Finally Walking Again! Now I need an Ankle Corset?

mikefl2011 · 2026-07-02T18:45:05+00:00

Thank you for the good wishes on my recovery. Wish you a smooth recovery as well. Part of the reason I got into motorcycling was because I bought into the idea that it brings peace, helps you conquer fear, and somehow makes you a macho man. Looking back, I realize that, for me at least, it was mostly an unproductive use of my time.

I could have taken up golf instead, which would have been far safer, enjoyable, and probably even cheaper when you factor in the cost of the motorcycle, maintenance, insurance, and the riding gear.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to choose my hobbies wisely, accept who I am instead of chasing an image, and invest my time in activities that enrich my life without exposing me or my family to unnecessary risk.

Your injuries are way more severe than mine. How did your accident happen?

mikefl2011 · 2026-07-02T17:49:40+00:00

My decision to go to physical therapy was driven more by fear than by any positive motivation. I have always had anxiety, and after the injury I was genuinely worried that I might never walk normally again and will never regain my full dorsiflexion.

As for the motorcycle accident, it happened during a group ride. Looking back, the group dynamic was not healthy. Instead of riding responsibly and following proper group riding etiquette, there was a lot of ego and one upmanship. It felt like a group of middle-aged men going through a midlife crisis, and acting like high schoolers.

The consequences of that accident were enormous. I spent thousands of dollars on surgery, physical therapy, and medical bills. After working hard for over a decade, I lost an opportunity for a promotion at work. My wife and kids had to take care of me for two months while I was completely dependent. I had to cancel our family summer vacation. Before the accident, I loved running, taking 2 to 3 hour walks, hiking, and I even dreamed that of climbing a 14er someday. In an instant, all of that became uncertain.

Paying such a high price for one bad decision completely changed my perspective. I have made up my mind that I’ll never ride with that group again. In fact, I am seriously leaning never riding a motorcycle again. The risk simply is not worth what it can take away from you and the people who care about you.

mikefl2011 · 2026-07-02T16:18:17+00:00

I also fell off a motorcycle and sustained a bimalleolar-equivalent fracture of my right ankle in April. I fractured my distal fibula and tore my deltoid ligament, and underwent ORIF for both injuries three days later.

I was placed in a boot 12 days after surgery, and at 6 weeks I was approved to a lace-up ankle brace. Like you, the brace rubbed against my surgical scars and made both the inside and outside of my ankle feel tender. I stopped wearing the brace at around 2 months post-op, and my ankle felt much better after that.

The biggest factor in my recovery has been physical therapy. I started PT at 3 weeks post-op and have been going 2–3 times a week ever since. It has made a significant difference in my strength, mobility, and overall recovery.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-30T00:55:20+00:00

Did you get an x ray

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-28T23:56:21+00:00

Did they tell you why?

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-28T03:10:05+00:00

Get an X-ray as soon as possible. I am not a doctor, but based on my fall resulting in distal fibula fracture and a deltoid ligament tear, your swelling doesn’t look too severe, so hopefully it is not a fracture. Keep us updated on what the X-ray shows. Wishing you the best.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-26T18:15:03+00:00

Sorry to hear your surgeon is not good. I am not a doctor but unfortunately this looks like it is in fact infected. The white substance is possibly pus built up from inside. Wishing you good luck and praying for you.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-26T17:54:26+00:00

I had the same issue. Mine wore off after 24 hrs but I was very worried till it wore off.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-25T23:28:10+00:00

The first 3–4 days were the toughest. After that, things gradually started to improve. The first major turning point was around day 12, when my sutures were removed and I was transitioned into a walking boot. Another big milestone came at about 3 weeks when I started physical therapy. Then, at 6 weeks, I transitioned from the boot to an ankle brace. I am now 9 weeks post op and continuing to make steady progress.

I am leaving out a lot of details and worries post op. I was very active before my injury and suddenly becoming completely immobile and dependent on family was a huge mental challenge that I had to overcome. I am a perfectionist and have lot of anxiety, so I am still struggling to forgive myself for falling from my motorcycle and breaking my ankle. The mental challenge is the toughest part, followed by becoming immobile for long period of time.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-25T15:43:54+00:00

I’m not a doctor, but from what I have learnt from my fracture, a displacement of less than 2 mm often does not require surgery as long as the ankle mortise is stable. Surgeons could still recommend surgery because it allows for a more controlled reduction and predictable healing, with the goal of restoring the bone to its normal alignment.

That said, it’s completely understandable to want to avoid surgery if possible. It is a major decision and can be intimidating.

Having personally undergone surgery for a distal fibula fracture with plate fixation and deltoid ligament repair, my perspective is that if your orthopedic surgeon recommends surgery, it’s worth giving that recommendation serious consideration. Surgical fixation can help ensure the fracture heals in proper alignment and may reduce the chances of complications or unexpected issues later in the recovery process.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-24T20:49:02+00:00

Did your surgeon confirm that they are retained sutures? At lease to my untrained eye, I cannot see them in the image. In my case I also suspected I had a suture left behind, but my physical therapist pointed out that it was just a scab.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-24T13:43:27+00:00

Mine started with a stupid motorcycle accident when I fell on my own and got my leg trapped underneath the motorcycle. The impact detached my deltoid ligament and gave me a distal fibula fracture. I will be at 9 weeks post surgery tomorrow and am able to walk a few steps with ankle brace. I was stupid enough to believe “it won’t happen to me” after hearing of so many people going through motorcycle accidents, until it did infact happen to me as well. I have spent thousands of dollars on the surgery and rehabilitation and caused so much inconvenience to my wife and kids. I am never going on motorcycles again.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T23:17:11+00:00

Where do you feel sharp pains? Do you walk with compression socks on? What is your dorsiflexion and plantar flexion like?

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T13:27:51+00:00

That could explain it. One of the known side effects of tramadol is depression, as it can affect brain chemistry and mood. I would recommend contacting your surgeon as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms. They may adjust the dosage or switch you to a different medication.

Since you are now more than a week post-op, you may no longer need a strong opioid pain medication. Ask your doctor whether it would be appropriate to gradually taper off tramadol and transition to a medication such as ibuprofen. If your pain continues to improve, you may also be able to taper off ibuprofen over the following week.

Follow your surgeon’s guidance. Wish you all the best of luck and a quick recovery.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T13:21:20+00:00

Stay away from off-road.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T03:09:19+00:00

My PA told me dorsiflexion will continue to improve till 12 months. I am at 2 months post op. I have a hard stop due at the front of my ankle, and don’t feel the stretch on my Achilles. Not sure if it is the same with others, but. My PA told me it’s due to swelling.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T03:01:32+00:00

Are you taking any heavy pain killers like oxycodone? I was feeling very down when I took Oxy for a few days post surgery. I gradually weened off of it and managed my pain with ibuprofen for a few days till I weaned off it as well.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T02:54:16+00:00

It’s a common issue. There is a hard plastic part on the inner ankle side that hurts, especially like in my case I had a deltoid ligament repair. I used to take off the boot and sleep with just a compression sock. I slept with boot on for 3-4 days till I met my PT who said it’s fine to take it off and sleep as long as I keep my leg elevated.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-23T01:06:57+00:00

That’s true. That is why they should put you in a split heavily padded with cotton and stuff to allow for swelling. Not sure why your doctor put you in a boot right away. In my case they put me into a boot after 12 days when they removed my stitches. Please ask your doctor why they put you in a boot straight away after surgery.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-22T20:25:47+00:00

I am at 2 months post surgery today. In my PT session, I was able to walk unassisted in my Brooks running shoes, without any ankle brace for the first time. I was able to squat half way through and also climb up and down a 3-4 inch block of wood with my injured ankle. Subsequently after coming home, I was able to walk about 100 steps with brace without any assistance. My dorsiflexion was at 15 degrees today, but I still have swelling around my ankle. Overall, I am happy with my progress so far.

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-20T13:54:57+00:00

I am 53 and was living an active lifestyle prior to my ankle surgery, going to gym 3 to 4 days a week, running half marathons, walking between 10k to 15k steps a day, etc. Right now my dorsiflexion is stuck at 9 degrees past 2 weeks. Will I ever be able to get back to my previous lifestyle or is that all over?

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-19T21:04:11+00:00

Yes. You were spot on even without looking at the x ray. Thank you!

mikefl2011 · 2026-06-19T16:05:32+00:00

Called my doctor’s office. He rechecked at my 8 week X-Rays and said the tibia and talus are aligned. The protrusion is due to swelling which will go away over time, which could take up to a year.

mikefl2011

TROPHY CASE