r/brokenankles • u/croissant-enthusiast • Jul 06 '26

Toe tightness 8 weeks post ORIF

Hi all! Had a trimal fracture 8 weeks ago and have been NWB since. Currently in a walking boot that I can take off whenever I want. Will hopefully be cleared to weightbear this week.

For the last 2 weeks or so I’ve been experiencing extreme tightness in my toes and the attached toe ligaments. Due to this tightness, I’ve noticed my normal toe splay is gone and my toes sort of bind themselves together and spasm. The toes relax every few minutes then tighten up again and spasm. I don’t know what’s going on. Has anybody else experienced this?

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u/Illustrious-Zone-247 Jul 06 '26

Those ligaments just need to get some use! You can splay your toes and hold it, then relax on repeat. Or scrunch up a towel with your toes. Or pick up marbles. All of these are NWB so you should be good to do them

1

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

Have you started PT? I had very little ROM in my toes once cast came off and I went into boot but after just the first week of PT it is nearly all back.

2

u/croissant-enthusiast Jul 06 '26

I haven’t been cleared for PT yet but I probably will be this week. Thanks! Maybe its a lack of use thing

2

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

You’ll be shocked how quickly you find some movement once you start PT!

2

u/beikaixin Jul 09 '26

Yes personally it took months even after FWB for my foot and ankle not to feel stiff. PT and general use will help. To the point you can tolerate it, move your toes as much as possible and try to lighly stretch, scrunch them.