What Are the Precautions for Sleeping with a Broken Ankle?

If there is an ankle fracture, it will seriously affect the patient's daily life. After the fracture, it is necessary to go to the hospital for treatment. The best method is to use plaster to fix the injured ankle and help the bones heal as soon as possible, while avoiding putting pressure on the fractured foot. When sleeping, to avoid compressing the fractured area, it is recommended for patients to lie flat or sleep on their side, which can reduce pain.

1. Regular X-ray examination: The timing of regular follow-up varies depending on the location of the fracture, usually once a month. However, some patients may need earlier follow-ups, such as every three weeks or every two weeks after surgery.

2. Combination of active and passive functional exercises in the early postoperative period: Functional exercises without weight-bearing on the joints should start 3-7 days after effective fixation in fracture patients. Early functional exercises are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy and joint stiffness and promoting functional recovery.

3. Avoid weight-bearing or holding heavy objects with the injured limb: In the early postoperative period, the bone structure is not yet stable, and early weight-bearing or holding heavy objects can easily lead to breakage of the internal fixation device. Patients should gradually progress to partial and full weight-bearing walking under the guidance of a doctor, and similarly for upper limb exercises.

4. Effective external fixation with plaster: If the plaster becomes loose or fractured, it needs to be re-fixed. The plaster fixation for adult joints usually does not exceed 6 weeks. In addition to resting adequately, patients should also consume foods rich in vitamin C, which can help with bone recovery in older adults. Many foods contain abundant vitamin C, such as hawthorn, fresh dates, kiwi, strawberries, longans, lychees, and citrus fruits. Vegetables like chili peppers, bell peppers, flowering Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are also rich in vitamin C.