Ok,'I've been out of the boot for a week and a half. When you're finally out of the boot you're like "Hooray-I'm free". After a couple of days, reality sets in. Your ankle is now taking a full load. Even if your dr puts you in a stirrup or similar to keep you from rolling your ankle while you're strengthening it, THIS STAGE IS HARD. Your foot/ankle are not used to full load and things are going to happen.
1. You will have swelling. After a few hours on that ankle, you will swell. For me, the swelling appears around and above where the stirrup is. Dr says its normal and will occur for a month or more, should get better with time. The remedy is :ELEVATE,ICE. Don't overdo (like I did) for the first few days without the boot. Let your ankle get used to the full load burden gradually. Massage deeply from the heel up through the calf on both sides with lotion after being up-that will help the lymphatic system flush out the fluid swelling.
2. You will have some pain. Its more like just discomfort, and truly most of it is from the pressure of the fluid buildup causing the swelling. Again, ice and elevation, anti-inflammatories are ok now because your bones have healed.
3. Do your exercises given to you by the physical therapist and see the pt regularly during this period. Yes your bones have healed but your ligaments and tendons are tight and you need to get your range of motion and flexibility/strength back as much as possible. The window for doing this is closing so the work has to be done.
It's awesome walking-I'm not gonna lie. But you have to concentrate on good form-heel to toe, moving through the hip and bending that knee. Don't get discouraged if it's not all roses at first, this is all hard work but I'm happy with my results so far.
The loudest message I want to send is :DO IT GRADUALLY. DON'T OVERDO AT FIRST. Its easy to add a little more every day, harder to undo a setback from overdoing. We all want to get back to normal life. Pace yourself.