8 weeks post op, still very stiff

Very true. I cannot believe how painful breaking an ankle was, I finally have begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I just am trying to progress properly so that I can get back into running and agility

I couldn’t either last year, so intense. I’m going back to my surgeon and discuss getting this hardware out, at this point I’m thinking it may be the source of my ongoing stiffness. It’s not pain like before, just feels weird and uncomfortable. I’m also guessing there is nerve damage from the numbness. There’s so much fancy advice on line, but I found that if I just started doing normal things I did prior, I moved just fine. You are definitely on your way now. It’s amazing how long this type of injury is ongoing - who knew! Lol

Yes. I have been reading up on hardware removal down the line if I notice im still experiencing pain but the past week since being out of the boot I do feel better so Im sure in a few months I will feel even better atleast i hope so. Doctor said its my bone that is hurting on the inner ankle not the large screw so we shall see. But omg I know!!! I am still not back to work yet and they are definitely wondering whats taking so long. People just dont get it & they also dont understand the emotional aspect of the whole injury as well. I drove for the first time yesterday locally and as soon as i got home i bursted into tears from happiness yet also seeing i still have some time until im comfortable driving long distances and all over like i used to for work.

It’s totally confining emotionally, you are just stuck in your head. It’s funny though in the whole scheme of life, it’s really not so long in retrospect. I was in a cast 3 months, then told to wear the boot no weight bearing for 4 weeks. When I got the go ahead, no one could stop me lol but damn, did it hurt. I have two kids, but I really have never felt so much pain in my life - it just didn’t let up, even when elevating with meds it would throb, and the pain breaks you down. Here I am though surviving, and you seem like you are doing great for 8 weeks out. The driving too, how freeing isn’t it to be able to go somewhere independently.

AH yes. I'm so used to being independent that depending on others and not being able to do what I want was probably the hardest lesson out if it. But I'm definitely not the same person I was prior to injury. Def taught me a lot about myself. And wow I give you tons of credit with two children! And yes the pain definitely was the worst part, but like you said once you are cleared to WB you begin to feel better finally. I also was very dependent on my knee scooter which was so much better than crutches during the non WB.

But yes keep pushing through and you will be fine. Human body is definitely amazing and you just need time to heal properly. But yes, Im about 9 weeks now but I still have a pretty bad limp with no assistance so hopefully that goes away soon. I will probably be back to work middle of Sept.

I rented a motorized scooter, cost me a fortune, but totally worth it to zip around doing chores. What an ordeal lol I may never wear heels again, that's how I fell.

Oh yeah I bet. Trying to clean or do anything on a knee scooter was so difficult. But omg crazy!! I can believe it... I missed the first step on the back porch & hit concrete. Both ankles rolled and boom.

Jumping in here... I am about 10 1/2 weeks from ORIF surgery. Busted up, big time, left ankle. Took a chance and ordered an aircast stirup brace for my left ankle ("better braces"). The terrain in our area is bumpy, rocky, etc. I worry about spraining what is left of me. Ha. Found some fantastic vids by bob & brad, 2 phys therapists. It is helping!

do you find the brace makes a difference ?

Remains to be seen. I ordered it online this week. I think it will help. Also saw same brace at local medical supply store & it was $20 more.

I am hopeful.

ouch! I don't even know how I fell but four inch heels are kind of dumb lol just splat and it was dislocated too instantly

Omg yup. My ankle was just hanging as I held in the air, I knew it was broke right away. Never felt anything like that in my life. I'm sure you can agree!!

Never! I tried to get up with the heel still on - nope. I was in public, how embarrassing sitting on the floor waiting for the ambulance. I can laugh now, but not then lol

ugh same!! I thought I could just stand too... once I realized I couldnt I knew it wasnt going to be good. Omg I hear you!!! I wanted an ambulance but somehow managed to let my family carry me... You can definitely laugh now! I noticed I am still having a lot of pain in my sprained ankle lately. Kind've worried about it because I never babied it due to the broken one.

I know someone who sprained an ankle 3 months ago and it still hurts and people post on here about sprains too, it seems they take quite awhile to heal also even when not broken. It’s hard to sit still, but it’s probably in your best interest to elevate and ice that one too as much as you can since you have some goals coming up. What a pain, I know!

Yes I mean it hurt and I was tolerating it thinking I had time before it wouldnt but the past week of course after I saw my ortho its been bothering me more than the broken one. Im not sure if i aggravated the tendons and just need time again but we will see. This is definitely scary and frustrating and I pray that everything will be fine in time as my main focus as been my goals... its almost like something said here ill mess up both ur ankles so you have to wait even longer... i just dont get it honestly.

It’s just a hiccup in life. When you are in the middle of it, it seems like everything, but now that it’s more so in my past, it seems very far away and you’ll feel the same soon. When I started ankle physical therapy, I was driving home from that appointment, so happy I was regaining my freedom, and a 75 yr old woman took a left almost directly in front of me. I slammed into her no time to stop, hurt my back and my knee, and now the knee surgeon is recommending surgery. Another hiccup, so I totally understand asking why?! I think the tendons are the most difficult pain and long lasting, more so to me than the actual broken bone. My surgeon told me this event would be about a year, and he was right, but it’s still going over a year. But this year was so much better lol. Do you compress the sprained ankle with a simple ankle brace you pick up at the pharmacy, all the time - totally helps too. If I walk around the house compressing even now, it feels great. You will totally heal up fine, it’s just a matter of patience, but who has time for that lol!

Yes you are so right. I keep thinking of next summer how I will say this time last summer I was challenged more than I ever thought possible.

Awwwe, I cant believe that. I was literally thinking the same as I drove for the first time last week praying no one would pull any dumb moves infront or back of me. And now that I am being more cautious I see how crazy people really drive.

& I agree thats definitely what I think is bothering me too. and one of the most frustrating things is when people question the time it takes to heal. So many people keep saying you're still not better? Like as if im just supposed to magically heal but then I remember before I got hurt I never really used to understand the severity of injuries or pain. So I do get it... I'm glad to hear this year was so much better. Hopefully things continue to get better for you.

And no I wasnt using anything but PT wrapped my sprained ankle last week with sports tape but it only lasted a few days and now I have both ankles wrapped again with sports tape. Im definitely going to invest in braces for each ankle as now Im starting to be on my feet a lot more and by the end of the day I can barely walk honestly. Hopefully that goes away. But exactly!!! Ive learned to be patient as Ive never been a patient person always on the go go go. But somedays these injuries definitely test my patience majorly. Im still young and I feel theres stigma towards that as well like oh youre young you should be fine by now.

2 months is nothing for an ankle injury, it takes your bone 6 weeks at a minimum to fuse back together and you are moving good, although still hurting. People understanding is kind of like death in a family, no one will ever understand until they have gone through it. Like you say, you’re young, so what if your goal gets put off just a little, or dumb dumbs don’t get it and why this is an extended injury - there is a lifetime ahead of you! You really should pick up the cheap ankle braces, excellent for around the house walking. In fact, I’m going to put mine on because I have tons to do and it makes it feel sooo good lol

Lyndsay, got my new aircast stirrup brace! Wore it today and am impressed, totally! Wore it around the house for the afternoon. Redness, puffiness/swelling disappeared! Big improvement in walking & pain level. Highly recommend.

Thanks Kim you are right, I appreciate your support. And yes I am definitely going to look for braces, I just ordered a new pair of trainers. I have been using an older pair of Adidas ultra boost and they have made all the difference. So I ordered a new pair and now I just need the braces. I cleaned all my floors downstairs today, how tiring! but I am definitely starting to feel better each day which is great. Just cant wait to not have a limp on either side!