I broke my ankle wuite badly 4 weeks ago.

Its been 3 weeks since surgery (plates and screws).

Going in to fracture clinic tomorrow to have back slab cast replaced with regular cast.

I think the plan is that in another 3 weeks or so the cast comes off and i presumably go into an aircast boot – and can then start physio. Something like that.

It was a complex fracture (foot pointed 180 degrees other way) – and consultants have said that it will be about 12 weeks from surgery before i can drive again… maybe longer.
I need to try to get back on my feet sooner because I’m self-employed and can’t work unless I can drive!

I’m just wondering if anyome thinks there is any real benefit to using private (sports) physio rather than NHS to achieve a quicker recovery?

Any other advice on how to recover well would be appreciated.

Thanks!

3 weeks sounds ambitious to be out of a cast, I did similar last year (although foot didn’t rotate) and was in a proper cast for 9 weeks – I assume the appointment in 3 weeks to X-ray and look at the state of play, don’t be suprised if the check it and send you away for a few more weeks

Best advice for recovery? Don’t rush it

Best advice for recovery? Don’t rush it

+1.

Seeing a sports Physio probably isn’t worth IT as you don’t have a sports injury, rather a serious fracture. NHS folk should be used to dealing with it where as a sports Physio won’t be.

Ask the NHS Physio if any benefit to going privately too, they will know more, and probably could point you in the direction of a good non sports injury Physio

As above don’t rush back, will only hinder in long term

I broke my ankle a couple of years ago (displaced complete fracture of the fibula) and was told at the time that fractures generally take 6 weeks for the bones to fully heal no matter what medical interventions take place. The medical staff will see a lot of broken ankles plus will have access to data about other similar cases to yours so their estimates usually aren’t too far off, there’ll be some variation for fitness, age, etc. but if they say twelve weeks then plan for that.

Physio tends to be a bit of manipulation then you are given exercises to do before the next appointment. The main difference between NHS and private is the length of time each appointment takes,. When I’ve gone private most, if not all, of the physios are doing a couple of days a week private and the rest working for the NHS. In my experience the NHS is there to get you back to work and thus paying taxes, etc., private (sports) physio is to get you back doing sports or whatever you do over and above work.

How to recover well: cut out alcohol, smoking and eat healthily then work at the exercises you get given.

I had first class NHS physio but I’m sure not all is that good. (and I’m currently in about week 7 or 8 of a waiting list for a new referral, sigh) I’ve had varying quality private physio but when it’s been good it’s been every bit as good as the NHS. (and lets just say, I’m confident there’s less quackery in the NHS…)

Where sports physio comes into its own is, well, sport. I was pretty much restored and everyday-functional but I still had some issues that only came up when riding, and riding hard. Sports physio was the obvious solution. But for the fundamental stuff, not so much. That said, private doesn’t just mean sports physio, and there’s no real hard line between them…. But the nature of things is that the NHS guys are massively experienced and well equipped for disaster recovery and big jobs, whereas private physio is generally focused differently, I think.

And seriously, don’t rush it, this is a critical phase of healing and it’s likely you could do yourself permanent harm. A mate of mine rushed himself after a bad motorbike injury and considered it a success when he was back on his feet faster than expected- but he never really recovered. Last time I heard him talk of it, was because he couldn’t dance at his daughter’s wedding- he can walk, and work, but that doesn’t seem so important 10 years after I think.

I have done both with my various injuries.

Many physio’s brand themselves sports specialists not least as keen sports people will pay for treatment.

What you need OP is the right physio when you are ready, if there is an unreasonable delay from NHS or they don’t give sufficient sessions then go private.

Physio is going to be cruicial to your recovery so take very careful care with it. One of the most useful things a physio can give you is excersizes to do at home / work. Then make sure you do them

Stick with NHS physio for sure.
Will be part of the team responsible for your care so better communication with surgeons if issues, and will have more experience of post op recovery than an independent physio.
I doubt that the choice of physio will be what determines the length of your rehab.

This is a loaded question, aa how many sessions a week did the NHS provide for your post ACL op ?

Sessions a week?
Dream on!

I had a complex fracture of my patella last year and pondered the same thing. I ended up sticking with the NHS as they were great. As mentioned above it’s mostly 15-30min manipulation and then giving you exercises to take home and do but they also gave me hour long gym sessions to check I’m doing it all properly and check on my progress as well as several hydrotherapy sessions. I was seeing someone a few times a month at the start, tapering to every couple of months when I was getting back to fitness. I was back on the bike three months ahead of schedule despite having to have a second surgery to remove the metalwork.

Sessions a week?
Dream on!

This was my point 😉 You should have 3-5 !

aa how many sessions a week did the NHS provide for your post ACL op ?

1 and thatcwas after a sugnificant delay in getting the first one. Thats why I went to a private physio too. Lets be honest the people are the same but private gets you more time and more flexibility on the timing of appointments.
My more recent injury saw a 3 week delay between cast off and first nhs appointment that I filled with private. It certainly doesnt have to be one or the other!

I saw an NHS physio once a week for 9 weeks which was great for getting movement back etc, a few months after that when things were a bit more settled I had some private sessions, tbh it was the same sort of thing. It was more of a case of getting back on the bike when ready and taking the pain for a bit.

Going private does not necessarily get you a better Physio but it will get you one quicker. However, seeing as you still have 3 weeks until you’re in the airboot they should be able to get you an appointment for pretty much the day the cast comes off. Mention that you’re self employed and therefore important to you and they should expedite this.

Re: driving, your medical team have to assume that you’re ankle will be able to cope with an emergency stop before they can recommend that you are able to drive, because this is needed to make you (and other road users) safe. Hence the long wait. If you were just driving around on a private road with no other traffic then you could prob be driving sooner. Unfortunately bones take as long as they take to heal- 12 weeks is the standard recommended length of time for lower limb fractures.