The ankle joint with the heel forms the base of the ankle. As you know, the main load during the day falls on the lower part of the legs. It is especially difficult in this regard for people who have problems with being overweight. Ankle fracture is a serious injury that requires a rehabilitation course to be treated. Many doctors believe that this period of therapy is the most important, and if you skip it, you can get unpleasant complications. In this case, repeated relapse is possible, and the old injury will make itself felt for the rest of your life.
The recovery period of the ankle after a fracture depends on the complexity and type of injury, the presence of complications, etc. If the injury did not cause additional problems, then the rehabilitation process is easy. In the case of a bimalleolar or trimalleolar fracture, the time for treatment increases significantly, because the bone breaks in several places at once. Regardless of the complexity of the injury, it is necessary to go through the recovery process under the supervision of a specialist in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Main processesrehabilitation
The first step in recovering from a broken ankle involves wearing a cast. The duration of this process depends on the complexity of the injury, the problems that arose during the application of the cast and the nature of the damage to the ankle. The initial stage of recovery after a fracture of the ankle without displacement lasts approximately 1-2 months. If there are additional problems, then the plaster cast may not be removed for six months.
The patient must understand that this injury is serious, so the doctor's supervision and control over the rehabilitation process is essential. In most cases, a plaster cast is applied to begin with and is not removed until the bone tissue has fused. Then a closed plaster is applied, which is worn until the leg is completely healed. In order for the bone to heal at a normal pace, you can not load the ankle with the weight of your body.
The second stage of recovery after a broken ankle consists of exercises aimed at improving the mobility of the injured leg. Typically, specialists prescribe the following procedures to the patient:
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy exercises.
It is worth noting that these procedures must be used in combination in order to achieve maximum results in the shortest possible time.
Features of the rehabilitation period
Wearing a cast is an indispensable part of the recovery process after an external ankle fracture. After this periodthe leg becomes weak and inactive. And in order to restore her strength, mobility and normal gait, the joint must be regularly developed. This will require perseverance and diligence not only of doctors, but also of the patient himself. After removing the plaster, the patient will have difficulty moving, and in order to facilitate this process, it is recommended to purchase an elbow crutch. However, this product should not be abused. The fact is that if you use it for more than two weeks, a lameness habit may form.
Immediately after removing the plaster bandage, the patient is prescribed a course of electromagnetic therapy. It includes electrophoresis, mud baths, warming the ankle. These procedures are essential for restoring an ankle after a fracture and the swelling that results from wearing a cast.
Then the patient is given a massage, the duration of which depends on the particular case. This procedure can last 5 days, and the entire rehabilitation period. As you know, massage contributes to the return of previous mobility and development of the joint. Such a procedure can be carried out by both the doctor himself and the patient as one of the stages of recovery after an ankle fracture at home.
After all these therapeutic measures, the patient needs to undergo a course of rehabilitation exercises. This step is mandatory and should not be ignored. Therapeutic exercise is aimed at restoring the mobility of the ankle. It includes a set of exercises with a systematic increase in the load oninjured leg. Let's talk about all stages of rehabilitation in more detail.
Physiotherapy
After the doctor removes the cast, he immediately prescribes physiotherapy. Recovery of a leg after an ankle fracture is impossible without these procedures. They are aimed at rehabilitation of the ankle, as well as giving mobility. In addition, with their help the following goals are achieved:
- strengthens bone tissue;
- the process of bone fusion increases;
- blood circulation normalizes;
- puffiness is removed.
Most doctors prescribe roughly the same physiotherapy treatments as they are the most effective. Among them stand out:
- electrophoresis;
- warming up the joint;
- taking a mud bath;
- effect of harmless currents;
- UV exposure.
In the beginning, all these activities are carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. In the future, the patient can carry them out independently. The length of the recovery period after an ankle fracture depends, among other things, on the conscientiousness of the patient. After all, if you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, the process will end as quickly as possible. The next stage of rehabilitation is massage. We will consider this procedure in more detail.
Massage at an early stage of treatment
The fact is that this event is more effective to use in combination with physiotherapy or physiotherapy exercises. In other words, massage can be applied at all stages of treatment. However, the tasks it performs are always different. At the primarystage of therapy, it is aimed at relaxing the muscles, and at a later stage - normalizing the mobility of the ankle.
First use massage on the second or third day after injury. It can be applied through plaster, the main thing is to do everything right, and then the result will not be long in coming. Many doctors recommend applying skeletal traction. It is aimed at the gradual reduction of fragments and keeping them in the desired position with the help of weights. This is a fairly effective technique, but there is one drawback - long bed rest is required, sometimes it lasts several months.
Before the massage, you need to achieve relaxation of all the muscles of the patient, vibration is used for this. It is worth noting that along with the injured leg, attention should be paid to a he althy one. The procedure should not be accompanied by pain or discomfort. The duration of a daily session is no more than 3-5 minutes. If the patient has skeletal traction, then you need to massage outside the focus, paying attention to the legs and hips.
Correct movements
Recovery time after an ankle fracture depends on the correct execution and direction of the techniques. Often massage is done by a specialist who knows all the nuances. But if the patient himself will carry out this procedure, then he needs to know where to start and how to finish.
Each session should begin with stroking the inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes. Kneading and rubbing can be done in any direction, in such a situationthe current doesn't matter.
It is worth noting that stroking should be done with fingers, a fist or the entire surface of the palm. As for rubbing, it is better to perform movements with great intensity in different directions. The kneading technique is carried out at later stages of treatment, as it is aimed at increasing muscle tone and normalizing ankle mobility. It must be performed with the help of fists and palms. Kneading is similar to the process of mixing dough, the movements should be intense.
The massage is finished in the recovery complex after an ankle fracture with percussive tapping and patting. Such actions can be performed with the fist or the edge of the palm. It is recommended to make stroking between receptions, as it helps to take a breath and relax a little for both participants in the process.
Massage in advanced stages
When full recovery is nearing, it is necessary to tone the muscles and restore their former mobility. To do this, use techniques such as kneading, rubbing and shock vibration. In addition, the use of intermittent strokes is quite effective. In the process of recovering from an ankle fracture, this massage can be performed at home. However, the person who performs it must be a professional, as one careless movement can lead to complications.
As soon as the plaster is removed, you can’t immediately start intensive receptions, because it’s no goodwill not lead. Moreover, such diligence will only negatively affect the recovery time after an ankle fracture. This is due to the fact that incorrect movements will cause pain in the ankle area, swelling may appear, and rehabilitation will be delayed.
If inflammation nevertheless occurs, it is recommended to use a light massage to remove it. Movements should be directed from the edges to the center, then you should apply the usual stroking. This simple technique should not be underestimated, the duration of the rehabilitation period directly depends on it.
During the massage, do not touch the fracture site. It is much more effective to massage the area around it. Excessive touching of the injury causes sharp pain and discomfort.
After removing the closed cast
As soon as the cast is removed, you need to gradually increase the physical load on the leg. Massage in the first two weeks should be done very carefully, let the ankle get used to it. Then you can already make intermittent strokes, while the movements of the hands will be carried out towards each other.
After a month, it's time to start stroking, touching the hearth zones. However, you still need to take precautions and not make sudden movements. Recovery from a non-displaced ankle fracture is fairly quick. If this is the case, then after a month you can already massage a little bolder, you should add a light tapping.
As already noted, massage is most effective whencombined with therapeutic exercises. In addition, during the rehabilitation period, you can regularly take mud baths and physiotherapy methods. If the patient did everything right, under the strict supervision of a doctor, then the rehabilitation process will be as quick and efficient as possible. Recovery after an ankle fracture will be complete, and the patient will be able to return to normal life. It should be remembered that this can only be achieved by following the recommendations of specialists.
Therapeutic gymnastics
After the patient has completed a course of physiotherapy and massage, it's time to start physical therapy. In other words, you need to do exercises to recover from an ankle fracture. Each session is very important, and is aimed at returning the necessary mobility to the joint, and the muscles can regain their former elasticity.
To begin with, you should do the exercises under the guidance of a specialist who prescribed this course. In the future, after achieving certain results, you can continue to study at home. It should be remembered that one exercise in time should take no more than 10 minutes. If there is pain in the ankle area, you need to postpone this task for a while. It is worth noting that the load should be gradually increased so that the leg gets used to it.
Doctors in most cases prescribe a course of fairly simple exercises that can be performed without effort. Usually the set of tasks includes:
- walking withresting on the injured leg, the main thing here is not to overdo it;
- swing the sore leg in different directions, it is advisable to keep it in the air for a while with the next swing;
- swing with both legs in the prone position;
- raise from heel to toe of both feet, you can do this with one foot;
- raising the leg back, trying not to arch your back;
- knee lift with a slight delay.
It is difficult to overestimate the usefulness of walking during the rehabilitation period. You need to constantly walk, to start on a flat surface, then you can use the simulators. If there is a staircase at home, you should practice on it. It must be remembered that going down after an injury is much more difficult than going up.
Objectives of physiotherapy exercises
Of course, the main goal of gymnastics is to return the mobility of the injured part of the leg. However, this is not the only task. In addition, the following physical education appointments are distinguished:
- due to slight physical exertion, the swelling of the damaged part of the leg is removed;
- exercises, in addition to rehabilitation purposes, are aimed at preventing flat feet and curvature of the toe;
- circulation improves.
How long does it take to recover from a broken ankle? It depends on how the rehabilitation process will go. Sometimes doctors prescribe additional exercises to speed recovery. For example, flexion exercises are quite popular; they are performed with fingers with joints. Walking is also very useful during this period.on heels and toes alternately. In this case, it is imperative to have orthopedic special insoles that must be put in shoes.
Remember that recovery time also depends on the severity of the ankle fracture. All doctor's recommendations must be followed. Otherwise, the rehabilitation process will take a long time, and lead to serious consequences. The area of the ankle where the fracture occurred will constantly hurt and haunt. What then to say about a broken ankle? Recovery after surgery takes a very long time. Of course, breaking both ankles is a very rare occurrence, and by far the most severe.
Recovery from a displaced ankle fracture
This is probably one of the most difficult cases. The period of rehabilitation of such a fracture cannot be determined even approximately. However, we can definitely say that the recovery will be very long. The fact is that with such a fracture, the lower limb remains immobile, and it must be carefully and systematically developed. These procedures begin already at a time when the plaster cast is still applied. Doctors usually recommend intervening in the second week.
To begin with, the simplest movements are made, which the tongue cannot call exercises. The doctor determines the time when new tasks can be introduced using an x-ray. If signs of bone fusion appear on it, then gradually the ankle begins to load.
As you know, a displaced ankle fractureis one of the most complex injuries, and therefore recovery takes a very long time. The rehabilitation process is monitored by a specialist with the help of regular x-rays. If they do not show improvement for a long time, then surgery is required. And after the operation, you also need to go through the recovery process.
What exercises should not be done during the rehabilitation period?
Many people, due to constant employment, cannot wait until the bone is completely healed, and put a lot of stress on the leg. This is strictly prohibited, such actions will lead to very unpleasant consequences. During rehabilitation, you can not run, jump, walk on the outer and inner sides of the foot, ride a bicycle, dance, move in heels, do strength exercises.
Properly performed gymnastics will help the patient to fully recover from the fracture, return to a normal normal life. It is necessary to take care of the injured leg, not to overload with unnecessary physical exercises, and to avoid injuries. It is recommended to take short walks, preferably with a guide. The elastic bandage can be left on until complete recovery, if without it there is a feeling of discomfort.
Within a year after the fracture, you should once again take care, because if a relapse occurs, the ankle may not fully recover.
