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6 weeks post op, can bear weight, no PT yet

Posted , 7 users are following.

brooke22660
brooke22660

So today was my 6 weeks post op appt! We did an X-ray and he cleared me to start weight bearing in the boot. No PT yet tho - said not til maybe after I see him in a month. And no swimming/getting in the pool. I’m bummed. He said PT would possibly wiggle my screws loose and cause problems. I tried to walk after leaving and umm no way lol. Hurts, feels awkward, etc. I don’t know where to even start. Does this sound typical? I feel discouraged since I can’t get in pool sad 

1 like, 19 replies

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  • tricia09818
    tricia09818 brooke22660

    Posted

    Do what I was instructed- partial weight bearing in boot with two crutches, then more with one crutch (opposite side as injury) gradually til full weight bearing in boot. 

    Physical therapy just gave exercises that I was doing anyway plus helping me know how much weight to wear and gait training. You need to get an Even Up to strap to your shoe on the good foot. It makes you even and keeps you from getting hip and back pain.

    You’re on your way back to normal but remember, it takes time.

  • teri88200
    teri88200 brooke22660

    Posted

    Hi Brooke. I am 8 weeks post op. I went from cast NWB, to boot and told I could start walking and bear as much weight as I could tolerate. After a week in boot, and using one crutch I was walking. Very slowly. I'm now on week 2 with boot and using no crutches. Very slow go. I go tomorrow for follow up. I too can not to have PT yet. Doctor does not want any excessive movement in joint yet. I have little to no range of motion and a lot of swelling.

    I was hoping pool exercise would be ok as its easy on the joints. Don't get discouraged, we are in the same boat. I was walking up to 7 miles a day pre surgery. I'm 49, and worried I won't get back, but trust the process, I keep reading it's a long recovery.

    Good luck and post updates. Its nice to read what works for best healing.

    • brooke22660
      brooke22660 teri88200

      Posted

      Thank you for the encouragement.  I was sooo disappointed not to start swimming. And surprised at the no PT yet. Glad to hear it’s not just me who has had these instructions (although I’m sorry for you!) 

      Keep your head up and happy healing to both of  us! What a journey 

    • mark21131
      mark21131 teri88200

      Posted

      Teri

      I hope you get better soon; it’s been 5 weeks yesterday since I had surgery on my right ankle. I had a double fracture and had 10 inch plate and 10 screws placed in me. I don’t wish this on anyone but it takes a lot of patience. Being my right makes it harder; havent driven since this happened to me. Did you have a lot of numbness/tinkling in your foot? I have and it hurts and sometimes sleeping is difficult.

    • teri88200
      teri88200 mark21131

      Posted

      Hi Mark. I was in a cast for 6 full weeks. 3 inch plate, 7 screws total on outside and 2 inside 9f ankle. Lots of swelling, my toes tingled quite a bit the entire time I was in a hard cast. I just made sure I elevated and iced over cast every night. And wiggle your toes alot. I am completely out of cast and boot (4 days) Slowly learning how to walk. Incision areas are very tender and the first week sleeping, everything that touched my ankle felt foreign. Yes, it is a very slow recovery process. I just followed all of the doctors orders to a T. My toes no longer tingle, but have quite a bit of swelling by the end of each day. Hang in there, and hope you continue to heal and improve.
    • mark21131
      mark21131 teri88200

      Posted

      Thanks Teri

      I went for the boot instead of a cast; from what I read it will take a while and I don’t wish this on anyone. Luckily I have a good family and they helped me out a lot. Glad to know there is this group discussion and to know we aren’t alone. Patience; time and rest are the key in recovering from this.

  • teri88200
    teri88200 brooke22660

    Posted

    Hi Brooke. I am 8 weeks post op. I went from cast NWB, to boot and told I could start walking and bear as much weight as I could tolerate. After a week in boot, and using one crutch I was walking. Very slowly. I'm now on week 2 with boot and using no crutches. Very slow go. I go tomorrow for follow up. I too can not to have PT yet. Doctor does not want any excessive movement in joint yet. I have little to no range of motion and a lot of swelling.

    I was hoping pool exercise would be ok as its easy on the joints. Don't get discouraged, we are in the same boat. I was walking up to 7 miles a day pre surgery. I'm 49, and worried I won't get back, but trust the process, I keep reading it's a long recovery.

    Good luck and post updates. Its nice to read what works for best healing.

    • brooke22660
      brooke22660 teri88200

      Posted

      Thank you Teri. It does sound like we’re in the same boat! I appreciate you responding and giving encouragement. I hope yours continues to get easier and time passes quickly for both of us!
  • warren31723
    warren31723 brooke22660

    Posted

    I'm still trying to walk without crutches. Cleared me to walk April 10 it's the 16th of May. Still not able to ambulate on my own. I've been in pt since just after the tenth of April. This is my 5th week in pt. I'm a 57 year old male with bimolllear fracture. Hope yours does better.

    • warren31723
      warren31723 brooke22660

      Posted

      I was able to walk a couple steps with one crutch today. Still quite painful. Been down since 1-22-18. Thanks for your reply. I need all the support I can get. Nobody understands unless you have gone through this. I'm far from being out of the woods.

    • teri88200
      teri88200 warren31723

      Posted

      Hang in there. It is a very slow recovery process. One day at a time. It's good we have groups like these to help encourage each other. Sending healing vibes your way.

  • anna62340
    anna62340 brooke22660

    Posted

    The more replies and discussions I read the more I am amazed how much medical advice varies from patient to patient. Of course I understand that each 'case' is different but there is a huge difference for one person to be put in a boot two weeks after surgery with instruction to walk and someone else told to the same after 6 weeks!

    As for PT, I, for example, been told that I should have started PT when I was still at the boot stage, rather than at 7 weeks post op. My physiotherapist (private) is very hands on whilst the NHS one just gives me exercises to do at home. In the end one has to listen to one's doctors and to own body. I walk without cruthes but after a short walk my foot still swells and stiffens. Patience is definitely a virtue under these circumstances.

    • brooke22660
      brooke22660 anna62340

      Posted

      Agree it’s crazy the variations! I’m obviously going to listen to my doctor but it’s wild to hear how different docs are. I wanted a jumpstart on my healing and felt delaying PT was a setback sad but maybe not! Trying to stay optimistic 
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