Ankle Fracture Rehabilitation

You should not be in desperate situation but you must go through physical therapy. After six weeks of no weight bearing, physical therapy must start now and you should start putting weight on injured leg in a couple of weeks. Expect swelling and some pain. I will start physical therapy this week. My surgeon told me to expect swelling and I still have pins and needles type of pain. I too may have to postpone travel unfortunately. Keep up your spirit and you'll be back walking in a couple of months. It is such a slow process. You have to be careful and patient. Nick

I understand your pain and confusion. I am 10 weeks post fracture and still in a cast. I have the same fears as you. When do you see your doctor again? Are you are to put weight on it?

There are lots of posts on this site that will help you.  I'm sorry your doctor has not been more forthcoming, but most of us have had the same experience.  You should call for a physio appointment.  If it's far out, you may want to pay out of pocket.  I am 51/2 months post op.  The recovery is gradual, each person a little different depending on injury, age etc.  Some of the beginning exercises are pointing your toes and dorsiflexion, twisting the ankle in both directions, writing the alpabet with your toes, using a stretchy band in all directions. Weight bearing is gradual using crutches, then wean to one crutch.  I totally understand the need for speed and this has been a lesson in patience (I failed many days).  Try to take one day at a time, it will be over before we know it.  Physio will help you make a plan and give you some answers.  Best of luck!

Hi Iris.

Go and see your GP for a referral for physio. You will walk again given time and there is no magic wand. I was in the camboot for months and had a difficult time walking and weight bearing. I was walking unaided at post op 5 MONTHS. I am now 7 months post op and still in pain. I'm having physiotherapy and hydrotherapy but still can't walk properly but I've been through hell and I have come a long way. I am still recovering but don't have the level of movement in my ankle I once had. I have 4 plates on fibula and tibia with screws and 2 screws in the inner ankle bone, these two, i can feel them digging in most of the time and it's not at all pleasant. You will feel anxious and that's normal and you will have good and bad days with feelings of helplessness. It's a time thing with a broken ankle, some heal quicker than others and there are also degree of breaks, age, bone strength, etc, these are all factors we have to consider with the healing process. Just know you are not alone and the people who will understand are the people who have been through this. I forgot how to walk and still have great fears of falling. Keep positive and just know that, this too shall pass. 🙂

* That is 2 plates. 🙃

Hi Iris

Like most others have said it is physiotherapy that will get your ankle moving again. I do sympathise with you because when my plaster was removed 6 weeks ago my ankle couldn't move. I have a plate and screws and ankle was dislocated.  3 days later I was at physio and did gentle exercises which over the weeks have been increased in difficulty and balance. Also the foot is manipulated which after awhile does hurt and then the physiotherapist stops. I used crutches at first and did walking between 2 parallel bars which gave confidence. I didn't have a boot.

I do the exercises at least 5 times a day at home and by evening the ankle is swollen and aches but is a lot better after a nights sleep. I can now walk unaided but still quite slowly.

I do hope you can get your ankle working and follow the exercises shown on some web sites. A lot are what I have been given at physio.   There is a saying "no pain, no gain" and it is true for ankle injury. Don't be depressed because with continual exercise you will soon walk.  Best wishes.

I had a cast on for 2 months and had to demand that I had physio as I could feel that my mustles were tight. I'm still having 30 mins pt every 3 weeks, which is basically e45 cream massaged into my ankle and a couple of balancing exercises on a board. My ankle has never stopped being swollen in all of my 6 months since injury. It isn't easy, I have good and bad days, I've had a few sleepless nights recently questioning my past and future, it is so hard as my life style has always been physical and now, it's just bed and work. I'm sorry to sound depressive as I know that all of us are experiencing the very same, just different levels of anxiety and depression.

I have had to postpone my travel from Uk to Clevelend this May to visit family, as I know I just am not ready for a 10 hour plus flight and delays.

Hope you are able to go on your second holiday, as this maybe the tonic that you need to make you feel better within yourself. Take care

Oh my god my heart goes out to you, first and foremost you need to see a gp or physio and tell them you have no aftercare plan and the problems you are having. Ask your gp to refer you to a specialist, do not wait act now, and heres why!! I broke my ankle july 2015 and after a long nightmarish 6 months i have just had surgery with a plate five pins put in and back on my arse staring longingly out at my poor horse lol after surgery i was informed that the SYNDESMOSIS was completely ruputured and he had to do a bone graft with two long pins going through my fibula and tibia till it fuses, totally gutted. I am a dairy farmer and do endurance riding and since this happened have not done either, I saw many people had an MRI in october which got mixed opinions and finally my gp went nuts at acc and sent me to a specialist who got a ct scan done and orgainised surgery within a fortnight. I now have permanent damage through so long with it being out of alignment by 3mm which has caused lost of cartilidge etc, so i beg you to take the matter into your own hands and seek the best advice from the right person (Orthopedic Surgeon) as soon as possible, I wish a far better outcome for you than where i am, looking at at least 9 months recovery with an unsure outcome lol BIGGEST HUGS as I know how this takes its toll not knowing!!!