Fractured my ankle 3 months ago but ankle keeps swelling and is painful.
Posted , 148 users are following.
I had fractured my ankle in July this year. Had it in plaster for six weeks, had a review with consultant yesterday. Had another x ray and consultant confirmed the bone had healed,but I explained to him that I my ankle keeps swelling and is painful. Can't walk very far and he said it could be the soft tissue area may have fragments of cartilage init, but because I have a pacemaker can't have a MRI scan. He has told me to come back in 3 months time.I have to have psyiotherapy . what do i do if it keeps on swelling.I don't have much faith in the consultantbreally
2 likes, 383 replies
david19739 susan60212
Posted
I broke my ankle and Fibula 7 weeks ago I had to have plate and screws in my fibula and screws in my ankle.
i was completely none weight bearing for 6 weeks, I was told by the consultant last week to start trying to put some weight on the leg this week.
ive not seen a physio yet and I'm still in plaster.
however I'm struggling my foot swells as soon as I try this and goes a blue colour it's also very painful.
my main concern though is I've tried to walk but it's like I've forgotten how to do it! Has anyone else experienced this??
from comments below it also appears a number of you had physio a lot earlier than I have.
i brought myself a mobility scooter so I could go back to work after two weeks against the advice of the consultant who said I needed to keep it elevated for 6weeks.
im concerned now that this may have effected the recovery?
im 47 and it's the first broken bone I've had so any advice would be appreciated
dav
carol36366 david19739
Posted
David,
The discoloration and swelling is normal. I dislocated and broke me ankle 14 weeks ago and was non weight bearing for 10 weeks. I am surprised that you are bearing weight this soon. I didn't start PT until 12 weeks. I went through the splint then cast and boot stages. This recovery is a long and difficult process requiring a lot of patience. I still have some swelling. The discoloration stopped around 12 weeks. This site is very helpful and supportive. Good luck with your recovery. Remember RICE rest ice compression elevation.
Carol
david19739 carol36366
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cass17 david19739
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I am also surprised that you are weight bearing this early. I would double check that with the doctor. I also was told not to bear any weight until I got the boot at 12 weeks. Especially this early in your recovery you should keep that foot elevated as much as posible. If your job is to where you can sit at a desk with your leg in the air.. maybe so. The swelling and pain are pretty much normal for 7 weeks out, it just takes time. It was a lot of patience unfortunately. However, it does get better day by day. I'm about 21 weeks post surgery and I am finally getting along fairly well.. Let us know how you are doing.
david19739 cass17
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Hi Cass
I'm back at the hospital on Wednesday I will let you know how I get on
Dave
cass17 david19739
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Ouch2016 susan60212
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Make sure you get a second opinion. I am 4 months and have had same issues. Never hurts to do yourself the big favor and do what's best for you!!
saafi83455 susan60212
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patti123 saafi83455
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If you are several weeks out of plaster, this is normal. The swelling and pain doesn't go down substantially until month 4-5 and the swelling is still there I believe for up to a year to 18 mos.
saafi83455 patti123
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patti123
denise16225 saafi83455
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Thanks for that information , I was never given an X-ray just cast off after 6 weeks it's twice the size of my other leg from toes to knee , I'm seeing phyisco on Friday for the first time but it's that swollen I can't do any exercises
jillian1612 susan60212
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patti123 jillian1612
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Hi Jillian- What you describe is completely normal and exactly what I went through. I looked up proper walking on you tube, at your stage, and got some ideas: take longer strides, swing your arms as you walk etc., which helped me to concentrate more on proper walking gait. I will private message you with those links that helped. I think it just takes time and strength to get rid of the limp. Don't worry, it will be gone before too long. I'm at 24 weeks now and that limp you describe was very frustrating to try to get past, and was with me for months and is finally gone now, except early in the morning when I just wake up. I have to think sometimes about walking properly then, because the body can get lazy when you first wake up and wants to go back to bad habits. Basically, what I noticed is there are two parts to the PT for the ankle. The first half is all the stretching and getting ROM back, and the second part is getting the calf strength back, which I am still working on. Walking is easy now, and I feel terrific when I walk around, but I was told by my PT yesterday, at my last PT appt, that until I can get the injured leg's calf strong enough to get on that foot's tip toe, and be able to go up and down on it easily over a step, I won't have the strength to run. I can easily jog around now, but he said it is not a good idea to run to get that calf strength, but instead you should first get that strength in your calf and then begin normal running. He has me doing what are called Single Leg Heel Raise exercises now and Single-Leg Quarter Squat exercises to gain more strength in the injured leg's calf. So even at 5-1/2 months out, there is still work to be done. Hang in there, in a few more months I bet you will feel and look quite normal.
patti123
Posted
carol36366 jillian1612
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I dislocated and broke my ankle in 3 places. I am now 17 weeks post ORIF surgery. I now walk and go up and down stairs almost normally. I still have some swelling and a very small amount of discomfort. Unfortunately it is a long difficult process both physically and emotionally. I was non weight bearing for 10 weeks. Your PT knows this. Just keep up your exercises and keep improving. We all feel your pain and frustration.
diane83362 patti123
Posted
Hi Patti,
I know it’s been awhile for you after your breaks and hoping all is well for you now. I love your posts and would appreciate those links that you recommended. I’m in my infant stages of recovery; just fresh out of surgery with plates and pins.
Thanks so much, Diane 😊