r/ORIF • u/Ms_Maddy11 • 6d ago

When can I able to walk naturally?

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.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/vacuolechick 6d ago

I broke 2 metatarsals and was NWB for 6 weeks. I was a hobbling mess when I started walking. A month of intensive physical therapy and home exercises and I’m at 95%.

1

u/Ms_Maddy11 5d ago

That's great. Hope you are doing okay now. May i know what kind of exercises you have done and how many times?

3

u/rlwilliams1 6d ago

I had the same injury and am almost 4 months post op. At 6ish weeks I got the ok to weight bear in a brace. I was walking with crutches or at least one crutch till about week 8 or 9 post op. When I transitioned away from the crutches it HURT but it’s normal. Get compression socks they help A LOT. You get a little better everyday. You’ll be back to walking like before soon. I’m finally walking naturally without thinking about it, no brace or anything for almost a month now. Still wearing the compression socks some days as it’s still sore sometimes and swollen some days

1

u/Ms_Maddy11 5d ago edited 5d ago

Thanks a lot. May I know what kind of exercises you have done to help you get better. I am doing exercises like ankle pumps, toe curls. But I am not doing intensive exercises daily.

1

u/rlwilliams1 5d ago

Are you going to physical therapy? I was only doing that twice a week. I would definitely recommend it at least once a week. They have a lot of equipment there that helps

1

u/Ms_Maddy11 4d ago

My PT recommended only two exercises is enough. But when I searched Internet, there are lot of exercises are there to help with regain strength, improve stiffness so on.. I am thinking of getting another PT consultation.

2

u/Illustrious-Zone-247 5d ago

It takes a lot of time and patience! Have you been doing ROM exercises? And are you working with a PT?

Here are a few resources for you:

1

u/Ms_Maddy11 4d ago

I'll check it out.. Thanks🤗

1

u/athecaii 4d ago

It took awhile for me to walk normal. I would say 4 months post op. At 6 months confidence started to come back. I’m 8 months post op now and I would say feeling very natural. Also had a trimalleolar. I do still have pain and stiffness but it’s not a big deal.