The dreaded ‘Ankle Fracture’
One minute you are enjoying your day and then crash, you are on the floor. So many ankle fractures happen when stepping down from a height, rolling your ankle off a curb or slipping on a wet surface. Something so innocuous that you wouldn’t expect to cause such harm. It would be alright if you were playing rugby or football but walking down the street doesn’t seem that dangerous.
The following 6 weeks are very frustrating as you will likely be placed in a cast or boot and non-weight baring, meaning you can only put weight on the uninjured leg and crutches. This period of inactivity and non-loading will reduce your general fitness and muscle mass, especially on the immobilised limb. It is important to keep all uninjured areas of the body moving well so that you do not have any other secondary aches and pains. Joints can become stiff not only in the ankle joint that you have fractured but also in the knee and hip on the same side.
The day you get your cast off and are given the go ahead to put weight on it can be both exciting and daunting. The ankle can be very stiff, and you may still have swelling. This can mean that weight baring is painful, and you are reluctant to load it fully. This is where the exercises you have been given by your physio will be vital to ensure you regain full function of your ankle. Massage can also be helpful to drain the swelling away through your body’s lymphatic drainage system. Reducing the swelling will also allow the ankle to move more freely. Thankfully the bone will be stronger than before the injury as new bone tissue has formed and this will mean it is very safe to start weight baring. This is of course once your consultant has given you the ok.
The recovery after the cast or boot has been removed can be very speedy for some, however for others it is a slow and frustrating process. Accessing regular physiotherapy will speed up the process and make sure that you reach your full potential. Your physio will not only improve your lower limb strength, ankle movement and your general ability to walk, climb stairs and run. They will also be there to build your confidence, motivate you when your patience is running low and push you to achieve your goals.
You do not need to go through this process alone. If you have been unlucky enough to suffer an ankle fracture, contact your local physio to help you get going again.
Good luck with your recovery and thank you for reading.
Dave Adkins
Chartered Physiotherapist
