Weight Bearing After ORIF Surgery!
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello,
On June 7th I broke my Tibia and Fibula. I had ORIF surgery on the 8th and got two plates and 15 screws.
I was in a splint for two weeks then a hard cast for four after that. I finally got into my walking boot on July 21st. That day I was cleared to start weight bearing (hallelujah).
Its been a couple weeks of progression and I can walk with one or two crutches (and boot) depending on my stamina and pain level.
I am just curious what type of pain is typically experienced when learning to walk again. Most of this time weight bearing the pain has been tolerable, but today it feels more painful. Maybe I pushed myself to hard? Any tips for helping the pain? I am only taking Ibuprofen for that now. I try icing and elevating too.
I guess I am just looking for insight and tips from your experience! It also helps me to know that I am not alone. This long process is isolating and it feels like it will never end.
1 like, 4 replies
keith38551 kaitlyn29919
Edited
Well Your well ahead of me! Had my Op 4 months ago and still in walking boot. Threw crutches away two weeks ago. Pain gets bad if I overdo it so just try to do enough each day to not make it hurt. Slow but steady progression I'm afraid and its getting easier. One day it will be fine but everyone is different!
Most of my pain feels like surface pain rather than deep down. Paracetamol knocks it on the head and I rarely need them now. I leave the boot off when resting and gentle massage helps. Elevating good too.
Patience!!
kaitlyn29919 keith38551
Edited
Thanks for sharing your experience! Its so hard to be patient. I also have quite a bit of pain if I over do it. When that happens I feel like I am going backwards in recovery. That being said, I'm still incredibly grateful I can walk even a little again. It was too depressing being immobile.
Pinetta45 kaitlyn29919
Edited
Hi,
I've been where you are now and I can tell you that it will certainly get better.
I had a trimalleolar fracture 5 months ago and underwent ORIF with one plate and nine screws. After the ORIF, I was in a cast for 6 weeks and then I was allowed partial weight bearing as I got into the walking boot with a progression of 30% to 50% to 75% to 100% weight bearing over a course of 6 weeks.
It took me four and a half weeks in the walking boot until I was able to walk with one crutch only (75% weight bearing) and 5 weeks and a half until I ditched both crutches.
During this phase it is very normal to have pain since you are re-mobilizing all the atrophied muscles and shortened ligaments and tendons in your foot. My physical therapist told me that as long as the pain is tolerable and can be treated with an OTC painkiller, it is all fine. As I was working on the weight bearing, whenever the pain was more than the usual, I took a step backward on the weight load and retried to push myself after 2 days. Also during this phase, my doctor cleared me to practice walking barefoot in the swimming pool.
Today, after 5 months, I tried to run for 2 minutes for the first time and it was ok. I also started with some basic jumping exercises. You just need to have some patience and determination and with some time it will start to look and feel better.
pat21095 kaitlyn29919
Posted
My accident was July 13 and ORIF on July 20. Just got cleared to start bearing weight. Doctor left me with the impression that I could just start walking. I am still very reliant on crutches. I was planning on walking around in a pool to get some ROM in my ankle. Right now, the Achilles is very tight. I feel like I have to get out of the boot to get any flexibility back but it really hurts when I try to walk without the boot. Does the progress sound right? Does the pool sound like the right idea?