Everything was going well, life was moving along great, and you had little to no complaints – and then you went and broke your ankle. Does this sound familiar? If so, then there is no doubt that you are currently trying to deal with a situation that has caused an inconvenience at the very least. A broken ankle affects so many different aspects of your daily routine, never mind the fact that it can also cause a fair amount of pain while it heals.
Rather than simply trying to make the best of it, cringing in pain as you go, here are some ways you can better cope with a broken ankle that also encourages proper healing so that you can get back to your regular self.
Stay as Active as the Doctor Allows
People often assume that they need to rest their broken ankle, and while that may be true for those first few days, in general, after that point most doctors recommend staying active. Now this doesn’t mean go run a marathon, it means active within reason. The best advice is to ask your doctor what kind of activity is good, and how much of it. It may just be little strolls from room to room in your house to start with, accompanied by stretches, and then you work your way up.
Take a Break from Driving
Depending on the ankle you break and the severity of the injury, you may not be able to drive. Remember, it’s just temporary and soon enough you’ll be back behind the wheel again. During this time you can always use a cab service, ask for a ride with a family member or friend, and just plan out your errands a little better.It likely means you need to create a schedule so that you have a ride available, so a little advance planning will be necessary.
Get Others to Pitch in at Home
If you are the one who does most of the cooking, cleaning, and laundry in your household, now is the time to ask others to pitch in. Again, it may help to set up a task or chore schedule so that everyone is aware of what their responsibilities are.
Transition from Crutches to a Cane
You may also find it useful to transition from crutches to a cane over time. Just because you no longer need your crutches, doesn’t mean canes aren’t a good idea. Look for walking canes for sale, such as a quad cane,that will just provide that extra bit of support and stabilityas you gain full strength and mobility back.
Try to Find Positives in the Every Day
The final tip is one that addresses your mental health during this time. It can be very difficult to go from being an active person to now being restricted on what you are able to do. Try to find the positives in each day and remind yourself this is all temporary and by allowing your ankle the time to heal, you’ll be back on both feet before you know it.