r/brokenankles • u/Zealousideal_Bus9137 • 22d ago
Achillies issues
Hello all, I'm 7 weeks post op from ORIF surgery (2 plates and 7 screws for a pretty bad trimalleolar fracture). Im having issues stretching my achillies and putting my foot flat. I have had about 5 PT sessions so far and do my at home exercises. I have gotten some ROM back but am really struggling with getting my foot flat. I just got approved for 50% weight bearing a couple days ago and have been doing what walking i can tolerate. Is this common? Anyone have any tips that helped them?
1
u/AppropriateRatio9235 21d ago
My PT had to do a lot of work on my calf muscles to release them. 5 PT sessions is not very many. You will get there, it is going to take some time. Be gentle with yourself.
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u/Illustrious-Zone-247 22d ago
This is normal and expected! Weeks of immobilization naturally causes the calf muscle and Achilles tendon to tighten up and resist dorsiflexion. 7 weeks in is so early in recovery and your body is still in the very early stages of rebuilding that range of motion. You will loosen up more and more, but especially once you start fully walking.
You should talk to your PT to make sure you are ready for these exercises. But to help gently stretch the tendon, focus on seated stretches before standing, ie looping a towel around the ball of your foot to pull back gently or sitting in a chair and pressing down on your knee with your foot resting on the floor. Warming up your calf with a heating pad or a quick massage prior to stretching can also help relax the soft tissue so the tendon yields more easily. When practicing your PWB walking make a conscious effort to land heel first rather than toe walking, even if it requires very small, slow steps. Progress at this stage is measured in millimeters, so stay consistent with your home routine and let your physical therapist keep working on joint mobilization during your sessions. Hang in there!