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Swelling after ankle surgery

Posted , 28 users are following.

molly8693
molly8693

Hello,

I had ankle surgery and my cast was taken off over a month a go.

I can stand on my 2 legs but can't walk.

Every time I exercise with crutches or stand to cook my foot swells and goes purple.  Does anybody know how long the swelling will last for?

I was cryptically told by a nurse that the last thing to go is the swelling.

Any ideas?

I am really fed up and frustrated.  It is all taking so long and progress is so slow.  The whole business has made me depressed and negative.

Molly

2 likes, 318 replies

318 Replies

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  • kels31
    kels31 molly8693

    Posted

    Hi Molly, hopefully by now you're doing much better. I broke my ankle at work 2.5

  • udi60157
    udi60157 molly8693

    Posted

    On 8/14/17 have had a 'total ankle replacement ' . Currently I walk with no aid, and work out at the gym 1.5 hrs a day . Ankle is badly swelling and I'm in pain when walking/limping . Anyone else have had similar Experience ?? Thanks

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen udi60157

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that you are having issues.

      It us still very early days in your recovery so I suspect that you are doing too much at this stage!

      Does icing and elevation help? What prosthesis was used and who did your surgery in the US?Any history we should be aware of?

      Cheers Richard

    • udi60157
      udi60157 RichardKen

      Posted

      Tnx Richard . Please don't get me wrong , I'm blessed & lucky to have a fantastic !!! surgeon in Dr steck here in Tucson & an highly skilled PT team whom I'm visiting twice a week. I'm fiolowing the adviced protocol exactly as I've told. Dr is saying that my healing is ahead of schedule . So I'm happy . At the gym, I work out lightly above the waist & practicing the 'homework ' which my pt asked me to do. So all and all things looks good. I basically trying on this forum to find another similar 'case' so we can compare progress 

  • kingsley63580
    kingsley63580 molly8693

    Posted

    Broke m Lowe fibula bone last weekend.pain is improving but I need to start my new job on the 18th of December. Just worried if I will be on my feet in time to start my new job :-(
    • dennis86768
      dennis86768 kingsley63580

      Posted

      Broke my right lower fibula 5 weeks ago. At day 3 post surgery, my ortho surgeon removed my cast and put me on an aircast walking boot. He also advised me to do IWBAT- instant weight bearing as tolerated.  Right now, I can drive with the aircast off and I can walk slowly with the aid of a cane. Pain right now is tolerable and my right lower leg is still a little swollen. I hope this helps
    • Coghlan
      Coghlan dennis86768

      Posted

      I was glad to find this site and needed to know if anyone else has the same issues.  I had an  open fracture on Dec. 8, 2017 and was in a cast for 2 weeks then in an air boot. Have a plate and screws in my ankle.  Today March 8 2018 it has been 3 months since my accident and was in a boot for most of the time with light weight with the boot only about a month ago.  Can now wear shoes and put as much weight as possible using a walker but my foot on the bottom is extremely sore and mainly the side with the plate hurts when I put weight on it.  I have had PT in home since I came home 2 days after surgery. As I was always very active, this has derailed me immensely and now I am wondering if my ankle will ever be the same. My PT is telling me that next week we will try a walking cane! I don't know if he is hurrying me up because his time is about up or if this is normal. I have not been able to drive yet and am getting tired of having to be so dependent on my husband! I am thankful that my injury was not worse but am so tired of not being able to do the things I normally do.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

    • helen00131
      helen00131 Coghlan

      Posted

      Hi Coghlan,

      I am sorry to hear that. I am not try to depress you. But it could be a very long recovery journey. My fracture was on Nov. 30 2016. I had a plate and screws in my ankle for 6 months. Then I decided to remove them out. Now 15 months after the injury, I still can't walk for long distance without pain. I used to run for long distance - 10km and hiking, and rock climbing. I am no longer enjoy those things, maybe never...

      However, it all depends on individual and the injury itself. Apart from broken bones, 75% of my ankle cartilage has also gone.... It also depends on the age. I am turning 55 this year.

      Hope you won't take that long to recover. PT is very important. I am still seeing my PT 2 - 3 times a week. It really help.

      Good luck with your recovery!

      Helen

  • uwfotogal
    uwfotogal molly8693

    Posted

    My PA told me I would have swelling up to 1-2 years.  I’m hoping I do it in a year.  I’ve got lots of travel planned. I broke both bones and have rid and screws.  I’m in week 15.  I can walk really slow.  With a cane.  I cheat around the hse. Use a scooter but I really just need to be secure and another dr. Friend says he’s concerned about how I am overextending the knee which will causes problems  later.  I’m bending it now that I’m aware
  • lloni
    lloni molly8693

    Posted

    Find out if you need vein ablations or if you have an infection. See a cardiologist about vein ablation. It saved me!
  • paris26031
    paris26031 molly8693

    Posted

    I Broke My Ankle on both sides &wore the cast&Started wearing the boot on;

    Feb😇22nd~2018 &my foot keeps swelling but called the nurse&she said

    To do these things&Ice pack&walkn more can help &doing the Alphabet Excersises with my foot moving of doing the Excersises &Praying can help2!!!😇??🙏

  • betty89638
    betty89638 molly8693

    Posted

    Hi Molly, I had my ankle reconstruction surgery Jan 8th 2018, I went to skilled nursing facility for 6 weeks ( I live alone) I did physical therapy non weight bearing with the help of a walker with a Knee sling ( see amazon  Knee Sling $ 240) it fits any walker and works so much better than cruches.

     I came home Feb 16th and I  am in a walking boot and  physical therapy  comes three times a week..I am now walking with both feet but still with a walker , There is a little discomfort  but bearable. They tell me you just push through it , walking will get you back to normal faster. I walk about 60 ft around my living room 3 times a day with the boot. it get easier every day. The most uncomfortable pain is the nerve pain and swelling and tightness of skin that is constant . I use TriDerma Total recovery cream  to help with that and it does feel better ( again on Amazon $ 21 )

    I hope this helps,

  • mary09751
    mary09751 molly8693

    Posted

     Following ORIF for a broken fibula I spent 8 long weeks in a cast.  4 days after the cart was removed I discovered, what I think, is the best form of PT to get you walking.   I realized that rocking in a rocking chair and pushing off with my healing leg was the most beneficial way to prepare for walking.    You get the impact, the partial weight bearing rock, then the push off!!!   I changed how I held my good leg to control the depth of each rock.  Then I did a lot of standing.  It creeped my kids out to see me just standing for long periods of time but it helped.  I am walking like a zombie at 4 days post cart removal but I’m moving!   Albeit with moderate pain at times.    I truly believe rocking FITB me moving faster than those ROM excercises i hater doing.  
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