I broke my ankle 2 years ago. I have a metal plate in my leg. I did have 2 screws in my ankle. They were taken out 1 year. I am still in pain with my ankle pain. I have been discharged from the hospital.
How did you do with the boot? I am 3 wks in with a tri fracture. It happened 12/23, had surgery 12/24, stayed in hospital 5 days. Got discharged 12/28,. Went back to doctor 01/9, and had splinter taken off, only to be replaced with the boot. I hate the boot with a passion. I also have six screws on one side, 1 plate and one screw on the other side. What I want to know is how to deal with the boot.
I got on with the boot . It was ok ok but I after a few weeks in it . I hated it . I just hate being in pain. I found it hard to get to sleep at night
I hated the boot from the start. I'm constantly taking it off. I've only had the boot 6 days and i hate it. I wonder will taking it off a lot will hinder my progress.? The doctor said sleep in it, but I just can't do it.
I took it off at night time and only worn it when I was walking on it
By not sleeping in the boot, will it hinder the progress?
I don’t think so
I am just miserable with this boot. I'm miserable all the way round by being so dependent on people.
Lauren, I had/have the same feeling about the boot. For the first 7 weeks I was non weight bearing and instructed to wear boot 24/7. My doctor insisted the boot was essential not just for protection but to hold my foot in a certain healing position. He did say I could take it off to air foot and wiggle toes. I did that a lot when resting in my recliner. But my sleep at night in a bed was awful. I tried lots of things including sleeping at night in my recliner but nothing helped. At week 4 I said the heck with sleep deprivation and slept at night with the boot off.
What really really helped me with the swelling and pain was wearing support/compression socks 24/7. Not the super tight ones like in the hospital but a medium compression like many people that work on their feet use.
I have been allowed to weight bear and walk with the boot for a week now. Absolutely miserable painful experience and the boot has been a danger for me falling because the length of one leg is so much longer. Two things have helped, I put a wad of quilting batting under my heel. Don’t use foam because that might change the way or boot holds your foot. Next I make sure to always wear a good traction shoe on good ankle (no slippers) and if I leave the house I strap a shoe leveler on to even up my legs. Amazon carries one called evenup-essential to safely walk as well as saves you from hip and back pain. I’m counting down, 4 more weeks in the boot full time! Good luck! You mostly just have to accept and just push through.
I also work 3 days a week as a career in a care home for the elderly who have dementia for 6 and half hours .
I asked my doctor exactly that question because I hated my boot. The plate and incision were so uncomfortable with the pressure of it. The first two weeks, I had pain and then by the last two it was just discomfort. My doctor gave me the answer I wanted which was that my plate and screws were holding the ankle in proper alignment and that the boot was merely for protection so I was protected from injury (dog jumping on ankle etc.). So he said if I felt comfortable and safe out of the boot, it was fine. I ditched it at night immediately after hearing that and when I was just on my couch I was never wearing it. Week 8 I was allowed to weight bear, but again he recommended wearing the boot because the ankle would be weak. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not impossible so I wear it out and to work, but then carry a sandal and sock to change into if I know I will be sitting in one place for awhile. I do not have any pain from it rubbing the plate and incision anymore. I am soon to start week 9 and plan to go totally bootless!!! So, check with your doctor- my injury was a spiral ankle fracture. A long and frustrating experience, but I can say as I enter week 9 that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! Hang in there everyone!!!!
I am just fed up with myself as I can not do much walking as I am in pain. I am thinking about getting a second opinion from a other orthopaedic doctor
How many weeks since your surgery? I was not allowed to walk for 6 weeks. Would not have wanted to- it would have hurt!!!!
I'm only 3 weeks. I'm just so frustrated.
Yes frustration is huge!!!!! And sad to say that 3 weeks is early yet. Do not weight bear until a doctor says you can- you definitely do no want to prolong your recovery. You just have to accept that it is not a quick heal and try to make the best of it. I rented a knee scooter so at least I could ditch my crutches at times and zoom around a bit. I binge watched Downton Abby and loved it- I never usually can watch TV. I read a lot. I sulked a bit for sure!!! But, like I said - I am entering week 9 and feeling so much better! Have been walking for 4 days, only 3 more with my boot and physio starts tomorrow so I can build up strength and flexibility. There honestly is an end in sight!!!! Hang in there!
2 years on the 26 th January
I am sorry Lauren! That is definitely too long to still have pain. I would be visiting an orthopedic doctor for sure. Perhaps it is a physio matter and you need to strengthen the surrounding muscles and tendons. Hopefully it is not another surgery! My surgeon told me the reason I needed surgery to fix my fracture is to avoid pain in the ankle down the road - ankle arthritis he called it. I hope he was right!
My mum is Phyisotheraphpist
Well I guess you have that covered! I start my physio today and cannot wait to get some exercises to get this ankle back to working. I find that my calf muscle is weak too, from sitting on the couch for 7 weeks! I hope a good doctor can sort out why you still have pain.