Posted , 6 users are following.
I broke my ankle in 4 places and had to have surgery. How long post surgery does the ankle need to be elevated above the heart all day? I currently only have it down to go to the restroom. I'm about 4 weeks post surgery.
0 likes, 11 replies
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heather23847 karli68261
Posted
I would think your fine, but still keep it elevated. I'm 2 1/2 wks post op & I still keep mine elevated when sitting but not necessarily above the heart. Good luck to you
samantha08977 karli68261
Posted
karli68261 samantha08977
Posted
That's about all I've been doing so far. Anything more I can feel the swelling. I'm just wondering at what week in recovery that will change. At this point even that seems like a luxury!
samantha08977 karli68261
Posted
By week three I could do a bit more plus I could hop instead of using my crutches, I'm 4 and a half weeks now and I managed a full roast and out and about iny wheel chair.
james1959 karli68261
Posted
amanda84923 karli68261
Posted
You may not need to keep it elevated high still, but you'll probably still need to keep elevated a lot. Your ankle will let you know when it's had enough and needs to be elevated. I'm 11 weeks post op and still elevate it at least some whenever I'm seated. And if it's just down for more than 45 mins or so it's letting me know it's unhappy.
karli68261 amanda84923
Posted
Wow! I was hoping by 11 weeks being down wouldn't be as much of an issue. Thanks for the input.
amanda84923 karli68261
Posted
I started walking a few weeks ago (in a boot). The more I walk the less swelling I have over all. My job is primarily seated, so since I'm not moving it needs to be up. If I'm standing and walking, it doesn't bother me from a swelling stand point nearly as much.
karli68261 amanda84923
Posted
Oh that's good to hear! Thanks for sharing!
daren50410 karli68261
Edited
Hi Karli,
I am 9 weeks post Subtalar Fusion. I kept my foot elevated nonstop for the first 4 weeks. Then my doctor had me start putting it down every so often to get the circulation working. At that point, anytime it was down, my whole foot turned a dark purple. I could tolerate about 30 minutes of it, just long enough to shower and rush back to the couch to elevate. At my 6 week mark, my doctor told me to go ahead and leave my foot down most of the day if I wanted and only be concerned if I start having significant pain. He was not concerned about the discoloration as long as it didn't hurt and it would return to normal color once elevated. So I began only elevating my foot for maybe 1-2 hours a day. My foot and calf began swelling when in a dependent position, but my discoloration started getting better.
At 9 weeks, my foot no longer turns purple, but rather a dark pink which shows progress. My foot and calf still swell after a few hours of my foot being down but it is controlled with rest, ice, and elevation.
Moral of the story, our feet will hurt and swell when used, but wont get better unless we use them. So as long as it doesn't hurt beyond a pain that can be controlled with Tylenol and ice, I would say press on.
Good luck!
karli68261 daren50410
Posted
Thanks! That's really helpful to hear specific advice like that. Good luck in your continued recovery