This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
I'm 4 weeks into recovery after operation to insert a couple of screws in a broken ankle ( another 2 weeks in cast to go ). Does anyone have experience of a similar injury who may be able to offer any advise on their own recovery time and how long they waited before climbing again?
Consultant after op advised waiting 6 months before continuing with activities such as climbing, but that sounds a little extreme. However, I know I will be really wary of taking any sort of fall or impact on it.
Any thoughts?
Consultant after op advised waiting 6 months before continuing with activities such as climbing, but that sounds a little extreme. However, I know I will be really wary of taking any sort of fall or impact on it.
Any thoughts?
In reply to Cantona: i broke my tib just above the ankle, 7 weeks in plaster ( i had to get it replaced twice due to walking about to much) then another 6 or 8 weeks on crutches then was in the pyrenees trekking and climbing after a month of the crutches, it was sore, but achivable.
good luck for a speedy recovery.
Matt
good luck for a speedy recovery.
Matt
In reply to Matt Schwarz: Thanks Matt . . . So I'll have a fair amount of time on crutches after the cast comes off then? I haven't put any wait on it at all since the accident as was warned not to. To be honest I wouldn't want to yet as it still feels really uncomfortable and don't want to aggravate it.
Good to know I might not have to wait 6 months though . . .
Good to know I might not have to wait 6 months though . . .
In reply to Cantona:
I had an accident in alps 6 years ago. Had to learn to walk again and it took 5 months of physio but I've made a full recovery. Just be patient - if anything my climbing is better now,
I had an accident in alps 6 years ago. Had to learn to walk again and it took 5 months of physio but I've made a full recovery. Just be patient - if anything my climbing is better now,
In reply to Cantona: Its really difficult to say without knowing how bad your injury is. When I broke mine I was 4 weeks totally non weight bearing, then 2 months partial weight bearing with 2 crutches, then 3 months weaning myself off crutches altogether but I perhaps had a worse break?
I needed a bone graft to rebuild the joint surface and a plate as well as screws. How much damage you did to the joint surfaces is the big factor in determining your long term outcome. If you've damaged the cartiledge you'll almost certainly develop arthritis in years to come.
Re time to climb again, I still needed crutches to get to a crag when I started again so about 4 or 5 months but only seconding. I didn't lead anything until the next season.
I needed a bone graft to rebuild the joint surface and a plate as well as screws. How much damage you did to the joint surfaces is the big factor in determining your long term outcome. If you've damaged the cartiledge you'll almost certainly develop arthritis in years to come.
Re time to climb again, I still needed crutches to get to a crag when I started again so about 4 or 5 months but only seconding. I didn't lead anything until the next season.
In reply to Cantona: Don't rush back into it or you might make things worse. A cliche, but listen to your body and when you do start again, take things easy at first and if it doesn't feel right, rest some more.
There is no point messing it up even more or it might stop you completely! Perhaps get a fingerboard in the meantime or something.
There is no point messing it up even more or it might stop you completely! Perhaps get a fingerboard in the meantime or something.
In reply to Cantona:
I sprained mine pretty badly 2 months ago and its still buggered though I can do short stints. May need surgery though - waiting on a seeing a specialist. Just think postive though - cleche but true! Good luck mate.
I sprained mine pretty badly 2 months ago and its still buggered though I can do short stints. May need surgery though - waiting on a seeing a specialist. Just think postive though - cleche but true! Good luck mate.
In reply to Cantona:
Good call from Mike Nolan. Take it easy. Mate of mine didn't, and twenty years later he's now looking at having the bones fused. Frustrating, but you'll have plenty of time to return to climbing once it's healed properly.
Good call from Mike Nolan. Take it easy. Mate of mine didn't, and twenty years later he's now looking at having the bones fused. Frustrating, but you'll have plenty of time to return to climbing once it's healed properly.
In reply to pec: How does your ankle feel with the plate and screws? Are you aware of them at all? Do you have complete range of movement? Have you landed heavily on it since, if so how did it hold up?
Sorry to bombard you with questions . . .
Sorry to bombard you with questions . . .
In reply to Removed User: Thanks all. I guess a lot of patience and plenty of physio are the key. At the moment after 4 weeks of non weight bearing I can't even imagine walking on it let alone climbing ( or worse falling ). Still, keen to put it behind me and work towards climbing again . . . Just got to think long term and not rush it I guess.
Thanks for the advise all . . .
Thanks for the advise all . . .
In reply to Cantona:
I never regained full motion but enough to do everything climbing wise, also skiing. I did however give up all running sports to preserve the cartiledge. I've never had a bad fall since.
There have been some threads on fused ankles here I've written a lot more on them so it would be well worth reading them. Try this one http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=400007&v=1#x5753295
It also has links to other similar threads which again have a lot of useful info.
I'm at the point of needing a fusion now but I'm still climbing even though walking is very painful, ironically climbing hurts a lot less. The fusion has a long recovery period, 4 months plus but I will be able to climb again afterwards.
If this all sounds a bit depressing don't worry, its a long way off and you may never get to that point. Lots of climbers have broken their ankles and don't need fusions, it depends how bad your injury was and of course, medical science is always improving. I've recently done a lot of research into cartiledge rergeneration techniques which are starting to become available, sadly too late for me but time is on your side.
If you want any more info after reading the links get back to me , I'll be happy to reply.
> (In reply to pec) How does your ankle feel with the plate and screws? Are you aware of them at all? Do you have complete range of movement? Have you landed heavily on it since, if so how did it hold up?
>
The metalwork never caused any problem, though I had it removed after 18 months, apparently it can work loose and serves no purpose once the bone has healed.>
I never regained full motion but enough to do everything climbing wise, also skiing. I did however give up all running sports to preserve the cartiledge. I've never had a bad fall since.
There have been some threads on fused ankles here I've written a lot more on them so it would be well worth reading them. Try this one http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=400007&v=1#x5753295
It also has links to other similar threads which again have a lot of useful info.
I'm at the point of needing a fusion now but I'm still climbing even though walking is very painful, ironically climbing hurts a lot less. The fusion has a long recovery period, 4 months plus but I will be able to climb again afterwards.
If this all sounds a bit depressing don't worry, its a long way off and you may never get to that point. Lots of climbers have broken their ankles and don't need fusions, it depends how bad your injury was and of course, medical science is always improving. I've recently done a lot of research into cartiledge rergeneration techniques which are starting to become available, sadly too late for me but time is on your side.
If you want any more info after reading the links get back to me , I'll be happy to reply.
In reply to pec:
ditto this,but i only broke mine 7 months ago....
> (In reply to Cantona)
> but I'm still climbing even though walking is very painful, ironically climbing hurts a lot less.
>> but I'm still climbing even though walking is very painful, ironically climbing hurts a lot less.
ditto this,but i only broke mine 7 months ago....
In reply to Cantona:
Hello,
I broke my ankle 3 months ago, had like you had 2 screws placed. I am now training indoors and just returned from a climbing trip this bank hol. Am literally just climbing very easy grades, and know my limits. Good luck i know exactly the frustrations that you're probably going through!
Hello,
I broke my ankle 3 months ago, had like you had 2 screws placed. I am now training indoors and just returned from a climbing trip this bank hol. Am literally just climbing very easy grades, and know my limits. Good luck i know exactly the frustrations that you're probably going through!
In reply to pec:
Thanks for the link. Obviously some of the posters there have experienced some pretty horrible injuries to their ankles ( including yours by the sound of it )with a legacy of long term problems. Am really hoping that my injury causes me less grief longterm but who knows. I broke my medial malleolus which, though problematic as it carries so much of your body weight, does not sound as bad as some of the injuries described ( shattered bones etc.).
Naively, I think my first impressions of my injury ( 6 weeks in cast then physio to help me regain normal movement ), were probably. wide of the mark. Sadly I think I probably need to adjust my level of expectation to accomodate a longer overall recovery period and perhaps a permanent adjustment in some areas. I guess a lot depends on having a positive attitude to recovery in terms of physio etc.
Had planned a ski trip for around Feb / March next year. You managed to carry on with the skiing then?
Good luck with the fusion ( if that's the route you eventually go down )and with your ongoing recovery and thanks again for the info.
Thanks for the link. Obviously some of the posters there have experienced some pretty horrible injuries to their ankles ( including yours by the sound of it )with a legacy of long term problems. Am really hoping that my injury causes me less grief longterm but who knows. I broke my medial malleolus which, though problematic as it carries so much of your body weight, does not sound as bad as some of the injuries described ( shattered bones etc.).
Naively, I think my first impressions of my injury ( 6 weeks in cast then physio to help me regain normal movement ), were probably. wide of the mark. Sadly I think I probably need to adjust my level of expectation to accomodate a longer overall recovery period and perhaps a permanent adjustment in some areas. I guess a lot depends on having a positive attitude to recovery in terms of physio etc.
Had planned a ski trip for around Feb / March next year. You managed to carry on with the skiing then?
Good luck with the fusion ( if that's the route you eventually go down )and with your ongoing recovery and thanks again for the info.
In reply to vet: Thanks. What part of your ankle did you break?
In reply to Cantona:
Once your bone has knitted which it should have done after 3 months or so it will be strong, in time stronger than it was before as a result of all the newly calcified scar tissue, it will probably be permanently larger though (I call mine "the hoof"!).
The physio is really to help all the soft tissues recover and relearn to do what they are supposed to do after the trauma of the injury and their lack of use whilst inactive. You can expect the joint to go on improving for a few years, Just look after the cartiledge as it can't repair itself.
Re skiing etc, my problem is the cartiledge has now worn through so there is now a bare patch which means bone grinding on bone when I move the joint under bodyweight. Because when climbing you tend to hold the joint static and move it from one static position to another it hurts less than when walking. Likewise for skiing, the ankle is so well clamped in ski boots the joint is almost static. I skiied a week at Easter as hard as I've ever done even though I'm struggling with 10 minute crag walk ins.
Good luck.
> (In reply to pec)
>
> Thanks for the link. Obviously some of the posters there have experienced some pretty horrible injuries to their ankles ( including yours by the sound of it )with a legacy of long term problems. Am really hoping that my injury causes me less grief longterm but who knows. I broke my medial malleolus which, though problematic as it carries so much of your body weight, does not sound as bad as some of the injuries described ( shattered bones etc.).
>
> Naively, I think my first impressions of my injury ( 6 weeks in cast then physio to help me regain normal movement ), were probably. wide of the mark. Sadly I think I probably need to adjust my level of expectation to accomodate a longer overall recovery period and perhaps a permanent adjustment in some areas. I guess a lot depends on having a positive attitude to recovery in terms of physio etc.
>
> Had planned a ski trip for around Feb / March next year. You managed to carry on with the skiing then?
>
> Good luck with the fusion ( if that's the route you eventually go down )and with your ongoing recovery and thanks again for the info.
>
> Thanks for the link. Obviously some of the posters there have experienced some pretty horrible injuries to their ankles ( including yours by the sound of it )with a legacy of long term problems. Am really hoping that my injury causes me less grief longterm but who knows. I broke my medial malleolus which, though problematic as it carries so much of your body weight, does not sound as bad as some of the injuries described ( shattered bones etc.).
>
> Naively, I think my first impressions of my injury ( 6 weeks in cast then physio to help me regain normal movement ), were probably. wide of the mark. Sadly I think I probably need to adjust my level of expectation to accomodate a longer overall recovery period and perhaps a permanent adjustment in some areas. I guess a lot depends on having a positive attitude to recovery in terms of physio etc.
>
> Had planned a ski trip for around Feb / March next year. You managed to carry on with the skiing then?
>
> Good luck with the fusion ( if that's the route you eventually go down )and with your ongoing recovery and thanks again for the info.
Once your bone has knitted which it should have done after 3 months or so it will be strong, in time stronger than it was before as a result of all the newly calcified scar tissue, it will probably be permanently larger though (I call mine "the hoof"!).
The physio is really to help all the soft tissues recover and relearn to do what they are supposed to do after the trauma of the injury and their lack of use whilst inactive. You can expect the joint to go on improving for a few years, Just look after the cartiledge as it can't repair itself.
Re skiing etc, my problem is the cartiledge has now worn through so there is now a bare patch which means bone grinding on bone when I move the joint under bodyweight. Because when climbing you tend to hold the joint static and move it from one static position to another it hurts less than when walking. Likewise for skiing, the ankle is so well clamped in ski boots the joint is almost static. I skiied a week at Easter as hard as I've ever done even though I'm struggling with 10 minute crag walk ins.
Good luck.
In reply to Cantona: Hi Cantona,
Sorry to hear about your ankle. Bear with it time is a great healer as they say. I smashed mine up a few years a go (23 fractures below the knee) with most of the damage being to the ankle and mid foot. At the time the surgeon told me I would never climb, run or ski again and that I would always limp. He was wrong on alol counts but one - I still limp when tired. I did climb in a plaster cast but I don't reomend it. What I do recomend is trying to be as mobile as possible while in the cast. One of the major issues I faced was loss of nobilkity while in the cast. The tendons and ligaments harden and shorten while held immobile and freeing them again takes a bit of time. Try and get to see a physio to get some exercises that you can do while you are still in the cast.
Once you are out of the cast get to see a physio asap. Make sure that it is a sports physio rather than a regular one and make sure you do the exercises that they prescribe. I was in a cast for 4 months and then on crutches for a couple more while I regained my flexibility and strength.
After all that recovery was progressive. I was skiing again almost immediately, walking an climbing as soon as I had the strength to push off the toes on that foor and running again after a couple of years. Total recovery took about 5 years but, as I said the damage was pretty significant. Now it doesn't stop me doing a lot, I have even m,anaged a mountain marathon, but I have come to acceopt that if I push it I will be a bit stiff and sore the day after.
The main lesson I would pass on is find a good sports physio you get on with and see them as often as required. Don't feel bashfull about moving to anopther physio if you feel they aren't really aiming to get you active again.
Good luck and stay positive!
Sorry to hear about your ankle. Bear with it time is a great healer as they say. I smashed mine up a few years a go (23 fractures below the knee) with most of the damage being to the ankle and mid foot. At the time the surgeon told me I would never climb, run or ski again and that I would always limp. He was wrong on alol counts but one - I still limp when tired. I did climb in a plaster cast but I don't reomend it. What I do recomend is trying to be as mobile as possible while in the cast. One of the major issues I faced was loss of nobilkity while in the cast. The tendons and ligaments harden and shorten while held immobile and freeing them again takes a bit of time. Try and get to see a physio to get some exercises that you can do while you are still in the cast.
Once you are out of the cast get to see a physio asap. Make sure that it is a sports physio rather than a regular one and make sure you do the exercises that they prescribe. I was in a cast for 4 months and then on crutches for a couple more while I regained my flexibility and strength.
After all that recovery was progressive. I was skiing again almost immediately, walking an climbing as soon as I had the strength to push off the toes on that foor and running again after a couple of years. Total recovery took about 5 years but, as I said the damage was pretty significant. Now it doesn't stop me doing a lot, I have even m,anaged a mountain marathon, but I have come to acceopt that if I push it I will be a bit stiff and sore the day after.
The main lesson I would pass on is find a good sports physio you get on with and see them as often as required. Don't feel bashfull about moving to anopther physio if you feel they aren't really aiming to get you active again.
Good luck and stay positive!
In reply to Cantona:
I broke my left ankle rather badly about 6-7 years ago now - the foot got wedged in a crack as I went over, carrying a heavy pack. It rotated out 90 degrees, and 180 degrees around its longer axis - I could read the text on the undersole of my shoe 'from above'. Not a pretty sight. The fib hand snapped, and all ligaments on the inside of the angle had ruptured completely.
A metal rail, seven screws and three operations later, I was in plaster, with the usual gloomy predictions from the doctors - never run, never climb etc. As the plaster came off, it took a couple of months for the foot to stop swelling up like a balloon towards the end of the day, and my range of motion in the ankle didn't really show much improvement, despite physio etc. I started walking (hobbling) as soon as I possibly could, and climbing at the indoor wall as soon as I could fit a rock boot on my foot.
This got me to a certain point, but the recovery seemed to grind to a halt. The screw heads were clearly visible through the skin, and wearing ski boots was torturous. After about a year, I ran into a guy down the wall who'd suffered an almost identical fracture coming off his motor cycle some years earlier. He advised me to go back and have the metal work removed. He'd experienced the same thing as me - recovery process petering out - but after removing screws an plates, it all kicked off again.
I took his advice, and the doctors agreed it was a good idea - especially as my life style is such that another break in the same place might well happen. It was the best decision ever. Not long after, my range of motion seemed to start to improve again, and I could start running. I ran the Bristol Half Marathon 18 months after having been told I'd never run again.
Having said that - I was back climbing much sooner than that - strangely, a stiff ankle didn't seem to affect my climbing that much.
My main advice would be - get the metal out as soon as you can. It really helped me, and the recovery after the removal op is days not weeks.
I broke my left ankle rather badly about 6-7 years ago now - the foot got wedged in a crack as I went over, carrying a heavy pack. It rotated out 90 degrees, and 180 degrees around its longer axis - I could read the text on the undersole of my shoe 'from above'. Not a pretty sight. The fib hand snapped, and all ligaments on the inside of the angle had ruptured completely.
A metal rail, seven screws and three operations later, I was in plaster, with the usual gloomy predictions from the doctors - never run, never climb etc. As the plaster came off, it took a couple of months for the foot to stop swelling up like a balloon towards the end of the day, and my range of motion in the ankle didn't really show much improvement, despite physio etc. I started walking (hobbling) as soon as I possibly could, and climbing at the indoor wall as soon as I could fit a rock boot on my foot.
This got me to a certain point, but the recovery seemed to grind to a halt. The screw heads were clearly visible through the skin, and wearing ski boots was torturous. After about a year, I ran into a guy down the wall who'd suffered an almost identical fracture coming off his motor cycle some years earlier. He advised me to go back and have the metal work removed. He'd experienced the same thing as me - recovery process petering out - but after removing screws an plates, it all kicked off again.
I took his advice, and the doctors agreed it was a good idea - especially as my life style is such that another break in the same place might well happen. It was the best decision ever. Not long after, my range of motion seemed to start to improve again, and I could start running. I ran the Bristol Half Marathon 18 months after having been told I'd never run again.
Having said that - I was back climbing much sooner than that - strangely, a stiff ankle didn't seem to affect my climbing that much.
My main advice would be - get the metal out as soon as you can. It really helped me, and the recovery after the removal op is days not weeks.
In reply to pec: So the bone will likely be stronger than before? That sounds encouraging, I had worried that there might be a weakness at the fracture point, hence my concern at the thought of taking another fall on it. Not sure if I've any damage to the cartiledge at this stage, I'll be checking this with my consultant when I return to have the cast off.
Thanks again . . .
Thanks again . . .
In reply to timwiggans:
Thanks for the advise Tim. Seems like a good call re the sports physio. I don't suppose that's an option on the NHS, but seems like it would be a good investment for the long term benefits it could bring.
I'm regularly excercising the leg, bending and extending ( 20 x reps, 8 times a day ), not sure what else I could do to excersise the ankle itself, as it's held rigid in the cast( plus still feels uncomfortable ).
As you say, keeping a positive attitude to rehab is probably key to making good progress, and I'll certainly endeavour to maintain this. If you managed it with the extent of your injuries compared to mine, I've got no excuses really, have I? Thanks . . .
Thanks for the advise Tim. Seems like a good call re the sports physio. I don't suppose that's an option on the NHS, but seems like it would be a good investment for the long term benefits it could bring.
I'm regularly excercising the leg, bending and extending ( 20 x reps, 8 times a day ), not sure what else I could do to excersise the ankle itself, as it's held rigid in the cast( plus still feels uncomfortable ).
As you say, keeping a positive attitude to rehab is probably key to making good progress, and I'll certainly endeavour to maintain this. If you managed it with the extent of your injuries compared to mine, I've got no excuses really, have I? Thanks . . .
In reply to Stefan Kruger:
Thanks Stefan, wincing as I read your description of your injury. Indeed it does not sound a pretty site.
You're not the first person to mention the screw heads being visible through the skin. Was that apparent immediately or only over a period of time? I certainly didn't notice mine when they took my stitches out, but wasn't really looking to be honest. I imagine that if they're that close to the surface of the skin it must be massively uncomfortable. At what point in your recovery do they stop serving their purpose I wonder. I was told they'd remain in my ankle permanently, but I guess that's just to save the aggravation of another operation on an already over burdened NHS.
I'll check with my consultant regards the possibility of this. Thanks again for your reply . . .
Thanks Stefan, wincing as I read your description of your injury. Indeed it does not sound a pretty site.
You're not the first person to mention the screw heads being visible through the skin. Was that apparent immediately or only over a period of time? I certainly didn't notice mine when they took my stitches out, but wasn't really looking to be honest. I imagine that if they're that close to the surface of the skin it must be massively uncomfortable. At what point in your recovery do they stop serving their purpose I wonder. I was told they'd remain in my ankle permanently, but I guess that's just to save the aggravation of another operation on an already over burdened NHS.
I'll check with my consultant regards the possibility of this. Thanks again for your reply . . .
In reply to Cantona:
Broke and dislocated my left ankle about 5 years ago. Took several months for me to say it was fully 'healed'. Lots and lots of gym and physio work helped.
Broke and dislocated my left ankle about 5 years ago. Took several months for me to say it was fully 'healed'. Lots and lots of gym and physio work helped.
In reply to Cantona:
NHS physios are prescribed and are fantastic for rehabilitation after a bad break, they also respond well to the high motivation of climber types after trying to rehabilitate couch potatoes who want to max their sick leave, shouldn't be a need to pay for sports physios
NHS physios are prescribed and are fantastic for rehabilitation after a bad break, they also respond well to the high motivation of climber types after trying to rehabilitate couch potatoes who want to max their sick leave, shouldn't be a need to pay for sports physios
In reply to kevin stephens: Thanks, that sounds encouraging, though I guess they have limited resource and would be keen to sign me off fairly quickly, so perhaps could top up with a few vists to a sports physio to finish off . . .
In reply to Cantona:
Not really, they're usually pretty good at giving you as much physio as you need. When I dislocated my elbow I had weekly physio for 2 months and fortnightly physio for another two months after that and was only discharged when I was back to full strength. When I trashed my ankle in 2008 I had 2 months of weekly NHS physio (it wasn't very good but that's a separate issue) and only stopped when I self-discharged. I just had an operation on the same ankle about a month ago and I'm again back to weekly physio. I love the NHS
Not really, they're usually pretty good at giving you as much physio as you need. When I dislocated my elbow I had weekly physio for 2 months and fortnightly physio for another two months after that and was only discharged when I was back to full strength. When I trashed my ankle in 2008 I had 2 months of weekly NHS physio (it wasn't very good but that's a separate issue) and only stopped when I self-discharged. I just had an operation on the same ankle about a month ago and I'm again back to weekly physio. I love the NHS
In reply to Cantona:
For me, the screw heads were evident pretty much immediately - they were kind of angled, and I could clearly tell they were Phillips-head
Screws and plates only serve their purpose until the bone is knit, after that it's dead weight. The main thing to tell the surgeon is that you climb (ride, ski etc), and should you break your leg again, the metalwork pose an added risk and complication. Much beyond a year, and becomes harder to remove the stuff, as the bone starts to cover up the metal more and more.
For me, the screw heads were evident pretty much immediately - they were kind of angled, and I could clearly tell they were Phillips-head
Screws and plates only serve their purpose until the bone is knit, after that it's dead weight. The main thing to tell the surgeon is that you climb (ride, ski etc), and should you break your leg again, the metalwork pose an added risk and complication. Much beyond a year, and becomes harder to remove the stuff, as the bone starts to cover up the metal more and more.
In reply to Cantona:
snapped one of mine and badly sprained the other about five years ago just before easter and I was climbing as usual (ie craply) by summer. Straighforward fracture though and I was fairly irresponsible, cycling whilst still in a cast, doing a fair bit of gym etc.
snapped one of mine and badly sprained the other about five years ago just before easter and I was climbing as usual (ie craply) by summer. Straighforward fracture though and I was fairly irresponsible, cycling whilst still in a cast, doing a fair bit of gym etc.
In reply to Stefan Kruger: Did you have yours removed then? How was recovery from that?
Suppose at least they put in a couple of decent Phillips, none of that messing around trying to get a flat head out . . .
Suppose at least they put in a couple of decent Phillips, none of that messing around trying to get a flat head out . . .
In reply to johnjohn: What bone in your ankle was it that you fractured?
In reply to Cantona:
Thought I'd post a quick update to those of you who took the trouble to reply to my OP - Had cast off yesterday. Wasn't expecting my ankle / foot to still be so swollen and bruised. It's also turned a completely different colour to my good foot ( foot that's come out of cast is practcally purple when I walk around - is this normal? ). Plus my leg looks like it belongs to a ten year old. Range of movement virtually nil and very painful to try to point foot up or down. It feels like tendons and ligaments are frozen solid.
Have been walking on crutches today ( partially weighting my foot ) with limited amount of success ( depending on how long since I last moved my ankle ). Have also been given a set of exercises to do until my first physio appointment comes through, which seem to help. Trouble is as soon as my foot is inactive for a short period it all seizes up again. Anybody got any hints to help loosen those tendons and ligaments ( and keep them loose )?
Thought I'd post a quick update to those of you who took the trouble to reply to my OP - Had cast off yesterday. Wasn't expecting my ankle / foot to still be so swollen and bruised. It's also turned a completely different colour to my good foot ( foot that's come out of cast is practcally purple when I walk around - is this normal? ). Plus my leg looks like it belongs to a ten year old. Range of movement virtually nil and very painful to try to point foot up or down. It feels like tendons and ligaments are frozen solid.
Have been walking on crutches today ( partially weighting my foot ) with limited amount of success ( depending on how long since I last moved my ankle ). Have also been given a set of exercises to do until my first physio appointment comes through, which seem to help. Trouble is as soon as my foot is inactive for a short period it all seizes up again. Anybody got any hints to help loosen those tendons and ligaments ( and keep them loose )?
In reply to Cantona:
I don't know much about ankles but I think you'll be surprised how quickly things loosen, especially if you do the exercises.
I don't know much about ankles but I think you'll be surprised how quickly things loosen, especially if you do the exercises.
In reply to Andy Nisbet: Andy has hit the nail on the head, follow the exercises you are given by the physio (even after you stop seeing them) invest the time and you will be back before you know it. I have broken both of mine, a bit clumsy, but was back climbing surprisingly quickly. May also be worth getting hold of a wobble board to help get the flexibility/strength back. The other thing to bear in mind is stay positive sounds a bit cheesy but it helps
In reply to Cantona:
Hey. Sorry to hear about your ankle, sucks eh!
So I broke my ankle in Jan and back climbing after 4 months. I was lucky to have a specialist who fixes up famous rugby players and ballet dancers (who apparently both suffer greatly with ankle injuries).
He was pretty clear to me with his warning not to climb too early and I trust him on that one.
What you will find is that it is not the bone that is the challenge, it is all the other stuff like getting rid of gunk deposits through massage, not freaking the tendon and ligaments out etc.
If you follow a proper plan all will be cool but expect to be patient on climbing.
Good luck!
Hey. Sorry to hear about your ankle, sucks eh!
So I broke my ankle in Jan and back climbing after 4 months. I was lucky to have a specialist who fixes up famous rugby players and ballet dancers (who apparently both suffer greatly with ankle injuries).
He was pretty clear to me with his warning not to climb too early and I trust him on that one.
What you will find is that it is not the bone that is the challenge, it is all the other stuff like getting rid of gunk deposits through massage, not freaking the tendon and ligaments out etc.
If you follow a proper plan all will be cool but expect to be patient on climbing.
Good luck!
In reply to Cantona:
Your tendons and ligaments will be solid, which is entirely to be expected. Bone does a pretty good job of repairing itself, especially if you're a non-smoker. If the repair's aided and abetted by some titanium, then it'll be better still. The problem comes with damage to cartilage and tendon. The latter have essentially no blood supply so rely entirely on their own resources for repair. And their resources are a few cells that really just want to be left alone. A friend of mine, who has many years of medical research experience in tendon repair told me that physiotherapy (i.e. exercise :¬( ), aspirin and loads of vitamin C (so that you can make decent collagen, the protein that holds everything together) were his treatments of choice.
Initially my foot needed a lot of physical manipulation by a very burly weight lifting physio to get it moving again and even now it's not as flexible as it should be. Mine tends to stiffen overnight too. I have started climbing again (purely in response to the consultant saying that I'd never climb again!) I waited 10 months or so before I went back to it though as it just didn't feel right until then. I find climbing to be very painful and frustrating at the moment but I can do it and that's the important thing. I'm also very optimistic that things can only get better with time.
I can't see how climbing on your ankle will do it any harm as it's basically all good physiotherapy but the key, as others have said, is to be patient. Anyway, you know your body better than anyone else and you'll be well aware of your ankle's shortcomings over the coming months. Let this knowledge be your guide as to when you get back on a wall or on rock again and don't always believe what others tell you .
It's a small consolation, but I do feel your pain as well as your frustration. I really hope all goes well with your recovery.
Dave
> (In reply to Cantona)
>
> Wasn't expecting my ankle / foot to still be so swollen and bruised. It's also turned a completely different colour to my good foot ( foot that's come out of cast is practcally purple when I walk around - is this normal? ). Plus my leg looks like it belongs to a ten year old. Range of movement virtually nil and very painful to try to point foot up or down. It feels like tendons and ligaments are frozen solid.
>
Speaking from recent experience of a very badly fractured calcanium and sub-talar joint - with a few hairline fractures of the ankle for good measure - then 'yes', a purple foot is to be expected. Mine is still purplish first thing in the morning and it's 14+ months since my accident. It's to do with impaired circulation, probably as a result of poor return blood flow. It will get better as you build up muscle tone and start to use the foot but it might never entirely go away.>
> Wasn't expecting my ankle / foot to still be so swollen and bruised. It's also turned a completely different colour to my good foot ( foot that's come out of cast is practcally purple when I walk around - is this normal? ). Plus my leg looks like it belongs to a ten year old. Range of movement virtually nil and very painful to try to point foot up or down. It feels like tendons and ligaments are frozen solid.
>
Your tendons and ligaments will be solid, which is entirely to be expected. Bone does a pretty good job of repairing itself, especially if you're a non-smoker. If the repair's aided and abetted by some titanium, then it'll be better still. The problem comes with damage to cartilage and tendon. The latter have essentially no blood supply so rely entirely on their own resources for repair. And their resources are a few cells that really just want to be left alone. A friend of mine, who has many years of medical research experience in tendon repair told me that physiotherapy (i.e. exercise :¬( ), aspirin and loads of vitamin C (so that you can make decent collagen, the protein that holds everything together) were his treatments of choice.
Initially my foot needed a lot of physical manipulation by a very burly weight lifting physio to get it moving again and even now it's not as flexible as it should be. Mine tends to stiffen overnight too. I have started climbing again (purely in response to the consultant saying that I'd never climb again!) I waited 10 months or so before I went back to it though as it just didn't feel right until then. I find climbing to be very painful and frustrating at the moment but I can do it and that's the important thing. I'm also very optimistic that things can only get better with time.
I can't see how climbing on your ankle will do it any harm as it's basically all good physiotherapy but the key, as others have said, is to be patient. Anyway, you know your body better than anyone else and you'll be well aware of your ankle's shortcomings over the coming months. Let this knowledge be your guide as to when you get back on a wall or on rock again and don't always believe what others tell you .
It's a small consolation, but I do feel your pain as well as your frustration. I really hope all goes well with your recovery.
Dave
In reply to Al Doig and Andy Nisbet: Thanks both, will certainly keep going with the exercises and have been having hot baths and massaging the ankle this last few days. It just seems as though it is set solid though ( small amount of flex but that's it ). Still only day 3 since the cast came off so early days I guess.
In reply to spodling: Thanks, I'm with you on not freaking the tendons and ligaments out, but they don't seem to be responding to my softly softly approach at the moment. I'm very wary of not pushing them too hard, but at the same time want to stretch them enough to make a some sort of a difference. Problem is I just don't know how much progress to expect, though common sense tells me it's very early to see any real improvement ( it is only day 3 after all ).
In reply to Dave Williams:
Thanks Dave, will stock up on orange juice and aspirin on my way to the physio.
Cannot imagine letting a burly weight lifting physio any where near the ankle at the moment. I'm still trying to lovingly coax it back to life through a mixture of execise, hot baths and gentle massage, with little real progress, though I know it's very early days.
There's certainly more flex than there was on day one, but day three now and I seem to have hit a bit of an impasse. Hopefully won't have to wait for too long for my first physio appointment to come through ( just hope they're not too burly ). Thanks again for the advise . . .
Thanks Dave, will stock up on orange juice and aspirin on my way to the physio.
Cannot imagine letting a burly weight lifting physio any where near the ankle at the moment. I'm still trying to lovingly coax it back to life through a mixture of execise, hot baths and gentle massage, with little real progress, though I know it's very early days.
There's certainly more flex than there was on day one, but day three now and I seem to have hit a bit of an impasse. Hopefully won't have to wait for too long for my first physio appointment to come through ( just hope they're not too burly ). Thanks again for the advise . . .
In reply to Cantona:
The good news is - your calf muscle mass will come back really quickly, as soon as you start weighting the leg. Range of motion will return slowly, but steadily. Physio really helped me with this. Foot will seize up, and almost certainly swell up, every day. Keep working it.
The good news is - your calf muscle mass will come back really quickly, as soon as you start weighting the leg. Range of motion will return slowly, but steadily. Physio really helped me with this. Foot will seize up, and almost certainly swell up, every day. Keep working it.
In reply to Stefan Kruger:
You weren't wrong about the swelling. I had quite an active day today and didn't manage to keep my leg elevated as much as I might have hoped. By the time I got home the ankle ached like mad and had swollen up like a balloon fit to burst. I stuck it into a washing up bowl full of ice and water which seemed to bring the swelling down to it's normal slightly less swollen state.
A little taster of what to expect if I ever manage to get back into the mountains I think.
You weren't wrong about the swelling. I had quite an active day today and didn't manage to keep my leg elevated as much as I might have hoped. By the time I got home the ankle ached like mad and had swollen up like a balloon fit to burst. I stuck it into a washing up bowl full of ice and water which seemed to bring the swelling down to it's normal slightly less swollen state.
A little taster of what to expect if I ever manage to get back into the mountains I think.
In reply to Cantona:
My foot was almost torn off in a fall in May 09, plus the other had a smashed calcanium. Got back to work after 10 weeks off, and started gym work last Jan. Started running on a treadmill by May, almost a year after and went bouldering for the first time indoors a couple of weeks ago. My confidence is slowly increasing as my ability improves, but I felt rather weak at the wall. I'm an old geezer so the healing has taken longer.....trust to your instincts and build up slowly is my advice. I won't be doing any runouts anytime soon! Good luck with the recovery
My foot was almost torn off in a fall in May 09, plus the other had a smashed calcanium. Got back to work after 10 weeks off, and started gym work last Jan. Started running on a treadmill by May, almost a year after and went bouldering for the first time indoors a couple of weeks ago. My confidence is slowly increasing as my ability improves, but I felt rather weak at the wall. I'm an old geezer so the healing has taken longer.....trust to your instincts and build up slowly is my advice. I won't be doing any runouts anytime soon! Good luck with the recovery
In reply to brady: Thanks for the advise Brady, hope I can be as sensible and patient with my rehab as you managed to be. Must have been extremely frustrating for you. Well done for getting back on the wall, hope you continue to improve . . . Best of luck too.
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Loading Notifications...