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My doctor has not told me to do physical therapy ??

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ry27
ry27

Okay, so my doctor gave the okay to walk with/without a boot and pwb. I read about other recoveries saying that they do physical therapy after the doctors let them start walking, but my doctor hasn't mentioned anything about it. I'm not sure what to do. My ankle is stiff and I want to stretch it. Also, my heel hurts like no other since I've started walking. How long until the pain will go away?

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2 Replies

  • suzy213
    suzy213 ry27

    Posted

    Can you specify what you had done?

    Assuming that is surgery (once you were NWB) that is odd, maybe he just forgot? Do you have any other appointments with your doctor? 

    Anyhow, PT is for you to mainly manage pain and regain range of motion that you may possibly lose after a surgery. There are basic PT exercises anyone can do at home (just use your own pain as a measurement to see if you are not doing too much. The exercises shouldn't really feel painful, at most uncomfortable).

    It is normal for your ankle to feel stiff and if you are feeling that much pain on your heel try to lower the amount of weight you are putting on it. You might want to move slowly to make sure you don't overdo it. Excessive pain is not good, mainly if you are already a few weeks post-op.

    PT exercises I'm doing atm would be toe curls with a towel, moving my ankle by pushing my foot up and down a bit, the side movements (downward and inward, upward and outward) if you can handle them. Also sit in a chair and place your feet on your toes and without moving them from that place try to lower your heels to the floor, you will feel the stretch and how tight your ankle may feel.

    Best of recovery!

  • kpower
    kpower ry27

    Posted

    Ry,

    Ankle rehab physiotherapy is an integral part of successful recovery from ankle injuries. Yes, you should be doing appropriate ankle exercises to strengthen, stabilize, and restore normal ankle function.

    It may be that your practitioner was in a hurry and just assumed you knew that PT comes next in your recovery. Hard to say what happened there. Sorry.

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