The bootie takes some getting used to with walking, and the key is keeping it tight - not too tight - and your foot at 90 degrees in a good supporting shoe. At 2 1/2 months after 3 casts and one CAM boot, I am in the bootie. Thought it would bring back my independence and make the isolation go away, but the bootie bring its own challenges. I am still in PT and have been learning to "walk" with a cane, but find that one crutch is much easier and I don't lean to one side, which was giving my hip a considerable amount of pain. I've been off work since August 8th and hope to return to my normal work schedule in December. My issues are - (1) swelling and (2) stiffness. I ice off an on all day with the ice behind the knee, wich works great. The stiffness in the morning is driving me nuts, but like most I just massage and move the ankle about to get myself going. Thanks to everyone that has shared their stories as it does make me feel less alone in this journey - happy healing to everyone.
I am experiencing the same two issues as you Misty, ie swelling & stiffness.
I was advised at my hospital appointment last Thursday to only use the fibreglass removable cast & shoe when going outdoors.
When indoors to fwb using my crutches as support, when I attempt to do this, I feel discomfort & symptoms of pins & needles, so am tempted to pwb and am walking on the ball of my foot!
Ive not been offered physio, so have done exercises that other people have posted on here.
I soak my foot in a bowl of warm water that appears to help with movement, even though it's temporary.
I too am hoping to return to work mid December.
I admit that this injury has left me with varying degrees of depression, guilt etc, but reading other people's stories certainly help.
I do hope that all the people posting their personal stories all recover 100% from their injuries.
Good luck
My goal is to have a shower standing, sounds like such a small thing but I just want my independence back and to keep moving forward. In addition to the plate and 16 screws and then the 3 other screws, I also had surgery to lengthen my calf muscle and then the joint cleaned of the bone fragements - so my stiff ness is also in those areas. The road rash feel on the scars is driving me nuts but I'm finding if I keep lotion on the area that helps and massaging the ankle joint three times a day is helping. The message board has been helpful in so many ways - I never wanted to be a member of the broken ankle club but I have met some very nice and encouraging people who have helped share ideas and words of "this too shall pass" during my recovery. Reading that others have gone through the same emotions (sadness, isolation, crying, depression, etc.) and the pain has helped, if that makes sense. I wish you a fast and speady recovery and am confident that you will be back to your old self in no time - just keep moving and shut down those negative demons that get in our thoughts as you try to move about.
I would love to have a shower, but am paranoid of falling, as this was the cause of my injury. It makes you appreciate what you had, when it's difficult to do the basics in life. I only had 3 screws, but the stiffness is unbelievable 8 weeks on, I assumed wrongly that I would be back to normal by now!
I have found that using lotion after soaking my foot in warm water really does help, whereas ice made my foot completely immobile.
I agree with the posts from other people sharing their own experiences and suggestions has helped me, knowing that we are not on our own.
I too had many feelings none were positive, I keep asking myself if I will ever walk normally again! My shoulders are now aching due to still having crutches to assist my mobility! I just detest having to rely on other people to do the smallest of jobs, my wife is drained physically & mentally.
My daughter has moved home and again was unable to assist with helping.
Thank you for your kind remarks, I try my best to stay positive but when I'm home alone and drop something, I find myself shouting & swearing, blaming myself for rushing around, (the cause of all this)thinking "what if" etc.
I wish you too a speedy recovery
Good luck