How long after a broken ankle can I exercise?

Most people will return to everyday movements (except athletics) within three to four months following a fracture. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but it can take several months or more before you’ll feel comfortable again to participate in sports such as running.

Do I need physical therapy after a broken ankle?

Even if your ankle fracture has healed, you still need physical therapy to ensure your ankle and lower leg are in pristine condition. When a fracture occurs, the area is generally immobilized, so the body can heal the fracture.

Do fractures cause permanent damage?

Unfortunately, some nerve damage will never heal completely, causing a lifelong impact. Nerves can also be torn. This type of damage can result from sharp bone fragments contacting the nerves after a break and is most likely to happen when the skin is torn.

How long does a broken ankle stay swollen?

The ligaments are then often torn too, and cartilage may be damaged. The foot and ankle become swollen, painful and can no longer hold any weight. It takes several days or weeks for the swelling to go down completely, and can take months for the ankle joint to fully recover from the fracture.

How to recover from a broken ankle with physical therapy?

Rehabilitation Exercise Program for a Broken Ankle. Therapeutic exercise is one of your main treatments to help you restore mobility after an ankle fracture. Your physical therapist can prescribe the right exercises for you to do at the right stage of healing to ensure that you can return to optimal mobility quickly and safely.

Why is my ankle still swelling up years after an accident?

If your ankle is still swelling up months or years after injury, then it’s very likely you’re not getting enough rest. Question #4: Are you moving enough? During recovery, it’s easy to fall back to your normal routine before the accident.

Can I play sports after an ankle fracture?

If you participate in high-intensity sports, you may want to perform plyometric exercises like jumping and hopping to prepare for a return to the sport after an ankle fracture. Learning to jump and land properly can ensure that your ankle can tolerate to forces placed upon it when running, cutting, and hopping during sports.

Which ankle do you think is bigger after surgery?

The left ankle is the one that had surgery. They look the most alike in the morning when there’s no swelling. The left one will always be a little bigger now with all the hardware installed. I don’t plan to have it removed because it’s not causing me any problems and I really don’t want another surgery.