Fran Bradshaw
3 min readMar 29, 2021

Trimalleolar fracture (broken ankle)— recovery process

I wanted to write about my triple ankle fracture and recovery to help people that have the same sort of injury and let them know what they can expect. When I first did it that’s all I was googling, how long will the recovery take? Will I be able to run again? When can I drive? etc.

On July the 1st 2020 I was thrown/bucked off a horse in the middle of nowhere and broke my ankle in 3 places.

I knew I had broken it straight away when I landed and couldn’t really move my foot. (I have previously broken the same leg before but in different places, which I also needed pins for) I kind of knew it this might be the case again.

The horse owner was luckily still with me and went to get help and also took the horse home which didn’t even bolt of, I guess it just didn’t want me on his back.

The paramedic gave me gas and air which helped with the pain, as it was very painful, worse than childbirth I’d say, plus I found out later the ankle was dislocated aswell.

At the hospital they gave me something stronger for the pain and to reset it. I had to wait 2 nights before they could operate because emergencies kept coming in.

The pain after the operation and when the painkillers wore off was the worst I’d ever experienced. I stayed in hospital 1 more night and then went home. I really missed my kids and husband, who were now going to have to look after me. I felt so helpless, useless and guilty that I’d reversed the roles. Now my 7 year old was helping me wash my hair in the bath with my leg hanging out on the side. My husband was now looking after all 3 of us plus trying to do his full time job. I did a lot of resting and had to keep the leg elevated because as soon as I put the leg down the pain was unbearable, I could just about manage a trip to the toilet (on my crutches of course) before it got too painful.

Two weeks after the operation, they checked the stitches were healing and took the staples out. If you’re squeamish look away as it doesn’t look pretty but I promise you it will get a lot better. Then I got a nice purple plaster cast on it.

Six weeks post op. The cast came off and they said I could partial weight bare on it, so walk with crutches basically. This was still painful because obviously you haven’t moved your ankle for 6 weeks so it was very stiff. I just did a little bit everyday and with an exercise band to try and build up the muscles.

Nine weeks post op. The swelling has gone down a lot. The scars have healed well, it is still very stiff but I am walking with 1 crutch.

12 weeks post op. I’m still doing all the physio exercises and can move the ankle a lot more and can walk unaided! Plus I can drive again!!

17 weeks post op and I’m jogging again. It is actually less painful to run than walk. I guess because I don’t use move my ankle as much. My balance isn’t there yet, I can’t stand on my toes, but with exercise I will build that all back up again.

6 months on, I feel like I’m back to normal, my bad leg is still a bit thinner than the other one and it’s stiff in the morning, but fine once warmed up.

I hope you found this post useful, if you have any questions please ask them and I’ll do my best to answer them. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

Fran Bradshaw
Fran Bradshaw

Written by Fran Bradshaw

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Milliner/Fashion designer. www.twistfashion.co.uk Check out my youtube channel: TwisT fashion DIY

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