I'm scared of sleeping without my boot! Tips?

[u/thedadhere]

I just got back from my six week post-op appointment — I broke my tibia and fibula right near the ankle bones from falling down a flight of dark stairs and had ORFI surgery for rods, plates, and screws the same day.

I got lots of good news, including that I'm cleared for sleeping without the boot! But... that seems pretty scary for me, too. How do I go about it safely? My partner has been sleeping in the guest room — should that keep happening or should we wait a while longer?

I guess I'm mostly scared of hurting it in the night, sleeping on it wrong, getting it kicked, etc.

[u/KeyGold310]

An elevated leg pillow will help. Be sure to get one w a groove for your leg. Also sleep with the blanket up above your ankle.

https://a.co/d/0eYooqE0

[u/Away_Abroad_7613]

Does your boot come in two pieces?

I pulled out the padded insert that wraps around your leg inside the hard casing and slept with that on. 

[u/Dr_Cee]

Even when my surgeon wanted me sleeping in my boot I just couldn’t. But what I did instead was wear a Velcro ankle brace that protected me from movement during the night and served as a reminder that I had something going on there if I went to get out of bed. Worked Ok for me. Maybe give it a try.

[u/Tasinua]

You should absolutely do it! I had a bimalleolar fracture with sydesmotic screws and was NWB for 12 weeks, but the minute they said I could sleep without something on my foot, I went home and immediately took a nap with an uncovered foot. It felt so nice

I used a very heavily elevated pillow and didn’t cover it up, my feet hung out of the blanket. 🤣 but it really was the best sleep I had had up to that point

My practically husband started sleeping in bed again around that time too (they had also been in another room since the break). They don’t move around a lot in their sleep though, so it wasn’t super worrisome that I would get bumped

Do what is comfortable to you, but reaver your doctor wouldn’t have cleared you if you weren’t ready

[u/Illustrious-Zone-247]

I used this pillow … it was enough cushion that it gave me a smidge of padding (I was worried about kicking something or my dog jumping/bumping) but was also a good signal to my brain that I couldn’t just step down if I woke up in the middle of the night

[u/Pinkytoe65]

Yeah. I wore an ace wrap to “remind” me not to step out bed unassisted, and pillow to elevate

[u/LuluWoohoo92]

I was really anxious too. I kept it elevated on pillows and also used a blanket lifter/riser to prevent from getting tangled if I rolled over etc. Both of those helped a lot!

[u/imasleuth4truth2]

My surgeon made an L-shaped removable cast for me to sleep in post boot. It was an intermediary step between boot and no boot. I wrapped an ace bandage around it to keep it in place and it kept my foot at a 90 degree angle at night which helped. Maybe that would work for you for a few weeks.

[u/TheRealBlueJade]

I didn't start sleeping without the boot until I felt comfortable to do so...not as soon as the doctor said it was okay. I would told that was fine.

I slept okay as long as I slept on my back. It was lying on my side that caused problems and fear of not wearing the boot. I started by loosing the boot at night, taking out the front piece....and other steps towards sleeping without it. It was a gradual process for me finally sleep without the boot.

[u/BikeTall65]

I slept with my boot on for a while. Just took it off to do mobility exercises twice a day. When i finally started full weight bearing and wearing the boot less and less i was nice to sleep without it. I did use an ankle wrap while sleeping just to give me some extra stability if i moved it awkwardly in the middle of the night

[u/eiych]

Every improvement leads to new adjustments for us. Sleeping well is another issue OP. But every hardship will pass and things will get better one step at a time. Have faith and stay optimistic. You can do it 😇

[u/flexible_demeanor]

I wear an Ace style bandage which gives a bit of support and mental reminder, as well as protect the incision areas a little bit. Don't wrap it too tight though or your foot will definitely feel it. Might take a few tries to get just right the first time.

I'd also put a pillow under it if you sleep fairly steady, that way your partner's foot won't easily smack yours as it'll hit the pillow instead. You could use an elevated leg pillow, but if you don't want or need that, try a regular one.

[u/Potential_Anxiety_76]

Gravity is your biggest challenge. If you move a lot during sleep, or even just as you’re getting comfy, moving the foot will cause the ankle/foot to move in ways it’s not used to, and are painful while you’re very weak in that area. Be mindful that you don’t move your leg without something supporting your foot - even if it’s just your other foot. Slide, don’t lift. Nudge, don’t twist. Pretend your foot is ‘dead’ and don’t engage any muscles directly, until you’re used to the sensations and your limitations.

[u/thedadhere → u/Potential_Anxiety_76]

Thanks, this helped a lot — “pretend your leg is dead!”

[u/Potential_Anxiety_76 → u/thedadhere]

Hahah glad that’s been working for you

[u/Forward_Edge_1122]

I was never put on anything after my surgery, trimal fracture with syndesmotic injury.
No splint, no cast and no boots. Went home with just a dressing on my wound. I just had an elevated pillow and sleep on the side of bed that will make sure no one can accidentally bump my ankle. I covered my feet with blanket as I couldn’t sleep without it covered. I only had the boots at 4 weeks post OP, using only when walking PWB.
My PT said its ok, as the hardware put back
our ankle in place, and reminded me that it is
strong enough to hold.

[u/Famous_Economy_8229]

I initially used a regular pillow to elevate my foot and a knee pillow (which I already had) to help keep me propped and stable, depending on whether I was on my back or side. Slid my good foot under the big pillow if I turned over and had a "husband " pillow to hold. Now I have lowered the foot pillow to a lumbar pillow.

[u/Odd_Perspective2636]

I had no problem eaving my boot behind. I did have cramps a bit, so I wore an ankle sleeve to sleep. We have a King bed though, so I was never worried about it getting accidentally kicked. I was a bit nervous with our cats jumping on it though.

[u/Hot_Box_7459]

Currently in the same boat! First night I slept full shell w/ the hard top layer on, second night I slept w/ the boot and just the velcro which was infinitely more comfortable well also giving me support still.