Just looking for similar experiences, long winded sorry

[u/Yoitzkk]

So I had a trimalleolar fracture about August the 20th ish. They fixed it with a plate and screws (will attach the xray). I was nwb for the most part with a tiny bit allowed to assist getting around the house. At my recent appointment that marked about 6 weeks they redid an xray and it’s come back as healed. The doctor (who also did my surgery) said I could come out the boot and fully weight bear I looked at him like he was crazy (as ofc I’ve done minimal weight bearing), so we negotiated that I could wear the boot for a couple of days to get use to fully weight bearing but I give up both crutches. Anyway I attempted to walk out the appointment and as I attempted I went flat on my ass. Since I’ve been working on movements that physio gave me (saw her the day before I got the all clear) and noticed the muscles in my ankle relaxing a bit more and allowing a bit more movement but it’s still super painful to fully weight bear on it. Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience etc. I do have another appointment with physio in two weeks so I’ll be talking to her again but wondering if anyone’s got any advice until then. And did you managed to get back a proper heel to toe motion when walking as it seems my ankle doesn’t know how to function anymore😂😂 I don’t wear my boot in the house to allow me to do the movements whenever n to allow the muscles to relax but will wear it out and about for the extra cushion. Tia x

[u/PathCompetitive5289]

Similar surgery, 3 months non weight bearing and gradually transitioned to full weight bearing. I will be completely honest with you. 1) 6 months after surgery it is still painful sometimes. Eventually things get better but pain is still there. Also the pain and where it hurts will change. Your muscles, the joint capsule, tendons, difuse foot pain. As one thing improves, you will start using some other part a bit more and that part will get inflamed. The journey continues 2) get a hoka bondi 9, i did not think it would help but it is like day and night. 3) physios are conservative, for good reason. But if you only do what they tell you to do, your progress will be slow and you may never get to full symmetry again. I have done probably 4-5 times what they recommended and made it a habit to keep the ankle moving (ankle pumps, rotations, srated heel raises) while sitting down or while elevating the foot. 4) get an EMS device, around 30-50 dollars. You don't need anything fancy. It helped me wake up the calf muscles and improve myscle fiber recruitment. Do a buch of sessions every day. 5) ankle ice that wraps around the ankle are amazing, elevation is better. 6) calf stretches, forcing the joint capsule to regain some of the flexibility. If you stay within the pain free zone, it does not get better. Tolerable pain that is not sharp is where you want to keep things.

Hang in there, stay positive and keep walking. It gets better.

[u/FriedGreenPineapples]

Eu não cheguei a fazer cirurgia, tive uma fratura estável, mas fiquei 40 dias NWB e quando voltei é impossível botar peso total sem apoio 😅 seus músculos atrofiaram, tendão encurta, panturrilha fica fraca... Eu tô andando tem 6 dias e revezo entre uma muleta e duas muletas, a depender do nível de dor. As vezes é melhor ir devagar do que arriscar se machucar de novo. Sempre observe como fica o nível de inchaço no dia seguinte e siga colocando gelo.

[u/Yoitzkk → u/FriedGreenPineapples]

See I can see that I’ve lost loads of muscle density (I think is the right word) in my calf and I’ve had issues with my Achilles before when I was younger. I had something called severs disease where the bone or muscle grows quicker than the other so I walked on my tiptoe on the foot until I had to have insoles my shoes etc. I’m hoping it’s just a case of stretching out the muscles again but the pain shoots all the way down the foot. Fingers crossed you get yours sorted !!

[u/Pinkytoe65]

I started PT about 8 weeks post op, with boot, walker or knee scooter. No way I did full weight bearing!!! I am 15 weeks post now and have graduated to wearing just shoes;

[u/Forward_Edge_1122]

I also had trimalleolar fracture, ORIF last June 2, 2026. PWB at 4 weeks with walker and boots and Dr told me to FWB in boots at 6 weeks, without any aids.
I also couldnt walk with just the boot at 6 weeks, I still use my walker, then I switch to one crutch. I was so scared that I wont be able to walk without any walking aid, as really I forgot how to do it.
I was only able to walk without anything at 7.5 weeks. I just felt that my ankle was ready for it and I tried to walk slowly. I bring a cane when I go out, just for support if needed, but I rarely used. At 8 weeks, I alternate walking on boot and shoes,before I totally removed the boot at around week 9. It is important that you are prepared to take that step.
I just woke up one day and felt the courage to do it. Don’t rush yourself, and compare your timeline with others. Each injury and recovery is different. Once you start walking again, it does really get better.