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Broken ankle 3 weeks post orif, should i put weight on my cast

Posted , 8 users are following.

tara21893
tara21893

Hello everyone.

I'm hoping to get some good advice, I had ankle surgery 3 weeks ago. I have been allowed to touch weight bare for 2 more weeks and then I can full weight bare in an air cast boot but I realised a week ago I can put my weight on my ankle and move about without pain. My question is, am I doing any damage walking on my cast? It's been great not having to use the crutches but I don't want to damage the ankle further.

I look forward to your responses,

Tara

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Jerry137
    Jerry137 tara21893

    Posted

    Hi Tara.  I am struggling to see how you can weight bare 2 weeks after surgery.  Has your doctor recommended this? The bone takes 6 - 8 weeks to heal properly, if not longer, and that is why they typically do not allow weight baring until then, and gradually to start.  The doctor should be taking X-rays to check on the progress of the bone healing before giving the go ahead to start PWB.  I would be VERY careful if I were you.  I started PWB only after 8 weeks.
  • Morrismanc007
    Morrismanc007 tara21893

    Posted

    Honestly I would really listen to your ortho Drs because there could be none union of the bones in your ankle if you are full weight baring instead of toe touch weight baring. This would potentially mean having longer in a cast to having to have a revision of the original operation to metal work infection.

    Not trying to scare you but I now I've said on here before, I work on a trauma unit and I see it everyday of my working life. The outcomes for patients can be not nice and make the recovery and healing period a lot long.

    I would try and rest it and speak to your dr on Monday, he/she might want to do more X-rays just to take the palcement of the bones/mental work for your ORIF. Let us know how you get on.

    • veronica34189
      veronica34189 Morrismanc007

      Posted

      Hello

      2 weeks ago, I had my screws & plates removed due to the screws were showing and hurting me. At the time of surgery. A bone culture was taken. The test shows

      I have a bone infection called Proteus Mirabilis. I'm back in the hospital. And on 24 hours IV and 2 other anabolics. I have 2 open wounds where the hardware was removed. My doctor said I have to be on 24 hours IV for 6 weeks along with wound care. What is the best wound care treatment should I be getting? And is this the best care for this infection? Thanks so much for reading my post. Any advice?

      Thanks,again, Veronica

    • Morrismanc007
      Morrismanc007 veronica34189

      Posted

      Hi Veronica. Sorry to hear you have been having a bad time of it! I would like to think that the wound swab/bone culture would have been sent for a septic screen.

      The results of this will then tell the Drs/pharmacy team what antibiotics will be best to rest the kind of infection that you have. As I'm sure that the infection would be sensitive to certain antibiotics.

      As to the wound dressing it's really difficult to say without seeing the wound. As a nurse it would depend if the wound is oozing, has visible signs of infection i.e. Something called slough.

      We use something called vacuum assisted closure to help wounds heal but these can only be used when there is no bone infection.

      Have you spoken directly to your consultant about your treatment plan? If you haven't I would do, it would probably give you the confidence to know that you are on the correct treatment plan too.

      Also can I ask are you in the uk??

    • veronica34189
      veronica34189 Morrismanc007

      Posted

      Hello Morris

      Thank you for replying back. I'm in the Usa, New Mexico. The doctor did say I have to be on IV Vacomyclin for 6 weeks everyday 24 hours. As far as the wounds,

      I have to come to the wound care clinic for 6 weeks and have treatment with a packing inside the wounds, to close them up, they say they have to heal from the inside then out. This is a long journal ahead. But I just want to get well again.

      Thanks again Veronica

  • Bridg
    Bridg tara21893

    Posted

    Hi Tara

    Do what your surgeon told you. Normally is NWB for the first 6 weeks followed by PWB in a boot for another 2-6 weeks.

    Brigitte

  • sandra81957
    sandra81957 tara21893

    Posted

    I would be very careful. I wasn't Allerton FWB till 11 weeks after my surgery. May be different for you as you say you can do it without pain. I've been FWB for 2weeks now but still in a lot of pain and only now is the swelling easing just a little. I'm 4 weeks into physio with last 2 weeks in the gym. Good luck with everything let us know how your next visit goes. Sx

  • tara21893
    tara21893

    Posted

    Thanks for your responses.

    I think I will stick to what the physio advised and use my crutches, as tempting as it is to walk around without them I don't want to delay the healing process, I'm very keen to have the cast off soon!

  • christina80204
    christina80204 tara21893

    Posted

    My doctor said no weight on it for six weeks and the. He will do X-rays and if all looks good I can FWB. That's in 3 more weeks .

  • jenni_24876
    jenni_24876 tara21893

    Posted

    Tare I think it must depend on the break and the individual healing successes of each surgeon. I was also told to touch weight bear to promote blood flow to bone. I saw 4 surgeons in same centre and got differing advice so I listened to my body and let it tell me what it could do. By 11/12weeks was walking with cane. Injury  24 /3/17 surg a week later plate and screws By 7 weeks no Evidence of break or fracture was visible on X-ray. Please do make sure you level up your legs when walking with boot. Google "Even Up Shoe " this is to avoid secondary injuries to hips back knees and allow ankle to heal straight to front not sticking out to the side. I'm hoping to be back at work in 4 weeks. But have to teach myself how to lift heal off the ground while standing on one leg. I just can't do it. Mental and physical block but do have full foot rotation. I do still have tissue tendon and nerve pain but it's getting better with each day. I wish you well and am sorry you had to join the pain forum. But it has been my sanity and lifesaver. I hope it can do the same for you. Xxxxxxxhappy healing xxxjen 

  • tara21893
    tara21893

    Posted

    Just a little update for you... I had my fibreglass cast removed yesterday. 7 weeks after the break, 5 weeks after surgery.

    I have been given very little information after the cast removal, I have been fitted with an aircast boot and allowed to full weight bare wearing the boot during the day and removing it to sleep and bathe. I must wear the aircast boot for 6 more weeks, then it will be reviewed.

    They didnt provide me with information about physio/ rehab exercises to perform to improved flexibility and strength, they also didn't check my wounds, it looks like I have a skin infection.

    Does anyone have any advice?

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 tara21893

      Posted

      Go straight to GP. I saw mine every time I was worried about something. Don't delay with anything. Your already battling enough. And if given antibiotic make sure you take a probiotic and every time I took an antibiotic Inhad 3 tablespoons of yoghurt wit ab cultures in it. Thrush would not be good on top of all this. Preventing is better than curing

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