On the back, legs elevated. I don’t have one (yet) but Amazon has these and I know they work well.
Leg Elevation Memory Foam Pillow with Removeable, Washable Cover - Elevated Pillows for Sleeping, Blood Circulation, Leg Swelling Relief and Sciatica Pain Relief - Pillow for Back Pain and Pregnancy https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KFPQTM8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_9NGAENGJ8TF4GX43EH4W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have a fairly big wedge pillow i use to elevate my legs and take pressure off my lower back. I did use it a decent amount during my recovery as it felt better to rest in that position for me. Not sure if it's similar to what OP mentioned but here's a link to the one I have:
I use a wedge pillow like this works for back pain as well.
Leg Elevation Pillow - with Memory Foam Top, High-Density Leg Rest Elevating Foam Wedge- Relieves Leg Pain, Hip and Knee Pain, Improves Blood Circulation, Reduces Swelling - Breathable, Washable Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KFPQTM8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9vboFbVYK3W5W I also used this for my leg
Ok, not everyone does :)
So the number one thing I would say is keep up with your pain meds. Take them on a schedule rather than waiting till you hurt. They work much better that way and you WILL recover faster if your pain is managed. If they have you on opioids (and I hope they do!) also make sure you take a fiber supplement daily because opioid constipation is REAL and miserable.
I found crutches horrible and they can really throw your body out of whack. I got a kneeling cart and it was so much better.
As someone else suggested, those inflatable wraps for bathing really work and the relief of a proper bath or shower after trying to sponge bath or use wipes is IMMENSE.
Ice wraps are your friends. Get a bunch and put them in your freezer, your friends' freezers, every freezer you hang out near. They will help a lot with the inflammation and pain as you heal. You can tuck them down inside the boot too. Ice is amazing.
Elevation is also your friend. I got something similar to this and used it every night during my recovery.
You will probably get a boot. By the end of your time with the boot, you will hate the boot with the fiery passion of a thousand flaming suns, but keep it. That shit's expensive. Also, it will stink. I found that putting deodorant on my foot (obviously not on wounds) helped with the stank some, as did spraying down the inside of the boot daily with rubbing alcohol with some essential oils mixed in (peppermint and lemon is a good anti-stink blend).
Keep up with your PT. It will help SO MUCH if you do all the exercises. You will have some muscle atrophy in your injured leg and it takes a long time to get that back completely, but feeling your ankle joint start to work again is awesome. You will probably be more of a weather witch after this-my ankle gets a little stiff and achey when a storm is coming, which I've decided is kind of cool.
Been using this one for two weeks now, and I really like it!
When my spinal discs are really out of whack, the only thing that works for me is elevating my legs with a pillow like this. It's what my orthopedist recommended and he was right.
Hey man, I'm so sorry this happened to you. There's hope! I'm 4 months out and my pain has significantly lessened. I've had a few full days with no pain in the past two weeks, today was one of them so I'm feeling great! Still not exercising or sleeping comfortably, but I'm hopeful now that those will return. It's frustrating, but what most of us are experiencing is nerve damage, and those take a long-ass time to heal. That's why they make you wait a year before they'll do a reversal: they want to make sure your nerves are healed. Here are some things that have helped me get through:
-My doctor had me on naproxen and gabapentin for the pain, that helped a little.
-THC and CBD are magic.
-Frequent hot showers/baths daily.
-I got a pillow wedge to help with sleep.
-I always wore these comfortable jock straps (order up two sizes, I'm a large normally but the no XXL fit me with these), even to bed, because motion hurts me the most. Now I don't have wear them to asleep, and only wear them to work maybe twice a week.
-light yoga once I was able to, for happy exercise chemicals.
-Positive thinking. It's seriously important. This is probably the darkest time in your life, you have to try and have a hopeful, positive outlook.
-Feel your feelings when you have to. I sobbed nearly every night for 2 months after my surgery. You don't have to play tough.
-Make sure you're in frequent contact with your doctor, and raise a big stink if they're not available to you. It's their fault this is happening to you, don't let them ignore you. Go in person if you have to, this level of pain is not normal.
Good luck, keep in touch. DM me on here if you need anything my dude, we're all in this together.