Hi,
I am new to the group. I am 4 weeks post op for a broken ankle in three places and a dislocation from missing a step. I go back to my surgeon on the 31 st and hope to start weight bearing. It is my right foot and I am concerned about driving. What should be my realistic expectation. I start school on August 14 and have a 45 minute drive. I am an itinerant teacher so I do a lot of walking and driving from school to school. My doctor said I could take the boot off to drive and put it back on when I reach my destination. By that time I will be 7 weeks post op. Would love some input Angela
Hi Angela' I'm now 4weeks out of my boot. When I told my consultant I can't wait to get behind the wheel again, he just told me that I had to be able to do a emergency stop. Am I going to try it? No.... Because I know it's going to be painful, but if anything happens where you had to do one, then you would just automatically kick in and do it. I've been driving for 2weeks now, not as easy or should say comfortable as I thought it would be. It does make my foot /heel. Ache as it's my right foot and manual car, but just to get that little bit of freedom is great. I went out on my own to take some thing back to store today, first time on my own. One crutch. Only out for half hr and glad to get back home. Painful... Ooooch but did it. I'm sure you will be OK just take it easy. Good luck. Sx
Forgot to say that I was 12 weeks post op before I drove. But seems your doing well if you've been told you can take boot off to drive!! Sx
I'm on exact timeline and did exact thing to my ankle for exact reason. I don't expect to drive for awhile.
Thanks Sandra,
That is what he told me on my first visit when I was practically in tears when I found out about the surgery/recovery time. He said to go to a parking lot and practice driving to make sure I was able to but felt like I would be able to when school started by removing the boot and putting it back on. I will know more on Monday. A friend of mine drove with her left foot but I'm not that coordinated. I am glad you are able to drive now. It is a very lonely isolating process and very difficult to be dependent on everyone. I know it is a great feeling to be making progress and getting that independence back. This has been a slooow process. I am worried that the plan mapped out in my head isn't going to match reality.
Hi Christina, When was your surgery? Mine was June 26. Did your doctor mention how many weeks until you could weight bear? I am in a boot but can't bear weight yet and haven't started therapy. Did your doctor mention driving? UGH! I never dreamed a broken ankle could be so confining.
I feel the same about what my head tells you. Once my boot cam off. 4weeks ago, I thought I would be walking independently within a fortnight!!! No chance. In unable to walk without a crutch and still having a lot of pain. The only thing that seems to be subsiding is the swelling. I'm trying everything. Massage Epsom salt soaks exercise and STILL. Got pain. It's never ending. 😔. Sx
My surgery was June 23rd. Aug 16 he will see me again and look at X-rays and give me green light to FWB. As far as therapy I'm not sure. I will still have boot. He said as far as driving that will be when I can make an emergency stop and gave me "the look". So it doesn't look like for awhile.
Our surgeries were very close. What type of break did you have? I am so hoping to be able to weight bear when I go back on Monday but I'm not sure. Everything is healing well. The surgical incisions on the inside of my ankle seem to pull as they are healing .... not sure if the skin is tightening where the stitches were and the boot rubs against them to cause more irritation or what. That is the only pain I have. Just have trouble getting comfortable and sleeping at night.
Your skin will feel tight. Mine felt the same but as your wound is now healed run moisture cream into the scar or a little vasolin just to help keep it from stretching. Mine has been great since doing it with moisture every morning and night.. Great to hear that's the only discomfort /pain you get. I'm still getting a lot of pain when trying to walk. 4weeks out of boot and still not able to walk unaided. Using 1 crutch, but I do shuffle when trying to walk without help. 😔. Long haul ahead. Good luck with your recovery. Sx
Angela I have same
Pain as u. I dislocated my ankle
And broke all
Three bones -- the tri... break. Can't recall
The name. Let me know if u weight bear Monday. I haven't put anything on where we had stitches. I wasn't told to. Have you?
same break as me, bit i also broke bone on the inide of my ankle too, so large plate n pins on outside and alo plate n pins on inside too.. Today I have managed to walk...should say shuffle from my living room to the kitchen for the first time ever without aid. Painful but ive done it. 100 mtr sprint im coming !!! lol sx
Hi Christine,
I will let you know how Monday's appt goes. I am not sure what to expect after reading the different recovery times. The doctor seemed to think I would be in a boot and okay to drive/ work when we started school in Mid August but I'm starting to have some doubts. Seems the average driving time is somewhere between 10 -12 weeks due to emergency braking. I'm trying to be more realistic so I won't be disappointed. The PA told me to put vitamin E oil on the wounds and I have started doing that. The top of my foot has started to peel.. I guess from the swelling/ stretched skin. The vitamin E oil has helped. Glad to find someone on here with the same Break/timeline.
Hi. I honestly didn't feel pain when emergency breaking. I do however get swelling and burn when I drive too far. And at the moment in doing 2 to 3 ,,400kms round trips a week and omg. Takes me a while to stop moaning. It has helped my ankle rotation and heal pain.its good when I can use cruise control in car but haven't been able to because of rainy weather. Driving is freedom. Hey I alsio freaked out when surgeon put " Ongoing for 2years" on medical certificate for work. I my reaction was pure horror until dr explained it generally takes 5 6 months but they allow for full recovery and possible removal of hardwear if needed.
Jenni remind me of your break and when you had surgery.
Have you showered without boot yet ?
Yes, I've removed the boot and showered/ taken tub baths but I find it easier to take a bath in the garden tub. It has an indented area on the right that is perfect to raise my foot up comfortably so it doesn't soak and it is much easier to rinse the soap out of my hair. I use a non scented sensitive skin soap on the wound area and area around it. Showering was difficult because ours is very small and I couldn't fit a chair in there. It has a raised seating area but it is kind of high and gets slippery from the soap. How is it going with you?
I will have to try the Epsom salts when I get to the soaking stage. I can't wait to be able to soak my foot!
I just read Aquaphor is best. I haven't showered that leg. I just now rinsed it with wound care and put E ointment and new gauze. I am going to buy some Aquaphor. I will shower w boot off next time. Been so fearful!
Yay! That is progress! A shuffle is walking! Gives me hope!!