Broken Ankle Sleeping in boot

I dislocated my ankle on 7/3/17 which tore some ligaments and broke my fibula. I think there's some small break on the back of my ankle too. I had surgery on 7/10 to put a screw in my ankle due to the torn ligaments not holding my foot in the right position anymore, and a plate on my fibula. I have a two week post-op appt tomorrow and was told I'd get a boot. I've been off pain meds for a week, but I'm very much looking forward to the boot because the splint is quite tight on my leg. The only way I feel comfortable is with my leg elevated. As soon as I put it down, I can feel the blood rush in and it gets very tight. Basically because of that, and non weight bearing orders, I'm couch bound all day. I am so very lucky that both my husband and I have the option to work from home so I have had him to help me. He is very patient and wonderful, and I try to be a good invalid, but I don't think anyone really understands until they've lived it. As many others here have said, I have an entirely new respect for the disabled population! It is all very depressing and frustrating being so dependent on others when I have always done so much for myself. Also, my bathroom is up two steps and I have fallen twice trying to adjust to stairs with crutches so now I am afraid of the crutches too! Not to mention how scary it is wondering if I will heal well or have problems forever. I am so thankful things weren't worse and to have found this thread with others sharing. I hope you have all healed magnificently! I am hoping to join you in that soon! 

My doc let me sleep without it. He said the hardware will hold it together.

Hi, I too have endured breaking my fibula near the ankle and pulling the ankle out of whack.  I had surgery, plate and screws were used to line it up, and then a soft cast for  12 days, then a boot for now going on 4 more weeks.  I get X-ray day after tomorrow.  I was given a nerve block for 5 days during and after surgery, never really had pain and never took opioids.  I religiously kept my foot elevated, and am fortunate to have a contour bed.  The tough part has been the stairs, so I really do live on the 3rd floor and my husband brings me a tray.  When I go down, its on my bottom, and lifting myself up each step, the weight, hurts my shoulders.  So, going up and down is the exception, not the rule.  I roll around up here in an office chair, its nice, and never ever tried crutches, they're way too dangerous for me.    I work on my computer and do drawing for entertainment and watch TV.  Yes, I have cabin fever.  The boot is a difficult thing, and I sometimes fall off to sleep with it off in a reclining position and somehow don't move the foot.  At night, I still wear it, and it wakes me up, but less and less.  I really really hope the x-ray will be good enough to begin weight bearing.  I do the front and back flexing of my foot brilliantly at this point.  I just try not to think about it, and pray my rosary when I cannot fall easily to sleep.  Its a wake-up call to be handicapped, and I try not to take advantage of my husband but we are retired from our previous lives, and our new business gives us flexibility.  Best wishes,

I too have been told to sleep in the boot but is this correct? I have been told by a friend that previously wore it to take it off of a night. 

I have a hairline fracture in my ankle.  This happened when I slipped down in the window well to retrieve a chipmunk trap that on its' own fell down to the bottom.  Started first week of June (that is 9 months ago), the ankle did not swell, bruise or hurt for 2 days.  It started hurting 2 days later but never bruised or swelled.  I finally went to the doc, had an xray,showed nothing.  Still hurt months later and then he ordered a mri, this showed the hairline fracture.  Went to  a sports clinic, he said peronial tendonitis and put me in a boot.  Wednesday is 3 weeks and he said after 3 weeks, I can take the boot off and see if it still hurts.  I am pretty sure it will still be hurting and I have 4 week appointment coming up soon.  I will go see what he thinks now.  Yep, sucks to have older bones, things do not heal as fast as they used to.  I take ibuprophen and have not walked on the treadmill for the last 3 weeks and try my best to elevate the ankle.  I am just trying to rest it so the swelling inside will go down.

 

It is agony I am 7 weeks into my ankle break and I still don't get a good night's sleep. I am so uncomfortable with and without the boot. It does loosen up in time but for the first 3 days and nights I was in more pain than when it happened!!

A handy tip, to keep the dirt and debris from outside that is collected on the sole of the walking boot, wear a pillow case over the boot. It does make your leg warmer but it's better than dog poo and other stuff from outside from entering your bed!!!

I appreciate all the information and concerns provided by this forum. I broke three bones in my ankle the end of March and now have 10 screws and a plate. I am 69, healthy, and it has been recommended that I keep the appliances in my ankle unless they move. It makes me nervous thinking about foreign parts being in my ankle, especially when others have had them removed  Does anyone have any information regarding the advantages/disadvantages of having plate/screws removed. Also, particularly enjoyed the responses regarding the desire to be independent.

i broke my ankle about 4 weeks ago . IM IN a boot . IM 65 first time breaking a bone . THE BOOT HAS TO BE treated like a cast . ITS Uncomfortable as hell ! IT FEELS heavy and lIKE i have a shoe full of sand !! VERY uncomfortable . INCLUDING sharp pains and like a pin being stuck in my ankle at times . ITS SENSETIVE . THE BOOT sides feel like they are pressing onto my ankle . I WANT to take it off and see if it has sand in it !! BUT afraid to take it off . NO SURGERY . YET anyway . didnt want it . I PRAY it heals good . They straightened it pretty good when the hospital reset it .