With foot/ankle injuries, always get a knee scooter in addition to ergonomic crutches, the kind with spring tips. I was NWB for more than two years total after seven lower-limb surgeries. Ask your surgeon if you can lie on your back, feet in the air, to do range-of-motion exercises for your legs, knees, groin, hips and IT bands. Ask for guidance on the gastrocnemius in particular.
@Herbaceous, has the doctor proposed an ultrasonic bone stimulator? And are you pounding calcium and Vitamin D?
Iāve now started doing a bit of walking in the boot. Itās tiring, but going OK overall. My next appointment is in two weeks.
I have been taking a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D supplement, so Iām hoping it heals well. The doctor didnāt seem overly concerned at my last appointment (and he did mention it had been 3 months since the initial break), so I guess maybe Iām just a slow healer? Iām 39, so starting to get a little older, but certainly not ancient!
Went outside for a walk today and I made it all the way to the end of the street and back! Hopefully I can start building up some more strength over the next few days - I will have to head back into the office in the new year. Iāve been working from home but theyāre starting to give me a hard time about it.
I second getting a knee scooter for when you really need to rest it in the house, it will let you use your hands. I really sympathise , I had an accident on June 2nd and am only just out of the boot two weeks ago and back driving but not yet allowed to ride.
Iām allowed to ride a static spin bike now which is helping build strength again.
I have scanned through this thread and canāt find that itās been suggested, but is getting some PEMF treatments an option for you? I know sometimes they can be contraindicated depending on your injury and timeline, and itās not cheap, but it can be very beneficial in helping the body to heal (my husband and I invested in our own machine a few years ago and itās some of the best money weāve spent).
All the best to youā hang in there.
I had an x-ray last week and was FINALLY cleared to start physio! Iāve been going to physio twice a week, getting stretched, ultrasounded, and zapped with electricity.
The physiotherapist was alarmed at first that Iād been in the boot/cast for so long, but she said Iām doing better than she would have expected. Everything is extremely tight (especially the calf), but I think I am already starting to notice a bit of improvement in my range of motion.
Going to try weaning out of the boot over the next few weeks. I may be able to get back to riding in a few weeks! Right now I think I could probably sit on a horse and ride - itās just the mounting part that Iām not sure about.
I did ask the doctor if I should be concerned that this took so long to heal - he said that it is longer than heād expect for a healthy 39 year old, but just on the high end of normal, not into āthis is concerningā territory. Guess Iām just a slow healer, unfortunately.
It doesnāt have to be all or nothing with the boot. I used to put the boot on for longer walks to burn some calories & build some stamina. I took it off for shorter walks - at work and around the house. I had argument with a guy one day over it. Finally told him it was my foot and not worry about it.
I found dry needling extremely helpful for the tight calves! I didnāt try it until more than 2 years post injury, but still found it made a huge (and lasting) difference.
Itās been about 5-1/2 months now since I broke my ankle, and I finally got back on a horse yesterday! My physiotherapist cleared me for very light riding - I practiced by mounting the stationary bike as if it was a horse.
My coach put me on the lunge line and I spent half an hour at the walk just getting back into the motion, doing some stretches, working on position, etc. It felt so good to be back on a horse!
Horsey was an absolute angel to his credit - even with the scary ice sliding off the arena roof, he barely even flinched the whole time. Such a good boy.
Itās going to take time, but I have to start somewhere! Maybe in another week or two Iāll get to try trotting.
This is great news! A long road, but you are getting there 
Great news!
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