7 months on crutches, how to walk again?

Foot care
1

Hello! I had a surgery in april with 11 screws, plate and syndesmosis band. After a month it got infected and I had two more surgeries to clean/remove the metal. After the third surgery (about 4 months) my doctors told me I was free to walk around after two weeks, and running after two months. However, my fracture “re-broke” after two weeks, and I had to start all over again, this time with two syndesmosis screws and a band, moonboot and lighter weighbearing. Now its been another 3 months, and my doctors say that I should start rebuilding strength right away. I know I will have a surgery to remove the remaining screws sometime this month.

I am now however, pretty terrified that the same thing will happen again, and that the syndesmosis screws will break! My doctor said its probably not going to happen, as long as I dont run or jump, and dont weigh a lot. How much weight can the screws handle? I dont know what to do, listen to my doctors advice and start walking before taking them out, or risk that they break and stay in there forever.

Also I was wondering if you have any advice on how long a normal “transition” period should be from light weightbearing to full weighbearing? The doctor said around two weeks, but it seems thats just something they say in all cases.

Thank you so much!

2

I have just had my cast removed (I didn’t have surgery) and the Dr said I should use my crutches for 2 days and then get rid of them…and go back to work doing 10 hour days… I asked for physio, and the therapist told me to do slow stretching exercises to get my ankle used to moving again and to let it get used to bearing weight over the next 2 or so weeks. He said the increase had to be gradual or I could hurt myself.

I would arrange to see a physiotherapist, and go with what they say- my Dr’s advice was at odds with the therapist.

Good luck.

3

After the 2 weeks, the physio said I could go to using 1 crutch and then none once I was strong enough.

4

Thank you, that sounds smart! my range of motion is very good, since I had no cast, but no muscles left what so ever! I didnt get access to a physio :confused: they just sent me home and said walk (norwegian healthcare is not so good).
congrats to you for being out of the cast, hope you recover quickly!

5

Thank you.

The muscle wastage is the most difficult part- can you get access to physiotherapy? I think that is a good place to start. Good luck to you too.