Now my partner is doing it all alone and working full time, while I just sit all day! Read yours John. She leans back while holding my foot in an upright position to distract the foot away from the ankle / leg. When I first started learning to walk the pain was the worst in the heel. The iWALK2.0 is a new crutch that allows you to be hands-free while non-weight bearing. I started PT last week. It was indeed the hardest time of my life and I just couldn’t see recovery! Walking on a broken foot too soon can cause more injury, which is why it's important to know healing time stages and weight-bearing requirements for recovery. You will come to a point where you suddenly ‘turn a corner’ and really start to see progress, but for me it really wasn’t happening until two weeks ago when I could easily walk with just one crutch in the Cam Walker. I wish I had found it sooner. The thought of someone or me touching the foot makes me so nervous. My dad put a recliner sideways in front of my computer desk so I could keep my leg elevated and I set a chair next to it to put my mouse pad on so I could use the computer, I played games and watched stuff while in the chair, it really helped me. By August you should be able to walk down that aisle with a smile because you will be fine once again. Jessica,, Everyone who logs into this blog understands your feelings and fears. You have a lot of work to do and I wish you well. I still have some swelling that gets worse if I’m on my feet a lot. We can do this. The swelling seems to me the most painful part, and yet the swelling never goes down when I ice it. Also, make sure to eat plenty of animal protein and I wish you well with your recovery. Thank you, Elizabeth! Im still using crutches but weight bearing and concentrating hard on walking properly! The pain is unavoidable but will start to go away as you progress with your physical therapy. I transitioned from non weight bearing to walk in in the boot and I now walk in tennis shoes and occasionally bare foot around the house. Sorry for my rant having a tough few days. Hi John, I read your story! I’m now in physical therapy, still not working, and it’s been almost 5 months. My bones are healed but the infection has delayed FWB as they are concerned the wound will open back up. You’re welcome, Sarah! Thank you all. Went to emergency. With the Boot at now 75 percent and therapy and walker with wheels getting better. I used to eat at the coffee table too since I was camped out on the couch during the day. When I started PT after 9 weeks, using my ankle was painful, but my therapist said I had good range of motion. Thanks, Renata! But with PT and perserverance, I hope I’ll eventually enjoy a recovery like yours! This one comes in a size 10 in the colors white, gray and black. My ankle and heel are painful. I broke my ankle in January and had a 10mo and nearly 3 yo. Danielle, I’m glad that my story is making you feel better while going through this very difficult time. For the price it was nice, might need to get diff strings though. in many cases. They are hopeful that it will repair itself over time, but there is no guarantee. In a splint for 8 more days, then cast for 2 weeks and now walking boot (non-weight bearing) for another 3 weeks. I’m an active person and hated being laid up as long as I was. First, you have to work your physical therapy hard. The cast came off and I didn’t want to look at my foot but got a glimpse of it anyway. The area on the top of my foot between the two surgeries is very tight and that impedes walking smoothly. I know it’s still early and things will take time to work out. Oh man did it feel weird! While I was able to walk on my own, limping was a problem. I came back to your story because I wanted to find out about swelling when finally able to walk. The incision inside my ankle healed well and is closed, but the two on the outside are still angry and red and scabby (blisters). I just had stitches removed and was told to start PT next week. Download PDF. I hope that’s helpful and good luck with your recovery! Keep up the good work! Luckily I had a small thermos and bottled water which I packed in a tote bag along with my phones and other items. Learning how to use them properly and safely can help you regain your independence and move about freely. Dr told me to use a cane but to begin to walk without it. Debbie, Most Health Food Stores carry it. It felt like someone was sawing away at my ankle with a hacksaw. Well it was kind of like that. Hi Nancy and you’re welcome! I recommend that you read 10 Stupid Things Women do to Mess up Their Lives by Dr Laura Schlessinger. Can walk with boot on without assistance. I’m able to walk much faster now, almost up to my pre accident speed, although I’m very mindful of where I’m stepping. It just takes time to heal and get used to your new norm. Ugh! I’m 29 years old and have my own cake business which I’m unable to do now because of the injury… I’m also studying and can’t concentrate through this pain for my exams which are this month. I wish you and myself the best of luck on our recoveries. The recovery process has been very depressing and emotional. I have osteoporosis and I am only 51. On May 20th, I broken my ankle, dislocated it, and broke my leg. Crutches are so dangerous. He kept on telling me to take longer strides with my good leg and to stop leaning to the right (my good side). Check back shortly. LeCun stood still doing the same thing for decades. So I count that a win! Take care! I had my first PT session yesterday, so I’m very excited to have some exercises to do. Catherine. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If so, full recovery will come a lot faster than those of us who have broken two or three bones. Slow and steady as you have noted! I’m no way near 100 %, in fact today I pointed my foot too much and it felt strange. I had 10 screws and a plate. I had 9 screws and a plate fitted in and it took awhile to get to FWB but today for the first time ever I am walking around without a crutch for support. I mentioned my concerns to the tech that fitted my brace, and she recommended the boot for outside and uneven/unknown surfaces. I also found an aircast to be extremely helful and supportive. I still do my exercises daily my foot still swells some also I was able to line dance on July 6 for the first time. FMLA does protect my job for 12 weeks. I don’t know how much help it has but I found it on amazon for $7. You’re welcome, Scott! That is only 21 days away. Heidi, 12 weeks ago today I had a trimalleolar fracture. Thanks for sharing! The thoughts of being awake freak me out but I have to do what’s best for my baby. Good luck to you! Thank you Kel! 8 weeks of PT and I walked almost normally! Sometimes it just helps to be heard. I had an MRI day two which showed no need for surgery. I HAD 10 SCREWS AND A PLATE. So if you want to credit success to dumb luck, or to stubbornness, or insanity (as Einstein said: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I feel your pain. In the end, it was all ok. You’re welcome, Laura, and thank you for sharing those tips. Wow. The pain greatly diminished with each passing day. Physical therapy can help improve your range of motion and ensure that you have strong and healthy muscles in your foot and ankle. Yes, my brain tells my good leg to step, but it doesn’t trust the repaired ankle to handle it. I am going stir crazy laying here but not being able to work is what’s bothering me the most…. My surgeon told me it was the worst ankle injury he ever repaired ,that my bones were in pieces and let’s hope for the best. God bless you! You’re welcome and good luck with your recovery! Good luck and keep me posted of your progress. It is a very slow process. Because there was no one home, I was admitted to the hospital right away. I’m salaried and if I was so sick to not work which is rare I would have to make up the day. Download Full PDF Package. € Include identification of ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice) The whole foot becomes very sensitive during the time of immobilization. I spent close to 3 months in a cam boot non weight bearing. Walker is off. I AM NOT SURE HOW STRONG OF MEDICATION YOU CAN USE BEING PREGNANT. I have asked the surgeon, and 3 different nurses how should I go about resuming walking ? 9 days to go. They immediately granted me the accommodation without needing another form filled out. This paper. I had a Trimalleolar fracture on Feb. 2, 2016. I had surgery for a bimalleolar fracture almost the exact same time last year that you did. Hi Nancy, I broke my ankle on the 26th of August and had surgery on the 6th of September. It sounds like you’re doing very well and yes it does take a long time to begin walking again. Just found a good site that shows how to do ankle distraction manipulation- medbridge. Hi Catherine, it sounds as if you are progressing nicely. Hi Val, I think you’re doing everything right. Well, for that matter, it's been almost 5 months and I still have a limp, but that's another LONG story. I do recommend getting a good pair of sneakers when you are ready. I fully understand all your feelings! I’m really frustrated. I have eight screws and a plate. Hang in there! I had a tri-mall on August 4th playing baseball and sliding into third base. I am still limping. Everyone’s shared experiences are helping me to prepare for doctor’s limitations. Fingers crossed. Your Physician should tell you his or her protocol but usually when you are transitioning from non weight bearing with crutches to using a boot with or without crutches. You can only do so much and your body will heal at its own pace. I went FWB on Sept 14th, but that in my opinion ended up being a bit too early. My physical therapist does distraction on my ankle which is pulling on my foot to manually separate the bones of the ankle. The pain in the ankle is still there and drains you and I find myself laying back down a lot36. Still have a limp, still have trouble descending stairs, back on my hybrid bike and trying to rebuild my leg muscles. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m just about finished with a follow-up article about exercises, nutrition and motivation so I hope you’ll come back and check that out. It’s going to hurt for a while but that will get better too. Im still nwb. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through such a horrendous experience. Prayers for you. With patience and persistence you WILL make progress. RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please I am an active 71 year old who had been walking a very active pug puppy 5 times a day, but it may take my old bones awhile to heal. 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