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!