Footwear after a broken ankle

[dancingthroughthedark]

Broke my ankle pretty badly about 4 months ago. After 12 weeks non weight baring in a cast and then a boot, was given the go ahead to start to weight bare and wean off the boot. Can anyone recommend the best shoes to wear whilst starting to walk again. I am still using the boot for longer distances and to get up and down the stairs as I am struggling too find the confidence otherwise. I need to be as independent as I can so need to get moving as much as I can but its a scary process as my leg looks so thin as I work on building up the muscles.

I bought a pair of Ecco after my bi lateral break - not attractive but supportive and comfy - good luck 😊

I had a Tri-malleolar fracture. I started out wearing a supportive trainer. Nothing 'cheap', after a bad fracture you need a good quality shoe, better yet if you can go to a shop where they do a proper fitting.

Good luck. I highly recommend physical therapy. I did (IIRC) around 3-4 months and it made a huge difference in my final recovery.

Broke my ankle in two places a year ago. I've been wearing decent trainers (mine are stability running shoes) since then, except for in the very hot weather, I've worn Teva sandals. But my foot aches if I wear them for too long. Are you having any physio? I got it through the NHS as soon as I was mobile enough. (Referred by the fracture clinic)

I used good running shoes. Started with some online Thai Chi 5 minutes twice a day added in some fitness walking with Leslie Sansone (again on YouTube). Built up my strength and confidence at home no carpets flat surface.

I was fortunate to get 6 home physio sessions and visits from an Occupational therapist at home, but today's ended up being on the phone because of staff shortages. The OT has recommended a second rail on the stairs as well as some grab rails and something to help me in and out of the bath but everything is going so slowly. I spent nearly 4 months sleeping on the sofa and have only in the last week been able to get upstairs to bed. Recovery is a slow and frustrating journey. Physio is keen for me to bin the boot as soon as I can but at the moment I am so much more mobile and able to do things with it on. Walking in shoes still requires 2 crutches so I need something sturdy that will give me more confidence.

Ah you poor thing that must have been some break! Just be aware that while you're in the boot, you're losing muscle tone on that side. My hip got very weak and I'm having to do physio to rebuild strength in that as well as all the ankle and leg stuff. I spent months ordering trainers, trying them on and sending them back, but ended up buying a pair from a running shop. They were less painful than my walking shoes which came up slightly onto my ankle.

Zip up long Dr martens and riding boots worked for me, before later moving on to shorter boots. Admittedly I already owned them so it might be a bit pricey to try if you don't, but if you're a standard fit in boots it might be worth investigating a cheaper brand or secondhand leather riding boots. Not plastic riding boots, but you can get some reasonably sturdy muck style tall yard boots that fasten up.

I lived in my fit flop trainers for about a year after breaking mine as they are so comfy and light. I was a similar amount of time in plaster as you, then boot. I went for a review at 13 weeks, they said to bin the boot and get on with it, I was very reluctant as it did feel like a comfort blanket, but it went in the bin in clinic! Getting walking on it will help improve the strength, even if using crutches. It's amazing how much muscle tone you lose but it did come back pretty quickly once you start walking.

I would visit a qualified podiatrist for analysis and suggestions on what to wear.

What you wear may well not be as important as having the correct insoles for your gait to support you correctly and help you heal as fast as possible.

Since I broke my foot badly, I can't walk in anything without serious arch support, for example.