Do I require physio after broken leg?

Hi everyone,
I broke my fibula just above the right ankle on the 9th of April about 6 weeks ago.
It was a fairly clean break, after some uncertainty about surgery the doctor decided it was not necessary. After 5 weeks the cast was removed and I was told to spend the 1st week on 2 crutches and the 2nd on 1 and then walk unaided.
This is all great as the healing has gone as well as can be expected.
However, no physio has been offered and I was told that on my follow up appointment in 3 weeks if I am struggling then it will be considered.
Also the following day after the cast was removed I was able to walk without crutches. Admitedly I am mostly limping and the leg is swollen but the pain is manageable.
What I want to know is do you think I require physio?
Should I be walking on it if I feel able to?
Any help would be appreciated
PS. I am 35 years old and fit and active

Hi There,

Although it sounds like you're doing pretty well from the break and time in plaster, it would be a good idea to have a session or 2 from a physio who can advise you on the best exercises for regaining your strength and balance in that leg. You need to lose the limp asap and start working on your balance as well as muscle strength in the calf, front of your ankle, peroneal muscles, and intrinsic foot muscles. A physio can assess you and provide you with some really boring but effective exercises to get you back to full fitness asap.

It's not rocket science but it works!

Cheers,
msk101

hi,
sorry 2 knw about ur leg. I believe u need a physio urgently who can advice u some good exercises which will decrease ur swelling and gradually with the exercises u wud stop limping too.

I believe, and this may be taken as presumptuous, that most medical models do not consider optimizing health.

It is the old adage, we are surviving longer, but is the quality of our mobility and functional capacity at a high level into old age, for example.

The same goes with post fracture rehab. Most believe it is not needed, because the general population doesn't need to do much other than walk.

Unless you are going to be doing something significant, 'other' health professionals will likely not consider referral to physio.

Physio's, will obviously believe otherwise.

Regards