How long does it take for a broken/dislocated ankle to heal?

I broke my ankle in the summer of 1984, when I was in my mid-30s. I had surgery that involved a plate and several screws, which are still in my ankle. I was in a cast for approximately 8 weeks following the surgery, which itself was a few days after the injury. When the cast came off, my calf muscle had atrophied significantly, and I could not put any weight on the affected leg without a lot of pain. My doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy that would last for 16 weeks. I went every other day for the first half of it, then twice a week, if memory serves. During that time, I went from using two crutches to one, then to a cane, then to walking unassisted with a mild limp. I did not wear a brace on the ankle other than an Ace bandage, which I eventually tossed aside. After my physical therapy was over, I continued to have discomfort in the ankle through the following spring. I resumed my favorite activity, cycling, at that time, and this served to strengthen the muscles in my ...  more