Long Term Injury and staying Motivated

gottabekd

Hey guys... I suffered a serious grade 2 sprain and a hairline fracture in my ankle back in April.
Initially, the fracture was missed, and the grade 2 sprain underestimated. It's been a frustrating journey between my family doctor and my physiotherapist. I waited 5 months to see an Orthopedic Surgeon after having multiple x-rays, a bone scan and a CT scan. And all the Ortho did was order an MRI (which I will now have to wait a few months for).
I'm finding it really hard to stay motivated. I thought I'd finally have some answers after seeing the Ortho and leading up to it, I managed to lose 8 lbs. But now that I know I have to be on a crutch for an unknown number of months more, I'm finding it really difficult.
Has anyone faced anything similar and found a way to keep going? The thing that really gets me is I have to stop a workout if there is any pain in my ankle, which can happen anywhere from 10 minutes in to about 30. This makes me feel like not working out at all.

dc5729

Hi

I have had a long term problem with my ankle for about 5 years now It is a real pain. The one thing I loved doing was jogging, so that's out. I also enjoy walking but can only manage a slow three miles before my ankle starts hurting so not much cardio benefit. I joined a gym and a personal trainer found me an exercise routine that avoided strain on my ankle. Basically it included stationary bike work and weight training.

Having recently retired, to save money, plus I'm not particularly keen on gyms I have given up my gym membership and purchased an exercise bike and weights for home fitness.

Your ankle problems sound much worse than mine but I hope the above might be some help

Best of luck
Dave

Scarlett_S

I had a bad sprain and foot fracture (hairline) that I got from jogging and stepping off a curb and simply rolling my ankle. I couldn't believe how painful it was.

My advice for you? LOW IMPACT. It stinks to walk on the treadmill or substitute running for the elliptical or bike, but it works just fine and the long term benefits are the same. As far as working out, you can still do a number of weight lifting exercises and resistance stuff that isn't high impact. And learn from my mistakes -- anytime I would start feeling better, I would think it was OK to get outside and run or jump rope or do other stuff, and I'd be back to square one. It took almost a year for my injury to get better, but if I had listened and been low key for awhile I think it would have healed a whole lot sooner.