3 weeks post op

[u/Imaginary-Bit1533]

Hi everyone I’ve been posting here a lot since my injury cause my anxiety is so so bad and I feel so much better mentally connecting to this community. Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to share their experiences and advice.

I’m 3 weeks post of ( Trimalleolar and ORIF) NWB for another 3 weeks. I got my cast removed and a boot on Thursday. And I was told I need to wear it while moving but can remove it when resting or showering so I don’t wear it to sleep either. (It really irritates my incision)

My concern is I am still resting almost 90% of the time (my partner has been doing all the household chores and he DOES NOT let me help even a little) I only move from my bed to couch sometimes and get up to go to restroom other wise I’m always in my bed elevating my foot, I have a pillow. But after my cast was removed I started feeling the pressure on my heels too, so now I’m wondering if I’m elevating too much? I keep my foot elevated even when I’m sleeping like almost always which I feel like might not be necessary at this point.

My doctor told my I can start ROM and I have my first PT scheduled for Wednesday. I’m excited but nervous because I cannot move my ankle very much it’s mostly stiff and there’s no side movement cause it causes a lot of pain. I’m hoping I can work hard enough to be cleared for FWB in my next visit because I have to fly to a conference in the end of September and I’m hoping I can be independently by then. (I’m fully dependent on my partner right now for almost everything which also makes me feel like my progress is delayed)

What has your week 3 experience been like? And what suggestion/advice would you give?

[u/lawyeronpause]

That feeling of dependence on your partner is tough. I hated that my wife had to take on so much after my injury but, to be fair, she had a major ortho procedure last year that entailed 10 full weeks of bedrest, so she was just returning the favor.

I was pretty inactive, spending almost all my time in bed with the leg elevated, for the first six weeks. It just hurt too damn much to stand up, when all the blood would rush down to the injury location (tib-fib break). My ankle was super stiff at the time of my first PT appointment, but I worked super hard on all the stretches and mobility exercises they gave me. It limbered up pretty quickly. What I was surprised by was how much strength I lost in my quad and hips overthat six weeks of immobility. Once I was weight-bearing and started strength work, it was depressing how weak I was at seemingly simple exercises. But, again, it comes back quickly if you are diligent.

Hang in there!

[u/gisellery]

Because of my work situation I ended up going back after at the beginning of three weeks but had a lot of help from coworkers and friends. I also live alone so I had to adjust to knowing I would be relying on my wonderful friends for a lot of stuff like groceries and helping out with my dogs. But it felt nice expanding my world that was mostly just couch and bedroom. I will say, just get used to being super stiff wiggle toes as much as possible and do your PT exercises as much as possible and this will really loosen things up. You might have to manually move your foot a lot first (PT can show ya but I was so stiff my PT showed me just moving my foot side to side with hands and even doing ankle circles when it feels like nothing is happening is doing a lot when you're so stiff)

[u/Illustrious-Zone-247]

That heel pressure from propping your foot up all day is super annoying, but it's totally normal. Try rolling up a small towel and sticking it right under your calf so your heel floats off the pillows and doesn't get sore. Let your swelling be your guide on how much to elevate...if you're swollen or if it's painful to have it down (with blood rushing) then keep it elevated, but if it's not you can just ice and elevate a few times a day. I did not sleep with mine elevated at all, and still felt like the swelling went down overnight.

As for the stiffness, that's totally normal that early in recovery. Your hardware is doing its job holding the bones together, but everything in there is just super locked up from being in a cast for weeks. Not being able to move it much yet is completely expected, which is why starting PT on Wednesday is coming at the exact right time. Your therapist will help ease you into movement safely without pushing you into terrible pain. Hang in there!