6 months after breaking my ankle...

ColoradoBringItOn
ColoradoBringItOn Posts: 132 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I broke my ankle coming off the incline in Manitou Springs, CO on May 13th this year. I broke my fibula clean in 2 and was in a cast for 2 months non weight bearing, then 2 months of intense PT and now I'm working with a personal trainer 2x a week and we are into week 6. This recovery is SLOWWWWW. I'm happy to be able to walk down the stairs normally and today I did my first real lunges and squats since the injury.

Anyone else recovering from a broken ankle?

I had never broken a bone until this so it's all new to me and I never imagined it would take this long to even begin to start feeling semi normal again. And forget running...my long term goal is a 5k when I finally get my ROM back!

Looking for other gimps like me LOL
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Replies

  • ChangingAmanda
    ChangingAmanda Posts: 486 Member
    Oh no! Ankle injuries suck. I had a severe sprain mid-July and I'm just now able to exercise w/out a brace. The ER doc said it was broken but at my follow-up ortho appt, the doc there said it wasn't, just a high sprain. It was still giving me so many problems that I had and MRI first of October. Results were bone bruise and contusion, swelling, tendinitis, and torn ligament that was healing with possible calcification. (I wonder if it would have been better to break it...)

    I also never had a bad injury like this so I wasn't sure what to expect. It took forever to get most of my ROM back and even now there's still a noticeable (to me) difference between my two ankles, especially dorsiflexion.

    All I can say is just keep at it, push yourself to do better each day but don't push so hard that you have setbacks or re-injure yourself. Listen to your ankle, it'll let you know when it's had enough.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    You broke it on the easy part. That's kind of ironic. I'm sorry. That really sucks. Good luck with your healing.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Yeah, it sucked. But I'm able to wear heels again... sorta. OK, I fall a lot, but whatever.
  • aimeev2
    aimeev2 Posts: 49 Member
    Hi there! I'm so sorry for your injury. I broke my ankle on December 20 of last year, though all I did was stumble into a pothole while out on a nighttime walk so not very dramatic! Still, I broke my fibula and was non-weightbearing, in a fiberglass cast, for 6 weeks -- then 4 more weeks in a walking cast. I didn't have any PT, though I was able to get massage therapy which really helped.

    I hate to say it, but full recovery takes a looong time. I'm finally at about 95% now, I'd say, and as I said above it's been almost a year. But I've been back to running for about 2 months now, and am up to 5 miles at a time. I just need to use KT Tape to make sure I'm not limping the next day!

    This was also my first broken bone, and I had no idea how hard it would be, both physically and psychologically. I'm glad to hear you're doing better and I hope your recovery continues apace. Feel free to friend me!
  • JilloftheDead
    JilloftheDead Posts: 296 Member
    Thank you for posting this, it's been about 8 months since my hubby broke his ankle and sometimes I lack sympathy for him because I feel he should be better by now. He had to have surgery to re-set it and has screws and a plate in there. I guess I need to be a bit more sympathetic to his healing.

    This is hub's x-ray if anyone's curious.. I'll just link it, as it's a bit graphic!
    http://i43.tinypic.com/2e5igdx.jpg
  • ruthlesswr
    ruthlesswr Posts: 114 Member
    I broke mine in January. I'm still not quite to the point where going downstairs is "normal" though I don't have to do the one-step-at-a-time thing on them any more. Wearing heels or running is just a fantasy at this point :)
    Ruth
  • schmoozyq
    schmoozyq Posts: 20 Member
    I broke my foot last December 10th.... 5th metatarsal - Jones fracture. The worst kind of break. I was in a non-bearing cast/boot for 3 and 1/2 months. Then I was able to walk in the boot for another 2 months before I was finally healed. It has taken me a long time to get back into exercise (partly out of fear, since I broke my foot doing plyometrics during P90X). I am not currently a gimp, but I totally feel your pain. Hang in there.
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    I broke my ankle coming off the incline in Manitou Springs, CO on May 13th this year. I broke my fibula clean in 2 and was in a cast for 2 months non weight bearing, then 2 months of intense PT and now I'm working with a personal trainer 2x a week and we are into week 6. This recovery is SLOWWWWW. I'm happy to be able to walk down the stairs normally and today I did my first real lunges and squats since the injury.

    Anyone else recovering from a broken ankle?

    I had never broken a bone until this so it's all new to me and I never imagined it would take this long to even begin to start feeling semi normal again. And forget running...my long term goal is a 5k when I finally get my ROM back!

    Looking for other gimps like me LOL

    I broke both bones in my left leg when I slipped and fell at an outside concert. I've had two surgeries and it has been one heck of a struggle to say the least. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I take glucosimine and that has helped wonders. When I work out I often will take advil AND Alieve AFTER and I feel better. You can get through this. It is tough not being able to walk for so long. I remember how excited I was when I was able to take a bath. It is the little things :)
  • stat1124
    stat1124 Posts: 163 Member
    I broke my foot in three places in a compression break which is extremely painful! Not sure its nearly as bad as your break cuz that sounds horrific. Good luck on your journey to recovery!
  • thegabbleduck
    thegabbleduck Posts: 52 Member
    I broke my ankle in 8 places about a year and a half ago - so you are not alone!
    Hope your recovery goes well!!

    EDIT: I was also told by my doctors that a broken ankle is one of the hardest things to recovery from in terms of broken bones - so don't be too hard on yourself!
  • ColoradoBringItOn
    ColoradoBringItOn Posts: 132 Member
    Yeah I forgot to mention I had to have surgery and had a plate and 5 screws put in and 2 long ankle screws to set everything back into place. I did PT for 2 months with the 2 long ankle screws and then I had a 2nd surgery to remove those so now I just have the plate and 5 screws.

    I actually wore heels (chunky and low) as a test on Friday and stupidly rolled my other foot and even though it didn't cause an injury I was limping and I threw the heels across the room and went barefoot for the rest of the day. I guess I just wanted to feel normal after this long. NOT.EVEN.CLOSE.

    Thanks for the input. I figure I'm looking at several more months before I can even think of running. I'm sure trying my *kitten* off though to get stronger by the day.
  • ColoradoBringItOn
    ColoradoBringItOn Posts: 132 Member
    I broke my ankle in 8 places about a year and a half ago - so you are not alone!
    Hope your recovery goes well!!

    EDIT: I was also told by my doctors that a broken ankle is one of the hardest things to recovery from in terms of broken bones - so don't be too hard on yourself!

    I'm sure trying not to be. And yeah...I agree with your doctor. It's no joke. Sigh.
  • babyblues72
    babyblues72 Posts: 8 Member
    I feel your pain. A little over 3 years ago I fractured my right fibula and needed surgery to fix it - I still have the plate and screws. I fractured it one week before a half marathon I had been training for all summer. It is a long recovery - physically and mentally. I cannot stress enough the importance of PT and regaining range of motion. As for recovery, mine has been a bit prolonged because I had back to back pregnancies (my first pregnancy about 5 months after the surgery), and pregnancy loosens your ligaments which certainly does not help a bum ankle.

    I was able to run a 5k without pain and with a normal stride about 2 years after the surgery. I'm now trying to do some cross training and having some pain, I think due to the lateral movement. But I am able to jump rope, and do lunges and squats that were impossible 6 months after the surgery.

    Hang in there and be patient, and it will heal! I never dreamed the recovery would be this long and frustrating, so know that you are not alone. Best of luck, and hope to see you posting some positive results on here soon!
  • ColoradoBringItOn
    ColoradoBringItOn Posts: 132 Member
    Thank you for posting this, it's been about 8 months since my hubby broke his ankle and sometimes I lack sympathy for him because I feel he should be better by now. He had to have surgery to re-set it and has screws and a plate in there. I guess I need to be a bit more sympathetic to his healing.

    This is hub's x-ray if anyone's curious.. I'll just link it, as it's a bit graphic!
    http://i43.tinypic.com/2e5igdx.jpg

    OH MY WORD! That is a horrific break! Mine was a nice clean break...nothing like that :( Give your hubby some more sympathy...that's no bueno :(
  • thegabbleduck
    thegabbleduck Posts: 52 Member

    I actually wore heels (chunky and low) as a test on Friday and stupidly rolled my other foot and even though it didn't cause an injury I was limping and I threw the heels across the room and went barefoot for the rest of the day. I guess I just wanted to feel normal after this long. NOT.EVEN.CLOSE.

    I still can't wear any kind of heels.

    Literally every time I go out, I put my heels on, walk around the house for about 5 minutes, decide its stupid, cry, then wear flats. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME

    I still live in hope that one day, I will put them on and it magically won't hurt!!
  • meganpwood
    meganpwood Posts: 5 Member
    While I'm not currently suffering from a break, I have broken my right foot twice and my left once, so i feel your pain. Any lower body injury sucks to recover from and are so easily 'tweak-able' even after healing. I was stubborn and really pushed the recovery (taking off the boot early when I thought I was ready, but really wasn't), and now I have to be very careful with certain activities even years later because it's so easily re-injured. So take your time and let it heal! Goodluck!
  • ruthlesswr
    ruthlesswr Posts: 114 Member
    I broke my ankle in 8 places about a year and a half ago - so you are not alone!
    Hope your recovery goes well!!

    EDIT: I was also told by my doctors that a broken ankle is one of the hardest things to recovery from in terms of broken bones - so don't be too hard on yourself!

    !!! 8 PLACES !!! wow. That's .... scary bad. I only broke mine in 3 and it's been pretty tough to recover from. Still no high heels for me, and I can't even walk comfortably barefoot at the moment. Sigh.
    Ruth
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    My break was in 2007. I still can't wear heels. After a day of wearing boots/pumps with the tiniest of heels hurts my ankle. I feel if I stuck with physical therapy longer it might have helped. Hang in there!
  • Winston1717
    Winston1717 Posts: 184
    Hi, 49 here and broke my tib and fib sparring on July 25 and had surgery the next day. Had a rod and screws put in and being 3.5 months in...getting stronger. Was actually doing my workouts at the gym on crutches early on. Doing pt etc. To date spinning or stationary bike daily along with hiit free weights and hiit calisthenics. Have also included the stairmaster in my work outs recently. Still have pain but that's getting better.Still walking with a slight limp...but working on it. Going to do a 5 and 10K this spring....that's a fact...even if I can't compete with my previous times...its getting back on the horse that counts...good luck!
  • Colorburst29
    Colorburst29 Posts: 8
    I broke my ankle twice in 2 years! It has never been the same since. I used to let it be an excuse as to not work out but no anymore. It acts up once in a while, but I won't let it get the better of me.
  • ColoradoBringItOn
    ColoradoBringItOn Posts: 132 Member
    Hi, 49 here and broke my tib and fib sparring on July 25 and had surgery the next day. Had a rod and screws put in and being 3.5 months in...getting stronger. Was actually doing my workouts at the gym on crutches early on. Doing pt etc. To date spinning or stationary bike daily along with hiit free weights and hiit calisthenics. Have also included the stairmaster in my work outs recently. Still have pain but that's getting better.Still walking with a slight limp...but working on it. Going to do a 5 and 10K this spring....that's a fact...even if I can't compete with my previous times...its getting back on the horse that counts...good luck!

    WTG planning those 5 and 10Ks! I can't wait until I can get to a point to even train for them again. I was training for a 5K when I broke my ankle and the race was 3 days later so I'm still upset about missing it. I will complete it next year though...it won't get the best of me!
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
    Well I currently have a fractured fibula, no surgery just a cast. One week down and hope to get the cast off on 12/5. I fractured it about 2 weeks after I got out of a splint for a bad sprain I had at the end of august on the other ankle. So any advice for what is to come and how to keep off the weight while recuperating is great. I am hoping to be able to play sports again come this spring.
  • wateryphoenix
    wateryphoenix Posts: 644 Member
    At the end of Feb 2012 I broke both of my ankles in an accident. I broke the talus bone, and have screws in both ankles. My right ankle is worse, and I have screws in the front and back of it. I was in a wheelchair for 3 months and in physical therapy for another 2-3. It takes quite a bit to recover. To this day I still have to take Aleve before a workout, or I will be limping around like crazy.

    It was the first time I ever broke anything, as well! Just keep up with your therapy. Even after you are done seeing the therapist, keep doing those exercises! I slacked off for a little while and it made a huge difference. I can wear some heels, mostly around 2 inches.

    Feel free to add me if you wish. =D
  • holyshitfuvkgigs
    holyshitfuvkgigs Posts: 1
    Lol we're completely on the same level dude. I broke my ankle in 3 places back in end of January and am still not fully weight baring on it yet /: recovery is slow but maaaan do I miss running/dancing. I've currently been doing a couple sessions of therapy a week + my own therapy so hopefully I'll be fully recovered and running again by the end of the year....still got ways to go
  • misseymoo_2
    misseymoo_2 Posts: 1
    It's been about 3 years since my break ....literally shattered it...had surgery about a week after it happened (plates and screws the whole shebang) and a month of pt! only got to about 85 to 90 percent rom back ....I never even thought to take painkillers before working out lol, what a brilliant idea! I've been trying to do squats and the other exercises I learned in pt to improve rom, it's tightened up a bit (partly because I'm paranoid that bending my ankle too much will break it again lol) .......I notice that my muscles in that whole leg are still very tight as well, has anyone else experienced this and how did you help it?!
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    Old thread but wanted to chime in. As you can see from my profile picture I'm dealing with a fracture, a Jones Fracture. Been almost 4 months since I've walked. Sucks!!!
  • JJ48Fan
    JJ48Fan Posts: 50
    I broke my foot last December 10th.... 5th metatarsal - Jones fracture. The worst kind of break. I was in a non-bearing cast/boot for 3 and 1/2 months. Then I was able to walk in the boot for another 2 months before I was finally healed. It has taken me a long time to get back into exercise (partly out of fear, since I broke my foot doing plyometrics during P90X). I am not currently a gimp, but I totally feel your pain. Hang in there.

    I broke my 5th metatarsal - spiral fracture, 9 months ago taking out the trash (I'll never do that again :laugh: ) I too am scared to get back to running for fear of making it worse and being stuck in the boot again! I started off slowly and every time I walk or start to run my foot is in so much pain I have to ice it for the rest of the night. :grumble:
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    I broke my foot last December 10th.... 5th metatarsal - Jones fracture. The worst kind of break. I was in a non-bearing cast/boot for 3 and 1/2 months. Then I was able to walk in the boot for another 2 months before I was finally healed. It has taken me a long time to get back into exercise (partly out of fear, since I broke my foot doing plyometrics during P90X). I am not currently a gimp, but I totally feel your pain. Hang in there.

    I broke my 5th metatarsal - spiral fracture, 9 months ago taking out the trash (I'll never do that again :laugh: ) I too am scared to get back to running for fear of making it worse and being stuck in the boot again! I started off slowly and every time I walk or start to run my foot is in so much pain I have to ice it for the rest of the night. :grumble:

    <<<Jones Fracture here. Almost clean thru!! No fabulous story behind it. Over training and developed a stress fracture. Saw the doc, said xrays looked fine and follow up in a month, if still tender then he will order an MRI. Three days before my appointment I got out of the car, took a step and my foot snapped. Surgery to put in the screw and the xray on the right is from this morning. Almost 4 months later and not completely healed!!! :angry: :grumble: :noway:
  • kc0622
    kc0622 Posts: 1
    I found this thread because it's been about that long since I broke my ankle and my foot, and I cannot believe how slow this recovery is! I was searching for proof that it's not just me!

    I was doing okay with my recovery, then I stumbled at the ice rink (watching from the sidelines - my kids take lessons) and for the past three days it's hurt so bad that I needed to wear my air cast again. I was able to run two miles about a month ago, but the next day I was limping about. Going down stairs is still not the same - I used to just fly down the stairs, now I have to pay attention and hold the handrail.

    It is completely frustrating. I would never have guessed how long it takes to recover from an ankle break.
  • twopeas2
    twopeas2 Posts: 81 Member
    Gosh, reading this thread is so depressing! I broke my fibula 2 1/2 weeks ago, had surgery 1 week ago and am already going BONKERS! I was doing a lot of exercise, including running up to 15kms prior to breaking it and I am missing it so bad. I will say that I seem to have lost some weight though, so that's one positive. I can't wait to be out of this damn cast. I hope all of you are healing nicely, or are much better.

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