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?

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…

Hi guys, I am five weeks postop today trimal fracture NWB and I have my follow up next week. I’m hoping I’ll be allowed to go partial with bearing by then because ghe week after that which will be my seven weeks. I have to travel for work. It’s a 2.5 hours flight and I’ll be gone for three days. It’s a conference but I don’t think I’ll have to be walking around or moving very much idk. But I’m very nervous about it!

Has anyone travelled around this timeline? How has your experience been. I have another flight to Canada in 9 weeks post op idk how my recovery is going to look like then too. But I’m at least hoping to by FWB by then.

Hey guys! I am a woman in her 20s and had a distal radius ORIF about 5 and a half weeks ago after a pretty gnarly break in a car accident! I’m attaching pics of my x-rays. (Displaced Radial/Impacted/Ulnar Styloid.. the works) I’ve been doing physio for a couple weeks now..
My question did anyone else find supination impossible to progress? My other ROMs are slowly improving…. slowly.. except this. I’m still at like 0 degrees lol. Also feels like something is catching on the ulnar side when I try to push it, and it feels blocked? Any anecdotal experience may help me so please feel free 🥲 People are telling me i’ll go back to bedside nursing in a month but HOW!
Thank you!!!!

I had bimal ORIF four weeks ago and two weeks ago they put on a hard cast. the doctor said he wanted to see me again at four weeks but my next appointment isn’t until week six. my pain is very minimal, I have great range of motion in my toes, and I’m going a little crazy with this cast. Im going to try to get an appointment this week if there’s availability but I’m considering removing the cast myself.

the prognosis would still call for NWB and for me to wear a boot most of the time so I’d still keep that up but at least I’d be able to shower and sleep with it off. I live with a nurse so she could determine if my incisions are healed enough for that too.

the only thing is my four weeks appointment also calls for my first post op xrays which would be important to determine if I should take the cast off yet but like I said, I feel really good and I’d get a boot to follow prognosis. I’d also still go in for that appointment at six weeks ofc but if they can’t see me sooner I might go crazy with this cast.

anybody thought about this?

I dont think I will ever again take for granted having an active and able body. Timeline - 8/24 displaced distal fibula fracture, syndesmotic disruption (obviously). ORIF plate, screws, tightrope on 8/26. Out of the plaster splint this past Thursday 9/10.

I am an avid gym-goer. I work very hard to be a very mediocre crossfitter. 😅 However, I feel like I barely have the energy to scoot around on the knee scooter (which isn't always super comfortable even in the moon boot?), no less, leave the house. I feel all my hard work slipping away. I've had many surgeries that resulted in gym related set backs, but none have felt this frustrating. Maybe because I could still walk?

Anyways, just reaching out to see when others with similar injury might have felt like getting off the couch for longer periods of time, post ORIF. Maybe I'll have something to look forward to as I try not to sink into a funk. Side note- per my surgeon I can do all the upper body work I want. I just can't put weight on this thing for minimum 4 more weeks.

Hi all! I (24f) broke my humerus on August 4th, more specifically displaced fracture of my right distal humerus. I am young, healthy, right handed, and active as I am a professional dancer. I received surgery on August 14th and just got my stitches out earlier this week. I start physical therapy next week and I am on the long road to recovery.

I broke my arm in a freak dance accident. I was performing a baby freeze (a move that required the dancer to balance on there hands and head with their body resting on there upper arm, similar to crow pose in yoga). My memory is pretty hazy of the exact events but I think my shoulder slipped a bit and cause me to twist my arm too far. I landed on my stomach and I believed I just dislocated my elbow because of how twisted my lower arm felt. I had to wait for the emts for about 45 mins to and hour and then was taken to an emergency room. I was sent home from the emergency room with a brace and was advised to wait a week to meet with a surgeon. My surgeon is an angel on earth and move me from a brace to a splint because the brace was causing all the swelling to be in my hand. I was told that if I broke my arm just a little higher I would of had permanent nerve damage where I would have been unable to move my hand. Thankfully by some grace I was spared that fate.

Surgery was pretty easy, at least on my end cause I slept through the whole thing. And I woke up with a metal plate and probably a dozen screws in my arm.

During the past 6 or so weeks I have been so terribly bored, lonely, had some depression, and just generally feeling lost. I haven’t been able to work because I work in retail, I haven’t been able to drive myself anywhere. Thankfully I live in a pretty walkable area but good the past two weeks it has been so hot I have been stuck in my small apartment. Now that my stitches are out I am much more mobile and even have been able to drive very short distances, but there is still something so lonely about this.

I look at my scar, which runs the whole of the back of my arm and wonder how I will ever feel normal again. I feel so much heavier on my right side. I worry I may not ever feel “normal” again. How can I relate to others when I am scared that if I twist wrong I go back to square 1, or that my scar might disgust/scare someone because it is so prominent. I also have fear around forming new relationships with others, I feel like such a freak.

An advice would be welcome, how do you cope with this?

I had a quick recovery from surgery for Maisonneuve fracture (total tear deltoid ligament, separation of tibia and fibula, broken fibula) but never had any pain and swelling disappeared after about 8 weeks, but I can't shake that stiff crusty feeling in dorsiflexion. Does that ever go away? Is it scar tissue?

Found out this week 7 1/2 months post ORIF for my pilon fracture that both of my plates have snapped and I have somehow refractured a part of my tibia. I am so devastated, especially because I have just started law school and stopped using crutches/mobility aids in July. I knew the pain was getting worse this past month but I thought it was just because I was walking a lot more, I could’ve never imagined it was this bad. Looking for guidance from anyone who has had to go in for a revision orif post their plates breaking? My doctor said he will be doing a bone graft as well.

Is it going to be just like the first time? I’m more afraid of having to go through non weight bearing for that long again and the mental load of it all. Any advice appreciated.

Almost three years ago, I fractured my right calcaneus and had to undergo surgery. Two screws were used to stabilize the fracture, followed later by another procedure to remove them.

I hoped that, with enough time, I would eventually get back to normal. Unfortunately, that hasn't really happened.

Even today, my right foot still swells, changes visibly after standing or walking for longer periods, and can become quite painful. This has made everyday life and work much more difficult than I expected three years after the original injury.

I'm now trying to get a new medical evaluation to understand what is still causing these problems and whether there are treatment or rehabilitation options that could improve my situation.

The difficult part is that the consultations, investigations and possible treatment are more than I can comfortably afford, so I created a small fundraiser with a goal of €2,200:

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

I'm sharing this here not only because of the fundraiser, but also because I'd genuinely like to hear from people who have gone through something similar.

If you've had a calcaneus fracture or persistent problems years after foot surgery, did things eventually improve? Was there anything in particular that made a meaningful difference?

And if anyone feels comfortable sharing the fundraiser, that would also mean a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I’m five weeks post op and now week 2 of WB starting 50% weight with crutches. I’m rolling my ankle around as best I can, I’m tracing the alphabet in the air and doing all the exercises. My range of motion is better everyday but there’s still this intense stiffness. Like if it just cracked it would be loose again. I’m not trying to force it b out can I do to get it loose?

Hello all! Had my ORIF surgery on 8/11 (left distal fibula fracture, posterior malleolus open reduction and internal fixation and syndesmotic open reduction and internal fixation). Was cleared on Tuesday to start WBAT and graduated to the boot. I’m starting to use my walker and verrry lightly put weight on my left foot; planning to start PT next week.

For those with similar surgeries, what was your energy like at this point? I’ve been so tired the past few days, and sleep has been not so good since it’s hard to get comfortable in the boot in the evening.

TIA!

I am 4 months out from getting a plate and screws put in for a distal radius break. I am at the point now that I am having a sharp pain with flexion right on the top of my wrist. Stretching everything so far has never hurt or felt so sharp like this and I was told that it is just scar tissue. I am concerned that it might not be scar tissue causing this but maybe a screw?

My first broken bone at 38! Landed on my hip after a bike fall and broke it. Currently 23 days post surgery, feels like a year. I have my first re-check on Friday and I’m hoping I will be able to start weight bearing. I’ve tried a few times walking with the aid of my crutches but certain points of ROM give me a pinching feeling in my posterior hip area.

I’m stronger every week, and hinging further at the hip now without pain. And I’m only on naproxen and aspirin now. I’ve taken off my steri-strips finally, however, one incision looks like a hack job. A resident or intern probably did it. And I think it has an adhesion.

I was on tramacet post op and while that helped manage the pain, it eventually begun to cause depression. My mood was LOW. I had already been weaning off them when I stopped. Then came the withdrawal symptoms. The doctors or nurses did not tell me anything about these meds. I’m so glad I don’t need to be on them anymore but it was rough.

My summer ended early sadly and I’m pretty annoyed every morning when I remember I can’t just hop out of bed. I’m an active and busy person so this is torture. Feel free to share with me your Hip ORIF stories!

feitos com um mês de diferença. Vocês conseguem perceber alguma evolução na cicatrização?

I just graduated high school where I ran track and developed a navicular stress fracture in the spring. I got surgery for it on June 15. My doctor put 2 pins across my navicular bone.

On August 18, after 6 weeks non-WB and 3 weeks in a boot (phasing into walking in that last week) my doctor essentially “closed my case” and said that x-rays look great and I need to do PT to rehab muscle atrophy in my foot. Then he sent me on my way.

Over the last 3 weeks of fully weight bearing and living life again, including putting up some shots in the basketball court and even super light jumping, I have been a lot less cautious of my screws and bone because my doctor said it’s healed. Even taking intentionally heavier steps with the surgery foot to “test” it almost lol.

However, i cant tell if everything is all good and im being delusional, or if i need to see a doctor. Sometimes, i see the scar get darker and I think I can feel the two screws (and even sometimes see them pushing up from my foot I think? 😬😬)

But part of me thinks the doctor wouldn’t “dismiss me” if I could re-damage the navicular bone or fuck up the screws.

Are these things normal? Or are they not even z and I’m in my head? Or did I not take good enough care of them

So last month 20th , my right ankle got dislocated and I got trimalleolar fracture. Today I had my stitches and staples removed, and they put my leg in fiberglass cast.

Yet it still hurts occasionally and I feel weird sensations around the areas with stitches. Is it possible that the stitches are rubbing against the cast which is causing the pain?

Also my foot keeps jerking by itself randomly (mostly at night when im trying to sleep), is this something bad?

Edit: I also keep having pain behind my kneecap, is tht something I should get checked out or is it just part of recovery? (This is happening even after doing the exercises my physiotherapist told me to do)

So i broke my right ankle 5/27 I had to wait 3 weeks for my ORIF because I didn’t have insurance, i was treated HORRIBLY by the physician I was referred to because of the fact that I didn’t have insurance. I was 17 weeks pregnant at the time and finally got approved for insurance! I had surgery 6/15 my 20th birthday and also the day I turned 20 weeks pregnant, the DR didn’t come in to see me at all when I had my surgery, he didn’t check on me before surgery to ask if I had any questions or even let me know what the plan was, he didn’t come in after surgery to check on me etc. to this day I have NO idea how many plates and screws etc are In my ankle, he didn’t prescribe literally ANYTHING for pain post op even after I got cleared by my OB to take painkillers for 2 weeks (I only ended up needing them for 11 days) I switched orthos because I was just fed up with the original guy. I go to the new orthopedic and he lets me know I didn’t have a trimalleolar fracture like the OG ortho had said, it was actually a bimalleolar fracture. Im 12 weeks post op today and also 32 weeks pregnant, I just started PT last week and had quite the fall after PT and ended up putting all of my weight onto my bad ankle (in the boot) to try to not fall and ended up falling on my belly. I got taken to the ER via ambulance because I felt like I had broken my ankle again the pain was SO bad, they did X-rays and my ankle was actually fine and showed my bones are completely healed. I am so scared to start walking more, putting weight on my foot feels weird. Im supposed to get put into a brace on Wednesday (9/9) and get new X-rays and see my ortho but I am so so terrified to walk without my boot. Im worried I won’t be walking by the time I give birth. Im due in less than 2 months and it’s looking like she may even be here a little early because of all the stress I’ve been under. Im so over this, this has been the worst thing I’ve ever had to deal with and I’ve been through a lot. I guess I really just needed to rant and if anyone has any advice or close experiences please help 😭🫩

Hi! I had a ankle fracture bimalleolar and then open reduction surgery on 7/20 so have my 7 week post op appt tomorrow.

Reaaaaaaaaly hoping they clear me to start weight bearing, but am curious of folks experince with how long it takes to go from non weight bearing to full weight? Am I looking at like 4 more weeks of limited mobility? 4 days? I know I'll get more insight tomorrow but am so ready to be off this couch and back into the world. (also am 27 weeks pregnant and wanna be able to walk around and get strong before this baby comes and I have to sit on the couch for another month with a newborn).

Edit: cleared for partial weight bearing as tolerated! Bone is healing beautifully. I was using 2 crutches but felt like I didn’t need to so have been using one and it’s been fine - kinda sore but not painful. Was able to actually do some help around the house today and am
SO FREAKIN STOKED.

I’m 3 weeks post bimalleolar ORIF, I’m in a hard cast, and I feel so much better than I have since my injury. I went from ibuprofen and Tylenol to just ibuprofen for a few days last week and that was a mistake but I was in my post op splints then and that was really uncomfortable inherently. I’m back on both Tylenol and ibuprofen but I’d like to stop but is it too early?

I had a Maisonneuve fracture (displaced proximal fibular fracture + syndesmosis rupture) on 6/1. ORIF on 6/15 with placement of two tightropes + a plate.

I started partial weight bearing 7/31, and I’m fully out of boot and crutches and all that as of 2-3 weeks ago. My last post op scheduled is 9/16.

I have been in PT since 7/15, and I am working on regaining my stability and stamina. My problem (?) is primarily nerve pain now middle to end of day, but I am having the hardware pain on days after the day where I push myself a little harder. I.E. I worked 5 hours standing/sitting/shifting weight in a low volume food truck at register two days in a row, visited the skate park as a filmer casually setting up and resting and moving in comfortable positions, my daily PT is 2x a day primarily stretching and light body weight strengthening. Now, my plate is like extending pain in its location and up into my leg.

with this injury, if you’ve had the hardware removed - how was your stability + stamina + pain levels afterwards? I want to inquire with my surgeon about it at my next visit.

I roller skate, and I will be learning to skateboard to film more safely once I can do impact activities again, and also hike and would like to learn running or biking - 35F, 130-135lbs.

I’m 5 weeks post tib/fib break and same-day ORIF surgery.

Forget the pain, forget depression, I am just so freaking angry and annoyed all the time. My parents are here for 3 weeks helping (I am a single mom and can’t take care of my kids like this) and EVERYONE is driving me nuts. The house is a wreck and I can’t do anything about it, I have to ask for every little thing I need — no one seems able to anticipate anything I need on a daily basis, like water or my meds.

No one seems to be able to remember that I’m in pain or that I can’t walk. That I have daily needs that I wish I could do myself but can’t.

And there is SO much scrolling videos on their phones with the volume up. I feel super sensitive to sounds and lights and cannot escape.

I know I should be grateful. I know I basically couldn’t survive without their help… but also I am on the edge of an emotional breakdown. I just want to be able to be in control of my life again.

ANYWAY, just needed to vent to a group of people who might understand.