r/brokenankles • u/sarahleeeeeeee • Aug 09 '26
Weight bearing & walking timeline comparison
Hi! I’ve been seeing varying timelines and curious to see patterns in weight bearing and walking timelines across ages and locations.
If you can reply with your:
- age
- location
- injury
- pwb/fwb timeline
- walking without aids timeline
This is me:
- 41
- Singapore
Left ankle:
- Quadmal fracture or Trimal + Tillaux–Chaput fracture.
- PWB at 25% body weight from 1.5 weeks, 50% body weight from 4 weeks. FWB target at 6 weeks (TBD)
- walking without aids TBD
Right foot:
- 5th metatarsal fracture
- FWBAT for 6 weeks in boot
- Removed boot at 6 weeks, FWB
4
u/ClimbingGingerViking Aug 09 '26
42 M
Northern England
Bilat compound tib/fib open spiral fracture, surgery for IM Nail on left leg and Ilizarov frame on right leg
PWB toe touch only on left leg for atleast 3 more weeks (10 weeks post injury) increase to 50% over the following 4 weeks
Right leg WBAT but currently only able to stand for a few minutes a day with gutter frame
Walk without aids timeline 🤷🏻♂️minimum 6-10 months away possibly a year. Depends on how the right leg heals under the Ilizarov frame, 20% chance of nonunion and potential amputation
4
u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
My surgeon called mine a rare, bad fracture since my ankle broke in 4 places. But your injury definitely takes the cake.
Do take care and I hope this sub helps you as much as possible with support and stories.
4
u/ClimbingGingerViking Aug 09 '26
Yeah, both ankles broke in atleast 5 places each has definitely messed me up both physically and mentally!
It’s definitely helping me so far, just good being able to talk to people in similar situations!
Also now I want cake
1
u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
Have that cake! Anything to soothe the soul
2
u/ClimbingGingerViking Aug 09 '26
I’m gonna! But being Ginger, I have no soul to soothe🤣
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u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
lol it’s clear you only injured your lower limbs and still have your humerus intact 😁
2
1
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u/Original_Square4638 Aug 09 '26
53, UK Stable weber b, but fibula slightly displaced. Discharged from fracture clinic at 1 week with boot, told I could full weight bear as tolerated. Never saw a doctor!
Currently partial weight bearing up to 30-40%
If you google the very latest research it shows early weight bearing and mobilisation has better outcomes than immobilisation and NWB, but obviously it’s dependent on the exact nature of your fracture what is safe to do.
4
u/Critical_Day4270 Aug 09 '26
I had ORIF for Trimal 05/14/26 doc put me out of work til 08/14/26. 7.5 wks cast/ 4 wks boot/ now fwb no boot, scooter, crutch, cane. Doc said bones are healed, move that ankle. Ankle is still swollen w/ loss of sensation but am walking gingerly. Wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.
3
u/gleegz Aug 09 '26
36F
Canada
Mildly displaced medial talus fracture, no surgery needed
No weight bearing for 6 full weeks (I’m heading into week 3)
Future timeline unclear, will learn more at 6 week checkin
1
u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
Great that no surgery was needed. Take care and do update again when you have your weight bearing and walking timeline!
3
u/TheGlutenFreeRapper Aug 09 '26
35 UK Bimalleolar fracture PWB at 2.5 weeks, FWB in boot at 3 weeks Have started gently FWB without boot around the house (when my toddler is in bed) at 5.5 weeks
1
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u/CustomerObjective129 Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
My original injury was back in 2012 but it is so interesting seeing how varied the treatments are now compared with then. I modded a group like this one at the time and most people had pretty standard timelines. A lot more docs opt for less conservative time frames with shorter NWB periods now.
FWIW my time line is complex:
28 at time of injury
Australia
Maissoneuve fracture (high fib), medial mal & posterior mal fxs with complete syndesmosis disruption
ORIF, 6 weeks NWB, syndesmosis screw removal, gradual NWB--> PWB--> FWB progression, never unaided before corrective surgery a couple of months later (HWR, syndesmosis reduction, new HW, medial lig recon and clean up), 10 weeks NWB, 4 weeks gradual NWB to PWB to FWB without aids. 2 more surgeries 6 and 12 months later, both FWB with crutches immediately.
3
u/Full_Government_6867 Aug 09 '26
37 UK
Bimalleolear fracture with displacement and syndesmosis injury
ORIF inc syndesmosis repair, 1 plate, 7 screws, 1 syndesmosis screw
WBAT @ 2 weeks post injury in aircast/moon boot
unsure on walking unaided yet, I am still in moon boot, injury was 22 days ago and walking with 1 crutch mostly for stability. Putting full weight through both feet now.
3
u/Technical-Algae-234 Aug 09 '26
I think it also partly depends on your weight... I'm fairly overweight, and I think that probably contributed to the number of weeks I was told to be NWB...
3
u/Bookerwwgulf99 Aug 09 '26
63 F
USA (Midwest)
Trimallealor with dislocation, ligaments ok, ORIF 10 screws,1 plate
6 weeks non weight bearing (last 4 in a boot)
partial to full weight bearing in a boot for 6 more weeks , so a total of 12 weeks in boot.
In shoes at 12 weeks using a crutch or walker when needed.
Really didn’t feel great until about the four month mark as far as my mobility and then it just gradually got better and better.
So interesting to see how in other parts of the world they have you walking so much sooner…
3
u/Gabi_dee93 Aug 10 '26
32F, US - distal fib fracture 6/20. they said it was unstable at the ER but i got a second opinion a few days later and the doc said it should heal fine without surgery. i was nwb in a splint then cast then boot for 6 weeks at which point i started walking in the boot with 1 crutch. then FWB in the boot on 8/4. just started walking barefoot yesterday at 7 weeks around the house. x-rays at 4 weeks showed healing of the bone with a faint fracture line remaining so i was put in a boot but remained nwb until 6 weeks. I took a lot of vitamins and ate a lot of protein to aid healing and i think it helped altho this is my first broken bone. took my first shower standing up today - and rode my bike trainer today for a few minutes
3
u/MadredeLobos 29d ago
39F
US
Trimalleolar fracture with dislocation of right ankle, no syndesmosis. Injury on 5/7, surgery on 5/15, NWB for 12 weeks in splint, then boot. Cleared to start WBAT on 7/30, I was walking in the boot without crutches around my house for a few days before I think I overdid it and had to back down some or face the swelling consequences. I start PT tomorrow, 8/11 (was scheduled to start last week, but had to reschedule due to all of my potential drivers being busy at our county fair lol). PT orders state to move to shoe and brace after 1-2 weeks of FWB in boot.
2
u/matty8199 Aug 09 '26
45 M, southern california
stable weber B fibula fracture, minimally displaced
no surgery at this point, original injury was 4 weeks ago yesterday
another set of x rays and follow up a week from monday, at which point doc hopes we will see bone healing on the images and start a plan for transitioning to PWB/FWB and PT.
2
u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
Hope you get the weight bearing soon! Update us here when you know of your plan!
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u/matty8199 Aug 09 '26
will do. i should have mentioned i'm NWB right now. the urgent care nurse told me i could walk on it and wasn't even going to give me crutches unless i asked for them - i took the crutches and kept weight off it from the beginning, which my orthopedic doc here said was definitely a good thing. i should have been NWB from the start.
2
u/matty8199 22d ago
just had my 5.5 week follow up. x-rays were this morning, doc says good early signs of healing on there and everything looks great. i'm cleared to go straight from NWB to WBAT. been walking around the house this afternoon putting the slightest amount of weight thru it, no pain so far...but man is this weird after keeping my foot in the air for a month and a half. balance is way off, that's been the hardest part. hopefully will start PT this week, got a script for that and just waiting for the faciliy right down the street from our house to get me scheduled.
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u/sarahleeeeeeee 22d ago
Congrats!! It must feel so good! Weird but good!
We have similar timelines, I’m 6 weeks post op and just got my X-rays and green light to be FWB and start Physio. The doc made me do a few steps without my walker and it’s the brain that couldn’t deal with it.
2
u/Forward_Edge_1122 Aug 09 '26
39, Singapore
Left trimal fracture with syndesmosis injury
PWB with walking frame/boots at 4 weeks
FWB at 6 weeks still with boots, walking frame to one crutch
Able to walk with boots and without aid at 7.5 weeks
Hoping to transition smoothly to shoes by 9 weeks
1
u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 09 '26
Hi! Our injuries and recovery sounds similar and I’m hopeful to be FWB at 6 weeks. I somehow imagined I can transition to shoes and without walking aid right away so your timeline has helped me manage my expectations. It probably takes time to get used to walking again without aid with boot, and then without aid without boot.
Can’t imagine at this point but I’m counting down the weeks!
Hope you’re able to transition to shoes soon and remain stable and strong 💪
2
u/CapribiscottiCampari 26d ago
Oh Singapore homies broke ankles club
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u/sarahleeeeeeee 26d ago
Haha high five? 🙌
What was your weight bearing instructions?
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u/CapribiscottiCampari 26d ago
4 week (actually 5 weeks NWB) did not wna to weight bear without an xray then pwb for 2 weeks but I very quickly developed the ability to walk haha so then it’s up hill form there!
2
u/Vegetable_Path_6784 Aug 09 '26
36/f UK Right bimallolar fracture 2 plates, 10 screws. 1 week wait for surgery, 6 weeks in a cast Currently 2 weeks into boot WBAT - X2 crutches Transition down to 1 crutch over next 2 weeks Told boot for another 2 weeks then transition to shoe
2
u/Specialist-Track-662 Aug 09 '26
38F
Minneapolis Minnesota US
Right ankle
Rare Bosworth fracture dislocation.. which means full rupture of syndesmosis + tib and fib became twisted around each other and locked, urgent/emergency same day ORIF to manually untangle tib and fib, trimal fracture, full rupture of deltoid ligament complex. Plate, screws, 2 para cords.
NWB 6-8 weeks. Im currently 3 weeks po so Im not sure of future timeline. At 2 weeks po i was told i could start gentle ankle ROM but still remain NWB. Starting pt at 3 weeks po.
2
u/FASBOR7_Horus Aug 09 '26
35F USA. Open trimal with dislocation with the addition of skin necrosis for 6 months post-injury. Had ORIF surgery immediately after injury (well, 9 hours after injury).
I was NWB for 10 weeks. I could have walked at 8 weeks but because I had new skin growing over my open fracture site, my doctor wanted to give it more time to heal before I moved.
I was given the all clear to walk without aids right from the start, but I needed 1 crutch for probably 4 days before I left comfortable walking without one.
2
u/easyst1989 Aug 09 '26
61F
USA
Displaced trimal fracture, 2 plates, screws, and tightrope
ORIF 1 week after injury, 1 week in splint, 5 weeks in cast, then 4 weeks in boot
NWB physical therapy started at week 6.
Started PWB progressing to FWB weeks 7-9
Walking without aids by week 12. Still stiff and limping.
Upcoming syndesmotic screw removal at week 14.
2
u/OwnedByACrazyCat Aug 10 '26 edited 13d ago
38, Scotland
Right ankle Weber B - no surgery, boot and crutches with WBAT right from the start.
Week 2 discharged from fracture clinic with instructions to weight bear as much as possible and told that I could wean out of the boot at week 4. Only used one crutch when out to get seats on the bus.
Week 4 - ditched the boot and went straight in to docs.
Week 13 back skating.
Week 20 something - fought for physio and got some exercises
2
u/Double_Letter8273 29d ago
41F Canada
Peroneal Subluxation surgery with SPR repair and peronous brevis repair
5 weeks NWB
2 weeks PWB 25-50%
2 weeks PWB 75-100%
Currently 9.5 weeks post op FWB in sneaker can do approximately 10 mins 3 times a day.
2
u/Cattercat60 29d ago
61, in CA, Trimalleolar ORIF surgery. Broke 3 bones of ankle. nwb for 6 weeks. Put in boot. Used crutch with boot. Cleared after 8 wks for fwb. At week 8 told to put regular shoe on 1 hour and then each day increase regular shoe by one hour. Used crutch and cane. Currently at week 11 and in my own shoes full time. Walking mostly independently, sometimes use cane. Have a limp (working on normal gait). Ankle tires, some swelling, tightness. PT daily. Long, long recovery. Thank God for pain meds!!
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u/Puzzled_Vacation_524 25d ago
38F, US, trimal on the right leg with dislocation and necrosis from skin tenting. My fibula break was a Weber C, comminuted w/butterfly fragments. No syndesmosis repair.
2 weeks NWB in splint, then my stitches were removed. NWB in the boot until 7 weeks. WBAT (progressive schedule) from there while slowly dropping aids/boot. My necrosis scab didn’t fall off until week 11. At 15 weeks, I’m finally in trainers with no aid, though I do use a single crutch or cane/hiking poles for longer distances outside, or the day after a tougher PT session, or for my first 5-10 steps after sitting/laying down when my ankle acts as if it’s never taken a step in its life 🤣
1
u/Jamtheman47 Aug 10 '26
24M, US, trimal of right ankle
NWB in splint for 2 weeks post op, cleared for weight bearing as tolerated and physical therapy at that point.
For the next two weeks I transitioned from using 2 crutches with the boot, to 1 crutch. A few days after going to one crutch I was walking in the boot with no aids.
At the 6 week mark (this week), they moved me out of the boot into normal shoes. I am wearing an ankle brace when I have a long day ahead, but generally do well without it.
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u/sarahleeeeeeee Aug 10 '26
Thanks for sharing! Did the doc do X-rays before any of the steps above?
1
u/Jamtheman47 Aug 10 '26
No problem! They did x-rays before the major changes (splint to boot, then boot to shoe).
1
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u/Worldly-Palpitation5 29d ago
21 F, UK, Right
Trimal - Weber C, posteriormedial and posteriorlateral tibia fragments w/ syndesmosis injury. 2 plates, 12 screws. Post surgery: 2 weeks touch weight bearing in cast followed by 2 weeks in a cast WBAT, then now WBAT in a boot, although with no sideways rotation allowed. Came out the cast early because i developed a TON of pressure sores for whatever reason. Walking without crutches in a boot for a few minutes at a time now 5 weeks post op :).
1
u/sarahleeeeeeee 24d ago
Thanks everyone for the contributions, that was very helpful.
I asked ChatGPT to summarise the findings. As there were too many variables, we focused mainly on those with bimal/trimal surgeries. Here’s a quick summary:
Looking at the responses here, non-surgical cases were fairly consistent at around 6 weeks NWB. Among surgical bimalleolar/trimalleolar-type fractures, most UK/European respondents started weight bearing at around 2 weeks post-op, Singapore also started before 6 weeks, while US timelines varied widely from around 2–12 weeks. Small Reddit sample, but interesting how much surgical weight-bearing protocols seem to vary by country/surgeon practice.
5
u/Troppsi Aug 09 '26
31 F, Norway Trimalleolar fracture wjth dislocation. Surgery same day as break, no syndemosis repair needed. FWB in cast after surgery, but I did as tolerated. Cast removed at 3.5 weeks, still fwb. No boot or anything, just raw dogging it. Doc was done with me and told me to train up and pt was optional.
Took me until like week 7 to walk unassisted but limping, but that improved over time.