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How much damage can I do if I don't follow instructions....8 weeks out from surgery.

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JLADY99
JLADY99

I am 8 weeks out on my ORIF surgery, and am having a hard time being "obedient" to doctors instructions.  He was vaque and said I can now walk in boots (broke both ankles) but don't get rid of the wheelchair completely, listen to your body, that's it.  He said come back in 4 weeks (this was 1 1/2 weeks ago).

I hate the boots but am walking a lot in them, my feet are swelling and I am starting to walk a little in my shoes and my feet feel weak and I am limping but walking ok, for a short while until ankles start to hurt, then I switch to the boots.  I know I am not following instructions completely.

I am hoping I can't do to much permanent damage at this point if I overdo it.  I do elevate at night but don't ice.  My feet don't swell as much in shoes but my ankles start to hurt pretty fast.

How many of you haven't followed instructions and did ok anyway in the long run.  I realize it is a long journey and only time will tell.  Doctor never mentioned PT but still may, I have been doing some random ankle circles on my own.

I did follow his instructions until now and he said at last visit I was healing good.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • bpham
    bpham JLADY99

    Posted

    Hi,

    I was in the same situation as you before, but only broke 1 ankle. I was on a boot for 6 weeks PWB. After I got it off, the doctor said I can walk slowly with the boot and listen to my body. Instead I started to walk without the boot slowly but very carefully. Within a few days, I wore on a shoe and was able to walk around. It has been about 1.5 weeks now and I am walking with no limp. Ankles still gets sore by the end of the day, but my ROM is a lot better now. I been doing my PT workout and just making sure to listen to my body. I would say if you are comfortable with it, take it slowly. But if it hurts, stop and don't do that yet. 

  • jenni_24876
    jenni_24876 JLADY99

    Posted

    I'm did not obey all the rules. I listened to my body. If the cast furt too much and couldn't get to dr I took it off had 8 casts and the 5 that I removed were poorly applied and my dr agreed with me once she saw them. I did resting leg weight bearing in 3 weeks. My healing was ahead oh where expected. We need to use our own brain and go with our pain threshold. 

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