out of boot but cant move cos ankle is stiff

I am also just out of the boot ( my decision as it was getting so uncomfortable) and the ankle is very stiff. I can't roll into the toes at all; just walk very flat-footed so not sure if that is helping. I do a lot of stretching of the ankle;  wiggling it from side to side and up and down. That is helping somewhat. I see a PT today and will let you know what she says. Perhaps we are both out of the boot too soon?

Forgot to add; I have a lot  of swelling of the whole leg up to the knee. The leg and especially the calf muscle is huge. Not sure if all this swelling is normal.

Hi Abigail, I was lucky enough to start physio just 2 days after my cast was off and whilst boot was still on.  The 1st exercises the physio had me doing was to face a wall with my toes up to the skirting board, and good leg just behind the bad leg and try and get my knee to touch the wall .... you won't get anywhere near for the first week or so but it's amazing how much progress you make.  I had/have to do this 10 times and build it up.  Another exercise I had to do was sit up straight with the bad leg laid across my good thigh and gently pull my toes to a point (I don't think this is probably a good description!!)  I then had to just keep moving my ankle in a clock work position 10 times and then anti clockwise 10 times and I did this several times throughout the day.  

http://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/Library/71Physiotherapyfollowingananklefracture.pdf

I have tried to enclose a link I found which was quite helpful as well.  if it doesn't work google some angle exercises, there are several good PDF's that show you what to do at what stage of your recovery. I broke and disclocated my ankle on the 10th September last year and several plates and screws later I am walking fine (still in flat shoes though!) and even managed a gentle jog  acros the road the other day .. it is slow progress but you do get there just keep the ankle moving as much as you can as often as you can. Good Luck!

Hi Abigail

I was like you last Tuesday after my cast was removed and could hardly move my foot.  My consultant said I needed urgent physio and I got the first of weekly sessions last Friday.

I have been given 5 different exercises. 

1. roll a towel lengthwise, put it under your foot and raise the leg and stretch the foot away from you. 3 times

2. Sit and move ankle up and down. Do that 20 times but was told to start with 10 times.

3. Sit  or lie down, bend and straighten your ankle gradually 20 times

4. Roll your foot around on a football for 5 minutes

5  I was given a 2 inch wide long elastic exercise band. Sit on a chair, put the exercise band around your foot, point your toes towards the floor and slowly return to starting position. 20 times

These exercies to be done 5 times a day between elevating, icing and resting the ankle.

I hope this is useful for you. I put only a small amount of weight on my ankle when using crutches.  it does hurt but I am very slowly getting movement back in less than a week.  It cannot be rushed otherwise the foot swells, hurts and cannot be used.

Some good exercises for ankles on utube. I am now around 16weeks and ankle still so tight. I have though noticed a slight improvement over last few weeks.