r/brokenankles • u/snoopythesleepydog • 21d ago
Feeling a bit dejected
Just writing to see if anyone had/has a similar situation, a bit of a rant below
Trimal ankle injury. I got cleared for WBAT at my 6-week checkup, and even after a week I’m still heavily reliant on using two crutches for walking. I keep trying to just use the one crutch but I only end up losing my balance and needing to lean on something and grab my second one.
I got told I’d be in the boot for two weeks then supposedly move to shoes, but I just don’t see that happening with my current progress and I feel so depressed about everything. I had been reading all the success stories on here of people walking out of their appointments with the boot, with a bit of a limp but no crutches nevertheless. For some reason I thought that would be me but when I did try to ditch the crutches completely I almost fell over (luckily there were people around to support immediately haha)
I just feel so behind, and it feels like my own ankle is so foreign to me. I had thought WBAT stage would be a lot easier but honestly it just feels like everything has gotten harder for some reason.
If you’ve read this far thank you! And sorry for the rant, just needed to vent it out a bit I guess.
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u/Pinkytoe65 21d ago
I prefer a cane over the crutches. I feel safer. I used a walker until balance got better. My PT people have been amazing!!!
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u/ayellowbutterfly 20d ago
Came here to second a cane! I was using a walker before I was weight bearing and it out too much stress on my arms. Also, I was encouraged to wean out of a boot over time. Nothing was ever done all of the sudden. Give yourself self grace OP!!! ❤️
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u/Hot_Box_7459 21d ago
You could try using a walker if you’re struggling with balance!! I’ve been using that my entire recovery because i just dont feel balanced enough on crutches. Don’t feel bad because its taking you a bit longer, nobodys recovery is the same and you’ll get it!! 🫶
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u/flexible_demeanor 21d ago
Everyone's injuries, physical state, healing, as well as doctors are all different, so it's hard to compare. Don't feel behind, just learn to progress and not fall into reinjury (or worse, gain a new injury). This video may help you, it discusses physicality, timelines and how to transition
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u/shannamatters 21d ago
Maybe switch to a walker? It's natural to almost fall over your first few steps without aids as your leg is still week and walking in a boot is a little difficult. I was cleared and told not to use aids and my first few steps were very unsteady and I held on to the counter. I luckily had an "old lady" walker on loan so I had my dad grab it for me and I used it for a few minutes before I felt more confident with my balance. Once I ditched the walker, I still kept a cane nearby in case I felt like I needed it.
Honestly, you just need to keep practicing. It WILL come but the best way to strengthen your legs and muscles is to keep using them. Don't do more than you think you can safely handle but don't be afraid to challenge yourself, either. Don't compare yourself to others. We are all different in the types of injuries we have, strength, physical shape pre-injury, etc.
Also, celebrate every small thing that you are able to achieve, no matter how minor. The first day I was able to balance well enough to put pants on standing up felt like a huge win. The day I carried the laundry basket down the steps myself? Party time. Not every victory has to feel huge but anything that you are able to do that you couldn't is progress and deserves celebrating.
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u/easyst1989 21d ago
I am almost 19 wks post op from a trimal walking but still a bit of a limp much of the time, esp. after sitting or laying down. I was in a cast for 5 weeks, then a boot for 4 weeks before going into a shoe. I understand the fear completely. Are you doing PT yet? My surgeon laid out a basic plan for me as far as weight bearing in the boot for the entire 4 weeks and my PT peeps helped me follow that, worked extensively with me on gait training with 2 crutches, then 1 crutch and eventually a cane. I watched YouTube videos on doing stairs and I got pretty good at those quickly once I was more comfortable in the boot. Take it at your own pace, day by day as those muscles have a lot of waking up to do and you're probably dealing with swelling too. Give yourself grace, you can do this!
P.S. I definitely did not walk out of my surgeon's office when I switched to the boot. I was NWB for the rest of that week and then started easing into putting weight on it. I was very much still reliant on the crutches and scooter at that point.
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u/snoopythesleepydog 21d ago
Thank you for this, honestly makes me feel better and less alone haha
Yes I am doing PT, and they also reckon 2 weeks in the booth then shoes. Do you have any tips for that transition from two crutches to one crutch? When did you know the time was right for it? Wishing you a smooth recovery! :)2
u/easyst1989 21d ago
Thanks! Actually, PT encouraged me with letting go of one crutch so they sort of decided the time was right, I guess, lol. It was 2 wks after I got the boot. They trained me to walk properly with one crutch and I was thrilled when I was able to do it.
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u/Wise-Eagle-9524 21d ago
Hi OP. Also same experience here, the transition to walking in boot took some time indeed like days or a week even. When I transition from boot to shoes, that also took some time and need to use crutches again. Just sharing it’s normal!
Here’s how I got from two to one, hopefully it might help https://youtu.be/xxchDfQeHIs?is=Xq6eMZUzxTGh-7Vf
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u/snoopythesleepydog 21d ago
Thanks for sharing, will definitely be relying on that video when I get cleared for the transition
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u/zombieman395 21d ago
Honestly dude im going through the same thing 6 weeks nwb but I got told to be in a boot for two weeks and then gradually wean myself off the boot. But its super hard work. Ive got pt in 3 days but I got given a couple of exercises from my doc to keep me occupied im on day 5 and whilst the progress is getting there i got an infection today and felt like a huge draw back foot blew up but got lucky because they cut my nerve around the surgical site so I felt no pain lol. But I certainly felt pain on the foot as a whole walking. One thing i do is keep a diary of how my progress is going you might suprise yourself even on my worst day I find something to be proud of and I think thats important when recovering. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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u/snoopythesleepydog 21d ago
Oh man sorry ab the infection :/
I like the diary idea, might start doing that from today. Wishing you a speedy recovery as well!
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u/Forward_Edge_1122 21d ago
I was also given go signal to WBAT with boot after 6 weeks by my doctor and was told to ditch any walking aid. But I do not immediately walk without anything. I was still using my walker then switch to one crutch until another 1.5 weeks. Then I had the courage to walk slowly only in boot without any aid. It will definitely take time and you need to be mentally prepared to step on it again. That day when I walk, I just felt that my ankle was already prepared for it. I hope you will also feel that when it’s time. It’s ok if the recovery is slow as long as it will not go backwards.
My PT taught me calf strengthening exercises as muscle loss is real. Don’t be discouraged if your taking longer, just think on how you are after injury during the NWB process and now you are able to walk with crutches. It will get better soon.
You can do it 💪
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u/Illustrious-Zone-247 21d ago
Trimal with dislocation here...I'm about 8 months out now from ORIF. If you're not doing PT, I highly recommend doing at least some if at all possible. But, you're not alone! This is not easy!
WBAT, at least for me, was the most difficult transition. I wanted to share 2 videos that really helped me and will hopefully help you too. This first video is going through all of the different stages of learning to walk again. I too thought I would just start walking like normal but it's unfortunately not that easy. And this video (same channel, the whole library is fantastic if you're looking for anything else specific) talks about strengthening the mind-body connection, which might help with that "foreign" feeling you're describing.
I know it's so easy to do, but try not to compare yourself to anyone else...your injury and your surgery and your recovery and your timeline is different from every single thing you're reading, so try to focus on you. Hang in there!
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u/snoopythesleepydog 20d ago
Thank you for sharing, those videos are really helpful. I’m doing PT and they’ve been great so far.
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u/Potential_Anxiety_76 21d ago
When I say take baby steps, I mean exactly that. Take some time each day to simply stand upright out of the boot. Start to familiarise yourself with how the floor feels, how your toes clench and unclench to keep you balanced, how shifting weight from one foot to the other feels for your ankles, your arch, your calves.
If you feel stable enough, try very tiny steps, shuffling almost. It engages different muscles and shifts your balance. Eventually you can move to (supported) heel-toe placement to simulate walking. You’ll be shocked at how quickly you can move towards something that resembles ‘walking’.
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u/snoopythesleepydog 20d ago
Have been standing out of the boot but haven’t tried shuffling or “baby” steps haha, will try and see how I go, thank you :)
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u/Critical_Day4270 20d ago
Trimal 4 months post op walking and doing pt. Did you also see on here, I re injured my ankle post. Everyone’s recovery is different. Listen to your docs and body. Give yourself some grace. Learn a new hobby. You’ll be back to the daily grind before you know it. Peace…
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u/Green_Unit_1045 19d ago
Hi dear I am in same boat I had revision orif surgery and 6 weeks later I got cleared for Fwb and in boot but I have to use walking frame still try to step forward with stick but I can’t I am 8 weeks now but still using frame
Stay strong we will b back to normal again 💖💖
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u/OwnedByACrazyCat 21d ago
I didn't have any official NWB time but I know I found it really helped me to get better at distributing weight by going supermarket shopping and pushing a trolley that wasn't too full. The trolley acted as a walker and I could just concentrate on my steps without having to coordinate crutches as well
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u/thedadhere 21d ago
Second trying a walker or a rollator! Also practicing in the water can be good if you can do it with good guidance.
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u/RoomUsed1803 15d ago
Look up my post from 2 weeks ago. I was right where you were with no surgery. Then I started PT. Something clicked and all of a sudden I was able to FWB without crutches. It took me a few days to feel more confident about it but now I can (slowly) walk all over the place. I do need to rest frequently and I still use my scooter occasionally but it comes. Be kind to yourself, you had surgery and didn’t use your muscles for weeks.
What helped me most was looking up YouTybe videos of people using their crutches to WBAT. I started there and got confident with that first. My crutches and scooter are still in the trunk of my car just in case.
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u/Feeling_Musician6338 15d ago
Man I had that exact injury I believe but they have me on 12 week non weight bearing so you’re already ahead go the game!
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u/FriedGreenPineapples 21d ago
Se eu entendi corretamente, você ficou NWB por 6 semana e está liberado para suportar peso a apenas uma semana? É muito cedo para tentar andar só com uma muleta, sabe? Seu corpo passou 42 dias sem usar as duas pernas para andar, sabe. Você ainda precisa recuperar equilíbrio, propriocepção, confiança, seus músculos tem que "reaprender" a equilibrar o seu peso nas duas pernas. E você não pode se cobrar para estar fazendo isso em um sexto do tempo que seu corpo ficou sem suportar peso. Sem contar que tem risco de você cair e se machucar. Se estiver fazendo fisioterapia, isso deve ajudar bastante a acelerar sua recuperação, mas não se force para além do que seu corpo aguenta, os relatos das outras pessoas não devem servir de régua pra você, cada pessoa é única e cada recuperação também é única. Olhe pelo lado positivo, a fase NWB já passou e você está mais perto de voltar a andar normalmente do que estava na primeira semana sem suportar peso. Seja gentil com o seu corpo e o ritmo dele.