Recovery from fractured ankle

Wow, I would say the ankle still needs repair. None of that sounds normal for an ankle that's recouping. I think the air-boot cast caused the problem. I think they took the other cast off too early.

I had both knees replaced Dec 2007 (both on same day). 3 years ago I just had the joint removed below my left thumb (thumb arthroplasty). I was in a soft cast. I was outside on the grass walking and my toe got stuck in a mole hole. I started falling forward slowly (in my mind) while trying to decide if I'm going to use my left arm to break my fall or have my knee hit the ground first. I chose the knee. (stupid me). I broke my femur from that. The doctor put a rod in my femur and I could not do therapy because my knee kept twisting in place and locking. Because of so much metal in my knee/leg no medical tests would show any problem. It took a whole year for me to convince these doctors there is a problem. Finally I told the doctor to replace the knee again. (2nd replacement on left knee). He did and told me that my ligament was not doing anything for me (that was to be attached to my knee). So all that time I was right and I lost an entire year of being on my feet more then a simple walk to a car or in a store (usually with crutches).

Doctors don't always know stuff. Especially if it's outside their peripheral vision. Be in their face about the issues you're having. I was too nice thinking the doctors knew what they were doing. One doctor told me, is the bone fixed? (yes) "then I've done my job".

I broke my ankle in 3 places in July

Surgery screws and long screw in back of ankle to stabilize the break

4 weeks in cast Cast removed, stitches removed at 4 weeks I was given boot and had crutches Told I could bear 25% weight

Boot made me develop a small swollen bump which was painful but I did as much weight bearing as possible

At 7 weeks xray showed bones were healed Can now full weight bear with or w/o boot

Started PT First time at PT I was in boot and using crutches By mid September I could walk in the boot with no crutches

Slowly began wearing sneakers around the house with no boot

What I can tell you its a slow process and some days you feel like you arent making any progress but it takes time

Good luck and be patient!

Definitely do PT!!!!

I'm sort of laughing cause you think I'm recovered. but then I'm not laughing cause I'm not recovered. I have had too many surgeries in a short amount if time. 6 in 2 years. most in my hands. all of this has knocked me down. I'm trying to recoup but struggle. I now have Afib, fibermyalgia and dupetrens conjecture in both hands. The amount of pain I have off and on is the biggest challenge. I am on gabapentin (like most humans out there) but maybe not a strong enough dosage. doctors keep telling me DON'T FALL. but every medication they have me on causes dizziness and balance issues. also every medicine causes blurred vision. so looking through my progressive lenses most of the time wont help. DON'T FALL keeps playing in my head. life is certainly a challenge at times.

wow so sorry to hear you are having all these issues. I broke mine on July 3rd and had a plate and two screws put in. The surgery wasn't until the 23rd during that time I was in a cast. I was non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks and they had removed the cast and put me in an air boot. when I went back after 6 weeks I was still non-weight-bearing but given physical therapy. they also gave me an ankle brace and I was supposed to start wearing that once Physical Therapy got me moved out of the boot. when I went back at 12 weeks I believe they told me I could do full. weight bearing. which when I try to do it I wasn't ready and it was extremely painful. it does get better but. I would think you are early especially with no therapy. I would definitely call your doctor back and if you can get into the therapy that's a big help because that's how they got me from being completely off my feet into walking . it's a long slow process. Good luck and keep us posted. It will get better.

sounds like you had the same break and repair as me except l have a rod too. my accident was 11weeks ago . i had my cast on for 8 weeks now im in a moon boot but was told to still not completely weight bare just rock the boot with crutches. if l do try and weight bare i simply cant, i too have pins n needles down my toes and l have like a burning sensation. the swelling is only just starting to go down, sounds to me like what your experiencing is the same as me but l do feel they took the cast f too early.

im starting physio in a few days lets hope we will both be back to normal very soon x

you need physical therapy assistance. they work with injuries like this all the time and will give you the advice you need to help with your recovery so you would not do something to re injure yourself... your doctor should be monitoring your progress at least every two weeks to gradually add weight to your ankle. i would recommend you report to your doctor for x rays and then go to s physcal therapist please

I was none weight bearing for 8 weeks in a fibreglass cast.

I wasn't x-rayed at the point they took the cast off, but was at 4 weeks in.

Try not to take medication. It dulls your pain and lets you push harder than you should and possibly cause more damage.

I'm wearing trainers (Skechers shape-ups, they're old but not worn so still have a decent sole) as the shape helps to walk. Try just getting around at first, doesn't need to be 'walking' as such; I started with a sort of waddling limp, that has gotten more like walking the more I do.

The muscle isn't going to come back unless you use it, so get cracking! If you're struggling to physically walk, you need to loosen off the muscle/tendon/ligaments.

Practise drawing the alphabet with your ankle with your foot in as many positions as you can (pointed, heels down, in between etc.)

Practise standing on one leg and build the time up. Then try standing on both feet and just lifting up onto your toes. Then when you're strong and stable (more than Mrs May anyway!) try standing on one foot on your toes.

This all takes time to build the strength- I'm currently only a week out of a cast, but have done the other one 2 years ago!

the pins and needles I think are normal but hopefully the hospital will be able to help with everything. I found with my experience and what others have said here that many times they don't give enough info on what to expect.