What Causes Pain After An Ankle Fracture Surgery?

Posted on Fri, 23 May 2014

Question: Hi I recently (8 weeks ago) had surgery for a broken ankle. I have just begun rehab and are starting to put 80% weight on that ankle (my right). I have some minor aches is this normal after therapy. My PT says that I cannot break this ankle again during therapy as it is impossible. How much weight can I safely and can I put full weight? My OS had said whatever I can tolerate. Of course I am fearful of that. Thank you!
put on that ankle?

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
All of your weight

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your question.

Sorry to hear about your ankle fracture.

Ankle fractures typically take 6 weeks to heal. I usually instruct my patients to start walking on the cast at 4 weeks so that when the cast comes off it is a little more tolerable for them to walk.

The fractured bones will have healed but the difficulty you will now have will be from stiffness in the joint and wasting of your muscles.

This will improve rapidly with Physio but you will continue to have an improving limp for a couple of months.

I hope this answers your question.

best wishes

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T