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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Feb 08, 2012
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3 ankle bones broken on Christmas NEW
by: Constance

Quit smoking if you broke a bone. My orthopaedic surgeon put in a plate and 8 screws to secure my tri fracture of all three ankle bones. Doc said that healing time would be cut in half if I would quit smoking. So, I stopped my one pack a day habit right there and then. Nicotine chewing gum really helped!
My plate is painful and I am getting used to a walking boot. I was in a non weight bearing cast for 4 weeks. Recovery is slow, but hopefully sure. I am afraid to walk with the boot itself, so I have a cane to help me. I have as painkiller RX which is helping lots.
Three things I am telling others to help avoid a slip and fall ankle break are: 1. wear proper shoes when out walking or hiking 2. walk or hike with a buddy or at the very least, if you are walking your dog by yourself, have a fully charged cell phone 3. keep your legs shaved in case you might have a disaster!!

Feb 08, 2012
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Feb 05, 2012
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broken ankle with screws and plates NEW
by: Anonymous

I broke my ankle two weeks before Thanksgiving and had screws on one side and a plate on the other side and then two screw put into the top of the foot. After the no weight bearing my doctor put me in an air cast and the rubbing caused my wound to open and get infected, so he told me to quit using the aircast, but I am still having horrible pain and I teach, but does anyone know how long the pain lasts. The pain has gone to the side of my foot and heal not my ankle

Jan 06, 2012
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Does Pain start more when you begin to walk again> NEW
by: Brenda Tseunis

My question is that I'm so affraid when I do begin to walk again and begin to put weight on my foot after the plate and screws surgery, is that when the bad pain starts? I've just only 2 days ago had the cast off and the air boot put on so I could take the boot off at night and strech my ankle and move it around while in bed. Doctor also said getting in hot water and moving it around is the best thing, much better than ice.

Jan 06, 2012
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My ankle recovery NEW
by: Brenda Tseunis

I shaddered my right ankle on Nov. 20 and had emergency surgery the next day. I'm entering my 7th week now and the doctor just took off my cast and put me in a knee high boot so I could sleep at night without the boot so I could begin moving my ankle around and get the musles moving while in bed, however I am still not allowed to put any weight on it yet. Not for at least another four more weeks before we begin weight bearing when I will be using a walker then bearing a little bit of weight at a time. I have been using and still am using a knee caddy. Your recovery time seems shorter. Perhaps it has to do with age as I am 61 years old and perhaps the bones take longer to heal? I have more pain now then at the beginning and the doctor says that's normal.

Jan 04, 2012
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Ankle Fracture NEW
by: Anonymous

Hello, I tripped going up our stairs on the 4th of July. Besides landing on my face I twisted and my ankle snapped. I was in a cast for 3 weeks until my bone shifted. I then had an ORIF for my ankle and had plates and screws put in July 19th. I then went into a walking boot for 6 weeks after my dressing and staples were taken out. I went to physical therapy for 12 weeks. I have been walking our dogs a lot lately and now the inside of my ankle feels like my bones are rubbing. The outside where my plate is stings and feels like needles poking me. If anyone accidently touches it, it stings bad. When I get up I limp because it is so stiff! Go to the dr. this week and hopefully getting this stuff out!!

Jan 03, 2012
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SEVERE PAIN AFTER ANKLE BROKEN NEW
by: Anonymous

I broke my ankle year and half ago. Surgury with plate and screws. Now I am having pain severe in my ankle and leg. Don't know if the pain is from weather or the hardware. Going to my Dr. next week can't stand the pain.

Dec 27, 2011
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flower NEW
by: Anonymous

i had my plates takeing out of my right ankle it has being 8 weeks now still cant walk that well

Nov 18, 2011
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Listen to what your own body tells you-not therapists or Doctors NEW
by: Anonymous

fractured ankle over 2 yrs ago plate and screws still in. Could not walk without pain or cain entire time pain was moderate to severe every day. Could see outline of screws many times on one side. Because of constant pain just had plate and screws removed.Only one week has passed,and have such pain is like fractured all over again-2 approx. 5-6 in. incisions each side put together with staples.-extremely painful,swollen,black and blue w\bleeding. Heavily wrapped after surgery,just rewrapped dressing changed.Waiting for pain to let up. After going thro all this I certainly hope this removal finally heals and pain is no longer there and walking w\o cane or any devise is not needed.However now this left me now with opposite side hip worn down and needs replacement.Over 2 yrs.-and now still waiting.Havent been able to wear heals and dress used to- and having to walk with cane has so changed life-Dont overdo it in rehab.with all those heavy machines.and do only what u feel u can do-the therapists cant feel what u think is to much-or Doctor.

Mar 30, 2011
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removal of screws and limping
by: Anonymous

I broke my ankle a few years ago. Had two surgeries and am left with screws and a plate. My surgeon told me that if i wanted i could have them all removed, however my bone will not be as sturdy and strong. I still limped until I went to physical therapy. Once I was complete with phyisical therapy I stopped limping. I still experience pain time to time but i think that will always occur. I still subconsciously baby my broken ankle and think i always will.

Mar 14, 2011
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3 years
by: Anonymous

hi I am 28 I broken my ankle by roller skateing on march 3 2008 now it's been three years I have pain and every thing but I can walk run get around with my autism son and I want to ask a question do the plate and screws have to be taking out.

Jan 22, 2011
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It is taking a loooonnnnggg time
by: MoreGirl

I fell down stairs on a boat and broke my ankle in several places. I have a plate on the outer side with six screws and two screws on the inner ankle bone. I was in hospital for 10 days and Rehab for 1 month. I did not go to Physical Therapy, although I did have a few weeks of Therapy at home. My ankle is stiff and does not flex as well. It still swells up from over usage (walking too much). It has been 7 months since the injury. Is this ever going to be normal again? Will I ever wear little heels? I am tired of wearing these tennis shoes. Does anybody have any advice?

Aug 24, 2010
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plates and screws at ankle 65 yrs old.
by: Anonymous

april 27 i slipped on a rug causing my tibia to pop out,
requiring surgery soon thereafter, a cast, no weight at all for 2 months, cast was taken off 3 weeks after surgery.
an air boot 24 hrs a day replaced the cast.
may, june and part of july in a wheel chair, physio is so important to prevent a tight ankle. icing from after surgery and elevation to prevent swelling, is what most folks ,younger ones do not do.
i insist that to aid in healing you must eat calcium rich foods, fish, grains, no junk food at this time. icing ,icing physio 3 times a day.
stationary bike as well.
then theres a thing called rest. rest and elevate above your heart. i am walking at just under 4 months, i take my walker to the mall. little swelling, great mobility, no pain at all, and i am a senior.
remember the healing internally takes time.
i had a great surgeon here in palm harbor florida.
dr. brian williams. thank you for this site.

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

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