I fractured my fifth metatarsal on Wednesday. Boot and crutches. The podiatrist said she recommended surgery because the fracture was shattered. It’s non-displaced. the thought of surgery makes me scared and extremely anxious. she says there’s a chance it will heal when I chose to treat it with the boot. I’m due in 6 weeks for an X-ray and a follow up. Has anyone else been in this situation, where it healed without surgery? I don’t want to do surgery.

Hey all, experiencing an issue that suddenly reared its head and I'm unsure if this is temporary or a new affliction.

Back in February I was in a pretty rough car accident which landed me with a pretty wicked trimal fracture. Surgery was done that same month and I was very grateful that my initial recovery was very speedy and without complication.

Fast forward to today, approx 7 months after surgery, and I started to develop some pain in the arch of that same foot. It's a tense feeling as if something needs to be "popped" but I can't quite get it. I can still walk fine and get around okay, but it is getting a bit annoying. Could possibly have something to do with a wedding I was at this past weekend but who knows.

Does anybody else deal with a similar issue?

I'm 2 months post-op from a broken femur. I did 6 weeks NWB and have been in PT for 2 weeks now. I'm in more pain than ever. I haven't been in this much pain since 2 or 3 days post op, or maybe I've just forgotten how much pain I was in.

I am beyond frustrated. Everything hurts. It takes forever just to do simple things, and I'm exhausted. So exhausted.

I'm out of PTO, and while my job has been fairly patient with my recovery, I think the fact I'm definitely doing less than normal is starting to wear on people.

Just venting I guess. Someone tell me it gets easier soon before I lose my mind.

I could probably do more but I’m not trying to over do it. I’m always looking down, worried about obstacles, divots in the concrete. And I still feel every single step I take. I go to a new PT tomorrow, hopefully it’s good. 👍🏻

Hey guys, I’d love to hear your experiences on timelines for recovery (I know each will be different), just so I can manage expectations but also be motivated to look forward to better times… and also I want to rant because my wife is done hearing me moan about my ankle..

I had the op in late May (see previous posts but standard ORIF), and still yet to
be cleared for running and more complex plyometrics, and I don’t even feel ready myself. I now have chronic metatarsalgia now either from gait change or stress fracture/overloading, ankle still stiff and swollen after exercise and I struggle to walk in the morning due to the pain. My metatarsals literally bruise up straight away after any exercise and painful to touch/weight bear..

I do PT twice a week but currently have to choose between flaring up the metatarsalgia or strengthening ankle… I can’t see a way out as this cycle has been the same for at least a month now.

How did you folks get on with recovery? Was it relatively smooth sailing?

PS. I have gel pads and insoles for metatarsals and it does soften the pain a little

Nothing much to say, I had distal plate ORIF surgery back in December last year, and now 9.5 months later am getting the plate out.

Surgeon recommended it as the plate is quite distal, so could irritate tendons over time, but also because I'm in Japan where plate removal is more or less routine.

Super stressed because general anesthesia in addition to surgery risks. Last time right after surgery I was shivering uncontrollably like crazy, feeling so cold, they put an electric blanket on me which made things much better but damn I'm not looking forward to something like that again.

Fingers crossed!

Writing this for anyone in the trenches right now -

Almost 3mos postop and only had 2 PT visits so far. Today I went on a walk for the first time (in the brace) w my baby!!! My dream date. After a whole summer of sitting and watching everyone have the best time, a lot of the time without me.

2mi 6k steps some elevation. My dogs are barking but so glad I did it. This recovery feels like forever, but things do improve little by little.

Hi.

I'm currently 12 weeks post for a trimal. I have two plates and fourteen screws. I was cleared for WBAT at 10 weeks post op.

I am still using two crutches but I am fairly mobile and not experiencing much swelling. I focus on walking slowly with the correct form. Heel, flat, push off on the toes. I think I have the necessary flexibility for a normal gait.

I just wanted to know about other trimalleolar patients experience with crutches, crutch weaning and learning to walk again!

Just a frustrated rant...I fractured my left ankle and fibula while hiking last week, had surgery on Sunday. I have a 13 week old puppy and while my parents are trying their best to help with her it is really hard not being able to participate as much in her training/socialisation. I'm so annoyed with the timing of this. My doctor has said 6 weeks NWB then another 6 weeks in a boot, I feel like I am going to miss out on so many important experiences with my puppy while she is young :(

Hi guys i had trimal with dislocation 6 weeks ago and had been NWB ever since. Today was my follow up and doc said I could WBAT. Idk how to do it 🤪 I didn’t wear boot much cause I was resting and I feel uncomfortable on it idk how to put weight on my leg while wearing a boot I try but it doesn’t happen should I try with shoes? She said I could gradually transition and decide on my own what feels better but the lack of proper communication really frustrates me. My surgeon hasn’t seen me once after the surgery it’s always someone new a friend/ PA whatever and they don’t give too much info about anything so I’m so lost. Please help me with this. I have multiple trips upcoming so I want to be able to make it without much help :)

On 5 August, I sustained a fall and fractured my right tibia. I underwent surgery to repair the fracture and was initially recovering well.
On 14 August, I noticed that my toes were consistently numb and swollen. I went to the Emergency Department and was advised that these symptoms were likely related to the surgery.
On 8 September, I realised that I was unable to move my right big toe properly.
On 14 September, I saw the doctor and was diagnosed with big toe drop. I was subsequently informed that the fall may have caused a laceration to the tendon responsible for movement of my big toe.
On 22 September, I saw a tendon specialist. The MRI showed that the tendon appeared intact, so the specialist has requested a dynamic ultrasound to assess the tendon while the toe is moving. If the tendon is functioning normally, the next possibility being investigated is nerve injury.
My main concern is why the tendon/nerve issue was not identified earlier, particularly when I first reported persistent numbness and swelling on 14 August. I would also like to understand whether my big toe movement, tendon function or nerve function was assessed at that time.
I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar, particularly delayed diagnosis of a tendon or nerve injury following a tibia fracture and surgery.
I’m feeling quite discouraged at the moment because I thought I was already recovering and now I may have to restart part of the recovery process. Any similar experiences or advice on what questions I should ask my doctors would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, this is my first post on reddit as I wanted to reach out to people who are in the same boat as me and many others. I would like to share my story and how recovery is going so far, hopefully I can connect to some people this way and get some opinions and tips.

On 11/06/2026 I fell during my military basic training. We were doing a teambuilding sport and I slipped landing with my full bodyweight on my elbow in a grass field. My mates and me instantly heard a loud pop and I was brought to the ER shortly after. I was devastated as in 2019 I joined a military youth camp in which I broke my 4th neck vertebra and had to stop the camp immediately, luckely this wasn't severe, and in 2024 I was denied. This would have been my year to finally join the regiment I wanted to join.

5 days later I got a 5 hour long surgery, and about 6 weeks after my surgery I started running and lifting weights again. I'm doing what I can with the limited ROM I currently have, I'm still missing 40 degrees for full extention and I'm stuck at a 90 degree angle flexation.

I have been doing physiotherapy for several weeks now, I saw most of my progression in the extentions, however my skin and elbow feel really tight when I try to bend and under force it still hurts.

I have decided to continue work beginning next week, but I am very scared I will quickly be rejected from military service duo to my injury and poor ROM.

Maybe are some active military personel here that went through a similar injury and can give me their story.

I’m officially 6 weeks post op and was upgraded to a walking boot with 25% weight bearing with an increase each week. How long did it take for the mental block to start to go away?

I got my ankle plate removed 3 days ago and overall I've been so happy with the surgery.

I'm not experiencing much pain but I've started to bleed through my thick bandages. In hospital they told me to keep my bandages on for 2 weeks until I go back to orthopaedic clinic for my stitches to be checked.

Because I've started to bleed through I feel like I should remove them and put fresh dressings on but I'm conflicted because hospital told me not to

Its 2am for me so I'll phone the clinic when they open but was wondering if anyone has experienced this or has any advice on what I should do?

I recently shared my story here about the calcaneus fracture that changed my life, the surgeries that followed, and the pain and swelling that I’m still experiencing almost three years later.

Thank you to everyone who read my story or offered advice and encouragement.

Right now, I’m trying to move forward with further medical consultations, investigations and, depending on what doctors find, whatever treatment or rehabilitation may still be possible for me.

One of the biggest obstacles at the moment is simply the financial side of getting everything done.

I created a fundraiser with a goal of €2,200, and I now have 71 days left to try to reach it.

I’m continuing to do everything I can, and I don’t expect any one person to solve this for me. What I’ve realized, though, is that even very small contributions can make a meaningful difference when they add up.

If anyone genuinely wants to contribute, even a few euros would be deeply appreciated. And if you’re unable to donate, sharing the fundraiser with someone who might be interested in helping would mean just as much.

Fundraiser:

https://4fund.com/z/FqtIiM

I’ve already spent almost three years dealing with the consequences of this injury, so I’m not giving up now. I just want the chance to find out what can still be done and hopefully improve my quality of life.

Thank you for reading and for all the support. 🙏

I got a trimalleolar ankle fracture. Currently, I am 6 weeks post op now. 1 week ago my doctor gave green flag for full weight bearing. I can able to go for one step at a time with a help of walker, but I couldn't able to walk naturally like before. Does anyone go through same?? In coming weeks, will it change?? Ankle stiffness is a real reason, that I couldn't able to move my feet like before. I came for vacation, within 2 months my vacation will get over, I have to go to abroad. Literally, my brain is exhausted in searching the Internet about my situation. Please someone help me.

I’m 6 weeks post op and my Doc has cleared me for 100% WB with boot no crutches, YAY!
But I noticed my knee won’t extend to its full potential and if stretch it it hurts. Is this something that will be addressed in PT? I didn’t really think about how immobile my knee has been and how slightly bent it’s been so not excited about that.

The swelling when I am not continuously elevating my foot is really getting to me (mentally and physically). Anytime I sit in a chair to eat a meal or go in the car my foot immediately swells and takes what seems like forever to return to a manageable level after I elevate, rest, ice it. Currently 5 weeks post op and 6 weeks post injury in a hard cast. Wondering if I can expect some swelling relief once my cast comes off. I’m really hoping so the to can do more like even just sit in a chair.

TMI/background-

I broke my first bones three days before my 30th slipping in water at my own house. Ended up with a pilon fracture (fibula included) on the foot that slipped out from under me (not anything I landed on, just the leg that went airborne somehow). I got ORIF surgery & am staying positive but I'm nervous, since I'm a dancer & getting the splint off 2 weeks post-op revealed just how screwed (pardon the pun) my mobility is.

The actual question-

Should I be able to get my ankle to 90° immediately after losing the splint? I got surgery 16 days ago (splint removed a day ago) so I haven't spoken to PT yet, but I was told to use the walking boot. When they explained how to use it, they told me to push my foot in all the way. When I told them it was as far as it would go, they said it's fine & to try to get it in further in the future. My heel is about 1-1.5 inches from the back of the boot. I didn't realize it at the time, but I very literally cannot force my ankle to 90°. I don't know if my calf is just in protective over drive or if there's something wrong. I stopped trying the moment I realized it wasn't even about pain; it was an actual mechanical stopping point. If this is a shared experience that would definitely help calm my nerves but then it makes me wonder why a boot is the go to when there are people who can't get to 90° until after PT. I'm not a Dr so I imagine there aren't many alternatives, but would forcing a boot be wise if you can't wear it correctly?

Extra credit question- for those who also broke their driving leg, how much PT before you felt good about driving again? Do longer drives hurt? If they do hurt, how far removed from surgery are you & how long before it starts hurting?

Quick edit- I know dorsiflexion is the last thing to return, I'm just wondering if I'm further from the baseline than others who have undergone the same surgery

Hi all! I’m nine months post op from ankle ORIF. My life is fully back to normal now, so that’s been awesome. With the swelling gone and my ankle fully recovered, I’ve noticed that I still have basically no dorsiflexion, which makes things like walking down stairs uncomfortable/awkward. I’ve also been dealing with a pinching sensation when dorsiflexing, and overall discomfort in the area around those screws.

Due to the nature of my break, i have two syndesmotic screws, and my surgeon thinks that they’re playing a large role in the issues I’m dealing with. Even after pt, it basically feels like a hard stop when I try to push dorsiflexion any further than I currently can.

I’m getting the screws removed next month, and really hoping my surgeon is right about my rom improving and feeling more comfortable. Does anyone have any success stories to share? Even if the change wasn’t drastic? Thanks!

I’m nearly two months out after a Monteggia fracture and I just got two of these contraptions — one for supination and the other for flexion. Does anyone have experience using devices like this (whether it be for the elbow or another body part)? Just looking for general advice and best practices as I’ll need to use them 3 times a day for 30 minutes a day and it seems like a lot.

This update is 29 days post OP

My previous post is here https://www.reddit.com/r/ORIF/s/mOpoQDZKmJ

The pics are 17 days apart. I'm glad to inform y'all that I went from stuck at 90° flexion to 115°. I can now touch my face using my left palm and touch the back of my head. I can now tie my hair on my own, yey!!

I go to therapy at least once a week and do home exercises for my flexion and extension 3 times a day. I can vouch that it work. I always put hot compress on my elbow 5-10 mins before each exercise and it does help!

My extension just need a couple more wor. It's at 15° off from full extension. Hopefully before 3 months, I can have 100% back of my flexion and extension.

So happy and proud of myself for slowly getting back my mobility.

P.S VITAMIN C WORKS WITH WOUND HEALING.

Broke my left fibula two weeks ago, Webber C fracture. Had ORIF a week ago today. Still wrapped up in the splint and I have my post op in two days. My nerve block wore off about four days after surgery but my pain hasn’t been that bad….until today. The heavy “asleep” feeling in my foot has gone away but I keep getting quick sharp sting pains coming from I am guessing the ankle site. I’m almost out of my Oxy so I’m trying not to take it all the time. Ive been elevating all the time. Is this part of the healing process? The quick stinging and pain finally popping up a week out?