Driving after ankle fracture

Wow we have the same thing. I also have a plate and 8 screws. I'm heading into 12 weeks after surgery but I'm still in the boot as of now. I'm so nervous about driving because I dont know will it hurt or be uncomfortable.

Yeah it takes a little bit of time transitioning out of the boot in general. I still use it if I need to, had a wedding recently and I wore it with a long dress because I knew I couldnt wear any type of normal shoe anyway as the only thing I can wear comfortably are sneakers and also I still cant be on my feet too long or do much because I still am in pain and limp which also affects my knee.

Are you still using crutches or freely walking around in the boot? I would try to start getting used to sneakers on both feet with crutches as you will have to transition out of the boot before driving. My ankle was still so stiff once I was cleared from the boot that I was afraid to drive till I felt more comfortable in my sneakers as the sudden brakes or acceleration scared me. Its definitely a long road and at 4 months post op Im still struggling ☹

I apologize, I just read that you mentioned its your 2nd week in the boot, looks like it will be some time until you should be driving. I definitely wouldnt rush it as you have to be comfortable in the boot and then sneakers unless you feel that you are. I would think once you have decent range of motion it shouldnt be a problem driving but until then I would definitely wait until you progress more in the boot/out of it

It's so depressing though to be honest. I feel like I lost apart of me after this happened. I got laid off from my job and it put me in a financial hardship. Sometimes I just sleep to keep from being depressed because it's so annoying! Uggghhhh

I cant believe something like this can change your life so much,. I keep slapping myself for being so careless and never in my dreams did I ever think a broken ankle could mess you up so like this does,

Ikr I feel the same way. Its so irritating and makes me angry. Now I fear that I wont be able to go back to doing the job I was doing because I have to stand up and move around alot. I just dont know..

I agree. I am so sorry to hear that. My employer has been understanding but they also have been annoyed at the time its taken. I'll be returning once again in a few weeks and Im scared as I just couldnt physically or mentally handle it. People keep telling me to just suck it up but unfortunately this injury has made me not be able to just suck it up. I hope you start to feel better once you become more mobile in the boot but we just have to remind ourselves that this is a long recovery process and we are doing the best we can. I had to become selfish involving everything now when before I was always a giver and would do whatever for work, family etc. I definitely just have to focus on healing and not what everyone else expects/wants. This injury is definitely hard and I even explained that to my ortho. who seems to have zero compassion. Hang in there, slowly but surely we will be ourselves again

I agree with you! and I dont know whats more frustrating how we feel or the people who act like its not as bad as it seems... ugh. same here, careless miss of a step and boom havent walked normal since. So many people say it could be worse, but honestly I think not being able to walk normally is bad enough and waiting to feel normal not knowing when you will is hard

I know exactly what you mean. I work in a hotel where I have to stand a lot and I really have doubts that I am going to be able to keep it up. I only work now on weekends but I know after standing for a few minutes I have to sit down. The doctor has given me a note saying the that I can do 30 minutes standing 30 minutes sitting but in reality I cannot do 30 minutes.After a few minutes I have to sit. I am so grateful that I am walking but must learn to walk correctly so I dont hurt my knee or hip. I am trying to work on my gate and I'm having a bit of a hard time. We had a family emergency and I've had to take care of two small grandchildren for the last few days and it has been harder than I would have ever imagined. I'm used to taking care of them but with my foot the way it is it's been very very difficult I mean

I feel exactly the same way. I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle a job that I've done for well over 20 years. I could usually do it with my eyes closed I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle a job that I've done for well over 20 years. I could usually do it with my eyes closed and

I am so glad you said that. Some of my family members have really been irritating to me. They don't understand that this wasnt just a little fall, this was a fall that effected my life for a while. They think I should be able to walk by now and they think im being scared for no reason. It makes me so mad that i would rather be to myself and not really talk to nobody. You cant tell a person how to feel or respond to a situation that you yourself havent been in.

Amen to all these comments No one knows what breaking an ankle is like unless its happens to them!

I was waitressing 2 nights per week and making great $$$!

The place I worked said I can come back whenever I want but its very busy there and high paced and as of now I wouldnt be able to run around for 6 hours

This accident really changed me and how I view a lot of things

I am much better, doing most of what I used to do just slower!

And its a very isolating and depressing injury

So hard to explain to someone that hasnt experienced it

Everything you do is more difficult

Thank goodness we can all support each other here

With most other injuries if you got to the point of being able to function, in our case walk, you'd be floating on cloud 9 estatic. With our injury you feel close but still so farrrrr away. I end up exhausted after walking on it last night even after taking a pain pill, elevating it and putting ice on it I had to get up and soak it in epsom salts. My foot was blown up again. I have had numerous surgeries, cancer 3 times and I've always managed to do what I had to do and recover quickly. I'm not a martyr, have no patience for people who are, and always prided myself on just picking myself up , brushing my pants off and getting on with my life ASAP.. I guess if I had to ask myself "would I understand the complexity of a broken ankle if it hadn't happen to me?" I would have to say a big "NO." "Just "a broken ankle is so very hard to concieve if ya never had one. I am at 3 months now and was at the ortho yesterday and he said my healing and recovery is ahead of time for the amount of damage I did to my foot. I just wish I could feel that way.

yes I have to agree. I never would have given a broken ankle much thought before. I was happy starting to walk but like you said still so much pain, swelling, etc. People think I am ready to resume everything and it is just not there yet. I have always been independent and dont like complaining or asking for help. I truly appreciate now things I took for granted before.

Yes, I know what you mean, I am so upset with myself for bring care less, in my case anyway, I mean who walks down the,stairs looking at their phone and missing the last 3,steps!! its a case of look what mess I got myself into. Depression is real with this. But it's getting better. I'm 20 weeks post op. My ankle is definitely improving with all the OT and excersises. I can almost walk with out a limp!! I will say that Peddling on my in home stationary bike had helped a lot Also. Keep the chin up and just keep on chugging along with all the excersises. It dies get better 😊

I keep thinking of that too karen. Ons split second of stupidity changed my life.