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ORIF 3 months ago - walking but ankle won't bend much!

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SunshineDreamer
SunshineDreamer

I broke all 3 bones in my ankle (trimalleollar) in December (2 plates and a large screw, and an external fixation prior to that for 5 days) and have been through the various stages of grief since then... I'm managing to walk without a crutch, albeit with a slight limp. But the front of my ankle won't bend much at all, despite having physio. Has anyone else had that? It feels painful but also like it can't physically get any further. My physio says it is unlikely that the plate is in the way and the Xray I had before didn't ring any alarm bells for the Dr.

There's still some swelling (although somewhat reduced and not 'pitting' anymore) but the inside bit where the screw is is still looking swollen.

Anyone had this and found the movement got better? How do I get it to bend so that I can walk downstairs with both feet?

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • jenny57742
    jenny57742 SunshineDreamer

    Posted

    Hello, sorry i dont have any answers for your questions but i would like to hear your recovery story. im nearly 5 weeks post op for a trimalleolar fracture, broke 3 bones also. Not to mention im 27 weeks pregnant. Im trying to be positive as much as i can but im up and down all the time. Ive got my 6 weeks appointment next week where hopefully i get a boot on. how did yours go? i think its brilliant your walking after 3months. I hope i can do that as my baby is due just over that. x

  • Val52e
    Val52e SunshineDreamer

    Posted

    Hi Sunshine,

    I'm nearly 12 weeks post op, I had 2 pins insterted. It's only in the last week I've started to walk unaided with a bad limp. I'm still suffering swelling and still rely on one crutch also. Physio has me doing an exercise with leg on the chair, knee bent and try get it over your foot, practice practice practice, it really has helped me a lot. Or another, toes against skirting board and try touch knee off the wall. All I'm hearing is that these things take time and everyone's recovery is different. You've been making great progress. You will get there.

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