“How long does pain last after broken ankle surgery?”
I had broken ankle surgery 2 days ago. How long does pain last after broken ankle surgery?
16 Answers
OrthopaedicSurgeonOrthopaedicSurgeon
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pain is very subjective, likely typically, pain postop is 2-4 wks, but I would ask your surgeon this question.
This completely depends on the severity of the fracture and the extent of the surgery. General guidelines would be pain would lessen after the first 3 to 5 days. Some patients do not need any pain medication after a week however some patients need pain medication for 2-3 weeks, there are a lot of factors that play into how long it will painful post ankle surgery repair. In general it takes bone 6 to 8 weeks to repair or heal, so there could be soreness anytime during that period of time all the way up to 12 weeks.
The pain can last for 8 to 12 weeks. It is not uncommon for a severe break to take a year to heal. Pain can be controlled with medication.
Pain after surgery is the worst 48-72 hours after the procedure. The pain will improve over the next 2 weeks
Depends on the kind of fracture and type of repair. 6 weeks is probably average, but you need to ask your surgeon for a more accurate answer.
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
Kathleen Neuhoff, DPM
Unfortunately, pain, swelling and bruising after ankle surgery is completely normal. The pain should calm down within the next couple of days to weeks. To reduce your pain, make sure you are taking your pain medication, elevate the lower extremity, and try and ice if you don't have a cast on. You may have mild intermittent pains for up to a year following surgery.
Pain is a very individual experience and varies from person to person. Generally speaking, the first 3-12 days after surgery is when patients have the most pain and swelling. However, I have had patients claim they are still in a lot of pain over a month after surgery. So it really depends on your pain threshold, and the skills of your surgeon and how well they handled your tissues during surgery.
Following ankle surgery, pain can persist for several days or weeks. The time depends on the extent of the injury, the extent of the surgical repair, and how well swelling is controlled. Generally, it is important to elevate the affected limb above the level of the heart for periods of time throughout the day, apply ice behind the knee of the affected limb for 20-minute intervals, and to take any medications as needed. Follow your doctor's orders regarding dressings and weight bearing status following the surgery.