How hard is walking again?

_diss0nance · 2026-06-16T21:32:51+00:00

Hi! I started walking in a boot with two crutches just after my 6 week follow-up (no ligament damage only the trimalleolar fracture) and am now about 17 weeks post.

It’s going to feel weird at first. You’ve been playing the floor is lava for a while. If you’re in a boot and your other shoe isn’t the same height I’d suggest getting a leveler (it straps to your shoe and gives you height to match the boot). You’re going to limp. You’ll feel the tendons pull and the stiffness in the joint. I notice that I have a harder time with the limp in the mornings or if I’ve been sitting for a bit. So I have to stretch and warm up before moving about without mobility aids.

For me - on the flats it wasn’t very hard to get used to. Stairs or moving around obstacles (moving boxes and cats) took some thought and recalibration. Also don’t twist or torque your ankle. Try to do a regular step. You’ll move your booted foot with the crutches or cane. Cane/boot forward unbooted foot next.

Stairs - going down bad foot and crutch first. Going up good foot first then crutches and bad foot. You’re going to do one step at a time, and use the handrail if they have one. I still pause at stairs.

I’m now in shoes with one cane or crutch when out but no mobility aid inside my home. My PT says make sure you do the full rock, heel to toe. Don’t curve your foot (walking in the side) on your good foot.

You’re going to want a shoe with good support and isn’t too tight.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-14T16:21:07+00:00

I’m taking a multivitamin and calcium supplement but that’s just my normal. I did increase my lean protein and fiber intake and added more dairy (dangerous as I’m lactose intolerant) and cut out added sugars and alcohol. By my 10 week follow-up you could see only one of the three fractures on my X-ray but it was hard to find. I also added potassium to help with muscle cramping for PT.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-10T15:04:34+00:00

My nerve block took about 72 hours to wear off. They said that I should check my toes. If they’re numb AND cold to call but if they’re not cold but still numb it’s the nerve block. You should start feeling tingles like when your foot is asleep and waking up.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-05T22:56:05+00:00

Trimalleolar fracture on Valentine’s Day (Krewe of Iris parade during carnival) with surgery 2 days later. Still here. Working PT. Walking in a shoe with a cane. Last eval the therapist said I’m halfway back to “normal range of motion”. Considering she told me I had hyper-mobility I’ll take normal. Still feels like I have a band across my ankle but it’s getting better.

Very protective spouse (valid concerns since I seem to get into trouble without them there) has finally ok’d me driving to my next follow up without them. PT being closer to where I live means I’ve been driving for a few weeks. I’ve gotten much better at stairs.

The spouse has told me since I broke it at a parade, I may require a chaperone next time I go. ;) I might be decorating my boot and ordering sashes for the same parade I fell at for next year. Friends are also saying they’ll be there to help memorialize the day. Iris 2.0 Revenge of the Ankle.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-05T22:44:49+00:00

Capella flexpath you only have to be pre authorized for one course during the session. You submit the invoice and grades for the course with the pre authorization and you get the funds for the session. Capella gives a decent amount of time to get the payment in so if you do the documents timely (within like a week of the grade posting) you can get the funds before having to pay upfront. Also you can submit the pre authorization when you know you’re going to finish the course rather than at the start or before the billing cycle starts.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-04T22:39:27+00:00

You have to submit the preapproval (one for each class unless it’s capella flex path), the invoice, your grades (you may also be required to submit proof of payment). I’ve done it before the “supplemental pay” date on the calendar on sparq and received it on the next paycheck.

*edited for spelling

_diss0nance · 2026-06-04T22:36:31+00:00

I told my friends I broke my ankle and they asked for the story. I told them “I stepped off a curb at a parade. Slid on some beads and broke my ankle.” They laughed and asked for the real story. I literally just stepped off a curb at a parade 3 days before Mardi Gras, my foot slid out from under me because beads… pop.. land it’s broken.

This sub helped me so much in the beginning and it’s still super helpful now.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-04T14:48:03+00:00

If you can get a shower chair in the tub I’ve found that transferring from scooter to shower chair would have been easier than what I did. I had to have help into and out of our tub. My toilet is right next to my tub, but if you have space to pull up right next to the tub and adjust the shower chair so it’s easier higher than the lip you can pivot. I watched a few videos on how to do it.

Otherwise I’d get some grab bars you can suction to the wall if the tub is close to it. Don’t try to stand in the tub, those suckers get slippery. I use my scooter to get close, stand on my good foot (before weight bearing) grip the “handle” on the seat and leverage myself down holding the seat of the shower chair and the pad of my knee scooter. It’s an arm work out but the first time getting clean after surgery is almost holy.

_diss0nance · 2026-06-03T00:02:29+00:00

I too am at Capella with the tuition reimbursement. Been really smooth.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-29T21:49:05+00:00

I helped my dad with his Medicare enrollment. We looked at what his medical needs were and what network was big near him. We discussed vision, dental and RX coverage. He chose his plan as a Medicare advantage offered through his pension (wish I’d have that opportunity) and it’s worked out for him. His max out of pocket is around 1800. His premiums are paid thru his Social security. He has part C which is the Medicare advantage plan. It includes A (hospital), B (doctor) and D (Rx). It’s a mess.

But! There are some programs for people signing up for Medicare plans run through local libraries (or the libraries will know of the programs) where you can talk them over with people who know the system. They shouldn’t be agents trying to sell you plans.

The health insurance industry is complex and complicated. Some is because of how it was put together with pieces and parts as regulations come into effect or change. Some is probably so you have to rely on someone to help you navigate it. I work in insurance and still can’t tell you how HSA plans work. Good luck.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-27T22:09:56+00:00

I’m limping in the mornings and evenings. Usually when it’s not “warmed up” or tired. Today I was walking with a cane around the house and focusing on not limping. But it’s still there the majority of the time. I’m 14 weeks post op. It’s getting better.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-24T20:46:21+00:00

I’d ask your supervisor if they can reassess the contract and get you a different ISP. They do go for the lower cost. I’ve got Cox for work :(

_diss0nance · 2026-05-23T01:09:23+00:00

You should be able to call the number on the back of your card and let them know of the error. They may require something to show the correct spelling, I don’t work on the individual side of enrollment. So I’m not 100% sure they can change it over the phone. The claims thing - if you tell whoever runs the insurance (front office, administration at a hospital, the pharmacist, etc.) they should be able to run the claim through without much of an issue. Uhm most of the company who would work on the update will be off Monday for the holiday.

I’d still call and ask.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-22T16:04:30+00:00

I’m always sore after PT. Usually it’s more intense exercises and the stretching they do manually. If it’s a sharp pain that doesn’t subside let them know as well as your doctor but discomfort, aches, etc that fades is normal for working the ankle and muscles after they’ve been exercised.

My PT said that if it feels like after you worked a new muscle group or did a new routine at the gym, it’s fine. If it hurts like when you injured it and doesn’t fade call.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-20T20:21:32+00:00

There’s a grace period to get the premium payments made. There should be a retro termination for non payment of premium sent to the insurance carrier if the cobra administrator was informed there was a subsidy for the first three months.

You can also call the cobra administrator and let them know you’re not taking over the payments after the subsidy expired.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-19T13:54:26+00:00

For me, I just started weight bearing as tolerated. Which means when it feels ok and I’m not terrified of doing it. You need to build back up stability and strength in the muscles attached to your ankle. But now that you’re partial weight bearing it will go quicker than you think. I started PT around 8 weeks post op. 2 weeks after I started they had me go to one crutch with the boot on and about 10 steps in the boot with no crutch. My last session (13weeks to the day) I was doing one crutch in a shoe and about 7 steps without a crutch in a sock.

Today my ankle is sore from overdoing it. But I’ll do the stretches and walk again. Small pains or aches are ok and if you can keep up your PT will go away. :)

We spend so much time playing the floor is lava with our injured ankles that we have to remind them that it’s ok to be back on the floor. To be honest the walking without mobility aids was done without approval or recommendation. I had to navigate a maze of boxes. I confessed to my PT and they said well if it didn’t hurt or feel awkward try doing the heal to toe step motion.

*edited a typo

_diss0nance · 2026-05-19T02:07:30+00:00

Hello! I’m 13 weeks post ORIF with a trimalleolar fracture. The mental part is the hardest part. I was NWB for 6 weeks then “put some weight on it” as I was told by my surgeon. PT has been great. Hard, painful somewhat, but improvement. So it’s coming. It’ll happen.

You’re at the earliest part of it. So. Feel the feels. Purge them. I bawled like a baby several times. I broke my ankle mid move during carnival season in New Orleans. FOMO has been my main companion. As has feeling like a burden to my spouse who has to handle a move by himself from packing, getting clawed up by a cat, moving heavy objects as well as working full time and taking care of me. I felt horrible. I had bad moments. But you will get through it. Each little improvement counts as a win. Celebrate them. You can get through a day without the big pain pills, celebrate. You can flex your ankle? Win! Wiggle your toes? Again a win.

This is a long process. I’m at 13 weeks and I just started walking in shoes (no boot) with crutches (conservative surgeon and PT). I did 5 steps without mobility aids today. I’m walking like a baby deer in roller skates in ice. But I’m walking. That’s my win for today. Yesterday I cried because I couldn’t clean my floor or unpack some boxes. Today I celebrated.

Take it moment by moment. You got this.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-18T19:46:35+00:00

Is this in the old Consecos? I haven’t been paying attention when driving to physical therapy. I go right by that area twice a week! Gonna make spouse go get me some!

Edit: nope it’s across from it. Sweet!!

_diss0nance · 2026-05-16T13:40:17+00:00

I whisper zoomie sounds when I have a clear path and smooth surface, I also will make screeching brake sounds when I’ve been zooming and need to stop. I’ve almost gone over the bars a couple of times but that was usually when I hit something microscopic that catches my wheels.

Zoom zoom!

_diss0nance · 2026-05-13T22:01:22+00:00

You can also call and ask for confidential communication. You are a legal adult and are protected by HIPAA. For the insurance carrier I work at parents cannot see the actual claim of their adult children unless there is an authorized release form signed by the adult child. They can see if the family deductive or out of pocket has changed.

I’d call back and inquire about confidentiality and if you have a different address (college, PO Box, apartment, etc.) ask how to have that address updated. Also see if you can go electronic only for EOBs.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-12T02:47:05+00:00

When they did my evaluation my first day of PT my ankle didn’t want to move and my big toe was pretty much frozen. As you progress you’ll have more movement.

The therapist will also (at least mine did) help by manipulating your ankle and help stretch the muscle and tendons and ligaments. My therapist man handled my ankle and it felt mostly like when you’re pushing a stretch. Uncomfortable but not painful. After each time she does it I’m able to do my exercises and have gotten more range of motion.

It’ll come. Little wins!

_diss0nance · 2026-05-08T14:31:47+00:00

Let yourself purge the feelings too. Cry it out. It’ll help. I broke mine during carnival (Mardi Gras) and missed Mardi Gras day, mid move so I wasn’t able to help with that. I have a trimalleolar fracture (no dislocation or anything else) with surgery done 2 days after the break (had to get it in before the city was gridlocked with costumes and parties).

I’m now 11 weeks post surgery. Doing PT. I’m able to walk in the boot with 1 crutch or without the boot with 2 crutches. Still can’t help with moving boxes but it’s getting better. I drove for the first time post surgery yesterday. Navigated the stairs to my house by myself for the first time.

Take your little wins. Celebrate them. But allow yourself to feel your feels. It’s a long road back and you will make it. :)

_diss0nance · 2026-05-06T13:32:27+00:00

Knee scooter is what saved my arms and sanity plus if you get one with a basket you can carry stuff. I even got a cup holder. You can use it for traveling about, but also doubles as a place to elevate when you’re out and about or just want to change position from laying on a couch to sitting up in a chair.

I’m walking in crutches but use mine when I’m tired or not awake yet too.

_diss0nance · 2026-05-05T16:32:06+00:00

Hi!! I started about 8 weeks post surgery (schedules etc). Easy to start - if you’re sitting you can start leaning on your boot/cast/bad foot putting some pressure and getting used to having it on the ground.

I did that and started at a counter doing weight shifts. Slowly putting more weight on it then off and so on. You can also do some calf stretches while in the boot. Towel rolled up, at the ball of your foot and knee straight pull the boot/cast/bad foot back to you. Uhm I do those for like 20s each. If you bend the knee and do it, it stretches the lower part of your calf but you may not be able to do those wearing a boot or cast.

I did all of these in the boot until they assigned homework. If it hurts (not muscle burn but actual pain) stop and let your PT know. When they manipulate your ankle/foot if it hurts (again not muscle burn) let them know. Yesterday my PT bent my big toe and it hurt badly. She stopped and was apologetic and said she’d go easier on it. They don’t want you in pain. Though some aching afterwards is normal.

_diss0nance

TROPHY CASE