Can I walk on my broken ankle after 4 weeks?

If you don't need surgery, you might be able to walk on your own within six to eight weeks. If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with a walker or crutches.

Can a broken ankle heal in 4 weeks?

You can expect most ankle fractures depending on how severe they are, to take 4-8 weeks for the bones to heal completely and up to several months to regain full use and range of motion of the joint. More severe fractures, especially those requiring surgical repair, may take longer to heal.

What happens if you walk on a broken ankle too soon?

Putting weight on your ankle too soon may mean the bones do not heal properly. You may need to have your duties at work changed if your job requires walking, standing, or climbing stairs. At a certain point, you will be switched to a weight-bearing cast or splint.

Can a broken ankle heal in a month?

Depending on the severity of your foot and/or ankle fracture, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to fully recover. Speak with your doctor about what recovery may mean for you. Healing takes time, and even after the pain wears off it is important to take it easy.

Can you keep walking on a broken ankle?

Broken ankle — can you still walk? Typically, a minor ankle fracture won't prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you'll need to avoid walking for a few months.

Foot and Ankle Surgery Recovery: 4 Weeks Post-Surgery Concerns

How long does it take to walk properly after a broken ankle?

If you don't need surgery, you might be able to walk on your own within six to eight weeks. If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with a walker or crutches.

How do I know if my broken ankle is healing?

Most doctors check x-rays to see if bones are healing. The calcified blood clot around the fractured ends of the bones will show up on x-rays and is called “callus”. Callus is just new bone that has formed and grown across the fracture site. It's another sign that the broken bone is healed.

Can a fibula heal in 4 weeks?

Fibula Healing, Quickly and Completely

Fibular fracture treatment usually takes four to six weeks, as long as the patient doesn't try to return to action too soon. Complications are uncommon, and include: Non-union of a bone that doesn't 'knit' back together. Bone heals in an awkward position.

Can a fracture heal in 3 weeks?

How Long Does a Fracture Take to Heal? Most fractures heal in 6-8 weeks, but this varies tremendously from bone to bone and in each person based on many of the factors discussed above. Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks whereas a tibia fracture may take 20 weeks or more.

When can I start putting weight on my broken ankle?

Most people get the green light to slowly start putting weight on their leg around six weeks after breaking their ankle. The amount of time may be less or more depending on the severity of your injury, and it can take a few more weeks more before you're walking normally again.

Should I keep my walking boot on all day?

You SHOULD keep the boot on while you're laying around the house to prevent bumping the injury and to help the foot heal properly. Listening to your doctor and following the treatment plan will help to get you better and out of the boot faster!

What happens at 6 weeks after ankle surgery?

2-6 weeks: Non weight bearing with crutches/scooter and CAM Boot . Boot for sleeping. May be permitted to commence gradual, progressive weight bearing in boot. 6 week review – Progressive weight bearing initially in boot then wean as comfortable, then strengthening, reintroduction of exercises.

Can you walk on a broken foot with a boot?

Walking: You may walk on the foot as comfort allows but you may find it easier to walk on your heel in the early stages. The boot you have been given is for your comfort only and is not needed to aid fracture healing but will help to settle your symptoms.

Can an ankle fracture heal in 5 weeks?

They're also one of the most common bone fractures. Treatment for broken ankles depends on the fracture. More serious fractures require ankle surgery. It can take weeks or months for you to recover from an ankle fracture.

When can I stop elevating my broken ankle?

Ankle Care & Bathing

This is important! Keep your ankle elevated above heart level as much as possible for the first five days, then as needed when symptomatic for up to two weeks. This will prevent painful swelling and promote healing.

How long does an ankle stay swollen after a break?

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.

Can you walk on a broken foot after 3 weeks?

You can walk on your injured foot as much as your pain allows. You should gradually stop using the supportive shoe over three to five weeks, as your pain settles.

What slows down bone healing?

Smoking and high glucose levels interfere with bone healing. For all patients with fractured bones, immobilization is a critical part of treatment because any movement of bone fragments slows down the initial healing process.

Do broken bones ache as they heal?

When you suffer a fracture, it will eventually heal and recover to the point that you no longer experience pain. When pain continues beyond the sub-acute phase, it is called chronic pain. Many people never get to this phase, but for those who do, the pain continues for long after the injury is healed.

Can you walk on a broken fibula after 4 weeks?

Because the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, your doctor might allow you walk as the injury recovers. You also might be advised to use crutches, avoiding weight on the leg, until the bone heals because of the fibula's role in ankle stability.

How long before you can put weight on a broken fibula?

However, in most cases involving a broken fibula, it will take at least twice that amount of time, if not longer. If the break involves damage to the bone, blood vessels, soft tissue, and nerves, it normally takes three months or more to recover. You may not even be able to put weight on the leg for weeks.

What are the stages of fracture healing?

There are three stages of bone healing: the inflammatory, reparative, and remodeling stages.

What are the 4 stages of bone healing?

Does weight bearing help bones heal?

Weight-bearing is essential for bone healing in patients with autoimmune disease, fractures, and following orthopedic surgery. Low-intensity weight-bearing exercise has shown to be beneficial in bone healing over non-weight bearing exercises.