Difficulty flexing up after ankle fx?

Im just over 6 weeks post op. At 3 weeks my cast was replaced by a walking boot and doc told me then to start to move my ankle backwards and side to side. I've been doing that several times a day for the last 3 weeks and I've got some movement in it but not a lot. From what I've read online it'll get better in time so I'm just increasing the amount of times I do them. Have u been Trying to move ur ankle? I understand u being frightened cos I was the same.

Hi Sue,

I'm nearly 11 weeks post op, and it is only since the last couple of days I have felt any significant improvement in the flexibility of my ankle. Also not as much pain as I get up in the morning. I'm hoping to start to weight bear next week and the thought terrifies me.

I've been given a few exercises from the physio. One of them is to flex the toes forward as much as you can 10 times 3 times a day and move foot in a circular motion 10 times again 3 times a day. Don't worry if you can hardly move your foot at first as I could hardly too when i first started. But if you persevere the mobility will improve.

I wish you well in your recovery.

I wanted to add, I've been out of my cast for 4 weeks and started physio 2 weeks ago. My first session I could hardly move my foot at all it was so stiff and painful. So please don't worry as you have been only out of a cast for 2 weeks and it is such a slow progress. I can flex my foot forward but nowhere near as much as my good foot but have noticed improvement since starting the physio exercises.

Dear sue02492,

It sounds very upsetting for you and you wonder if you will ever regain movement?

Have you touched base with a physiotherapist? Mine worked miracles with me to get me up and walking etc. But of course one needs to do their 'homework' which of course...who does?

I agree with Bailey12. Flexing exercises and stretching is the best way, but I think you need to go with what a physio suggests. I know it all takes money at the beginning. If you work out the exercises then you can do it yourself. The physio will massage and work the joint to start to free it up. Don't be afraid that the joint is really weak like I was . Be mindful of how you walk as well so you don't get into any bad habits favouring it as you will put your back and hips under pressure.

In the shower is a good time to remember and it is all also nice and warm

Good Luck

 

Morning Sue,

Just to ask did you have surgery straight after breaking your ankle? IF NOT did you notice your inability to dorsiflex your ankle before or after your surgery? I only ask as I broke my ankle but didn't have surgery until 6 months later as it hadn't healed. I had an ORIF procedure in Nov 2014 and was concerned that for months afterwards I couldn't move my ankle in the way you explained (dorsiflex) I expressed my concern to my doctor/surgeon/physio and was told to workon it at physio as my surgeon said that it was more than likely cause by having my ankle in a cast and being immobilised for some length of time, residual stiffness if you may. Unfotunately after attending physio and doing everything else I was instructed to do, my dorsiflexion never improved. Once again I expressed my concern to my ankle specialist/surgeon who then i formed me that it coukd have been a result of something he called 'footballers ankle, or ankle impingment' ie. scar tissue or bone spurs restricting the movement. I was then put down for an ankle arthroscopy to investigate the cause and fix it if it turnedout to be what my surgeon had suggested. I underwent the surgery in July this year, and was told by my surgeon that he had removed loads of scar tissue and some fragments of bone, and was pleased to think that this was the return of the normal movement of my foot. Once recovered I was back to phsio where it quickly became evident that the operation had made no difference and my ankke would be left like this, needless to say I was discharged from physio and left with an ankle that cannot dorsiflex properly. I cannot squat properly, run properly and really struggle when walking up hills. I mention all of this because I look by to when I first broke my ankle, LONG before my operation or any long period of immobilisation (like my surgeon said could gave cause it) and realise that this movement had been lost from the moment I broke my ankle, so was very unlikely caused by what my surgeon suggested. Don't lose hooe yet, as if you had surgery almost straight away and have been in a cast for some length of time, it can take months of physio and being out of a cast until your ankle returns to normal. I'd say in my particular case that something was missed when I was first diagnosed as I just cannot physically move my ankle the was I used to and it almost feels like there is a bar stopping it. I did notice a lady who replied to you earlier mention that she was being sent for an EMG test to rule out muscle/nerve damage which rather frustrates me as not ONCE has anyone mentioned/suggested this to me and I don't know what else it could be?!! For now, concentrate on getting better and remember to always do the exercises physio give you. If you have any concerns make sure you tell your physio sooner rather that later, as I'm sure they will put your mind at ease. Just out of curiosity what was you exact injury? Take care

Oh sorry I just noticed that it was yourself who is having an EMG, keep me posted a to how you get on, and goid luck.

hi there

I am going threw the same thing as I had surgery jan 27 2021 and I'm about 4 weeks post op. I am able to flex foot up and down not side to side just yet. Dr has given me exercises to do to help lift my foot back in place because I waited 3 weeks to have surgery and foot grew down a bit. but great news is this Monday I should be able to start physical therapy and be able to start applying pressure to my foot. bad thing is my ankle is sore from doing exercises and hasn't gotten into a proper position to actually walk. Hang in there. I have plates and screws on both sides of ankle and have to restrict the tendons again as those were hurt as well. it feels very tight I side ankle and u can feel the plates shift but I am determined to walk again. I'm so bored being stuck in this house and can't work

Hello I was as googling this and your question came up. I see it was a while ago but i now gave the same problem. I am 8 weeks post surgery can not flex my foot towards my face and big toe seems really dead . i broke my ankle in 7 spots have 12 screws and a plate holding me together. looking forward to hearing back.