Will the physical therapy to rehab my leg (tibia/fibula break) hurt?
Will the physical therapy to rehab my leg (tibia/fibula break) hurt?
Apr 14
7 weeks ago i slipped on ice and broke my leg. I broke my tibia and my fibula and had 2 pins put across, above the ankle, and a clamp. I want to be able to walk again and start physical therapy tuesday. I have been on crutches non-weight bearing for 7 weeks. Do they teach me to walk? Pain?
Physical therapy, I believe, would help you a lot with recovery. First, yes, they will help you with gait training. You must practice walking heel to toe and if you need support, you may have an ankle brace or some sort of assisted walking device such as a cane. In physical therapy, while learning how to walk properly again after knee surgery, my physical therapist would either give me a cane for support and have me walk back and forth across the room telling me what I was doing wrong such as not bending my knee or put me on the treadmill on very very slow not for speed or strength, but just to practice having a normal gait. Also, I did aquatic physical therapy because it takes the load off and helps to normalize your gait in an easier environment. They may also do e.stim on your muscles to send impulses to get them to contract since they will be really weak and will have shut down as a result of surgery. I had this both before and after my surgery to retrain my muscles. It’s uncomfortable like little electrical impulses, but I wouldn’t call it painful.
Being non-weight bearing for 7 weeks, your muscles in your legs and ankle will have atrophied a lot. It will feel unstable due to muscle loss and the muscles and other tissues will be tight and stiff. Stretching and range of motion exercises as guided by a physical therapy and the ones you are prescribed to do at home will help you with this. You will start with simple strengthening and flexibility exercises such as using a band, writing the alphabet with your toes, and straight leg raises. As you progress, you will work on balance exercises, strengthening with weights, and then, eventually, sport specific/ high level exercises if you plan to return to sports or an active lifestyle.
It will hurt, but it seems as though you have already experienced significant pain. They will try and minimize it, but if you stay within your comfort zone all the time, your body will get locked in there and not want to go out. It’s going to be uncomfortable to regain your flexibility and other functions as it’s new to your leg to experience these things and it has to readjust.
If pain becomes a big problem, inform your physical therapist as they have several modalities to help with pain. Also, my doctor recommended taking a pain pill 30 minutes before therapy. Always end with ice to help swelling which can lead to some pain relief.
Good Luck :]
Physical therapy, I believe, would help you a lot with recovery. First, yes, they will help you with gait training. You must practice walking heel to toe and if you need support, you may have an ankle brace or some sort of assisted walking device such as a cane. In physical therapy, while learning how to walk properly again after knee surgery, my physical therapist would either give me a cane for support and have me walk back and forth across the room telling me what I was doing wrong such as not bending my knee or put me on the treadmill on very very slow not for speed or strength, but just to practice having a normal gait. Also, I did aquatic physical therapy because it takes the load off and helps to normalize your gait in an easier environment. They may also do e.stim on your muscles to send impulses to get them to contract since they will be really weak and will have shut down as a result of surgery. I had this both before and after my surgery to retrain my muscles. It’s uncomfortable like little electrical impulses, but I wouldn’t call it painful.
Being non-weight bearing for 7 weeks, your muscles in your legs and ankle will have atrophied a lot. It will feel unstable due to muscle loss and the muscles and other tissues will be tight and stiff. Stretching and range of motion exercises as guided by a physical therapy and the ones you are prescribed to do at home will help you with this. You will start with simple strengthening and flexibility exercises such as using a band, writing the alphabet with your toes, and straight leg raises. As you progress, you will work on balance exercises, strengthening with weights, and then, eventually, sport specific/ high level exercises if you plan to return to sports or an active lifestyle.
It will hurt, but it seems as though you have already experienced significant pain. They will try and minimize it, but if you stay within your comfort zone all the time, your body will get locked in there and not want to go out. It’s going to be uncomfortable to regain your flexibility and other functions as it’s new to your leg to experience these things and it has to readjust.
If pain becomes a big problem, inform your physical therapist as they have several modalities to help with pain. Also, my doctor recommended taking a pain pill 30 minutes before therapy. Always end with ice to help swelling which can lead to some pain relief.
Good Luck :]
References :
knee injury and surgery and many many many physical therapy appts both before surgery and after surgery