Stiff leg after left leg taken out of 6 week cast from broken femur / knee / foot

Hi,

on the 21st of November 2013, i was on my way to work on my motorbike when someone pulled out on me. I had broken my femur above the knee and my knee cap had pooped off. I have screws and plates holding it all together now and a very swollen foot after breaking two metatarsals and a ligament. i have no pain from my knee but am worried to when i try to bend it as i bends a little and then just wont go no more without pain. this is day two of having the cast off and have a brace which i haven't worn much as im trying to slowly bend it more every now and then, im not sure if this is the best thing to do but i just wont to be normal again and carry on with life. the swelling in my foot is most painful and have been told to elevate it as much as possible which i have as present, i have a stool on my bed with my leg rested on it. i found that the most comfortable thing to do is go on the stairs and dangle the left leg over and just swing it freely without pain. if i keep doing this, will it bend more?

It might help your leg to bend more but will exhaust the leg muscles and might increase the pain as well. So, you should start some of the exercises on regular basis; like hamstring stretch, quadriceps stretch, forward bend and calf raise.

ok thanks for the reply. im just really worried that it wont bed normally again. it also feel like when i put my left foot on the floor, that the right leg feels longer as the heel of the left foot doesnt touch the floor. is this just the swelling or the fact that i cant extend my leg from the knee as well. will the metal on my femur stop growth ?

It is probably because of the swelling in your leg. When you will be able to extend your leg completely, this difference would also go. And do let me know, if the exercises helped you feel any better.