How long should you elevate a 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.

Should I keep my broken ankle elevated at night?

Yes. This is probably the most important thing to remember when sleeping with a cast, no matter what bone you've broken. Keeping the injured bone elevated above the heart prevents blood from pooling around the break which can cause painful swelling.

How long should I elevate my broken foot?

In most cases, you should elevate your injury between two and three hours total per day.

How much should you elevate a broken foot?

Prop up the sore foot on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.

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.

ELEVATION | Broken Ankle 101 | Swelling | Elevating your ankle |

What is the fastest way to heal a broken ankle?

Rest: Rest is key. Staying off your injury will help you heal faster. You will likely wear a cast to help keep the foot and ankle immobilized. Ice: Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time to help with swelling and inflammation.

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.

What happens if you elevate your legs for too long?

Don't elevate your legs on a table or desk without a cushion to prevent the edges and corners from digging into your skin. This can cause leg pain, bruising, spider veins, and nerve damage to the area. It's also counterproductive, as it hurts circulation to the area due to excessive pressure.

How should I elevate my ankle while sleeping?

It's best to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. Wedge-shaped pillows make this easier to do. You can also use pillows or folded blankets you have on hand to elevate your legs in bed to help circulation.

How long should you elevate your feet to reduce swelling?

The more the swelling and the longer there has been swelling, the longer and more frequently your need to elevate your legs. Start with 20 minutes twice a day. This might do the trick. If not, go to 30 minutes or even an hour.

How high should I elevate my leg after ankle surgery?

To reduce swelling and promote comfort, elevation is very helpful. Elevate the foot/ankle above the level of the heart, using several pillows, for at least 14 days after surgery. Do not place pillows directly behind the knee. Elevation for 30 minutes every 2 hours is a good initial recommendation.

What helps broken bones heal faster?

Can you elevate your leg too much after surgery?

Minimize sitting time as much as possible to limit swelling. When sitting, elevate your leg as tolerated. Do not allow your leg to dangle downwards for too long.

Can I sleep without my walking boot?

If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash.

Do Broken bones heal faster when you sleep?

“There is no evidence, even anecdotal, that more sleep promotes or accelerates bone healing,” said Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, an orthopedic surgeon at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

Why am I so tired after breaking my ankle?

A serious injury leads to more mental and physical exhaustion that one might be prepared for. So if you are tired, don't feel guilty or confused as to why you are; instead, keep in mind that the fatigue is related to the stress of a new injury. Your body will need time to repair.

How long should you elevate your legs?

Spend 20-30 minutes with your legs elevated, then take a break and elevate them again later in the day. Repeat throughout the day: How frequently you should elevate your legs depends on the person. Try out 2-3 times per day for 20-30 minutes, and if the swelling is still there, repeat a few more times.

Can you elevate feet while sleeping on side?

Can I sleep with my legs elevated? Sleeping on your side isn't an ideal position for raising your legs. If you elevate your legs on your side, it could affect your spine and cause discomfort.

Is it okay to wear ankle support while sleeping?

Unless and until your healthcare provider recommends that explicitly, do not wear ankle braces while going to sleep. How tight should the ankle brace be? The ankle brace should be a snug fit for you. It shouldn't be so tight as to make you uncomfortable or so loose that it loses its purpose.

How can I elevate my feet in bed?

Positions in bed

If you have a hospital bed, you can do this by elevating the foot of the bed. If you are in a regular bed, use pillows to elevate each leg. Place the pillows lengthwise under each leg. Use as many pillows as needed to elevate your legs above your heart.

How do I elevate my ankles?

Keeping your foot raised helps decrease pain and swelling. When you elevate your ankle, try to keep it at the level of your heart. Lying on a couch with pillows under your foot is better than sitting in a chair with your foot on a footstool. Try to keep your foot elevated for 2 to 3 hours a day.

What happens when you raise your legs for 20 minutes?

In fact, just 20 minutes of the exercise is considered helpful to calm the nervous system and lower stress and anxiety, if any. When blood circulation increases in the body, it elevates the venous drainage, relieves tension or fatigue from the legs, feet and even the hips.

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!

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.

How do you know your 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.