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Original poster

When to send back to school after broken ankle?

60 replies

DressedToThe90s · 15/03/2025 14:09

My son managed to break his ankle quite badly and had to have surgery earlier this week with two screws put in. He’s starting to feel a bit better now and I was wondering when he can realistically go back to school. Originally I’d thought he’d go back this Monday coming, but I’m worried about how he will move around the site without exhausting himself and being in pain. I’ve offered to get him one of those knee scooter things but he refuses point blank! He’s in a plaster cast up to his knee, and will have it changed to a lighter one and stitches out in another weeks time. He’s Y10 so really can’t afford to miss too much school at this point. Would be interested in hearing what others have done in this situation as well please! I’m actually not sure he’ll be able to put his school
trousers on over the cast which is another worry 🙈

AIBU- let the poor kid have another few days off school to heal
AINBU- try and get him back in ASAP and see how he gets on

OP posts:
Original poster
DressedToThe90s · 15/03/2025 14:42

Yes - he’s meant to have it elevated for 50mins every hour at the moment so that’s something else to factor in. My instinct was to keep him off until the stitches were out and the lighter cast was on, but I wasn’t sure if that was just me being excessively cautious. I’m also worried he’s going to get so behind in his schoolwork- he does do his schoolwork but could definitely put more effort in, and he’ll take any excuse to slack off. He’s not one of those kids that would be asking friends for lesson notes!

OP posts:
FixTheBone · 15/03/2025 14:31

Wait until the stitches come out and ask them to send some homework.

Swelling and pain will be the worst for the first 7-10 days anyway, and he'll only have a backslab on, which he'll potentially destroy moving around the school.

Once the wounds have healed, stitches are out, lighter cast is on and swelling is improving, he'll be much lower risk of anything going awry, and will find it much easier.

Sinkintotheswamp · 15/03/2025 14:31

Once he does go back the school must make sure he moves between lessons alone (with a mate). When DD broke her arm the school immediately made sure she avoided busy corridors.

Is it swollen? Should he keep it elevated at all during the day? If school can facilitate some quiet rest times for him it might be ok.

Maybe suggest just going in on half days for a week or two, or even just a lesson or tutor session? As annoying as it is he needs to take care while it heals up.

historygeek · 15/03/2025 14:21

Also recommend speaking to school. Where I work there is a base for students that can't manage a full timetable for various reasons- social/ emotional/ anxiety/ physical etc, and teachers are asked to send work for the student to get on with.

Original poster
DressedToThe90s · 15/03/2025 14:20

He was in a fair bit of pain earlier this week, but we’ve got him some better pain relief now from the GP (hospital said he should be fine with paracetamol 🙄). He’s managing to move around the house more but I don’t know what’s reasonable to expect of him (he will definitely milk it for as long as he can so I want to make sure I get the right balance!).

I’ve been in touch with school but they haven’t mentioned a risk assessment, although they’ve said he can have a lift key. Maybe I need to go in first thing Monday and talk to them about it. How long should I expect it to take before he is more mobile?

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 15/03/2025 14:20

Too hard to predict so try Monday and see how it goes. He'll enjoy the attention

Sirzy · 15/03/2025 14:17

You need to talk to the school and they will need to do a risk assessment of the best way.

it may be for a few days easier if the teachers put work online or he is based in one place in school until he can move around more confidently (leaving lessons before the rush!)

Redshoeblueshoe · 15/03/2025 14:15

How is he managing his pain ? I have recently broken my ankle and due to the amount of painkillers I was taking I slept a lot during the day. I still get tired very quickly. Hopefully though as he is so young he will get better much quicker than I did.

Bristollocalknowledge · 15/03/2025 14:12

Talk to the school and find out what they can put in place to make it easier for him to get around. Some schools are better than others.

Clairey1986 · 15/03/2025 14:12

I think speak to the school first. They have likely done this before and may be able to advise what is in their risk assessment for ensuring he is safe. I would imagine if you’re worried about him getting overtired he could do a half day initially?

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