Facts about Broken Ankle Recovery

You are here that means either you have recently met with an ankle injury- have undergone ankle surgery or you are in your recovery phase. I can relate how distressing unstable ankle fractures are. We all have faced the same problems, had surgery, metal work,passed through emotional ups and downs...etc.More than coping physically, it is tougher coping psychologically. 

Broken ankle recovery takes time and patience. No matter how you plan to get back your healthy ankle, your foot will take all the time it needs to get itself back on track.The bigger the damage is, the longer the broken ankle recovery takes.It requires an ample time to heal up. Soft tissue damage causes long term discomfort.

If your ankle fracture is a simple break, it will take minimum 3 months to heal. Smokers with broken ankle will take more time to heal (add one month more). If your fracture is complicated with dislocation and several breaks, it will take 6 months to one year to heal completely.

It is not life threatening injury, but the pain can be excruciating and troublesome. Lessening pain is the sign, that the broken ankle recovery  process  is taking place. .

Highlights Of My Recovery Along With Useful Tips 

1. Bought wheel walker and a wheelchair the very next day of my fall. I have not used crutches at all. My surgeon told me to focus on balance, I should not fall again. And with crutches, there are great chances that you might fall. (Either avoid it or take precautions. I have read so many blogs sharing the bad experiences with crutches).

2. Being a homeopath I was aware of the very important homeopathy medicines which can help me to get over with the post surgical pain and to heal the fracture fast. I started with the following homeopathy medicines along with other medications.

    Arnica mother tincture and Symphytum mother tincture 15 drops each mix with half cup of water (normal temperature ) at every 6 hrs And Calcarea phos 6x at every 6 hrs

Above 3 medicines have really helped me a lot for my speedy recovery. I did continue till I started to walk on my own without any support at 8 weeks. Hope these medicines help you also.

      

3. Post ORIF, I was only in heavy splint with soft cast, never had plaster cast. It was so comfortable. My surgeon did not advise it because there was no point in giving me tight plaster as I was not supposed to put any weight strictly for 6 weeks on the fractured ankle. So I didn't suffer from blisters, severe itching, etc......as side effects of plaster cast.

4. Elevate your foot as often as possible, at-least for 2-3 weeks. Keeping the ankle raised will reduce the swelling, which in turn improves  healing.

5. It is important to follow your surgeon's instructions carefully in terms of rest and movement. When he warns you to stay NWB (non bearing weight), he really means it. Do not pressure your ankle to start carrying its weight before it is ready. Your injury is going to take its sweet time recovering. It is very risky if you do not listen, your fractured fragments may move, surgery may fail and you may have to start all over again.

6. Suture removal done after 15 days of surgery (17^th Feb.). It was not painful. But by that time I had already developed numbness and burning in all toes (nearly half foot). And it was increasing gradually. My doctor advised tab Pregabid- ME 75mg for the same. (1 tab. at night). It worked. 

7. It takes about 6 - 8 weeks, for a broken ankle to heal but longer to regain full movement and return to all of our normal activities. We focus on the fracture but forget the damage happened to the surrounding soft tissues. Swelling may take some more time to improve.You will, however be able to move around with the help of walker/crutches and manage stairs.

8. On 17^th march, that is 6 weeks post ORIF; my x-ray confirmed that my bones were healed up nicely. I was advised PWB (partial weight bearing) for one week then 100% weight bearing with PT thereafter.

9. After your bone heals, you will be advised physical therapy (P.T) as you need to loosen up stiff muscles and ligaments of broken ankle. Exercises improve the flexibility and strength. Total recovery time varies depending upon the severity of injury and the physical demanding of our lifestyle.

10. Once I started my range of motion exercises with PT and on  my own, things started falling back to normal in 8-10 days.  Within 2-3 weeks, there was a remarkable improvement in my  ankle movements, in terms of range of motions and flexibility.

11. I resumed my clinic in the mid of 8th week. I was on my feet, walking without any support but limping and swelling continued for another one month.

12. Start with bone supplement – Calcium with magnesium and Vitamin D3. Avoid alcohol and sugar.

Although I am not 100% after 20 weeks of post ORIF surgery, but I am much much better. There is occasional pain and mild swelling in injured ankle when I stand too long plus muscle  stiffness (not much) and some partial numbness as a result of nerve  damage, that’s all. I do not limp at all. These entire things are not affecting my normal active life.

When your broken ankle returns to a normal functioning without any pain, then this will be your ideal recovery. This may be very difficult in some complicated cases, but you can do your part to get there.

So anyone starting this journey, please know that you are not alone.keep going, do not give up. GOOD LUCK to everyone and I hope you will recover very soon like I have. Hope this  helps you............                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                  Dimple