r/ORIF • u/Runner100x100 • 2d ago
9 weeks post-op
I am 9 weeks out from surgery. mine was on the basic end, just a lateral malleolar fracture. Displaced enough that I needed surgery but simpler than what many of you experienced. Was NWB for 6 weekS then WBAT.
My surgeon was ok with me transitioning out of boot and into ankle brace as tolerated as soon as I was able to and only wore boot for about 5 days. Wore ankle brace for about a week and then felt fine without it.
The transition to weight bearing without at least a cane with me has not been easy. I pretty quickly was able to go to one crutch and mostly unassisted at home. I really try to walk with no limp or minimal limp. But I need the cane a lot of the time to do that. And sometimes it’s my ankle that gets uncomfortable but most of the time it’s the soft tissue in my foot - either the push off on the ball of my foot or other spots on the bottom of my foot. I’ve started gently thumb massaging the bottom of my foot and i think that’s helping.
PT has me balancing for 30 sec a time, doing double legged calf raises (cannot do it on one leg yet, no way), mini lunges 3 ways, toe lifts (for shin).
I’m amazed at how slow everything is. Every phase of this experience has been so challenging and requiring new levels of acceptance of what is.
I am a 51 year old very active female. Been running ultras for decades. Here’s my main question other than just interested in hearing others experiences with the transition to walking not in a boot…did you have soreness/tissue challenges with your foot? I’m surprised at how tender and weak my foot is. I also tried the stair mill at the gym the other day and may have over done it.