It’s been almost a year since I broke my ankle and sadly it still feels like one of the leading topics of my life. After having surgery to repair my fractured ankle, I was discharged and sent home to figure out life. Sure, the hospital had someone make sure I could take a few steps using crutches and then a walker but that was about it. I was put into a wheelchair and sent home. What would have been the most helpful for me, would have been a list of all the things I needed to make life at home a bit easier.
So here is my gift to you! 10 things you will need with a fractured ankle or any broken leg/foot bones to make your life easier!
Before I was discharged from the hospital, I tested walking with crutches and I HATED IT! Crutches are preferred by some but they hurt under my arms too much and I didn’t feel like I had enough stability and support.
I know, walkers aren’t ‘sexy’ but, there is very little about a broken ankle that is sexy! The walker enabled me to get around and was very necessary!
You have to elevate your ankle above your heart! I probably heard this piece of advice more often than anything else. The swelling can go on for a very long time and this pillow helped tremendously.
This was easily my favorite! Before my injury, I loved standing in the shower and just relaxing under the warm water. The shower chair enabled me to continue to enjoy that relaxing time of my day.
The cast has to stay dry, this is very much a necessity. But full transparency, trash bags work in a pinch here too!
The knee scooter was a game changer! Yes, walkers and crutches help you walk (slowly) but zooming around is so much better! The increased mobility the knee scooter provided was so beneficial to my mental health and ability to do things around the house as well as getting out and about.
Bending down to pick something up while balancing on one foot is the quickest way to fall again. The grabber tool will be helpful long after your bones have healed.
Graduating in the recovery life cycle from a cast to a boot is a big day because you are that much closer to being independent again. When I finally got fitted into my walking boot I was so excited.
This device is such a simple concept, but extremely helpful. When you are in a walking boot the pressure on your uninjured side can be a lot. Leveling out your shoe height makes walking a breeze.
Depending upon your injury, you may not be able to just get up and go. A walking cane can provide a level of increased stability when you are moving around again.
If you have found yourself with an injury, I am wishing you the speediest recovery possible. Hopefully this list helps you with a few of the things you will need to improve your quality of life!
