Question
Hello Dr,

My name is Scott and I suffered a broken ankle (avulsion fracture) while playing tennis on 22 August.  I have been in a cast since the 24th. The first cast was a fiberglass cast, but I went back to the Orthopedic doctor a month later because I got the cast wet, and had more "wiggle" room in the cast due to reduced swelling.  He took another x-ray and the bone has started to re-attatch itself and rescheduled my next visit for 24 October.  He also placed me into a walking cast which was removable.  I started taking the cast off to sleep and when I was at home and have since progressed to not wearing the cast at all.  I do not feel any discomfort while walking with out the cast.  However, I was wondering if there would be any long term effects to my ankle because I stopped wearing the cast.  

Answer
Scott, I would encourage you to make that decision with your treating physician.

However, typically when you are pain free, that is a good indication that you have mostly healed.  Now is a good time to hook up with a good physical therapist and get your muscles strengthened.  This should help with any long term effects.  

SOunds like your on the way to recovery.

Feel free to check back with me if you have any problems.

If you need further information:

http://www.theTampaPodiatrist.com