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

No I have not experience that..but I can feel the plate my leg urgh!

Your recovery gives me hope.

very different to my experience, breaking maleolus, tibia and talus in Sept 2016. I had ORIF surgery ten days later when the swelling had reduced, then 12 weeks no weight bearing in a cast for 6 weeks and boot for 6 weeks.  I am now building up weight bearing with crutches, which was very difficult for the next 4 weeks with swelling and pain. It's improving and I can walk a short way with no crutches very awkwardly. Still can't fit a normal shoe, so use the boot outdooors, and slipper sock indoors.  I haven't used one crutch as this seems to hurt my hip.  getting there slowly.  It takes time, but hopefully will eventually be able to walk normally although with a stiff foot, as prognosis was.  good luck and be patient! 

After reading your post, I was quite relieved. You had the ORIF done after more than a year of your injury. I also had tibial and fibulae fractures 3 months ago and was put on a cast. I'm still on 20%WB on a boot . In case of misalignment I also want surgery(ORIF)to fix it. How are you feeling by the way? This post was 4 months ago. I hope everything is fine. Hope to hear from you. Araceli

Hi - my physio recommended using Aqueous cream (E45)on the skin around the scars which has made a big difference to the foot generally. I'm still not driving, but is a right ankle injury.  At 4 months the foot is still very inflexible,I  can just do 10 degrees and doesn't seem to be improving with time, despite doing all those exercises. weight bearing is getting less painful and stronger every day.  Perhaps the rest will follow.  I can't believe how much time this takes! I'm sure no-one will tell you off - you can only do what you can do! good luck!

Thanks for that tip, I will try the cream.  I'm glad to hear your weight bearing is getting stronger every day, that's encouraging to hear.  What sort of shoes are you hoping to wear soon?  I'd be happy to wear trainers, or Dr. Martens again.

After I remove my boot, it's in a fairly nice position with my heel down, etc., but then it doesn't want to bend the other way. And after I wake up (sleeping without the boot), it doesn't want to get into that boot position again.  Grrr.

Hey, do you wake up with the urge to stretch?  I get a nearly uncontrollable urge to stretch both legs as far as they will go but I'm scared to do it to my left foot in case it cramps up or....???  I don't know. When I point my foot forward too far, I feel the plate and screws resisting on the left side of my left ankle.  

yes, I was told "it won't be your old foot" and "you will be able to walk without a stick but it will always feel as if you have a stiff ankle." so the outcome in my case won't be ideal and my main worry is whether I will be able to drive and wear a shoe.

I can't wear a normal shoe yet on the right foot.  i bought some Gabor zip and lace up desert boots, which open wide and, a size up from my usual size, but I still can't get the right foot into it.  How much more wil the swelling come down?  not too sure, but I am told "the swelling is the last thing to come right." so I hope will get better with time.

In the first three months I slept badly, waking to re-arrange my foot on a pillow frequently.  Now I sleep better and longer, but the foot is very solid and painful when i wake up and takes a while for movement to ease that out.  For a while i woke up with pain from the foot right up the leg to the hip - I think that was circulation issues when non weight bearing and seems to happen less now.  I think stretching gently is good, but wouldn't push it.

I also worried about my ankle position and thought at 6 weeks that it would never go into place.  Wearing the boot corrected that but also had an effect on the back of my knee which felt as if it was flexing backwards when I started trying to walk.  Now that I only wear the boot  when going out, that has stopped.

Indoors I now wear flat shoe and a thick sock and out doors still use the boot as i can't get into a normal shoe.  Just can't wait to be able to wear a normal shoe again!

I'm a bit like Cinderella trying on the slipper every fortnight!

take it easy and don't get down, although it can seem like a never ending nightmare at times.

Great thread with lots of experience and stories. I had broke my left ankle due to bike accident on 21-dec-16, trimallealor fracture with fibula broken, tibia cracked and dislocated. ORIF surgery on 22nd, plate to bridge the fibula with 7 screws, 3 screws to disclose the tibia. First 2 weeks in splint and staples removed after 14 days. 3 weeks in encircling cast. Last week doctor told me start PWB with crutches but the stupid physio didn't teach anything as they were on lunch break (and I know how to use crutches from earlier leg injuries) He said just try to put weight on your toes first then on the entire foot. No idea how much is ok or too much. I tried putting the foot down and our some weight (~15%) and everything seems ok but I get tingling sensation in all the plates and screws. Not really a pain but an irritation. I want to do enough movement and weight bearing to facilitate recovery but don't want to hurt anything. Any advice on this?

Now coming up on 6 weeks, doctor said they will remove cast and start now weight bearing. I hope the PT will teach more exercises this time. Been on leave ever since the injury. Starting work (from home) today and going to office from next week. My manager has been quite understanding so far.

Like others, I found that positive attitude helps. The healing takes it's own time, no point rushing it. I got lots of support from both sides of my family (my parents, brothers and in-laws). If you can ignore their excess advising, they are quite valuable

Wishing speedy recovery to all!

Stabilize the tibia, not disclose it. Also, should I ask for boots after cast removal? Does it help or hurt more?

Positive attitude and a sense of humor, for sure!  I have found lots of PT advice on google and youtube.  I'm still NWB so I can't do them yet, but I'm pretty sure with a bit of research you can fill in the missing pieces, and (obviously) figure out the ones who are the most legitimate. 

Someone told me to stretch and arch and flex my foot and wiggle my toes as much as possible in the cast, to prepare it for the day when it comes off.  He said his OS forgot to tell him that so he kept it very still and as a result was in pain when they removed his cast. 

I have a boot after my cast, and I feel very protected when I wear it, plus it helps my heel flex into the correct position.  Wearing it too long hurts my skin though, like blister pain. 

And kiki099, I'm scared I shall die every time I take a shower.  It's so scary for me to jump over the threshold, I'm afraid I will slip. 

I have been driving since 5 days after my surgery because the cast is on my left foot.  I only do it when I have to, the rest of the time I keep my foot elevated. 

I am right ahead of you on the recovery path. I had a trimalleolar fracture of my left ankle on December 17th 2016 and following ORIF on December 18th, NWB for 6 weeks and finally release to PWB on January 25th.  I had two very good physical therapy sessions since then. During the first session they measured a range of motion, massaged the incisions (hurts a lot), and showed three basic exercises:  pointing and flexing your foot, pulling foot with a towel while flexing your foot, and trying to do small squats while facing a wall. Wall should be touching or almost touching your toes. I also was shown how to clime and descend stairs while on crutches. I was sent home to do above exercises + alphabet (writing letters of the alphabet with the tows).

I came to my first session in a cam boot and two crutches. I was afraid to do anything to my foot. Ounce I have seen the way Ph. Therapist handled my foot I figured out that I will not break it with exercises.   I ditched my cam boot and one crutch next day. I was trying to keep moving and massaging the scars. Massaging the scars feels as jabbing finger into a bruise.  I came in to a second session (two days since my  first one) and what a difference in the range of motion it was! It is worth all the pains and aches I endured.

During my second session I was given a massage again ( OMG!) and shown more intricate exercises  : bunching towel with your toes, lifting big toe only, lifting all toes, but the big one, and pulling/pushing ankle in different directions with resistance rubber band (for recovering strength). I finished the session with 10 min on stationary with “0” resistance setting.

I also went to a pool twice on my own. Walking in the chest high water is good. My Ph. Therapist said that this is of the best exercises you can have.

So I guess my point is to not be afraid to put that ankle to work.  

I wish all of us a speedy recovery.

Thanks for the tips. Great pointers. I had my doctor's appt yesterday. They did an x-ray and doc said it looks great and he's "very happy" with the progress. When I saw the x-ray, I could still see the crack on one end of fibula but the other end looks like it's beginning to fuse. Don't know why he was so happy. I thought it wouldn't healed fully by now.

Anyways, they removed the hard cast and gave me an aircast. The dang thing's expensive and heavy. Hope my insurance covers it.

I'm now on full weight bearing at tolerance with one crutch and the boot. I can keep my leg open when not walking.

Doc prescribed some PT including wax bath and some exercises. I went to the PT department anxious what will happen. They assigned me the same guy who didn't teach me anything last time and I told them I can't go to that guy as he didn't teach me anything. They reassignd Mr

Sorry host post by mistake...

They assigned me another therapist. She checked my range of motion and said I have very good range and my symptoms don't look like I had a trimallealor and ORIF which made me really happy. She taught me whole bunch of exercises like curling toes, picking up stones with toes, ankle movement and rotation all to be done in warm water. Also some stand-up exercises like shifting my weight side to side and front and back, marching (while holding something). Also the stretching exercises with band or towel.

She also taught me how to walk with one crutch and the boot. Overall great session. Only doubt is, should I get second opinion about the wax? Does it help any? Or should I just skip it?

I did a whole bunch of the exercises yesterday and lots of walking today (I am shifting my house). Again did some more exercises tonight. Not sure if I'm overdoing it.. but so far so good.

I got some pain all over my ankle (tolerable) and significant swelling. I think the swelling in normal.. should I ice the swelling at night or elevation should be enough for it to subside?

When they removed the cast, my skin was a motley of dark and white patches and lots of skin peeling. I washed my leg twice so far and most of the dead skin has come off. Is there any cream that we can use to smooth it out?

I am starting commute to office on Monday. Hope I can start doing things normally soon!

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support. I will check online for more exercises.

Sorry for the long posts. Wanted to share my good news with someone who understands!

One tip re jumping over high obstacles that I found useful as one of my bathrooms has a really high step and a guard in addition for total of about 14 inches.. I turn around as though I'm coming out of the bathroom and keep the supports (walker or crutches) and jump backwards with my good leg. Then I take my bad leg in. It's much easier than it sounds as your body leans forward and you get full support there. And it's easier to bend your knees and hip to rise your leg on the backside than on the front. Might help you if you're facing the same problem.

Hi there!

I am glad to hear good news. My ankle swells as well. I just ice it for 20 – 3 min before going to bed. I put whole bunch of folded blankets underneath bed sheet at that keeps my leg elevated during the night. The foot feels way better in the morning. I have not heard anything about wax baths. I tried to google it and came up with one study results “Efficacy of Paraffin Wax Bath with and without Joint Mobilization Techniques in Rehabilitation of post-Traumatic stiff hand

So it may be all right to try. It especially if you insurance pay for it. Have you tried to walk without a boot? I found it easier than with the boot. My boot had a stiff rolling sole and it made my legs uneven and I was hobbling side to side.

I am actually starting to move without a crutch while I am at home

Wow thanks! I will try this!

Thanks for the descriptions of these exercises. I especially appreciate how you mentioned that your physical therapist handled your foot and food in a way that made you confident. My OS basically told me I would not rebreak my ankle by stretching. But it's great to hear it again.

Great to hear how far you've recovered, and your exercises too. I'm looking forward to starting PT in 3 weeks.

Thanks Greenolive, Julie for the encouraging words. I'll try the ice tonight. Today morning most of the swelling subsided with just elevation and rest.

Even I feel that not using the boot is more comfortable. Today I tried walking with one crutch without the boot. I'm able to walk with similar maybe slightly pain. Still tolerable and more comfortable than the damn boot.

Inspired by you, I tired walking a few steps without crutches. I am able to walk but with a bit of limp and pain; also I'm still scared I might break something so I'll try little by little.

Thanks all and speedy recovery to all!

I noticed that I keep my injured foot a bit to a side while walking with one crutch. It seems to be logical as I don't want to put all the weight on it, but it makes me to step on inside of my foot vs putting it straight to the floor. When I try to walk without a crutch and put my foot correctly (straight to the floor, heel to the ball of the foot) the muscle(s) on inside of the ankle hurt(s) a lot+ inside incision feels really tight. But there is no limp that way. It looks like I lost lots of muscle mass and flexibility. I went to a pool yesterday evening and swam for an hour (crawl, breast, back). Incisions are super sensitive: I could feel them even while only pulling (no kick). So basically I could feel incisions while just dragging injured leg through the water I read somewhere that it is possibly due to nerve endings regrowing and it needs to be desensitized by massaging. I was told by my surgeon and my physical therapist that I could not re-break a leg just by walking on it. It has been exactly seven weeks since my ORIF yesterday. I hope that everyone is feeling good today.

Hi I'm now 20 weeks post op open ankle fusion with nail / pins . I'm glad to hear thing are moving forward for u 😀.i went last week for yet another check up and was told to come back on the 27th ov march to have another X-ray im still having to use my walker boot daily without it my ankle just get angry and swells the pain and stiffness is not much better still taking lots ov pain killers mainly for the burning shooting pain when I put my foot down under load I'm not moaning though because it is better than it was so hears hoping it has bin a huge life changing operation and I feel that in months to come it will improve but I've bin advised it could take a full year for it to heal fully so keep smiling 😀😀

Hi Sean,

Have you gone to Physical Therapy? I have asked my PT and he said that people with my type of injury start walking unaided in three weeks or so. Of course, he said that everyone is different and there is no guarantee. Swelling and pain is normal for 18 months from what I read. I can not walk for a long time without a crutch. Just hobbling around the house where could stop and take a breath any time. I take my crutch when going outside. PT exercises and just plain walking hurts. I do cry sometimes. It makes me feel better. I am planning to remove hardware from my leg sometime in May. I am not looking forward to this experience though. I wish you a speedy recovery. Let us know how you are doing.

Hi I was told pt would not help as such because it's bin fused together or at least untill the fusion is said to be a success .so time will tell .thanks for u kind thoughts .i will let u no my progress .

Sean, it appears yours is a quite severe injury. Since the entire ankle joint is immobilised, I think yes pt can't help until the joint heals well enough to remove the implants. I hope you recover well and soon

@GreenOlive, thanks again for sharing your experiences. Today I had my follow up PT session. The guy came home, saw my x-rays and treatment. I explained the exercises I'm doing and he saw my ankle. He said that I'm the first patient he has seen who has recovered so well in 6 weeks and it's healing perfectly fine. Asked me to keep doing the same exercises but gradually increase the number of sets/time everyday.

Reading your posts, swimming seems like a lot of fun and a great idea. Need to find a swimming pool nearby with hot water.

Thanks again for sharing and keep moving/healing. We will get over this!

Sean, how are you doing ? Did you get your x-rays done? I keep my fingers crossed.

Aww how nice ov u to even think about me thanku.i was going yesterday but it's bin put back till the 10th ov April .but yes I'm still on and of my crutches good and bad days it's bin a long job I'm 7 months in now I've tried a odd day of pain killers not a good idea att all but over all feel like I'm getting there mybe a few more months but hey better than it was before thank u hope ur doing well ?

Hang on there, Sean! I am pulling for you! You come by and let me know after the 10th or I will have to go after you again I have been doing fairly well. I could walk unaided for an hour or so now, but my ankle still swells and aches. I also have troubles going downstairs and can not run at all. I am hoping that ROM will increase with a second surgery due sometime in the summer. Keep in touch.

So glad for this thread. I felt like I was being a crybaby. Broke my ankle 03/15/2017 and was put in a hard cast. I had surgery on 03/23/2017 and back in the cast. It it is uncomfortable as all get out, I don't sleep well and have that urge to stretch, which is the weirdest symptom. My first post surgery exam is 04/7/2017. Not sure what if any changes will occur this soon as I have already been warned it's a long recovery process.

It is a long process. 2 weeks after my surgery they took xrays but didn't even look for healing. Just me out of the cast and into a boot that day. It takes a lot of help to get thru the injury. Chin up though cause time does move. I broke tibia and fibula. Spiral fracture. Tibia right down at joint and fibula few inches higher. Got 2 plates and 6 screws on tibia. Takes a long time til you get comfortable. Once in the boot they allowed me to take it off to sleep and when sitting just to try get ROM back in foot. Hopefully it goes good for you but I found these threads really good. Sorry to hear bout the injury. Broke mine 1/31/17. Just started PT this week. Hope you recover goes good. If you have any questions this is the place to post . Lots of answers and understating here. Good luck.

The stretching thing gets me nearly every morning (ouch). So? Has this gotten better further into recovery?

HI there, Sean! How did your visit go? 

Hi hope ur well ? Didn't go the best I'd hoped need to go for yet another MRI scan it doesn't seem to be fusing right still a lot ov pain in the heel he feels there is a problem somewhere as I should be a lot better than I am 7 months in . But he did say at the start ov all this it might not work so I'm sure time will tell fingers crossed 😁