Non Weight Bearing to Weight Bearing Help!!!
Posted , 3 users are following.
I recently broke my ankle and had to have surgery. I broke my fibula and then my ankle bones shifted. It has been 6 weeks since surgery and 7 weeks since the injury. I have been in a walking boot since 10 days after the surgery with no weight bearing whatsoever.
On monday, March 29th, I saw my doctor. This appointment was supposed to tell me if i could put limited weight on it. Instead the doctor told me to start putting full weight on it.
He gave me ZERO instructions besides, to be out of the walking boot by Monday and to use crutches for assistance. I literally had to google how to start putting weight on it.
I have been walking on it and can put full weight with the help of crutches (as much as you can with crutches) but without crutches, I cant walk as comfortable, so my walk is very unstable.
Does anybody have any advice on how I should transition to normal shoes? Should I take more time if I need it? He literally gave me zero instructions on how to do it. Im super nervous I will mess something up. I can walk on crutches without the boot, but with about 30% of my weight.
Does anybody have any exercises they recommend to help getting my balance better? The strength better in my ankle?
Can anyone tell me the reality of how long it will be until i am walking normally? Or what to expect? what to be on the lookout for? Ive never broken a bone before in my life.
I'm so completely lost and overwhelmed and probably other thinking it all. But man, I wish I had some instructions to follow
Somebody help 😕
0 likes, 2 replies
neil59053 rebekah35427
Posted
Hi Rebekah,
Like anything with these injuries it takes time. I am fully recovered from ORIF surgery that I had in December.
First few days transitioning from NWB to WB was weird. You will progress more everyday. Take a few steps, then rest. I was still in a walking boot and crutches 2 weeks after I transitioned to WB. Chances are your bone is fully healed and now you need to work the muscles in your foot that have not been used in a long time. Look on YouTube for ROM exercises such as spelling the alphabet with your foot.
It took me 4 weeks in a walking boot to transition to regular shoes. You have to remember you have been off your feet for a long time and all the muscles in your foot need to be worked.
Give it a few more days and you will probably see a difference. It just takes time. Like I said before, every day you will progress more and more.
Good luck!
sara83927 rebekah35427
Posted
Did your doctor prescribe physical therapy? A good PT will work on lots of exercises to regain strength and balance. Try searching for "ORIF PT Protocol" to find exercises and timelines from different doctors. there are great YouTube videos from physical therapists, too. I think your doctor gave you an unrealistic timeline. I've been "partial" weight bearing for two weeks now, and still using crutches quite a bit. The therapist is trying to get me out of the boot, though. My foot is still trying to regain strength and movement. Hopefully watching some videos will help you with exercises to get strength and range of motion back! Until the ROM is better, it's hard to walk normally.
Good luck!