Trimalleolar fracture · surgery · non-weight-bearing
I'm a 50-year-old guy who slid down an icy hill into a tree and snapped my ankle
Reading other people's experiences is what helped set my expectations. So I wrote my story. Maybe my version will help you, too.
The timeline, short version
- day 1
- The accident, the ER, a splint, crutches, and home the same night.
- wk 1–2
- Waiting. The recliner becomes my life. Bathroom logistics.
- surgery
- Titanium is now a permanent addition. Foot above the heart, non-weight-bearing.
- wk 3–9
- Cast. Sleeping on my back with the leg up. Showering.
- wk 10+
- Cam walker boot, physical therapy. Ankle brace.
Read it while you're reclining
8 posts
Post 01 · start here
The day I broke my ankle
The break, ER, and back home
Read the post →4 min read
Post 02
Going to the bathroom with a broken ankle
I had to work this out quickly, and eventually had a good system
Read →2 min read
Post 03
Sleeping with a broken ankle
Sleeping is its own set of challenges - the leg elevation pillow that helped
Read →2 min read
Post 04
The days before and after surgery
A lot of days spent, for the most part, immobile.
Read →3 min read
Post 05
Surgery day
Deep sleep, and suddenly I've got titanium in me.
Read →2 min read
Post 06
Showering with a broken ankle
Getting clean had its own set of challenges
Read →3 min read
Post 07
The boot
The good news is no more cast. But I'd have to use a boot to start walking again.
Read →2 min read
The latest
Physical therapy
The boot is off, and it's time to get moving again.
Read the post →4 min read
Two things to know
I'm not a doctor. This is about my experience with a broken ankle, and your surgeon's rules beat anything here. The links that go to Amazon are Amazon affiliate links: if you end up buying something, I get a small percentage, but it costs you nothing extra.