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Broke & had surgery on my ankle 2 weeks ago and don't have a cast-looking for rehabilitation advice

Posted , 4 users are following.

fayelouise.xo
fayelouise.xo

Hi guys, I broke my tib and fib ankle bones 2 weeks ago when I landed on the side of my foot after doing a front somersault. I was in plaster cast for one night and the next day I had surgery and now have two screw and one metal plate.

Since the surgery I haven't had a cast or even any bandages, just small dressings on the wounds and was initially given a shoe to walk in, however I have stopped wearing it as I can now fit a normal shoe on.

I was told I was 'weight baring as pain allows' with crutches when walking, and that I'd be able to walk unaided within 6 weeks from the accident. I'm having physio once a week and doing physio at home for around 5 hours per day in between, and whilst I can see some improvement the range of movement in my ankle is still very limited which nt physiotherapist says is a cause for concern.

The pain has pretty much subsided in my ankle however it's still quite swollen and I am getting horrendous cramps. I was just wondering if anybody has had a similar experience to this (surgery followed by no cast) as I am struggling to find any info about this online! Is 6 weeks a realistic rehabilitation period? I thought so but I have since read so many stories of people taking months to be able to walk!

NB I'm 22 and a fit and healthy gymnast

Thanks!!

Faye

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • damien04647
    damien04647 fayelouise.xo

    Posted

    Sad to hear your story. But I feel your pain. I'm just over 3 weeks post surgery. 4 weeks since I broke my tibia and fibula. Both spiral breaks. Had 2 plates and 6 screws inserted. I have been reading a lot of these forums of late and have found ppl have healed pretty quickly. Drs.for the most part are on the money. Just listen to them and go with it. Do over do it is a very important thing I've read. We all want to get up and run the half marathon but we have to give it enough time to heal. And if your active gymnast then you want it healed strong. As for me as I said I'm just over 3 weeks post surgery. NWB right now. I was told the day of surgery that it would be 12 weeks with no weight. So I've got just under 9 to go. These things take time. Also patience strength and help from loved ones. I'm just here trying to find answers like everyone else and I have to say thank you to everyone who posts on these forums because they really do help. Ppl really don't understand the seriousness of the injury. Lol. I've ppl asking me to come back to work already. I can't even drive my car. Stay strong and focused. You will know when it's healed.

    • yvonne13888
      yvonne13888 damien04647

      Posted

      Good advice you have. It's right on. Time will heal. And we will know when it's healed.

    • damien04647
      damien04647 yvonne13888

      Posted

      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.

    • fayelouise.xo
      fayelouise.xo damien04647

      Posted

      I'm experiencing this exact same problem with ROM. I find it the hardest to pull the foot towards me and have the twitching sensation you described. I mentioned this to my physiotherapist and he said it'll get better with time. The top of my foot is very numb too and is apparently to do with nerves but is not necessarily damaged. I've been told to massage the numb area as touching it makes the feeling come back, and so far this is working! The feeling won't come back straight away but after a few months (apparently) it should! Hope this helps!

    • rockin1shoe
      rockin1shoe damien04647

      Posted

      Hi.  I am at week 14 and am just starting to get control over my toes and range of motion and strength in them?  Look into something called a foot gym.  It has 3 levels of band that can be increased as you gain strength in your toes.  It is positioned onto a wedge.  You do toe crutches and toe lifts with it to help your flexibility and strength.  It has been quite helpful.  You can have someone hold your big toe down and work to lift the 4 toes and then switch and have them hold the 4 toes and then lift your big toe.  
    • damien04647
      damien04647 rockin1shoe

      Posted

      Thanks for advise. Will definitely look into it. This is such a pain in butt injury. Summer is fast approaching and little daughter wants to learn to ride bike. Hoping for small miracle but unrealistic at this point. See doc in 2 weeks which will be 6 weeks post op. Not expecting weight bearing news at that point. Initially said minimum 12 weeks. Time will tell and I know you can't rush art. sad

    • rockin1shoe
      rockin1shoe damien04647

      Posted

      You can not rush it and perhaps running next to your daughter on a bike will be a bit much but I can tell you that last week I got on an exercise bike and it did not hurt at all.  So maybe someone can do the running and holding her and you can pedal a bike next to her very carefully.  As long as you are there cheering her on that is the most important thing.  
  • fayelouise.xo
    fayelouise.xo

    Posted

    Thanks so much for all of the advice and support! I seen the doctor for my 2 week check up today and I am honestly amazed- my dressings have been removed and I have been told to start swimming to said physio, but the craziest thing is he says the bone is healing so well that I can now bare full weight on my ankle as soon as I feel ready, and I can start walking without crutches!!! I am over the moon with this news, however as soon as I tried 2 steps with no crutches I fell over.... so I'm finding it hard to get back into walking, does anybody have any advice on this?

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