r/brokenankles

Hello!

I wear Mueller ankle braces on both ankles while playing soccer due to repeated sprains, but the downside is that they cause a temporary burning sensation in my arches. I don’t notice it during warmup, it’s really bad for maybe the first 5-10 mins of play, and then it completely goes away and is no longer a problem for the rest of the match. The only exception is today the discomfort reappeared and is lingering in my left foot only.

I don’t think the braces are too tight (in fact they’re so old and loose the top straps repeatedly come undone while I’m playing), but maybe I could still alter how I wear them, or stretch something in some way to alleviate the pressure? The only other time I’ve felt this sort of pain was when I wore indoor boots (years ago with no braces) and played one season on a hard floor, which was just excruciating throughout until I stopped.

I have long, narrow feet, and the issue remains regardless of type of surface, or brand/type of boot. Any insight is welcome - thanks!

I had surgery on January 30th 2026 and while I’m doing better I’ve noticed I’ve suffered mentally the most from this whole ordeal. I can walk decently and drive now although i still deal with pain and limping. I definitely can’t run or jump but that’s more of my fault since I haven’t been as consistent with PT as I should be.

I’m getting back into the gym since I’ve gained weight since then but I’m realizing it’s been hard for me to find the discipline for it. I believe I’m somewhat depressed which is confusing because I feel I should be happy to at least be able to be back outside and have some sort of independence.

I guess this is just more of a rant and wanting to see if anyone can relate to the mental state and feelings I’ve been having recently.

My shin, ankle and foot are very sensitive. I can barely stand to touch the skin.

My PT said to spend time while watching TV or laying on the couch to lightly stroke and rub those areas. After a few days, move to using a loofah or scratchy sweater.

It seems to be working!

Remember guys, this time will pass!

Just wondering what it was like for people to be driving again post broken ankle (with surgery). I had an R) ORIF 6 weeks ago, hopefully start WB tomorrow. I have a comminuted compound fracture, ankle dislocation and syndesmosis injury and severe deltoid rupture. I’m finding all the pain where the ligament damage was. Things are improving slowly. My job requires me to drive on and off at least 6hrs of the day, and I’m wondering how my ankle is going to deal with that.

About 8 months ago I had a bimalleolar ankle fracture that healed well. According to my physiotherapist, my ankle itself is functioning quite well now: range of motion is good and stability has improved over the past months.

The main problem is that my nervous system seems to have become overprotective after the injury, causing my muscles to react too slowly and making my foot feel as if it “gives way,” especially on uneven ground. He doesn’t think there’s a structural problem that surgery or another doctor’s visit would solve. Instead, we’re focusing on very gradual, targeted rehabilitation (starting with just 2 minutes of cycling a day, then slowly building up).

I’m curious if anyone else has experienced something similar after an ankle fracture.

• Did your foot feel unstable even though the joint itself was healing?
• Did your physiotherapist talk about an overprotective nervous system or altered muscle activation?
• Did gradual, targeted exercises eventually improve your confidence and walking?

I’d really like to hear success stories as well as experiences from people who recognized this pattern.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I am on cast number 2, going for the third one in 3 weeks.

My surgery, which lasted nearly 6 hours, included:

They're basically rebuilding part of my foot: removing old hardware, cleaning out damaged tissue, fixing an extra bone and bone spur, fusing a painful joint, and using bone from my hip to help it all heal together. They also did a bone graft from my heel during the process. They had to cut the surgery short and couldn't remove all the hardware, as it could have led to more nerve damage.

Now my question is:

What can I put over my cast to make it less annoying?

It is a below-the-knee cast, and it limits every position I sit in or lie in. The texture scratches me if I don't put a pillow between my cast and my foot, and I am not supposed to be using pillows, apparently.

What did you guys do to make it easier? How do you soften the cast?

Broke my ankle and tore 3 ligaments back in May. Had surgery on June 10th and its been thr worst experience ever. Ive been to the ER 3 times, twice from developing a blood clot and once because the knee scooter got stuck and sent me flying on a trip to the bathroom. The bedroom and shower is upstairs in my house so ive spent the past month sleeping on an ikea couch. Due to the blood clots I have had to have my cast removed and then replaced removed and then replaced. I cant use ice therapy to regulate the pain because of blood clots. For while i was taking dilaudid every 3 hours to manage the pain from the blood clot and the surgery. So every night was 3 hours meds with a 1 or 2 hour break of taking anti-coagulates and THEN a uti so antibiotics.

I have been crying nonstop. Between crying its been trying to distract myself by watching loveisland or crocheting but most of the day I just end up staring at the ceiling crying. I finally have started to feel more normal because I haven't really been eating and have used THC as a method to help me feel hungry or sleepy. I started using my Vape again once I finally got from dilaudid to oxycodone to regular Tylenol and barely after a day felt a sharp pain where my blood clot was and found out that you actually can't use THC on blood thinners. This feels like such a silly breaking point because like... it's weed but its just everything. Every tactic to try and regulate my feelings like making a list of small achievements to focus on while healing just feels more and more impossible. I'm supposed to be getting my cast officially off on Tuesday but I cant even feel relief or excitement because I just feel dread and sadness all the time because I know im still going to be stuck in the same position on the same couch in the same room staring at the same ceiling and I feel just super sad all the time.

I broke my ankle three weeks ago, I’m now one week post-op, and it’s been hell! I haven’t been able to get a full night’s sleep, I’ve cried pretty much everyday, and it’s been lonely. My whole summer is gone because I tried to roller skate. I have hobbies to try and keep me occupied and my iPad to watch stuff on, but it’s definitely been a struggle. I have my first post-op appointment on Tuesday and I’m honestly looking forward to it. I’ve been following doctor’s orders ever since I got back from surgery, so I’m hoping I’ll get the boot in no time. I have three more appointments afterwards, so I’m not really expecting the boot next week, though it’d be nice. I’m expected to get back to work in mid-August/September and thought I hate wishing my summer away, I honestly can’t wait. I’m trying to plan out my fall to also try and keep myself sane.

Sleeping is so hard because I’ve been struggling to keep my leg elevated while trying to sleep and it sometimes gets itchy in the worst places, so it can get a little twitchy. According to this sub and another one, it looks like it’ll be my life for the rest of the year and then some. I’m just really hoping to get the boot ASAP and for a speedy recovery.

Hello! I fractured my ankle last October and had surgery on ligaments in January. I am finally done with physical therapy and wearing braces. My scar still looks horrible, but I am not fretting about it.

What do you do with all the paraphernalia that goes with all of this like a walker, crutches, knee scooter, and air cast and seat for shower? What have you done with your stuff? Who knows if I will need it again. I am 62, and I broke my ankle as a result of a fall when standing up, and my leg had gone to sleep.

After almost 4 weeks in a cast NWB (no surgery), I see my ortho Mon and hope to go in a boot and go to PT, if all looks ok and he clears me. I hope to start gradual weightbearing soon, at least part time at home. I am not sure what to expect mobility-wise, esp that 1st week of the boot, and I wondered what this transition was like for others. How gradual was it for you...how many weeks in the boot with weightbearing before you could stop wearing it? Could you walk inside or outside with or without crutches while in the boot? Did you drive or go to PT? I guess I will find out and I am trying to be realistic, but I have time to kill so wanted to ask....Thanks!

I was just cleared to but a little bit of weight- AKA still wear my boot and use my walker but sit on a bike at physical therapy. My foot is still so stiff and i expected that, but doss the stiffness go away? I couldn’t walk if I tried right now.

I used to teach dance(in heels) and also go for runs. Feeling kind of stir crazy and worried.

Hello.

I am a 39M, trimal fracture, ORIF, plates and screws. 3 months post op.

I am not one to fall victim to anxiety and depression and typically have a very happy demeanor and great outlook on life. I have always enjoyed being active, very physically fit and train Muay Thai regularly.

When I broke my ankle I was originally pretty optimistic. I always bounce back pretty fast from injuries.

I am FWB now, no boot or crutches, but a lot of pain in my posterior tib tendon that keeps me from being able to do any type of inversion exercises and is limiting my dorsiflexion quite a bit.

I am posting this because I am slowly falling into a funk and my mental state is not good. I get a lot of notifications from this sub now and it seems that every post is depressing and talking about how people aren't recovering well, are still in pain, etc etc.

I know there is the inherent bias because the vast majority of people that have full recoveries probably don't end up on reddit posting about their ankle.

So i was hoping to start a thread to offer a little hope. Is there anyone out there that has had a full recovery and doesn't have to think about their ankle anymore? Anyone able to return to an extremely active lifestyle?

I am just so nervous that I wont be able to run and jump and hike and train like I used to and it is really getting to me.

Thanks for reading, I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm nearly 6 weeks after a Weber A fracture. I'm officially supposed to be fully out of the boot in 4 days. I've been mostly boot free indoors for weeks now, but not confident outside yet.

Ankle is weak & I'm slow, but I know I'll get there eventually.

I'd love some brace recommendations for longer walks? We're going on holiday in 3 weeks which will be very outdoorsy (originally a hiking holiday) and I think my ankle will need a bit of extra support here & there.

It's been 5 weeks since i broke 3 metatarsals on my left foot.

4 weeks i was in cast. Around 1 weeks since the cast is off.

I'm partially weight bearing. But it hurts to walk on fracture site. I'm in physio too but it's gonna take time to get back to normal.

Mentally I've gone insane. I'm unable to focus, my mind is cluttered, I can't work, I can't even sleep.

Everything is screwed.

Now while i was injured I got a remote job as a content writer, and i told them about my injury and they seemed empathetic. Because of my very severely fucked up mental state right now I'm unable to work very well.

I recieved first feedback on my article today and it just said "disappointing piece. Re-write". Honestly I've been having trouble with understanding minor stuff as well. And I've been fucking up a lot ever since I joined.

Mentally I'm at my fucking lowest. I don't understand if I'm making excuses of "mental well-being" or am I actually struggling because of it.

Because tbh I never struggled with working. My work has always been top notch. 😭

But lately I've just been crying and crying and I'm exhausted and I can't work.

I don't even know why I'm posting this and what I want you guys to do here.

But I'm just going insane. I don't know what to do.

I just fell HARD on the bad foot. I felt a crunch when I fell and now I’m kind of freaking out. Should I go to the ER?

I am 2 months post surgery, and my doctor said he’ll clear me for weight bearing, but I haven’t started yet, and I need to travel for my sister’s engagement party. I will have to travel a lot, one 1.5 hour flight, then in 2 days 2 hour flight and 4 hour cab journey, and after reaching there, I’ll have to travel to and fro from the venue to the hotel, I’ll also need to come back by 4 hour cab and 2 hour flight, all in one week duration.
I am really confused on if I should be going or not as this is a big event for my sister, I want to be there but also, I can’t walk yet, I’ll have to travel a lot, my sitting tolerance is still not great, I’ll also miss my physio for a week, all of which would slow down my recovery and I can’t walk yet also lose the ROM I’ve gained till now. I am really confused, please help if anyone has travelled with the injury, if I should be going or focusing on my recovery and travel once I can walk a little.