Trimalleolar fracture of ankle

Did you attach an xray?  My daughter had bad tri fracture dislocation on 1/21.  She had cast for 10 weeks also and then boot for 2.  She was incredibly stiff when first out; in fact we had some pretty low moments when it seemed like it would never loosen up.  She was very active and athletic, and so it was a big loss for her.  Around late May, she really started to loosen and now at almost 7 months, I would say she is 90% there.  She still can't jump very well or sprint, but she can run (with a funky gait) and she is back involved in all her former activities.  She's still nt like she's used to tho, and I'm not sure that she will really regain it all.  Her doc and pt said she has up to a year to regain motion; at the year point, it's pretty well set.

Hi Stephen,

I had the same type of fracture and had surgery on April 17th.  There is light at the end of the tunnel. I am now 19 weeks out and just returned to work. I spend almost 10 weeks in the boot and did Physio for 6 of those weeks. a lot of that time was non weight bearing, i worked on range of motion..then started to slowly add weight using crutches. And I slipped more than once on the crutches and it HURT!! but you just gotta keep moving. I then moved to an ankle brace(that I still wear today) with a can. The pain comes and goes, after a long day, I still need to ice it, but.....I am walking, very slowly and carefully and still with a cane, but walking and still continue physio 2 x a week to better increase my balance and gait.

Just continue as best as you can with physio and understand that it is not a "getting better everyday" kind of recovery...it is more of a week to week kind of thing. you will have set backs, just try not to let it discourage you I still have a long way to go, but so thankful that i have made it this far....and you will too

Hi sufferer....

I was in cast 78 days from foot & ankle surgery, I am now 10 days out of cast, I'm skipping the air boot and have been full weight bearing 10 days with the use of crutches as much as I can take.

Time scales are different for everyone, but the one thing that does not change is suffering, you have to endure it, there is light ahead but you must get on your foot as much as you can handle, you must do the exercises the physio has advised. You have to break through and you will if you persevere, it does get easier but it is painful. Exercise, ice, rest, and repeat as much and as often as you can, you will see movement in a few short weeks.

If you dont, your ankle will stay stiff and refuse to loosen up, your recovery period will be extended by months. There is no short cuts here.

Stay strong fella, your not alone.

I just hit 19 weeks post ORIF trimalleolar fracture with dislocation. Im a 48yr old female. Was very active at the time of injury, so yes, there have been lots of tears thinking I'll not get back to normal. But it does get better.

Saw my surgeon today and bones are healed. I was in a cast and boot for 10+ weeks. Started PT at 12 weeks, 3 times a week. I still go now, 2 days. Had little to no ROM at first. I also went back to the gym at week 12 working with a trainer doing seated exercises and building leg muscle strength.

I am probably 90 to 100% weight bearing now, 50+ ROM. It is still stiff and swells regularly. I ice and elevate nightly. Once you start PT, do the work. My ankle will get stiff if i slack off now. I walked almost 3 miles last weekend, very slowly. It is a long recovery, but be patient. I still cannot jump or run, thats next challenge in PT. Listen to your body, it will let you know how much to do or not. The best of luck to you! We are all in the journey of ankle recovery. Its the worst joint to break and heal.

I have the fracture trimaleol on February 28, surgically solved with 8 screws plate and broaches. Now I go without a crutches. If I exaggerate with walking it hurts me in the area where I had the luxation. God to be with us!!

I had very similar fracture and simular op on 23 March. Initially I felt depressed about immobility and very long recovery predictions. But now I walk normally up to 7 - 8 miles on flat terrain and no pain but some discomfort due to swelling. You will recover but it takes time. Believe that you can and you will!