Broken Ankle Recovery Help Needed

Hello,

Let me just say that your recovery will be more of a process than an event. It will take time. Your foot will likely be swollen, or more swollen, than your other foot for a long time. This is normal and neccessary for the blood to make all of the small pathways or capillaries? it needs to. I broke my ankle on Feb 13/09 and had 3 plates and 16 screws put in, I started weight bearing about 4 weeks ago and just this past Saturday put full weight without crutches. I have an air filled walking cast for my foot which I have to have on for weight bearing of any kind. My ankle has been very painful with weight on it, but I think it's more of a soft tissue pain instead of a bone pain. Your physiotherapist will have the best advice for your recovery but it will be painful, you just have to work through it.

Tony

From reading the posts on this site, it seems doctors have conflicting advice. I know it depends on you age, weight, and of course the injury but I was given different advice to you. I broke my fibula and had 3 pins and a plate put in it. I had a cast on for 6 weeks. This was taken off last Friday. I was given a boot to wear just for walking and told to use it for support but that I should try to walk as normal and just be dictated by how I feel ie. if it hurts, I am overdoing it. I was told I can put my weight on it if I feel able to. I am so impatient I have been doing quite a bit. Couldn't walk without the boot and 2 crutches on Friday. By Saturday i could walk with one crutch and the boot. Today I have taken a few steps without the crutches but not stable. I went on the treadmill on the Slowest setting in my trainers for 20 mins and my foot is fine. It swells up and the skin is tight round the ankle butI am moving it as much as I can, even when sitting down with it elevated, i wiggle my toes and try to rotate it. I desperately need to drive and am hoping to do so in a couple of weeks - need to be able to put more weight on it before i do ...but I am so impatient...lol!

I broke my ankle 2 and a half weeks ago on 13/11/2010, the horse I was riding slipped on leaves and fell over, throwing me off.
I have a plate and 8 screws and torn ligaments. Early days and am very frustrated.
Everyone is making christmas plans and I feel like staying in bed with the covers over my head!! I live along with my 10 year old daughter, who is very helpful but at school in the day.
I have Christmas parties coming up and know I need to put on a brave face, but am struggling at the moment.

Hi Kate and welcome to the forum.
Have you seen this area?
http://www.pponline.co.uk/forum/talk-injury/broken-ankle-injury

It's worthwhile posting in there because there are quite a few people who are recovering from ankle injuries contributing and supporting each other.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Michael.