What to expect after an ankle fracture

A slip-and-fall at your warehouse job can lead to an assortment of injuries, including a fractured ankle. This severe injury often requires surgery and prevents you from working for weeks or even months. It may even require you to find a different type of work.

You do have some reassurance earnings-wise because your employer must provide workers’ compensation, which covers lost wages and medical costs. This fact provides some solace, but you know that a long road to recovery is in store.

Surgery, rest, physical therapy

Workers in the transportation and warehousing and construction industries account for some of the highest rates of on-the-job foot and ankle injuries. An ankle fracture is among the most common types of orthopedic injury.

You can expect the following after sustaining an ankle fracture:

• Pain: The immediate injury and post-surgery may lead to excruciating pain. Medication will help.
• Surgery: Surgeons typically insert metal pins, wires and screws to stabilize the ankle bones, thus allowing them to heal. In extreme cases, you may need total ankle replacement surgery.
• Rest and recovery: The swelling and tenderness may take as much as a year to heal. It is not a good idea to resume normal activity – including work – immediately after surgery. Severe fractures may take up to 12 weeks to heal.
• The wearing of a boot or reliance on crutches: These devices help you recover and become mobile again, but remember to limit the weight that you put on your foot.
• Physical and occupation therapy: These professionals oversee the exercises and activities to help you walk, maneuver and recover.

Make sure to listen to your physician and physical therapist. By following their instructions, you gain improved chances of a full recovery.

File a workers’ compensation claim

Recovery time from an ankle fracture depends on your age, the seriousness of the injury, the stress you sustained, your diet and even whether you use alcohol or smoke. One thing you must certainly do, though, is to promptly file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits with the help of an experienced attorney.