Ankle surgery trimalleolar fracture with dislocation. Concerns about pain, swelling and driving

Foot care
1

Hello,

This is May 24th, which is about 8 weeks after surgery.
1.On March 28, I fell and had an Ankle fracture and dislocation - trimalleolar fracture in the right ankle.
2.April 1: Surgery ORIF. Plate and 9 screws to fix ankle. Placed in Hard splint. Oxy pain meds every 6 hours. Next appt is 2 weeks.
3.April 14: Hard splint removed. In boot and NWB for 4 more weeks
a.Exercise: Move foot forward and back about 5 minutes twice a day
4.May 12: In boot for 5 more weeks. I can start to put a little weight on foot using the walker.
a.Exercise: Practice writing the alphabet with my toe.
b.Ankle swelling: May 16 -Ankle down for 2 hours and swelled. Took 36 hours for swelling to go down.
May 22 – Ankle down 30 minutes and ankle swelled.
c.Having pain in
Foot- Bottom of foot, Big toe numbness, other toes are numb & tingling, bottom of heel pain,
Back of lower leg feels rigid with rod-like feeling going through it.
5.June 16: next appointment with surgeon
Questions:
–I am wondering if I have to continue to keep my ankle elevated 24x7 in order to keep it from swelling?
–This week or next I can start physical therapy.
I do not know whether to contact surgeon about the pain that I am having or go ahead and contact physical therapy and discuss pain with them?
–I think the pain is from nerve damage from the ankle dislocation or surgery. I am wondering how the nerve pain will affect my ability to drive. I am having concerns about being able to drive in July which will be 3 months after surgery. Even if I could drive just a mile down the road to the nearest store, I wonder when I could expect to drive for a 2 and half hour’s car trip.
Anyone have thoughts on driving? It is my right ankle that is injured.
Thanks,

2

the driving should not hurt the ankle. to be honest pressing down on the peddle is almost like therapy and strength exercise to the ankle. if you continue having pain to the ankle always discuss with doctor. he will do x rays to check the healing of the bones and other damage to ankle

3

hi .i really feel for you as i have done the exact same thing to my left ankle 3 weeks ago.i live in turkey and really struggling with the langauge barrier , pain has been terrible ,i go back to see surgeon and have stitches removed on wednesday ,not sure what they will put on then . please keep intouch and let me know your stages that you go through . takecare

4

Everything you are feeling right now is quite normal and part of the healing process
i had same type of fracture last July and by mid September I was walking (more like limping). still after 10 months my ankle will swell and I need to ice and or elevate
Its a long recovery
It gets better in 3-4 months after initial surgery and doing PT but my ortho said it can take close to a year or more to feel normal again
I think driving will be fine once you are out of the boot My injury was on my left ankle so once I could FWB I was off in my car! Felt so great to have some independence back!
Im back to my normal routine
Good luck

5

6

Your xrays look a lot like mine, but I have more screws on the plate side. I am on my 10th week post op, walking in a boot with follow up appointment in a week. How are you?