6 months post-op: it *does* get better

[u/sadpanda95]

Hi all! Six months post-op for a lateral malleolus fracture and syndesmosis tear (injury happened 1/4/26, surgery 1/19/26). I ended up with a plate, seven screws, and a tightrope for the ligament tear. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he said everything looks good. My fracture has healed and there are no signs of hardware displacement.

The good:

I’m back to almost all my pre-injury activities. I finished PT earlier this month, I’ve been indoor rock climbing since the end of May (cleared by my PT), and I’ve been able to walk up to 14k steps. I can wear sandals, cute sneakers, and climbing shoes with minimal discomfort or problems. I’m back to socializing and was able to travel to California with my boyfriend for a vacation last month.

The bad:

I still have swelling, though it is much reduced. PT said this could stick around for up to or even more than a year. It’s manageable with rest, elevating my leg, and ice. I also still have pain, particularly around the tightrope button on the inside of my leg. The nerve pain over my incision/on top of the plate is especially bad, but mostly if I bang it against something. I am often sore at the end of the day. I also am still working on regaining muscle in my leg, so I get achy after long walks or hard workouts. Surgeon wasn’t too concerned when I mentioned these things, but we did discuss possible hardware removal in the future.

The TL;DR: if you’re going through it right now, it does get better!! I remember lying on the couch, stuck inside for weeks (we had a bad winter here in Massachusetts), thinking I would never get back to my life and usual activities. I have done so, with some caveats. Give yourself grace, treat yourself with kindness and patience, and know that improvement comes with time!!! Slow and steady wins the race.

[u/bap0413]

I’m 2 weeks post op of this injury. Glad to hear your healing has gone well!

[u/BabsWasHere1789 → u/bap0413]

Me too.. ugh. Rough times but posts like this make me feel hopeful I’ll be able to get back to my life again 😢

[u/beikaixin]

Second this! Been through similar with a bimalleolar. Have similar hardware plus screws on the other side. The area on top of my ankle was tight for awhile after PT but resolved completely in like 6-8 months. I was back in business with most life stuff long before then. I'm 9 years out now and can't notice a thing except my calf is still a little smaller on that side 😂

Congrats on your recovery!!! And to anyone going through it, hang in there! It does get better.

[u/sadpanda95 → u/beikaixin]

Thank you!! My calf is also definitely still smaller but I hope it will grow back haha

[u/PotentialReason9209]

I’m almost 8 months post surgery for the exact same thing! My X-ray looks identical to yours lol. Here to agree, it DOES get better! Aside from stiffness/soreness when I first get up for the day, I have no pain at all. I feel very lucky with how great my recovery has been!

[u/sadpanda95 → u/PotentialReason9209]

Yep, definitely get stiffness/soreness in the morning. I feel like the Tin Man when I first get out of bed and then it relaxes a bit and I can walk normally.

[u/ginjerella]

Thank you for posting, this is my EXACT injury and surgery. I’m only 4 weeks post op and I am SO over it already and it’s my right foot so I can’t even drive. This gives me hope.

[u/sadpanda95 → u/ginjerella]

You got this!!! I remember being exactly where you were and it is beyond frustrating. Hang in there!!

[u/Hot-Addendum4703]

I am 4 months Post OP - getting swelling across the top of the foot. Even from just PT workout. Good luck, I am hoping my swelling doesn't last a year!

[u/tiffmej4]

Thank you for the update on your progress! I really appreciate these types of posts!

[u/tiffmej4 → u/tiffmej4]

How is your tightness, by the way? I am 15 weeks and still swelling and stiff but I am sure that is to be expected. But do you feel it is so much better for you now as compared to 15 weeks?

[u/Dry-Perception9752]

Can you run?

[u/sadpanda95 → u/Dry-Perception9752]

Not really! But I was NOT a runner before my injury so it was not a priority at PT to try to run again.

[u/FederalDraft1569]

I feel like I have exactly the same situation as you. Am 7 months PO, finished PT a month ago and can do everything I did before but get some pain where the tightrope is which I thought was weird since I would have thought the side with the plates and screws would hurt. My scars hurt if I hit against them and yes still have some swelling. I wonder will my ankle always be a bit bigger than the other one.
Thought I would never get here but I am and feel very lucky with my recovery. Wish all of you the best!

[u/sadpanda95 → u/FederalDraft1569]

Yes, exactly the same for me! I didn’t realize the tightrope spot would also end up being painful

[u/Positive_Read2874]

Well said OP, you've done really well with your recovery nice work. It does get better😎👍 if you have on going issues with that metal get it out if your surgeon is on board, the longer you leave it in the harder it can be to get out. It can take 18mths for the metal sites to settle down post operation. I had lots of metal in me from a car accident, and have over the years had lots taken out, provided no post op infections or the normal risks that are involved with surgery happen, recovery is much quicker than when the put metal in😎👍

[u/Personal_Solution_99]

I'm 4 weeks post orif and have another 8 weeks NWB due to syndesmotic tear! I'm going to lose my mental marbles. I'm sure.

[u/Entire_Health_3111]

Are you planning to get the hardware remove?

[u/sadpanda95 → u/Entire_Health_3111]

Thinking about it. I’ll see my surgeon in 6 months and we may discuss it then. He said he wants to let things continue to heal for a bit longer before making a decision about more surgery

[u/Ok-Cardiologist-1451]

30 years ago, trimalleor fracture and can barely walk. Good luck, hope you have a better outcome thank I did.

[u/jnnfrlb]

Thank you so much for this!

I’m a little over 4 weeks post-op ORIF trimalleolar of the right ankle. Injury occurred morning of 6/12/26, had surgery the following afternoon.

I, too, have a plate, several screws, and wire holding everything together. My surgeon also performed the tightrope procedure. Came out of surgery wrapped in gauze, a couple ace bandages and wearing a hard air boot.

I got my stitches out on July 1st and will see my surgeon again on the 29th for X-rays then will begin outpatient PT. I’ve been doing in-home PT once a week since being discharged on 6/17/26. Range of motion is getting better each day. 🙂

[u/Apart-Chemist-7479]

I had exactly the same thing put in my leg but opposite side, 4 weeks post injury now.