Fractured my ankle in 2 places and dislocated. Was in a cast for 6 weeks non weight bearing. Now discharged from hospital with moon boot. I am now 7 weeks post fracture and am at the lowest point. I feel like I will never walk again. I really dont know what to do as was not referred for physio. Do I continue just using the boot and hope that one day soon I can walk. We have already cancelled a holiday and have a holiday booked in 6 weeks time. I am worried that I will have to cancel this too. Is there anyone out there who are in similar circumstances who can offer me hope and advice. I really am desperate.
You should not be in desperate situation but you must go through physical therapy. After six weeks of no weight bearing, physical therapy must start now and you should start putting weight on injured leg in a couple of weeks. Expect swelling and some pain. I will start physical therapy this week. My surgeon told me to expect swelling and I still have pins and needles type of pain. I too may have to postpone travel unfortunately. Keep up your spirit and you'll be back walking in a couple of months. It is such a slow process. You have to be careful and patient. Nick
I understand your pain and confusion. I am 10 weeks post fracture and still in a cast. I have the same fears as you. When do you see your doctor again? Are you are to put weight on it?
Thank you Nick. It is so difficult to be positive after so long. I was thinking I might contact my GP to ask for physio referral as may feel better with some on hand advice and support as to what I should or shouldnt do. I never realised this could be so debilitating. I am a person who rushes around everywhere so this has hit me like a ton of bricks. Its difficult to see light at tde end of the tunnel. Hope you are okay.
Hi I have no further appointments. Hospital Consultant discharged me with a boot and said do exercises and walk when it feels comfortable to do so. I feel totally left and worried I may be doing more damage than good. I have searched the internet but not sure that is a good thing as according to some I could be walking now and others I am weeks away from walking. This is awful. Cant believe you are still.in a cast after 10 weeks. You must be going stir crazy.
There are lots of posts on this site that will help you. I'm sorry your doctor has not been more forthcoming, but most of us have had the same experience. You should call for a physio appointment. If it's far out, you may want to pay out of pocket. I am 51/2 months post op. The recovery is gradual, each person a little different depending on injury, age etc. Some of the beginning exercises are pointing your toes and dorsiflexion, twisting the ankle in both directions, writing the alpabet with your toes, using a stretchy band in all directions. Weight bearing is gradual using crutches, then wean to one crutch. I totally understand the need for speed and this has been a lesson in patience (I failed many days). Try to take one day at a time, it will be over before we know it. Physio will help you make a plan and give you some answers. Best of luck!
Hi Iris.
Go and see your GP for a referral for physio. You will walk again given time and there is no magic wand. I was in the camboot for months and had a difficult time walking and weight bearing. I was walking unaided at post op 5 MONTHS. I am now 7 months post op and still in pain. I'm having physiotherapy and hydrotherapy but still can't walk properly but I've been through hell and I have come a long way. I am still recovering but don't have the level of movement in my ankle I once had. I have 4 plates on fibula and tibia with screws and 2 screws in the inner ankle bone, these two, i can feel them digging in most of the time and it's not at all pleasant. You will feel anxious and that's normal and you will have good and bad days with feelings of helplessness. It's a time thing with a broken ankle, some heal quicker than others and there are also degree of breaks, age, bone strength, etc, these are all factors we have to consider with the healing process. Just know you are not alone and the people who will understand are the people who have been through this. I forgot how to walk and still have great fears of falling. Keep positive and just know that, this too shall pass. 🙂
* That is 2 plates. 🙃
Tomorrow 11 am is my first PT appointment. It is such a long process to recover from ankle break; I have figured that out a few weeks back, and that's why I saw a psycho professional and now I am on depression medication for a few months. That was key to keeping sane. I had anxiety and depression before that. A cast would drive any sane human crazy; it's like being in prison. Seeing a shrink for consultation and taking medication for depression make me have a good night sleep which is essential for recovery. Saying lots of prayers helps too. My prayers and best wishes go out to you also. Nick
I am going stir crazy, it is definitely a test. Remember, everyone heels different. From what I have been told, the more you work it, the better it is. Look up range of motion exercises for ankle in the internet and get a 2nd opinion, that doesn't sound right to me. You should be having regular xrays and follow ups to check your progress, not to mention physical therapy.
Iris: It's Nick again; your reply to leelee indicates you have less than a favorable advice from 'hospital consultant'. You must get professional physical therapy. 'Walk when it feels comfortable' is not a professional's advice. My 91-year old Mom, who did not finish middle school, would have done better. There is an established system to recovering from ankle surgery and the process cannot be arbitrary. It sounds like you're not getting sound professional advice. Wish you the best. Nick
Hi Iris
Like most others have said it is physiotherapy that will get your ankle moving again. I do sympathise with you because when my plaster was removed 6 weeks ago my ankle couldn't move. I have a plate and screws and ankle was dislocated. 3 days later I was at physio and did gentle exercises which over the weeks have been increased in difficulty and balance. Also the foot is manipulated which after awhile does hurt and then the physiotherapist stops. I used crutches at first and did walking between 2 parallel bars which gave confidence. I didn't have a boot.
I do the exercises at least 5 times a day at home and by evening the ankle is swollen and aches but is a lot better after a nights sleep. I can now walk unaided but still quite slowly.
I do hope you can get your ankle working and follow the exercises shown on some web sites. A lot are what I have been given at physio. There is a saying "no pain, no gain" and it is true for ankle injury. Don't be depressed because with continual exercise you will soon walk. Best wishes.
I had a cast on for 2 months and had to demand that I had physio as I could feel that my mustles were tight. I'm still having 30 mins pt every 3 weeks, which is basically e45 cream massaged into my ankle and a couple of balancing exercises on a board. My ankle has never stopped being swollen in all of my 6 months since injury. It isn't easy, I have good and bad days, I've had a few sleepless nights recently questioning my past and future, it is so hard as my life style has always been physical and now, it's just bed and work. I'm sorry to sound depressive as I know that all of us are experiencing the very same, just different levels of anxiety and depression.
I have had to postpone my travel from Uk to Clevelend this May to visit family, as I know I just am not ready for a 10 hour plus flight and delays.
Hope you are able to go on your second holiday, as this maybe the tonic that you need to make you feel better within yourself. Take care
Thank you for your response. I do appreciate you taking the time. I have rang my doctor this morning and asked if I can have a referral for physio so am now waiting a response. Its difficult to know what to do for the best ie do I try full weight bearing or could this cause more damage etc. I feel that I need these questions answered in order to feel confident that I am doing everything correct.
I am so sorry to hear that you have had to cancel your trip in May and hope that you get a full recovery sooner rather than later and can get away to see your family in the not too distant future.
Best wishes
Oh my god my heart goes out to you, first and foremost you need to see a gp or physio and tell them you have no aftercare plan and the problems you are having. Ask your gp to refer you to a specialist, do not wait act now, and heres why!! I broke my ankle july 2015 and after a long nightmarish 6 months i have just had surgery with a plate five pins put in and back on my arse staring longingly out at my poor horse lol after surgery i was informed that the SYNDESMOSIS was completely ruputured and he had to do a bone graft with two long pins going through my fibula and tibia till it fuses, totally gutted. I am a dairy farmer and do endurance riding and since this happened have not done either, I saw many people had an MRI in october which got mixed opinions and finally my gp went nuts at acc and sent me to a specialist who got a ct scan done and orgainised surgery within a fortnight. I now have permanent damage through so long with it being out of alignment by 3mm which has caused lost of cartilidge etc, so i beg you to take the matter into your own hands and seek the best advice from the right person (Orthopedic Surgeon) as soon as possible, I wish a far better outcome for you than where i am, looking at at least 9 months recovery with an unsure outcome lol BIGGEST HUGS as I know how this takes its toll not knowing!!!
ps....in regards to physio if your injury has gone through ACC you are entitled to a certain amount of subsidised physio sessions. so look up a physio that works for you and make an appointment take in any papework with your acc number and they will lodge it.
Hi Iris 2468
​This Iris had my accident and op. 3 months ago and am making progress, though not all plain sailing. One thing is sure, although many of us have had similar experiences, we do not all get the same after care, physio, or advice. Sorry to hear you are feeling so down. I hope it helps to know others have been there too. Despite what the medics say, do not put up with either pain nor treatment which is more painful than you can manage.
​After 3 months I find I get much less swelling now and can walk about half a mile before leg starts to ache, When ever I sit down I elevate leg and massage it night and morning using moisturiser. Stiffness gradually easing, except after sitting too long and in 'first gear'.
​Last week I went to the swimming pool- adults only sesion, so no kids to fall over. It was really good and I managed 20 lengths with no ankle pain- using a variety of leg movements. I was concerned about getting out, as the steps are steep and narrow, but it was not really a problem as I was able to pull myself up and put foot sideways on the steps. After warm shower I felt I was walking on air. I would recommend going to the pool even if you are not a swimmer as simply walking about in water uses all the key muscles and you can do your physio exercises holding the bar or side of the pool.and no weight- bearing involved. I am so impressed with the result that I plan to go twice a week from now on.
​Don't lose heart. There is light at the end of the tunnel but it's not the same distance for all of us. When I look back to where I was a month ago I can measure progress listing things mentally as the change from can't do to can do.
Nag the health professionals. It's you and your body not theirs!
Best wishes
Hi Iris. Thanks for your kind comments. I understand your apprehension with regards to whether you are doing harm full weight bearing. I had an X Ray every appointment and then was told when I could weight bear. It was a very strange feeling of pins and needles initially and was tempted to rely keep using crutches, but this feeling will reduce with increased use. Good luck
Iris, I broke my ankle on February 16th and had surgery February 20th (see my posting) and have to be NWB for a total of eight weeks, so I stiil have a ways to go before I can even put my put down. So believe me I feel your pain. From everything I've read, and continue to read, it's just a damned slow process but eventually you will be able to walk normally again. It may take months, however, not weeks. They say at the one year mark you should pretty much be there. I know that sounds like an eternity but all things considered, we're much better off than many people with life-changing injuries. Hang in there! Ron in New York
Ron, my doctor told me that it takes a full year. You are right about us being luckier than a lot people. Thanks for being positive.