What should I do while I let my fractured ankle heal?

daleskim · 08-09-2008, 11:59 AM

Hello,

Three days ago I was playing basketball, and I had fractured my fibula, right above the lateral malleolus of my left ankle. The ankle fracture is non-displaced. The doctor said it was a "hairline fracture."

The doctor put me in a soft cast, and I'm using crutches. I'm due for another xray in two weeks, and the purpose of this xray is to determine if a hard cast will be needed. I am hoping I won't.

Anyways, before this injury, all my weightlifting sessions would include foam rolling, mobility exercises (from Magnificent Mobility and/or Inside & Out), and compound exercises.

With that said, I have some questions:

Would it be okay to continue foam rolling and mobility exercises for the lower body while I have this soft cast? Is it okay to continue foam rolling/tennis ball on IT BAND/TFL, hip flexors/abductors, quads, calves, glutes? In addition, would it be okay to continue glute activation and hip mobility exercises?
When my fracture heals, I think it would be a good idea to do single leg work (single leg DB DL, forward lunge, step up's). I read from Cressey's blog some time ago, that this injury will probably leave me with a lack of dorsiflexion. So I believe being especially diligent with wall ankle mobilizations would be beneficial.

Is there anything else that I could read or do that will help me strengthen this injured ankle or offset the ill effects of using crutches?

Thank you for your time to read this.
- Dale

UConnJulie · 08-09-2008, 06:11 PM

What's your current weight-bearing status?

daleskim · 08-09-2008, 07:26 PM

I can now lean on the fractured ankle but can't really walk/limp on it.

LisaS · 08-09-2008, 08:12 PM

are you allowed to bear weight per doctor's instructions and just cannot for the pain - or are you disallowed but trying it anyway?

daleskim · 08-09-2008, 10:06 PM

It was suggested not to bear weight due to pain and for healing.

However, since most of the initial pain has gone away, I put some loading on it to "feel" how it holds up. By no means do I walk on it. I do this on my own accord.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaS

are you allowed to bear weight per doctor's instructions and just cannot for the pain - or are you disallowed but trying it anyway?

UConnJulie · 08-10-2008, 07:30 AM

I need to know what the doctor's ORDER was regarding weight-bearing. If he/she told you to avoid weight-bearing to allow the ankle to heal, then you shouldn't be putting weight on it.

daleskim · 08-11-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

I need to know what the doctor's ORDER was regarding weight-bearing. If he/she told you to avoid weight-bearing to allow the ankle to heal, then you shouldn't be putting weight on it.

The order was not to put any weight on it.

UConnJulie · 08-11-2008, 09:59 PM

Then that is exactly what you should be doing ... NOT putting any weight on it. The doctor gave that order for a reason ... to allow the ankle to heal properly. And putting weight on it too soon can alter that healing.

This is where you can be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Take the time now to allow it to heal appropriately so that down the road it is not giving you problems so that you can get back to doing the things you want to do.