With a broken ankle, a number of questions may pop into your mind. One such question is normally, how to sleep with a broken ankle in a cast? To be honest, this question is understandable since both the cast and the boot walker looks so heavy and uncomfortable.
It may surprise you that you may get either the traditional cast for a broken leg or the walker boot for you to wear to help with your injury. Whichever one that is given will do the job are dependent on the severity of the broken ankle or foot.
The simple answer to the question of how to sleep with a broken ankle in a cast is an easy one. Basically, you can sleep in any position you find comfortable, on your back or your side.
It is normally advisable that you sleep on your back with your foot elevated above the level of your heart. If your foot is not comfortable, the resulting pain will be a sign which indicates that your ankle does not like the position you are in and that you should probably change it.
This article provided steps that you can implement to sleep better with a broken lower leg in a cast.
Sleeping comfortably within the first week or so may be a bit of a challenge but you will soon get used to it. A little trial and error to get everything just right may be required to prevent you from delaying the recovery time.
When the foot is broken, at the time you would have no idea of the impact the injury will have on your everyday life. Take it from me, especially for the first two weeks, pillows are going to be your new best friend. You will need a lot of them to get comfortable. An alternative to pillows is available, the Foam Leg Elevator Cushion. You can get in on Amazon. Please see the current prices.
Here is a quick guide on how to sleep with a broken ankle in a cast or walker boot is:
The broken bone can take up to a year to fully heal and give you the confidence that you can do everything as you used to on the healed foot.
In the short term, healing normally takes around six weeks and during the first couple of weeks, you have to get some rest. Getting rest during this time may be the hardest thing to do if you are a super busy person and because of the pain that you felt if you try to stand on the leg. In order to get the rest you need to follow the below steps:
Step 1: Foot elevation — keeping the broken bone above your heart prevents blood from pooling and causing swelling. Investing in specialized pillows, like a body pillow.
If you don’t have much love for pillows there is another suitable option, you may use the broken leg cushion available on Amazon (You may check the prices there).
The Foam Leg Elevator Cushion allows you to raise your leg above your heart and because of the design your leg will remain snog within the device. It will keep your foot in a comfortable position.
Step 2: Sleep position – try sleeping on your back if you can because it is the most logical position to offer your foot the most protection from injury and swelling.
It can be very difficult if you are not used to that sleeping position. Sleeping on your side may be a suitable alternative to sleeping on the back.
Step 3: Foot position – while sleeping on your back prop up your foot with a few pillows. As in step 1 make sure the foot is higher than the heart to prevent foot swelling.
If sleeping on your back doesn’t work, slowly adjust yourself to a side position and put a few pillows between your legs. Put enough pillow between your legs from above your knee to the cast.
Sleep with the injured leg at the bottom – the broken leg in the cast. Put the good leg on the top of the broken leg so that both legs are parallel to ensure that your spine is aligned.
You may use a Knee Pillow Leg Positioner to keep your leg in a comfortable position. You can purchase one here on Amazon as the prices are reasonable and change sometimes.
Step 3: Position on the bed – sleep in the middle of the bed to prevent any chance of falling off in the middle of the night. A fall from the bed will aggravate any injury.
The last thing you want to injure yourself by falling off the bed. If the risk of falling is too great for you to consider the alternative of sleeping on the floor or on the sofa.
Sleeping on the sofa is a real alternative because the leg could naturally be placed on the arm of the sofa giving you a natural elevation.
Step 4: Clothing – wearing a heavy cast and putting your foot on many pillows will generate a massive amount of body heat, therefore, wearing very light clothing would be a good idea. The solution would be to dress in light layers of cool, loose-fitting sleepwear.
Step 5: other family members – encourage children, pets, and even your partner to sleep in another room. Having other people on the bed may make it difficult for you to maintain your comfortable position on the bed.
Final thought, on how to sleep with a broken ankle in a cast,
Remember that rest is a key component for healing and recovery and that it is important that you get enough sleep. It would take a lot of time to fall asleep and may not sleep well because of the restricted movement.
You will usually be pretty much tired all the time but the tiredness may cause you to take a lot of short naps. If you can’t sleep for long stretches at night, make sure to get in a few naps throughout the day.
You may feel strong and independent like you can still conquer the world but your foot will not be able to take the pressure so be willing to accept help from family and friends.
There will be enough time for you to be back to your independent self again. Stay off your feet as much as you can and keep it in an elevated position.
