Hi Lisa,
I did the same break as you when I fell in the snow back in Jan, I had mine pinned and plated then was in cast for 6 wks. They then removed cast and told me to go home and walk on it, I did try but couldn't do this as it was still swollen and stiff and very very painfull a week later I went back to see my surgeon in tears as I was in so much pain, they have since given me an air boot to use. It is the best thing they have done I can now walk about in the air boot with both crutches, I am also having physio weekly and have been told to elevate the foot when sitting and ice packs on the ankle at least 5 times a day for an hour at a time, the swelling has gone down loads in a week and I am now able to move my foot up and down and side to side and have managed to walk in a trainer today as well. When you go back just insit on an air boot I did and it is the best thing I have done. I am also taking codine, and nurofen every 4 hrs as a pain management course to allow me to walk but have started to cut this down and still pain free
Diane x