ANKLE FRACTURE

Ankle Fracture Post-Op Rehabilitation Protocol:

This protocol provides you with general guidelines for rehabilitation after ankle fracture surgery.
Specific changes in the program will be made by your physician as appropriate for each individual patient.
Ankle fractures have a wide range of complexity and severity and each individual heals at a different rate. It may take up to 12 months to make a full recovery, and it is not unusual to have intermittent aches and pains throughout the course of your rehabilitation.

Non-weightbearing in a short leg splint or CAM boot for the first 2 weeks after surgery
- Sutures are typically removed at 2 weeks
- Depending upon the complexity of your surgery, you may transition into removable walking boot or short leg cast at 2 weeks after surgery
Once you are transitioned to a removable walking boot you may remove the boot and while in a seated and protected position and begin to move your ankle up and down (ankle pumps)
Physical therapy will start at 2-4 weeks post op
You may begin driving at 8-12 weeks after surgery depending upon your progression
- Note: It is illegal to drive while wearing a walking boot
At 12 weeks begin gentle higher impact activities
Once you can perform a single heel rise or single leg hop, you may able return to high impact activities. This may take between 6 months to 1 year depending upon the complexity of your fracture and your progression during rehabilitation