I have been asked this question from my patients after taking an x-ray for a broken ankle on so many occasions.
It is perfectly normal to ask yourself these questions. There is little information on the subject.
And with the busy schedule hospitals have, sometimes the healthcare professionals who treated you may have not had time to explain to you properly.
And since your last follow-up, you may be wondering if it’s okay to take a little more risk than you have been told.
To help you understand and answer some of the questions you have:
⚫I had to consult orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists who rehabilitate patients with ankle fractures in my hospital.
⚫I also rely on my knowledge as a diagnostic radiographer and scientific studies published on the subject.
Happy reading!😀 and feel free to ask questions in the comments or share your own experience.🙏
Last updated: August, 2025. Written by Juliet Semakula, a diagnostic radiographer.
| Summary: It often takes at least 2 months to walk again without crutches and without a limp. Sometimes, it takes 3 to 4 months, and sometimes not. |
▶️What type of ankle fracture is this article talking about?
The term ankle fracture includes many fractures with different names which are normally classified based on location, severity and the mechanism of injury.
Here are some of the types of fractures I am talking about.
🔴Isolated Lateral Malleolus Fracture: Fracture of the fibula (outer ankle bone).
🔴Isolated Medial Malleolus Fracture:(inner ankle bone, part of the tibia).
🔴 Bimalleolar Fracture: Fractures of both the medial and lateral malleoli.
🔴Trimalleolar Fracture: Fractures of the medial, lateral, and posterior malleoli (the bony prominence at the back of the ankle).
🔴Posterior Malleolus Fracture: (back of the tibia).
🔴 Open Fracture: The bone breaks through the skin.
🔴Closed Fracture: The bone is broken, but the skin remains intact.
🔴Displaced Fracture: The broken bone fragments are out of alignment.
🔴Non-Displaced Fracture: The broken bone fragments are still aligned.
🔴Avulsion Fracture: A tendon or ligament pulls off a piece of bone.
🔴Stress Fracture: A hairline fracture caused by repetitive stress or overuse.
When you have had any of these types of ankle fracture, you will be told verbally by your doctor, or it will be written in your medical report which kind of fracture you have got.
In this article, I am talking about all these ankle fractures. The indications given are therefore generally applicable regardless of the type of fracture you have and the treatment option.
▶️How do you know if you can walk?
Whether or not you can walk with a fracture depends on the location and severity of the break and the treatment given.
Rehabilitation after ankle fracture can begin soon after the fracture has been treated, either surgically or non‐surgically, using different types of immobilisations such as a cast, orthosis or walking boot that will allow early commencement of weight‐bearing or exercise
🔴Some fractures, like a hairline fracture in the foot or a non-displaced ankle fracture, may allow for limited walking with pain.
🔴While others, like a displaced fracture or a fracture of the weight-bearing ankle, will likely make walking impossible or very painful.
After you have gone through treatment, whether conservative or surgical, and you are in the healing process.
Your doctor or health care professional after a follow-up x-ray and assessment you will be given a green light on how much weight you can put on the injured ankle if they think you are healing well.
| Putting weight on a fractured ankle too soon can hinder the healing process and potentially cause further damage. The bone fracture needs time to heal, and bearing weight prematurely can interrupt this process, leading to improper bone alignment or re re-injury |
So, if your healthcare team think you are ready to start putting weight on the injured ankle I believe:
One of these 4 types of walking and support has normally been recommended to you.
♦️Full weight bearing means an injured or surgically repaired limb can support the entire body weight without restrictions
It allows for normal ambulation and activities without the need for assistive devices like crutches or canes. When told to be a full weight bear, it means your doctor is happy with the way your fracture is healing.
♦️Partial weight bearing means putting only a portion of your body weight on a specific limb or limbs while walking, typically using crutches or a walker for support.
It’s a step between non-weight bearing and full weight bearing, allowing for controlled healing and mobility after an injury or surgery.
♦️Touch weight bearing means that only the toes of the affected leg can touch the ground for balance, and no weight should be placed on the leg.
Here you will require the use of assistive devices like crutches as you try to walk.
♦️Non-authorised weight bearing refers to a medical instruction, typically following surgery or injury, where you are instructed not to put any weight on a specific limb while walking or standing.
This is crucial for proper healing and recovery, as it prevents further injury and allows the affected area to heal without the stress of bearing weight.
You can walk with crutches or a walker without putting your foot on the ground, hopping. If of course, you do not have other health problems that prevent you from moving like this.
The decision to put weight on or not on your fractured ankle has normally been communicated to you.
♦️Verbally by the doctor or surgeon who is looking after your case.
♦️In writing from your hospital or operation report through letters and instructions.
Still even after getting your doctor’s instructions I have seen some patients afraid to put weight on even when they have been told to do so.
If you are one of them, I advise you to discuss this further with the healthcare professionals who are following your case.
▶️Different factors will determine how much weight you can put on the injured leg.
🟣 Location of the fracture:
🟣Severity of the fracture: Displaced fractures (where the bone fragments are out of alignment) usually cause more pain and instability, making walking difficult or impossible.
🟣Non-displaced fractures, where the bone is cracked but still aligned, may allow for some weight-bearing, though it could still be painful.
🟣Pain level: Pain is a significant indicator of whether you can walk. If you experience severe pain, it’s best to avoid putting weight on the injured area.
🟣Swelling and bruising: Significant swelling and bruising often accompany fractures and can make it difficult to move the injured area.
In the rest of the blog post, I will provide information about what current international scientific publications say about resuming weight-bearing and walking after a broken ankle.
▶️Does walking help to heal a broken ankle?
Yes, walking can be beneficial for healing a broken ankle, but it’s crucial to control stress on the ankle.
Follow medical advice and gradually increase weight-bearing activity as directed by your health team.
Early controlled movement, including gentle weight bearing, exercises like ankle circles and pumps, can promote circulation and reduce stiffness.
The pressure applied to the broken bone can trigger the bone’s natural response to repair itself. which is essential for supplying nutrients and oxygen necessary for healing.
However, walking too soon or with too much weight can hinder the healing process, so it’s essential to follow a phased approach:
Once your doctor allows, you may
🟣Start with partial weight-bearing meaning you’ll put some, but not all, of your weight on the injured ankle while using crutches or a walker and progressing to full weight-bearing as the bone heals.
▶️Can you walk without crutches with an orthopaedic walking boot?
Yes, it’s possible to walk without crutches while wearing an orthopaedic walking boot, but it depends on the specific injury, the boot’s design, and the advice of a healthcare professional
No matter how much weight you can put on your fractured ankle, you will probably need crutches or a walker for a few days.
Many people initially use crutches for support and stability but gradually transition to walking without them as their injury heals and they regain strength and balance.
⚪Crutches will enable you to walk without loading the ankle or foot with your body weight.
⚪Using crutches encourages more physical activity than many other assistive devices.
You’ll know when you can gradually stop using them altogether. For some people, this happens after 3-4 weeks, more often 6-8 weeks. For others, it takes several months.
The ideal is to do it gradually/during the transition, you can use hiking or Nordic walking poles for at least two weeks.
These are alternatives to crutches for the home, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Pepe Mobility – Knee Scooter for Foot Injuries Adult, Indoor walker, disability Aids, Broken Ankle, Rollator.
£129.99 See on Amazon £ 199.00 see on Amazon
However, using crutches or knee scooters remains slower than normal walking, it also causes additional strain on upper extremities, and often result in abrasions on the skin, wrist or nerve damage if used incorrectly or for extended periods of time.
Further improvements to address these deficiencies are needed but require an understanding of the crutch users’ disabilities.
(Rasouli,2020)
▶️Is it better to walk with or without crutches?
Whether it’s better to walk with or without crutches depends on the individual’s specific situation and the advice of a healthcare professional.
Crutches are beneficial for providing support and stability as we have seen, especially after injuries or surgeries, but using them unnecessarily or incorrectly can lead to secondary injuries.
⚪Walking without crutches can help with regaining strength and mobility, but it’s crucial to do so safely and under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Here are some of the factors you should consider before you decide.
⚪Type of Injury or Condition:
The severity of the injury, the type of surgery, or the nature of the condition will influence the need for crutches.
⚪Weight-bearing Status:
If partial or non-weight-bearing is advised, crutches are essential for support.
⚪Individual Strength and Balance:
Upper body strength and overall balance will impact the ability to use crutches effectively.
Always follow the recommendations of your doctor or physical therapist regarding crutch use.
▶️Is it better to walk with or without a walking boot?
It will depend on your situation. A walking boot is designed to immobilize and protect an injured foot or ankle,
If you have a cast, there is no question about it! you should not walk wearing both.
However, if you do not have a cast, whether you had surgery or not, you may have been prescribed a brace, an orthosis or a walking boot.
Short Air Cam Walker :See on Amazon
We don’t have any high-quality studies that say whether it’s better to wear a walking boot or any other brace or not.
while walking without a boot allows for more natural movement and can help prevent muscle atrophy.
Generally, if you have an injury that requires immobilization, you should wear the boot as directed by your doctor
If you are recovering from an injury and your doctor says it’s okay, you may be able to transition walking without the boot.
| In my experience, some orthopaedic surgeons always prescribe walking boots, while others never do. Walking boots may be useful in some situations, but they are not necessarily essential after a broken ankle |
In my opinion, here are some situations where it might make sense to wear a walking boot:
In my opinion:
🟠You are surrounded by people who might bump into your ankle when you walk.
🟠You need to quickly resume outdoor activities in crowded areas.
🟠You have difficulty putting weight on your foot and walking with crutches but need/want to start walking with support quickly.
If you are prescribed a walking boot, always follow your doctor’s or physical therapist’s recommendations regarding when and how to wear your walking boot.
▶️Which walking boot for a fractured ankle (malleolus)?
There are so many walking boots for fractured ankles on the market which makes it difficult to decide which one is best.
Typically, you will have been prescribed a specific walking boot, which you will likely have purchased from a (para)medical equipment retailer or pharmacy.
In the United Kingdom I have seen consultants and surgeons recommend specific walking boots for ankle and foot fractures which are given free as part of your prescription.
There are two main types of walking boots for ankle fractures which are normally prescribed, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
| Type of walking boot | Benefits | Disadvantages |
| Air walking boot(pneumatic) | -support & stability -custom fit based on swelling | -complexity of inflation – Expensive for some people |
| Traditional walking boot | -Less expensive. -Support & stability | – Heavy & bulky – Less mobility -Adjustment time |
The two main types of walking boot for fractured ankles.
Here are examples from Amazon
Low walking boot and Air cast pneumatic walking boot
£39.68 See on Amazon £78.98 See on Amazon
▶️Will I be in pain or make the fracture worse, even after being given a go ahead to walk
Walking after a fracture, even with medical clearance, will likely cause some pain, but it should not worsen the fracture if you are following your doctor’s instructions and gradually increasing activity.
Pain is a normal part of the healing process after a fracture, and it will likely be present as you start to bear weight and move the injured leg. But this should be addressed with pain medication as needed.
However, the pain should gradually subside as the bone heals, and you regain strength.
▶️However, not walking can also cause other problems, such as:
🔴 Risk of deep vein thrombosis
🔴Loss of muscle or functional capacity
🔴Unwanted work obstruction with economic consequences. Etc.
So, how do we know what is best to do? There are scientific studies that have been conducted that may give us some precise information.
Studies done by Khojaly et all 2022: That reviewed patients who had undergone ankle fractures investigated the effect of weightbearing following:
➡️Internal fixation of ankle fractures in adult patients
➡️Mobilization but not weightbearing
➡️️ And allow some to walk with full weight bearing (depending on pain) immediately.
➡️They told others to wait 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
➡️And still others to wait for the follow-up x-ray, 1 and a half months later.
➡️To these last ones, they told them to walk without weight bearing, or with contact weight bearing.
They looked at how all these people are doing in the weeks and months following the ankle fracture: observing
➡️ Who consolidated faster?
➡️Who had less pain?
➡️Who had more complications (infection, delayed union)
➡️Who returned to work or sport faster?
Had these conclusions: which were conflicting.
Some concluded that:
🟠Better early functional outcomes at 6 weeks, but not 6 or 12 months, postoperatively was observed in early weight bearing.
🟠Early weight bearing has better early functional scores with no difference in wound or fracture healing.
🟠The time needed to return to work was not majorly affected by whether the patients were allocated to early or late weight bearing.
🟠Some conclude that complications are more common for people with weight-bearing.
Another study done by the Scottish orthopaedic doctors in the United Kingdom, about early weight-bearing for people who have had ankle fractures.
Had this to say.
Early weight-bearing of patients with ankle fractures, whether managed conservatively or operatively, results in very low rates of loss of reduction and should be considered routine management for most patients (Bugler2015)
If this is the option you want to adopt, I recommend that you discuss it with the physiotherapists, doctors or surgeons who are treating you.
But remember to be patient with your healing, the more time passes, the pain should gradually subside as the bone heals, and you will regain strength.
▶️Do you need a wheelchair if you have a broken ankle?
A wheelchair might be necessary for a broken ankle, especially in the initial stages of recovery when non-weight bearing is required.
The specific need for a wheelchair will depend:
🟠On how severe your fracture is: often necessitate non-weight bearing for a period, potentially requiring a wheelchair for mobility.
🟠Your overall health: Some individuals may have pre-existing conditions that make using crutches or other mobility aids difficult, making a wheelchair a more appropriate choice.
🟠What your doctor recommended.
Comfort and convenience: A wheelchair can offer a more comfortable and convenient way to move around, especially for longer distances or in situations where balance is a concern
However, crutches,
➡️ knee scooters provide a comfortable and stable way to move around while keeping the injured ankle elevated. See on Amazon.
➡️ Crutches allow you to keep weight off the affected limb.
➡️ Walkers offer a stable platform for walking and can be used when some weight-bearing is allowed.
▶️How long does it take to walk normally again after an ankle fracture?
It’s perfectly normal to want to know how soon you’ll finally be able to walk again like you did before your fracture. Without pain, without discomfort, without instability, without apprehension.
The exact timeframe varies based on the severity of the fracture and individual healing rates, your physical health before and since the operation.
Most individuals will start with crutches or a walking boot and gradually progress to weight-bearing as pain and swelling subside.
➡️Most patients who come for x-ray for a fellow up, recover completely in the first 3 months.
➡️It typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to be able to walk normally without crutches again, though pain and swelling can persist for 3 to 6 months.
➡️At 6 months you should have gained at least 80% of your previous capacity though some people report to have gained 90% of their previous capacity in 3 months.
I have seen patients in orthopaedic clinics who come for a review, after surgery for a broken ankle walking without crutches for 2 to 4 months and for those who had no cast or surgery, it is a little faster for them.
My advice to you is to adhere to your doctor’s recommendations regarding weight-bearing, cast care, and physical therapy because these make it crucial for optimal healing.
| The bottom line. You can start walking the same day after a broken ankle with the help of crutches, most people recover their normal walking abilities within 2 to 4 months after the fracture. |
FAQ
Broken ankle recovery time without surgery
A broken ankle without surgery typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to heal, but it can take 6 to 12 months for symptoms like pain and stiffness to fully subside. Recovery time varies based on the severity of the fracture, individual healing abilities, and whether surgery is needed.
Stable ankle fracture healing time.
A stable ankle fracture typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to heal, although pain and swelling can linger for 3 to 6 months. While you may be able to walk on the foot as tolerated, it’s common to use crutches initially for support. Full recovery, including restoring strength and stamina, can take several months.
Can you walk after 6 weeks of non-weight bearing?
Yes, it is generally expected that someone can start walking after being non-weight bearing for six weeks, but it’s a gradual process. Initially, walking may involve using crutches or a walker and may be accompanied by discomfort and swelling. The transition to full weight-bearing should be guided by a healthcare professional and may take time.
Is walking in a boot considered weight bearing?
Yes, walking in a boot can be considered weight-bearing, but it depends on the specific type of boot and the doctor’s instructions. Some boots are designed for weight-bearing, allowing pressure on the injured foot, while others may be prescribed for non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing, requiring the use of crutches or other mobility aids.
Should you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?
Yes, it’s possible to wiggle your toes with a broken ankle, though it might be painful. A broken ankle doesn’t always mean you lose all ability to move your toes, as the nerves and muscles controlling them might not be directly affected by the fracture. However, if you experience numbness, blue or white toes, or an inability to move your toes, seek immediate medical attention.
Can I rest my feet on the ground when non-weight bearing?
No, resting your foot on the ground when non-weight bearing after surgery or injury is not allowed. Non-weight bearing means absolutely no weight should be placed on the affected limb. Even a slight touch can interfere with healing and potentially damage the repaired area.
We have come to the end of this article, any comments or questions in the comments section.
Wishing you a quick recovery.🙋
📚Sources:
Lin CW, Donkers NA, Refshauge KM, Beckenkamp PR, Khera K, Moseley AM. Rehabilitation for ankle fractures in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Nov 14;11:CD005595. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005595.pub3. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Sep 23;9:CD005595. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005595.pub4. PMID: 23152232.
Rasouli F, Reed KB. Walking assistance using crutches: A state of the art review. J Biomech. 2020 Jan 2;98:109489. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109489. Epub 2019 Nov 14. PMID: 31831139.
Khojaly R, Rowan FE, Hassan M, Hanna S, Mac Niocail R. Weight-bearing Allowed Following Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures, a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Foot Ankle Int. 2022 Sep;43(9):1143-1156. doi: 10.1177/10711007221102142. Epub 2022 Jul 21. PMID: 35861219.
Bugler K, White T. EARLY ROUTINE WEIGHT BEARING IS SAFE IN PATIENTS WITH ANKLE FRACTURES. Orthop Procs. 2015;97-B(SUPP_4):14-14. doi:10.1302/1358-992X.97BSUPP_4.SCOT2015-014