screws and plates in ankle recovery timeline

by Suzanne
(Tennessee)

I have a bi-malleoular fracture (I am certain I didn't spell that right!) in my ankle and had surgery to put a plate and screws in the bones to make them stable and heal aligned. I am now in 4 weeks post op and have one more week to go before I can begin partial weight bearing walking with a removable cast.

My question is when can I begin to stretch my ankle?
My other question is about how long until I am able to walk without a limp or pain?

Thank you and great, great website!

Suzanne

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screws and plates in ankle recovery timeline

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Mar 22, 2009
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Hang in There
by: Anonymous

I am now 5 weeks since I was able to put full weight on my ankle. The first time I tired with my boot was not pretty. I made it 3 steps by the end of the first day...so be careful and have a walker with you. Physical Therapy is helping a lot. I now have just a very small limp that is getting better daily. My injury was on 12/23/2008. I have plates and screws on both side of my ankle. They were painful but in the last couple days it changed from painful to tolarable. Stiffness is the what I notice the most but even that is getting better. I ususally only take Advil before therapy, no other pain medication. Even though therapy can be hard (and has made my cry) it helps and I can tell how much my recovery has sped up by going twice a week. Hang in there...it just takes time :)

Feb 11, 2009
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WATER THERAPY FOR ANKLE FRACTURES
by: Anonymous

Susanne:

I saw your post and wanted to say that I have the same condition . I had the same type of fracture as you. I broke my ankle in October 2008. Its now Feb 09 and I still am limping ( due to lack of range of motion). But look, I went to see another Dr, and he told me that the water will help alot. So today, in a desperate attempt To get better range of motion I am doing auqa therapy,THERE IS AUQA THERAPY SUPPLIES ,BELT AND WEIGHTS AT MOST POOLS, OR YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN, EBAY), and it does help when I get out of the pool, I don't limp as much. But if you get in the pool, stay in the deep end of the pool. The shallow end I learned the hard way puts more gravity on the ankle AND INCREASES YOUR PAIN. Do dog peddles,and get on your stomach, and flap your feet up and down as you swim, my therapist told me that was great resistance against the ankle. But the pool I am learning is going to be a part of the rest of my life. By the way, I am from Tennessee too
( Memphis). Best wishes for healing to you,
Angela

Nov 01, 2008
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fracture healing
by: Bart - SII

Your fracture should be healing well, and in another week you will be weight bearing again. At that time, your doctor will likely give you some gentle stretching exercises, or refer you to therapy.

It is going to take some time to get through this...likely several months. You have to give your ankle time to heal before you try any aggressive stretching. Unfortunately the amount of time necessary to be immobilized to let the bones heal leads to a significant loss of motion in the ankle, so then you will have to work through that in therapy once the bones are healed.

Walking should be normal within 3-4 weeks of getting out of the last cast, once you can regain some normal motion.

Bart