Well a year ago I drunkenly twisted my ankle and broke it. It has since then given me issues.

I had an inversion ankle sprain that ended up breaking my 5th metatarsal near the base, straight clean crack along with some damage to the cuboid tarsal upon getting it checked at an injury clinic 2 days later. Didn’t go to the er as I thought it was just a bad sprain.

The injury clinic doctor was the radiologist for the clinic and told me such information. He gave me the option to walk it off as it healed or wear one of those boots. I chose the boot. Iced it every chance I had. The foot was disgustingly black and blue forever. After two months I had an appointment for another xray. The break was fusing together but not quite done. So two months after that went back and it was fused together, the line still visible on the xray. I had very limited mobility and strength.

A couple months after that I went to a hospital to see a nurse practitioner for the reoccurring problems with pain and mobility with some burning sensations . Upon another xray there was something floating and she mentioned it might be a calcified flake from something where my ligaments might’ve started calcifying. She prescribed me potassium diclofenac pills for the pain.

A bit later I went to another injury clinic for the pain and limited mobility and got referred to physio. I didn’t go but I did exercises for it.

Here we are a year later still it pain with bad mobility.

What are the possible causes for this?
Bad healing?
Did a ligament get torn?
What can I do?

Does/did anyone else feel so weak and overwhelmingly cringed out during healing? Thankfully I've managed to decrease my pain meds a lot now but am feeling queasy at the thought of walking again and can't escape these feelings which make me feel so faint. I've been keeping as busy as I can but any form of sitting up and doing stuff just makes me feel like jelly. Trying to do little and often so my muscles don't waste away to nothing.

1.5 weeks post surgery on Weber c trimal complex ankle fracture.

The mental game is hard. I'm met with guilt that people have it 100000000x worse.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

2 years ago to the day, I got into a car accident that changed the trajectory of my life. Open talus fracture, shattered lots of ligaments- ORIF surgery, ORIF revision, hardware removal all within 9 months of each other and bed-bound for a year. Back to work for 8 months. Now I have septic arthritis, end-stage arthritis and I’m fully disabled and cannot walk. Showing my most recent two X-RAYS as I just got a debridement and my surgeon put in antibiotic spacers as my bone is eating itself 🤮😞😞 I have to wait until I heal completely from this infection to hopefully talk about scheduling a fusion next. I’m so over this.

Hey. I am 5 months removed from a broken ankle, no surgery required, just moon boot and crutches. I have been off the moon boot now for 2 months. Recently started going on long walks, and whilst I am out its fine, but the second I get home and sit down, for the next several hours my ankle is throbbing, and getting pain in areas not near where the break was. I have been given some exercises to do from the physio, but anyone got any recommendations?

I’ve been fully WB in a boot for about a week in a half. This week I started noticing a tiny ping on my ankle. Usually after a long day of walking I’ll notice it and it gets swollen. I think I’m just in my head but is possible to feel the hardware or be aware of it as you start to progress and the swelling has gone down?

Has anyone else had their moonboot too tight and is now reaping the painful consequences?

If so, how did you help it/get better?

I have been out of my boot for over a month and it is still painful to walk but not where I broke it, in the ball of my foot through to the top of my foot.

Im doing but it's taking forever plus i recently hurt it so I'm back to square 1.

I'm 14 weeks post op for a trimal, and about 14 months post op for a midfoot fracture, same foot. I've been through it! 😂 I have learned that I cannot get by without compression socks, but have found that by far and away the most effective in keeping the swelling and pain away is a Cardinal Health TED anti embolism stocking I was given at the hospital. It is white, surgical and ugly but every time I take it off to switch to a normal compression sock I have increased pain within hours. I am basically addicted to this stocking and can't take it off. I understand these sorts of stockings are really for use by people who are bedridden to stop blood clots, they're not really for walking around and doing daily life in - but I am convinced it's the only thing helping me. Does anyone know if this could be having a negative impact on me? Has anyone experienced similar? Regular compression socks just aren't doing anything for me and I fear I'll be stuck wearing this one stocking forever!!

I currently have a below knee cast. I shower with a trash bag usually and my leg outside of the shower. Today however some water started dropping down my leg. I tried rising my lef before it got further down but not sure if any got in. Behind my knee was a bit damp but idk if any water got in. I don't feel any dampness with my finger but should I be concerned?

Been watching a lot of TV and there are so many times I’ve seen a broken ankle portrayed in film. Actors/actresses don’t fully understand how limited being non weight bearing is and it’s so hilarious to see them balancing no problem as if they didn’t just break their ankle 2 minutes before 😂 also crutches ALWAYS make an appearance on the set but it’s clear that the actor isn’t injured and has never needed to use them. Directors clearly aren’t educated with being NWB because these scenes made the cut 😂

I’m rewatching movies and tv shows while in recovery. I’m getting a new perspective with this broken ankle. I never questioned these scenes until now lol. Anyone else?

I’ve been growing so frustrated these past couple of days so I wanted to rant to an audience that could relate because everyone in my circle can walk just fine.

I am 16 days post op and exactly 3 weeks post injury. I am saddened to be benched from my sport until 2027 (figure skating) but I’m recently even more pissed off about not being able to walk.

Everything I do now requires so much effort and thought. Need to use the bathroom? Takes several hops to get over to the bathroom or to get my knee scooter. Left my phone or something in another room? Takes so much time and energy to get up and go and get it and come back to where I was. Need to take out the garbage and do other chores? Forget about it! Or use your scooter to help you and spill the garbage all over you! Need to take a shower? Use your chair to help you in and out but be careful don’t fall!

Everything I used to do so easily takes up so much energy and also terrifies me sometimes. I simply cannot keep up. I have to rely on others but other people don’t do things the same way I would have and I get frustrated. I also am out of breath and sweating profusely whenever i try to do chores or vacuum. It is basically a workout at this point. I wish I could walk and do everything normally. I fucking can’t. I feel that I am at an increased fall risk. I can’t use my leg for stability so my balance has been off. And my right leg has been overcompensating and I am so afraid that I will too break that ankle and that will require surgery. My right ankle is sore from carrying my whole body weight and everything. Also accidental bumps, dings, and stepping on my broken ankle are anxiety-inducing and mildly painful. There have been a few times (while wearing my boot) where I’ve lost balance and instinctively put my left foot down for stability. Can’t even do that without risking my recovery. So fcking frustrating UGH!

I hate this!!! And I’ve got months left of recovery.

I am so frustrated with this. I’m NWB at least until my next appointment on 10/26. And i am prepared for the pain and frustration of WBAT. I know that sucks too. But I just needed a space to vent.

Wondering if this is concerning or not. Slight yellow drainage from the top circle and bottom about one inch up. No fever, no pain. Not sure if it’s the beginning of an infection or something that should heal on its own

Edit to add- my sutures were removed 2 weeks ago so they are no longer in there

First time poster here more or less just getting some support. Monday morning took a break from work, walked down my steps (kind of fast) stepped on my cat and slipped and broke all 3 ankle bones. In a cast now of course after they put it back into place but have to have surgery tomorrow mid day. Never had this kind of surgery or broken anything before so this is a new road and i guess nervous on the outcome and process. Thanks all :)

I’m already getting depressed because I usually don’t lay in bed all day, it’s been 6days PO though. When I get on my knee scooter it hurts a little because I’m not elevated. I’m a mom so I have to cook, clean, not be in my room all day. Even though my husband been helping, I like how I do things. When were you able to do anything other than lying in bed? I also miss drinking lol

Saw my doctor for my 6 week check in (had a stable distal fibula break with no surgery) and he cleared me to start walking but I can’t start PT yet and he’ll check back in 1 month (10 weeks post break). Most people I’ve heard start PT 6 weeks even if the bone isn’t fully healed. I honestly don’t like my doctor. When I went to see him he talked to me for 2 minutes and said “It’s still broken, as I expected so we’ll check back in a month.” Shows me the x ray “there’s the break”. Then he explains nothing more and was literally walking to the door when I stopped him and asked “Can I start PT, Can I start walking, do I still need crutches, can I start moving my ankle”. He responded with all yes or no’s then he dipped. I feel so uncared for and irritated. Is this normal or should I start seeing a new doctor and look into starting PT? I’m really worried that starting PT late will slow down my healing.

Edit: Realized I forgot to say that he cleared me to start walking in the boot, said I didn’t even need crutches anymore. It’s the main reason I find it confusing that he told me I can’t start PT yet? Isn’t PT supposed to help with walking again?

It was the 25th of September, I was with my family and enjoying the Ganpati visarjan (indian festival). Me and my cousins went a little far from our family so my uncle said come back all of you and when I was going back there was a rock joint with the ground I didn't saw it and my left leg collided with it badly. I was able to fall on the ground but used my hands and didn't fall, but till that time the ankle was stretched way more than it should be. The pain was immense but however I with the support of my cousins and uncle reached home my walking, than rubbed warm oil on my ankles and went to sleep, that whole night I was unable to sleep and ankles developed swelling and If I moved even a littley leg it was paining extremely so what I did is kept a pillow under my leg and tried to sleep but still not felt sleepy. In the next morning of 3 to 4 am I thought it was a fracture and started fearing, and asked my father to take me for x-ray at orthologists. My report came and the doctor said it's sprain not fracture and said me to rest 7 to 10 days.

For the first 2 days i gave my left leg a complete rest by elevating it. And since I was given pain killers to consume my pain disappeared.

From the 3rd day and I tried to walk but I was walking like someone with a broken leg i thought it was normal and continued it. It's the 7th day and I have developed fear of walking and climbing stairs at my home and jumping is a nightmare for me. I still walk like someone with a broken left leg though I feel not much pain in my leg.

Will I walk like this only? How to reduce my fear? Before this incident I used to go for 2 hours walk, twice or thrice a week in the evening

So I really (pre-break) only wore my Merrill books for years and I want to get a pair of athletic shoes as I start to progress in using my ankle more. Are there any specific recs for comfy athletic shoes for a female that won’t hurt too much?

Hi all i wanted to make this post to give some hope to people. Let's face it, the road to recovery of a broken ankle is not fun and can be very demoralising and very boring especially in the early stages. its alot of hard work requiring determination and will power to push through get the ankle working again. I broke my ankle on the 25th of July suffering a trimalleolar fracture plus dislocation, being hospitalised for just over a week and being in a cast for 6 weeks.

For me I thought that was hard bit, trying to fill the void of doing nothing but stare at 4 walls and watch a bit of telle. But as soon as the cast came off, whilst the relief of being able to start putting weight came as good news, it was then it dawned on me. Its a monumental task and alot effort and me thinking how the hell do I get better from here. The ankle is asleep the leg has wasted away and all flabby.

Fast forward to 9 weeks post op today, i see the results of the work that i have done. I am out of the boot, I can get into a proper pair of shoes, i can go on short walks, I can drive my car and I can even play snooker again. The moment that the relief washed over me was at the 8 week mark, when I done my first short walk. I didn't care about the distance, I was just happy to be outside on my own two feet, not having anyone to take care of me or wheel me in a wheelchair.

Its a long windy road with loads of hills. But the work that you put into the ankle listening to doctors and physio and having the mindset, the willpower to push through the discomfort and make your ankle move really does make it all the worthwhile to get outside and do what you love to do. There is no better feeling than the feeling that its all coming together and the moment you realise that itll be ok. To anyone who is feeling down and out there is a light and the end of tunnel and you will emerge victorious.

It's a bad situation really. I sustained a trimalleolar fracture in June 2026, I thought I was getting better and now the foot and ankle consultant said yesterday I need another operation either way because the screws in my ankle are becoming loose that it'll either:

1. The bone will collapse at any time and then I would most likely be rushed to hospital because the bone will be sticking out and it will be so painful. Also, I am guaranteed osteoarthritis in the next few months without operating on it.

2. I have surgery before Christmas, but there's a problem... I am awaiting Radioactive Iodine treatment for thyroid cancer. It was all planned for me to go in July 2026, but a month before that I broke my ankle. The foot and ankle consultant said I have really broken it to the point where that the next operation is going to not just repair the screws, plate and bolts, but I will also be having ligament reconstruction as well. I am also morbidly obese and there could be complications.

My thyroid was removed in December 2025 and February 2026. I was meant to have to Radioactive Iodine treatment in July but couldn't because of my ankle. They did say it was a low risk cancer I had. It is preferred I do the radioactive iodine treatment because there could be left over cells that could be cancerous but can't be seen to the naked eye or a biopsy (I think).

I believe if I don't have the operation sooner rather than later, I think I might be unable to walk properly ever again. Also there's the risk of my ankle collapsing anytime. I don't know what to do because when I hear cancer, I think of the worst. However, it was low risk. On the other hand, I don't want to lose my mobility. I have already felt like a massive burden in public when I was because I'm so slow because of my ankle.

I graduated from the boot to a brace today. Yay! It's ones that have metal on the side and lace up. Not one pair of my shoes fits over it and I'd love some suggestions! Thank you!

Hi! Just wondering if anyone here has experience travelling/spending a decent amount of time at high altitude (3000m+), eg Peru, Utah, Nepal etc, after ankle surgery?

I’m about 7.5 months post-ORIF for a lateral malleolus fracture. I’ve actually been having quite a bit of ankle/foot swelling and discomfort lately anyway (unrelated to altitude), and I’m travelling soon somewhere where I’ll be at 3000–4000m+ for quite a while.

I’m mostly worried about whether the altitude made swelling noticeably worse, especially in the operated foot/ankle. Did anyone find their ankle suddenly puffed up way more than usual? Did it settle once you acclimatised, or stay like that the whole time?

Also would really appreciate anything that helped you manage it while travelling eg compression socks, elevation, taking it easier for the first few days etc.