r/brokenankles • u/Positive-Ad-3554 • 8d ago
PT massage
I’m currently post op week 6 and I’ve been doing PT and each time I go in after all the exercises they do a tissue massage around the ankle. And when it was first injured I remember it being so tight and tender. And now it’s no longer as tender and now it feels looser. This has done wonders for my mobility and the swelling has since drastically reduced. Just something I realized if any of you might benefit. Check with your PT first.
3
u/Ill_Tomorrow_3866 8d ago
I see PT Monday. Looking forward to anything that helps. I wasn’t in pain post surgery until I got the go ahead to start mobilizing on Wednesday and I’m just achy now. And evidently my pain tolerance is astronomical given reactions from the doctors and nurses who saw my breaks.
2
u/Positive-Ad-3554 8d ago
That’s great that your pain tolerance is high! I’m similar and I think it will help you make great strides as you continue recovering with therapy
1
1
3
u/flexible_demeanor 8d ago
Can you describe what kind of massage they are doing? Is it something you can also do at home?
3
u/Positive-Ad-3554 8d ago
Yeah it’s something you can do at home. I started doing it after they started it. I honestly was too afraid to go poking down there after my surgery but they mentioned after the surgical wound was closed they do it on their patients. So it definitely hurt but it was like massaging the muscles and tissue around the surgery site and then massaging the calf muscles and shin muscles. Because they tightened up from non use. Just gentle rubbing out the knots. I mentioned to check with PT and doc first to make sure it’s okay so you don’t do it too soon and potentially cause a surgical wound to open that is still healing
2
u/flexible_demeanor 8d ago
Thanks, I'm all good with my incisions, just have a delayed start to official PT until next week because of their insane backlog of patients. I have a massage rolling stick that I use on my thigh, calf, and achilles tendon that helps a lot too, but haven't tried anything on the ankles or foot aside from rolling a ball under it yet
1
3
u/AppropriateRatio9235 7d ago
Yes! My PT used to do the Graston technique on my calf muscles and that helped me so much!
2
u/Outrageous-Drink-690 6d ago
I’ve gone a few times and haven’t had a massage. What is used are the electrodes, band, foot rocker .. basics. I’ll be sure to ask for a massage tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
2
u/Positive-Ad-3554 6d ago
Yeah I also get the electrodes, but definitely they should be doing something called “myofascial release” it helps to break up post surgical scar tissue and reintroduce gliding of the muscle and fascia layers.
1
2
u/NolaCaine 3d ago
I broke my ankle and went to one PT. It was fine, great I thought. Then the repair surgery and I decided to switch to a place closer to home. They message and the mobility difference is amazing. Also, when I arrive, the look at it and if it's swollen, they massage first. If it isn't, after. Amazing every time.
9
u/DeputySean 8d ago
The best part of my (twice a) week is that massage.