# Cast off and now with boot and starting to weight bear **URL:** \ **Category:** Foot care\ **Tags:** Ankle problems\ **Created:** [26 January 2018 15:32 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156 "2018-01-26T15:32:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1131441](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e95f7d/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1131441](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1131441)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 15:32 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/1 "2018-01-26T15:32:29Z")
Advice please. Had my cast removed after 6 weeks in a cast and really scared to put weight on my foot. What is the best thing to start with and I'm waiting for physio appointment so what exercises should I start with xx ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1131441](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e95f7d/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1131441](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1131441)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 15:34 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/2 "2018-01-26T15:34:48Z")
Also, when do you start to wear a shoe on your foot? ---
**Author:** ![anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/u/anon87974465)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:02 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/3 "2018-01-26T16:02:08Z")
Begin with wiggling your toes.  Try flexing your ankle up and down and side to side. Be gentle; if it hurts, stop.  Your physiotherapist will guide you through a series of exercises.  The rough part is over. And it is scary to think about putting weight on your foot.  It will feel strange at first, but standing will gradually feel normal again.  I fell on Sept. 7th, had a trimalleolar fracture.  I have been mobile since the beginning of Christmas and am now trying to fine tune balancing on my injured ankle.  So have faith and best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/u/anon87974465)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:06 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/4 "2018-01-26T16:06:00Z")
Just try sitting with your foot on the ground gradually increasing a bit of pressure or use crutches to help weight bearing. Once you’ve done it once or twice it’s like riding a bike  ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_385116](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nh\_user\_385116](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_385116)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:10 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/5 "2018-01-26T16:10:35Z")
I didn't have physio as I was becoming more mobile very gradually and consultant thought that physio might push me further than I was ready for. She called it early days which was a blow as I was four months post op. I tried to wear my own shoes after around 12 weeks but the foot is still swollen. I have bought two pairs of inexpensive ankle boots that are a size bigger and that's working well. I also have some skechers but the weather hasn't been suitable yet. If you've been told you can full weight bear then do that but with the support of a crutch or stick. It's very scary at first I know. Hope all is well. ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/f05b48/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1142140)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:17 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/6 "2018-01-26T16:17:10Z")
No word yet on when to put a shoe on. It's so swollen. The compression socks fell like they are cutting my circulation off. Did u where them? ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/f05b48/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1142140)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:20 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/7 "2018-01-26T16:20:08Z")
This boot is so heavy.  Do you think it's ok not to sleep in it?  ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/f05b48/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1142140](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1142140)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 16:21 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/8 "2018-01-26T16:21:07Z")
I'm doing it now.. thanks. ---
**Author:** ![anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/u/anon87974465)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 17:32 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/9 "2018-01-26T17:32:01Z")
I felt the same way. I hate sleeping with the boot on. I personally felt that it's okay to do that so I can get sleep. I'm 5 wks with the boot and I only slept with it about 7 times. I want to know if it's okay not to wear it too. If it's not, it's too late. ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1072190](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1072190](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1072190)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 18:43 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/10 "2018-01-26T18:43:17Z")
Congratulations on your recovery. There is another key exercise that will help you when you put pressure on your ankle and it’s the tennis 🎾 ball. Roll the tennis ball under your foot twice a day for about 3 min . The bottom of your foot will feel like a bunch of needles under it but the tennis ball will work great to eliminate that ..... ---
**Author:** ![anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/u/anon87974465)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 22:17 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/11 "2018-01-26T22:17:49Z")
Hi! When did you start wearing a boot?  It's my fourth weeks of post op with skin graft to open wound, screws and plates on my right ankle. Right now i can't move my ankle it's so tight.  I had an evaluation yesterday by the Physical Therapist and taught me to move the foot forward and backward to my reach holding 30 seconds for 5 repetitions. So sad that my ankle move very little.. i want to buy also a boot but i forgot to ask my doctor if when should i use it. ---
**Author:** ![anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@anon87974465](https://community.patient.info/u/anon87974465)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2018 22:29 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/12 "2018-01-26T22:29:12Z")
Hi tina!  I went to Rehab clinic yesterday for my ankle reflexes since i can't move it after 4 weeks of post op with screws and plates and skin graft. They taught me to move the foot upward and downward holding it 30 seconds for 5 repetitions. 5 repetiotions upward and 5 repetitions downward. I have to repeat it at home for at least 3 x a day. Mine is only a mold under my foot and wrapped with bandage so i can remove it to clean the wounds and to do the reflexes. Next week I have to see the PT 2x a week. I' m afraid to move my ankle so it had a very little reach. Hope there will have an improvement next week ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1104709](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/ed655f/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1104709](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1104709)\ **Post date:** [28 January 2018 07:17 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/13 "2018-01-28T07:17:32Z")
Additional NWB exercises that are good are circles with your toes (both directions) and writing the letters of the alphabet with your toes. You PT will give you more exercises and also let you know when you can start weight bearing ones. Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery! ---
**Author:** ![nh\_user\_1073005](https://community.patient.info/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nh\_user\_1073005](https://community.patient.info/u/nh_user_1073005)\ **Post date:** [30 January 2018 09:48 UTC](https://community.patient.info/t/cast-off-and-now-with-boot-and-starting-to-weight-bear/634156/14 "2018-01-30T09:48:24Z")
Standing in the darn boot was the hardest thing for me (6 months post op)...but I eventually found my center. When I first strapped my boot on I was told to try standing and rock back and forth gentle. Kind of like dancing with yourself. It works!! You are both working on balance and starting to put some weight on it gradually. I used a walker and a cane at first and then eventually crutches. Hang in there! It gets better I promise!!