Ankle rehab...how am I doing?

[Courier]

Hello,

I'm a patient concerned about the length of time it is taking me to get walking again. Having searched the internet for similar stories, its obvious that every injury is different. However, I have recieved comments where it seems people don't think I'm trying. Although I'm seeing a physiotherapist weekly who is very positive and encouraging )

Sometimes I wonder whether I'm being too precious about it and would love to get a range of opinions on my progress...

Here are the details....

I was a passenger in a car crash on 13th September 09.
I braced for the impact and broke my fibula and two bones in my ankle.
I had surgery where a screw was placed in each of my broken ankle bones
A plate, fixed with six screws was attached to my fibula.

It was an open wound and so a removable cast was fitted as the hospital wanted to be able to check my wound after two weeks.

I couldn't exercise (or move very much at all) at this point anyway due to severe bruising from my seatbelt.

I didn't find out until 6 weeks that I was allowed to take it off myself to flex my foot and that this had been expected.

I was 'non-load bearing' for 10 weeks (from the accident) and then given a rubber 'shoe' for the cast so I could start weight bearing. I was encouraged to take the cast off to walk (well, weight-bear) 'for increasing periods indoors'.

I haven't seen my surgeon since November, and have also had to have an MRI scan on my knee (the same leg) which is still swollen, sore and has some numbness in the skin. The results are in and I'll find out on 3rd Feb.

After a couple of weeks (12 weeks after the accident) the swelling in my foot had receded enough for me to put a shoe on, so I ditched the cast, unprompted, as when we went out doing anything the cast was stopping movement which I felt would be beneficial.

It has now been 16 weeks since the accident.

I can hobble comfortably with a single crutch but still need two to negotiate steps and icy surfaces. I can 'shuffle' without crutches for short periods, when either my foot becomes painful, or I get strong soreness in the knee.

I am happy that most of the movement in my foot has returned.

I have not yet been officially instructed to come off the Tramadol and Diclofenic prescribed after my operation. My GP has been issuing me with repeat prescriptions on the same dosage I was on when I left the hospital (800mg of Tramadol, 150mg of Diclofenic daily)...I have reduced the dosage myself and havent taken any for the last 3 days.

At this stage, I'm assuming that I am fully healed and its just a case of waking my muscles up, so to speak.

Its approaching four months now. Am I doing ok?

Thank you x x x

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