cold weather in future

I know, thinking ahead about work is the biggest stress! my work involves driving, and I still don't think I'll be able to do distance driving, because the foot locks up when it is still, for more than even half an hour.  A relative who had a similar op when much younger, and is very active now - climbs mountains, skis etc - says his ankle does get sore in the cold weather.  But he does all the activities he did before the accident.  I found oversize Heat Holders socks great - they are stretchy and might help outdoors.  Good luck

Hi everyone,

I live on a mountain and my driveway is long and steep.  My mailbox is nearly 1/2 mile away where my nearest neighbor is.  This was never a problem before the injury, but now I must rely on others to get me to and from my appointments.  If they do not have 4-wheel drive or it snows or have a hard rain, it is unsafe to drive up here.  I am so ready to start driving again and not have to rely on others.

I had a bimalleolus fracture at the ankle and a pin and plate were put in. The doctor informed me at that time that it could be any where from 6 weeks to 3 months before I could start to bare weight or drive, but thought it would be closer to the 6 week mark since I am a healthy nonsmoker.  I was casted for 2 1/2 weeks after the surgery then put into a boot and non weight bearing until my next Dr. appointment, when he will re-xray and evaluate.  I am now 7 weeks post sugery and I will meet with my doctor tomorrow.  I have been eagerly awaiting this appointment, so I could start driving again, but after reading these posts on how long some of you have had to go before driving, I am suddenly depressed.  

I have already booked a non-refundable flight to Florida to visit my son in 4 weeks.  I hope I will be able to drive to the airport by then.  And I have no idea what accommodations I will need to take with me....perhaps a walker or wheelchair or will I be walking by then.  It is very disconcerting not to know.  Wow!  I'm usually a pretty upbeat person, but I guess I'm having a down day.

Hey, steffg! You might drive sooner than you think. I had Trimal ORIF on 8/25/16 I am moderately healthy nonsmoker aged 57. My fracture was on my right ankle and I was able to drive at 9 1/2 weeks. I kept it strictly to PT, gym (stationary bike for ROM), and doctor appointments in town until the 12 week mark. I used a fold up cane when going up stairs or if it was raining. I kept my fold up walker wirh basket in case I needed it in the future. Good luck! .

Hi Lisa,

I hope you are right!  I am also 57 Yo.  Since the accendent, I have been eating as healthy as possible, taking suppliments (magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and vit. D) Also have been doing my PT exercizes daily, so I hope all of this makes for a quick recovery. 

Hi Lisa. Just trying to get a gauge like everyone else here. Broke tibia and fib spiral fracture right at ankle. Dislocation of ankle. No Hardware I'm ankle but tib has 2 plates and 6 screws. Hoping fib just heals on it's own. 9.5 weeks sounds really good. Sounds like you did really well. What type off break you have. I'm 4 weeks post op right now. Surgeon said be 12 weeks NWB.

at came out of my cast after surgery, I had almost no range of motion.  I could wiggle 2 toes (not the big toe-It would twitch but would not wiggle) and could only slightly move my foot back and forth.  no side ways motion.  I was sent directly to physical therapy for my evaluation appointment.  I was informed that I had to get the swelling down before I could start on any ROM exercizes.  He told me how to make my own ice and alcohol pack and I was to ice 4x daily with my leg straight up.  In 2 weeks I started PT.  Reducing swelling helps tremendously with range of motion.  Weeks later, I can now move all of my toes back and forth and can move my foot back and forth and up and down.  My physical therapst says that I will probably only get about 80% of my former range of motion back.  Keep working at it and have patience.  And remember, if your foot is too swallen, it will be hard to get any movement.

Hi, Damien. I broke all three ankle bones (Trimalleoar) . I have a rod and seven screws. Looks kind of bionic in my xray!😱Doing pretty good with my ankle. However, got rear ended Monday afternoon on the way home from the gym by a Jeep! Almost totalled my car. Going to see GP tomorrow since my neck, and shoulders really hurt.

Wow Lisa that kinda sucks. Your life kinda like mine. Almost totaled my car the week before this happened to me. Thankfully not injured in that. Low impact accident with a flatbed pulling my fender of car. I've been dealing with the neck pain since I broke my ankle though. What happen me was a pretty violent workplace incident. High velocity causing spiral breaks. Pain radiates out into shoulder and up in to neck just in right side. Said to doc and til me hit and cold compresses. Had done little good but still I'm doing it. I see doc next week and will go from there. Next Wednesday doc appoint will be 6 weeks post op. So I'm pretty excited to c improvement. It's a pain in the neck waiting and sitting around really not knowing how the healing process is going. Hoping fir weight bearing but prob not. Really hope your doing good. Sounds a little like whiplash that you dealing with. That's what doc said to me. Maybe it subsides. Let me know how you feel. I'm here. Not likely going anywhere for a while.

Hi Steffg, like you I am in my 10th week now post operation and can now bear 50% weight and have started to drive an automatic car. My injury is on the left ankle so its not needed for an auto car. However I have to sit with my foot elevated on the seat as it swells when I have it grounded for too long. So hang in there you should be able to drive soon.

Hi Beezybee,

Thank-you for your comment! I am now walking in Cam-boot with one crutch.  My doctor has given me permission to drive!  I have to take my Cam-boot off when I get to the car and change into a brace and shoe, then put the boot back on before I leave the car.  While it can be a hassel changing the boot and shoe, It has given me freedom that I haven't had since last year!  I can now go to my PT appointments without having to rely on neighbors.  I hope you continue to progress.  It is a long, hard road, but I can now see the light at the end.  We will be walking again!

How are you feeling and progressing? Are you weighbearing now? Since I have been focusing on my neck/shoulder pain from the car accident on 3/13/17 and stopped going to gym a few days after that, now the inside of my ankle from trimalleoar ORIF  8/25/16  is acting up. Using footbath and epsom salts again and back to doing ROM consistently. Just ordered a stationary bike for home since I fot rearended when returning from gym visit to rehab my ankle. This way I won't have to drive there.

Hi, Steff. How are you doing now? I had a little setback after getting rearended on 3/13/17. Put my anklerehab on hold due to neck/shoulder pain and now my inside of ankle is bothering me. Back to epsom salt soaks and doin my ROM exercises consistently.

Hi Lisa,

So sorry to hear about your car accident!  I hope you recover from it soon.

Things are moving along for me with my ankle.  I am out of the cam boot and walking with one crutch.  I didn't have PT for about a month. While I got my insurance straightened out, I joined a gym so I could continue to gain strenght in my BA.  I am now back at PT and learning to walk correctly again.

Thank you. Steff, it sounds like things are getting better for ou. I started PT at 9 weeks (mid November) and was released in the beinning of March. It helped me tremendously. I am starting to feel better now after the car accident (neck and shoulder pain is improving). Trying to deal with the insurance company of the person who hit me. Now I am trying to focus on my ankle again. Take care and good luck with your healing. 

Yes. That's for asking. I'm out of boot. Still using crutches to get around. Lot of pain in the ball of the heal and in the ankle in general but I was expecting that. It's such a hard injury for anyone to go thru and I'm sorry to hear your accident set you back some. I understand how hard it is. PT isn't much fun as we all know. I still get pain around site where fibula broke also. All this rehab and sittings round takes its toll on the mind as well as the body. Sometimes you want to cry that it takes so long. Since I started weight bearing I'm having some pain in the knee. So doc sending me for mri on Thursday. Hopefully just strained or just lack of use causing the pain but at least I'll know. Fear is the unknown. My wife I'm sure has had just about enough of me and I'm not sure how much more she can take. But the fact is I don't know when I'm going to get clearance to go back to work. That's also a fear that I have now of what I'm going to do with myself if I can't get clearance to go back. Job is very physically demanding and there's lots of climbing at high elevations. And since accident i dint know how willing the mind is to go back up high. Not sure what to expect. Hope your feeling better from accident. Talk soon