It can be difficult to progress to the next award level because the ankle will take double the weight when you move to lifting the good leg to lower only on the operated leg.Ankle fractures are common and frequently managed using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). You can stand on a skipping rope and adjust your foot position You can go up and down on tiptoes in sets of 3, slowly and 15 reps in each THE ‘SURREY STAGES’ PHYSIOTHERAPY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM Lift your heel as far as possible while keeping your toes on the floor. This will encourage the ankle to move in all directions. Physio Exercises: Get your ankle moving! Do the following every waking hour 10-15 timesĪ) Alternate the ankle between dorsiflexion and plantarflexionī) Alternate the ankle between inversion and eversionĬ) Draw the Alphabet with your big toe. You make take the boot off at night and to do your physiotherapy Progress to the Surrey Stages to Strengthen Ankle Start to work on strengthening when swelling improves and range of motion is near normal You must use the aircast boot to stand and walk You may need to wear a DVT stocking to help keep your swelling under control Please remember that the more time spent standing or walking, the more swollen your ankle and foot will be and the worse your healing will be. Instructions once into a removable splint:Ĭontinue to elevate leg to level of heart Instructions while in a plaster cast (if your surgeon decides you need plaster after 2 weeks):įollow the weight bearing instructions you are givenĭiscuss whether or not to have crutches with your surgeon. Unless you are already on a blood thinner (for a medical condition) you will be given blood thinners. Non-weightbearing on injured leg with the aid of crutches Please remember that the more time spent standing or walking, the more swollen your ankle and foot will be and the worse your healing will be Instructions while in a half-plaster cast (a back slab) 0-2weeks: Take Vitamin D (25ug) and ensure good sources of Calcium in Diet (yoghurt, cheese, milk, oily fish, dark green vegetables and fortified cereals) and do so for the first 3 months after surgeryĮnsure diet has good sources of vitamin C (Fresh Fruit and Vegetables) The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are breathless & chest pain- Call 911 If the blood clot were to move to the lungs you would have a pulmonary embolism which is a medical emergency If you were to have any of the above symptoms you would have to have your plaster removed and a scan to look for a blood clot and then be treated with blood thinners at a higher doseĭuring office hours this can usually be done through the fracture clinic if you are an NHS patient and through my private office if you are a private patient. The leg (above the ankle) would become hard, heavy, swollen, painful and/or red and the plaster my become more uncomfortable If you were to develop a DVT you would likely have some symptoms and so it is very helpful if know what to look for: You will be given blood thinners for the first two weeks when you are at your least active. Finally elevating your leg ABOVE the level of your heart will minimise the amount of swelling you have which will also help to prevent a DVT. Keeping yourself hydrated is also helpful to prevent a DVT. You can help prevent a blood clot by keeping your knee moving. A blood clot can occur after the trauma of ankle fracture because the leg is swollen, there may have been injury to the deep veins and because the leg is immobilised in plaster. A DVT is a Deep Vein Thrombosis or a blood clot in the leg.
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