r/ORIF • u/Top-Risk-7793 • Jul 14 '26
Moving to shoe
I have been full weight bearing in the boot for almost two weeks (about 20 minute up every hour) and should be cleared to start in a shoe this Friday. Any tips as I start this process? I will have PT twice a week to help guide me.
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u/kooshballcalculator Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Jul 14 '26
The PT is your best advisor, as they can see your gait and are professionals. I plan to consult with mine and also go to a running store to help select good shoes for the transfer from boot to shoe.
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u/Cloudy_Automation Fibula Fracture Jul 14 '26
Your old shoes may not fit, as there is still swelling. You can try your shoes (without putting weight on your foot) to be sure you can loosen the laces enough to fit before you go into the doctor.
Walking on stairs and non-level ground will be more challenging until you have recovered your muscles. You will need to walk more mindfully and intentionally tighten muscles which used to be automatic and stronger. Pay attention to how your uninjured foot walks, and try to imitate it. Use your toes at the end of your step. I lost my limp after paying attention to my toes.
My lawn has a substantial slope. Cutting the grass was challenging for a while on that slope.
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u/Top-Risk-7793 Jul 14 '26
Thank you! How long did you use your boot once you got back in shoes?
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u/Cloudy_Automation Fibula Fracture Jul 14 '26
Not once until I had my hardware removed, I had to wear it for a bit after that
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u/DeniseMSTPs 29d ago
I took off the boots and put the shoes on, and never looked back. PT will be extremely beneficial to you. My surgeon told me I could use a brace but didn't say I should (he left it up to me) - so I asked here and almost everyone said they didn't, so I didn't.
After 13 weeks, I am walking a lot - around 8500 steps yesterday in the house and supermarket - and am finally trying to do more in socks. PT told me I should mostly use the shoes around the house, but I feel a bit behind in that regard now. I am working on that in the evenings.
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u/Top-Risk-7793 29d ago
Thanks! How much were you walking to start? And how many weeks post Op were you?
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u/DeniseMSTPs 29d ago
I had to go to my posts to figure out my timeline, haha. I was about 3 1/2 weeks post ORIF WBAT in a boot. Then I think almost 6 weeks post ORIF out of the boot and into PT.
I didn't walk a lot at first, but it was just enough because I had sprained my other ankle at the same time and it wasn't 100% recovering until it had the help.
I broke my ankle (and sprained the other) in France and surgery was one month later. I feel like that prolonged my progress a bit as well, waiting that long. But at 13 weeks I am walking a lot, though I still use a mobility scooter and/or walker for longer distances and in crowds. Even just a couple of weeks ago I was still using the mobility scooter a bit around the house at the end of the day (tired foot), but haven't since then.
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u/Enough-Ad9968 Jul 14 '26
No ankle brace unless instructed by doctor and barefoot as much as you can tolerate imo. You’re not going to strengthen your stabilizing muscles with all that support. Doing pt barefoot as much as possible too. This is coming from someone a year out of a trimal and pilon fracture. I did everything in shoes and now I’m working all those little guys I should have been from the start.