Author Topic: Broken ankle  (Read 3806 times)

Broken ankle
« on: 07 July, 2019, 01:31:22 pm »
I am now wearing one of those high tech velcro boots which have largely replaced plaster casts.
So, just as I was feeling that I'd got over the effects of my last enforced lay-off, I have another six weeks of no cycling or running.

Sigh.

Any suggestions on re-hab when the time comes?
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #1 on: 05 August, 2019, 05:48:57 pm »
Just back from a physio appointment. Can take the boot off. Use it as and when. Start all my other activities, gently, from now. I don't think I'll ride to work in the morning, somehow. To be honest, I need to get driving again first. It being the middle of the summer we have a whole string of weekend activities which are being curtailed by MrsC not being prepared to drive when towing the caravan (a decision I completely understand).
But good news...
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #2 on: 05 August, 2019, 08:27:25 pm »
Good luck with the recovery. Remember to listen to the physio and not rush back in to things.

I've got a fracture clinic appointment on Wednesday morning to see what I get.

Not a full blown broken ankle but it was a bad sprain with a small avulsion fracture (the stretched ligament pulled away a small piece of the medial malleolus bone).

Did it playing football but it felt ok enough to carry on playing after a short turn in goal, played for a further 30 minutes seemingly without a problem. Walked to the pub with a small limp. 6 or 7 pints of internal medication. Woke up next morning and could barely put any weight on it. Nicely swollen. Off to minor injuries and had an x-ray showing the possible avulsion fracture and was given crutches.

Looking at Garmin steps stats show how it's reacted:-

1st Aug (injury at 6.30pm): 9838 steps (including playing 30 minutes more football on the knackered foot and walking to the pub afterwards)
2nd Aug: 5387 steps (most of those on crutches and most of that to/from/around hospital)
3rd Aug: 1780 steps (spent almost all day on the sofa watch movies with my daughter)
4th Aug: 10,025 steps (ditched crutches and wandered into Putney to watch the Ride 100, then up Putney Hill later in the day to watch the pro race come past)
5th Aug: 11,365 steps (so far, including a 2 mile swim but without kicking)

The classic ligament damage stripe bruise has come up nicely too.

Really really really hoping I get away with nothing (no cast, no boot, no op) and just no running/footy with just 8-12 physio to strengthen it all back up.

A boot that I can take off when I want would be ok I suppose. I need to be training for two 6 mile swims I have coming up (September and November) plus a lake swimming family holiday at the end of August. A cast (or an op) would be a disaster.

(Good news is it means I can take a break from football and running and get my dodgy hip flexor fixed. It hasn't been 100% ever since I felt it start to go 30k in to the marathon and I walked the rest. Playing 5-a-side twice and week just wasn't giving it a chance to recover.)
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #3 on: 05 August, 2019, 08:42:21 pm »
The physio described your sort of fracture to me at our first meeting. She seemed to imply I was lucky I hadn't done that.
I have another appointment in a month's time. I also have to have a bone density scan due to my age.
I will be gentle. I've had one period of gradual recuperation this year, following my hernia op, so I'm fairly used to it.  :-\

Good luck with your recovery
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #4 on: 05 August, 2019, 08:56:14 pm »
Medial malleolus, GB? (That's the tip of the tibia on the inside of the ankle.)

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #5 on: 05 August, 2019, 09:28:23 pm »
Medial malleolus, GB? (That's the tip of the tibia on the inside of the ankle.)

Yep. From memory of her showing me on the x-ray I struggled to make out the bit that she was talking about. If what I was looking at was the right bit then it's small (under 3mm in any direction) and still close to the main part of the bone (no more than 2mm away, although it's a 2D x-ray).

The implication was that it shouldn't need any form of surgery (although she couldn't definitively say, not being an orthopaedic specialist) but should just need rest/time for the bone to reconnect and any ligament damage to heal, and physio to help this.

Here's the best shot of the x-ray I have: http://www.greenbank.org/misc/xray.png

Where are the notes I have to take:-

Quote
<skip premable>

O/E: LIMPING
ANKLES COMPARED
LEFT ANKLE SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN
NO DEFORMITY, BRUISING, SKIN BREAKS
ON PALPATION KNEE TO TOES, TENDER MEDIAL MALLEOLUS
ACTIVE ANKLE MOVEMENT REDUCED DUE TO PAIN
GOOD C.W.S TO TOUCH

Imp: SPRAIN
FRACTURE

Plan: X RAY LEFT ANKLE
DX: X RAY SHOWS; AVULSION FRACTURE MEDIAL MALLEOLUS

Tx: FRACTURE EXPLAINED
ADVICE ON REST/USE/ANALGESIA/RECOVERY/REHAB
REF FRACTURE CLINIC KGH
NOTES GIVEN
XRAY SON IEP
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

hellymedic

  • Just do it!
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #6 on: 05 August, 2019, 10:48:21 pm »
Yup, that's the medial malleolus!

Injuries are less common to it than the lateral malleolus.

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #7 on: 07 August, 2019, 10:25:21 am »
Got away with nothing other than physio. The avulsion should heal by itself as long as I don't sprain the ankle again, so warned off running/football/etc for a couple of months (or at least until the physio says it is ok). Gentle cycling should be ok (assuming the physio agrees) but stomping on the pedals in a spin class probably not a good idea.

Next step (no pun intended) is to return the crutches and drop in the physio referral form (just need to find my NHS number - done).

Hopefully I can get my hip flexor (same side annoyingly, so some of the exercises for that won't be a good idea with a dodgy ankle) looked at at the same time, would be nice to return to football without a single niggle.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #8 on: 07 August, 2019, 03:33:46 pm »
Allow me to add a third:  twisted an ankle falling over whilst completely sober (on my way to the pub). 

Initial diagnosis: broken.  I was given the big boot and crutches. 

Subsequent review at the fracture clinic:  not a serious break, "more like a bad sprain" (my physio looked puzzled at that).  So I abandoned the boot and crutches, though I still limped along with a stick.

The following week:  Nigel Physio says he thinks Paris-Brest-Paris is still feasible, gives me some exercises to do & will see me again next week.  A month after the accident and I am walking pretty normally now.

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #9 on: 17 September, 2019, 09:43:00 am »
Have had two physio sessions, have loads of different exercises to do.

Next physio appt in 6 weeks, if I do all of the exercises and build up strength again I'll hopefully get the all clear to restart running then.

Cycling and swimming fine though, so no excuses for not getting fitness back.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #10 on: 25 September, 2019, 07:08:21 pm »
First 5k run without stopping today!  :)
Last time I managed that was the morning before I broke the ankle in the afternoon.
About 10% slower than that time, but good progress.
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #11 on: 27 September, 2019, 06:45:41 am »
and another one here; Saturday before last run off the road by a tractor, squeezed me into the kerb and the rear wheel of the trailer clipped my lower leg. lots of friction burns and twisted right ankle. I've been able to walk OK, got good rom and mostly pain free. I've been cycling, swimming, gym session and walking, but not tried running yet. Lat night tried to sit in lotus position as my back likes it, but grabbing my ankle to move that leg was very sore.

it's still quite bruised, is OK in flexion, but sore in twisting or rotation. Also still swollen specifically ankle rather than foot, and tender to the touch. Twelve days after the fact, this has me wondering if a second visit to minor injuries is warranted to rule out anything other than a nasty sprain
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #12 on: 27 September, 2019, 10:56:46 am »
and another one here; Saturday before last run off the road by a tractor, squeezed me into the kerb and the rear wheel of the trailer clipped my lower leg. lots of friction burns and twisted right ankle. I've been able to walk OK, got good rom and mostly pain free. I've been cycling, swimming, gym session and walking, but not tried running yet. Lat night tried to sit in lotus position as my back likes it, but grabbing my ankle to move that leg was very sore.

it's still quite bruised, is OK in flexion, but sore in twisting or rotation. Also still swollen specifically ankle rather than foot, and tender to the touch. Twelve days after the fact, this has me wondering if a second visit to minor injuries is warranted to rule out anything other than a nasty sprain

Sorry about your inury, hope you heal well and quickly. The most worrying thing about this post is the matter of fact nature your report of being knocked off by a tractor! Did they at least stop for you?

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #13 on: 27 September, 2019, 11:00:48 am »
and another one here; Saturday before last run off the road by a tractor, squeezed me into the kerb and the rear wheel of the trailer clipped my lower leg. lots of friction burns and twisted right ankle. I've been able to walk OK, got good rom and mostly pain free. I've been cycling, swimming, gym session and walking, but not tried running yet. Lat night tried to sit in lotus position as my back likes it, but grabbing my ankle to move that leg was very sore.

it's still quite bruised, is OK in flexion, but sore in twisting or rotation. Also still swollen specifically ankle rather than foot, and tender to the touch. Twelve days after the fact, this has me wondering if a second visit to minor injuries is warranted to rule out anything other than a nasty sprain

No X-ray?
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #14 on: 27 September, 2019, 11:13:30 am »
No, no x-ray based on the opinion of two paramedics and the fact that I had full ROM and could walk on it

kev, they did stop, I think they saw me in the rear view mirror, lets face it 85kg of bike and rider vs probably >5000kg of tractor and trailer, they wouldn't have felt a thing. I asked them to call the police there and then, spoke to the other end who advised report at the local station, which I will do tomorrow, as they were being co-operative. I have full details, they live in my village.

Injuries apart, being in deepest ruralshire, there are two types of cyclists, the plodders and the faster cohort. There is an unfortunate tendency to think that we are going slower than we are and "just nip out in front" without realising that I can be going faster than a tractor can go.  There is a bit of resignation to the facts here, especially after last October.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #15 on: 27 September, 2019, 11:18:51 am »
I'd go back to minor injuries if only to get a referral to the physio.

(I could have gone private for my physio but the local NHS one is way closer and easier to get to.)

I was surprised how long the physio has told me to hold off from running. I was back walking on my ankle within 3 or 4 days (to the point that people said they wouldn't have noticed there had been anything wrong) and have the all clear for cycling/swimming/etc, but from a 1st August injury I'm looking at starting running 1st November and that's if the strengthening I'm doing each day does its job.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #16 on: 27 September, 2019, 11:24:12 am »
I'll take my running shoes with me to Belgium next week, for a tentative trot, but no target.

Will just walk for activity if I need to.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #17 on: 27 September, 2019, 11:38:07 am »
The warning I had was that whilst the joint/muscles/ligaments were still recovering a subsequent sprain would result in much greater damage probably needing surgery to fix and I'd be looking at 6+ months off running.

Obviously there's still a risk of spraining/twisting an ankle even when walking, but it's a much lower risk than running on it or, even worse, playing some sport with rapid changes of directions (e.g. 5-a-side football).
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #18 on: 27 September, 2019, 04:12:57 pm »
No fracture evident at mino injuries, but will also be review at Addenbrooks tomorrow. So just a bad sprain and exercise according to the pain. Confirmed my no running yet approach, so I'll take the comfy walking shoes next week instead.
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #19 on: 12 October, 2019, 05:30:52 pm »
Did my first parkrun post-break this morning. A bit of a test as it's an entirely cross-country course, complete with rabbit holes, odd cambers, quite steep gradients, and was rather damp this morning. Not a brilliant time, but I finished in one piece, which was the main aim.
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #20 on: 16 October, 2019, 09:41:23 pm »
Went out for a walk after dinner this evening, added a tentative jog between two lamposts. Ankle is not ready yet, a month down the line
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #21 on: 28 October, 2019, 01:21:03 pm »
...from a 1st August injury I'm looking at starting running 1st November and that's if the strengthening I'm doing each day does its job.

Saw the physio again today. More strengthening required, some of the new exercises (heel raises/dips from a step rather than flat ground, and single foot hopping) that were new have shown there's still a way to go.

Another appointment for 6 weeks' time and they'll reassess then. Likelihood is can ease back into running from mid-December and then back to 5-a-side mid/late January (which will be almost 6 months from the original injury).
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #22 on: 09 December, 2019, 08:01:57 pm »
Another appointment for 6 weeks' time and they'll reassess then. Likelihood is can ease back into running from mid-December and then back to 5-a-side mid/late January (which will be almost 6 months from the original injury).

Saw the physio today and got told I could start running again. Suggestion was to follow the Couch to 5k plan as that would progressively add load to the ankle - it's going to be hard to limit myself to C25K as my fitness is not the limiting factor, but if the alternative is a much greater chance of injuring myself then I will hopefully stick to it.

Also told I could start to play 5-a-side but I really don't think the ankle is up to it especially as I play with both feet, so I'll build up more strength with running (and some gentle trail runs) and then be back to footy when I feel like it isn't going to explode when I kick a ball.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

ElyDave

  • Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society member 263583
Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #23 on: 11 December, 2019, 12:29:47 pm »
also seen a physio myself, said I'd done quite a lot of good work already but he could help.  Suggested some physical manipulation in addition to what I was already doing, and said not to run yet. 

Seeing him again tomorrow
“Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” –Charles Dickens

Re: Broken ankle
« Reply #24 on: 11 December, 2019, 12:51:49 pm »
Second run today, it was the last school running club of the term so I did that instead of C25K W1D2. It was only a gentle-ish 1km jog to the local common, some fun relay races for the kids and then a gentle 1km jog back. I did tail-end-charlie role as it means walking with the ones that get stitches, claim stitches (because it's a convenient excuse) or just can't be arsed to run.

Still got some exercises to do for my ankle. Some with a bosu ball (bought relatively cheaply from eBay). Luckily the exercises are 4 days a week, which goes well with 3 days a week of C25K.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."