Ankle Fracture Treatment - Recovery Time & Exercises

In this video, Maryke explains what happens to your ankle when it's stuck in a cast and how this affects your recovery. She discusses broken ankle recovery times and what can delay recovery. Then she discusses and demonstrates what exercises you can do for your broken ankle while it is still in the cast. Lastly she demonstrates and discusses what exercises should be included in your rehab plan once your ankle fracture has healed.

👉You can get some of the ankle fracture rehab equipment mentioned in the video here:

📽️ You may also find this video useful:

📚Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:00 Effects of immobilisation
00:06:05 Broken ankle recovery time
00:08:55 Broken ankle exercises while in boot
00:12:57 Broken ankle exercises after cast
00:13:51 Load-bearing capacity
00:15:30 Exercises for the nervous system
00:20:25 Stretches or mobility exercises
00:23:30 Strength training exercises
00:29:21 How we can help

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🖥️Some of the software we use to run our online physiotherapy practice:

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👉Some links here are to places where you can buy something relevant to this video. If you do, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References:
Campbell, M., et al. (2019). "Effect of immobilisation on neuromuscular function in vivo in humans: a systematic review." Sports Medicine. 49(6): 931-950.

Haggert, M., et al. (2020). "Determining the effects of cross-education on muscle strength, thickness and cortical activation following limb immobilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis." The Journal of Science and Medicine. 2(4): 1-19.

Andrushko, J. W., et al. (2018). "Unilateral strength training leads to muscle-specific sparing effects during opposite homologous limb immobilization." Journal of Applied Physiology. 124(4): 866-876.

[SportsInjuryPhysio]

👉 You can get some of the ankle fracture rehab equipment mentioned in the video here:
If you buy anything via these links, we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

[emjaydark]

Broke my ankle, had surgery and cast for 6 weeks. Now a boot. Doctor says walk on it, full weight, do some flexibility exercises, flexing and extending the ankle, etc. and see you in 6 weeks .Nothing more, no more information than that. I am so grateful to find some knowledgeable advice because this is all very scary and I don’t want to re injure my ankle or set back the healing process.Thank you.

[yazimvalles]

I’ve just broken my ankle, fibula and a a bit of the tibia. Just had my second surgery and this video has given me so much hope. It’s brilliantly explained. Thanks so much.

[kimd]

Thank you so much for this. I just got out of my cast and into my boot this morning. The nurse said, "Ok, stand up and walk" and then looked at me like I'd lost my mind when I couldn't get my body to do that. After she left the room, I fought back tears and said to my husband, "It's like my brain doesn't know where my foot is." When you described this feeling in the video, I really did start to cry. Thank you for giving us the steps we actually need and not just, "walk".

[annabelmacrae]

Currently in a heavy cast for 8 weeks after an ankle fracture. Plate needed. As a 75 year old woman who lives alone I feel very nervous of using steps and stairs again. Fingers crossed that I will make a good recovery. Physio will be available on the Scottish NHS which has been amazing from the start.

[ValeJureumi]

Seriously, thank you, I love you!!! This is the most informative thing I've found, I had an ankle surgery 5 weeks ago but the doctor only told me to move back and forth for now, and that I can remove my cast during the day if I'm not moving my body, but nothing more. I almost teared up watching this because you're so clear, I never thought about the brain, nerves, muscles, perception, all of them changing so much and how to regain back that, importance of using the other leg, and now I know why my foot shuddered while trying to move a little, it made me scared, but with info one is less scared hahaha I've been trying slowly the exercises and wow my foot feels like breathing, it's crazy. I'm so lucky to have found your video, it makes me feel relieved about the future, thank you so much!! I wish you the best in life <3 greetings from Chile

[sherryedwards]

Thank you so much, very helpful. I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago and am in a cast. I'm 62 and overweight and am not sporty at all but found your video so informative - especially time scale and exercises. Thanks again, I'm sure I'll be watching again :)

[danwalker]

Broke both my tibia and fibula in July. I’m now 12 weeks post surgery, really hoping to get back on my feet soon. The mental strength it takes to get through it is honestly the hardest part. Stay strong everyone 💪🏼

[taylorruiz]

Hi(: writing to you from California.
I have the free medical health care and girl let me tell you!! This video has genuinely given me so much important knowledge.
Thank you so so much for taking the time to educate the public by posing this video. I have had such a horrible experience with my doctors. I couldn’t thank you enough.

[rhondabarker]

Oh my goodness this is wonderful information! Doctors should be recommending this to their patients to help with expectations and planning. I learned more and feel better about what is going on with my ankle from this one video than everything i have been told combined. I feel so much more hopeful now I know what is going on is normal. Thank you!

[kimbullett]

This is by far the most helpful video I’ve seen. As others have mentioned, I’m not given much information from the professionals either. Everything I know is because I flat out asked them, or I’ve learned from videos. It’s scary when you don’t know what to expect in the future recovery so I so appreciate that you took the time and effort to educate us on this.

[sbordocj]

All I can say is THANK YOU in capital letters! This video told me everything I needed to hear. Now I have a much better idea of what I'm facing in the future with my broken ankle and what I can do to help mitigate some of the impending issues. Thank you so much!!!

[pollardinoz]

I've looked at so many videos to help with recovery after my broken ankle, and this was by far the most sensible and helpful info. Thanks. X

[gretchengutman]

Hello! First, THANK YOU for this video, I fractured my left ankle and wrist 9 weeks ago, ankle needed surgery, wrist had cast. Ive been doing well but now, I'm at the point where I am OVER this! so I as soon as I got the all clear to "walk" with the boot, I pushed myself .hard. both ankle and wrist swelled up and are very sore, after watching this video I now know where I went wrong or could have done better, you are an expert at "putting it into layman's terms". I wish I would have seen your video at the beginning of my ordeal. It would have been very useful! I know it will help others in the future!

[urltima]

Growing up as a southern kid with no health insurance growing up experiencing her first ankle break - wow. This is truly something i didnt expect, i truly had no idea what it meant to have it break and heal all over again. Its insane. I thought i was paralyzed because my brain wouldnt communicate with the muscles in my ankle. Learning about the nerves and everything is letting me feel a lot more mercy on myself. I grew up without any medical aid so i never really understood what it meant to actually get a real injury instead of a mild sprained ankle as a child. I would wear an ace bandage for 4 days and be healed. I just got out of a cast for 5 weeks, in a boot for another 4, and realizing its gonna take ANOTHER 2 after that to even get back to normal strength again is insane. Just letting myself heal has been the hardest part. Not being at work has been unbelievably difficult. Ive literally went through emotional breakthroughs in this injury because i realized i get all my satisfaction through physical effort at work. Not being able to work for 6 weeks, and just the first 2 days of barely even being at 10% compared to how i was is such a challenge, it truly is breaking my confidence. This has been truly the most challenging thing ive experienced. I was homeless before, but this is still worse for me emotionally.

[christygabhart]

Broke ankle a couple days ago. Thank you for very informative, detailed video. Gives me an idea what the next few weeks will be like. Super helpful! Thank you

[loismiller]

Thank you so much! I'm day 12 post surgery for total ankle recon after ripping tendon and arch collapse, heal shift.
This information is pure gold!

[mariapinaeva]

Thank you very much for such a detailed explanation, this will help thousands to regain the power of their mobility by simply knowing what to expect and what to do. Emotional support is so important and your video provides this.
What I found interesting is the fact that we know so little about our body, isn't fascinating that simple searching exercises on uninjured leg while other leg is in the cast can retain the nerve memory. I was doing this out of my instinct, but hearing this from you jusr now made me feel happier.

I wish everyone speedy recovery and patience.

[beauty]

Really great video. Big big hug thank you for this. I haven't even finish3d watching it but what I have watched so far is truthfully comforting 🤗🤗🤗thank you xxx

[julierowe]

This was just wonderful information! I broke my ankle Sept. 21, had surgery Oct 4 and now have pins and a plate and am in cast. I can see this is going to take a long time to recover and I appreciate all the teaching and encouragement you gave! God Bless you!!