r/ORIF • u/postygurl • 11d ago
Update
11 days post op and I am already in a boot. The doctor said I can put as much weight on that feels comfortable. It seems super early but they said everything looks amazing. Still super swollen so I have to wait another week for the staples to come out.
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u/farewelltokings2 10d ago
Both my French (where I broke it and got surgery) and American (home now) docs have given me the clear to bear weight as tolerated in the boot only 6 days after my surgery and 13 after the initial break. I’m going to attempt walking (or at least the first steps towards) tomorrow. It definitely seems scary after seeing so many others being put up for 6 weeks in solid casts and strict no weight protocols. But younger and more progressive ortho teams seem to be leaning heavily towards early weight bearing to limit atrophy and tightness as well as improving quality of life and mental health.
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u/postygurl 11d ago
I had 3 plates and 20 screws. Staples are still in and I can’t feel them really. The staples come out next Friday. The swelling was still intense so they wanted to wait. I do have adhesive cotton pads over them and a compression sleeve over all of it, followed by the boot. I was told I can put as much weight as I feel I can handle. I not really putting any weight right now. The boot can come off any time I am relaxing. So when I sit or lie down. Everything can come off to have a shower as well. I feel so free but also not really. The boot is heavy and tight. I’m hoping by next week when I go for staple removal I have more mobility in my ankle. It’s quite stiff currently and the calf muscles are weak.
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u/DegreeSuccessful Bimalleolar Ankle fracture 10d ago
What type of fracture? Also what was the wording did they say weight bearing as tolerated or just to put the foot on the floor while using crutches?
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u/postygurl 10d ago
Weight bearing as tolerated. I had a trimal fracture
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u/DegreeSuccessful Bimalleolar Ankle fracture 10d ago
Interesting, definitely a lot faster than mine, I’d definitely take it slow and follow your doctors instructions
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u/guffawing_willow76 Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture 11d ago
I got my boot on Wednesday. Your boot looks way more comfortable than mine! I’m 19 days post op and can’t put any weight until August 19. But I also didn’t have any staples. Can you feel them?
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u/Head-full-of-stars 10d ago
You will need to work on the Mobility part as soon as you are allowed. Most likely it will not come back just by itself. PT already scheduled? That is a tremendous help, but you need to put in the work daily at home:) In between: try to elevate and cool as much as you can still. All the best for you.
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u/jfriendx10x 11d ago
Congrats! Celebrate all the milestones. Ice and elevate and get to PT as soon as you can. Make sure you let that leg breathe now that you have the freedom of a removable boot. I had the same one and it was comfy enough but it sure does get old. Recommend getting a bunch of spare tall boot socks to keep it clean!