Broken Ankle with Metal Plate

antoniodean

My name is Antonio. I'm African-American. I broke my ankle years ago as I am 49 years old. I have ridden a century on a bike on this ankle but I have ignored the warning signs which frighten me to death. I have only just recently researched my limitations as I have decided I'm going to train for IM. I think I'm crazy because the pain is there, the feeling of unnatural movement is there. I had those problems with on the bike but with less stress on my ankle. I have nothing else to prove. I want to do ironman before I die. Any thoughts, help would be greatly appreciated

777Gemma888

My name is Antonio. I'm African-American. I broke my ankle years ago as I am 49 years old. I have ridden a century on a bike on this ankle but I have ignored the warning signs which frighten me to death. I have only just recently researched my limitations as I have decided I'm going to train for IM. I think I'm crazy because the pain is there, the feeling of unnatural movement is there. I had those problems with on the bike but with less stress on my ankle. I have nothing else to prove. I want to do ironman before I die. Any thoughts, help would be greatly appreciated

Good evening Antonio. You'd stated that you'd fractured your ankle years ago now, requiring a metal plate. How did your ankle heal and what was the advise of your Orthopedic Surgeon regarding physical actiivity? How has your fractured bone fused at the breaking point? Given, you'd followed your Orthopedic surgeon and physio therapist's advise, your ankle should be stronger and NOT weaker as a result of the initial break. Do you have any Xrays? We all cannot give you suggestions without seeing what that ankle looks like. Did it calcify properly?

antoniodean

Hello 777Gemma888. Thank you for replying and thank you again for you have raised many questions in which I have simply ignored and no answers. As a matter of fact I will so far as to say I have no idea what your talking about LOL. When I broke my ankle I was in a terrible crash on my bike. Lost my job had no insurance and living in Detroit. When I woke up I was in a cast and given this news. I lived with this for 17 years. I can still ride my bike without pain, but when I run it is a different story. Even when I walk a great distance. I can run on a treadmill, but real running kills me unless I am warmed up and running for awhile but then when I warm down or take a break I am in pain again. The only information I can remember is that I was told to put my foot up and use um??? Epson salt. He never told me I could never run again. I mean I'm not stupid I figured I might be done for and never really tried to run on it. I even went back to college to get a job which was less physically demanding and I took up cycling which was less stressfull. But I was never the same athlete I was at my size. My speed on foot gone, balance gone, one leg is bigger than the other. Anyways I think I need to take your advice and start from the beginning.

777Gemma888

Hello 777Gemma888. Thank you for replying and thank you again for you have raised many questions in which I have simply ignored and no answers. As a matter of fact I will so far as to say I have no idea what your talking about LOL. When I broke my ankle I was in a terrible crash on my bike. Lost my job had no insurance and living in Detroit. When I woke up I was in a cast and given this news. I lived with this for 17 years. I can still ride my bike without pain, but when I run it is a different story. Even when I walk a great distance. I can run on a treadmill, but real running kills me unless I am warmed up and running for awhile but then when I warm down or take a break I am in pain again. The only information I can remember is that I was told to put my foot up and use um??? Epson salt. He never told me I could never run again. I mean I'm not stupid I figured I might be done for and never really tried to run on it. I even went back to college to get a job which was less physically demanding and I took up cycling which was less stressfull. But I was never the same athlete I was at my size. My speed on foot gone, balance gone, one leg is bigger than the other. Anyways I think I need to take your advice and start from the beginning.

Hmmmm It's fairly normal to experience zero pain whilst cycling. It is actually recommended immediately post surgery@bed cycle or desk cycle to get the blood flowing to the fracture site to encourage healing.

Your ankle is likely misaligned from your nails or plate shifting whilst healing. Usually, an orthopedic surgeon takes x-rays every month to track healing and positioning of plate and nails. Am so very sorry, your care was as sloppy as you'd received. Your nutritionist should have advised you to eat a more proteincentric diet [60% protein: 20% carbs: 20% fats] and increasing calcium + Vitamin D supplementation during the course of healing. Massages and water exercise should have been recommended to you, accompanied with physio 3 times a week minimum. AND you need to walk on your foot too. Malunions are fixed all the time.

I have just healed from a broken ankle myself. Started running again for a little over a month now. I inculcated stem cell injections[US$80 a pop] to the site and exogen 4000 bone healing treatment every night. You can buy an exogen machine via ebay ~ many who'd been prescribed the machine and have treatments to spare on it, resell it. I injured my ankle in March and am now able to execute full weight bearing and high impact activities now ~ 4 months healing.

If you still do not have insurance coverage, please do the foot work and enquire after Pro bono orthopedic surgeries at Medical Universities and Research Universities near you. UCLA/USC do it all the time, surely others do too.

Am certain that members on MFP via this group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress should be able to recommend strength training exercise routines to increase the masculature on your 'favoured' leg. I wouldn't overly tax those muscles however, until you've seen an orthopedic surgeon. A heavily muscled leg will engender more pain for you whilst healing ~ so it might be something for you to consider doing after surgery. Going the surgery route [fixing the malunion/misaligned ankle] may delay your goals though a wee bit, but it'll be more beneficial to you in the long run.

antoniodean

Thank you so much for the advice. I now know what I must do. I am going to try and find a doctor first thing Monday. I really want to put this behind me. If I can't run anymore so be it I will train for a double century. My only fear is if I have to take some time off to heal. Not being able to do nothing except work. Maybe even have to take time off from work. Luckily I can take a sick leave but I seriously hope it doesn't come to that.

777Gemma888

Thank you so much for the advice. I now know what I must do. I am going to try and find a doctor first thing Monday. I really want to put this behind me. If I can't run anymore so be it I will train for a double century. My only fear is if I have to take some time off to heal. Not being able to do nothing except work. Maybe even have to take time off from work. Luckily I can take a sick leave but I seriously hope it doesn't come to that.

Pleased to read that Antonio. Good luck!! Please keep us posted.

777Gemma888

Thank you so much for the advice. I now know what I must do. I am going to try and find a doctor first thing Monday. I really want to put this behind me. If I can't run anymore so be it I will train for a double century. My only fear is if I have to take some time off to heal. Not being able to do nothing except work. Maybe even have to take time off from work. Luckily I can take a sick leave but I seriously hope it doesn't come to that.

Bed rest for me was 2 weeks long. I kinda spoilt myself on the 2nd week. With crutches, you should be fine to get back to work, if your job is one that is more desk centered. If your job requires you to be on your feet more ~ that might prove to be a slight issue, which you might be able to be creative with.

ETA: typo