Broken fibula and open dislocation of the ankle

[BIGAL1967]

I suffered the above injury back in mid July and i'm currently in a plaster cast. I was advised 2 weeks ago that the re growth of the fibula hadn't started yet and I would be in plaster for another 6 weeks with 2 to 4 weeks physiotherapy thereafter.

Can anyone advise what this physiotherapy will involve?

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[JonBlood]

Hi, you will be encouraged to weight bear in the plaster when the bone has reached a healing stage which will support this. This in turn will stimulate further bone healing. Once the plaster is off the physio will work at increasing your weight bearing gradually and getting you to walk with crutches in a good gait pattern. If the foot and calf are very swollen you may be given tubigrip to reduce this. The physio will work at your range of movement of the foot and ankle as this is likely to be a problem with a dislocation which involves significant soft tissue damage and therefore stiffness. You may have to do repeated exercises every two hours or so to get the best result. Some manual therapy such as joint mobilisation and massage may be used.

Once you have passed this point you will progress onto walking without aids, strengthening exercises such as calf raises and balance work with a wobble board. After this stage you will do much more active stuff such as dynamic balance work, jogging and turning. If the injury was severe you may always have some limitation of movement or difficulty walking on rough ground. Good luck!

jonathan
HPC registered physiotherapist
Physiotherapy Site, Local Physiotherapists, Qualified Physio