Im 69 and was in pretty good shape- hiking daily etc. In my follow-up, he said 90% in 2 months, but that the last 10% would take a long time. These are suitable for non-weight bearing involving the ankle region of the foot. Non-weight-bearing means that no weight can be placed on the operated leg. I am 8 weeks out from ORIF for a trimallecular fracture. I probably have three more weeks till I feel comfortable and confident. Had V & D all night until completely empty. But just using one arm with the walker of heavy limping without the boot and shoe. Then I looked and saw it dislocated and turned at 180 degrees. It works like an artificial leg, freeing your hand to do other work and allowing you to go about your daily activities without worries. Have only really started physio and wt bearing 8 weeks post surgery. How much weight is touch down weight bearing? Also see my tips in the post about practicing with the scale to get confident with each weight level progression. Get everything downstairs and near. Ive been struggling and in pain all day and had to take a pain pill again. As for the PT, my exercises so far have been to strengthen my foot and to work on dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion with weights and elastic bands. I am losing my mind! Im sitting for hours and hours each day and its so frustrating. Grrr Myofascial release provided relief and increased range of motion. Amazing. 41. I am 28 and on June 4 2021 I broke my ankle skateboarding. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. Happened mid Oct. After swelling and removal of fixator they added 2 rods. Trimeollar ankle fracture on 10/6, we took our daughter roller skating & I went down. dont push yourself too hard but make sure you do all the excerises that the surgeon/physios suggest it will really help get you walking faster. I was toe weight bearing for a week now. I should have asked for more information about how to do that because I dont believe I am walking as I should. My doctor asked me to start PT asap and to start with 30% WB and to progress to FWB by week 5. After you are allowed to bear weight, apply that ice, massage that foot and ankle and use compression. If you don't need surgery, . Adding weight too soon can interrupt this important internal healing process. see details , 50% Weight Bearing Demo - BRBJ Foot & Ankle - YouTube view details , Weight-bearing aerobic activities involve doing aerobic exercise on your feet, with your bones supporting your weight. I was referring more to just crutching around outside, and my fear of losing my balance on the old uneven sidewalks! Does it hurt when you start weight bearing? Had surgery on Nov. 14th. How do people walk after non weight-bearing? Recently broke my foot (Im 4 days in) and found your blog post while googling for confirmation that being THIS exhausted is normal for this type of injury. Knee scooters have wheels and manoeuvrability that ensure easy mobility. This provides comfort for the user and also aids ambulation. I broke my fibula in September and had surgery September 13th. From my experience it will happen but not in a week or a month already see my progresion with the boot and starting a bit without boot and one crutch. Happy healing! Patient is a UK registered trade mark. cast and I was referred to an orthopedic Physicians Assistant 3 days later. Key Milestones For Weaning Off Crutches Standing with weight equally distributed onto both legs Assisted walking with two crutches and brace locked in full extension Assisted walking with two crutches and brace unlocked Assisted walking with one crutch and brace unlocked I also couldnt answer questions about my procedure that the physical therapist asked me. I am glad I found this post, it has given me some hope. I do PT twice a week for 1 hr as well as pilates twice a week. I am still 100% NWB but there were 2 instances where there were emergencies that I had to actually use my broken ankle to pick up my 50lb child. I am hopeful that the physical therapy weeks will make me stronger and bring me closer to walking, running and taking the stairs. In the grand scheme of life, this is only temporary. Slow progress and pain at night. I hope you have healed well since this post! NWB for over 4 wks by the time I was recently cleared for the following: 50lbs of weight bearing using boot and both crutches for one week. What happens if you accidentally put weight on your foot after surgery? Taking off the boot to shower I felt so vulnerable with my ankle exposed & was scared, but didnt even think of getting ankle braces!! 38. Plate/screws 16 days later. There is no cast (outer bone broke) with extreme sprain. I used a scooter which was much easier for mobilising than crutches, but this method also works with another chair, or turning over in a chair and raising up backwards. Broke the 3 bones in my ankle on July 5, 2020 and had ORIF surgery the next day with a soft cast and splint. Thank you, I feel exactly like u are saying re walking. I didnt sleep with it on I used my splint instead but I wear it during the day as much as possible. A sharp pain and I keep reading everywhere that this is bad. He said he expects me to start bearing weight by this weekend. Walking aids A physiotherapist will assess your mobility after your surgery, and will teach you to use an appropriate walking aid. Ive been on short term disability since my injury as I work in a microbiology lab and cant, for safety reasons, be in the lab until I can wear a shoe again. Our only reservation is that it may not be suitable for rough surfaces. So there was no healing. Then boot and crutches for 3 weeks. The weight bearing seems to loosen up my ankle and doesnt hurt as long as I listen to my body. I got the knee scooter from someone that barely used it for 70$ CAD. I still have some numbness in my entire foot. Short walks have me panting like Ive run a marathon but sticking at it. Thank you for info re. If you have a watch with a stopwatch feature, use it. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the soreness, function and strength response of muscle to re-loading in seven patients who were non-weight bearing for 6 weeks, compared to five healthy subjects. You know what I thoughtseeing as I didnt know any different. I thank you. Your tips definitely encouraged me! Back at hospital in 3 weeks and I want to have moved forward by then but dont know how. A friend of mine has been told to be non weight bearing after her ankle fracture but she has been bearing weight excessively. My biggest problem is my knee and left side of my ankle swell pretty bad after exercising. May 11 (two weeks after injury): ORIF surgery on the fibula (plate and screws). (Ditto for crutches I was walking around all day in the boot without crutches before I began transitioning out of the boot). I am in a walking boot for 3 days now, still getting used to it. I am now managing short walks in boot with a frame around the house. A 30 minute drive to the nearest ER. The time you will be non-weight bearing varies, but is usually for 2 weeks. I pray all of you on here a speedy recovery. At 6-8 weeks, you will be in a walking boot with gradually increasing weight-bearing with guidance from your physical therapist. Certain conditions require a complete NWB status for a period of time to allow the tissue to begin the healing process. read more , Partial Weight Bearing (PWB) Most of the definitions in the literature define partial weight bearing as being 30% to 50% of a patient's body weight. read more , Using a Walker: Gait with Walker Non Weight-Bearing - YouTube read more , There is only ONE right answer! Its hard to keep track of actual time spent walking (especially at first when 90 seconds feels like 6 minutes) with just a normal watch/clock. Can I walk on my broken foot after 6 weeks? Doc said I didnt have to wear it at night, but we have 2 dogs who also sleep on the bed so thinking I need to protect my ankle. I feel like 90 walking as if there is something wrong with my hip as if Im limping [ I am limping ]. Yessiree! The ankle is still very swollen which apparently is normal. Thanks for this post, as I got very little info before I got cut loose. I am not sure what to expect once the boot is put on, so it has been good to hear others experiences. 6. I am both hopeful and fearful about being allowed to start full weight bearing. Given that Im confident I will be full weight bearing I have been working on more than just toe weight today. My goal was to be able to get my heel to my bottom took maybe 3 months, but I did get there eventually. Also, the feeling of having my ankle so weak and blocked with numbness on the top of my foot was quite distressing. Thanks for your detailed account of your progression back from injury. The iWALK2.0 is a new crutch that allows you to be hands-free while non-weight bearing. | How do Walking Boots Work? Orthopedic doc told me that at 6 weeks post op I will move to the boot and start WB. I can see that I have come a long way since day one so hang in there. I plan to get through this and get back on the bike by February/March, but dumping the clipin pedals going for flats! ankle brace, desk etc.) This has happened before and normally a few scrapes and bangs and Im back on the bike. . I broke mine 3 weeks ago and all the ortho said was, Eventually you will want to start walking on it. I was like ummmmyea. But besides that, nothing else! Then put the boot back on. Overall there has been a lack of information, but I am healing. I remember even pre-COVID-19 for my experience with a broken ankle how much better I felt getting a little bit of fresh air, whether that was during my WB work time or otherwise. Glad you are feeling better, Dana! I am accustomed to going to work all day and being with people. I am 11 days out for cartilage graft surgery on my right ankle along with a clean-up (thanks to a hit and run driving t-boning me whilst riding my motorcycle [needless to say I am lucky to be alive]). I have noticed that when my foot swells at the end of the day, my foot becomes a bit stiff however the stiffness is resolved by next morning after a good nights rest. I felt pain for days after. My story, I was mountain biking and hit a bad spot and went down hard. Regarding the last 10% the last 10% definitely takes a long time, depending on how you assess it! Super frustrated at how hard/difficult everything is, and how tiring. How do you climb non-weight bearing stairs? Can you walk in a walking boot without crutches? ; 4 How long are you non weight bearing? This is NOT debatable or negotiable as long as you had a normal gait prior to the surgery or injury. I walked 3 miles with no pain, no limp. Your email address will not be published. I am 63 and very active with a full time demanding job. Its only one week since double ankle fracture & into moonboot. Having to care for myself when unable to walk is hard. Should a broken foot still hurt after 6 weeks? Apparantly the cast was not set properly and I should have been operated on immediately. Be prepared that therapy will leave you wondering if you will ever have the same movement as before. I broke my fibula and ankle on 16 December, surgery on 22 December, NWB with cast and crutches until 24 January. Since you are not able to bear any weight on the leg, an assistive device, such as a walker or crutches, will be necessary for you to walk. The heel becomes accustomed to not being walked on during the time the patient is "non-weight-bearing" (often 6-10 weeks). I cant drive and can not get up and down stairs or walk on a slight slope unaided. (Non-weight bearing exercises can be progressed if full weight bearing is not achieved due to microfracture), No forced stretching (especially of the hip flexors and anterior capsule), No joint mobilizations or joint distraction, Do not discharge . time? Im thankful to find this site because I had no idea what to expect. Using Tylenol vs Motrin. Good luck all, stay strong! Info on what this trauma is really like and knowing what to expect is hard to come by. I wish us all great amounts of healing energy and quick recoveries. Great feedback all! It has a strong frame and durable wheels, making it suitable for all terrain. With iWALK3.0 Hands-Free Crutch, you can be completely free from the hassle of using crutches. Same as everyone else. 18. It sucks, but you can and will do it. Ortho called me the day of the appointment to re-schedule in person the following week, because he didnt have all the x-rays he needed (i.e., gravity stress) to make a definitive diagnosis. I have been feeling very depressed and hopeless for the last few days, which make every day feel like a year. PT this Monday. The knee scooter is also made of steel, making the frame solid and durable. At six weeks, the patient will begin to walk in the walking boot. i broke my ankle (lateral malleolus) falling from a climbing wall and had an ORIF done as the fracture was unstable. So glad I found this post. Skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy occur following an extended period of decreased use, including space flight and limb unloading. It should not be considered for knee and hip injuries/after-surgery care. So Im 3 weeks post op will be going to the Otho 15th sept to see if he will put me in a boot the first appointment he took xrays and sees it healing very nicely hoping he will put me in a boot on the 15th .. Im terrified with everyone having a difficult time bearing weight and still in pain please give me some hope, Hi Sandra When the cast came off, my skin under the cast looked terrible. I find this too. Am walking in shoe without support (cane/crutches) for short distances and times. For the first 6 weeks you will do all exercises in non-weight bearing (no weight on your leg). If they say 3 times a day and you do it, youll see it pay off every week. I had to seek a trauma surgeon. Thank you! Im from the Netherlands and I think our healthcare system sucks ,lol, and that it is weird to walk on a non healed fracture with no extra support or guidance. Thank you for sharing! All your stories give me encouragement, this is my first time and I hope only injury like this. I did not use one because of winter weather. If it is not too painful to walk on your ankle immediately after an injury it's a good sign that you don't have severe ligament or bone damage. No clue that I would need someone to get groceries, do laundry, help me down steps, take out the trash, get the mail, and mow my lawn for over a month. It has a weight capacity of 275 pounds and will be a good fit for a broken ankle, ankle surgery and below-the-knee injury. I am now at 8mths post injury and am at full use of the ankle, except being cleared to play ice hockey, which I train for. Am enjoying the knee scooter as opposed to crutches! Can I use a boot instead of crutches? Live alone and due to COVID I was unable to have many visitors. I am now 4 weeks post surgery. Cookie Notice Really, there is no easy way. I think the exercises are mainly keeping me at an even level of mobility, but not yet advancing to pre-injury status. I make beds, cook, clean and have even done a little bit of garden work. (The only thing I could do is listen to music, because Im used to running with music). I did towards the end (around week 4) start resting my foot on the ground occasionally (which is about 5% weight bearing) but I know that some other people say that they surgeons said not to even do this - mine allowed it. Again Thank You for explaining step by step and it seems like you were quite athletic before and are again since breaking your ankle and it was still a struggle. Heard the iWalk was a life saver. You can also adjust it to your height; the crutch is recommended for users within 411-64 height and weight, not more than 250 pounds. This is suitable for ankle and below-the-knee injuries. Nurse was emphatic no weight bearing. Surgery on 10/30 and have been in cast for last 10 days. I had surgery the same day and ended up with a plate and 7 screws in one bone and 2 screws in the other. . This typically means no weight whatsoever, not even for a second or two whether standing or seated. So great to read this! Good luck to everyone and I am sure we shall get there in the end! This meant that my right ankle was in a hard cast for 6 weeks and I was 100% non-weight bearingbut this was challenging because the foot meant to be my stable base for crutching or knee scootering was often pretty wobbly and in a lot of pain. there is times when family and people will think you just normal and dont realize what exactly we are dealing with. I started PT last week and wish I had better information about what I should expect. 1 How long does it take to walk after 6 weeks non weight bearing? I recently fractured my ankle in 3 places, had surgery just over a week ago. After 8 days I had ORIF surgery 12/11/19 and had cast removed after 6 weeks NWB on Christmas Eve. This is the best crutch alternative suitable for a non-weight-bearing walking aid. Then moved toes, good Now, I had to get out of the woods. The boot is quite high and whatever I wear on my good foot is lower so I am lopsided the whole time I am walking this means I need my crutches for balance. doc never said i couldn't rest my foot on floor when u sit at a table u have no choice i am week 5. most of the time I am on a recliner i use scouter and do get up like u described. At this point, being FWB in 2 weeks seems totally unrealistic and I get frustrated because of it. I am taking ibuprofen 4x a day, and I get tired of opening the bottle. Its grim!! bedside desk with everything you need until morning or when you have help, especially water and something to relieve yourself. Same for day 2 of a weight having distractions or a task to do (e.g. but i feel that in 3 weeks i should be past limping and walking better by 4th month. I had PT for 6 weeks after the cast was off and continue to do the exercises at home about 3x a week. I am at just about 6 weeks post break and I went in today for an X-ray. What exercises can you do with a walking boot? The user can use it as a walker for non-weight bearing or a rollator for balancing. I am having trouble with the loss of my mobility coupled with my husband being gone. I didnt have any expectations re progressing to wb. Can I rest my foot on the floor when non weight bearing? At 6-8 weeks, you will be in a walking boot with gradually increasing weight-bearing with guidance from your physical therapist. I have agonized over my lack of productivity until I was reminded that rest, therapy and recovery are productive as they are leading back to full strength and use. PS I forgot to thank you Dana, for starting a v informative blog! I still have a few more weeks until I can walk properly without the boot or crutches and can go back to driving. I go back on the 14th of May, 3 weeks after the injury for xrays to check. It is one of the best walkers and an excellent walking aid for a broken ankle and non-weight bearing. Im not sure what I would do in your situation its probably influenced by insurance coverage, willingness to drive, etc. The fracture site had been very hot ever since the cast came of and swelling has gone down only maybe 2%. I still have not been back to work and as hard as its been, Ive been resting and elevating as much as the doctor wants me too. I dont think I doI have no details about what specific medication I was given or the procedures performed other than a five minute verbal at my office visit. Also, it is correctly padded, from the handgrip to the cuffs around the wrist. I havent had much pain at all even when I broke my ankle. This post has given me so much reassurance. Ive been going to physical therapy since Beginning of June. I am so glad that I found this post! 14. Was told my injury was nothing special. Broke my Tibia and Fibula on 8/28 surgery for a titanium rod and four screws. The bone is growing back so he told me I can switch from my walking boot to a brace with my shoe. Hope you are doing well. I have been doing physio exercises sent to me via email because of CoVid19. How much weight is partial weight bearing? I broke my fibula and ankle about 7 weeks ago. Plates or . I MUST WALK IN MY BOOT UNTIL MAY 14. I hope youre doing better now, as I have noticed much improvement after 5 weeks and after starting to use a walking boot. How do I walk after non-weight bearing? How do I start walking after cast removal? I slipped in shower and broke tibia, fibula & tallus bones and also badly dislocated ankle that it was round the back of my leg 3/11/19. Do I need to wear my walking boot all the time? No follow up appointment and told I should stop using crutches in 2 week (8 after surgery) no physio given due to Covid so I have had 2 video calls. The ankle does ache when weather changes this actually is a real thing> I am week 4 post surgery and in a soft cast. You'll spend the first four weeks post-op in a non-weight bearing in boot, followed by four weeks of protected weight-bearing in a boot. Ortho docs are the worst at explaining the process and setting up expectations. 33. I am one week into this and it feels like forever. 2021 update see this post about (finally) running the marathon that I had signed up for before I broke my ankle! Very painful, but thought maybe a high ankle sprain? During this time, you'll be non-weight bearing, which means you can't put any weight on your injured leg at all. After a year of pain and limping, I found a new PT. Tips to deal with so much fatigue as you return to weight bearing: Some of the tips and things I figured out for being non-weight bearing and sitting around with a hard cast came in handy for the weight-bearing progression fatigue, too. How long after ankle surgery can I walk without a boot? Together we can all make it to a recovery. My cast was cut off and I was given a boot and told that I just had to pretty much get on with it. Have a knee scooter which limits use of crutches to bathroom visits only. As an athlete, I cant give up biking so opted for surgery. Me to have been trying to find more info so great to find this. A nerve injury in the ankle above the toes may take up to a year to return feeling to the toes. see details , You SHOULD keep the boot on while you're laying around the house to prevent bumping the injury and to help the foot heal properly. Thanks for tips about ankle braces too, folks. Furthermore, the handle and the knee rest can be adjusted to suit the users height perfectly, and it is recommended for users within the 56-66 height range. Whew. My 4 month appointment was 3 days ago and he finally gave me the thumbs up for WB. They make my hands sore and even my good leg is getting tired of bearing all the weight . Thats really good to know. I was looking for information on weightbearing. Second week one crutch, boot and 100 lbs weight bearing. Im still not weight bearing but hoping in 4 days at my next appt. Being in a boot for 2 months brought my foot alot of problems. I had no idea what to expect this has helped me so much & inspired by your strength. Thank you Dana and everyone else who has contributed. Will walking on a sprained ankle make it worse? Thanks to everyone for sharing. Wishing you all luck on your journeys , sending lots of love. Thanks for this article that shows theres a light at the end of the tunnel but right now it feels so far away. Also gave me range of motion exercises (abc, etc) PT will start up in 4-5 wks. Not sure how to wb under these circumstances. It is better to walk better with a crutch than it is to walk badly without. continue reading , Crutches can be used for partial support but you can begin walking on your leg as soon as it is comfortable enough or as per the advice of your doctor. That was 2 weeks ago. Im definitely working on that now three times a day. Nice job taking all those notes. What happens at 6 weeks after ankle surgery? Walking boots lead to more days lost due to injury. 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