broken ankle

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   Our user asked: "I had surgery approximately 7 weeks ago for a broken ankle, broken fibula and separation of the fibula and tibia. My doctor has not sent me to physical therapy yet as he says it is too aggressive. My concern is that right now in a standing position, I am unable to have my leg in a straight line to the floor with my foot FLAT on the floor. Will this be something that is worked out when I am allowed to go to physical theraphy. I think it is the one thing that has me extremly concerned. Also, the doctor told me to put my air cast on and try to "bear a little weight on it", but I'm not sure how to go about that. I'm sure he doesn't mean try to walk on it yet...I hope. Thank you for any help in this matter."

Ask a PT Response: "When your surgeon clears you to participate in physical therapy, your physical therapist will definitely have you work on positioning, posture, gait training and fuctional training. The most important thing right now is to protect your ankle so that the surgery is not compromised. Foy my patients that have undergone surgeries similiar to yours, they usually ambulate with an assistive device such as a walker or crutches practicing a non weight bearing status. Over time they are progressed to partial weight bearing, to eventually full weight bearing. During the partial weight bearing stage, the surgeon may recommend a certain amount of weight that would be allowed ie. 20lbs. In these instances, I would have my patient stand on a scale and bear weight through it so that they can be accustomed to what 20lbs weight bearing would feel like. My suggestion for you would be for you to contact your surgeon and get further clarification in regards to how much weight you are allowed to disribute through your involved lower extremity. Best of luck with your recovery."

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Ask a PT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: Jul 07 2008 Status: Offline Points: 954	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ask a PT Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: broken ankle Posted: Jun 04 2010 at 1:18pm
	Our user asked: "I had surgery approximately 7 weeks ago for a broken ankle, broken fibula and separation of the fibula and tibia. My doctor has not sent me to physical therapy yet as he says it is too aggressive. My concern is that right now in a standing position, I am unable to have my leg in a straight line to the floor with my foot FLAT on the floor. Will this be something that is worked out when I am allowed to go to physical theraphy. I think it is the one thing that has me extremly concerned. Also, the doctor told me to put my air cast on and try to "bear a little weight on it", but I'm not sure how to go about that. I'm sure he doesn't mean try to walk on it yet...I hope. Thank you for any help in this matter." Ask a PT Response: "When your surgeon clears you to participate in physical therapy, your physical therapist will definitely have you work on positioning, posture, gait training and fuctional training. The most important thing right now is to protect your ankle so that the surgery is not compromised. Foy my patients that have undergone surgeries similiar to yours, they usually ambulate with an assistive device such as a walker or crutches practicing a non weight bearing status. Over time they are progressed to partial weight bearing, to eventually full weight bearing. During the partial weight bearing stage, the surgeon may recommend a certain amount of weight that would be allowed ie. 20lbs. In these instances, I would have my patient stand on a scale and bear weight through it so that they can be accustomed to what 20lbs weight bearing would feel like. My suggestion for you would be for you to contact your surgeon and get further clarification in regards to how much weight you are allowed to disribute through your involved lower extremity. Best of luck with your recovery."

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