Walking after cast is removed

Foot care
1

Hi

I broke my distal fibula 5 weeks ago. I was in a non weightbearing cast for 5 weeks. I had my cast taken off yesterday and given a boot to use outdoors. The doctor told me to walk as normal on my foot and to fully weightbare. However, the pain is really bad when I try to fully weightbare and I physically can’t do it. I’m using both crutches and not putting very much weight on the ankle. 

I just want to know if this is normal? As the doctor said I should walk, and I can’t do this. 

I have booked in for a private physio session next week as I’m not sure when the hospital one will be. 

Thank you!

2

Melanie,

If your common sense tells you full weight bearing is physically too much to bear right now, then don't do it. Doctor's directions should always be filtered through common sense and what your body is actually telling you.

At 5 weeks you should be treading gently on that ankle and foot. The standard of care for me (bimalleolar fracture/sprain) was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks (in boot), then 50% weight bearing in boot (using crutches), for 2 weeks, then full weight bearing in boot for another 2 weeks. After that, I was in regular shoes.

I consider my recovery protocol expertly done and successful, and I thank my practitioner's willingness to do things conservatively.

3

Thanks for your reply. It’s good to know that not everyone can weightbare straight away! 

Thank you 

4

Agree with others 5 weeks a little to early.  6 to 8 weeks is when I really started to walk.  Think 6 weeks started some weight but def not even close to full.