I Have Forgotton How to Walk

Just returned from physio and my ankle is swollen and now being soothed with an ice pack, don’t really have any pain just feels a bit sore from this afternoons session.

The physios got me to stand on my bad leg which I did for about 7 seconds which is not much but I will take this as progress. I tried to walk using the parallel bars however,  I was putting most of my weight through my arms, they then got me to attempt to walk with them either side of me which I sort of did, again it was not great but progress. I feel now that my mental barrier of my leg not being fixed or unable to take my weight has been 80% resolved. I did notice that my knee hurt and this is where most of the pain was, the physio told me that was normal as my knee has done pretty much nothing since my fall and they did push me in today’s session.

They are also arranging for some hydro therapy in a different hospital which they say will give me some more confidence.

So I suppose it was a good session and I will continue with my home exercises before my next appointments with the physio and my surgeon on April 5th.

They have told me to get rid of the boot for good and to not put it on again, so bye bye boot.

onwards and upwards but I just wish I could have the confidence or ability to put the left foot forward followed by the right.

I hope this feedback is useful.

O yeah! What happens is I rest it, but it has to be elevated otherwise it swells, it’s when I get up from my bed or the sofa or from thevcar, it’s then that the pain shoots up to about 8/10 but then eases off to about a 4, it’s pretty constant really, the pain.

I’m presently on my 54th day of Exogen therapy which doesn’t appear to be working, I’ve been told by my orthopaedic that it’s likely I’ll need a bone graft. 

Kenny,

It must be comforting to know you are not alone in your struggle to regain normal mobility--- there are many here on forum cheering you on from the sidelines.

Ankle patients all have to go through a fear of the unknown as we take our first steps after busting an ankle. Some have an easier time of it, others not so much.

It's time-proven advice to take it easy as she goes-- don't get greedy or overly ambitious to do too much to soon. Remember, your ankle bits, both bone and soft tissue, not only got clobbered in your accident but they have also been dormant and trying to heal for a very long time. This is not time to rush in where the prudent would not tread.

That said, prepare yourself for a possibly long and sometimes frustrating rehab journey. Ankle rehab exercises are absolutely essential to getting normal ankle function going again, and to prevent backsliding into a chronically unstable ankle joint.

Pain of varying degrees is mostly a given in these types of situations. You have to go with the flow, and know when to stop or back off when it becomes unbearable or just too darn distressing. Pain management is an art that we need to learn, and above all we must respect our bodies needs. Don't make the mistake of becoming habituated to painkillers-- they can stunt the healing process.

If you would benefit by a light ankle brace and shoe inserts by all means do so. They will give more confidence in the event you fear your ankle will get hurt or give out on you as you go through early stages of recovery.

By all means focus intensely on proprioception exercises to help get your normal sense of movement balance and coordination back-- sometimes ankle injuries (and subsequent surgeries) can damage nerves down there that give feedback on your body's position in space.

Kenny,

I am now about 1 year after from going full weight in normal shoes. Most of the time I feel like I am 95% back to pre-injury ankle status. Occasionally, that drops temporarily to 85% or so-- injured ankles are funny in that they can be unpredictable even with passing of time.

You really don't want to ever cross an ankle by injuring it-- they never forget that trespass, not ever.

One tip passed on to me was, when you are in beginning stages of recovery walking, to walk with shorter strides rather than wide strides-- it's easier on any damaged ligaments or tendons that way. Later, when you're better, you can get back into the swing of things and use your powerful manly walking gait.

Kenny,

I thought the same as you. I was NWB for three months. I was scared to death to put full weight on my bad leg, but I went at my own pace and I am walking with a cane outside only.  Inside I walk without the cane. It was my PT who helped me walk again without fear.  

Good luck, I know you  can do it. 

Hi,

I took a bad fall July of 2017 and I’ve recovered somewhat  but still have issues with my gait and balance. I have a plate in the lisfranc area that is going to be removed in three weeks. PT and both surgeons feel as though I will have a 50% improvement in the ability to walk and less pain.  My limp is significant and I can’t even walk a block around my house with my dogs.  My quality of life has changed as my husband and I love to travel and enjoy the outdoors. 

I had an open fracture to my talus,  snapped the tibia and tore ligaments and tendons.  This was treated by three procedures to stabilize with two plates and 14 screws as well as plate to stabilize the lisfranc injury.   

The worst was developing osteomyelitis. Antibiotic infusions for 42 days. 

I had no idea how much PT would help but it is crucial. My insurance covered very little of the PT but the $1200.00  out of pocket was worth every penny. 

I would not be walking today at all if it weren’t for my physical therapist. 

This forum has been the best support and has provided much needed real life information on this awful and complicated injury. Btw- I’m a southerner lol

Best to you on this journey.

Karen 

Just a little update, I have worked a lot harder on my home exercises this week, lots of crunches, tip toes and stretches. I have also tried my very hardest to walk with one crutch and each day I have managed a few more steps.

This morning I surprised myself and was able to walk with one crutch around the ground floor of my house and I feel ‘epic’ it may not look great but I am taking that as a  huge step forward (pardon the pun). I have noticed some slight discomfort under my foot but I put it down to stretching the tendons out, I also get some pain in my knee on my bad leg when it takes full weight, does anyone else get this or did you get similar during your recovery?

I see my Physio tomorrow at the hospital and then my surgeon on Thursday so fingers crossed they see some improvement too.

I hope everyone else is doing well over this Easter holiday period, the weather here in North West England is very, very wet so it’s an opportunity to stay indoors and work this ankle and leg a little more.

Best, Kenny