Ankle exercises after a fracture. Rehabilitation after a fracture of the ankle after removal of the cast. Features of rehabilitation in old age

An important means of treatment and prevention of this disease is proper nutrition. The progress of the disease is very much dependent on the eating behavior of the patient. To restore joints, it is recommended to use a large number of dairy products and B vitamins.

List of basic and useful products for arthrosis of the ankle:

• Milk, cottage cheese, kefir, whey
• Boiled potatoes, plants of the legume family
• Chicken eggs and meat, fish, bananas, walnuts
• Lentils, all types of cabbage

It is very important that food stimulates the loss of excess weight. You need to eat complex, in small portions, often (up to 8 times a day). Drinking regimen: drink at least 2 liters of water daily. Exclude from the diet all harmful, alcohol. Rejection bad habits stimulates the positive effect of the diet.

In order to reliably strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the affected ankle, as well as to fully restore its function, it is required to continue exercise therapy for a month after the injury.

During this period, the union of the fracture ends, so you can apply more force to the ankle and increase the duration of gymnastics.

All elements of therapeutic exercises for injuries of the ankle joint must be performed in strict accordance with medical advice- only a specialist will indicate the required range of movements, their frequency and duration.

First, classes are conducted under the supervision of an instructor, and then, having learned, the patient can perform them at home. A properly selected complex of physiotherapy exercises will become the basis of recovery after ankle injuries.

Classes after an injury, namely exercises after an ankle fracture, begin to be done while the leg is still in a cast. Of course, during this period, the sore leg cannot be loaded, but the task of physiotherapy exercises is to improve blood circulation.

The fact is that the better the blood circulates through the vessels, the faster the healing of any injury. You can read about it yourself here.

At the very beginning, the exercises should be done every other day, then you can start daily workouts.

So, the starting position (IP) is standing on a healthy leg.

1. Cross swings. Stand near a chair or wall and lean on your hands so you don't lose your balance. Start moving the sore leg: first take it to the side (on inhalation), then make an adducting movement, cross in front of the healthy leg (exhale). The exercise is done within 30 seconds, strengthens the inner thigh muscles.
2. Swing your legs to the side. IP - the same, take the sore leg as high as possible, linger for a few seconds and lower the leg. These movements develop the outer thigh muscles.
3. Knee lift. IP - as in the first two exercises. Raise your knee until your thigh is parallel to the floor. Hold for a few seconds and lower your leg. Perform for 2 counts within 30 seconds. This exercise strengthens the front of the thigh.
4. Raising the legs back (develops the back of the thighs and buttocks). PI the same, lift your leg back as high as possible, pause for a few seconds and return to the starting position. DO NOT BEND IN THE LOIN!

Exercises after plaster removal

When the plaster was removed, it is necessary to start exercises on the ankle. If these exercises are neglected, joint stiffness or even lameness may develop ...

ATTENTION: exercises are performed lying down.

1. Tighten the quadriceps femoris. Repeat 20-30 times. The pace is slow. Breathing is free.
2. Bend and straighten your feet. Repeat 10-20 times. The pace is slow. Breathing is free.
3. Bend and straighten your toes. Repeat 10-20 times. The pace is slow. Breathing is free. Rest 1-2 min.
4. Repeat exercise 3.
5. Circular movements in the ankle joints in both directions. Repeat 10 times on each side. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
6. Bend the feet forward - backward with maximum amplitude. Repeat 10-20 times. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
7. Alternately bend your legs to your stomach (socks on yourself). Repeat 10 times with each leg. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
8. Spread the toes of the legs to the sides, turning the entire leg from the hip as much as possible. Repeat 10 times. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
9. Alternately, without bending, raise your legs to a right angle in the hip joints (socks on yourself). Repeat 10 times with each leg. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
10. Repeat exercise 1.
11. Raise, without bending, the injured leg to a right angle in the hip joint, while bending and straightening the fingers and foot on weight. Repeat 10 times. The pace is average. Breathing is free.
12. Rest in a prone position with legs raised - 5-10 minutes.

Self massage

In addition to exercises, massage or self-massage is very helpful in restoring an injured leg.

It is done while sitting on the bed, gently shake the sore leg, knead it, make squeezing and stroking movements.

Exercises that help strengthen the foot after injuries and surgery:

Ask questions, if something is not clear, we will definitely answer you! Leave your comments below:

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400 comments

Kirill

Hello! A week ago they put plaster on.
Fracture of the right ankle without displacement.
They will shoot on the 12th, will I be able to return to sports after the New Year holidays? That is, it will fully recover in a month ?!

• Kirill, full recovery (that is, ossification of the fracture site) occurs within a year (at least six months).
  A torn ligament in a professional football player is restored after at least 3 months, and this is when the football player has access to the most modern technologies recovery (drug recovery + hardware effects + exercise therapy, etc.). And you have a fracture.
  It is IMPOSSIBLE to fully recover in a month!

  sabina

  Hello, I recently fell at work. The result was a comminuted fracture. right foot, to the right of the knees. Have made operation. They put a titanium plate and 8 bolts. The seam after the operation was 19 cm. They put a cast from the heel and 20 cm above the knee. Only the fingers were left open. The seam was left open. What worries me is that the seam always gets wet and the discharge is reddish, and in recent times they turned yellow. It's been 3 weeks since the surgery. The doctor partially removed the suture. Near where the discharge goes, he left the seams. And about the discharge, he said that it would pass. I am 48 years old. Tell me is this normal or not?

  • The seam needs to be corrected. Most often, the seam gets wet due to POSSIBLE metal brackets left there. They are small and therefore the surgeon does not always feel them in a hurry (when examining the suture).
    3 weeks is too much - the seam should already stop oozing. To eliminate the situation, one would have to ask an experienced surgeon for powder (sold in a pharmacy without a prescription in small vials - I don’t remember the name, but a practicing surgeon or surgical nurse should know). So such a powder is sometimes enough for one treatment to eliminate the jamming of the seam.

    Irina

    Hello! I am 45, on May 20 I broke my ankle in three places, and the fibula was also displaced. At the beginning of September, only a callus appeared, before that 2 months in plaster without movement, a month without plaster, but also without movement.
    August walked on crutches. Now the question is that the place where the displacement is still not growing together, they are afraid that if this happens, you will have to do an operation. What forms a false joint. Although I walk, I feel better, but it is difficult to go down the stairs.
    Is there a method other than operation? Advise thyroid gland to check. So afraid of the operation.

    • Yes, Irina, judging by the terms of rehabilitation, the occurrence of a false joint is possible. Operations do not be afraid. Your age is not critical - stand it. Just think positive.
      Your thyroid needs to be checked. And not just because of the situation. If there are prerequisites, then the thyroid gland can give side problems and where it all will go is unknown. Checking the thyroid gland may give an opportunity to conduct a conservative (without surgery) treatment. In this case, check earlier - less problems. More or less like this.

      • Irina

        Thank you very much for your prompt and encouraging response! It's so hard to be alone with your fears. I am very glad that I found you and this site, I learned a lot of useful things during the rehabilitation while being here.

        • Irina, do not worry too much.
          Fight and everything will be fine.

          Sergey

          Hello, on August 30, the lower part of the fibula was broken with damage to the deltoid ligament and dmbs. The fracture is closed, without displacement. Plaster was applied. A month went by and I went to the doctor. He looked at the diagnosis and sent without a picture for another 2 weeks (reason: ligament damage).

          Yesterday there was a visit to the doctor, they took an x-ray, the picture showed that the bone had not grown together, the doctor said that the callus was weak, but the plaster was removed. The swelling is quite small, well, plus small bruises from the plaster. He said that it is possible to step on the foot (20-30%), but so far only with an elastic bandage. He also prescribed an ointment and soar the leg.

          I have a question: is it normal that the bone has not grown together (it is clearly visible in the picture), but I can already step on my foot? And why, when you step on, so to speak, do not just put, but put pressure on your leg with medium force, then strong tingling in the foot?

          • Sergey, I don’t know your age, but the situation with prolonged fusion in most cases is related to diet. Chances are your diet is lacking calcium-rich foods. They can be replaced (only partially) with drugs from a pharmacy. There are many, I won't list them. They will say there. Don't chase the price. It is best to take domestic drugs - cheaper and more reliable.

            You can step on your foot. Just don't pressure her. This is not true. Just step lightly (as the doctor said - 20-30%%). Do exercises.
            The tingling sensations are associated with insufficient blood circulation, which was disrupted when the injury occurred. Small vessels will still germinate for six months. I recommend daily self-massage of the damaged part of the leg. Do not press on the tissue, but lightly stroke, as if dispersing the blood. It will be useful.

            • • Sergey! No psychic will answer your question.
                Try. Work on yourself and you can.
                You just need to understand that full recovery (that is, reliable fusion) will occur no earlier than in six months or a year.
                Up to this point, you have to be very careful. No loads.

                Sergei

                I am 55, two days ago the cast was removed after a fracture of the outer ankle without complications, severe circular edema. Is it possible to use a steam bath or hot baths along with foot gymnastics and ointment (troxevasin)?

                • Dear Sergey! You should refrain from "hot" procedures. At least until the swelling is gone. Gymnastics and ointment will help in rehabilitation. This is enough for now. Gradually, day after day, increase the load on the leg - for a start, light walking for a couple of minutes will be enough. Quite possible in the room. After a week, if there is no pain, walk for 5-10 minutes. Leisurely. Thus, these actions of yours will lead to the disappearance of edema. And then you can gradually go to the steam room.

                  Svetlana

                  Hello Anna. advise please? She fell and broke her ankle. More than a month in plaster. 5 days after the removal of the cast, the doctor says it's time to discharge. And I can't stand up. I walk on crutches. How long does it take to develop a joint. I try very hard, but the dynamics are slower than I would like.

                  • Svetlana, understand a simple thing - we are different, so the recovery time will be different for all people. The rate of recovery is affected by the age and “quality” of the fracture (what was damaged along the way and how soon the blood supply to the adjacent tissues will be restored) and the quality of nutrition (that is, how much the body receives the necessary substances). So it's hard to predict even roughly.
                    The main thing - do not load the sore leg immediately. Exercise very little and carefully.
                    You should feel the possibility of increasing the load.
                    Let's say you're doing exercises. If tomorrow everything is in order, the leg is not swollen due to the load, you can slightly increase the load.
                    See the result the next day. If all is well again pain syndrome there is no edema - you increase the load a little more.
                    I hope the mechanism is clear.
                    Everything in moderation - load, rest, again load, rest.
                    Get well.

                    Elena

                    Anna, hello, I have the following situation, on June 24, 2013 I fell down the stairs and received a three-malleolar fracture with a slight displacement and subluxation of the foot outwards, on June 25, a closed reposition was performed, the subluxation was corrected, they immediately made a smile, they said everything was fine, after 6 weeks she was back on X-ray, they said that the corn is weak, you can’t step on it, they said to come in another 3 weeks, that is, 27.08, it will just be 9 weeks, but yesterday I accidentally stepped on my foot, there was no pain, and then it didn’t hurt, today it hurts a little. Tell me Well, I could hurt myself, because 8 weeks have passed and I still don’t have a cast, but an orthosis from 5 weeks, thanks in advance

                    • Hello, Elena. It is unlikely that you caused yourself any damage by stepping on your foot, especially since you were wearing an orthosis. Enough time has passed for the bones to grow together. When you go to the doctor on the 27th, be sure to tell us about it, perhaps you need to play it safe and take a control picture. Still, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis on the Internet.
                      Regards, Anna

                      • Elena

                        Anna, thanks for the answer, I have another question, after how many weeks can I already start stepping on my leg in an orthosis with my fracture and can I sometimes start pulling out my leg for baths?

                        • Elena, be patient until you visit the doctor, everything is individual here, you need to have your leg examined. The doctor himself will tell you when you can start stepping on your leg and with what force (sometimes you start with 20% of your body weight, that is, put your foot on the scales, press until the desired number appears and remember the effort). Physiotherapy (including baths) is started after complete fusion of the bones, and this, again, can only be said by the attending physician.

                          • Elena

                            Thank you for your answer, but I already pulled out of the orthosis a couple of times to wash my leg, go ahead, I washed it very gently :-)

                            Elena, so I'm not talking about those baths that are hygienic! Of course, you can simply wash your leg by removing it from the cut. I thought you want salt baths in which the leg is being developed, so it's still too early. :yes:

                            Elena

                            Anna, please tell me more, the leg is very thin, there is a hard swelling at the fracture site, there are bruises in some places, it doesn’t bend at all and doesn’t obey, as if it were someone else’s, is this normal? I have a feeling that I will never be able to step on it.

                            • Elena, the leg should be thin - the muscles atrophy from immobility, it's not scary, then, when you start working out, the shape of the muscles will be restored. It does not bend and does not obey - it is also absolutely normal, this stiffness also develops due to prolonged immobilization (immobilization). Here we immobilize the leg so that the bones grow together, but at the same time we always get muscle atrophy and stiffness. Therefore, after a cast or complete removal of the orthosis, there is a period of rehabilitation. I even wrote about him when it is necessary to take restorative measures:.
                              Read more comments there, they have a lot of interesting things!

                              Anna, hello! February 3, 2012 broken leg, diagnosis: closed fracture n / c of the tibia, both ankles, the posterior edge of the tibia, the right tibia with displacement, subluxation of the block ... I don’t understand which bone on February 6, 2012 they did the operation, inserted 4 knitting needles and a plate on 7 screws, gradually it was all removed ... On April 5, 2013, an operation to remove a metal structure, there was a hematoma, at discharge, the recommendation was not to give a load for a month, I probably didn’t understand correctly what it meant to not give a load, in short, the leg hurt all the time, it was always painful to touch, but I could really limp, after a month I was on my feet for 10 hours and a couple of days ago I couldn’t stand on my leg, there was severe pain, now I can step on and walk a little with a stick, limping, but my leg hurts at the fracture site where the plate was. I go for spock procedures and electrophoresis with lidase , Kindly tell me what to do, after the removal of the metal structures, the pains in the ankle and lower leg intensified

                              • Hello, Tatyana! Pain after a fracture, especially such a complex one as you had, there will be more pain for a long time. 10 hours on the legs - this moment, of course, can increase the pain. Try to find an opportunity in the middle of the day to “unload” your leg - sit on a chair, and put your sore leg on another chair (at work, this can be done at the table so as not to attract special attention employees). At home, of course, lie down more often with your foot on the pillow.

                                Pain may increase because swelling occurs when the foot is in the "down" position. In addition to changing the position, the exercises that I wrote about in the article, walking, swimming pool, “disperse the blood” are good. If the pain is very strong, you can drink painkillers (Analgin, Pentalgin). Only they should not be drunk in a row for more than a week, otherwise addiction may develop, and they act on the stomach, especially in those who suffer from gastritis or an ulcer. Drink at night pharmacy sedative collection.
                                In order not to develop flat feet, it is necessary to wear orthopedic arch support insoles. Incorrect position of the foot due to weakened muscles can also give pain.
                                The main thing - remember that the pain will gradually pass.
                                Regards, Anna

                                Irina

                                good afternoon Anna! On February 27, 2013, I received a closed fracture of the inner and outer ankle, a displaced posterior edge of the white bone and a rupture of the syndomesis! On March 11, 13, I underwent an opration, a German plate and titanium screws were placed. 2 weeks after the operation, the sutures were removed and a plastic cast was applied! 7 weeks have passed since the operation, and I am already leaning on my leg with a crutch in a cast! the problem is that I don’t have a traumatologist and a surgeon in the clinic; good friend! the question is that at the time of the fracture and at the present time I am pregnant, the term is bb 23 weeks, the operation was done at 15. how should rehabilitation go in my case, and is it too early for me to start on my leg? my leg does not hurt at all, I can walk without crutches. thanks in advance!

                                • Hello Irina! If you already walk without crutches, that's good, 7 weeks is enough time for the bones to grow together (especially since you have a plate and screws). But the question of when to remove the cast and start the exercises should be decided only by a competent traumatologist (or the one who operated on you). Here on the Internet it is impossible to say when to remove the cast, for this you need to take an x-ray and see a specialist! If there is no traumatologist in the clinic, look for a paid one or talk to your friend - a therapist, she probably has traumatologists she knows, doctors always know who and where to turn to.
                                  Do not delay with this and wonder what to do, because you are pregnant, then the body weight will increase, and the load on the leg too. In addition, during pregnancy, bone tissue can behave a little differently due to calcium loss, so be sure to see a doctor!
                                  Regards, Anna

                                  Irina

                                  Hello! Please help with advice! On 03/26/13 I had a closed fracture of the outer ankle. Today, 04/24/13, the cast was removed. The leg, of course, weakened. I can get on my feet a little. The doctor sent me to a magnet, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, but the clinic is far away. Is it worth it now to heavily load the leg and “run” to the clinic, or can you limit yourself to professional massage and baths with sea ​​salt, and postpone the procedures at the clinic for at least a couple of weeks. Especially since the holidays are ahead. What else can you do at home? Is it possible to make ozocerite at home? Thank you!

                                  • Hello Irina! If the clinic is far away, then you can get by with home remedies. Rehabilitation occurs when you work on the leg, develop the joint, and in the clinic or at home - she does not care. Therefore, do hot salt baths, ozokerite also warms up muscles and ligaments well, do it at home. As for professional massage, I would not recommend doing it - sometimes massage therapists with their strong hands massage too violently, you don’t need it now. Or did the doctor prescribe it? If prescribed, then do as he said, if not prescribed - do self-massage, watch the video in this article:. There are very simple movements, they are done easily and you adjust the pressure with your hand yourself.
                                    What you definitely cannot do without is exercise and walking. Let it be a little bit, with frequent breaks for rest, but this work must be done without fail until normal ankle mobility is restored. You can do the exercises as written by me or by watching the video here:
                                    Regards, Anna

                                    • Irina

                                      Anna! Thanks a lot for your advice! God bless you!!!))))

                                      • Irina, thanks! Get well and think only about the good)

                                        Hello Anna! Many thanks for a very useful site, for your attention and good advice! The fracture was on January 15, 2013. The outer ankle and the posterior edge of the tibia with subluxation. There was a manual reposition. Now in rehab. I go without a stick. The leg slightly hurts only in the joint area. The ankle does not swell. Before the fracture, she regularly visited the sauna. Tell me, please, when will I be able to return to visiting the bathhouse again?
                                        Best regards, Vika

                                        • Hello Vika! In theory, heat has a beneficial effect on the leg during rehabilitation and development of the joint. You didn't have surgery, I understand. I think that enough time has already passed, and you can visit the bathhouse. However, to be on the safe side, check with your doctor. Regards, Anna

                                          • • Please! Get well)

                                              Alexey Luponosov

                                              Good day. There was a fracture on January 19, 2013. I broke the fibula, the fracture was comminuted, the foot was dislocated inward and the deltoid ligament was torn.

                                              Not for skeletal traction, support: The capsule was sutured, the plate was placed on the bone, the deltoid ligament was screwed to the bone. Only 2 incisions, one on the left on the joint, the other on the right along the tibia. For 8 weeks there were fixing anchors not to step on the foot. The anchor was removed 10 days ago. The sutures were removed on the 10th day. He began to work out the joint with sutures. I pull the towel towards me. I pedal on the simulator because it is clear that the muscles have weakened, I shake my leg, I even hit it on a soft sofa, but the feeling of stiffness in the joint does not go away. Even the seam has widened. I'm 100% on the first day of removing the stitches, the pain was in the place where there was a small fixing anchor that fixed the torn ligament, the one that was inserted into the incision on the left. But I can’t stand on one leg (for example, when I put on my trousers and have to stand on one leg), I can’t stand on the sick one, I can’t sit on it, even though I already get up from the sofa without hands.

                                              I don’t believe in magnesium, I do massages, I spin the simulator for 10 days, and I also walk with the help of crutches. Stepping on electronic scales, I see that discomfort begins with 80 kg of load on the leg. How to develop a leg faster? I can’t swim, the seams are still weak, they still have a crust on them, I think they won’t let me into the pool. The leg does not swell at all as the fixing anchors were removed, the plate can be removed in a month, but the doctor says that it is possible later. But there is stiffness. Maybe there are radical ways to remove it. The rebiliatologist gave me exercises, but somehow everything was slow. Thank you.

                                              • Hello Alexey! Unfortunately, radical ways remove stiffness does not exist. The fact is that the muscles were immobile for a long time, such fixation is necessary for the bones to grow together, but it also weakens the muscles. As you correctly noted, the muscles have weakened, this is also called atrophy after an injury. Development in any case should be gradual. Do the exercises, as in the article or as prescribed by the doctor, walk, then rest, then exercise and walk again. Only in this way does the rehabilitation (restoration) of movements in the ankle in full, there are no other ways. The stiffness will go away, don't worry, be patient and work with your leg (but without fanaticism!).
                                                There is good way slightly speed up the process - daily hot salt baths for the legs, in the water you can do simple exercises - rotation and on yourself-away from you. But not all doctors allow them to be done with metal in the leg, you should ask your doctor about this.
                                                Regards, Anna

                                                • Alexey Luponosov

                                                  Thanks for the answer. I'll ask the doctor about iron baths. After sleep, the leg doesn’t hurt so much, but when I start walking, it starts to whine again 🙂 But strangely enough, after sleep, it’s not so constrained. Maybe I'm just overexerted 🙂 Okay, I'll definitely go to a rebiliatologist. I wanted faster and so 2 months without work ... Thanks again for the answer.

                                                  • Alexey, the leg will be whining for a long time, this is normal for the condition after the fracture. Here you need to find a middle ground so as not to overwork the leg, but also give it enough load. Get well!

                                                    Good evening!! I wrote to you earlier on February 2, my leg was broken, 9 surgery was performed ... .. On March 22, the doctor allowed me to walk without a splint, and work out my leg, the leg does not rise more than a couple of centimeters, I start to press down a little further, the dull pain goes into outside, at I have a plate there .. maybe I'm doing something wrong? although the doctor is waiting for me already on April 4, and gave the go-ahead for me to even slowly step on her 2-3 kg .. then why did she stop in one place ?? ?thanks in advance

                                                    • Hello Julia! Very little time has passed since you were allowed to walk without a splint. Prior to this, the leg was without movement in the joint, the muscles and ligaments were very weakened. It's completely normal rehabilitation period therefore it turns out to be long in time, that the leg has to be developed a little bit, slowly but surely restoring the normal function of the ankle. At the beginning, it is always very tight and hard to develop, you will have to put up with this and just work every day (without fanaticism!). The main thing here is gradualness and regularity. Walked (or did exercises) - rest - leg up (on a pillow). Then again exercise-rest. No need to allow fatigue and severe pain, everything will gradually recover.
                                                      At your doctor's appointment, ask if you can take hot salt baths. They work well to develop the joint, but some doctors are against them when there is metal in the leg. Knowing your specific situation, let him tell you.
                                                      The plate, of course, creates unpleasant sensations, but you still need to develop the leg, so you are doing everything right. Create an optimistic mood for yourself, all doctors say that everything heals faster with optimists!

                                                      • Thank you for your answer!! The doctor advised me to take baths with fir oil take twice a day…just if I can’t do anything before 4, won’t the doctor scold me??

                                                        • Julia, you are not a child to be afraid that you will be scolded. Do what you can, don't be afraid of anything. If the doctor says - so-and-so is right, but this is not - well, then he is a doctor, to correct in case of errors.
                                                          If the doctor is not against hot baths, then you can lower your leg into the water and not just keep it there for 20 minutes, but make light rotational movements and bend and unbend the foot. It helped a lot in the development of the joint.

                                                          Anastasia

                                                          hello! On November 27, 2012, she broke her leg, was diagnosed with a 3 fracture n / 3 m / tibia, ext. of the ankle and the posterior edge of the distal epimetaphysis of the b / tibia of the right tibia with displacement. subluxation of the foot from the outside. I can’t stand straight on my foot, please help me what exercises can I do to stand on my foot!

                                                          • Hello Anastasia! Your leg was in a cast for a long time, and the function will not recover immediately, this is normal. Firstly, consult with your doctor about wearing insoles - often after a cast, the muscles weaken and temporary flat feet develop, from this you need to wear insoles while walking, do exercises, as in the article, and wear an ankle brace. But it's all done after face-to-face consultation with a traumatologist.
                                                            Regards, Anna

                                                            Thank you for your answer. I wanted to ask one more question. My doctor allowed me to unbind the splint and lie down, without a bandage, I lift my leg from the splint and bend it to the knees, can I do this ??? will there be any consequences ???

                                                            • Yuliya: I don't think there will be anything wrong. Only in the ankle joint, until the doctor allows, do not bend.

                                                              Hello 2.2.13 I broke my leg, 3 ankle fracture with displacement, 9.2.13 an operation was performed, a plate with bolts was inserted on one side, knitting needles, a wire, a bolt on the other. How long do I have to walk in a cast ??? Doctor said that iron extraction after 4 months. What awaits me after this operation?? Thank you in advance

                                                              • Hello Julia! Your fracture is one of the most severe among ankle fractures, so you need to be patient and courageous. You can be kept in a cast for a maximum of a month, because the longer the leg is in the cast, the more difficult it is to develop the ankle later. If the plaster is not removed yet, then there are reasons for this. Iron is usually removed after 7-8 months, but it can be earlier, everything is individual here.
                                                                The operation to extract the metal is not at all complicated - the skin and muscles are cut, the metal is removed, that's all. Then only a week is needed to heal the wound, the bones have already grown together, you are already walking. The most important thing, when the plaster is removed, is the rehabilitation period: By the way, read the comments on this article, there are a lot of interesting things there.
                                                                Regards, Anna

                                                                Natasha

                                                                Hello! Tell me too, please! I had a closed fracture of the outer ankle of the right tibia without displacement, I was in a cast for 3 weeks. The plaster was removed a week ago. They said to develop the leg and in 2-3 weeks it will be possible to go. After 2 days, I started walking with a crutch, lightly leaning on my leg. I've been walking without crutches for 2 days, but I'm limping a lot! The leg hurts, but tolerable and, it seems to me, not at the fracture site! But that's the trouble, the leg began to cramp at night and in the morning! During the night I can wake up 10 times from the fact that the muscles of the lower leg seem to be bitten by something and pulled! I'm afraid to stretch in the morning, because the result is muscle contraction! Is this normal or should I see a doctor?

                                                                • Hello Natasha! Of course, this is not normal. If you have such frequent severe convulsions be sure to see a doctor. There can be several reasons for seizures, it is important to find out which one you have. Most often, cramps are a signal of a lack of calcium in the body. This often happens after a fracture and being in a cast. For complete diagnosis it will be necessary to donate blood for a quantitative analysis of electrolytes - Calcium, Magnesium. You can still drink calcium preparations, for example, Calcium D3 (Nycomed) 2 tablets in the evening. But, I repeat, the reason may be not only in this.

                                                                  • Hello Julia! Of course, given the age, the bones should grow together with a bang. Therefore, to begin with, calm down, you still have a difficult rehabilitation period after the removal of the plaster, so save your nerves and strength.
                                                                    About the x-ray. If the doctor suspected that your bones are not growing well, he would definitely prescribe an x-ray. Irradiation during X-ray examination is minimal and does not bring harm to the body. But, of course, they won't do it just like that. Yes, and do not!
                                                                    Pain and swelling at the fracture site will persist for a long time, this is quite normal. When the plaster is removed, you will do exercises, hot salt baths, lubricate swollen areas with ointment or gel, and develop your ankle. The main thing is to tune in to work, because rehabilitation is your job, and now just calmly wait for the cast to be removed (I think, soon). Muscles weaken in a cast, so now only one exercise is available for you - moving your fingers.
                                                                    Regards, Anna

                                                                    • Hello Zarina! Unfortunately, it is impossible to make a diagnosis via the Internet, you must definitely see a traumatologist, tell where exactly it hurts. He must examine and feel (palpate) the sore spot. You may need to do an x-ray of the knee joint. It happens that after gypsum, arthrosis of the knee joint develops. This is not scary, it is treated by taking special drugs and physiotherapy exercises. By the way, as for physical education, it would be good to consult a doctor for physical therapy after a traumatologist (for example, in a sports dispensary), they know what movements should be done so as not to harm the joint. It may also be like physical therapy. The main thing - do not delay, it's your health!
                                                                      And yet - in post-traumatic period often doctors prescribe wearing arch support insoles, because after a long stay in a cast, flat feet sometimes develop, you will need to wear comfortable shoes and monitor your gait. It is possible that the pain appears due to the incorrect position of the foot when walking. In such cases, an ankle brace (plus insoles) is prescribed.
                                                                      Regards, Anna

                                                                      Alevtina

                                                                      Hello, please tell me what needs to be done after removing the cast (fracture of the little finger and the penultimate toe of the right foot). They removed the plaster on their own, took a control picture. The radiologist said that the healing is going on, but he still needs to see a traumatologist. There is no way to get to a traumatologist. There was swelling on the leg after removing the plaster, it was completely scary to step on it. If you walk a lot, your leg hurts. What do you recommend, the plaster was removed on 01/31/2013 and nothing else was done.

                                                                      • Hello Alevtina! After removing the cast, it is necessary to carry out rehabilitation measures, namely: exercises (given in the article, they improve blood circulation and promote healing) and dosed walking. After a fracture, it is always scary to start walking. But we must overcome fear and slowly increase the walking time. They looked like 2 minutes - rest (during rest, put your foot on a hill - a pillow or a roller). Get a gel - Dolobene or Lyoton, you can use heparin ointment (the gel form is better applied). The swelling will not go away immediately, this is normal. To reduce swelling and develop a joint, do salt baths - hot, for 30-40 minutes.
                                                                        Regards, Anna

The ankle joint with the heel forms the base of the ankle. As you know, the main load during the day falls on the lower part of the legs. It is especially difficult in this regard for people who have problems with being overweight. is a serious injury, the treatment of which requires a course of rehabilitation. Many doctors believe that this period of therapy is the most important, and if you skip it, you can get unpleasant complications. In this case, repeated relapse is possible, and the old injury will make itself felt for the rest of your life.

The period of recovery of the ankle after a fracture depends on the complexity and type of injury, the presence of complications, etc. If the injury did not cause additional problems, then the rehabilitation process is easy. In the case of a bimalleolar or the time for treatment is significantly increased, because the bone breaks in several places at once. Regardless of the complexity of the injury, it is necessary to go through the recovery process under the supervision of a specialist in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Basic rehabilitation processes

The first step in recovering a leg after an ankle fracture involves wearing a cast. The duration of this process depends on the complexity of the injury, the problems that arose during the application of the cast and the nature of the damage to the ankle. The initial stage of recovery after a fracture of the ankle without displacement lasts approximately 1-2 months. If there are additional problems, then the plaster cast may not be removed for six months.

The patient must understand that this injury is serious, so the doctor's supervision and control over the rehabilitation process is simply necessary. In most cases, a plaster cast is applied to begin with and is not removed until the bone tissue has fused. Then a closed plaster is applied, which is worn until the leg is completely healed. In order for the bone to heal at a normal pace, you can not load the ankle with the weight of your body.

The second stage of recovery after an ankle fracture consists of exercises aimed at improving the mobility of the injured leg. Usually, specialists prescribe the following procedures to the patient:

• physiotherapy;
• massage;
• physiotherapy.

It is worth noting that these procedures must be used in combination in order to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time.

Features of the rehabilitation period

Wearing a cast is an essential part of the recovery process after an lateral ankle fracture. After this period, the leg becomes weak and inactive. And in order to restore her strength, mobility and normal gait, the joint must be regularly developed. This will require perseverance and diligence not only of doctors, but also of the patient himself. After removing the plaster, the patient will have difficulty moving, and to facilitate this process, it is recommended to purchase an elbow crutch. However, this product should not be abused. The fact is that if you use it for more than two weeks, a habit of lameness can form.

Immediately after removing the plaster cast, the patient is prescribed a course of electromagnetic therapy. It includes electrophoresis, mud baths, warming up the ankle. These procedures are essential for restoring the ankle after a fracture and swelling that occurs as a result of wearing a cast.

Then the patient is prescribed a massage, the duration of which depends on the specific case. This procedure can last 5 days, and the entire rehabilitation period. As you know, massage contributes to the return of previous mobility and development of the joint. Such a procedure can be carried out by both the doctor himself and the patient as one of the stages of recovery after an ankle fracture at home.

After all these therapeutic measures, the patient needs to undergo a course of rehabilitation exercises. This step is mandatory and should not be ignored. Therapeutic exercise is aimed at restoring the mobility of the ankle. It includes a set of exercises with a systematic increase in the load on the injured leg. Let's talk about all stages of rehabilitation in more detail.

Physiotherapy

After the doctor removes the cast, he immediately prescribes physiotherapy. Recovery of a leg after an ankle fracture is impossible without these procedures. They are aimed at rehabilitation of the ankle, as well as giving mobility. In addition, they achieve the following goals:

• bone tissue is strengthened;
• the process of bone fusion increases;
• blood circulation is normalized;
• puffiness is removed.

Most doctors prescribe roughly the same physiotherapy procedures, as they are the most effective. Among them stand out:

• electrophoresis;
• warming up the joint
• taking mud baths;
• influence of harmless currents;
• exposure to ultraviolet light.

Initially, all these activities are carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. In the future, the patient can carry them out independently. The length of the recovery period after an ankle fracture depends, among other things, on the conscientiousness of the patient. After all, if you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, the process will end as quickly as possible. The next stage of rehabilitation is massage. We will consider this procedure in more detail.

Massage at an early stage of treatment

The fact is that this event is more effective to use in combination with physiotherapy or physiotherapy exercises. In other words, massage can be applied at all stages of treatment. However, the tasks it performs are always different. At the initial stage of therapy, it is aimed at relaxing the muscles, and at a later stage, it is aimed at normalizing the mobility of the ankle.

For the first time, massage is used on the second or third day after the injury. It can be applied through plaster, the main thing is to do everything correctly, and then the result will not be long in coming. Many doctors recommend applying skeletal traction. It is aimed at the gradual reduction of fragments and keeping them in the desired position with the help of weights. This is a fairly effective technique, but there is one drawback - a long bed rest is needed, sometimes it lasts several months.

Before the massage, you need to achieve relaxation of all the muscles of the patient, vibration is used for this. It is worth noting that along with the injured leg, attention should also be paid to a healthy one. The procedure should not be accompanied by pain or discomfort. The duration of a daily session is no more than 3-5 minutes. If the patient has skeletal traction, then you need to massage outside the focus, paying attention to the legs and hips.

Correctness of movements

The recovery time after an ankle fracture depends on the correct execution and direction of the techniques. Often massage is done by a specialist who knows all the nuances. But if the patient himself will carry out this procedure, then he needs to know where to start and how to finish.

Each session should begin with stroking the inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes. Kneading and rubbing can be done in any direction, in such a situation the flow does not matter.

It is worth noting that stroking should be done with fingers, a fist or the entire surface of the palm. As for rubbing, it is better to perform movements with great intensity in different directions. Reception kneading is carried out for more than late stages treatment, as it is aimed at increasing muscle tone and normalizing ankle mobility. It must be performed with the help of fists and palms. Kneading is similar to the process of mixing dough, the movements should be intense.

The massage is completed in the recovery complex after an ankle fracture with shock taps and pats. Such actions can be performed with the help of a fist or the edge of the palm. It is recommended to perform stroking between receptions, as it helps to take a breath and relax a little for both participants in the process.

Massage in the later stages

When full recovery is already approaching, it is necessary to tone the muscles and restore their former mobility. To do this, use techniques such as kneading, rubbing and shock vibration. In addition, the use of intermittent strokes is quite effective. In the process of recovering from an ankle fracture, this massage can be performed at home. However, the person who carries it out must be a professional, since one careless movement can lead to complications.

As soon as the plaster is removed, you can’t immediately start intensive methods, because this will not lead to anything good. Moreover, such diligence will only negatively affect the recovery time after an ankle fracture. This is due to the fact that incorrect movements will cause pain in the ankle area, swelling may appear, and rehabilitation will be delayed.

If inflammation nevertheless occurs, then it is recommended to use a light massage to relieve it. Movements should be directed from the edges to the center, then you should apply the usual stroking. This simple technique should not be underestimated, the duration of the rehabilitation period directly depends on it.

During the massage, you do not need to touch the fracture site. It is much more effective to massage the area around it. Excessive touching of the injury causes severe pain and discomfort.

After removing the closed cast

As soon as the cast is removed, you need to gradually increase the physical load on the leg. Massage in the first two weeks should be done very carefully, let the ankle get used to it. Then it is already possible to make intermittent strokes, while the movements of the hands will be carried out towards each other.

A month later, it's time to start stroking with affecting the zones of the focus. However, you still need to take precautions and not make sudden movements. Recovery from a non-displaced ankle fracture is fairly quick. If this is the case, then after a month you can already massage a little bolder, you should add a light tapping.

As already noted, massage is most effective when combined with therapeutic exercises. In addition, during the rehabilitation period, you can regularly take mud baths and physiotherapy methods. If the patient did everything right, under the strict supervision of a doctor, then the rehabilitation process will be as quick and efficient as possible. Recovery after an ankle fracture will be complete, and the patient will be able to return to normal life. It should be remembered that this can only be achieved by following the recommendations of specialists.

Physiotherapy

After the patient has completed a course of physiotherapy and massage, it's time to start physiotherapy exercises. In other words, you need to do exercises to recover from an ankle fracture. Each lesson is very important, and is aimed at returning the necessary mobility to the joint, and the muscles can regain their former elasticity.

To begin with, you should perform the exercises under the guidance of a specialist who prescribed this course. In the future, after achieving certain results, you can continue to study at home. It should be remembered that one exercise in time should take no more than 10 minutes. If there is pain in the ankle area, you need to postpone this task for a while. It is worth noting that the load must be gradually increased so that the leg gets used to it.

Doctors in most cases prescribe a course of fairly simple exercises that can be performed without effort. Typically, the set of tasks includes:

• walking with support on the injured leg, the main thing here is not to overdo it;
• swing the sore leg in different directions, it is advisable to hold it in the air for a while with the next swing;
• swing with both legs in a prone position;
• lifting from heel to toe of both legs, you can do this with one leg;
• raising the leg back, trying not to bend the back;
• knee lift with a slight delay.

It is difficult to overestimate the usefulness of walking during the rehabilitation period. You need to constantly walk, to start on a flat surface, then you can use the simulators. If there is a staircase at home, you should practice on it. It must be remembered that going down after an injury is much more difficult than going up.

The tasks of physiotherapy exercises

Of course, the main goal of gymnastics is to restore the mobility of the injured part of the leg. However, this is not the only task. In addition, the following purposes of physical education are distinguished:

• due to slight physical exertion, the swelling of the damaged part of the leg is removed;
• exercises, in addition to rehabilitation purposes, are aimed at preventing flat feet and curvature of the toe;
• blood circulation improves.

How long does it take to recover from an ankle fracture? It depends on how it goes rehabilitation process. Sometimes doctors prescribe additional exercises to speed recovery. For example, flexion exercises are quite popular; they are performed with fingers with joints. It is also very useful during this period to walk on your heels and toes alternately. In this case, it is imperative to have orthopedic special insoles that must be put in shoes.

It must be remembered that recovery time also depends on the severity of the ankle fracture. All doctor's recommendations must be followed. Otherwise, the rehabilitation process will take a long time, and lead to serious consequences. The area of ​​the ankle where the fracture occurred will constantly hurt and haunt. What then to say about a broken ankle? Recovery after surgery takes a very long time. Of course, a fracture of both ankles is a very rare case, and by far the most severe.

Recovering from a Displaced Ankle Fracture

This is probably one of the most difficult cases. The period of rehabilitation of such a fracture cannot be determined even approximately. However, we can definitely say that the recovery will be very long. The fact is that with such a fracture lower limb remains immobile, and it must be carefully and systematically developed. These procedures begin as soon as gypsum bandage still imposed. Doctors usually recommend intervening in the second week.

To begin with, the simplest movements are made, which the tongue cannot be called exercises. The doctor determines the time when new tasks can be introduced using an x-ray. If signs of bone fusion appear on it, then gradually the ankle begins to load.

As you know, a displaced ankle fracture is one of the most complex injuries, and therefore recovery takes a very long time. The rehabilitation process is monitored by a specialist with the help of regular x-rays. If they do not show improvement for a long time, then it is required surgical intervention. And after the operation, you also need to go through the recovery process.

What exercises can not be performed during the rehabilitation period?

Many people, due to constant employment, cannot wait until the bone is completely healed, and heavily load the leg. This is strictly prohibited, such actions will lead to very unpleasant consequences. During rehabilitation, you can not run, jump, walk on the outside and inner sides feet, ride a bike, dance, move in heels, do strength exercises.

Properly performed gymnastics will help the patient to fully recover from the fracture, to return to normal habitual life. It is necessary to take care of the injured leg, not to overload with unnecessary exercise and avoid injury. It is recommended to make short hiking preferably with a guide. The elastic bandage can be left on until complete recovery, if without it there is a feeling of discomfort.

Within a year after the fracture, you should once again take care, because if a relapse occurs, then the ankle may not fully recover.