topic Re: Broken Ankle in Wellness

Broken Ankle

Junebug54 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:28:20 GMT

I broke my ankle in early February. Was in a cast for 4 weeks. I am now in PT. I have had two sessions and am doing very well. I also do my exercises at home. They mostly consist of moving the foot up and down etc. with or without a stretchy band. They are telling me maybe 6 weeks in therapy. I don't think so. I can do the same exercises at home. I honestly don't think I need to go that many times. I am in excellent shape for my age. Anyone else a PT dropout?

Re: Broken Ankle

danedylan — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:35:56 GMT

here's what I say--I had both my knees replaced within 2 weeks of each other--I went for pt and after a while I felt like I didn't want to go anymore BUT I decided that this was going to be the only time I had to make sure that I did all that I could have done to have my knees in the best shape that they could be--I say hang in there and complete your pt and then you will know u did the best you could for your ankle--good luck--marynj

Re: Broken Ankle

BirkiLady — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:38:06 GMT

No! Keep going. Your exercises will change and increase in strength training, rotation and mobility. You are in the "baby step" program. Stay with your PT - it's so worth every hour! (I went for my fractured back and am so glad I didn't consider skipping any.) When you have finished, your physical therapist will measure you again and you will actually see significant changes in your body. It's amazing!

Keep exercising those bones to keep them strong.

Re: Broken Ankle

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:57:06 GMT

@danedylan wrote:
here's what I say--I had both my knees replaced within 2 weeks of each other--I went for pt and after a while I felt like I didn't want to go anymore BUT I decided that this was going to be the only time I had to make sure that I did all that I could have done to have my knees in the best shape that they could be--I say hang in there and complete your pt and then you will know u did the best you could for your ankle--good luck--marynj

I had the same experience with my total knee replacements. The PT can get tedious, but sticking to it pays off in the long run.

Re: Broken Ankle

Junebug54 — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 22:57:53 GMT

@danedylan @BirkiLady Thank you so much for your responses. I will contitnue to keep going. I'm just getting anxious to get back to normal but I guess this is the best way... Thanks again.

Re: Broken Ankle

on the bay — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:00:13 GMT

Definitely me!

And there is pt and then there is pt.

Out of all the many different times I've been, I've had 2 or 3 wonderful ones that knew so much and helped so much!

the others, some made it worse, and others I got the exercises and then did them at home.

So much fun to go 2-3 times a week-Not! when you are trying to get back on your feet.

Don't feel bad about being a pt escapee- You won't be the only one.

And you know your own body and yourself so do those exercises if they help and be gentle with ourself

Re: Broken Ankle

justashopper — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:08:04 GMT

@Junebug54

So sorry to hear you broke your ankle!! OUCH!

I suggest you stick with it. Healing a broken bone and making sure you heal the best way possible, especially ankles and feet will be more valuable as you get older. You might be in great shape now. But in time, you don't want to have a "bad ankle".

It's like sometimes when you break a bone, it's just never the same or it heals "weaker" and you find that you easily roll your ankle, even when you are just walking normal.

I know it's a pain.... but be a good junebug and take care of yourself. :-)

Re: Broken Ankle

hopi — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 23:51:57 GMT

PT totally depends on how good your therapist is. Some of them work miracles and some are awful. It you insurance covers it or the payments are reasonable stick it out.

Re: Broken Ankle

Somertime — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:02:55 GMT

@Junebug54 I broke my ankle as well. Had to have PT 3 times a week for six weeks. I went for 3 weeks and stopped. I had the same experience as you. They had me do circles with my foot, clockwise and counter clockwise. the I had do do the alphabet using my foot, use the "strecthie" same as you. They did some heat therapy but the exercises never changed. I did better at home on my own, exercising every single day. I should have stopped at two weeks!

Re: Broken Ankle

Carmie — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:45:48 GMT

I broke my left ankle a few years ago. I got tired of PT too. I dropped out and just did the excerise at home.

I was supposed to go to PT when I had surgery on my foot. I never went and I didn't go when it was,recommened for my herniated disks either.

I never felt I needed it...and I didn't.

If I ever get a knee replacement, which is in my future, I will go for PT and IFeel that is necessary.

I do know that doctors recommend a lot of PT. When I worked in insurance, it was a big money maker for rehab centers and they had to be monitored for medical necessity. It was an over used very expensive medical procedure. Hundreds of dollars for one session., plus extra for heat/ice packs, etc.

Re: Broken Ankle

Love my grandkids — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:00:29 GMT

@Junebug54 Me me!! A few years ago I was in the hospital for a few days and was told after a CT scan that I had a mild stress fracture in my hip. Oh just great!

So I started PT and faithfully did all my home exercises to promote healing. After 3 weeks I called and told the PT place (they are great and my family has used them often) I was done, 3 weeks early. They sounded a bit dubious but said ok, call us if you need to come back. I never did.

Doing the excercises at home consistently really can promote early healing.

Re: Broken Ankle

hckynut — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 05:26:36 GMT

@Junebug54 wrote:
I broke my ankle in early February. Was in a cast for 4 weeks. I am now in PT. I have had two sessions and am doing very well. I also do my exercises at home. They mostly consist of moving the foot up and down etc. with or without a stretchy band. They are telling me maybe 6 weeks in therapy. I don't think so. I can do the same exercises at home. I honestly don't think I need to go that many times. I am in excellent shape for my age.

" Anyone else a PT dropout"?

@Junebug54

Nope! I take every session that my insurance will cover. I have my own home gym pretty well filled with exercise equipment, but for certain injuries I prefer different types of devices.

I've been improvising many of my own exercises, for PT, or just exercises in general. Like everything pertaining to life, including injury recoveries, different choices from different people.

Wishing you well with your ankle injury, I currently have a new one to work on after the initial damage is healed enough to do so.

hckynut

Re: Broken Ankle

Junebug54 — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:19:20 GMT

Thanks to all of you for responding. I have decided to finish out this week and next and then reevaluate my decision.

Re: Broken Ankle

LindaSal — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:46:55 GMT

@Junebug54 My brother had a football injury at the age of 16. Back then he had to have surgery and pins put in his ankle. Fast forward to age 64, old pins had to be replaced and cadavier bone put in. First surgery March 2020 (just at the beginning of Covid) Bone refused to heal, therefore second surgery December 2020. He is doing much better now BUT, they found his PT was actually damaging the fusing of the new bone in the ankle. He still walks with a cane and his doctor stopped ALL future PT. Now a year later.......so each injury is unique but just goes to show it's not for everyone and you just may be fine without continuing. Do at home what you feel is good for you.

Hope you heal nicely.

Re: Broken Ankle

Still Raining — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 14:36:06 GMT

As you get better, PT will alter the work to be done. Keep going, it will be worth it.

Re: Broken Ankle

embgm — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 15:26:47 GMT

I haven't had very good experiences with PT. Many years ago I had a knee injury and was told PT would help. There was one PT at the site and several students helping out. There were all young therapists. On my first day she left me on the stationary bike until I interrupted their gab fest and laughter and reminded her I was there. She apologized saying she hoped I wouldn't be in a lot of pain that night. After that day she was more attentive, but I never had the feeling she was that interested in helping me! I decided to do the excercises at home.

The next experience was in a different center with my shoulder. Everything was going along pretty well till the therapist decided my shoulder needed a deep tissue massage to relax the muscles. Well I kept telling her she was hurting me to the point that I was pulling my shoulder away from her. That night I was all black n blue. I did complain and told them I was done!

Three years ago I broke my ankle. Wore a boot for 8 weeks. No PT advised , just exercises to strengthen my ankle. My ankle is fine. Needless to say I am not a fan of PT!

Re: Broken Ankle

michmi — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:40:24 GMT

Please keep going to PT, your future range of motion of your ankle depends on it. I understand you feel you can do the same thing at home, this isn't something I would just "wing it" with. I'd want a pro overseeing my future exercises and progress.

Re: Broken Ankle

depglass — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 17:45:06 GMT

I pretty much quarantined for the past year, period. When I hurt my rotator cuff I Googled exercises from PT's on the internet. It's been months now and I'm almost healed. I have had my two vaccinations, but no longer feel I have to follow up with in person PT.

Re: Broken Ankle

Junebug54 — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:28:20 GMT

Update on my ankle. I did continue with PT and very happy I did. On Monday I will have my final evaluation and hopefully be discharged. Obviously still won't be doing a marathon any time soon but I'm progressing.. Thanks again for all your input.

Re: Broken Ankle

MIGRL — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 22:12:03 GMT

I broke my ankle 10/19/22, surgery on 10/25/22. I was in a boot for 8 weeks, and am currently into my 3rd week of PT. The PT has helped me immensely and I look forward to going since I see improvement after each week. But, I do wonder if as I get better at walking with no pain and no cane, if I might want to stop PT sessions. We will see!

My question is, at what point did everybody start driving again? I don't think I'm ready this week, but maybe after next weeks PT sessions, or so?