Week 3 POST ANKLE SPRAIN: The Realities of Life in a Moon boot

The orthopaedic plan was clear from the start: four weeks in the moonboot, then wean into an ankle brace before stepping up rehab. No shortcuts, no exceptions.

At first, I was all in — fully committed to following the plan. The boot was new, I had a clear timeline, and I was motivated. Now? I’m still following the plan… but I am so over this boot.

By week three, the novelty is gone. I no longer bother giving the full injury story to every “What happened?” at the shops — now it’s just a quick, “rolled my ankle” and a polite smile. I’ve perfected my awkward moonboot shuffle, learned how to lift weights without smashing it into equipment, and even mastered the art of sleeping with it (although “mastered” is a strong word — I still wake up tangled in pillows most nights).

The boot is no longer a challenge, it’s just a constant presence. Functional? Yes. Fun? Not even close.

Here’s the kicker — pain is barely there anymore. Walking in the boot is easy. I’m managing full days at work without much trouble, and sleeping is finally more comfortable.
That should be a win… but it’s actually the hardest part of rehab so far.

When your ankle feels fine, it’s tempting to think you’re ready for more. My brain keeps whispering, “You’re fine, just ditch the boot.” But my physio brain knows better.

The gym has been my sanity saver. No Olympic lifts or plyometrics yet, but I’m making the most of what I can do:

• Upper body: push/pull/rotational work

• Core: anti-rotation work, planks, cable lifts.

• Lower body (boot-friendly): closed chain RDLs, hamstring curls, leg extensions, light smith machine glute bridges, static lunges with a vertical shin, and hip abductions.

And honestly? The bonus of training around an injury is that you find new ways to move. Week three is exactly that — the “over it” stage. Pain is low, temptation is high, and patience is tested daily. I know I’m close to moving into the brace phase, but these last days in the boot feel like the longest yet.

The smartest move now? Stick to the plan, keep ticking off the rehab exercises, and remember why I’m doing this — so when I’m finally cleared to run, jump, and lift without restrictions, I’m doing it with a fully healed ankle.

Stay tuned for Week 4 where I am out of the boot and into ankle specific rehab.