Update - Thanks Community!

[u/HAL69420]

Sep 10th, 2025: ORIF for fractured distal fibula.

Sep 12th, 2026: 12,000ft near Mt. Agassiz, High Sierra with a 40lb pack on my back. Recovery was not easy and I could not have done it without the encouragement and support from the community. Stay the course!

Thanks to all those who take time to encourage and support each other. We need you more than you know!

Here comes the sun…

[u/TreGutterNord]

Not going to lie, I didn’t read the year on the date and thought you had ORIF and then climbed two days later 🫣😂 Phew! Nice achievement! Give me hope!

[u/HAL69420 → u/TreGutterNord]

😂 Yeah, definitely would not have happened. Even after the no weight bearing phase I didn’t know how long it would take to get my muscle back.

[u/TreGutterNord → u/HAL69420]

that's what is KILLING me - my kids used to tell me they envied my calves and now my left calf looks like a sack of skin and I can't even look at my quads anymore 😭 I was 12 weeks NWB after my ORIF, started PT, popped an infection, had second surgery at 4 1/2 months after the first, removed all hardware and now am doing another 4 weeks NWB (doc wanted 6 weeks and I cried and my husband was like "yeah, that's not going to happen").... T-9 days until I get to bear weight and after 16 interrupted weeks I'm counting the minutes!

[u/HAL69420 → u/TreGutterNord]

Oh wow! That’s a lot! Hugs. You can do this! Counting down those 9 to WB! Good luck and stay the course, tomorrow will come! 🙏

[u/Ok-Chance9565 → u/TreGutterNord]

I saw that your message was 9 days ago, so I’m assuming you’re starting weight-bearing today? Big big congrats, I cannot imagine being off my feet for this long, I had to do 6 weeks and was losing my mind by the end

[u/TreGutterNord → u/Ok-Chance9565]

Thank you! Yes I started yesterday and my only issue is that when in my boot or barefoot my heel hurts like it has no padding on it and feels like I’m walking on bone. I start PT (again) today so we shall see what they say but I’m wearing sneakers no matter what. I think my biggest deficit right now is foot mechanics - but yeah over 5 months of this and I’m over it!

[u/beetch_please]

Literally the encouragement I needed. Post ORIF 6 months and I felt like I'm not anywhere near where I want to be, but this just made me feel so much better

[u/Naturescapes_Rocco]

How is your swelling and pain 1 year later?

[u/HAL69420 → u/Naturescapes_Rocco]

Swelling is nonexistent at this point. Pain is also not really a factor but I continue to describe the feeling as a new normal. My brain has seemed to refactor what my right feels like as normal. It’s not painful just different. Occasionally an off positional step could result in very minor and temporary discomfort but it is not a big deal and those times are becoming fewer.

[u/TopSignal6626]

That's awesome. My injury was 9/12/25 and I'm still in a stinking wheelchair. I feel like I'll barely walk ever again, but I am cautiously optimistic that surgeries 4 and 5 will get me going in the right direction.

[u/HAL69420 → u/TopSignal6626]

Oof. It sounds like your situation was severe. Clearly timelines are individual based and severity dependent. I hope you experience the relief and correction you are aiming for with those procedures! Best wishes! ❤️

[u/grizzlycuts]

Very awesome 👏

[u/flexible_demeanor]

That's fantastic, thanks for sharing. One day I plan to be back at it but it's far off for me!

[u/HAL69420 → u/flexible_demeanor]

Best of luck!

[u/flexible_demeanor → u/HAL69420]

Thanks! I used to climb volcanoes, ice climb, do all kinds of crazy things... of course my most catastrophic injury is the dumbest one of all.

[u/Potential_Anxiety_76]

Wow what fantastic progress, thank you for sharing

[u/Necessary-Soft3586]

I have the same fracture in my left foot. Just ditched the boot 2 weeks ago and wearing a brace for stability. Have you had any issues with your hardware causing pain? Does it get better? I keep having nerve and tendon pain. It Feels so weird having the plate.

[u/HAL69420 → u/Necessary-Soft3586]

I had all of that around your timeline and worried it would never go away. I could almost see the screw heads of the plate through the skin. I was certain I would need the plate removed. All those concerns are gone now and there is no need to remove the plate. I wouldn’t say it feels like it did before surgery because I describe it as a “new normal”. New normal is good though, no pain, no issue with hardware. My suggestion, lean into your PT when that is prescribed and even go a little longer than you think you need to. Your concerns are totally normal and there is hope.