u/DutchnFrankie

I wanted to share my 6-week recovery update for anyone going through a similar injury. Reading other people's recovery stories has really helped me, so hopefully mine can help someone too. I'd love to hear your recovery stories as well! And any advice on dorsiflexion improvement is welcome!

-June 25: Fell down the stairs - trimalleolar fracture + ankle dislocation. ER visit, fixated my ankle back position and got a splint.

-July 2: ORIF - fibula plate, 2 medial screws, posterior malleolus screw + complete anterior syndesmosis tear repaired with FiberWire. Back in a splint (it was uncomfortable and very painfull for 2 days)

-Week 2: Stitches removed, moved into a boot, started PT and weight bearing as tolerated. (25% weight increase each week basically)

-Week 5: Full weight bearing in the boot. (But with limp, boot is awkward to walk in)

-Week 6: X-rays look good and hardware is stable. Now full weight bearing in normal shoes with a simple ankle brace. (Longer walks I still use 1 crutch)

Swelling is still there but much less, and I can stand/walk much longer before it builds up. My gait in shoes is almost normal, but barefoot I still have a limp. ROM is still stiff in all directions, especially dorsiflexion, which has been the hardest to regain. Incisions are fully healed.

I still ice twice a day and elevate whenever I'm sitting.

-Working on: ROM/dorsiflexion, getting rid of the remaining limp, strength, balance and swelling.

Hi everyone, just posting updates about my healing process. (maybe it helps you out as well in what to expact) I would love to hear how you are doing as well!

Timeline

June 25 - Trimalleolar ankle fracture-dislocation

July 2 - ORIF surgery + syndesmosis repair

~2.5 weeks post-op - Started ankle ROM

~4 weeks post-op - Weight bearing, progressed from 2 crutches → 1

~4.5 weeks post-op - First steps without crutches

August 8 -

5 weeks + 2 days post-op - Walking short distances without crutches; still some limp, stiffness & swelling

Current goals: improve dorsiflexion, reduce swelling, regain strength and balance, normalize my gait, and eventually walk comfortably without thinking about every step.

This is a individual recovery timeline. Weight-bearing protocols can be completely different depending on the fracture and surgical repair, follow your own surgeon/ PT's instructions"

Hi everyone, just posting updates about my healing process. ( maybe it helps you out as well in what to expact) I would love to hear how you are doing as well!

Timeline

June 25 — Trimalleolar ankle fracture-dislocation

July 2 — ORIF surgery + syndesmosis repair

~2.5 weeks post-op — Started ankle ROM

~4 weeks post-op — Weight bearing, progressed from 2 crutches → 1

~4.5 weeks post-op — First steps without crutches

August 8 —

5 weeks + 2 days post-op — Walking short distances without crutches; still some limp, stiffness & swelling

Current goals: improve dorsiflexion, reduce swelling, regain strength and balance, normalize my gait, and eventually walk comfortably without thinking about every step.

" This is a individual recovery timeline. Weight-bearing protocols can be completely different depending on the fracture and surgical repair, follow your own surgeon/PT's instructions"

​

My Fracture: left trimalleolar ankle fracture-dislocation. I had ORIF and received my new friends: 1 plate and 9 screws, posterior malleolus fixation, and a syndesmosis repair.

2.5 weeks after sugery : removed splint (finally that thing was uncomfortable!) stitches (ouch) and received a boot . Weight bearing as tolerated . Swelling and bruising is pretty visible.

4 weeks: walking on 1 crutch (😊), was able to walk without crutches for a bit but started hurting more then comfortable so back to 1 crutch. will have my 4e pt visit soon. Rom is improved but still very stiff hating the sideway movements with ankle ( it feels weird) . Swelling and bruising :still visible but absolutely improved.

Mental state: its ok, sometimes I accept the situation and sometimes I feel sorry for myself and start staring out of the window hating that everything I want to do is difficult and tiresome , and then I am back to checking Instagram.

How are you guys doing so far, anything relatable? Love to hear your story !

Hi everyone,

I'm 2.5 weeks post-op after a left trimalleolar ankle fracture-dislocation. I had ORIF with plates and screws, posterior malleolus fixation, and a syndesmosis repair. I'm still non-weight-bearing, and my stitches were removed a few days ago.

My surgeon told me I could begin gently moving my ankle, but I haven't started physical therapy yet. I've been doing a few gentle up-and-down movements each day without forcing anything.

I attached a short video of my current range of motion.

For those who had a similar injury, I'd love to know:

Does this amount of movement look typical for 2½ weeks post-op?

How much ROM did you have at this stage?

When did you notice your ankle starting to loosen up?

Is there anything you wish you'd known during the first few weeks?

Thanks in advance! Hearing from people who went through the same injury would really help.