Any sort of bone fracture injury is going to have a debilitating impact on your ability to move freely and there is always going to be a period of recuperation that you are going to have to endure after sustaining this type of injury.
An injury such as a trimalleolar ankle fracture would be classed under orthopedic surgeon specialities when it comes to helping you make a full recovery. This is even more the case when you are an active sports person and want to return to your activities as quickly as possible.
The question is, how soon can you expect to recover and return to doing sports again?
Here are some key points to consider and a look at the potential timeline involved.
What is a trimalleolar fracture?
As the name implies, a trimalleolar fracture is when you fracture three separate areas in your ankle, known as the malleoli.
It is a serious injury and often requires surgery in order to bring stability back to the ankle and allow a full recovery to be possible. Although it may be possible to try and treat the injury without resorting to a surgical procedure, this is usually only suggested if you have underlying health conditions that make surgery risky.
Under the care of an orthopedic surgeon, some of the procedures they may undertake to repair your ankle include realigning the bones, and often you may require a plate, pins, or screws to be inserted in your ankle to stabilize it and promote the healing process.
You may also need a skin or bone graft, but your surgeon will obviously discuss all of your options and proposed treatments with you.
How long does it take for a full recovery?
In general terms, you can expect a bone to heal in about six weeks after it has been fractured. Everyone is different, and your body may take longer to recover. It can also take longer if you have damaged tendons or ligaments, as these take longer to heal.
It is important to remember that injuries and recovery time can be as individual as you are. There are so many different variables that can impact your healing process and timeline. Things like the severity of your injury and whether you have underlying health issues could make a noticeable difference to how long you take to recover from a trimalleolar ankle fracture.
A typical average timeline would see your cast being removed after about six weeks, and being able to return to activities such as driving somewhere between nine and twelve weeks after surgery.
It will take somewhere between four and six months before you can make a meaningful return to playing sports, and slightly less for normal activities other than participating in sports.
You can improve your healing process by taking any prescribed pain medications. It will also help to consciously avoid putting too much weight on your ankle. Physical therapy could also enhance your recovery prospects and help you to return to full liability as soon as possible.
When it comes to suffering a trimalleolar fracture, the good news is that the vast majority of patients are able to make a full recovery from their surgery. Consult an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible after your injury so that you can start your recovery quickly and plan a return to normality within the shortest amount of time.
