Why getting out of a walking boot is the start of recovery
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- Опубліковано 17 лис 2018
- Dr. Molly with Your Goals Physical Therapy, helps active adults overcome their aches and pains to get them back to their favorite activities without medications, injections or surgeries.
I've worked with several people recently that were told to wear a walking boot for a variety of issues: chronic ankle sprains, acute ankle sprains, and a foot fracture. They all had one thing in common when they were finally allowed out of that walking boot they were screaming YAY!
The boot was hot, uncomfortable and is so heavy....basically it was miserable having to use it to walk
However, then they quickly realized they had no direction on what to do next. They each had so many unanswered questions like:
Why should I slowly start wearing my normal shoes versus just getting out of the boot all together? Why is my ankle swelling?
Why is my ankle so stiff?
Dr. Molly discusses this and more in this video.
For the full blog check out: www.yourgoalspt.com/im-out-of...
If you are just getting out of a walking boot and you want specialized guidance to get you from walking boot to running working out, for vacationing without fear of re-injuring yourself send Dr. Molly a DM. Check out www.yourgoalspt.com to find more ways Dr. Molly can help you get back to your favorite activities.
![BEST AirCast Boot TIPS [Broken Ankle, Broken Foot or Sprained Ankle!]](/img/n.gif)
Just got 10 screws and a plate I’m dreaming of a walking boot right now😂😂
Here's to quick healing🙏
How’s your recovery going? I had the same and over 2 Months ago
@@lorenzoellenonofre4322how is your healing going? I have 10 screws and a plate. I’m in a walking boot for 4 more weeks but I am afraid to walk. I’m afraid to fall.
@@mrking695 it’s going well I’m back to work 8 hours on my feet (after easing into it. I did 2 1/2 weeks of 4 hrs a day, then 1 week of 6 hrs a day now this is my second week of 8 hrs a day) - I was in a walking boot / partial weight bearing for about 6 weeks. After that I wore a brace for 2 weeks then I did physical therapy for 6 weeks. I do think I wore the boot too long. I think my recovery would have been better if I used the lace up brace sooner. But I know what you mean. Just be patient with yourself. A lot of it is mental - just retraining your brain to trust your leg again and building your muscles back up. Just gently keep trying new things every day and see how it feels. You’ll be surprised. For a week it’ll feel like nothing is changing then Monday comes and you try something - like full weight bearing for a few seconds - and it doesn’t feel so bad all of a sudden! As long as it’s been over 6 weeks after your surgery, and with the screws and plate, your bone is strong enough the rest is just working on flexibility and strengthening the soft tissue. Honestly just listen to your body push it a little bit but back off if it’s too much but in a few days, try again. That worked for me anyway! I’m at about 5 months post-op.
@mrking695 it's been 6 months since my surgery, I was in a cast for 6 weeks and in a boot for 10 weeks. Once I took a leap (or very careful step) of faith, and trusted that the boot would support my weight, it gave me so much more freedom of movement. I've been out of the boot for 2 months now, almost walking normally, and still getting physio. I have to say though, I'm still terrified of falling or slipping, so I totally get that.
Very helpful! 😊 thank you!
I jumped over a creek bed with my cousins and snapped my fibula on Easter. I just got out of it. And now my spot where it broke it’s hurting a bit to walk on the stairs but it’s going to hurt. I got a resistance band and now I have to do exercises now every day until it’s fine. Thanks for the tips though!
I’m glad you are doing so well! Keep up the hard work
I’m being fitted for my air cast today after spending 7 whole long weeks in a walking boot. I can’t wait to get out of this bulky boot
I don’t blame you! They are hugely inconvenient but they do help you heal. I hope the 7 weeks go by faster then it sounds
the boot was a nuisance...what is confusing is Surgeon told me one thing, and PT basically contradicted what I was told. My chiropractor told something entirely different. The ONLY time I felt pain was in the boot cuz it was TOO big for my foot, TOO heavy for me. It wasn't about my injury, it was about the size of the boot being entirely off. One size doesn't fit all and I said that to the surgeon and he said most of our patients are bigger people. Ok, so that makes NO sense. You put me in something based on the avg size of OTHERS, what? How does that ADDRESS my injury? oh it doesn't
what is the difference between air cast to walking boot?
So its normal to feel discomfort when you walk thats a good thing you said in the video. I walked my dog and my feet feel sore not painful just annoying. I was in a boot for 3 weeks but it was not a fracture or sprain it was just a bad infection and the Dr thought it was a fracture 🙄 but my second opinion 3 weeks later said there was no fracture so my foot were just in a boot in lack of movement for no reason.
I’m so sorry to hear you were in a boot and if I’m understanding correctly you didn’t have a fracture or a sprain. I hope your infection has cleared up. Getting back to walking after being a boot for 3 weeks is a process. And many people find it easier to move through that process with some guidance. That way the fully understand the aches and pains they feeling allowing them to get back to normal as quickly as possible without fear of re-injuring. How are you doing now?
Such an important question to address!
Thank you for sharing this! I just broke my ankle hiking in Arches National Park with my toddler in a backpack… thank God she was ok… my husband had our other 5 kids and I was taking in the views and I slipped on that sort of sandy topped rock terrain they had… I had the wrong shoes on and bc we forgot my hiking boots at home 😬 maybe that would have helped when I slipped and heard a snap lol maybe not… but my toddler was ok as I broke my inner ankle ( I guess the tendon ripped the bone away ) and fell on my forearm to my right bc I was terrified to hurt her…
I am definitely overweight so between my weight and having a lot of kiddos and wanting to get back to being more active ( that was and has been our hope with being new camper owners) I was pretty sad that even though we’ve walked in arches before ( I was actually pregnant with the toddler I was carrying on my back at that time before lol just a couple years prior 😅) I was totally fine… but I feel a little more upset bc walking was how I lost weight before I got pregnant with our last baby and so ugh i have been downtrodden about it… but I think next time we talk to my ortho ( he has me non weight bearing for 8 weeks and then we’ll see from there) and ask about how this transition will
Work..
I was initially in a splint for 2 weeks, then when we got back from our trip I was put in a short boot for just for looks lol 😂 but I was wondering how that transition would work…
Anyway thank you for your content! God Blesa
This is such a dramatic story! I've very happy that your Toddler was fine, Go MOM! What I get from your post is that you have an amazing family and that your health is very important you to you. Both warm my heart. FYI, Some MDs have people start PT even before you get out of the boot/splint to help with flexibility (even if you are none weight bearing). But since there are many situations different there may be a reason to wait. However, if you MD doesn't order PT soon. I would I ask for PT, not all MDs offer it. For a Mom with multiple kids it will be key for you to understand how far you can push yourself, what are the danger signs (ie things/ sensations to avoid) to help you consistently progress back towards your goal of walking on family hiking trips. I wish you the best on your recovery journey.
@@drmollymcdonald thank you so much for kind words and encouragement!!!! Really appreciate your wisdom, insight and advice!! We were sad to not be able to do all the walks and hiking and see more, but that’s ok between little legs, a broken ankle and just needing to slow down and really enjoy where the Lord had us… it’s been good… but I am anxious to get back to a new normal🙏🏽
Will definitely ask my Orthopedic here in a couple weeks, I have another follow up for an X-ray which is about 6 weeks from my break…
You’re so right about differing MD’s and even seeing the difference in care from the ER in Moab,UT, we stopped over at the Steadman Ortho Clinic in CO and they kept me in the splint but wanted way more in depth follow up and testing before even considering weight bearing… then here in Chicagoland the non weight bearing for 8 weeks and really pushing that point and I think I’ve been nervous about what going forward will look like, and wanting to go back to being active…
you’re right on about how differing their ideas are! I was offered a tall boot to start walking in right away in Moab, but then I had too much pain and see he splinted me and then for convenience I used a wheelchair just so we could enjoy our trip kind of but we got a knee scooter recently ( our Ortho here recommended that…which I’m utilizing now) but it’s been a rough go for my husband having to juggle a lot! And we have a couple level home… So I am absolutely looking forward to asking about PT and healing properly and still having a good summer with the kiddos.. thank you for your kindness and encouragement! Truly blessed for that wisdom… I have been searching for info bc I’m looking forward to getting around more the kiddos as we started ♥️
Thank you again!!! God Bless!
Hello doctor,
I have a comminuted fracture (3 fractures) and a lisfranc fracture in my left foot.
I had an internal fixation on 16th june, just a day after my injury. I was in a cast for 6 weeks after the surgery. After that i was switched to a walking boot which i have been using for 3 weeks now. How long do you think it will take me to start walking on my own?
WOW! that sounds like a very traumatic injury. Do you mind if I ask how you did that? Your question is hard to answer since there are many factors to consider. First, what your definition is for "on my own?" If you mean without the walking boot, I'm sure your medical doctor is looking at how your bones are healing. Once the bones look strong enough on the xray you should get out of the boot, but ultimately that will be determined by your doctor. If you are asking how long it will take to get back to your new normal once you are out of the boot. It is hard to give you an answer since it depends on a lot of things. The one thing I can tell you is that going to physical therapy will speed up your recovery. 1. Your therapist will help you build your confidence in knowing what is "normal" pain and what is "bad" pain. 2. They will teach you the right way to get your range of motion and strength back in your foot and ankle. 3. They will help you walk without a limp, which will save your back and knees in the future.
Good information I just fractured my ankle and it’s the worst feeling ever.
Same bro I fractured it Aug 26 I’m walking with a boot now
@@ohunix2163 wow you still can’t walk without it? Did you have surgery?
@@ohunix2163 mine still swells from time to time but I ice it. I think a full healing process would probably be 4 to 6 months or more
@@ohunix2163 I fractured mine the same day as you. Are you using crutches? Or full weight?
I fractured both the bones in my shin! 😊
Hello, I broke my ankle in May and surgery was in the same month. I was nwb for 10 weeks after surgery. I’m now into one week of pwb but I don’t know how to increase the weight. The physical therapist has me holding the couch and standing on the injured ankle while extending the good ankle out and bringing it back. I feel like slight pain but it’s not a omg I need to get off it. I think my battle is fearing I’ll injure it again. What are some things I can do to continue to help myself progress?
I’m sorry to hear you broke your ankle! That has to be scary. And the whole process from getting injuried, dealing with MD appointment and finally all the physical therapy can be overwhelming. Congratulations on making it to the PWB phase! Of course you’re nervous about re-injuring yourself that is very normal. Just try to remember 2 things. First, I assume it was a traumatic event that caused the break. You weren’t just walking down the street and then suddenly your ankle broke. Most of the time it takes a LOT of force to brake a bone. And 2nd our bodies are amazing. They are build with pain signals that tell us if we are going to far. If you are doing a slow controlled body weight or range of motion it is very hard (if not impossible) to hurt yourself since you will instinctively stop before hurt yourself. If you are working with a therapist they will tell you want a “normal” sensation is and what means “stop”. It sounds like you are doing everything you can. This phase can feel slow but you will heal and get back to normal.
Hello Dr. Molly! Last November (third week), I fractured my left fibula when I accidentally slid on the stairs at home. I had surgery the first week of December and was in a splint for two weeks. After that, my doctor had me use a boot cast (for one month) with instructions to use it only when walking and take it off when sitting down and sleeping. I use crutches even before I was scheduled to have surgery. My doctor told me I can still use the crutches the first week of using the boot cast (for balance) and when I feel comfortable enough, I can either use only one or not use both of them. I tried walking on the boot without the crutches, but all I can do is limp. I feel there is some pain in my heel when I did this. And besides, I can only go for about 2 meters, and then feel tired, and I am afraid I might fall for lack of balance or something. So I ended up not getting rid of the crutches. I'm scheduled to have my foot x-rayed next week and a follow-up checkup with my doctor. My questions are:
1. Is it possible that I'll be required to extend my use of the boot cast?
2. When does rehab/physical therapy start in the recovery phase of an injury? Should I ask my surgeon if I need one or is it automatic?
3. I don't know what to expect in the coming months, so what other questions should I be asking my doctor when I see him on my next checkup?
Thank you very much in advance.
Happy New Year!
HI @Lyrech I’m sorry to hear you fractured your fibula, sliding down the stairs is traumatic. It is not uncommon to feel imbalance nor is is uncommon to limp with a walking boot. So if you feel more comfortable walking with crutches that is perfectly fine. It would be very hard for me to say if you will need to continue with the walking boot. That depends on how much the bone has healed and what you MD thinks after looking at the X-ray. I wish I could say that all MD always referred to PT after a walking boot but that is simply not true. You might need to be the one to ask. I’m not sure where you live but if you like in the USA, most states, you can go to PT without a MD referral for at least the evaluation. The questions to ask your MD would be can I get a Referal to PT? What if any weight -bearing restriction you will have going forward? If you are having pain, or if you are concerned about anything write that down to ask. I alway suggest either bring in written question and/or another person to make sure that you don’t forget to ask your questions. It is so easy to try an absorb all the information they are throwing at you that you complete forget to ask your question until they are gone. As far a what to expect over the next several months… The first several weeks after being in a boot will be mostly you getting the range of motion back in you ankle. Slowly building up strength until you can walk without a limp or swelling. This takes time and it can be frustrating. As you get stronger you move more so you might have more swelling. Then one day you will realize your ankle feels great and you haven’t had any swelling for over a week. This process is a lot less stressful if you are able to work with a PT since they can guide you though these stages. I hope I answered your question. Happy New Year!
@@drmollymcdonald Thank you very much for this information. It's reassuring to know that more swelling is expected as I move more because that is what I am noticing these days. The first two weeks after surgery, I was not moving my foot very much. I do walk around but was not putting any pressure on my injured foot at all, just let it slide on the floor as I walk. A week after wearing the boot, I also started using my stationary bike so I can get my leg muscles working. And now I noticed that I do feel some stretching, some ache, and sometimes throbbing sensations on my foot. And it's also swelling. I didn't feel any of these at all when I was not moving my foot very much. I'm glad to know these sensations are normal as I move around more.
Yes, you answered my questions. Thank you for the advice. I am writing down my questions :) I am looking forward to that day when I wake up and realize my ankle is no longer hurting and there is no more swelling. Thanks again.
@@lyrech1014 my orthopedic surgeon told me to expect swelling for a year. My problem is he had me doing full weight bearing after six weeks though I’m still in a boot until ten weeks, and then a brace with regular shoe. My doc treats all the college and pro athletes in my part of the USA so I should trust him but everywhere else I see to do gradual weight bearing weeks 7-10. My husband seems to think I should do more so I’m confused. I have to stand on toes on good leg to come close to matching my boot leg but the pain is minimal except for incision sites when weight bearing.
@@mrking695 hi.. when my surgeon had me wear the boot that first day in his clinic, he told me I can use the crutches for one more week (for balance), after that, if I feel comfortable enough, I can walk around without the crutches although I have to wear the boot for four weeks. But my foot hurt so bad when walking with the boot only, so I continued using one crutch (coz I was scared I might fall again) until the third week, and then practiced full weight-bearing on the last week of wearing the boot. That's how I gradually transitioned from the boot to regular shoe.
I walked with a limp for months since returning to my regular footwear. I only wear shoes with good insoles per doctor's advice.
It's been eight months since my surgery and I can still see some swelling on my foot although it's not as bad as the first few months. Although some swelling is still noticeable, the pain gets lesser and lesser. I noticed I started walking normally again (without a limp) on the 5th month after surgery.
Indeed one day you'll just realize that you are starting to walk normally again. Have a speedy recovery!
@@lyrech1014 thank you! What brand shoe do you find the best?
Hi molly. I broke ankle and dislocated it. I am two weeks in after accident and surgery.
I was put in a boot today and told to weight bare as much as tolerated and to not sleep in boot.
Feels so foreign to have it out so soon in bed. Have you heard of this ?
Yes, you don't want to wear a boot 24/7 for many reason for instance your skin will break down. If you are not putting weight on your foot you can not hurt it. Remember you weren't just walking along the street and you ankle broke then dislocated. It took a lot of force to be injured. I wish you a good speedy recovery. Have the doctors suggested going somewhere to help you get back to 100%?
I am also 2 weeks post op for a trimalleolar dislocation. I got my boot last week and was told not to wear it in bed. This is very normal. I put too much pressure my foot at the beginning and I had unbearable pain! I think it's best to take it slowly. Not fun 😕
Hello Molly,
I have an 5th metatarsal avulsion fracture and I’m 6 weeks out. I went for an X-ray at my 4th week and no regrowth of bone. My Dr has me starting PT to get blood flow to the area as he also thinks I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as my foot gets ice cold and still has bruising. My first PT visit was today and the therapist was a bit concerned that the Dr wants me to start PT since the bone isn’t healing.
Do you have experience in either of the cases and should I continue with PT or get a second foot specialist opinion?
If you are having any questions about what an MD is telling you I would go get a second opinion. It never hurts to have another voice in the conversation. That being said, moving your ankle foot an leg can improve blood flow and therefore get more nutrients to your foot to help it heal. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is typically associated with severe pain in a local area. In severe cause air touching your foot could be very uncomfortable. In less severe cause moving your foot or touching your foot would be painful. If your foot is just cold, and still has bruising I think improving your circulation could be the key to starting the healing process. But I would defiantly keep talking to your PT and if your gut tells you things don't make sense, get that second opinion.
@@drmollymcdonald -Many thanks for the reply! My foot swells quite a bit, pins and needles, bruising and cold foot up to my knee some days. No pain, but discomfort since my foot swells. I’ll give the PT a go for 4 weeks and see if I have improvement. My short term goal is to be able to walk in the boot without crutches as soon as possible.
@@angelam5013 that seems like a good plan. I wish you luck!
I had a pilon fracture (8pieces) 2 plates 16 screws. 5 months post surgery and walking feels like standing on a very severe sprain. Im hoping to get this boot off soon as i feel its causing more problems. I feel I should be further on with healing. Everyone says are you still in the boot like i should be running by now. Im in constant discomfort or pain. I can feel the metalwork and its creeping me out. I can do a couple of shuffle steps but thats it right now. Am I behind in my recovery ?
@patriciawhite5079 If you are in the boot it is for a reason, there is no behind schedule. Your body is doing a lot! It has to heal from a dramatic/ traumatic break, and healing takes time. I am curious if your MD suggested PT at this point? The boot is a great tool to limit ankle/foot motion while slowly adding more weight to the bones which promotes healing. The benefit to physical therapy is you have a processional that can help you move your ankle in a safe manor. Moving you ankle increase blood flow, reduces swelling, decrease pain. But when you have a traumatic injury and you can feel the metal pieces in your body it is very hard to determine what is an okay amount of "discomfort" and what "discomfort" is not good. These types of injuries take longer to heal then a standard rolled ankle or on bone being broken, so again don't worry about you only 5 months in to the healing process. You will get back to normal.
Same type of injury for me! I am NWB 4 months now. Next week they want me to start 25% weight bearing with boot. The pain in my ankle is horrible when I press down. It's scary and I feel like I will never walk again! 😬
@@scarletdazedgirl I'm very sorry you are going through this! it is scary but the more you do it the better it gets. I hope you have a supportive professional team that is helping you work through this process.
I've used a knee scooter for a 5th metatarsal stress reaction recovery, to minimize the load on my foot during the healing process. The knee scooter is way better than crutches or a boot for me. Custom orthotics is my next step (so to speak, LOL).
The knee scooters always look fun! I hope the orthotics help!
@@drmollymcdonald The Mrs broke her ankle last year, so she used the knee scooter. She's 100% now! Now I get to use the scooter for my stress reactions -- this is my 2nd foot now, unfortunately. She needed the boot for the extra protection. I don't want to wear a boot, I feel like regular shoes provide enough protection and the scooter provides really great mobility without loading the injured foot at all. I'm surprised I don't see more knee scooters out and about. Thanks for the vids! And yes, I hope the orthotics help too. I have very flat feet and bunions since my youth (genetic?). But, sadly, only recently have I had issues with my feet, even after years and years of hard court tennis. I think my recent stress reactions are from walking(!) on uneven surfaces!! Grrr.
@@ArtWong128 Orthotics can be very helpful especially with flat feet. Will you also be seeing a physical therapist? I help active adult with flat feet and bunions stop having pain getting them back to their recreational activities. I'm currently working with a women who started with heel pain, flat feet and a bunion. She wasn't interested in surgery so she was looking for alternative care when she found me. We have reduce the angle of her bunion is dramatically less (Ie her big toe no longer cross over the second toe) and she is able to walk no heel or foot pain. Now her goal with me is to train for a marathon. We are designed to walk and run for years, if walking on uneven surfaces is enough to cause a fracture you might have an imbalance in you hip/ ankle strength causing your bones to absorb the impact of walking that your muscle are meant to absorb.
I injured my right ankle at home and ended up dislocating the ankle with tiba fractured and had to hsve surgery to repair damage. Just got outbofbcast friday and now in boot. I really want to begin PT so i can go back to work but orthopedist Dr isn't taking X-rays till Oct 27. Hopefully i can get full use back in right foot. 😞
I broke my right ankle because I got on an electric scooter. Those things have a mind of their own, lol. I wish you a fast recovery girl!
I'm dying to go back to work! I never thought I would say that. I feel so heavy. I'm a runner. I haven't been able to do my daily exercise.
I was transitioned from a walking boot to a fiberglass cast because the doc 'assumed' I was walking while wearing the boot (but I was not, yet he thought I was lying) because my swelling was lasting too long. It turns out the degree of swelling is normal for my type of fracture.
Hello, I am officially 9 weeks post op ORIF ankle surgery. My doctor just said I can get out of my boot, and said I can wear normal shoes now?? But no shoes fit as of now. I slowly started walking with crutches
My question was is it ok to be walking without the boot ?? Because every video I seen everyone still wears one until they feel “comfortable” walking.
And my knee on the foot I got surgery feels so stiff when I walk
@lifewithnya congratulations on being 9 weeks out! Sounds like you had quite the injury 😬. If your doctor told you that you can walk without the boot I would take their word. You aren’t going to be “comfortable” for a while when you transition from a boot to a shoe. I would strongly suggest making an appointment with a local PT. They will be able to help you navigate what is “normal” healing discomfort, what pain to stay away from. And they should be able to make suggestions for shoes to help you get started. Getting out of a boot and starting to weight on you healing ankle and knee is a scary thing. It really helps to have someone walk you through the process
I get out of my boot cast and get a boot Wednesday do you think my Saturday I could go a few hours with out it for a dinner ?
I don't feel comfortable giving you specific advice on this without knowing more. Generally speaking if your MD wants you in a boot that means the fracture or ligament is not fully healed. They don't want you to put your full weight on the injury to prevent you from re-injuring it. If you have questions about your specific situation. I would call your MD or your physical therapist to ask what the risks of going out without the boot are. I hope that helps. And I hope you have a great Saturday.
Hello, yesterday was my first day of physical therapy. I am 7 weeks post op orif ankle surgery. It hurts when I try to put weight on it, my heel hurts. I am in a boot but still get pain, the most I can put is 40-50 pounds. Is that normal heel pain? Dr says I can put full weight on it. I had a trimallor fracture in September and surgery one week later. I am just hoping it goes away.
Yes, 100% Celina it is normal to have heel pain. Imagine being stuck on 6 week long car ride in a small car. But in this car ride you can't throw away the trash you collect along the way. This is what is happening while your foot is stuck in a case then a boot. Your body is healing bones, muscles and ligaments while you're in that boot. The healing process requires a lot of fluid which caries all the builders your body need in and all the trash the builder produce out. Since that boot doesn't expand or flex there's limited ways for that fluid to leave. Which is why everyone suggests keeping your foot elevated, it allows you to use gravity to help get the swelling out of your ankle. Back to the pain. It is completely normal to have pain anywhere in your foot or ankle because of the swelling. Over time time the swelling will lessen and while you continue with PT you will regain all the strength you need in your ankle to get you back to hiking (I'm assuming you hike from the pic). To give you a general ball park of the time it takes people to recover after a surgery...its about a year for you to feel 100% normal. At 3 months you shouldn't have pain with most daily activities, at 6 months you should be able to get back to most of you favorite activities with a mild sense something isn't right but then that year hits and you forgot you had the surgery. ----of course I'm not looking at you specifically so there can be variations BUT I've help lots of active people fully recover.You can do this!
@@drmollymcdonald thank you so much. You explained so much and I appreciate it:)
After one month and a half of PT, I can walk out of boot without crutches, but slowly and short distance. Do I still need PT in order to walk normal? Thank you for the information.
Dong Bush that is a great question. This is definitely something you should talk to your PT about but from an impartial perspective yes you do. There can be many reasons you still need to take short steps. With out some help keeping you walking with good form while improving your step length. it is very easy to let your foot and ankle do whatever hurts less now but will ultimately cause another part of your body to compensate. I know that 1.5 months feels like forever especially if you were in a boot for 4 + weeks before that but our bodies take time to heal. Our muscles take time to length back to pre-injury and strength takes even longer to return to pre-injury. Your PT should be able to give you an idea of what milestones they are looking for that says your ankle is strong enough for you to continue on your own. Does that answer your question?
@@drmollymcdonald Thanks for your quick response. It's helpful. I know there is a long recovery road ahead of me. I will consult with my therapist and I quite agree what you said that the real recovery started now. It will take longer time to walk normal than just be able to walk.
Hi doctor,
I had an ankle surgery on 18 Nov 2022.I had broken three bones and got three screws and had surgery on the same day I fell. Got my cast and had an appointment after two week of surgery and got my stitches out.After four got out my hard cast out and now in my walking boots but still non weight bearing.And I still scared to move my ankle and feel stiff in my ankle and my foot is very hard like stone .Doctor didn't advise me any exercises yet .
Should I do exercises on my own ?
I’m curious why your MD hasn’t sent you to physical therapy. Most MDs don’t prescribe exercise since they are concerned with the healing of the surgery, not the recovery after. (That’s the physical therapist job) But without seeing someone who has had surgery I couldn’t give you advice on how safe it is for you to workout, there are to many variables. Most states allow you to get a an evaluation with a PT without a Referal from a MD. Or you could call your surgeon and request physical therapy. Physical Therapy will help you loosen up your ankle, understand what “normal” discomfort is and how to get you feeing like that ankle is yours again as soon as possible
@@drmollymcdonald thanks.
hey molly hope you are having a good day.
I am a 17 year old and i had a hairline fibula fracture.like a super small piece chipped out.after 3 weeks of COMPLETE bed rest its now joined in .my doc gave me to wear the short walking boot for to walk around.Tho when i walk without it and a ankle compression it dosent hurt and i have 0 swelling.what should i do? do i still wear the boot or do i try to start walking with a walker
That sounds like a very conservative treatment plan for a fibula fracture. I would want to confirm it wasn't a fracture on your tibia. Do you have a follow up with your doctor? If I where you I would call that doctors office, since it does sound like your body is ready to start weightbearing. I can't give you specific answer without seeing you and confirming that you have a fibula fracture.
@@drmollymcdonald yes it is a confirmed fibula harline fracture.you the pointy things on our ankles? on the left pointy of my left leg a size of a rice grain got chipped.
@@zekernz1019 if they put you on bed rest it seem like they might be worried that you will pull a muscle off the bone if that chip gets bigger. I would call the doctor and ask them what the next steps are since you have no pain or swelling. It’s better to be a little slow to get starts then to push to move to early and need a surgery to reattach a muscle. Bone take 4-6 weeks and it sounds like you are right in that window, so the doctor should want a follow up anyway
Thank you for this video! I managed to cause an avulsion fracture on my 5th metatarsal on xmas day after playing too hard at tennis after too long not having played. Freak accident. Nevertheless, first broken bone or ankle roll for me so it's been scary! I'm transitioning from the boot to the clunky sandal, per instructions. It's getting better and easier. At first I was feeling so many sensations I was scared out of my mind. Pins and needles on the bottom of my foot. Felt like a tight sock when I stretched it. etc etc. From your reassurance, I now understand it's normal. I go back on the 7th for follow up (that will mark 6 weeks post injury) for xray and follow up. Nervous over life at that point and what to expect. I'm hoping for some PT to get properly strong again and heal sooner and better. I miss my yoga practice so much!!
If you want PT I would just make sure to ask for the referral and/ or simply call one of your local places to get started. Some MDs don't think about referring to PT. I hope you get back to your Yoga Practice.
Going through the same exact thing right now with my ankle. Transitioning out of my boot, foot is tingly and tight and crampy. Scared out of my mind. :) Glad to see it's relatively. normal.
I 20 years old and I broke my 5th metatarsal bone (jones fracture) while playing football and i wore a boot for 4 weeks now. Doctor said i can remove my boot and use it only when i go out of my home (after 10 days remove it completely) . Im feeling good and working on my ankle movement for 10-15 minutes daily. Sometimes while walking i feel some uncomfort on my right foot .
Q1: Is my foot ok?
Q2: How long until I can play football again?
Q3: What type of rehab therapies do you suggest?
Q4: Will my metatarsal be the same as it was?
Q5: Will I have pain in the near future?
Thank you for the video , im waiting for the answers of my questions❤
Hi, @TheReal313 you are doing great if you are already moving your ankle daily! If your MD has cleared you to start transitioning out of the boot your bone must be healed!
Q1. If the bone is healed that is half the battle
Q2: The question about playing foot ball is a hard question to answer without looking at someone. That is a question that requires understanding how strong and flexible you are now compared to how strong and flexible you need to play foot ball.
Q3. I would suggest finding a sports physical therapy clinic. The physical therapist will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do to return to football. AND they can help you get achieve that goal as quickly as is safe.
Q4: At this stage your bone is still healing...it is still getting use to having pressure from your weight and from the strain of having muscle pulling on it. Another reason to have a professional determine how fast to load your foot, it just helps make sure you don't go to hard too fast. But once you foot fully recovers you foot will be good as new.
Q5. You will not have pain forever. A healed bone is completely healed. NO pain no issues. The reason for rehab is to make sure you regain the proper strength and range of motion to prevent future issues.
if you are in the cypress area feel free to call my client I can talk more about your specific situation and goals. I wish you luck. And I would love to know when you make it back to football
@@drmollymcdonald thank you very much for your time , i appriciate it
I also fracture my fifth meta. still in my boot on my 4th week right now. Still don't want to take it off. Should I?
Is swelling normal while transitioning to a shoe? Two weeks after ankle surgery, i was put into a boot and told that i was full weight bearing as tolerated. I am on schedule for transitioning but my foot is swollen. No pain tho.
@legalisefreedom congratulation on making it so quickly to transitioning to your shoe! It is normal for your foot to be swollen, that is part of the healing process. As you strengthen and restore normal motion in your ankle the swelling will go down. I wish you the best on your recovery
Tomorrow is 6 weeks post surgery for me. I broke my 5th metatarsal in flip flops and landed wrong from a jump. I am struggling with transferring weight (mentally) which is causing me to not graduate from crutches. I don’t hurt when I do put weight down in my walking boot though. Any tips?
Oh this is hard. It is very scary to start putting weight on your foot when it was recently hurt. Especially if it was a freak accident and surgery. Just remember that your body is amazing! it is designed to heal completely. Pain is the bodies signal that there is an injury soooo if you have no pain the while doing something thats a good thing. You don't have to "graduate" right at 6 weeks. You can certainly continue to use the crutches even while using a walking boot. For some people they don't like the way that have to walk in a walking boot so they prefer using crutch or walker.
I hope this information answers you question. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Me toooo; I have an ankle sprain and the way how this works is that you don’t know when it’s healed, so once you get so rest for weeks, you need to test if you can put weight on it and I am really so afraid to do so. Although while standing and trying to push on it, it doesn’t hurt but I feel a little weird when I squeeze it to try to be walking that’s why I stop and don’t continue putting weight for walking 😢😢😢 any tips ?
@@edwinasco5570 of course that is scary! who wants to re-injure themselves or cause unneeded pain. I would suggest working with someone that can assess your ankle and be with you to help you understand what is causing the pain and how to help you ankle heal quickly. Most if not all my clients are nervous to put weight back on their ankle after an injury. They always feel more confident after understanding more about the healing process.
@@drmollymcdonald I have seen an orthopedic and put a cast for 4 weeks. Now cast is removed and I am walking slowly with crutches. I hope I can improve with days.
@@edwinasco5570 that is amazing! Walking with crutches a great start!
I had a complete ankle replacement. Coming out of boot on Dec 1st.
I hope the transition goes well for you!
I had plate and pins for break on both sides of my ankle. Hard cast for 6 weeks and now a walking boot for 6 weeks. I’m supposed to walk with crutches, take it off and stretch etc.....question.....the stiffness is not improving much. What kind of progress with this to be expected?
@emjaydark I’m sorry to hear you are recovering from such an extensive break. Congratulations on moving to the walking boot. As for the stiffness in your ankle that is going to take awhile to go away. 12 weeks of not moving much plus your bones and ligaments needing to heal cause that stiffness. I hope you are seeing a physical therapist to help you navigate this journey. It isn’t easy to understand all the discomforts, random swelling and how to safely strength your ankle after 12 weeks of not moving. Try not to get to frustrated, after any surgery it take about a year to feel normal again
@@drmollymcdonald Oh thank you so much for replying. It was only 6 weeks in the polymer cast and now the air cast. My doctor just recommended some exercises and told me to walk in the cast. I haven’t a therapist but I will try to find one. I live in the country, so not much available. I am just worried I might go overboard and cause some damage. It’s been two weeks with the air cast.
@@emjaydark2811
I know that therapy is hard to find in some parts but if you tell me where you live I might know a PT in your area or near your area.
@@drmollymcdonald I live in Washago Ontario Canada which is between Orillia and Gravenhurst.
@@emjaydark2811 i will ask around
Hello
I slipped on black ice and sprained my ankle. I r
Kinda refused the boot and md gave me a laceup brace. I like it. Was I wrong? On week 2. Can walk but limp a bit and can't stand on my tippy toes. Should I do physical therapy?
The benefits of physical therapy is that you will have help to fully recover from the sprain. I’ve met many people who tell me they sprain right ankle all the time but it heals after a few weeks. They are seeing me for lower back pain or hip pain that was caused from the way they changed how they walk to accommodate for their right ankle weakness they didn’t realize they had. You could alway just go in for the consult to see what the PT tells you and do what makes sense to you.
@@drmollymcdonald thanks so much.
Good night from India
My doctor told me I can start wearing a normal shoe. But once I start walking in it, it starts hurting where it fractured. But it doesn't hurt when I walk barefoot. Is that normal? Should I be concerned?
Hi Tailor! Congratulations on gettting out of the boot!! Being sensitive around the fracture is normal. However if you continue to be sensitive for longer then a few days it would be worth seeing someone just to see what is causing you to be sensitive. There is no need to be worried for weeks or months, changing the way you walk and avoiding things you think will hurt your ankle. Many of my clients come in anxious over soreness and tenderness around their fractures. When they come in they are convinced that they re-fracture or causes another injury. By the end of the evaluation they always feel much better. They are able to talk about their biggest worries and they have a clear path back to their best lives
@@drmollymcdonald Thank you so much! Yes at first it was worrisome but I got to messin around with the tennis shoes I have and found a good pair that when I walk it doesn't hurt as much.
@@tailorkennedy3382 that is great news!
Thank you. I would like to hear more about the sensations to expect after wearing a walking boot for a fractured metatarsal. I was out of the boot one hour yesterday and two today. (Though I'd been out and pointing/flexing for a couple of weeks with no weight on the foot.) I was told I should not feel pain. I do though. I wonder if my mind is exaggerating discomfort - would some discomfort be normal when I step on the foot?
Thank you so much for the question! Pain is a complex sensation. Let me try to explain it like this. You should not feel a "sharp" pain when you put weight on your foot. Certainly, if every step that "sharp" sensation increases you need to talk to your MD. However it is normal for you to feel "throbbing", "ache" and/ or "stretching" when you first get out of the boot. The skin on your foot can be sensitive to touch which accounts for some of these "odd sensations". Your injured foot will not feel "normal" or like your uninjured foot due to foot and ankle muscle weakness and muscle shorting that happens simply from being in a boot for 4-6 weeks. Does that answer your question?
Molly McDonald , thank you,! Yes. That helps a lot. I do think my brain gives me very detailed reports of any sensation - not always helpful.
I have also tried switching shoes today. I bought some Skechers tone-ups since I do not own supportive shoes (loved working out barefoot before this happened - also worked waitressing but used formal looking lace ups - not athletic type with cushioning). Well. The tone ups distribute the pressure differently, I think - so it may have added to the pressure on the second metatarsal. I am trying a Ked type shoe today. I feel wobbly, lol.
Elizabeth Wolfe it is very normal to feel wobbly after coming out of a walking boot esp in a shoe like Ked with minimal support and an elevated shoe like the tone-up. Not that either are bad as long as you are comfortable. Yes some times our brains go into over drive when we are injured. Sounds like you are doing well all things considering. However, if you continue to have questions/concerns it can be worth just having at least an initial consultation with a local physical therapist to discuss...healing, recovery, shoes, and exercise progressions to get you back to “normal”. I hope you have a quick recovery! Feel fee to ask any questions you have in the future
Just yesterday fractured my matatarsal.
So I have a question. They let me weight bare been doing it for about 1 week now still got 3 weeks left. But then they tell me I can go into shoes after that 4 more weeks for another appointment to talk about PT..?
I’m not sure I fully understand what is going on. Are you in a walking boot? Then in 3 weeks you can transition to your shoes. Then 4weeks after being in your shoe you can go to a PT?
@@drmollymcdonald yes exactly that. Why would they have me transition too shoes here in like 3 weeks without no pt
@@jordanmoyer5114 I have no idea. To my thinking the most important time to have PT would be when you come out of the boot to make sure you don’t re-injure anything. I would suggest calling your MD/surgeon and requesting a PT Referal or a reason why you should wait. If you didn’t have a surgery you could just call a local PT and ask for an evaluation. In most states you can do that with out a MD Referal. But I’m with you this seems weird.
other areas of my ankle hurt after wearing it for 8hours of working..top of foot mainly..any advice? i walk around alot at my job
Hi @jer2035 3 things come to mind right off the bat. First, does your boot fit properly? If the boot is too big for your foot, your foot will move to much inside the boot causing irritation. If the boot is to small then it can squeeze the foot causing discomfort especially to wider and/ or boney parts of your foot.
Second does your foot swell a lot at work? If you have any amount of swelling at the end the day it can cause extra pressure, which won't feel good. Sorta like squeezing into a small shoe.
Third are you allowed to take your foot out of the boot and move it around at night? You might be dealing with muscle stuffiness or fatigue at the end of a long day. If you have exercise that you are allowed to do then on your break you could take the boot off and try a few to see if they loosen up your foot/ankle.
If you suspect the pain is coming from swelling you could bring ice to work then on your breaks put you foot up and ice it for 10 minutes. If icing at work is just not possible you could try to find some place simply to elevate you leg as high as possible to allow gravity to help you get the swelling out of your foot again for 10 minutes ideally but anytime is better then no time.
If you are worried it might be how the boot fits, and or you have not been cleared to do any stretches then call a local physical therapist to find the root causing the of the pain. They will be able to order a new boot or give you type to make it through your work day.
I hope this answers your question,
let me know if you need anything else
@@drmollymcdonald this was very helpful! thank you
@@jer2035 best of luck 😀
Do u know what stretches I should do for my fractured ankle (foot) Does a fracture heal even if u don’t do excercises ? Or do u have to do excercises??
Hi Jessica thank you for the question. There are many things you can and should do for your ankle/foot to recover from a fracture. Your question “Does a fracture heal even if you don’t do exercises?” -if you are talking about the bone healing then yes the bone heals without doing exercise as long as you don’t have a medical reason that you don’t grow bone. The reason to exercise/ move your ankle is to get back to standing, walking and/or any other physical activity (running, lifting, biking, hiking etc) that you’d like to without pain or risk of re-injury. You do not “have to do exercises” to heal or recover. However, from my experience people who wait a long time to seek help tend to have more issues with getting back their ankle range of motion, their ability to walk without continued swelling and they have a much longer and harder time getting back to their favorite activities because of pain and swelling.
@@drmollymcdonald Ya I am doing excercises the Doctor gave me!! But do u think I can start like working out now ? Or wait a bit? (I just got out of the boot 4 days ago!
@@jessicabrozozog12 have you been woking with someone on these exercises or did your MD give you a paper with exercises on it? It is hard to say without working with someone if they can return to working out. It depends on what "exercising" means for the person. It also depends on how strong and stable your muscles and bones are at this point in healing. If you haven't worked with someone and you are planing to return jumping or running activities I would strongly suggest seeing someone who could see how your ankle is moving. If you to try walking or weight lifting and you have any discomfort in your ankle I would hold off. It sounds like you are a very active person, the fastest and safest way to get back to working out at your pre-injury level is to consult with a professional, you might only need one or two consultation to find out how to progress your exercises to get you back to your goals.
@@drmollymcdonald idk who I could ask!! The doctor only gave me a sheet of paper of excercises to do!! I haven’t been working out cuz I wanna ask someone first!! But just been doing my excercises!!!
@@jessicabrozozog12 If you live in NW Houston call me. If not, call a local physical therapist. They will be able to evaluation you and give you clear direction on what you need to do to get back to exercising. I believe most states will allow for at least a PT evaluation without a doctor referral
I broke my tibia and after 3 weeks I walk on it but rn it really hurts and I have 1 weeks left with the boot am I gonna need to wear it longer ?
That’s hard to say without seeing someone because there are lots of variables. After this week are you going to back to your doctor? Your doctor will look at you and if they believe it’s necessary they could order X-rays to make sure your bone healed.
@@drmollymcdonald yeah well they said it’s supposed to be healed after 6 weeks so it’s been 5 so in 1 week they will take x rays but I don’t know if I should walk on it or even if I’m allowed and they won’t respond to are calls
@@youngj.a.c.k6564 I’m very sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time getting a response from your doctor. I think you are 100% right to get clarification about what you should be doing. Hopefully they were just a little busy today and they will call you back soon
i was knocked down and have an ankle fracture. Am in a heavy walking boot at min. The accident happened on 15/12/2023
What a way to spend the holidays 🙁 Im sorry to hear you were knocked down hard enough to break a bone. Fingers crossed you get out of the boot soon!
Hello Dr Molly in November 20th last year I fractured my left ankle as I was walking and it was in public area,exactly on the side of the road and it was very muddy and such a fall I wasn't expecting it but had surgery on the same day.i was in a cast for a month and after a month I got the walking boot right now am my 8th week and am trying to wean off the boot myself .
Wow that is a long journey! I'm sorry to hear about your fall..so traumatic... to think your day was going in one direction then suddenly need to have surgery. AND then to still be dealing with the injury for months . I wish you the best of luck weaning off the boot. Don't forget there are people who can offer you support, advice and tips to make the process of weaning less stressful.
Hi I broke my ankle and foot back in September been in the boot for 6 weeks and just coming out the boot October 27 and my doctor will have me do therapy and return to work in 2weeks but I feel pain on the ankle and I don’t know if I will be ready to go bck to work in 2weeks what should I do
Nevelyn I’m so sorry to hear you broke your foot and your ankle. Congratulations on getting out of the boot after only 6 weeks! It is always scary coming out of the boot after a trauma like that. And depending on the type of work you do going back to work easily feel overwhelming. I help people with this transition all the time. Have you contacted a physical therapist in your area?
@@drmollymcdonald yes I will be going to therapy and I work in a laundry department a lot of standing on my feet I’m walking with a brace but with a limp
@@nevelyndavis9761 you are on the right path. I’m not sure if you have a specific concern about returning to work. And without physically seeing you I don’t want say something that may not be true for you. But I can only imagine you’re worried about the amount of pain and swelling you could have at the end of a shift. I would suggest bringing either an ice pack (bag of frozen peas or corn works well also) to work. They way on your breaks your and prop your foot up and ice it for 10-15 minutes at least once during the day. That will make a dramatic difference for your comfort while working.
@@drmollymcdonald thank you so much for your help
You’ll have to push through the pain to get better
I got hit by a car and my foot broke because the wheel of the car ran over it. There is no reason for me to address… so I went from cast to walking boot and now starting the physical therapy this week.
WOW that is a dramatic story! I'm glad you are okay. I wish you the best luck with your recovery.
Thanks I’ve been living abroad in Italy since 2019 and this is my first catastrophe here. 🥴thank you so much. Tomorrow I am starting the physiotherapy ! ☺️
Thanks I’ve been living abroad in Italy since 2019 and this is my first catastrophe here. 🥴thank you so much. Tomorrow I am starting the physiotherapy ! ☺️
@@deannaolivieri1791 Italy!!! I'm so jealous. Physiotherapy with a beautiful accent, can't beat that.
Yes ;) but they only speak Italian to me here but their accent is beautiful in Italian too☺️I can’t wait to start. ;)
Did anyone else have to sleep in their boot. I’m in recovery (3weeks) triple arthrodesis
Hi @jusme9400 it is less common for someone to have to sleep with a boot but it is not unheard of. Your surgeon really don't want to you to move your ankle/ foot to make sure the hardware has time to connect to the bone. I can only image how uncomfortable that must be...hopefully you don't have that much longer in the boot
@@drmollymcdonald….still in the boot. Pt is going great. Not sleeping in the boot though. Thanks
@@jusme9400 That is wonderful that PT is going well. I know you have to itching to get out of the boot but it will be worth it to make sure everything heals properly
I fainted. That was the reason 🤣
You fainted and that's why you had to wear a boot? That sounds horrible and possible embarrassing.
@@drmollymcdonald No, nothing to be embarrassed about at all. 🙂
@@marshaalison1569 I’m glad. I hope your recovering quickly
Definitely.
Diet guys.
I follow the book “Dr Mozzi’s diet”.
It’s not normal to break something for no real reason.
Is it normal to have pain after walking?
I would need a bit more information. Are you in a walking boot? Are you out of a boot? How long?
@@drmollymcdonald on my 8th week being in a boot
Tried to walk but I couldn't do it
Now my achilles.has some pain
@@drmollymcdonald is it normal to have some pain?? And swelling?
@@rodneylockhart1471 Sometime the boot can cause irritation, so it is not uncommon to have some soreness after walking. In fact it is so annoying for most people to walk normally in the boot which causes them to walk with their foot completely turned out, or almost hop while walking in a boot. The good news is the boot is very good at preventing you from injuring yourself.
Much like returning to a workout program after few weeks off it is very normal to have some discomfort after walking. If you still have crutches I would use them to off weight your foot while walking until you can walk normally (so you don't create a new walking pattern that you will have to unlearn later) Assuming you are able to remove the boot while you are sitting, I would suggesting icing and elevating your foot above your heart for 10 - 20 mins. If the pain goes away or at least dramatically reduces then you just had a sore muscle. If the doesn't lessen in intensity or gets worse I would call your MD or visit a physical therapist in person to have them make sure everything is all good.
One of the many benefits of working with a local physical therapist while you are in walking boot is to have someone who has physical assessed your ankle and they can help guide you through the "good" pains and the "bad" pains. No one wants to re-injure themselves which can may this process very unnerving.
I know this was a bit long winded. I hope I answered your question.
What if you had flat foot reconstruction?
I can only image the journey you’ve had to this point. If you just went through flat foot reconstruction then getting out the boot would definitely not be the end of you recovery. Everything from your foot to your hip has to adapt to its new “normal”. This takes time. I would strongly suggest you seeing a movement specialist like myself to help you navigate what will undoubtedly be a confusing and scary recovery. I wish you the best on this journey. But with someone in your corner to help guild you with specialized exercise and educate on what’s normal for recovery I know you get back to the activities you want.
I LOST MY BALANCE. EASY BREAK ANKLE AND WRIST.
Here’s to quick and complete healing! 🙏
Church bahaaaaaa....
I’m sorry but you said the same thing many times. I got next to nothing from this video. And the distraction of you sitting on an exercise hall didn’t help.
@kimlavallee3886 thank you for taking your time to give me feedback. I'm consistently working on improving my videos. If you have a question you'd like answered, feel free to ask me here or in a chat. If not I understand and I hope you find the information you need.
Please go to the point!!
she talked about NOTHING ,, and there is NO Information; A waste of TIme totally.
Thank you for your feedback. It helps me improve for the future.