Walking Again After Ankle Fracture

what is your therapist telling you?

my surgery was 7/11 so we are about same time post op

I am in sneakers walking, slight limp and still have some pain when I walk

I tell everyone when they want to make plans that my ankle decides my days! LOL!

When I began PT I was in boot w/crutches

Within a few weeks I was no crutches and no boot

It was scary at first to not have the boot but then I learned not to be afraid of my ankle

I saw ortho on Wednesday and xray shows everything healed nicely and no arthritis

I'm walking without using anything ( surgery july 10 , broke the 3 bones, pulled muscles tendons and had fracture blisters)) and I still can't balance on that foot. .Everyday is different as far as how long I can walk and sometimes I limp and sometimes I don't .The first time I tried to do full weight bearing walking with permission from doc my foot hurt so bad ,I thought I'd never walk again. I just bit the bullet and did it. What I do try to concentrate on is standing straight looking ahead and heel toe. I do sometimes get carried away and spend too much time on my foot and end up looking like Quasi Moto . At this point as far as balancing on that foot , unless I'm planning on engaging in a game of Simon says, I don't really care if I can do it. That's just me. I figure in time with walking and exercise it's got to strengthen .

if your therapist is going to start u practicing with no walker thats great

At home I started using just one crutch Before much longer I tried no crutches just the boot and I was able to do it

Its going to hurt You have had almost no weight on it for a long time and you will get used to the feeling

If you have someone at home with you ask them to hold your arm on opposite side of injury and see if you can take a few steps

Youd be surprised at what you can do

Good luck

I am 18 weeks, walking in a tennis shoe with no aide. At 16 weeks I was walking with crutches. It hurts , yes. Its swollen, yes. Can I walk far? No. Can I stand for long periods of time? No. About 30 mins. If I do do too much walking in a day...it swells up, but not really bad...but I have a rest day. It's how it is. You are 14 weeks. It all depends how your ankle joint is. Everyone recovers at a difference pace, so many variables, like age, fitness etc...sounds like your therapist is going to let you have a go with out the walker. Ask them about crutches for you, will make you practice balance more, and walk better. It really is a personal decision to walk on it. If you can stand on two feet and the ankle feels strong enough to hold your weight, you are probably ready to take some steps. But balance is key. Balance excersises are good. Good luck. I wish you well.

I'm nearly 10 weeks post ORIF. I was given the all clear to FWB after 6 weeks. I was put into an aircast boot at 2.5 weeks. The PT told me to ditch the boot within 2 weeks of FWB (8 weeks post ORIF). At 9 weeks I have said goodbye to the crutches.

The PT told me the first two weeks were the most important time for the bones to fuse.

If I walk too quickly it is easier to limp so I walk slowly and keep chanting 'heel and toe'. Keep up the exercises and hopefully this episode will soon become a dim distant memory!

I am 17 weeks post Orif for smashed up ankle and dislocation. I am lucky in that my progres has gone according to the surgeons plan. Walking without crutches from 8 weeks once the boot was provided and driving from 12 weeks with no effects or pain. Now have good ROM and gait is also good. Hang in there, smashing up an ankle is probably the worst injury and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Stay positive and focused on getting better. I do believe we all have a psychological block especially when you are literally learning to walk again after an injury of this nature. If you are stubborn like me but also have a positive and optimistic outlook then it sure does help too.

Best of luck to you on your road to recovery... It gets better I promise you x