Question for others: I went from an external fixation device to the black boot three days ago and was told to wear the boot 24/7 for the next two weeks - NWB. I pulled it off to wash my foot yesterday and my ankle is 'locked' or frozen into the position of the boot. Before, it was more mobile and I could move it up/down more. Have others had this experience? Is there anything I can do now to help my flexibility later?
Thanks much. This groups has been a life saver.
Hi Mary, I've been in a boot now for 4 weeks. I'm allowed to keep it off when I'm at home as long as I'm not moving around much. I find my leg very stiff after I've had it on all day and it's hard to move it much. But it does loosen up after it's been off for a few hours. Start slowly moving it and it should get better. If not then I'd call your doctor and see what they say. Hope this helps a little bit!
I had same process. 3 weeks external fixator then ORIF surgery with placement in walking boot but NWB. I too has 2 weeks with boot in place, then was allowed to take off up to 3 times daily to begin moving ankle to promote flexibility. I would suggest the "frozen" u are experiencing is part of the process. Wait until u are given directions to begin movement such as writing alphabetic with foot. My doc's direction when I was allowed to actively begin moving ankle but still NWB. When not directly looking at my foot I thought I had great flexibility...not so much. Then u should be scheduled for PT. Mine came when I was released to weight bearing as tolerated. And that was what my PT was all about, getting the bend and flexibility back. I'm afraid I'm one who has not regained quickly and am still having trouble with pretty bad stiffness almost 3 months after release to WBAT. Do keep in mind this is a process of hard work and can take up to a year to return to ur new normal. That "year" part is something I hold onto dearly so I can acknowledge how far I have come from where I have been.
It gets better. Hang in there dear heart. Best wishes in ur recovery.
Hey Mary
I never experience that but i honestly donr listen to thw doctor on some things but not all..I am on my 5th week my doctor told me i dont have to wear my boot at all anymore right after surgery went right into a boot..i think u should keeo ur feet out the boot for min to try to move ur ankle if that do not work call your doctor
You are in week 6 right? Right after my surgery i went into a boot after the second week i took it off from time to time to move my ankle so it wont Become stiff.
Thanks Shantell,
I think I will take your advice and try and move my ankle a little bit out of the boot.
Best,
Julie
Thanks! Its nice to hear I am not alone. Its funny but I can point my left foot like a ballet dancer and my right foot is locked into a 45 degree angle. I guess my ballet career has ended before it began. ;-)
Hi Mary, I completely discloated and broke my ankle on May 10th. After surgery 3 days later, I wore the boot for a long time. My left ankle is actually frozen. I've had PT for 6 weeks, twice a week. My doctor again wanted me to have a second round of PT for 6 weeks. My ankle will not move and my doctor said it could be frozen but too early to tell. I have the screws/metal in as well. I literally can't move it. I can wiggle my toes. I use a cane now and walk with a limp. My PT told me my ankle could be frrozen too. I've used bands, and tried for weeks to losen it up. Nothing. I hope you have better luck than me. Beth
Oh Lamborghini Gal,
Your post makes me so sad. I probably should not read any of these as I get my boot in 11 more days (for 6 more weeks ) following 7 weeks in a cast. I also have screws and a plate- (both sides)- and I am so afraid of even moving the ankle. I am 6 weeks post accident and I still have more pain than I ever expected at this stage. I have had the cast changed twice and both times, my foot was repositioned and I was told it would help me to be able to walk easier (something about the achilles tendon stretching...)
My husband had a frozen shoulder- I had no clue this could happen to your foot too. I am so sorry for you- I cannot imagine the frustration.
All physicians apparently do things a little differently for sure.
These injuries will for sure get better for all of us - we are all getting a good dose of learning patience. I also know that most folks that search out the forum are those of us in the 'midst of the storm' and there are many success stories that we do not tend to see.. I really appreicate reading all these posts and learning about what to expect. Guess the bottom line is- "no pain, no gain" and we need to be ready for hard, long work.
Beth, I am sincere in when I tell you that I pray that your ankle starts moving soon. I know surgery may be an option (only because my husband had it on his shoulder) but hoping it does not go that route -
Hang in there- keep your eyes on future days.
Jan
Jan, thank you so much for the sweet and encouraging words! I'm doing pretty good. I just can't cross my legs anymore, or put my left foot under my right leg (like I use to), but I'm so glad I can at least walk - even with a limp, I'm thankful! :-)
I've really learned a lot from this forum and it seems like everyone here is always so positive and nice!
Thank you again for the kind words. And you're right: No pain, no gain.
Beth
Oh, one more bit of good news: For the first time since my accident on May 10th, I took a STANDING SHOWER August 31st! It was so nice to be able stand, while showering! The shower chair was so helpful and absolutely wonderful, but (to me) nothing beats taking a good ole' standing shower! LOL! :-)
I love it!!! Yes agree about the shower chair and the cast covers are wonderful too. My dream is take a bath 😉
I am so sorry! I hope that given the break was in your left foot - you can still drive.
I feel like my issue is the tendons on the top of my foot. Time will tell.
Hey Mary, would u talk a little bit more about the tendons on the top of ur foot. I have something going on that starts between my great and second toe, across the top and over the front of my ankle. Almost like I am wearing a sandal with a triangular top. It is numb and swells. I asked PT about and was told she felt no swelling. Doc acted like this will pass. Contact with both has ended. But it really seems to be affecting my ability to get flexibility back. I am 5 months post ORIF surgery, 3 months post release WBAT, had only 12 PT contacts. I do rub, but really don't know what I'm doing and get no relief.
Thanks!
The area that doesn't feel right is right where my leg and foot meet. It feels very stiff and thick - for want of a better phrase. Almost like a thick band has been inserted into my foot at the folding point at the top of my foot.
No issues with my toes. (fingers crossed)
This has been common for me 2x's. Broke RT ankle almost 20 yes ago and remember that feeling. Distance has brought on a kind of forgetting and I do not remember it being this extreme. I woke recently thinking I need to remove that ankle wrap...which I was not wearing.
Good thing is it eventually cleared the RT ankle and has not been an issue since.
I use to describe the sensation as having my ankle wrapped with hundreds of rubber bands that tightened with activity.
We can only keep encouraging one another, yeah? It does get better...It does get better...
Hi Mary, thankfully, I can still drive. I didn't drive for a few weeks, but it's nice to be able to get back out and actually drive myself places - including work! LOL
Tendons can be a funny thing! They can be very irritating, that's for sure. I hope your foot starts feeling better soon.
The rubber band sensation is exactly what I am experiencing. This is good news that it should pass. :-)
Hi, yes I went into the boot 2 weeks after my surgery. I kept it on 24/7 for the first few days as I was scared to have it exposed but it was uncomfortable to sleep in. I go back on 9/6 for more X-rays and hopefully will be given the go ahead to begin PWB.
How long were you out of work? I've been out since July 12th with trimalleolar fracture. I'm trying to guess when I might be going back but everything I've read/heard points to at least a 3-4 month recovery period.