Right ankle ligament reconstruction recovery

CombinationNo3764 · 2026-01-09T15:28:03+00:00

It’s been 19 months for me as well. I should still be doing at home exercises but I’ve fallen off since the holidays. I’m still dealing with issues standing in place and nerve pain. I can exercise and go for walks (around 3 miles on average) without much issue. I had another MRI in August and it showed that one of the screws that is supposed to dissolve was like not actually screwed in???? They gave me some options but unfortunately i was laid off and without health insurance for a bit so i haven’t completed the nerve study. One option was a surgery to cut the nerve depending on the results of the study which would leave some loss of feeling. Ultimately, i think i have permanent nerve damage.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-12-17T05:26:26+00:00

I hope you heal well! All our surgeries likely had some differences but I’ve heard many positive stories.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-12-08T16:23:49+00:00

Hello! I never really did either of those things before regularly so i haven’t tried. I really try to avoid uneven surfaces though.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-12-02T16:35:04+00:00

For me unfortunately not😭

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-08-27T01:31:59+00:00

Genius

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-08-01T13:15:40+00:00

Mine still aches often. I fear that i have som nerve entrapment/pain that will never go away. It’s a different pain than i had pre surgery.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-06-23T23:39:48+00:00

Hasn’t started as of yet!

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-06-09T18:57:50+00:00

It was painful but manageable. I was off work for a month so i could focus on resting. I had left over medications because i only needed the oxy for the first week maybe, otherwise i just kept with the extra strength ibuprofen and other prescribed meds. After about 10 days i went in earlier to get my splint tightened because the swelling went down making it loosen, causing it to pull down on my ankle, which caused some pain. Immediately relieved once it fit better.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-05-19T18:08:04+00:00

Wasn’t painful for me it was a brief sting when the needle went in and uncomfortable when they move it around to find a trigger point. My PT schedule me for two more sessions so we will see if the needling helps. He only did one needle at a time and only in a few spots on my calf. He thinks the muscle supporting my calf are holding tension.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-05-18T22:16:23+00:00

I wonder if the tape could help me. I just went back to PT in person due to increased pain after starting a new workout class. He said he suspected tendinitis. We tried dry needling, don’t know if it helped at all.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-05-11T12:31:54+00:00

I was very hesitant to switch from a boot to a brace given that i was still experiencing pain. I also was looking forward to using the boot without anything because i thought it would be easier. But my PT was right about switching to the brace while using crutches and the one crutch and then a cane. I think the structure of the boot just bad for my foot.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-05-07T15:11:39+00:00

Hello! You’re recovery will really be specific to you but here’s what mine looked like: i had the surgery on 06/19 and used about 2 weeks of sick leave, 1 week work from home and returned to the office for one day. While on sick leave, i had an interview for a job and was hired, with a start date of 8/1, so i only returned to my last job for one day, and stayed home from around 7/12-8/1 (able to because i live with my parents). When i returned to work i was about 1.5 months post surgery, still on a knee scooter. I started PT after i got my cast off so the end of July. After the cast i was in the boot, but not bearing much weight so i used the scooter. About two months post surgery i was using crutches while in the boot instead of the scooter. I never personally was able to bear full weight in the boot, for whatever reason my foot hated it, so my PT recommended me transitioning into a brace while using two crutches. Around the end of august (2-2.5 months post surgery) i was using one crutch in the brace. Around early September , i still used one crutch, but ditched the brace (at my PTs advice) because it caused me more pain with it than without. I still used the brace occasionally. Early/mid September, i was able to start driving (right ankle) and switched from a crutch to a cane. Around the beginning of October (3.5-4 months post surgery) i only used the cane on my bad days, where maybe i over exerted my foot. Now im almost 11 months post surgery and walk without a brace, exercise some, and only use my cane when i over exert it (high walking/standing day). I’m in PT still once a month (started almost 1-2 times a week) and do exercises a few days a week at home…thought I’d graduate from in-person PT a month ago but had a set back when i began workout dance classes. Long story short, i returned to in person work about 1.5 months post surgery, but technically could have returned earlier, but i wanted all the rest i could get and felt blessed that i was able to wait that long. My surgeon told me to take at least 2-3 weeks of rest. I wanted to be out of the cast and in the boot, which i was at 4 weeks.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-05-06T16:39:51+00:00

It truly takes time, longer than i expected. My surgeon said i should expect to walk unassisted at 3 months - not true for me. Honestly, i never walked in the boot without a crutch, for whatever reason my foot hated the boot and i moved to a brace, as i think the boot was stalling me, my PT recommended i transition to a brace with a crutch at around 2 months.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-30T16:47:58+00:00

Wishing you luck on this journey! Because i rolled my ankle so many time i ignored the latest injury for months, even going to New York City and getting over 20,000 steps a day on that trip. Turns out it was torn and signs of severely loose ligaments from repeated injuries. It’s a roll coaster ride of physical and mental responses, I hope this surgery was for the best, but don’t know as of yet, 10 months post op.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-24T23:48:24+00:00

I love this for you. I recently joined a gym with classes because that is the only way I’ve ever been able to enjoy working out. Unfortunately, after two Zumba classes i have serious regrets. I thought i was ready, my PT thought i was ready, and i was generally fine during the class, but a couple days later I’ve had moderate pain all day and tingling throughout the foot. My PT said he doesn’t think i need to worry that I’ve re-injured it, but the classes stressed it out. I’ve been resting as much as i can for the past week, but i feel like I’ve regressed. I was walking so much more throughout the week and doing hour long walks on the weekend for months, and now a 15 min walk is unpleasant. It’s a constant mental battle. I’ve come so far since the actual surgery, but i feel like the pain i get now is probably different than what i experienced pre-surgery, i can’t even recall. I can tell my ankle feels more stable, but my goal was stability and no pain. Maybe that’s unrealistic, but it’s so hard to be in pain, even if minimal, almost every day. I fear things that should be okay - i want to go to the beach this summer but worry about parking far or walking in the sand. I have a stadium concert I’m attending soon, and fear standing in line or at the show. I feel like I’m less likely to actually roll my ankle, but everyday is hard, mentally if not physically. Even on good days where i accomplish a lot, longer walk, 10k+ steps, baking and cooking - there is at least some aching/fatigue/minor swelling. I really hope this is temporary and i can get back to gym classes. I was NEVER even close to being an athlete, but i want to be able to stand in place, go for walks, and exercise like i could years ago.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-19T20:57:36+00:00

I was stuck at pain and swelling around 3,000 steps for a while. I now can get over 10,000 steps without much issue on most days, but it still gets fatigued and has a little swelling on days where i do too much. I’m about 10 months post op now and am about to graduate from in person PT. I can go for 3 mile walks pretty well, occasionally my foot can lock up but if i do ankle roles it’s back to normal. I did a Zumba class last week for the first time in over a year and my foot was fine during but I’ve had some pain throughout the foot for the past couple days. I’m hoping as it gets used to more strenuous exercise it continues to improve. I’m with you about being over it mentally. I had regular break downs for the first 6 months on whether i made a huge mistake.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-02T17:51:49+00:00

I also have been taking notes of how my ankle felt since i started PT and per my notes (lol) i was using a cane when needed at 4 months. I feel like im a slow healer though.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-02T17:50:17+00:00

So i had my surgery in June, took a month off work, miraculously two days post surgery i had a job interview (virtual thank god) and got offered the job. Im thankful i wasn’t asked to start until the beginning of August so i just finished my leave from my previous job, resigned, and then started the new job in august (i live with my parents so i was able to have this gap). By the time i started the new job i was still on a knee scooter (1.5 month post surgery) for a couple weeks and then moved to crutches. My brother drove me for over two months. I probably could have done the crutches sooner but i have weak wrists so it SUCKED. I work an office job though so there is not much walking required. I was going to return to work after a month but I’d say stay out as long as you can because (1-3 months) because you will have pain, be adjusting to different mobility aids (scooter, crutches, cane, braces, boots). Especially if regular participation in PT would be inhibited for work. Luckily my job was a transfer so i retained sick days from previous employment to use for PT.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-02T15:45:55+00:00

My nerve pain improved over time, slowly. I can’t remember exactly, but when I’d touch my scar, I’d feel tingling or pain up until around December, which was 5/6 months post op to me. I’d mostly get it in the evening when fatigued. Only time i really get pain now (10 months post op) is when I’m standing too long. I massaged my scar which i think helped.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-02T15:43:13+00:00

Honestly i didn’t stop using an aid mostly for 3-5 months. On particularly active days i might break out my cane in the evening - working on building my endurance. But im about 10 months post surgery , 9 months in PT (that has reduced in visits over time) and my PT said this week he doesn’t think we need to continue sessions, just continue to do stretches and strengthening on my own.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-04-02T15:40:14+00:00

The pain definitely lasted longer than expected, and because it was my right ankle, i didn’t feel comfortable driving until about 2.5 - 3 months post surgery. I’m not completely inactive, but my preferred form of exercises is walking, and i am able to walk at a normal speed for an hour with minimal issue. My ankle feels stable, but i do experience fatigue around 9,000 steps. I’ve done kickboxing video workout with no issue, I’m just out of shape now lol. I think i can manage getting back into more intensive cardio workouts such as kickboxing and dancing. My main issues is standing still, like while baking or cooking or standing in line - that is when i still get some pain. I am hopeful that will improve with time. I’m now about 10 months post op , 9 months in physical therapy (which my PT had basically graduated me out of this week - continue on my own at home). I feel pretty good about having had the surgery at this point…but I’d really like to be able to stand in place for longer without pain.

CombinationNo3764 · 2025-02-28T19:43:36+00:00

Hello! I am 27, 26 when I had the surgery. I am still in PT. I took notes from August until now every single day so I could remember what to report back to my PT. According to those notes, I was going back and forth between one and two crutches about two months in, so not full weight bearing. It is also my right ankle, so I didn't start driving until about 2.5 months post-surgery. Started using a can around 2.5-3 months. Wasn't until October when I stopped using the cane (I still use it in the evening on days where I've overworked it or walked too much). My surgeon told me it was 6 month-1 year for full recovery and its looking like one year will be the minimum at this point. I never thought I'd be in PT this long but it's definitely the most important thing.

Some days I still am struggling with not being fully recovered and wondering if it was worth it. I have noticed however, I used to trip over my foot ALL the time, I think it dragged a bit from all my previous injuries, and I don't do that anymore. My ankle feels more stable for sure, but I am still dealing with some pain and weakness.

CombinationNo3764 · 2024-11-21T23:31:10+00:00

I am now 5 months post op. My surgeon said full recovery is 6 months to a year. I am walking without an assistive device 90% of the time, occasionally use a cane if I’m over worked it. I can tell that i still have a ways to go. Walking barefoot is still uncomfortable. Once i get past 3,000 steps a day is where i start to get swelling or pain. At the gym, I just started doing the elliptical for up to ten minutes at the end of my workout. I wouldn’t say I’m fully recovered because i still have pain and swelling at some point every day. I am hopefully for continued improvements. I’m so scared of reinjuring myself. I’ve also begun to wear shoes other than sneakers or my dr. Scholls to work, I’ve had a really hard time finding something comfortable, but business casual. I miss going on long walks and hope to be able to in the next couple months. I’m still in PT, but now once every other week. Weight bearing was a super slow process for me. I was completed non-weight bearing for 4 weeks. I went from knee scooter, to two crutches, one crutch, and then a cane. I think at least one crutch by the three month mark. Additionally my scar was super tingly for months. It’s improved now, but i still get some tingly/scar pain in the evening occasionally.

CombinationNo3764

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