Sprained ankle need true advice

[KishaG 61]

Hi everyone! Ok so I fell on Thurs and sprained my ankle pretty bad. I have surgery on the 19th. I think I could still be having problems on the 19th. So what I need to know from yall here, how painful is that walking, especially from those who had laparoscopic GB. I'm trying to get an idea of what I can be in for if I'm still limping.

Edited August 11, 2019 by KishaG

[ValerieInMexico 162]

You should be OK. Take care of your sprain, you have 8 days where you can rest, elevate, add cold and compression.

Make sure you can wrap your ankle, if needed, at the hospital. Will you have family there? You want to walk with something that stabilizes your ankle. No slippers or flip flops. You will need help putting your shoes on. If your ankle is wrapped, maybe you can wear something like a Birkenstock, with good support. You can always ask for ice for your ankle, in if it is hurting or swelling, you will be able to elevate and rest a lot the first week.

I am not a Dr, but I just saw and ankle/foot surgeon this week, because I had sprained my ankle a few times too many. I wanted to know if there is something else wrong with it and if I could continue my walking. He explained what I can and can not do.

The most important thing I can do is lose weight, so there is less stress on my feet..... and wear stabilizing shoes. That sucks cause I have so many pretty sandals. The shoes are kind of ugly, but I am feeling much better and can get in some reasonable number of steps a day.

[ValerieInMexico 162]

Oh, maybe you can borrow or rent a knee scooter. They are great when recovering from an ankle injury.

[Briswife15 890]

Well, first of all, so sorry you sprained your ankle! I did thar a few years ago and know how painful it is. As for walking after surgery, are you asking how much walking you'll have to do on your sprained ankle? You will likely get up every hour and make a few laps around the hospital floor. This is important and not optional. Then once you're home, you will be expected to walk as much as possible. For me this started out at 10-15 minute walks 2 times a day, and then increased as I could tolerate it. Maybe wrap your ankle for support, and go slow. Best wishes both for healing up your ankle and for your upcoming surgery!

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[KishaG 61]

13 minutes ago, Briswife15 said:

Well, first of all, so sorry you sprained your ankle! I did thar a few years ago and know how painful it is. As for walking after surgery, are you asking how much walking you'll have to do on your sprained ankle? You will likely get up every hour and make a few laps around the hospital floor. This is important and not optional. Then once you're home, you will be expected to walk as much as possible. For me this started out at 10-15 minute walks 2 times a day, and then increased as I could tolerate it. Maybe wrap your ankle for support, and go slow. Best wishes both for healing up your ankle and for your upcoming surgery!

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I know I have to walk 27 laps (1mile) around the ward before I am discharged. What I am curious about is the pain level from the surgery. I'm kind of mentally preparing myself.

[KishaG 61]

17 minutes ago, ValerieInMexico said:

Oh, maybe you can borrow or rent a knee scooter. They are great when recovering from an ankle injury.

Ohh a little scooter would be so awesome, but I have my crutches for now to help with little to no weight on it. I can force myself to seriously limp walk especially with holding on to furniture etc. And I wear my ankle bootie they gave me.

[Briswife15 890]

You'll be in some pain from the surgery, but they should give you pain meds to help with that. The surgical pain is not enough to prevent you from being able to walk.

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[ValerieInMexico 162]

I found that walking helped the pain so much. The some nurses would tell me I was over doing it, but others would encourage me. I had an RNY, not laparoscopic. For me, if I know why I have pain.... it is not scary and then I can handle it. Of course it will hurt because it is surgery. I tap my wounds lightly, send love to my hurting body part, and keep moving. Pain meds are important to take immediately after surgery.

Good luck with both ankle and surgery!

[2Bsmaller18 436]

Even though you may not need it now I would see if you can get a cheap walker or at least a cane from a local goodwill store. I think being in pain meds post surgery and having a IV would be too tricky to use crutches. That would at least take pressure off your ankle so you could walk. If you can get a knee scooter that may work too. If you find you can’t walk as much then just sit on the edge of the bend and march and kick you legs. Movement is really important to prevent blood clot. If you do get a cane etc practice using it before surgery so that afterwards in pain medicine it’s not new and awkward.

[Libby63 57]

Have you discussed this with your surgeon?

[KishaG 61]

Ohh I forgot about IV pole. Hmm that is going to be interesting

[KishaG 61]

16 hours ago, Libby63 said:

Have you discussed this with your surgeon?

I see him on Wed to ask him about it.